Arielle Immortal Passion (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 3)

by Lilian Roberts

  Arielle was mortified. Her eyes went wide. “Dear God!” she stuttered and moved closer to Sebastian, staring at Troy in stunned dismay.

  “What do you mean they disappeared? Did she have them killed?” she stammered.

  “Yes,” Troy said, his voice was barely more than a whisper.

  “Well, who is she?” Sebastian asked, his voice unruffled. “I’m absolutely at a loss as to why she would be in my home,” he said. “Did you know her?”

  Frowning slightly, Troy said, “I’m embarrassed to say that I was her lover for a short time.”

  “What?” Arielle shrieked. Sebastian reached over and pulled her close.

  Troy glanced between Arielle and Sebastian awkwardly. Then, rising to his feet he shifted from one foot to the other in clear discomfort. “She is a very beautiful woman and I was a very young man then, and new to the immortal circle. She convinced me that she was in love with me. It didn’t take much time for me to find out who she really was and what she was doing—with several men at the same time. I left her feeling used. As time went by, I realized that I had been infatuated with her but never really in love. I have really never been truly in love with any girl until Gabrielle.” He smiled softly as he spoke her name.

  “Troy, I’m sure Annabel has everything to do with this and is just trying anything she can think of to get me away from Arielle. I’m not worried about facing either one of them. However, I’m worried about Arielle.”

  Arielle pressed her lips together, feeling stressed. This new chapter in her life seemed to be getting more complicated by the moment.

  “Sebastian, I think we should take Arielle back upstairs and sit down and talk about this together,” Troy said. “I’ve got several recourses I can use, and I’m sure if we get together on this we can work it out.”

  Sebastian looked at Arielle, put his arm gently around her waist, and pulled her towards the door.

  “No, Sebastian,” she protested, but he just bent down and took her mouth in a heart-stopping kiss, blocking the words from leaving her mouth.

  Troy chuckled and Arielle pouted. “Arielle, why don’t you stay with Gabrielle while Sebastian and I talk about some of these issues?” Troy suggested.

  “What?” she said, surprised. Undoubtedly, she had heard him wrong. How could he ask her to stay out of something that was directly affecting her? Surely he didn’t mean to say that.

  Sebastian peered down at her intently.

  “Please, Arielle,” Troy said pleadingly once again.

  “Oh, okay,” Arielle grumbled reluctantly, making Sebastian and Troy laugh out loud. She knew that she couldn’t change their minds. They were agitated and determined to resolve whatever the issue was without her being in the middle. She decided it was best to let them.

  She left them in the hallway and knocked on Gabrielle’s door. When the door opened she leaned in. “Gabrielle, let me in,” she whispered. She put her index finger on her lips to show her friend that she should be quiet. She left the door ajar. From the hallway they could hear Ian’s voice calling to Troy and Sebastian.

  “What’s up?”

  “Hey, Ian, Sebastian is going to show me where to find a book in that huge library of his,” Troy replied.

  “Eva wanted me to find out if we were going to the beach later today…”

  “Yes, I think we should go, we all seem to enjoy the beach,” Sebastian replied.

  “Okay, see you guys!” Ian shouted and went back into his room.

  Arielle shut the door and turned toward Gabrielle, who was standing as still as a statue, wondering what the hell was going on. Arielle explained to her in a few words what had taken place downstairs as her friend looked at her with eyes wide open, stunned.

  “So, what’s going on now?”

  “They are getting their resources together to try and find out why she is here and what is going on between her and Annabel. I’m scared, Gabrielle. Whatever their plan is, it’ll affect me directly.”

  She shivered with fear. Gabrielle put her arms around her friend and comforted her in a low voice. “Don’t worry, Arielle, I know that Troy and Sebastian will find the answer. You’re not alone. We’re all here with you. I think today will be the perfect time to talk to Ian and Eva about the four of us. I’m not sure we can keep this kind of secret any longer. Our friendship will be in jeopardy if we can’t talk openly.”

