Authors: Sarah Brocious
"But this friend, she's encouraging her to go to the club?"
"As a group," Thanatos assured him. "I would be going along too. So she will be watched over," he insisted.
Nolan rolled his eyes. "If that's what she wants to do… who am I to stop her? She might have a really nice time. I wish I could be there."
He thought of how much fun it would be to dance with Raina. He chuckled softly. "Have a dance for me," he said sadly. "You have no idea, my friend. You have no idea what I would do to be in your shoes."
Thanatos blew out of breath. "I do Nolan. I do know and am so sorry it has to be this way for you."
Nolan was so tempted at that moment to tell the news that he had learned. But as the obedient immortal he was, he kept his lips together. "Just watch her please."
"With my life I will watch over," he promised.
"Kind of counting on that," Nolan chuckled. "How is she? She's eating now?"
"Yeah, yes, she's doing very well. I insisted she eat. Told her it would please you. That seemed to do the trick," he snickered. "She's still all about her Nolan."
"I like the sound of that more than I should," Nolan admitted. "I'm still all about my Raina." He felt like a silly romantic saying such a thing. He couldn't help it it's who he was.
"How is your training going?" Thanatos asked. "Are you still stressed? Have they mentioned bringing Raina in again?"
Nolan sighed. "No word about bringing her in. Obviously I have not encouraged the idea, much less brought it up again." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Though I have learned something here today that I can't tell you. But it makes me believe that perhaps my gift is stronger with her. The other healer? He has a catalyst too."
Thanatos chuckled. "I knew from the beginning that Raina was that for you. You just have to see the two of you together to know that."
Nolan smiled at this. "She did do things to me didn’t she?" He gave a soft chuckle. "Honestly? Raina does that for every person she comes in contact with mortal or immortal. Look at you," he said gently. "Thanatos you changed because of her. She just happens to be a beautiful person; one that will cause change. She's of great value.. She is of value to every person in her life. She can't help it…my sweet beautiful little mortal. How did I get so lucky?"
Thanatos was quiet for a moment.
“Thanatos?” Nolan thought he had lost the call.
"What's changed, Nolan? I called you two days ago and it was all doom and gloom. Suddenly I hear joy in your voice. I hear a bit of hope and it makes me think you know something you're not telling me."
"You will know in due time, friend. I promise this. I just can't share right now. And yes I've learned something that does give me hope. You cannot elude to this, as much as she may hurt, this is something she does not need to know right now."
"I trust you, Nolan.” He smiled into the phone.
“I want you to give her a message,” Nolan suddenly blurted out.
“A message? That’s a first,” Thanatos laughed. “You really want me to relay something to Raina?”
Nolan smiled. “I do.”
Thanatos chuckled again.” Good, she will be beside herself. What do you want me to say to her Nolan?"
Nolan grinned with a mischievous grin. "Tell Raina that I love her. Tell her that I miss her with every fiber of my being. And tell her I told you all to have fun." His teeth set in a grimace. "And tell Raina I said not too short of a dress."
This had Thanatos laughing. He choked back the tears that his laughter caused. "Oh, this won't rile her at all. She may balk at your little command but the rest of the message I'm sure she'll appreciate. Especially after all these weeks you've been gone and I haven't been allowed to give one message."
"Something is getting ready to happen, Thanatos. I can't say what but in my bone of bones I know things are going to change. That is, it will start looking up for us. But I don't want to give her too much hope." He shifted his phone into his other hand. "And Thanatos?” He smiled. “Thank you again my friend."
"You just take care of yourself Nolan. I've got it on this end." The line went dead.
Nolan shoved his phone back in his pocket. A small smile played about his lips. For the first time in a long time he had hope.
“
Chapter 6 Night Out
Raina dressed carefully that night. She smiled now and then as she played back in her head the notice that Nolan had given Thanatos. It had made her want to go in buy the shortest cutest tiniest little dress just to get his goad.
She had instead chosen a deep purple sleeveless number. It was pretty and it hugged her curves nicely without being overtly sexy. She paid more attention to her makeup than usual. They were going out after all it was a special occasion. She felt like she deserved to look cute tonight.
When Thanatos arrived he gave her an approving look. "Very nice…but I must say, I don't think Nolan would approve."
Raina frowned at this. "What do you mean? It's perfectly chaste! I don't know if I should care if he approves of what I'm wearing." She shrugged her shoulder and gave him a glare.
Thanatos chuckled and shook his head. "No, you really shouldn't. Except that, you do. And that dress is not exactly chaste. You look hot in it!" He stepped back from her holding up his phone. "Smile pretty."
Raina rolled her eyes then struck a pose.
"I hope this doesn't cause him to stroke out," he laughed. "But he's a healer he'll heal fast." He sent the picture off. "I wouldn't be surprised if I got a call pretty soon."
“And why would he call you?" Raina lifted her brows.
Thanatos gave her an amused look. "To chew me out for letting you leave the house like that."
Raina blushed and shook off his complement. "Melinda will be here soon to pick us up. Are you ready?" She gave him a once over and nodded. "Very nicely done Mr. Clay. Never have to worry about you being underdressed."
He did a turn for her, arrogantly lifted his brows, and smiled.
"Just when I think I can drop the nickname green eyed devil you do something like that," she laughed. "Let me go get my purse. Please put Turk out for me."
Thanatos motioned to the happy dog and allowed him out back. He stood against the rail as Turk did his business. His eyes skimmed the wood carefully. His ears were peaked for any unknown sound. He had learned to be careful and observant. He felt he needed to be more so today.
