Immortal's Love

My heart was racing. Apparently, Zanen’s half naked form was too much for me. Just as slowly as my eyes scanned down his body, my eyes scanned back up. And then I met his eyes. His incredibly beautiful eyes that never failed to speed up my heartbeats.

But then I noticed the way he was looking at me… as if he was… reading something from me. His eyes narrowed into slits as he examined me, making me feel beyond self conscious. I had to think of something fast. I just basically scorched his perfect body with my eyes. I had to come up with something to explain why I was standing there.

“Z- Zanen… hello,” I began. I almost slapped myself because of how stupid I’m sure I sounded. Zanen nodded in reply to my greeting. And right at that moment I thought of something that would save me from this embarrassment and ease my mind of something that was bothering me. “Ziel told me that you have the ability to go into dreams of other people…” I

“Yes, that is correct,” Zanen nodded. I quickly stopped myself from closing my eyes and enjoying the sound of his smooth voice.

‘Get a hold of yourself, Karen.’

“Well… I told Ziel this already and he said that he will tell you, but I want to tell you myself,” I could feel rational Karen coming back. If only rational Karen would stay. “My friends and family back in the mortal world do not know where I am right now. Please, I would greatly appreciate it if you would let them know that I am safe. And I also want to see that they are okay.”

Zanen was looking attentively at me. I was beginning to feel nervous again. His eyes… why do they penetrate me so much?

“Very well. Whenever you are ready, tell me, and I will take you with me,” Zanen still had that strange look on his face. But that quickly left my mind when what he had said dawned on me.

“Take me with you?” Could he do that?

“Yes. That way, you will know if your family and friends are doing well,” Zanen replied. I only nodded in reply. Me… going somewhere with Zanen. That sounded very thrilling. Even if we were just going into dreams. The thought was still blissful.

‘Karen, you are officially pathetic.”

“When you feel that you are ready, wait outside my room- which will not be too hard to find- and I will come outside to meet you. And I will take this as an opportunity to warn you. Do not ever go into my room. I am only saying this once.” I flinched slightly at the warning. What was inside his room that I couldn’t go in it? “Now, if that is all you want, then I will be leaving,” Zanen gestured toward the direction I just game from.

‘Oh, that is far from all I want from you.’

“Yes, that is all,” was what I said. I wasn’t near brave enough to say what I was thinking. What is wrong with me?

With a brief nod, Zanen started to walk away from me toward the direction of my room. Oh, isn’t this just perfect? Apparently, his room was on the same floor and hallway as mine. These immortals really want me to die young.

Realizing that I was still looking on even after Zanen had disappeared into a darker part of the hallway, I mentally cursed myself and continued on toward the staircase.

Upon arriving downstairs, I was met with a very cheerful Ziel who immediately jumped up from the couch and came over to me.

“Well, you took long enough,” he gently placed a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Sorry, I met Zanen on my way,” I scratched the back of my head involuntarily at the mention of his name. Aw, come on! He’s just a super hot immortal with amazing eyes. No big deal.

“Really…” Ziel’s look was close to the peculiar one that Zanen had. Why did they give me that look?

“Um… yeah. I told him about entering the dreams of my family and friends,” I said. Ziel only nodded and smiled. But then a slight frown appeared on his face.

“I don’t suppose that Morticus gave you something to eat,” his eyebrows were raised. Oh yes, food. The last time I ate real food was two days ago at home. And come to think of it, I was starving.

“No… I haven’t eaten in a while,” I said. It would be quite embarrassing to just say ‘I’m hungry.’

“Then come with me,” Ziel took my hand and led me out a door that was to our right. I found myself in another large room and a long, rectangular dining table was in front of me. Obviously, this was a dining room. “Sit down. I will be right back,” Ziel pulled out one of the beautifully designed chairs for me, and I sat. He went off toward an archway that was close to my back. I drummed my fingers on the table as I waited for Ziel to return.

In a little while he emerged from the archway carrying a covered plate on one hand and a glass of water on the other. He placed both in front of me. Whatever was in that plate smelled good!

“Thank you,” I said. Ziel nodded.

“You are welcome. Now eat,” he gestured toward the food in front of me. Don’t need to say that twice!

*****

I was still in a dream state from the delicious food I ate as I walked with Ziel back to the living room. I was still in doubt that he was the one that made it. He told me that it was him, but I wouldn’t believe him. Even I don’t cook that good! And I’m a great cook. Really, I am. No lie.

“Karen,” I turned to Ziel and saw that he looked rather serious. Oh, great. What is it this time?

“Yes?” I replied.

“There is something that you need to know. I know that it is only your first day here, but the sooner you know, the better,” Ziel’s gaze was intense. The new atmosphere was quite unnerving. “But I will wait for Lucien and Daemiel to arrive before I tell you. We must all be here.”

