Authors: Sarah Brocious
“I can’t….”
“Please Madeline,” Jonathan barked.
She shrunk back from his raised voice.
Thanatos growled and got up from the couch. "Don't you realize that someone’s life is at stake? There's an innocent woman being held by him and you will do nothing to help?" The green eyes implored her.
Jonathan got up too. He moved to Thanatos and set a hand to a shoulder to calm him. Thanatos shrugged his hand off and turned all his attention to Madeline.
"I can't tell you anything. I am bound by contract not to tell you anything. I'm sorry I can't be more help." Madeline looked mad with panic. "What would you have me do?"
"The name of the driver that took him there, what is it?" Thanatos moved back to her and took her hands in his. "You can give us that much can't you?" His green eyes softened and his voice lowered. "If you only understood what the people who love her are going through you wouldn't hesitate." He squeezed her fingers. "Please Madeline help us with this." His voice took on a warm timber.
Jonathan watched as Madeline's features softened. He was familiar with the way that Thanatos worked but it never ceased to amaze him when he saw it happening.
Madeline tugged his hand so that he sat down next to her again. "Please don't be mad at me," she pleaded. "Is it really that bad?" She lifted his hand to kiss the back of it. "I cannot give you much."
"Just the name," Thanatos said softly. "Who drove Richard to the compound?"
She blinked her blue eyes and looked completely torn. But she couldn't help complying with Thanatos when he looked at her with those impenetrable green eyes, and that handsome face, and that perfect smile. His voice was soothing and drew her completely in.
“Madeline?” he crooned softly.
She was completely lost. "It was Sam. Sam drove him the day he left."
Thanatos smiled encouragingly. "Sam?"
She nodded. "He has been back and forth a few times bringing Richard fresh clothing or supplies." She watched Thanatos carefully making sure that her answers were pleasing to him. When he gave her another smile, she melted. “And he is to pick him up on Tuesday to bring him home for a meeting.”
"Good girl," Thanatos whispered. He looked at Jonathan to make sure he recognized the name. Jonathan nodded and gave indication that they should be leaving.
"Thank you, Madeline," Jonathan spoke up. He moved to her and set a kiss on her cheek. He always felt bad when he had to leave her behind. "We have to be going."
Madeline held fast to Thanatos hand. "Please just a little longer. I've been so lonely."
"We can't stay," Thanatos said softly. "I'm very sorry but we must go." He tilted her chin so that she was looking into his eyes. "If you need out Madeline there are people who will help you. You don't have to stay in this."
Madeline’s eyes lit with panic. Leave Richard?”
"Don't Thanatos," Jonathan growled. "This is not our matter. We have the information we need and now we must act on it."
Raina must have been wearing off on him because Thanatos felt such compassion for the woman before him. He squeezed her fingers.
"Thank you for the offer," Madeline nearly wept. "But I stay by choice. I love him…he loves me, despite his neglect, and one day he will come through on his promise to make me immortal. I'll take my chances by staying."
Thanatos understood. If anyone could understand it was him. He had spent years with Elenora expecting any moment she would change. He didn't have time to plead with the woman before him, or convince her that her wishes would never come true. He felt the sadness and leaned over to give her a soft kiss.
Jonathan was already heading to the door and Thanatos quickly followed him. They didn't have time. They had to get as much information as they could before word reached the household. The look on the guard’s face that stood outside Madeline's door told them enough. Their welcome had been worn out.
As they cleared the main door, Jonathan turned to Thanatos. "I know who Sam is," he sighed.
"I know," Thanatos barked. "I know who he is too! He's the driver that took the car when we arrived."
As he said those words the car was being brought to the front of the house. Sam was the one in the driver’s seat. He got out and handed Jonathan the keys. "She's all gassed up."
Jonathan pause in front of Sam and looked at him pleadingly. He had known Sam as his father's personal driver since he was a little boy. He knew the dedication that this immortal had toward his father.
"I'm sure you know by now why I'm here," Jonathan began.
"You have to leave, Jonathan." Sam insisted. "I can't promise how long it'll take for word to get to the gates and then you may not be able to leave."
Jonathan hesitated. "Sam you have to tell me where you took him."
Sam shook his head vehemently. "No, leave now." The look in Sam's eyes was the look of a horrified man. "Please go now." It was as if he feared for not just his safety but Jonathan's.
Thanatos jumped into the car and Jonathan was quickly in the driver seat.
They drove as quickly as they could down the long drive. The gates did not immediately open when they arrived. A slight feeling of panic filled the car. Both immortals were holding their breath.
"Are we trapped?" Thanatos barely said over a whisper.
