Immortal || Chapter 24

Natalie’s POV

I might've squealed a little with excitement. It was a go on that end of the plan. Now to talk mom into going without Johnathan using compulsion. I had no idea he had such ability. I guess if he wanted me to know to begin with, he would've told me. My mind went one hundred miles an hour as I thought of how he might've used it on me. But I never felt any different... except my feelings for him had changed. I farrowed my brow and crossed my arms. Is that why I have such strong feelings for him now? He used compulsion on me? The more I thought about it the more annoyed I felt. But I couldn't think of me right now.

Opening my door, Johnathan spilled in.

"Oh, um..." he stammered. "So, it's a go with your relatives then?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and smirked that annoying smirk of his as I nodded. A bit aggravated.

"I'm going to find my mom now. Keep hidden," I stated, walking past him in the direction of my mom's room. I sensed confusion in his voice as he chuckled.

I couldn't talk to him about my feelings until I convinced mom into going. I could feel nerves turning in my stomach as I reached her bedroom door.

"Mom, may I come in?" I asked, tapping on the door lightly.

I heard a faint yes and I entered, Johnathan slipping in behind me as I left the door cracked a bit. Mom was sitting on an armed chair, reading a book. She looked comfy.

"Hey, mom... can we talk?" I asked, sitting on the side of the bed.

She looked up at me excitedly. "You won't believe what I've found out about this place!"

I looked at her confused then down at the book. Imprinted on the cover was The Great Catcher Fire. Oh dear...

"The fire," she continued. "Was definitely on purpose. Vampires were killed because of a group called The Counsel. An evil vampire named Jacob, had killed Mr. Catcher and his son... And Natalie... His son was named Johnathan!"

My eyes grew wide. She was in too deep. Finding out things too quickly.

"Mom, that's great. But listen," I tried changing the subject. "I called Nora and she said her family would love to have you come and stay with them for a few weeks..."

"Oh no dear, I'm not going anywhere," mom stated, standing up. "I've been finding out a lot about this Catcher place ever since I arrived. I can't stop now! I'm on a road of discovery!"

"Mom, some things aren't meant to be discovered," I said, shaking my head in annoyance.

"If they weren't meant to be discovered, then why connect leads to them? I'm staying... that's final," mom said sternly.

"Mom, please. Just leave things alone," I tried convincing her.

"Natalie, if there's something that you're hiding from me and you're not willing to tell me now, then I don't have a choice here," mom argued.

I was at a loss right now. I gave a nervous chuckle and threw my hand behind my head as a gesture for Johnathan to come and compel her. I didn't want to go about it this way. I wanted her to have a clean mind and to not be controlled. But she was finding things out too quickly. I had to put an end to it. I had to place her somewhere Jacob couldn't find her.

Suddenly, as soon as mom was about to leave the room, Johnathan blocked the door. His eyes change into different colors as he stares into my mom's eyes.

"Mrs. Havens, you will go to Nora's house for a few weeks until Natalie calls you home. You will forget everything you've learned about the Catcher family and manor. You will no longer research them because there are no more leads," Johnathan said.

Mom repeated everything back to him and she was soon shaking her head in confusion.

"Natalie, didn't you say something about Nora?" mom asked, turning to face me.

I nodded slowly. "She wants you to stay with her a few weeks."

"Oh, I absolutely adore Nora and her family. Guess I'll start packing then."

I nodded and walked out the room and found Johnathan leaning against the wall in the hallway. He looked a bit faint.

"Hey, are you feeling okay?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He nodded with a faint smile. "I forget how much energy compulsion takes."

I nodded and helped him into the parlor. Never in my life have I ever thought something like this would ever happen to me.

"Are you feeling any better?" I asked Johnathan, who was now standing up in the parlor.

He smirked and nodded. "I am now. Man, that took a lot out of me. Is your mother ready?"

"Yes," I said. I was still a bit iffy about all this vampire compulsion stuff. It just didn't see right making people do things against their own will. And I still wondered if he ever used it on me,

"Natalie," Johnathan said, resting a hand on my shoulder. "I never used it on you."

I stared into his eyes and felt my face get hot. Part of me knew he was telling the truth. But the other part was cautious. But he has never had any reason to lie to me. He never lied to me... at least not that I know of.

"I know... it's just," I begin.

He placed a hand on my cheek and laid his forehead against mine. "No, I know you believe I've used it on you. But I never did. Ever. Never even thought about it. I would never use compulsion on someone to make them like me."

I felt a bit shaky under his touch. I found myself wanting him to kiss me every time we were this close to each other. My mind went back to the cemetery, when I almost lost him. When I almost lost my life. What would've happened if everything wouldn't have gone down like it did that night? I probably wouldn't even be here today. And my mother would've been grieving the loss of her only child. I sighed mentally at the thought. Life was indeed interesting ever since I've met this guy.

"Natalie... I really do care a lot about you. Please believe that. I've proved it many times. When we first met and the time, I told you I would protect you against anything, I meant it. I've got you," he reassured me once more.

I nodded without a word, allowing his words to sink into my heart and mind. I've got you.

Those were the words I loved to hear coming from him for some reason. It felt to me as though they were true. He meant everything he said.

"I'm sorry if I've ever doubted you," I whispered, burying my face in his chest. "It's just... everything that's happened has got me rattled."

He held me in silence. I loved being in his arms. They were home to me.

"Now, we must get your mother to the airport and see her off safely," he added, holding me at arm's length.

I nodded, courage restored. This was going to get interesting and harder, I could feel it.