Nolan's Evolution (36 page)

"How did he do that?"

Thanatos chuckled and tugged the stick from Turk's mouth. "He trusted me…the most untrustworthy person."

"And how did this help you learn to trust others?"

"He trusted me when I thought I was untrustworthy. Turns out he was right about me." The green eyes lit. "I ended up being one loyal person and I didn't know I had it in me. He knew I did."

Titus laughed at this and this time he took the stick from Turk to toss it. "You know your friends going to need you now more than ever."

Thanatos shoved his hands in his pockets. "I know." He nodded. “What you’ve asked is going to cost him,” he said softly.

              "Do you feel it's unfair that I'm asking this of him? That I'm asking this of Raina as well?" Titus tilted his head and studied Thanatos for a moment when he didn't answer right away. "I could see how maybe you might think that being as protective as you are over the two of them. But I don't just ask this because of myself and what I will gain. I'm asking this because in the long run this is going to help every immortal. It will help mortals too if the plans that we've made are done correctly. We're not aiming to abuse the gift but they are, that trio of evil." He shook his head. "If nothing is done…then God help us all."

Turk sat at Thanatos feet and stared up at him with a stick still in his mouth. He was ignored.

"I don't think it's unfair. I just wish that it didn't always have to be Nolan who made that noble choice. I wish for once he could be selfish and do what he wanted. I wish he would forget this place and run off with Raina." He shrugged and smiled. "But he won't. He'll come back and do his damnedest to set everything right." His eyes lifted to the sky above and then drew in a deep calming breath. "Even at such a great cost. We could've kept the secret forever you know? She'd never have to learn and would've never hurt without knowing. So, I wish there was the way that I could prevent it."

"There isn't," the wise immortal said softly. "There won't be any getting out of it this time."

"He's coming then." It had started out of his mouth as a question but ended in a clear statement. He shook his head sadly. "Damn."

Titus cleared his throat. "Not coming. He's here."

Thanatos felt a chill go down his spine and felt the presence. His head bowed and he didn't want to turn around. His lowered eyes gave him a full view of Turk and he felt a sense of dread.

Even the dog had dropped his stick and laid low on his stomach with his chin to the ground. He was whining low in his throat... much like he did when Thanatos first met him. He recognized it as fear. Yet there was uncertainty in the dogs whine. The dark eyes never wavered from whatever he was staring at. It was as if he couldn't decide whether to stay where he was or hide or launch himself at the person behind him.

"Titus, you are looking well."

Thanatos felt disgusted at the familiarity of the voice. He crossed his arms in front and steeled himself and his temper.

Titus gave a growl and not much of a greeting. "We will talk later," he said to Thanatos. He gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Remember, you’re the better one," he insisted softly, but loud enough that the visitor heard.

Thanatos squared his shoulders and forced himself to turn about. He gave Titus a nod, and then he met the stare of the newcomer and the reality hit him hard in the chest. There really was no turning back and this was going to happen.

"Hello Thanatos," the visitor's voice was low and cynical. "It's very nice to see you again after all this time." There was not a bit of sincerity in his voice.

"I wish I could say it's nice to see you," he growled. "But that would be a lie and I've turned a new leaf."

The visitor snorted in response. "Soft as Nolan I see. What a shame. You could have really helped the cause.” He crossed his arms and took the same stance as Thanatos did. “Where is he anyway?"

Thanatos scowled. "If I knew, why the hell would I tell you?"

“Common courtesy. New leaf, right?”

Thanatos half laughed. “You’re wrong about me being just like Nolan. He wouldn’t be as rude and do this.” He turned his back and continued on his walk. He called to Turk who hesitated and then full on sprinted after him as if the devil himself were after him. Thanatos took joy in the dog’s aversion to the other.

A coarse laugh escaped the immortals throat. "Fine, be that way! Protect your precious friend! I will see him soon enough I’m sure! I hear he has a love interest," the dark voice taunted from behind him. "I can't wait to see her. She’s supposed to be very lovely to the immortal eye!”

Thanatos gritted his teeth against the words and sped up his gate.

“Rather ironic…the whole situation, isn’t it? Nolan found love after all this time! I almost feel responsible for the match!"

Thanatos felt his stomach drop but he shook it off. He wasn't going to react to the other immortals words. He straightened his shoulders further and walked away. He would call Nolan and warn him. He may not be able to prevent what was going to happen from happening but he could definitely give his friend a heads up. Nolan may want to prepare before encountering this head on.

He kicked at a rock that lay in his way and it flew many yards. He wanted to have time so that he and Nolan could prepare together and face this together. But it was too late for that.

He reached into his pocket and then swore darkly under his breath. He had forgotten his phone in the room. "Damn!"

Nolan reached over and took Raina's hand in his. The other hand rested on the steering wheel as he drove. He lifted her fingers to his lips gave a soft kiss. His silvers turned to her to gauge her reaction. He liked the flush on her cheeks.

"Almost there," he smiled.

Raina grew anxious but she was also excited. She couldn’t wait to see Thanatos, Joseph, Jonathan, and Turk! She was looking forward to meeting Titus and Isaac.

She had not really spoken to Emmanuel. He had come to her prison room one time during her stay and that was just to make sure she was actually there. He and murmured some command to the guard and left without even another glance. She had no respect of him or any want to see him again. But she was going to see him again and she would help Titus in convincing Isaac of the wrongdoing.

"Are you okay? You're frowning," he squeezed her hand gently.

