Authors: Sarah Brocious
"So what do I wear?" Thanatos surprised her by asking. They were sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee.
Raina's mouth dropped open slightly. "You're asking me…the girl in the sweatpants?" She smiled at him and shook her head. "Thanatos, you always look good. I'm sure whatever you choose will be just great."
He looked unsure of himself. A look that did not often crossed his features. "Guess I'm just nervous," he chuckled. "Would you mind helping me?"
She sat her chin to her hand and shrug. "Sure if that's what you want."
She couldn't help but think back to when Nolan had asked her the very same thing. It was quite a different circumstance granted, but most things reminded her of him. She recalled standing in his bedroom rifling through his closet. She could remember the scent and the way that his eyes followed her.
"We can drive over to my place and I’ll give you a fashion show," he teased.
Raina's eyes widened. "Do you realize that in the last six months I've never even seen your place? I wouldn't even know what street it was on."
He lifted his shoulder. "Yeah, there are not a lot of good memories there. I don't like being there myself."
Raina reached over and touched his hand. "Then find a new place. Make new memories. I can help you look." She smiled at him.
"I'd like that. I guess I've just been lazy lately putting everything into watching over you. I don't like the feel of her there.” He took a sip of his coffee. "But for the time being, it's my home. Do you mind coming over? Maybe one good memory will be enough to make me keep it," he laughed.
She gave him a smile and nodded. "I'd love to. Besides, now I'm curious. And we'll find something for you to wear that will drop Arabella's jaw to the ground."
They finish their coffee Raina slipped on her sneakers, refusing to change from her sweats. She made a decision and she would stick with that.
They drove a surprisingly short distance from her house going into an apartment complex that was well known for being pricey. It wasn't as modest as Nolan's old complex but this didn't surprise Raina. She wondered if he too had a ginormous mansion at his disposal.
When he ushered her through the door she had to stop a moment in slight surprise. It was gorgeously done. She turned to look at him and smiled. "You have this professionally decorated didn't you? It’s lovely!"
Thanatos shook his head and grimaced. "Elenora," was all he said.
Raina immediately regretted her complement. She wrinkled her face. "Well, the she devil does have a bit of taste I'm thinking." She shrugged. "She did choose you… and then Nolan." She walked further into the living room. "It doesn't change the fact that she's a witch."
Thanatos chuckled in complete agreement. He threw his keys on the table beside the door. "Make yourself comfortable."
She laid her coat over the back of a chair and sat down on the couch tucking her feet underneath her. "So let's get this fashion show started," she prodded. She knew this wasn't necessary. Thanatos knew how to dress, but he was nervous and she would appease his nerves by playing along.
He gave a nod and went for his room.
Raina let her eyes travel the well decorated living room and she hated that she loved it so much. "Come on Mr. Clay," she called out. "We only have a few hours before both of our dates."
He emerged moments later looking, as she had expected, stunning. The dark suit was well cut and laid perfectly against his shoulders. He did a slight turn for her, smiling.
"Well you look gorgeous." She tilted her head at him. "Where exactly are you taking her? That will help me determine whether this is appropriate or not."
He swiped at some imaginary lint on his shoulder. "I thought the place I took you would be perfect."
Raina made a face. "It was nice. But at the time you were trying to seduce me. Are you trying to seduce Arabella?"
He lifted his eyebrow. "What else would I be doing?"
Raina groaned. "Don't be stereotypical. Please, try to be something other than the green eyed devil that I know. He can be charming but this is not the time. And I think you respect Arabella too much to try the old way."
Thanatos frowned. "It's the only way I know."
Raina shook her head. "That's not true. You are so much more different than you were that day. The way you treat me… Thanatos, you should treat Arabella that way. Be her friend first and see where that goes. You have a lifetime," she laughed.
He crossed his arms. "Okay smarty-pants, where should I take her?"
Raina bit her lip and then reached for her phone. She held her hand up when he started to protest. She lifted the phone to her ear when she dialed. "Melinda?"
Thanatos looked mortified.
"Yes, I was calling because I've come across a bit of a dilemma. You see, my friend Thanatos is taking your sister-in-law out and I’m trying to help him with ideas. What does Arabella like?"
Raina smiled into the phone. "That's perfect!" She looked up at Thanatos. "Hold on a minute Melinda.” She lifted a brow to him. “You didn't tell Arabella about the first idea did you?"
He shook his head. "No, I told her I'd call her and let her know how she should dress."