Jonathan swallowed and rolled down his window. "Hey Ken we're ready to leave if you will open the gate please."
Ken turned to the car.
“Oh God,” Jonathan whispered.
Thanatos felt adrenaline pumping through him. “Open the damn gate,” he murmured under his breath.
“Please Ken?” Jonathan kept his voice calm and low.
Ken hesitated. “Be quick Master Rivers,” he growled, and went into his booth to open the gate.
It was only a half of the second but it felt like eternity before the gates started to slowly open. Jonathan did not hesitate to drive-through as soon as the gap was large enough.
Thanatos blew out a breath and slumped into his seat.
“Not out of the woods yet.” Jonathan's foot hit the accelerator and they were quickly flying down the road. He wanted to get on the highway and get as much distance away from this house as he could. He was glad to be free of that place again.
Thanatos was catching his breath now. He had never felt such panic because he'd never been in such a life-threatening situation. He glanced over at Jonathan and took comfort in the calmness that seem to be exuding from him.
"So much for that trip," Thanatos growled. "Except for knowing the day of their meeting we had absolutely nothing to go on."
“And you didn’t even need mind reading to get all of that on your own,” Jonathan complimented.
“Still! We got a big fat nothing!” Thanatos growled.
Jonathan grinned. "Speak for yourself I got plenty." He turned onto the highway and his foot got heavier on the gas pedal.
Thanatos scowled at him. "What are you talking about? Sam wasn't going to give you anything!" He shook his head. "I saw the determination in his face. He was Stone-walling you."
Jonathan chuckled and shook his head.
"Quit toying with me! Get on with it! What did you get?" Thanatos green eyes snapped with anger.
Jonathan smiled happily, and shrugged. "I got an address."
Chapter 12 A Ride
Nolan walked into the room and headed straight for the view that gave him an odd sense of peace. It was Joseph's home but he had already deemed this room Raina's room. He looked out the glass now and watched as her favorite creatures sunbathed and swam and slept like a docile little creatures. He still didn't understand the draw she had toward them but it was adorable on Raina.
He smiled now and crossed his arms. He was doing all he could to hold it together. He hadn't heard from Jonathan or Thanatos yet except for a quick text that said that they were safe. He didn't know what they had found or hadn't found so he felt like he was in the dark once again.
He leaned his forehead against the glass and closed his eyes. The pain of being without her was becoming too much for him. He felt like he might go mad. He wanted to do something so badly but it was as if his hands were tied and his feet bound. He had to remain just as he was now...in a house with a traitor.
"Such a strange room isn't it?"
Nolan turned to face the newcomer glad to see that it was Titus. He gave them a smile and a nod. "My Raina found it mystifying."
Titus smiled. “Your Raina?”
Nolan blushed and gave a nod. “Yeah, she’s mine…that doesn’t sound caveman like at all does it?”
Titus shook his head. “She’s a very lucky girl to have someone who loves her so much. Who cares about her over and above his own needs…or his own safety.”
Nolan didn’t dare to look him in the eye.
"I spoke to Joseph," Titus said softly. "I had noticed that you were a little off."
Nolan blanched a little. He was afraid that he would now be demanded to tell the truth.
Titus’s blue eyes softened with compassion and he held up his hands. "I was the only one to notice. I promise you this. I just happen to have a gift to sense such things. I said nothing but I spoke to Joseph because I know that you are close to him."
Nolan glanced about him afraid that they would be overheard. He knew Joseph would've told Titus the truth and
that
he did not want to chance Emmanuel hearing.
"The two of them are with Michael now, so they are indisposed and quite distracted." Titus laid a hand on Nolan shoulder. "When I heard the girl was missing I knew that had to be the source of your depression. Joseph told me everything. But I've spoken to no one else."
Nolan felt relief at this. He ducked his head and blew out a breath. He opened his mouth as if to say something but Titus stopped him.
"I've heard you like motorcycles."
Nolan looked up at him surprised at the swift change in conversation.
"You do like motorcycles? I wasn't steered wrong was I?" Titus was amused.
"Yes, yes of course," Nolan stuttered. "It's been a long time it seems. The last time I rode…" Nolan bit back his words. The last time he'd been on a motorcycle he had been with Raina. He hadn't been able to ride since. "I just haven't ridden in a long time."
Titus cocked his head at him. "Well why don't we borrow a couple of Joseph's and take a ride. I think it will do you well."
It was then that Nolan noticed that Titus was not in his usual suit and tie but casually dressed in jeans and T-shirt. It seemed as if he had planned this. He gave him an amused smile. “You ride?”
Titus grinned. “I may look old…but I’m still immortal. I like to have fun too!”
