16
Ifelt the insistent buzzing of my phone in my pocket and fished it out, unlocking it to reveal a new message from Nicholas.
”Meet me in the garden,” the text read, feeling a smile to spread across my face. Excitement bubbled up inside me as I quickly slipped on a lightweight sweater and made my way outside. In a household full of immortal beings, unexpected moments like this were rare and treasured. I could already feel the anticipation building as I stepped into the lush garden, eagerly anticipating what spontaneous adventure Nicholas had in store for us.
As I made my way down the winding garden path, a sweet melody drifted through the air, beckoning me closer. The notes of our song, filled with memories and love, danced around me like butterflies. He sat on a sturdy wooden bench, his face illuminated by a content smile. As he saw me approaching, his eyes lit up and he rose to his feet, extending his hand towards me. We twirled and swayed in perfect rhythm, our laughter ringing out and mingling with the rustling leaves of the trees. It was as if the entire garden had come alive in celebration.
His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me in close as we twirled gracefully in the gentle afternoon breeze.
”I”ll never forget the first time I saw you,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. ”So fierce and determined as you argued over those artifacts. You took my breath away.”
I smiled, leaning into him. ”I never imagined you”d turn my world upside down. But you did,” I teased him. He did not mind the jibe.
As our lips pressed together, the warm evening air surrounded us and time seemed to slow down. Suddenly, a shadow appeared out of nowhere and we jumped apart, startled. It was Alec, with his signature sly grin, emerging from the darkness nearby.
”Well isn”t this cozy?” he said mockingly. ”Don”t let me interrupt.”
Nicholas”s muscles tightened, and he stopped our dance as his brother appeared out of nowhere. Despite his composed exterior, I could feel the ire seething beneath the surface. My stomach twisted with unease as my eyes locked with Alec”s. There was a malicious glint in them that made me shiver, a hint of cruelty lurking behind his polite demeanor. But Nicholas remained oblivious, not sensing the danger that I imagined in his brother”s presence.
Silence hung heavily in the air as I struggled to find the right words. How could I possibly voice my concerns about Nicholas”s brother? He was a kind and loving man, but something about his presence made me uneasy. Maybe it was just my imagination running wild. Or maybe there was something more sinister lurking beneath his charming exterior. I couldn”t shake off the feeling of unease, but I didn”t want to cause any trouble by speaking up.
Nicholas stepped forward, placing himself slightly between Alec and me.
”Alec, is everything alright?” he asked gently. Though his tone was calm, I sensed an undercurrent of protectiveness.
Alec”s eyes flashed with something akin to resentment before it was quickly masked.
”Of course, brother,” he said lightly. ”Just getting some air.”
Nicholas nodded, though his shoulders remained tense. ”I know this is still an adjustment for you. Being back here, after so long...”
He trailed off and I could see the conflict in his eyes. The longing to help his brother coupled with the weight of their complicated past.
Alec”s expression darkened for a moment. ”I left a place I was happy. You can”t expect me to settle back in so easily.”
”I know,” Nicholas replied heavily. ”And I”m sorry for that. But I’m glad you’re here.”
Alec looked away, his jaw tight. The ghosts of the past seemed to hang in the air between them.
I ached for Nicholas. He carried so much guilt over his brother. And though unease still twisted my stomach, I knew I had to support them both. I had no right to judge Alec or what he’d endured.
So I swallowed my misgivings and softly said, ”It will take time, but we”ll get through this together. Why don’t you join us, Alec? We’re just listening to music.”
Nicholas gave me a grateful look. Alec”s expression was unreadable.
”No thanks.” Alec uttered the response, cold and short. He turned abruptly and left the way he came, leaving Nicholas and I alone.
The next morning, I retreated to the lab, hoping to find some solace in my work. As curator for the Keepers, I was responsible for maintaining our database of immortal DNA and medical histories. It was a massive undertaking, but I welcomed the distraction now.
Settling down at my computer, I pulled up the latest data on blood pressure fluctuations in immortals after the mortal death. I thought I might lose myself in the mythology, but my mind kept wandering back to Alec.