Raina rolled her eyes. "She's probably freaking out right now, Thanatos! A girl needs to know beforehand so she can prepare…primp…be perfection by the time you arrive. You can't give her twenty minutes and then show up at her door." She laughed into the phone at something Melinda said.
Thanatos looked on nervously. He could feel sweat gathering on his forehead and on the back of his neck. He never felt so out of sorts when it came to women. He always assumed he knew what he was doing.
"I'll keep you up-to-date Mindy. Thank you so much for the suggestion." She ended the call and her blue eyes danced up at him.
"What?" His green eyes looked a bit tortured.
"Well, as for the outfit you have on now? Yeah it's a little too dressy. Arabella isn't a dressing up type according to Melinda. Her ideal date? She's more of a fast food… night at the movies type of a girl."
"Can you elaborate?"
Raina nodded. "You're going to check the movie listings and you’re going to find the newest romance that's out there. You're going to preorder the tickets and you're going to ditch the suit."
He looked confused. "So where do we eat? Where am I making reservations?"
Raina laughed at this. "Arabella is not Elenora, Thanatos. She doesn't need reservations or fancy suits or nights out on the town. You're going to pick her up and ask her what her favorite fast food restaurant is…simple as that. Melinda said that fancy restaurants make her uncomfortable."
Thanatos frowned. "Simple as that?"
"Yes. Now go on back to your room and put on some hot jeans and a casual shirt that shows off those great shoulders." She smiled triumphantly at the surprise in his eyes. "Aren't you glad you have me?"
He chuckled and gave a nod. "Yes, quite."
Later that evening they pulled into Emily and Brad's driveway. Raina turned to her nervous friend and smiled. She took his hand in hers and squeezed.
He swallowed nervously and tried to attempt his signature smirk.
She didn't buy the show of bravado.
"You'll be okay," she whispered. "I promise you. Just be your charming self."
He looked unsure and squeezed her fingers back.
"Just remember, you are there to be her friend first and foremost. You don't have to be what Elenora has told you all this time you have to be. Be who you are with me and Arabella will love you."
He smiled and lifted her hand to his mouth setting a kiss there. "I wish I could take you with me. You could sit on my shoulder and tell me what to say, and what to do, and when to shut my mouth." He smiled. "I've never felt this nervous. I know how to seduce. This is my first time with the wooing."
Raina leaned over and gave him a quick hug. "You'll do just fine. Have fun and don't worry about me."
He patted the front pocket of his coat and gave her a pointed glance. "I'll have my phone on at all times. Arabella understands that first and foremost I am a protector. You call me if anything odd happens. I'll be here straightaway. The movie starts at eight. I should be back here to pick you up around ten thirty."
Raina rolled her eyes. "Don't rush through the date just for me. If need be, Brad can take me home. I don’t know why you didn’t let me drive myself!”
He shook his head. "He's not taking you home to leave you there by yourself. I will be here at ten thirty to take you home."
She gave a nod. She was used to his overprotective nature.
"Have fun, beautiful," he said gently.
Raina smiled and hopped out of the truck giving him a wave as she headed for the door.
He watched her head in with a little bit of apprehension. As excited as he was to be going on this date, the protector in him wanted to stay right here in this driveway. But Raina would be furious with him. He had never been one to really care what others thought about him other than Elenora of course because he belonged to her. He now cared very much so… especially when it came to Raina.
He waved back to Emily who was opening the door now for Raina. He knew she'd be safe as long as she stayed put. Staying put had always been an issue with Raina. He smiled with humor. He put the truck in reverse only when she was safely inside the house.
Raina and Emily cuddled up on the couch together. They were stuffed with pizza and giddy with wine. It was much like old times with them. They barely paid attention to the movie now as they gossiped and caught up.
Emily worried over Raina thinking she may be jealous of Thanatos.
Raina had to assure her that she was very much in love with Nolan and he was not out of the picture. But that it was complicated. She gushed over her excitement for Thanatos explaining that he really did need someone good and sweet in his life, and she felt Arabella would be that.
It wasn’t until the second bottle of wine that things got really serious.
"Raina?" Emily looked her friend in the eyes and there was uncertainty there. "Can I ask you a question?"
Raina nodded taking a sip of her wine. "Of course you can ask me anything."
Emily tilted her head at her. "Are you sure that? Anything?”
“Yes of course!” Raina’s blue eyes held worry. “What is it Emmy?”
Emily cleared her throat. “I've been your best friend forever and ever and always felt that we could share anything. I can't help feeling that you're hiding something from me. I mean, there's so many strange occurrences and I've never really got a straight answer." She leaned her head against the back of the couch. "I get that things changed when Nolan came into your life. It's only normal. Love changes everything including friendships. I get that. But he and Thanatos became so important to you and things got weird."