Nolan smiled.
"And I think we could do with a little private talk," Titus continued. “Why don’t we take that ride?”
Nolan was liking this man more and more every day. He trusted the kindness in his voice and in his eyes so he acquiesced. "It would do me a hell of a lot of good," he agreed.
He was soon changed and met Titus in the garage. He chose the bike that he and Raina had used all those months ago when they had visited Joseph for the first time. It was bittersweet.
They didn't speak much just prepped their bikes. It wasn't long before they were on the road and Nolan tasted a piece of freedom. He had missed this. Even if he wasn’t a prisoner in Joseph's home he dared not to leave. Now the wind whipping over him and the view of the horizon gave him peace.
Titus did well keeping up he didn't seem to be a stranger to the dealings of a motorcycle. This surprised Nolan who had seen him as more of a wise and older man. The last place he ever expected to see him was on a motorcycle.
"So is there any news of the girl that you have learned of?" Titus asked hesitantly.
Nolan heard his words clearly over the roar of the bikes. He often was thankful for this gift of immortality for that fact. He had never had to say huh, or ask anyone to repeat themselves.
He shook his head in response to the question.
"But you suspect a few immortals?"
Nolan knew better than to lie. He was certain Joseph hadn't lied. "I do," he said softly.
"And one of my partners is one of them?"
Nolan nodded. "I'm certain of it. I have no proof though except for what I feel and what I've heard. I mean no disrespect by it but you must understand when it comes to Raina it doesn't matter who's involved. If they have hurt her than they are my enemy." Nolan’s jaw clenched, and he focused on the road.
"I understand," Titus said calmly. "I'm not saying that you are not right in your assumption. But this is something that will have to be handled delicately. Isaac is a wise leader despite the youthful appearance he gives. He was given immortality at a young age but he is the oldest soul you will ever meet."
“I like him,” Nolan agreed. “I believe he would be fair but I also think he puts too much trust in Emmanuel.”
“They have been in the same boat for a very long time.”
Nolan chuckled. “Kind of like Thanatos and I?”
“Very much so,” Titus agreed. “You wouldn’t believe the similarities…yet there is a difference.”
Nolan waited for him to elaborate but he didn’t.
Titus turned down a lone road and made sure that Nolan followed him. They drove for a long time in silence until they came upon what looked to be an abandoned house. It was dilapidated with falling shutters and overgrown grass.
They pulled into the cracked and eroded driveway and drove to the back. There was an old set of steps leading up to the back door and Titus got off his motorcycle and headed to those stairs.
"As good a place as any for heart-to-heart," he joked.
Nolan followed him to the stair but he did not sit down. He felt too nervous and anxious. He was not certain what Titus would be revealing to him right now. He did not know the advice he might be given. He was a little scared that Titus would tell him that the course that he had chosen should be canceled and neglected. He was scared because he knew he couldn't take those words of advice and he would have to rebel against a man that he respected.
"I have a story to tell you," Titus began.
Nolan shifted from one foot to the other.
Titus smiled at his nerves. “It would do you good to listen,” he encouraged.
Nolan stopped his fidgeting and smiled back with embarrassment.
This satisfied Titus that he was listening.
"I told you that Isaac is a very wise young man and this is true. When he says something I listen, but Emmanuel does not always. He does not agree with everything Isaac says. Which, in its own way, is his right. We all should have an opinion. But when it comes to a leader we should also have respect. We may not always agree with them, but we must trust them."
Nolan leaned against the railing and then thought better of it when the wood creaked under his weight. "How long have all of you been together? I understand it's been a long time and I do know most of the history of our immortality. I am afraid I never looked into the details."
Titus smiled sadly. "You did not have a happy reception as you entered into the immortal world. I wouldn't have searched out our history either if I had felt such bitterness."
Nolan rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't feel bitterness any longer.”
Titus gave him a knowing look. “Oh yeah? What have you been doing sulking nearly two hundred years? Why don’t you feel bitterness anymore?”
Nolan blushed, and his signature frowny face creased his brows beautifully. “You know the answer.”
Titus laughed. “Yes! But I want to hear it from you! I’ve heard it from so many others who have watched you!!”
The silvers lit when he pictured Raina in the woods tramping along with Turk. “I’m not bitter over immortality because it let me be with Raina. Even if it was just for a short time.”
“It has been a short time, and you are so dedicated to making yourself miserable over her disappearance!”
Nolan growled. “I am! This is why I’m so set on finding her regardless of the consequence."
“You must remain patient…level headed.”
“How can I?” His eyes glinted with the sudden emotion.
