Authors: Sarah Brocious
He chuckled again. "I don't know how much to tell you. I’ve never had the liberty of meeting a mortal who knew about us. I don’t know what is actually proper."
"Tell me all. It's not like I can't take it. I've been through a lot and I've learned a lot and I've lived to tell."
He considered this. "I'll tell you what it's like for me when I have to carry out my duty. And then maybe you can get an understanding of where this might be leading." He rolled his shoulders back and cleared his throat. "And I'll try to be sensitive while describing."
"I appreciate that."
"When I have to take an immortal's life, drain him of the magic or whatever you want to call it. I don't know how it happens I just know when I concentrate, my hands touching them, I can pull it out. I feel it. And there's a moment after my – ahem – slaying, that the immortal becomes most vulnerable. I take the immortality and in essence that immortal becomes mortal the moment before the final death."
Raina's brows rose higher. "So you are capable of taking the curse?"
Maxim nodded and then hesitated wondering how much he should reveal. Her encouraging smile was making his defenses drop. "When we take the immortality they become mortal and then all of their years of immortality catch up right there before my eyes. They age to whatever year they should be. They turned to bone usually except for the really young immortals and in that case they live, unless we are told to finish them. Some have done such horrible things, have such awful souls we would never release them back into a world where they could hurt more humans…as a human. The young ones who are guilty of minor infractions must be punished. If they pose no threat to those around them,we erase the memories of us."
Raina was surprised that this. "That can be done?"
He nodded. "Our Sovereignty feels that it's their youth that caused them to make mistakes. It's the old and seasoned immortals that usually truly pay for the crimes.”
“To give the young back their mortality, that’s quite beautiful,” Raina whispered. She held even more respect for the immortal society.
“They are given a second chance. Immortals as a whole are kind and sweet natured. We cherish life…the long and short. It's those few that ruin our reputation. Like Richard and his spoiled daughter and… Emmanuel," his voice lowered as he spoke the Sovereignty’s name.
Raina was very intrigued by this. "So they are able to go back to their mortal life and they remember nothing? How do they not die?"
"It depends on how long they've been immortal. If it's only been a few months they naturally are not going to die. They just lose a part of their life. You know those John and Jane Does that show up in the mental hospital? The long-lost relatives that shows up void of any memories. They reappear after months of a disappearance?"
Raina listened wordlessly.
"Yeah, some are unexplainable but the others? It's probably us." He gave a smile and a shrug.
"That's amazing," Raina breathed out. "Nolan Thanatos never told me that part. It's rather beautiful. It's like redemption." She bit her lip and furrowed her brow. "How long has this been practiced? I mean, if Nolan had been so miserable why hadn't he just been slayed in the very beginning? It would have saved him so much."
"Not many immortals want to return to being mortal. And he hadn't committed a crime. I just suppose those around him felt as if he would grow out of it and learn to appreciate what all of us appreciate."
This made sense to Raina so she didn't argue further.
"I believe in some ways he has now come to appreciate his immortality. You being that sole reason. That's why I wish… I mean I've seen… I just wonder that if…" He struggled with his words. He didn’t want to reveal all, but something about this woman made him want to reveal all of his secrets. “I don’t want you to have false hope.”
Raina watched the struggle in his face. "If you take Nolan's immortality –" she shuddered. "It's been too long for him hasn't it? He would wither to bone." The very idea made her tremble.
Maxim was silent again. He finally spoke after a moment of internal debate. "Maybe."
"Maybe?" She heard the hesitation in his answer.
“Well, if I just did my part he would become bone.”
“But?” she tilted her head.
He adjusted his large form in the chair and stared down at his hands. "I really should be running this past Our Sovereignty first but…" His eyes lowered.
"You have a loophole?" Her eyes lit with hope and she reached again for his hands.
"Raina, I can't…"
"Please tell me," she pleaded.
He looked down at the hands...her little hands engulfed in his large ones and he squeezed them. "You cannot repeat this Raina. I don't know if this will be seen as treachery or brilliance."
"I won't say a thing but I need to know Maxim. Is there a chance?" Her heart was beating a hole through her chest.
"My thought is this; when I have done my job…what if there was a healer present at the moment mortality set in? Couldn't they just heal him before he withered? Sounds crazy but I've seen healers in action and it is pretty powerful stuff. There would be a great chance of survival…especially if it was a healer like Nolan but he won't be all that much help himself at that moment.”
“Michael!” Raina smiled.
“Michael,” Maxim agreed. “He is not as strong as Nolan is but isn't it worth a chance?"
Raina laughed and sprung at him suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck. "Maxim that is the most brilliant thing I've ever heard! You are a genius!"
Maxim blushed and hugged her back awkwardly. "It may not work, so you prematurely call me a genius. And I must bring this up to those with greater knowledge. But it is a wonderful thought isn't it?"
Raina let the tears fall freely. "It certainly is!"
She sat back in her chair and picked up her cell.
“What are you doing?”
She smiled with reassurance. “I am calling Joseph! We say nothing to Nolan until Joseph is involved. Our Sovereignty wants Nolan as he is…but Nolan should have a choice. Joseph will know how to handle this!”
Maxim calmed. He trusted Joseph as well. He was after all his Changer.
Raina smiled brightly when Joseph answered.
“Hello there little one,” he greeted.
