Ancient Darkness (On HOLD)

Chapter Thirty Five - Shopping Expenses

"Guys," Sang hissed, trying to pull the four men away from the electronics and homewares store. A store that they had been in for well over an hour as the Immortals meticulously examined every single appliance, every single item.

"Do you need one of these, Sang?" Nathan gestured at what must be the largest television ever created.

She spluttered, noticing the way that every woman who had entered the store mysteriously ended up in the same area as each of the males. "I thought that none of you watched TV."

"We don't," He replied, waving over one of the many help salespeople who had attached themselves to the group as soon as Gabriel had practically began cooing over the wonderfully expensive items. "We want for you to be as comfortable as possible and it wouldn't hurt for us to assimilate to the modern world." His eyes grew distant, "It seems that we have kept ourselves isolated for too long."

"Sir?" The silky accented voice interrupted them, the owner batting her lashes as she fingered the polo shirt she wore as part of her uniform. "Would you like something else added to your account?"

Nathan waved, his face expressionless as he looked back at her, "One of these with all of the necessary accessories, please."

The woman smiled, "Of course but I should mention that this will put your purchases at over 35,000 American Dollars."

He shrugged and gestured at me, "She needs one." His face twisted with a sudden thought, "Can you take her around the store and suggest anything else?"

"Nathan, I..." Sang started to grimace as 'Lorena', the gold-digging sales assistant, interrupted with a fake honey-voiced, "Of course, sir!"

Sang was mentally yelling at him not to leave her with the woman but he simply plastered a forced smile on his face and wandered off to locate where his brothers had scattered to.

Lorena's smile dropped slightly even as Sang began backing away, "Thank you for the offer but I really don't need anything."

"Why does that matter?" She replied, "They're obviously willing to spend a money on you. Why wouldn't you take advantage?"

Sang's cheeks flushed with humiliation and anger as she began reading the thoughts that the despicable woman was practically screaming at her.

She must be an awesome whore. Got four of the hottest men I've ever seen dropping over thirty grand...The voice faded slightly as Lorena began using words Sang didn't recognise. The woman was obviously European although Sang still couldn't pinpoint where exactly the Immortals had brought her. She didn't recognise the language that Lorena was projecting.

"Thank you but I'm going to find my friends," Sang informed her with gritted teeth before simply turning on her heel and following in the direction that Nathan had taken.

She found them all huddled in the entertainment section, watching a group of teenage boys play some sort of racing game.

"It is quite fascinating," She heard Gabriel murmur, his blonde streaks making him appear punkish as his mouth twisted into a fiercely concentrative smile.

"You guys have already spent too much and I haven't even had a chance to pick any clothes out yet," She muttered, knowing that they could hear her.

Owen turned away from the others, "You are right, of course." He bowed slightly from the waist, "My apologies."

Bemused, she shook her head. "Do we even have time? I mean, how long did it take for us to get here in the first place? Will I have a chance to shop properly before we have to head back?"

Victor stepped forward and offered his arm, "It took us approximately an hour to find this store and yes, we will have time to reach home before the sun rises but I do agree that we should be on our way now." He glanced back at his brothers, "I will escort Sang to whichever shop meets with her approval while you all finish up here."

He began leading her towards the main entrance, his steps measured to match her shorter stride, "It has been a little while since I have been in Milan but I believe that it is still considered the best shopping destination in Europe. Is there any particular boutique that you might prefer to visit?"

He kept speaking as though her mind hadn't just frozen up. Milan? As in Milan, Italy?

She was shopping in Italy, in the epicentre of wealth.

There was no boutique within Milan that wasn't designer labelled.

"I..." She paused, biting her lip. Being a woman she almost wanted to squeal at the thought of going on a shopping spree in such a place but she just couldn't.

They may be holding her hostage but as the hours passed, she was becoming less afraid and, actually, more attached. They were scary, there was no arguing that but they were also...endearing.

The way that each of them had taken the time to speak to her, their attempts to minimise the effects of their age, North and Lucian going out to find her some sort of food and now this.

She knew, realistically, that some part of them all was still wary and hardened against seeing her as more than a possible enemy but they also couldn't hide those flashes she caught when they looked at her.

They were Immortal and terrifyingly powerful but they weren't monsters.

Her thoughts were brought to a stop as Victor ground to a halt in front of a music store. "Nota Musicale," She pronounced, staring at the beautiful piano which had captured his attention.

His eyes were burning with something deep and passionate.

This beautiful man was a musician. She didn't even need to ask that, she could see it in the longing on his face.

Having not seen any sort of instruments at their home, she smiled and pulled him forward. "I want to go in here."