Titus cleared his throat. He disregarded Nolan's words. "Like I said, I have a story I would like to tell you. Can you be patient until I get to the end of it?”"
Nolan bit his tongue.
"Now you've heard, I'm sure, the story of how Isaac was first changed and given immortality. But you haven't heard the whole story.”
“Whole story?”
Titus nodded. “The history now says that he was given a gift when he showed kindness to a woman lying nearly dead along the road. It was a sort of Good Samaritan story but it was not the whole story. The woman was not completely wounded and she had other plans.” Titus drew in a breath and looked to Nolan. “I tell you this in strict confidence Nolan because I believe that you are a man of his word. So I need you to promise that you will tell no one this…not even your beloved."
Nolan nodded and then realized that he needed to speak words. "Yes, yes of course!" He had already started to get drawn into the story.
Titus regarded him for a moment and then gave a solemn nod. "The woman he saved was actually a witch. She had been lying there for days and others had stopped to help but she had waved them on because they did not have the pureness of heart that she was looking for. You see, she drew strength from purity and she would pervert it. Isaac was young and he was very pure of heart. Perhaps one of the purest people you will ever meet. He wants only good for those around him which is a big reason why you and Michael are here. He knows that immortals heal and are self-sufficient they can care for themselves. They have no need of his help. So, he has compassion for the mortals around him. That's why he's training you and trying to find a way to provide your services to mortals without revealing who we are."
Nolan remained silent simply listening to the man's words. If this witch had had evil intent then how had Isaac received a gift?
It was as if Titus had read his mind as he continued. "I bring up Isaac’s purity because of this; even the most evil malicious act of the devil himself cannot trump purity and goodness. Many who are immortal do not believe in God, but I tell you this Nolan He exists. As does all the evil that you've ever heard of. But what was meant for evil could not overtake Isaac. He was young but his heart was strong.
Our immortality was not a gift that was given by God but what happened could not be helped."
Nolan swallowed hard not daring to breathe a word.
"She nearly killed him there on that road and she rejoiced over it. And before she left him to die she said this over him; “Immortality should belong to the pure of heart and from you I steal this life. If you had been strong enough you could've taken from me the immortality I have achieved." She turned to go laughing at her accomplishment. It was in that moment that the tiny spark that she had left in him brought him back to life. He took up a knife that he carried in his belt and he killed her." Titus bowed his head. "And the chant that she had set over him became truth. He took her immortality and it became his own. He had meant only to vindicate himself but in turn he was cursed." Titus nodded. "Yes, I said cursed."
Nolan silvers glinted with tears. "So what we are is evil, just as I have always believed."
Titus shook his head adamantly. "Nolan, we are not evil. Yes what we have come from was meant for evil. But how could God hold this against Isaac who had not done all the evil unimaginable things that witch had done to become immortal!"
Nolan buried his head into his hands. "But look at Richard and Elenora and what Thanatos used to be. Immortals have been evil."
"And there have been good. Look at you Nolan you are the face of what immortality should be with your goodness and the love that you carry for everyone around you. Look at the human race which, believe it or not, we are still part of. There is good and there is evil there too, and all we can do is take what we've been given in life and be the best person that we can be.
“Look at me?” Nolan cringed.
“Yes, Look at you,” Titus growled back. “If there is a God then how can he help but love you? And if there is a devil then how can he help but hate you for the goodness that is inside of you?” Titus blue eyes implored Nolan. He felt pained by the defeat in the younger immortals face. “No matter what we are Nolan you are either on the side of God or you are on the side of the devil it is that black and white. We cannot help what we are but we can help others because of what we are."
"We are the product of a curse."
"And you think that God does not know this?"
"Then why did he not stop it?" Nolan closed his eyes.
"If you ask that, then you have to ask; why did he not stop what happened between Adam and Eve? Did they not have the gift of immortality before they made the wrong choice? They were cursed because of the choices that they made. He allows us choices, Nolan. He is just and fair in that way. Isaac made a choice to help that woman and it ended up backfiring on him. Who knows if God was trying to warn him and he simply didn't listen.
These things happen and there's nothing that we can to prevent it." He shrugged. "We now have to just do the best with what we are given. So there are going to be the ones to ruin it for everyone else… Richard for example. And then there will be the ones that start out ready to tear it up and then will change in the blink an eye. Look at your friend Thanatos. I recall he's come before us at one time or another with some infraction. And he obeyed every word Elenora gave him. But now, look at him. He is a changed man…a redeemed man because of the choices he made and because of the response he had to what was going on around him. If he were truly evil he could've ignored Raina's influence and continued being as he was. But there is something inside him, something good that he wanted to let out.”