He didn’t interrupt, allowing her time to grasp the truth. However, her need to know more about the accident finally broke through and calmed her. Worse, a niggling feeling told her that she didn’t know all of it yet. “Did Troy tell you what happened? What did the doctors say?” she asked into his shirt, desperate to hear that Gabby would be all right.
“No one knows yet, but they are hoping that she’ll pull through. The surgeon told her parents that the next few days would be critical. Hopefully, she will regain consciousness without any long-term damage. He assured them that she was healthy and strong before the accident and that her body is still fighting to heal.” He hugged her tighter. “Everyone except Ian and Eva are by her side.”
Arielle curled her fingers into the fabric beneath her palms, frantically trying to calm the quick inhalations and exhalations that left black spots and the words, “dead, dead, dead” before her eyes. “What happened to them, Sebastian? Tell me.”
“Both of them escaped with bruises, cuts, and a couple broken limbs. Overall, they are extremely lucky. Troy says they’ll be released sometime tomorrow.”
“Thank God,” she praised. For a moment, she closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing. Once the spots disappeared, she kissed Sebastian’s cheek and continued. “How did it happen?”
Sebastian half-smiled down at her, the strain of everything weighing heavily in his expression. “The vehicle overturned on their way back home from a dinner party at the Polo Club.” Arielle waited for him to continue. “Troy and I purchased six tickets to a fundraiser there before you and I decided to take this trip. Originally, it would have been us, Troy and Gabrielle, and Ian and Eva. Since Italy seemed more important, I suggested Troy invite Paul and Loren to use the tickets.
“What happened to Paul and Lauren?” The panic pushed at her.
“They are fine. They went to the function in their own car, so they left separately,” he assured her.
“Good,” she murmured. “God, what happened?”
“The four of them left the dance quite late with Gabrielle driving and Troy in the passenger seat. The roads were wet and slick from some light showers. Gabrielle insisted on driving, and as you know, Troy is happy to let her do whatever makes her happy. Gabrielle swerved to avoid hitting something in the middle of the road, and the car flipped several times before smashing against a concrete wall that stretched along the road. They didn’t have seatbelts on. Troy saw everyone being ejected out of the car.” Sebastian’s voice was despondent.
Immediately, Arielle knew that they had to get back to Brighton. Gabby and Eva were her friends, her sisters, her family! Words failed her as her mind raced. Decision made, she exhaled.
“Arielle, what’s going on in there?” Sebastian pointed at her head.
“I want to go home,” she whispered anxiously.
“I knew you would. I’ll make the arrangements, and we’ll be on the first flight out.” She held on to Sebastian, refusing to let go as she cried silently and prayed for her friends. He took her face in his hands again and kissed her softly.
“Don’t worry, Arielle. I’m right here. Remember that I love your friends very much. They are part of my life now, and they’ll always be,” Sebastian said, his voice comforting. He watched carefully, making sure that she was okay. He smiled softly. “We have to let others go through their own journey while we stay on ours. We can love them; we can be there for them, but don’t forget that we have to be here for us, too. You have to accept this accident and let the wallop subside in order to be strong for our friends and give them the support they will need from us.”
He gave her a pointed look, pushing her gently away and meeting her eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“I feel so shattered, and you’re so strong, so incredibly amazing. I’m thankful I have you.” Without hesitation, she pulled him close again and wrapped her arms around his neck.
His lips caressed her ear. “There is one lesson that I’ve learned while walking the long, miserable, immortal road for over five centuries. If we live our lives at its fullest, then we can’t stop the bad—or good—experiences from happening.” The bitter smile he gave her didn’t fit with his beautiful profile.
And knowing that he was right didn’t dispel the hurt she felt at being so far away from the people she loved while they needed her. “I feel so helpless,” she added in a muffled voice. “I want to do something, but I am unsure what that might be.”
“All we can do is go back home and be with them. We are going to do that as soon as possible,” he reassured her, trying to calm her. “I’m here, Arielle. Please don’t wallow in the negative. You can’t help them if you make yourself ill.” If I can just help her process what I’ve already told her, she’ll be able to handle the rest of the news soon. The hurt in her eyes was tearing him apart, but nothing he could do would make her pain go away.
“Arielle, call your mother while I make the flight arrangements. She might have some more details.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and walked out of the room.
She picked up her phone, and her mum answered on the first ring.
“Mum, did you hear about Gabby and Eva? They were involved in a car accident last night.” She desperately needed to hear something comforting.
“Yes, dear, I just found out. Gabby’s mother called me a couple minutes ago. She and John are devastated. They spent the night in the ICU waiting room, because the doctor told them that Gabby’s condition is extremely critical. I called Eva’s mom once I hung up. Madeline said she stayed beside Eva’s bedside the whole night. Apparently, Eva and Ian were pretty lucky.” Arielle heard shuffling in the background.
“Your dad and I are getting ready to go to the hospital to be with them for a bit. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything else we can do right now.”
“Was it in the news there?” she questioned, hoping more details had been released. Like what caused Gabby to swerve.
“Katherine told me that they splattered it all over the front page in the morning paper, and we just got through reading the details. Good Lord! Arielle, if you saw the picture of the car, you wouldn’t be able to comprehend how anyone came out of it alive!
“The accident investigators and the police officers on the scene were stunned. They couldn’t explain how Eva and Ian could escape with minor injuries. The back of the car was completely destroyed. The amazing part is that Troy was unscathed. The paper called it a miracle. If those kids didn’t have guardian angels they’d be dead!”
“I’m glad it turned out the way it did, Mum,” Arielle said softly. “Sebastian and I are praying for Gabby. We’re coming home with the first flight out, and we should be there soon. I love you, Mum. My heart is breaking over this accident.” Thinking about it brought tears back to her eyes.
“Arielle,” she heard her mum’s voice, strong and reassuring. “I’m sure it’ll all work out. She’s under God’s care now, and I know she’ll come out of this soon. I love you, dearest. Be careful!”
“I love you, too, Mum.”
Setting the phone back on the receiver, she wished she could take away the agony her friends and family was feeling. She lay across the bed, waiting for Sebastian to return.
Note to Readers
Thank you to my fans. It is the most rewarding and surreal experience to receive your wonderful feedback after reading my books. To the future readers, thank you for loving books and making my book your choice. This is the third novel in my Immortal Rapture Series. I hope you enjoyed it.
About the Author
Lilian Roberts was born in Athens, Greece. She is a corporate engineer and lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and her golden retriever. She is an avid reader and loves to read novels that feature characters draped in passion, mystery, and adventure. She is especially fascinated with the concept of immortality. Arielle Immortal Passion is her third volume in the Immortal Rapture series of paranormal romance novels.
Contact Information
My website: lilianroberts.com
My Twitter: @lilian3roberts
My Blog: lilianroberts.blogspot.com
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