Elenora had given him a call.
He wouldn't tell Raina this… No.
She had said she was going to go visit Nolan again. She wasn't about to take his first rejection. She was determined now more than ever to win him over. If she only knew how impossible that would be. True to his word, Nolan had stayed away. But he could never be parted from his Raina.
No, this didn't bother Thanatos….her visiting. What bothered him was the fact that if this went badly again... he wasn't sure what her reaction would be toward Raina. This is what bothered him.
For whatever reason, Elenora still confided in him. She admitted to him she had no idea where her father was or what he was up to.
It made his job a lot harder. He wanted to lock Raina away and keep her safe. It was in a time like this that he wished Nolan was here. He understood that he now had a strength over her that would enable him to protect her. But Nolan, even without the strength of the protection contract, had a greater hold the greater tenacity to protect the little mortal.
Thanatos wasn't about to tell Raina that they couldn’t go out. No. She needed this. He wanted to see her happy, have fun, be human.
He wasn't about to tell Nolan of his worries either. Nolan needed all the concentration he could get to get through what he was going through now.
Turk barked and pressed his cold nose against Thanatos hand, alarming him. Thanatos shook off his morose and gave the dog a pat. "Watch the house buddy. I'll try to watch your mama."
They entered the house and Raina stood waiting. She gave them a smile, but her smile fell, seeing something in his face. She felt old fears creeping up inside.
"Is everything okay?"
He felt surprise at her question. At first he wasn't sure what he was going to say. He didn't like lying to her or withholding. He knew she would see through the lie. She was always observant like that.
Thanatos gave her a crooked grin. "Of course everything is okay, beautiful girl. I'm just worried about what Nolan will say about that dress." The green eyes danced merrily. He was happy to see the pretty flush against her cheeks. "Just try to have fun tonight, Raina."
"I wish he was to be there too. I know that’s silly. I understand that he has some sort of job…some sort of work to do. Even if I don't know what that's for...I know it’s important enough to keep him away. Nolan has strong convictions and he'll do what's right. But it doesn't mean I can't miss him.” Her lip stuck out in a pout. "I want him here.”
Thanatos squeezed her shoulder gently.
Raina drew in a deep breath. “I also know I have to be a big girl, and to be an adult about this. I can't stay home and pout and mourn for him not being here. Besides, I'm a little better now than I was a week ago. Thanks to you and your message. He loves me," she smiled. "Right from the green eyed devils mouth."
Thanatos gave a nod. "He really does love you Raina. He wants you to have fun tonight. And he told me to take a dance tonight too.” He looked down at his phone and his brows lifted. “He must be busy I haven't got a response about the dress."
Raina laughed and the mood suddenly lightened.
Melinda showed up on time with a full van. Donna, Emily, Bradley, Rachel , her boyfriend George, and a new face were tucked neatly inside. Raina smiled at the newcomer. She was a beautiful girl.
"Raina meet my friend Arabella. Michael's sister. I thought she could use a night out too," Melinda introduced. She turned to look at the girl in the front seat beside her. "Arabella, this is my friend Raina, and her friend Thanatos."
Thanatos eyes brightened a little bit. They often did in front of a pretty girl. Raina didn't even feel any jealousy at this it was just him.
"It's very nice to meet you Arabella." Raina met the girl's eyes and felt sort of the kinship. It was really odd. She felt like she knew her. There was a strange familiarity but not an unpleasant one. She gave her another small smile. .
"Well," Raina said softly as she and Thanatos got in the back seat. "She's kind of your type, Thanatos. Dark hair pretty brown eyes. Wouldn't you say?"
Thanatos grinned. "She's very pretty," he agreed with a little interest. "Though, I'm not abhorrent to petite blonde haired blue-eyed girls." He gave her wink.
Raina rolled her eyes.
They had an hour-long trip before they would reach the city. Raina was glad she had agreed to do this. Even her green eyed friend seemed to be having a good time. He was being charming… his charming persuasive self.
Thanatos kept on a brave face… a smiling face. He didn't want to worry Raina. He did continue to glance down at his phone, surprised he had no message from his friend. He figured Nolan was in training or sitting down with Our Sovereignty. He did not envy him.
Raina was giggling at something Bradley said when Thanatos phone buzzed. He chuckled at the text before him.
She looked at him with amusement. "Are you getting chewed out over the dress?” She kept her voice low. Then he gave her an amused tilt of his head. Her mouth dropped open. “Really?" She whispered.
He smiled conspiratorially and looked down at his phone. "Well, I just got a text," he whispered back. "And the only thing it says is; WHAT THE HELL? All in caps." He started to laugh, and laugh, and laugh.
His laugh was so contagious Raina found herself joining in and getting very strange looks from their companions sitting in front of them. She tried to control it but it just kept rolling out. She imagined as Nolan had texted it he'd given his frowny face. And it would've been a beautiful sight to behold.
"Do share," Bradley insisted.
This just caused Raina to laugh harder. "I can't! I can hardly breathe."
"Oh," Thanatos drew in a breath between laughs. "And here's another." He handed Raina the phone. His face was red from laughter and his green eyes were watering.
Raina took the phone and smiled. She read the bold letter text. She saw where Thanatos had said they were on their way. And underneath that text were Nolan's answered words.
WELL THEN TURN THE CAR AROUND!
"Not a chance," she giggled. She handed him back the phone and gave a shrug. "I chose the right dress."
Emily leaned over the back of the seat. "Let me guess…Nolan?" She smiled. "What did you do Thanatos?"