Hidden in the Immortals (Book #1)

Chapter 23

     "So... what did it feel like? Killing the Immortal." Jana asked in a hushed voice after I had finished telling her the previous night's events. The two of us had been hiding up in my room for most of the evening. I hadn't gotten out of bed until around three, seeing as how I was completely and utterly exhausted. But when I finally got up, I had to tell Jana what happened. Plus she wanted to know what actually happened to dad's head because she wasn't buying his story about 'bumping his head at work'.

     I let out a long sighed, paired with a shrug. "I was defending us from getting killed, I don't know... I just didn't like the feeling I got from dad after. Like...I had just begun my life's purpose in his eyes."

     Jana gave me a sympathetic smile. "Jules, I'm sure that's not true. I mean, sure he was probably pretty happy about witnessing his first born child kill one of the creatures he has dedicated his own life to killing -- but I'm sure he doesn't see it as your life's purpose."

     I stood up and sighed dramatically. "I don't know anymore... he told me that he's shielded us from hunting all our lives to protect us and he was really sincere about it." I was about to go on further about what dad revealed to me last night, but a slow burn began to form in my throat. I groaned. "I gotta go hunt," I told her while picking up my jacket from off my dresser. "I'll be back in a bit."

     She gave me a quick nod before standing up. "Are you going to tell Chad?"

     I slipped on my jacket before meeting her eyes. "Yeah, dad mentioned Chad's family last night and I think he really needs to hear what he had to say." This seemed to peak her interest, but she didn't question me on it; probably due to being slightly uncomfortable with having a thirsty Vampire just five feet away from her. When it was apparent she wasn't going to say anything more, I shot her a wave, then left the room and started down the stairs.

     Before I reached the bottom of the stairs, I could hear mom shuffling around in the kitchen. I rounded the corner and saw her wiping off the stove, preparing to make supper. When she heard me enter the room, she turned and gave me a small, sympathetic smile.

     "Hey, sweetie," She greeted in a soft voice. She set the rag down and faced me completely. "How are you doing?"

     I looked down and pretended to fumble with the zipper on my jacket. "I'm guessing dad talked to you?" I inquired without looking back up.

     "He did." She confirmed. "He's very impressed by you. He said you looked like a natural out there."

     I shrugged, then finally met her gaze. "Yeah, well when you have super human strength and speed, that'll happen." I bit my lip before asking a question I was so afraid of the answer to. "Is dad... suspicious of me at all?" He was definitely shocked by how fast and strong I was, so maybe he mentioned something to mom about how off it was.

     "If you're asking if your dad thinks you're an Immortal, then no." She looked away and continued wiping down the counter. "Just... be careful." She told me with a side glance. "Remember what I told you that first night."

     Yeah. He'd kill me if he found out what I was. Trust me, mom; I hadn't forgotten. In fact, it had been pretty much top spot of things on my mind. But I didn't say anything back to her. I just shot her a quick nod and a small, hopefully reassuring smile. With a heavy sigh and a toss of the rag that indicated she was about to change the subject, she turned and smiled at me. "So, 18th birthday is in two weeks," I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "What do you want?" 

     I laughed and gave her a half shrug. "How about a normal life?" I suggested in a light tone. "Is that off the table?"

     Mom let out a quiet snort. "It was never on the table," She paused. "Even before you were an Immortal."