There was something about him that put me on edge, though I couldn”t pinpoint what. Was it simply trauma from his years trapped in the past? Or a sign of something more sinister?
I shivered, remembering the old legends of the Madness - a descent into violence and madness that could claim immortals, warping their minds. The rational part of me scoffed at such notions, assuring myself that it was not a common affliction, and surely, it would not befall Alec, that it was only my fears over my mother spilling over to Alec’s situation. But still, unease coiled within me.
Should I tell Nicholas about my concerns? I hesitated, afraid to add to his burdens when he clearly already carried so much guilt about Alec.
Lost in deep contemplation, I didn”t even register the sound of the lab door opening. Time seemed to slow as I was suddenly startled by a voice speaking behind me, breaking through the silence. My heart raced as I whipped around to see who had interrupted my thoughts.
”Interesting work you”re doing here.”
I whirled around to find Alec surveying the lab, his gaze sharp. No, Not again. I did not want to be alone with him. Sweat prickled the back of my neck.
”Just running some tests,” I said carefully.
”On immortals.” His eyes glinted with curiosity as he peered at my computer screen. ”Cataloging us like lab rats.”
”Only those who consented, for medical knowledge,” I replied, bristling at his accusation.
Alec prowled closer. ”And you trust my brother”s promises to help you?”
I lifted my chin. ”Yes. Nicholas wants to make up for past mistakes.”
Alec”s expression darkened. ”Does he now? Or is he just assuaging his guilt by keeping me here?”
I hesitated. ”He cares about you, Alec. He wants to make things right.”
Alec leaned in. ”Yet he was ready to maroon me in the past forever. Tell me, do you really know his heart?”
Doubt pierced me, but I stood firm. ”I know enough.” I stepped back. ”I should return to my work.”
Alec eyed me for a long moment. ”We”ll see where your trust in him leads.”
With that cryptic remark, he turned and strode out, leaving me shaken. I sank down in my chair, doubts and fears swirling. But one thing was certain - I could not stay silent anymore. For all our sakes, Nicholas had to know the truth.
My lab coat flapped behind me as I sprinted out of the lab, my heart racing with adrenaline and worry. I had to find Nicholas before it was too late, before Alec”s manipulations consumed him completely. Guilt gnawed at me for not realizing sooner what was happening to Alec. Nicholas was his brother, he had plenty of reasons to ignore the signs in front of him, but I did not. As I pushed through the bustling hallways, I scanned every face for a glimpse of his dark hair. My mind whirled as I searched desperately for Nicholas, determined to protect him from any harm.
As I rounded a corner, I collided with a solid form. Strong hands grasped my shoulders, steadying me. I looked up into Nicholas”s concerned gaze.
”Sophia? What”s wrong?”
I opened my mouth, then hesitated. How could I tell him his own brother was unstable?
Nicholas”s eyes searched mine. ”Did something happen with Alec?”
I nodded mutely. Nicholas”s jaw tightened.
”Tell me.” His voice was gentle but firm.
Haltingly, I described the encounter in the lab, Alec”s subtle threats and manipulations. Nicholas listened intently, his expression growing grimmer.
When I finished, he pulled me close. ”I”m sorry. I’ll talk to him...” He trailed off, self-reproach in his eyes. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to scare you. He’s sorry for what he did when he was a child, he’s told me as much. Maybe it was just his awkward way of trying to talk about it. He’s not the best at talking things through. Maybe it’s a family trait.”
My body tensed in his embrace as doubts flooded my mind. Was Nicholas intentionally disregarding the incident, or was he blindly following his heart that was riddled with guilt for his brother”s actions? Or maybe it was me, overreacting and creating a false narrative in my head.
I couldn”t bring myself to meet his gaze, burying my face in his shoulder instead. ”Do you truly believe that?” I whispered, fearful of his response.
He hesitated before answering, ”I have to believe it. I need to give him a chance.” My heart sank as I nodded, unsure if I could trust his words.
“All right,” I said softly. It was not an indication of agreement, but I did not think his vision was clear enough to recognize it.
“Come on, let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”
I let him take my hand, and I followed him.
The rich aroma of bacon frying in a cast iron skillet and the warm, inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted us as we stepped into the cozy kitchen.