Raina bit her lip. "What exactly is your question?"
Emily again looked unsure. "You'll think I'm crazy."
Raina laughed at this. "Believe me I won't think you're crazy."
Emily took a sip of her wine to give her some courage. "It's just that the two of them are so mysterious and different. And then Nolan up and disappears." She shrugged. "It's not normal."
Raina listened carefully not sure where this conversation was going exactly.
A dark brow raised, and the eyes beneath them got very large. "Are they like part of the mob or something?" Emily asked tentatively.
Raina threw back her head and laugh. She nearly spilled her wine. "Oh Emily your imagination amazes me! No they are not part of the mob," she giggled. “Ok, that may be a little bit crazy I will admit!”
Emily frowned. "Then what are they?" She looked offended and a little taken back at Raina’s teasing. "All this mystery and strangeness it's not normal." She sat up shaking her head. "I can't believe that you will not tell me what it is.”
“Emily…”
Emily growled. “The killer thing is I think Melinda knows. And she has known you all of the few months. She knows exactly what’s going on…yet you hide things from your best friend." Her brown eyes accusingly looked at Raina. "I don't believe in magic or too much of anything paranormal. It's just that the bits and the pieces of things coming together that don't make sense. And then last night meeting Arabella and seeing her and Thanatos together it just kind of hit me as too beautiful and too perfect. It was almost magical. Then that she devil showed up you had your little covert conversation with her. Suddenly you were rushing out of the door and I want to know why!"
Raina looked at her with shock. She had never noticed how observant her friend had become! She glanced toward Bradley's office to be sure that the door was closed.
Emily was in a full on pout.
"Emily, I can't. I would love to just fill you in on everything right now and put all your worries at ease." She reached for her friends hand and squeezed it softly. "I'm not purposely hiding things from you or running to Melinda as your replacement. I love you, and I care about you and your safety, and Bradley’s safety. That is why I can't tell you what's going on."
Emily seemed to calm and relief flooded her features.
“You are right to wonder. But you are wrong to consider I am keeping you in the dark because I don’t want you to know! I would love to tell you now, especially now that I’m without Nolan!” She bit her lip.
Emily’s eyes gentled on her friend, and she reached for her. "Nolan… he left because of whatever's going on, didn't he?" She reached for Raina's hands. "You can tell me that much at least, right? And Thanatos… he's helping you through this."
Raina nodded. Tears stung her eyes and she looked down at her hands. "I don't want you to ever think badly of Nolan or Thanatos. They are very much a part of my life now and probably always will be. Emily I wish I could tell you. I wish you could know. You just have to trust that I'm going to be okay."
Emily drew in a breath. "I'll try to believe that. Am I right that Melinda knows?"
Raina nodded. "Yes she knows. She only knows because she's in a similar situation, Emily. I didn’t tell her. She just knew because she saw the signs." Raina again chewed on her lip and peeked up at her friend. "Please don't be mad at me."
Emily shook her head. "No, I can't be mad at you Raina but I just had to know. You are pretending like everything was just fine and that nothing had changed. I knew nothing was fine and everything had changed and I just had to hear from your mouth." She snuggled up against her friend again and held up her glass of wine." Now that I know that I'm right we can relax."
Raina laughed at this and clinked her glass against Emily's.
"And promise that when the time comes that you can tell me your secret you don't hesitate." The dark eyes held her seriously.
"Yes of course," Raina gushed. "If ever I can tell anyone you will be the first!"
Emily seemed pleased by this. "So the lovely Nolan…he was never out of the picture?"
Raina groaned and shook her head. "I will never get that man out of my system and he will never be out of the picture," she sighed. "He could try to get out all he wants."
Emily smiled. "I have a feeling he's not wanting to ever be out of the picture," she laughed. "I think that's when I started to see that things were odd. When Nolan was suddenly gone… it just didn't make sense. That man was so smitten by you it wasn't even funny.” She smiled. “What that man wouldn’t do for you! His gorgeous self, wanted your gorgeous self in the worse way! I knew he wouldn’t just go away and leave you to Thana whatever tos."
The two of them laughed over this and the tension that had appeared suddenly melted away.
After a long talk and one too many glasses of wine later the hour was drawing late. Raina looked at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already eleven. She was more than a little shocked. She glanced at her phone, scared she had missed a call.
Thanatos had been adamant about ten thirty. This caused a small smile to play across her lips. So the date was going better than he had anticipated?