I swallowed hard. What could be so important that all the guys had to be here? Did it involve Morticus?

“I hope it isn’t anything bad,” I was sure that my worry was very evident.

“It is not my place to determine that,” Ziel said. The rest of the walk back to the living room was silent. Once there, I sat down on the couch but Ziel remained standing. “I will be right back,” he said, then ascended the stairs. I was very tense on the couch as I waited for Ziel to return. I was just hoping that this topic wouldn’t upset me in away way.

In a little while Ziel returned and sat beside me. His face was still solemn.

“Zanen has gone to bring Lucien and Daemiel. They should be here very soon,” Ziel said. I simply nodded. I lowered my eyes to my hands which were folded together on my lap.

“Well, it looks like I will not have to wait till tomorrow to see your beautiful face,” I jerked my head up to see Zanen, Daemiel and Lucien standing a few feet away from me. Zanen was in the middle and he was holding Lucien and Daemiel on their upper arms. Daemiel was the speaker. I gave him a weak smile.

All three of them sat on the couch that was opposite me and Ziel.

“Hello, Karen,” Lucien gave me his flashy smile.

“Nice to meet you again Lucien,” I replied. Okay Ziel, we’re all here. Now shoot.

“We are all aware of the reason for this meeting,” Ziel said to the other guys, who all nodded. “Now, we must let Karen know that reason.” Ziel turned to me and I tried to look as calm as possible. “We are here to tell you the reason for why you were abducted from your home in the mortal world,” Ziel said, and immediately he caught my attention.

“Go on,” I urged. I would like to know why I was chosen by Morticus. The reason that Talan gave me was not very satisfying.

“I take it that Morticus did not tell you…” Ziel raised his eyebrows. I shook my head as a reply. “Very well, then. Karen, you are very… special. You are not like most mortals.”

Not like most mortals? What, I was some type of weirdo?

“What do you mean?” I need this to make sense. They should just get straight to the point and tell me what they want to tell me.

“Actually, you are not mortal at all,” Lucien said. I almost flew off the couch at that. Excuse me? Not mortal?

“What are you talking about? I have mortal parents and I look and act mortal!” I snapped. Maybe these immortals were going crazy. I’ve been perfectly normal all my life! Well, not perfectly normal, but still normal. Sort of. Not helping, Karen.

“Yes, your parents are mortal. But you are not mortal. You have many immortal ancestors that you are not blood related to,” Zanen spoke this time. I looked into his transparent violet eyes and saw that he was very serious about what he was saying. But it couldn’t be. How could I be immortal?

“What Zane said is correct. You come from a long line of immortals who are all-powerful. That is the reason that Morticus wants you as his bride,” Daemiel said. I didn’t say anything for a while. My mind was trying to settle down.

“Talan said something about this…” I trailed off. I noticed the flash of hatred in Zanen’s eyes at the mention of Talan, but I put it at the back of my mind. It was still a little hard to believe that I was immortal, but these immortals wouldn’t waste their time trying to get me from the mortal world if I wasn’t of any importance to them. And I’ve always been a little… different.

I lifted my eyes and saw that all the guys were looking at me. There was a profound silence as my mind went over everything that was told to me.

“How do you know that I’m the person you think I am?” I finally asked. Ziel’s smile returned to his face again. Good. Serious Ziel is a little scary.

“Do not worry about that. We just know,” Ziel said. Well, that helped a lot. Humph. Immortals and their mysterious ways. “Now there are many things which you do not know about yourself. There is an ancient book on your bookshelf that contains all the information you need. When you see the book, you will know it. It is written in the ancient tongue, but you will understand the writing.” Okay, I’m definitely going to read that book. But how am I supposed to understand a language I don’t even know?

“So that is all?” Daemiel said. He looked a little annoyed.

“Uh… yes, I guess,” Ziel sounded uncertain.

“That was not very long. You should have left me at my house. I could have been… assisting the women,” Daemiel’s look was tempting me to laugh. He looked a lot like a child whose candy was taken from him. Lucien rolled his eyes at that.

“There are more important things to do than ‘assist’ women,” Lucien said. Daemiel let out a gasp that I thought was very hilarious.

“Do not say that Lucien!” Daemiel was trying to clasp his hand over Lucien’s mouth and Lucien was slapping his hand away. “You are lucky that there are no other demons in here,” Daemiel said. But he realized something wrong with what he just said. “Well, I mean full demons, of course.”

I looked over to Zanen and saw that he had his eyebrows raised. But he didn’t look upset, which was good.

“We should leave now before you kick us out again, Ziel,” Lucien stood up and pulled Daemiel up with him.

“Wait! I need to know if Karen needs assisting with anything. I would be honored to help,” Daemiel was grinning at me. My eyes widened at what he just said because I knew exactly what he meant.

‘Freaky demon.’