My father stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with a dramatic flair. Gen perched on the counter, laughing as she stole a strip of bacon. Seeing us, she waved.
”Morning, lovebirds! Sleep well?” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
I rolled my eyes, cheeks warming. Nicholas just chuckled and squeezed my hand.
“Leonard’s off today, he left me in charge,” father announced. “Grab a seat, I’ll be out in a few.”
As we settled into our usual seats at the table, my heart raced in anticipation. I knew Alec would be joining us soon and every nerve in my body was on edge. When he finally strode in, his gaze fell upon our joined hands and I could feel the tension between us.
Nicholas cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the small, dimly lit room. His eyes scanned over Alec”s face, I and watched closely, searching for any hint of hesitation.
”How are you doing, Alec?” Nicholas inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern. ”Have you made any progress choosing a job? It’s good to stay busy, you know.” The air seemed to grow heavier as silence hung between them, the weight of the decision bearing down on Alec”s shoulders.
”I heard you’ve been traveling through time,” Julius interrupted, casting a narrowed gaze on Alec. “Perhaps you’re looking to join the Retrieval team?”
Julius and Alec sat across from each other at the table, savoring bites of toast. As Alec chewed, he maintained steady eye contact with Julius, his expression bold and confident. I felt a chill run down my spine as I noticed the unspoken tension between them, and it seemed like no one else at the table was aware of it.
“Tell me that’s not true. You said you wouldn’t leave,” Nicholas demanded, leaning forward on his elbows. Alec barely acknowledged his brother, his eyes shifting only a fraction.
“I said I would not go to Eastview. And I have not.”
Alec”s expression shuttered. ”So what of it?”
”It”s dangerous,” Nicholas replied.
Alec”s lip curled. ”Not to me. I”m not some novice.” His arrogance grated on me.
Father set down a plate of pancakes, joining us for the tail end of the conversation. ”Easy, Alec. We just want you safe.”
”Safe?” Alec snarled. ”I was never safe in your precious present. No one cared what happened to me.” His words dripped bitterness.
Genevieve touched his arm. ”That”s not true, Alec. We care-”
Alec wrenched away. ”Spare me your lies.” He flung his napkin down. ”I don”t need any of you.”
He stormed out. Heavy silence descended. Nicholas met my worried gaze.
”I”ll go after him,” he said heavily.
As the door slammed shut, dread coiled within me. We were running out of time to reach the Alec we once knew.
Nicholas hurried after Alec, his brow furrowed with concern. I watched him disappear from the hall, an uneasy feeling twisting my gut.
”Well, that was dramatic,” Gen said brightly, though her smile seemed strained.
Julius just shook his head and resumed eating. I picked at my food, appetite gone. My thoughts kept returning to the coldness in Alec”s eyes, the bitterness in his voice. He was slipping away from us, consumed by his inner demons. And I feared the day he”d be lost completely.
”You should talk to Nicholas,” Gen said gently. ”Maybe together you can get talk to Alec, get through to him.”
I exhaled. ”I know. I”m just...afraid of what he might do. He”s so unpredictable now.”
”Nicolas should let him return to the past,” Julius rumbled. ”That’s where he’s been going, after all. Better than letting him stay here and get into trouble.”
“No one asked for your opinion, Julius,” my father snapped.
I dropped my napkin on the table and stood up.
“Thanks for breakfast,” I muttered.
I found Nicholas in the study, staring broodingly out the window. He turned as I entered, his eyes stormy.
”Any luck?” I asked.
He shook his head. ”He”s locked himself in his room. Refuses to speak to me.”
I moved closer, taking his hand. ”You”ll get through to him, Nicholas. He needs you now more than ever.”
Nicholas” jaw tightened. ”I won”t give up on him. I can”t lose my brother again.”
I squeezed his hand, understanding his pain and determination all too well. We would keep trying, keep fighting.
”Come on,” I said gently. ”Let”s take a walk. Fresh air will do us good.”
Nicholas allowed me to lead him outside, into the sunshine and open air. But his shoulders remained tense, his thoughts heavy with worry for the brother trapped in the prison of his own mind.