  Arielle nodded in agreement. “But first we have to clear it with Troy and Sebastian,” she said. She was quiet for a few minutes, a strong wave of irritation rolling over her. She was getting tired of having Annabel control every aspect of her life.

  “Gabrielle, I’m exhausted from thinking about Annabel and all her dirty schemes. I don’t care what she’s planning next. I’m ready to deal with her and get this over with. I can’t live my life worrying about her day in and day out.”

  “Good for you, Arielle! You’re right, you can’t let this stupid woman keep creating relentless trouble and aggravation for you.”

  “I know that Sebastian is puzzled by this other woman’s presence,” Arielle said. “I think they want to get to the bottom of this before we leave on Monday. Whatever is going on, they want it worked out permanently.”

  She looked out the window, a jumble of crazy thoughts tumbling through her mind. She wasn’t going to mention to Gabrielle about Troy having an affair with the woman centuries ago. That would be up to Troy to tell her if he chose to do so.

  About an hour later, Sebastian and Troy emerged from the library. As they entered the room where Gabrielle and Arielle were waiting, the girls looked at them expectantly, but they didn’t ask a single question. Sebastian went over to Arielle, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her toward him. Troy did the same thing with Gabrielle. Apparently neither one was ready to talk, for there was a heavy silence in the room. Finally, Arielle couldn’t hold back any longer. “Well? What in bloody hell is going on? Will you guys please tell us what is happening?”

  Sebastian and Troy burst into hearty laughter. Arielle and Gabrielle stared at them in shock.

  “What?” Gabrielle said petulantly.

  Sebastian squeezed Arielle tighter and said, “I bet Troy that you wouldn’t be able to hold back your curiosity for more than five minutes, and I won the bet.”

  “I don’t think either one of you is very funny,” Arielle said, trying to keep from laughing herself but not totally succeeding.

  “A few of our friends are coming up tomorrow, and we’ll handle the issue before we go home. We don’t want either one of you to worry about it at all. Troy and I have it figured out, and, no, you can’t ask about the details. I know that would have been your next question.”

  “But…”

  Sebastian tipped her head up and pressed his lips on Arielle’s, preventing her from saying another word.

  “Troy?” said Gabrielle.

  “Yes, baby?”

  “I think we need to tell Ian and Eva the truth about you and Sebastian. They are our very best friends. I am sure you don’t have to worry about either one of them divulging your secret. I think the worst part of the whole thing will be when they find out. I’m afraid that keeping something like this a secret from them will destroy our friendship.”

  Troy and Sebastian exchanged a look, and Arielle could see their lips moving, as if they were talking to each other, but she couldn’t hear a sound. She looked at Gabrielle and shrugged her shoulders.

  “I’m sure you are right,” Troy said a bit later as he took Gabrielle into his arms again. “They are our best friends, and it’s hard to discuss Sebastian and Arielle’s situation with Annabel without them knowing the truth. Besides, I know that you and Arielle trust them with your lives, and even if we know how dangerous it would be for other people to know, in this case Sebastian and I have to agree.”

  He looked at Sebastian as if for confirmation, and Sebastian nodded slowly in agreement. “Let’s go freshen up and get down to the beach early enough to get some lunch,” Gabby s
aid.

  Troy and Sebastian exchanged a warm handshake. Then, Sebastian and Arielle retreated to their room. When the door closed behind them, she turned to face Sebastian and gazed into his beautiful eyes.

  “What is it, my love?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and, closing her eyes, she stood on her toes, searching for his mouth. He pulled her close and brought his mouth down on hers with passion. His mouth was hot and sweet. She could taste his immortal scent. Her warmth enveloped him and desire surged into his bloodstream. She was startled when he picked her up and threw her gently onto the bed. She felt his warm body next to hers and she pulled herself closer as he cradled her in his arms and found his way back into the softness of her mouth.

  “How can you move so fast?”

  He laughed as his arms pulled her to him, giving her the deep sense of security she needed. Once again, she felt wrapped in a climate of comfort by the man of her dreams.