"I'm okay," she said softly. She smiled up at his concern. "Really, I'm okay." She squeezed his hand back

"If you're not ready for this we can wait a day or two." Even as he said the words he realized how anxious he was to get this over with. He didn't want to wait another day or two. If they could get in then get her statement without the others involved that would make him very happy.

He glanced down between them at his phone in the console. There were no missed calls and no messages. This was a good sign. He was sure Thanatos would've called him if anything had changed.

"Remember the first time we were traveling down this street? I was so anxious that Joseph would be some kind of monster. I was so terrified then. Much like I am now," she admitted. She held his hand a little bit firmer. "And I was completely wrong about the situation. It ended up being one of the best weekends of my life." She shrugged her shoulders and glanced up at him with trust. "Maybe there's a chance that this could be my second best weekend?"

He smiled and touched the back of her hand to his lips. "I love your optimism, Aelan. But I don't expect this is going to be anything like that weekend."

She frowned. "A girl can hope can't she?"

He chuckled and held her hand to his chest. "Yeah you can hope."

"I have you with me, Nolan. I couldn't be happier. I'm anxious, yes, but everything seems just a little bit better when you're around."

He swallowed hard. "I hope you feel the same after."

Raina hated the sadness in his voice, but she didn’t argue with him. She knew her words would have no effect on his mood.

She wanted to crawl up in his lap and wrap her arms round his neck and assure him that she was with him come what may. She wanted to kiss away the sadness that formed around his mouth.

"The house is just up ahead," he said hoarsely and then cleared his throat.

Raina sat up in her seat and leaned forward to catch sight of the mansion. It was just as beautiful as she had remembered. It was so sad that such wonderful memories had to be tainted by the foreboding that she felt. But they would get through this and this home once again would be a sanctuary to her and to Nolan.

Entering Joseph’s home felt like a welcome relief to Raina. She felt safety in these walls, despite Nolan’s anxious mood.

She knew she had many friends here. No harm would come to them now. She only wished Thanatos was here to greet them She thought he might be waiting at the door.

She missed the green eyed devil, and she was sure he was beating himself up over the entire situation.

Nolan squeezed her fingers, and glanced down on her. The silver eyes warmed her to her toes. Yes, she could be safe here.

They were greeted by a servant who took Raina's jacket from her. "I will let Mr. Rivers know that you're here."

Nolan gave a nod and tugged Raina closer. "We'll be patient. If he's in a meeting just leave him be. We know how to entertain ourselves." He gave her a charming smile that had the woman flushing.

Raina smiled at the reaction and turned to say something to him as the woman took her leave. There was something in his face that kept her from saying a word.

He had suddenly frozen into place, as if he had heard or saw something.

Raina felt the warmth flee, and a chill set her teeth on edge. “Nolan?”

He cleared his throat. "Hello, Elenora," he said briskly.

Raina felt her stomach drop and she latched even tighter to Nolan. Why did the she devil have to be here?

"Calm down, little lamb," her voice purred. She watched Raina with careful dark eyes. "I'm not about to list all the reasons I could get him in trouble right now. One being, he is breaking his contract by being with you. But I'm also not stupid. I'm already on my father's bad side today. Chalk it up to a conscience, but I told him all of this was unfair. I wish he hadn’t returned." She lifted a slight shoulder and strands of her silken hair tumbled prettily.

"Don't pretend Elenora," Nolan said gruffly.

"I'm not pretending. I hate him as much is you do. He is so full of himself."

Raina frowned. "I'm not about to believe that you feel that way about your father."

Elenora gave one of her signature smirks. "Not daddy." She shook her head. "Now who's the stupid one?" She suddenly covered her mouth. "Oh!" She gave Nolan look. "You haven't told her yet have you?"

The muscles in Nolan's arm tensed.

"I thought you would've prepared her before you got here."

Nolan frowned. "What are you talking about?" He asked the question but the dread that course through him gave him the answer.

Elenora approached him slowly and seductively. She went up on her tip toes, grasped the front of his shirt, and whispered something in his ear.

Nolan froze and his face paled. The hand that held Raina's shook involuntarily. This caused Raina to also tremble.

"Nolan?" Raina's voice barely escaped her throat. "What?"

Suddenly he set a hand over her mouth to hush her, and drug her into a nearby room. .

Elenora followed them quickly in. She seemed to be enjoying watching Nolan fall apart.

Raina did not!

His hands shook, as he set her from himself, and softly closed the door.

Dread washed over her when she looked at his face. It had gone deathly white, even paler than out in the foyer.

“Nolan?” her lips trembled, and her voice held tears, but she was determined to hold herself together.

“Keep your voice low,” he murmured, coming to stand before her. He put himself between her and Elenora. He then stopped to listen as if he were catching conversation. One that Raina certainly couldn’t hear.

“What is it?” She shook all over because the fear in her fearless Nolan’s eyes.

“Joseph has a couple visitors.” He wrapped an arm around her waist, and drew her against him, trying to comfort her, but also wanting to hide his own terror.

“Richard?” She wanted to glare at Elenora. Instead, she buried her face into his chest. “We figured he’d know this would be where we ran!”

Nolan hushed her, breathing the comfort into her hair. “I’m not afraid of Richard. Not with Joseph here. He will not dishonor his father in his own house.” He squeezed her. “There is another visitor my love.” He shivered.

Raina wrapped her arms about him, holding tight. She wasn’t about to let anyone touch him.

He drew in a deep breath, and then lifted a hand to her jaw, tilting her face to his. “Do you love me?”