We walked through the gardens, neither of us speaking at first. The flowers were in full bloom, bees buzzing lazily from blossom to blossom, but neither of us could fully appreciate the beauty around us.
After a few minutes, Nicholas broke the silence. ”I should have known something was wrong,” he said bitterly. ”I should have talked to him earlier. I had no idea he was jumping through time.” Although I was relieved he removed his blinders, the pain in his gaze was no consolation.
I squeezed his hand. ”You can”t blame yourself.”
”But I”m his brother. I should have known.”
”You did everything you could,” I said gently.
Nicholas was quiet for a moment. Then he said, ”When I found you, Sophia, I”d lost all hope. You brought light back into my world.”
He stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes intense. ”I’ll fix this. I’ll help him.”
My heart swelled and I reached up to cradle his face in my hands. ”I know,” I whispered. And I sealed that vow with a kiss.
For a beautiful, blissful moment, it was just the two of us. No burdens, no pain, no fear. Only us, as steady and real as the earth beneath our feet.
Then, from the direction of the house, came the sound of shattering glass.
We broke apart and I met Nicholas” eyes. Without a word, we turned and ran back the way we”d come, hearts pounding with renewed fear.
Alec.
Nicholas and I sprinted back to the house, our feet pounding on the gravel pathway. My lungs burned but adrenaline propelled me forward.
As we neared the house, the sound of yelling reached our ears. Nicholas flung open the French doors and we skidded to a halt, taking in the scene.
Shards of a broken vase littered the floor. Genevieve stood by the fireplace, her face flushed with anger. Across from her, Alec trembled, his fists clenched at his sides.
”What is going on here?” Nicholas demanded.
Alec whirled to face us. ”Nothing. Just having a chat with our dear friend.”
Gen scoffed. ”Some chat. He”s clearly lost his senses.”
I studied Alec closely. His eyes were bloodshot, his movements jerky and erratic. He seemed on edge, ready to explode at any moment. My earlier fears resurfaced.
Nicholas stepped between them. ”Enough. Alec, let”s take a walk.” He turned to me. ”Gen, Sophia will stay here with you. I need to talk to my brother.”
Alec glared at Nicholas. ”Oh yes, always the peacemaker, aren”t you Nick? Never willing to take a stand.”
Nicholas” jaw tightened but he remained calm. ”Come. Walk with me.”
He firmly steered Alec toward the door. But just before leaving, Alec shot me a chilling look over his shoulder. A promise of unfinished business.
I shivered. I was one-hundred percent certain we were running out of time to save Alec from himself.
After they left, I squeezed Gen”s hand. ”Are you alright?”
She let out a shaky breath. ”I will be. He”s not himself, that much is clear. He’s—he’s acting unhinged.”
I nodded grimly. The die was cast. Events were in motion that could end in tragedy if we failed to act.
”I’m scared, Gen,” I told her.
She set her jaw. ”Me too.”
Gen left the mansion for a drive soon after and I retreated to my room, my mind spinning. Seeing Alec like that had shaken me to my core. The malice in his eyes, the cruelty in his words...it was like staring into the eyes of a stranger. Or perhaps, the eyes of the man he might have become, had Nicholas not made him an immortal all those years ago.
I shuddered at the thought. Alec”s descent into madness threatened everything we had built here. Not just our future, but the bonds between us all. He could tear this family apart if left unchecked.
I paced the floor, wrestling with indecision. Should I tell Nicholas about my fears? He seemed oblivious to the darkness growing in Alec, still seeing the brother he once knew. I didn”t want to shatter that illusion unless necessary. I had to be sure it was more than Alec just being an angry, impulsive jerk.
But how to make Nicholas see reason? I feared the Alec I knew was lost already, consumed by the obsessive Madness.
I paused by the window, gazing out at the sky as if it held answers. Somewhere out there, madness and darkness lurked, waiting to claim Alec completely. Unless we found a way to help him.
I closed my eyes, making a silent vow. I would fight with everything I had to save him, for Nicholas”s sake. I would be the light to counter the darkness. And with luck, our love would be enough to stop what was yet to come.