  “I’m a little scared,” she whispered softly. She felt his hands nearly crushing her as he sighed out loud.

  “Please trust in me, Arielle,” he said firmly, knowing that he had committed himself irrevocably to protecting her and keeping her safe. “Tell me that you trust me.”

  “I do.”

  His lips pressed the pulse at the base of her throat, and he moaned ecstatically. It felt like infinite sensuality that was seeping into his skin and making it blissfully painful. He was mesmerized and utterly speechless at the effect she commanded over him every time she was in his arms. They closed their eyes and stayed perfectly still in the utopia they were creating for each other. His lips curved into an extraordinary smile and he nuzzled and kissed her hair. “I love you so much,” he said, and she grinned, drawing in a shuddering breath.

  Chapter 11

  IT WAS EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON when they drove down to the beach. They decided to walk away from the crowds and sit on the soft, warm sand, knowing that they would be discussing an important and very delicate issue with Ian and Eva.

  Arielle knew that it had been okay to keep the secret of Troy and Sebastian’s immortality until now, but she felt that it wasn’t any longer. This was the day that they would have to reveal the truth if they wanted their friendship to stay strong. She had no idea how this revelation would impact Ian and Eva, or how they would be able to handle the typhoon she was about to unleash on them. She knew that the secret would impact their lives too, but both Arielle and Gabrielle believed strongly this was the right moment to do it. Here they would be able to discuss any questions Ian and Eva might have instead of just dropping a bombshell in the middle of their everyday lives and expecting them to instantly understand.

  Sebastian and Troy were ready to handle the backlash, but they valued Ian and Eva’s friendship just as much as Gabrielle and Arielle did, and so they too were a bit concerned about how it would go.

  When they were all settled on the beach, Sebastian and Arielle looked at each other, not sure how to bring the subject up. Eva began to look worried, as if she knew something unpleasant was coming. She looked straight at Arielle as she began to speak.

  “Ian, Eva, there is something very serious that we need to share with you,” Arielle began. She paused for a moment, noticing the nervous look in her friend’s eyes. Ian reached over and clasped Eva’s hand. Suspense covered their faces as Arielle continued. “It’ll be an enormous shock to you, and that’s not an understatement. I am speaking from personal experience. But it’s very important that you hear me carefully and try to understand what I’m about to tell you.”

  The silence became so loud it felt earsplitting. A quick smile touched Arielle’s lips. She fell quiet for a long moment before continuing, allowing her friends to brace themselves for the revelation they were about to hear.

  “Oh, my God, Arielle, what is it?” Eva spit out loudly, overcome by curiosity.

  The smile vanished from Arielle’s face. “The six of us have been very close and we’re all committed to our true, forever friendship,” she said. “But Sebastian, Gabrielle, Troy, and I must clear the air and share a secret with you that has been bothering the four of us for a while now.”

  Eva and Ian exchanged a quick look. “Might as well get it over with,” Eva said anxiously. Perhaps their anxiety and concern was the primary reason they were short on patience.

  Sebastian pressed Arielle’s hand, encouraging her to continue, making sure that she eased into the details of immortality slowly. She wanted Ian and Eva to keep their minds free of preconceptions and prejudices so that their hearts would be able to see Sebastian and Troy’s true nature underneath the surface, and they would be able to discover the treasures that she and Gabrielle had found in them.

  “Seriously, Arielle, what is it? It sounds serious,” Eva persisted.

  “Okay, does either one of you know, or have you ever heard of immortals?”

  “You mean eternal life?” Ian asked.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

  “Well, yes, I have. And I’m sure Eva has too,” Ian said and gazed at Eva, waiting for her reply. She gave a hurried, positive nod.

  “Of course I have. What is all this about?” Eva asked.

  “Eva,” Arielle continued, looking directly at her friend. Eva looked back at her with a half stunned, half perplexed look on her face.