Daemiel received a smack at the back of his head by Lucien while Ziel got up and grabbed his shirt. Ziel started to pull a confused Daemiel toward the front doors.

“Did I say something wrong?” He was asking Lucien who was slowly following behind Ziel and Daemiel.

“What do I do with you?” Lucien shook his head.

“I am proud of myself for being wise enough to decide that Karen should stay with me and Zanen rather than you, Daemiel,” Ziel said before throwing Daemiel out the door.

“I take offense to that, Ziel!” Daemiel was on his way back into the house but Ziel closed the doors on him

“Good-bye to you all,” Lucien said before opening the doors to go out. He caught an angry Daemiel who was trying to get in and closed the doors behind them.

Ziel chuckled as he walked back to me and Zanen. It was hard to believe that the four men were friends considering the differences in their behaviors. Actually, it was especially hard to imagine that Zanen was friends with such lively people. He always looks so blank when everyone is talking. As if his mind is somewhere far away from the present. But a trace of a smile can be seen on his face whenever Daemiel and Lucien go at it or fool around.

“I hope that you are alright with the news,” Ziel was staring at me with concern written all over his face. Still a little unbelievable, but I’m fine.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I replied. Who would’ve thought that I would end up being an immortal? I really have been cut off from my mortal life. No more parents, no best buddies, no more school. I let out a sigh. “Am I allowed go outside? Ever since I was brought into the Immortal World I haven’t had any fresh air,” I said mostly to Ziel.

“Of course. You are not a prisoner, Karen. But please stay close by. We do not want Morticus capturing you again,” Ziel gestured toward the double-doors. I smiled and got up.

“Thank you,” I said. I looked at Zanen to say something but I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I just made my way to the doors.

I felt ‘oh so wonderful’ as I stepped out into the everlasting night. If the words of the strangers inside the mansion hadn’t convinced me enough that I was in another world, then the eerie whistle of the breeze had done all the convincing it needed to do. But I wasn’t frightened by the strangeness of the breeze. In fact, I embraced it. I loved the way it played with my hair and examined me as if it was trying to put my details into whatever memory it had.

While I was enjoying the caress of the breeze, I noticed a fountain on the left side of the mansion. The fountain was actually an angel structure with the water coming out of its eyes and fingertips. Surrounding it were cement benches much like the ones you would find in a park. There was a half circle cement railing around the whole thing, with a small opening close to where a side of the railing met with the mansion. The opening was an archway that had vines that crawled all the way to the top.

I didn’t realize that I had been making my way to the half circle until I was already inside of it. I walked over to the railing in front of me and leaned on it, gazing out into the thick woodland. I sighed involuntarily, but not in pleasure.

Ziel was a great guy. Same as Daemiel and Lucien. And Zanen was beyond great. I couldn’t help but let out a little laugh at myself at the last though.

But the Immortal World wasn’t my home. Well, technically it probably was. But still… it wasn’t home. I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

“This world is very different from the world you came from…” I jumped slightly from the sound of the voice. I quickly wiped the tear trail from my face before turning around to face Zanen.

“Um… yes. Very different,” I said. I almost cursed at my heart for beating so fast. But of course, I can’t get little hearty angry now. Don’t want it to stop functioning. “It’s missing a lot of things that I cherish.”

Zanen walked over to the railing and leaned on it, right next to me. Talk about torture.

“You know… you are going to be in this world for a very long time. You cannot be this sad throughout,” Zanen looked out to the woods as he spoke to me.

“It’s not easy to forget about or let go of people you love,” I said. I was a little angered by what he said. Zanen turned his attention to me. His eyes were notably colder than usual. I took a half step back.

“I never said that it was easy!” I won’t lie, his voice frightened me. His reaction was a little more than expected. Perhaps I said something that touched an angry side of his being.

But whatever the reason was for his reaction, I didn’t care. Let’s just say that I don’t take being yelled at very well.

“Well I’m sorry if I misunderstood what you meant! But you haven’t been exactly warm so you can’t blame me for misunderstanding what you said as something bad!” I was just about to give myself some props (on the inside, of course) for being so brave but halted when I noticed the change in Zanen’s eyes. His eyes were still violet, yes, but I could see a darker shade slowly begin to cloud them. I don’t know if it was because of the fear creeping inside of me, but it seemed like the gentle breeze had turned into wind.

“Mind the way you talk to me Karen!” I glued myself to the railing behind me as Zanen practically towered over me. I felt my breathing quicken and I was sure that I looked terrified as ever with my eyes almost popping out.

Zanen and I remained in that position until I saw his expression start to change. He looked… shocked. He lowered his eyes from mine, and then looked back at me. He lowered his eyes again and then moved back away from me. I didn’t move a muscle. I only watched as Zanen made his way back to the mansion. After a while, I finally took a deep breath and slowly let it out.