“How fast can you and Jonathan be here?”
Joseph chuckled. “What’s going on?”
Raina gave him a run down. When she was done, she was biting her lip in anticipation. Joseph was silent for only a moment.
“We will be on the next flight,” he promised. “You were right to call me!”
She sighed in relief. “It should be you he hears it from,” she agreed. “I am too biased!”
Joseph chuckled. “You are fair and loving and unbiased little one.”
“Please hurry,” she laughed. “I don’t want to spill the beans!”
Joseph laughed into the phone. “And to think, I gave that genius giant to you no questions asked!”
Maxim smiled. His immortal hearing kept him in the thick of things.
She reached over and patted the massive hand. “We will see you tomorrow then?”
“Tomorrow,” Joseph agreed.
“Have I told you how much I love you Joseph Rivers?” She bit her lip.
Joseph was quiet once more and then said in a froggy voice, “It’s a thing of honor to be loved by such a mortal. And that love is returned little one.”
Raina thanked him, and ended the call. She turned to Maxim. “Nothing to Nolan than until Joseph speaks to him?”
Maxim nodded
Raina rubbed her hands together. “And tonight you will meet my other friends!” She smiled at him. “And are they ever going to love you!”
Maxim looked unsure, but Raina could be very convincing!
Chapter 19 What’s Better for You
“Tell me again why I’m dressing like this?”
Raina glanced up as she was pulling on her cowboy boot. Her mouth dropped open and went dry. She felt the stupid grin on her face, but couldn’t help it! How could he be sexier each time she laid eyes on him?
Nolan’s frowny face told her he was waiting for an answer.
“You look amazing,” she breathed.
She stood to her feet, and it was his turn to admire.
He cleared his throat his eyes explored her top to bottom. Cute little tank top, boot cut jeans that hugged her curves and boots…she was adorably hot! “I don’t suppose you have a cowboy hat to go with that getup? Because a fantasy wouldn’t be complete without…”
She smiled and gave a little curtsy. She came to stand before him, giving a little turn. “You like?”
“Hmmm,” he growled. “You still haven’t answered my question. He reached for her, but she skirted just outside his grasp. He shoved his hands into his pockets, striking a very gorgeous pose. “Why am I in cowboy boots?”
She laughed eyeing the way the white cotton v-neck fit him. She also admired the well cut jeans, the brown boots poking out beneath. “We are appeasing Thanatos, who wants to dip into his cowboy heritage. You knew we were all going out to catch up. Everyone needs to meet Maxim too! Loosen up and have some fun!”
He rolled his eyes and grinned. “I’m not all that big of a country boy.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “It will be fun! Please just try to have fun for me!”
He cupped her face in his hands. “Anything for you Aelan.” He kissed her gently. “It still amazes me to think back to when you were terrified of public places! Now look at you,” he murmured proudly.
“Thanks to you.” She squeezed his sides affectionately.
His eyes darkened.
“No worries tonight Nolan,” she said softly, recognizing the look. “We are leaving Our Sovereignty, Richard, David, Elenora, and my safety at the door! We are having fun tonight, no worries!” She bit her lip and her tummy flipped when she thought of the guests coming the next day! She hadn’t breathed a word of Maxim’s revelation. She really didn’t know how to begin!
“Hmm,” he growled.
She smiled up at him. “Promise?”
He sighed and dropped a kiss on her mouth, before pulling away. “Country bar? Fun?”
She laughed at the way his brow furrowed. “Yes! Tim McGraw…F.G.L….Kenney Chesney! You will love! We’ll dance! I’ll dance…for you!” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Nolan swallowed hard and then cleared his throat. “Well…how do I know you can dance without a sample?”
She blushed. “You’ve seen my performance of Buttons Mr Gregor…don’t play naïve!”
He laughed outright, shoved his hands in his pockets again, and shrugged. “This is true…but that’s was more club than country!”
She blushed again but lifted her chin with some defiance. “Is this a challenge?”
Nolan cocked his head. “Maybe.”
Raina loved Nolan’s playful side. She cocked her head too. “I need my girls to do that soberly…you caught me with Buttons because I have no inhibitions on my own.”
He grinned. “Not even for me?” He rubbed the back of his neck giving away his own uncertainty in himself.
That surprised Raina. She bit her lip. “I don’t know if we have time…” she halted her speech as he pulled out his cell. “Who are you calling?”
“Hey, brother! No need to pick us up. Raina and I will meet you there.” He wet his lower lip, avoiding eye contact with her. “Yeah, I know where it is. See you in a bit.” He shoved the phone back in his pocket and raised his brows. “We’ve got time.”
“Nolan,” she laughed. “You are not serious.”
“Just a little taste,” he said softly.
Raina rolled her eyes at him. “What song?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know any country tunes! Enlighten me.”
She felt her face warm. “I’ve already embarrassed myself once with you and my dancing!” She cocked her brow. “You should dance for me!” Her eyes lit and she nodded.
He laughed and shook his head. “If you are going to be dancing out in front of others…for me…I want to make sure it’s good!”
Raina folded her arms. “Dance with me.”
He growled and lifted a shoulder. “Warm up?”
Raina liked the sound of that. “But nothing too slow…too sappy. I want real country you can move to.”
His silvers danced down her physique. “Put something on Aelan.”