Raina helped Emily clean up the dishes, giving him a bit more time. By eleven thirty, she knew he had most likely lost track of time, and she was okay with that.
"I'm glad he's having a good time but I really do need to get home,” Raina finally stated. “Turk will want to be outside if he hasn't already made a mess of my house."
"I'll take you home," Bradley said as he entered the kitchen.
She smiled in response.
He grinned and shook his head. "Really I don't understand his protectiveness and not allowing you to drive."
Raina laughed. "Tell me about it!"
Bradley chuckled. “Then again, maybe he recalled how you and Em get when you’ve had a bit too much to drink?” His blue eyes danced. “Lucky for him, I am an excellent designated driver!”
The girls just shook their heads at him.
Raina was soon shrugging into her warm coat and slipping on her shoes. In her tipsy state, this took several tries. She succeeded and hugged Emily goodbye…following Bradley to the car.
There was a chill in the air, and she happily jumped into the warm car.
They pulled out of the drive slowly.
"So how is Nolan?" Bradley asked as they drove down the road. "He said there was an opportunity that came up that he couldn't pass up. I was sad to see him go and a little surprised. I half expected that you guys would be announcing an engagement any day." His blue eyes danced.
Raina smiled sadly. “He’s doing fine.”
"You miss him?" He reached over to pat her hand.
Raina blushed. "I miss him very much," she admitted.
Bradley dropped the subject when he saw that it was causing her discomfort.
They pulled into Raina's driveway just as it began to snow. Raina couldn’t help her smile. She loved the snow.
Bradley grinned at her also knowing this little tidbit. "We're supposed to get quite a bit. It's also supposed to get icy." He got out of his side of the car and came around to hers. "You stay warm and off the road." Bradley was ever the protective big brother.
Raina gave him a hug. "Thanks for letting Emily and myself get our girly time tonight. I really needed it."
Bradley squeezed her arm. "Emily needed it too.” He cleared his throat. “I have to admit I heard a little bit of the conversation…the part about the men in your life. It's not the first time that I've heard her worries. And she wasn't the only one having them."
The kind blue eyes softened on her.
“Bradley…”
"You are sure you're okay? I don't mean at this moment. I don't mean me leaving you here. I mean, everything is okay with Nolan and Thanatos?" He tipped her chin so that she was looking up at him. "You know if there's ever anything you need to tell me or you need me to do for you, I will do it. You are very important to me and Emily. I hope you know that Rain."
Raina smiled. "I'm lucky to have friends like you Bradley. Yes, I know you would do anything and for that I'm grateful. But everything is okay. I promise you."
Bradley gave her a nod. "Good night then." He went about to get into his car and turned to her. "And remember what I said. Stay off the road. I said I would do anything for you… but coming to pull your butt out of a ditch is not something that I would relish," he teased.
Raina rolled her eyes. "Safe drive home Bradley."
He waved, getting into his car, and backing slowly out.
She fumbled her way into the house, managing to get her key into the lock. When she entered, she had to fight tripping over her own feet, and pushed down a very excited Turk. He managed to wet her face with his tongue.
She closed the door and locked it behind her. “To keep all the bad ones out,” she whispered to Percy.
She then picked up her phone and dialed Thanatos number. It went straight to voicemail. She smiled. So he was having a good time!
“Hello dear friend! I’m home…don’t be mad! Turk needed to be let out. I have locked the door behind me, and I plan on getting into my jammies and snuggling down with a good book! Call me when you get this. I want to know all about tonight! Love you!”
Smiling happily, she dialed Melinda's number and also got voicemail.
"Hey it's Raina," she said after the beep. "It seems as though our two friends are having a really…really good time. I'm home now and it seems he's forgotten me," she laughed. "That's a good sign. Let me know what Arabella says about the date! I'll fill you in on Thanatos’s end!"
She set her phone down on the counter in the kitchen. She looked at it for a moment, contemplating calling Nolan. She knew he might be upset that she talked Thanatos into the date, but she also knew he would be happy for his friend. She hesitated, and then thought better of it. He’d be pissed she was alone.
Silly over protective immortals in her life! She smiled. Far too overprotective.
"Come on boy before it starts snowing too hard." She unlocked the sliding glass door and allowed him to pass. She couldn’t resist stepping out herself to enjoy the flakes.
Turk raced out into the yard, biting at the air and the flakes that teased his nose and his ears.
She cuddled her coat closer against the chill. Her face lifted into the falling wetness.
"Winters here," she sighed. She smiled and relaxed her shoulders. It was then that she felt herself jerked back. Her mouth was covered and all went black.