  “Eva, do you remember asking me and Gabrielle about Troy and Sebastian? Do you remember asking what was so different about them? Remember how you said they looked and sounded different than anyone we had ever met before?”

  “Yes…” The word came out slowly as Eva tried to remember the exact content of their prior conversation. “What are you saying exactly?”

  “I guess there is no other way to say it,” Arielle said. She hesitated for a short moment. Then, taking a deep breath she ran her fingers through her hair. Eva’s eyebrows rose questioningly, waiting for her next statement. “Troy and Sebastian are immortals,” Arielle stated quietly but firmly.

  A lengthy silence followed. Ian and Eva’s faces had frozen in place in a shocked, conflicted look. The others remained quiet, giving them time to absorb Arielle’s words. The thick silence extended.

  Ian gave his head a shake and was the first to say something, and when he spoke his words came out slow and shaky. “Are you vampires?” he asked, focusing on Sebastian and Troy’s faces, his voice cracking in disbelief.

  Sebastian and Troy smiled softly. They were not surprised by the question.

  “No, Ian, we are not vampires,” Troy replied calmly. Arielle and Sebastian could read Ian and Eva’s minds, and they saw fear developing.

  “I’ve read about vampires and immortality,” Ian said nervously. Troy looked at Sebastian and when Sebastian nodded approval, Troy proceeded to explain.

  “Ian, vampires are a pure myth. They do not exist,” he said, glancing between Eva and Ian.

  “But… but if you are immortals then you must be something like vampires. Aren’t you?” Ian mumbled nervously.

  Troy paused for a moment and took a deep breath. “Let me explain,” he said, carefully considering each word that left his lips. “We are actually nothing like vampires… we are not vampires… vampires are a myth,” he repeated, clearly enunciating the last word. “We are immortals, and we have special gifts that are superior to those of the average human, but we carry on with our everyday lives just like you and Eva do. We can eat normal food, but we prefer not to do that.” He paused, then added, “But the main thing is, we don’t need to harm humans in order to survive.”

  He stopped talking and watched as Eva and Ian exchanged fearful looks. After a moment, he continued, “If the stories about vampires weren’t a myth, if they were a true fact, then you wouldn’t be here to discuss this issue,” he said and chuckled.

  “I don’t understand,” Ian said, perplexed.

  “Well, just think about it,” Troy said, his voice trailing off as if he were trying to find the right words to address this particular moment. “
If we follow the stories about vampires, they say that they appeared on this earth as early as 1400 AD. They also say that vampires require the blood of the living to survive. If that were true, vampires would have wiped out humanity from this planet a long time ago. Don’t you find that to be a bit outlandish?” Troy said and chuckled again. “On top of all that, let me say that Sebastian and I have roamed this earth for many, many centuries, and we have never met a vampire. Have you?”

  “Of course not,” Ian said hurriedly.

  Troy stopped for a short moment, and then he continued, “Eva, Ian, the only reason Sebastian and I got to know you is that we fell in love with Arielle and Gabrielle. If it weren’t for them, we would never have known you.”

  “We care about you all so much,” Sebastian interjected. “And Troy and I are committed to protecting all of you, not just Arielle and Gabrielle. But it’s very important for you who knows to keep our secret a secret,” he added in a serious voice. “The repercussions of anyone finding out would destroy our way of living. We would have to go away and that would create major issues for us, for you, and for Arielle and Gabrielle’s families.”

  “How so?” Eva said curiously.

  “Sebastian and I would have to move away,” Troy reiterated. “Arielle and Gabrielle would have to make a choice of either coming with us and leaving their families, their friends, and their way of life in Brighton behind, or stay there and destroy our chance to be happy together.”

  Eva breathed anxiously. She had pulled her knees up against her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees. “I’m trying to understand,” she whispered, “but it’s hard.” She stared at her toes and remained quiet for a long time. Finally, she looked up, tilted her head to the side, and focused on Arielle and Gabrielle. “How long have you known about this?” she asked, watching them carefully.