Order of the Omni: A Supernatural Romantic Suspense Novel (The Immortalies Book 1) Penny Knight (100 best novels of all time TXT) 📖

“Mine, too,” I agree as I lean forward for the bottle to refill my glass.

This time Broderick chuckles without holding back. “Oh shit,” he says.

“Well, don’t come crying to me when you’re sick,” Leo says.

“Please, when would I ever come crying to you?” I say, again locked in a staring war with Leo.

“I hate it when mum and dad fight,” Topher says to Broderick.

Broderick barks out a laugh, breaking our stare-off, and getting our attention. “I think I like you kid,” he says.

“Aw, shucks,” Topher replies. “Wait, what kind of like?” he winks at Broderick.

This time I giggle.

Broderick shakes his head, smirking as he looks behind us as two older ladies in the hotel uniform walk in. One pushing a cart filled with mouthwatering food, smelling divine and waking up my stomach, which grumbles with anticipation. I don’t remember much else, because as soon as the food’s on the table, it’s all I can concentrate on. We all dive in.

Feeling full and quite tipsy, I sit back in my chair with my third glass of wine. It feels like forever since I have felt this relaxed, the warmth of the alcohol coursing inside feels like a fluffy electric blanket wrapped around me.

I’m laughing and don’t even remember why. Probably something Topher said. After we ate, Broderick left. Something that apparently couldn’t wait.

“So,” Topher says. “Can I live here forever? That was delicious.”

“It really was,” I say.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Leo says.

“Liked it? I loved it. Thanks man.” He stands. “Really, I appreciate everything you have done, taking us in and protecting Elita.”

Leo’s eyes land on me and I look down to the table.

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“I got some things I need to work on, so I’m going to turn in. See you both in the morning,” Topher waves and heads out of the room, leaving only Leo and I at the table.

It’s so quiet after Topher gets up you could hear a pin drop. The silence is deafening, and I can feel his eyes burning a hole through me as my head is still turned watching Topher leave. My anger has been sated from the rich wine. It must have the same effect as a sledgehammer because one brick wall of many that I’ve fortified around myself has been knocked down and I turn, meeting his stare. This time not looking at him in anger and distrust.

“So, I have questions,” I say, putting the wine glass on the table.

He leans back in his chair. I’m not sure when he switched drinks because he swirls an amber liquid in a glass tumbler. “As do I,” he says.

I smile. “I’m sure you do.” He has inserted himself in my life and seems to think he has some right to do so. So, having questions isn’t out of reason. “Ok, I’ll go first.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you say I was yours?” He stills for only a second before he composes himself.

“Because you are,” he says.

“No, I am not.” I raise my brow.

“My turn?”

“What? How is it your turn when you didn’t answer the question?”

“Yes,” he sits forward, “I did. Just because you don’t want to believe it’s true doesn’t mean it isn’t.”

“Um, I’m pretty sure it does.” He is clinically insane. “That answer gave me absolutely no information.”

This smile is different, sneaky, clever. “Maybe you should word your questions better.”

I roll my eyes at his response.

He barks out a laugh. “My turn.”

I sit back in my chair. “Go ahead,” I mimic him.

He smiles. “Ok. Why would you risk your life for a stranger last night?”

“There wasn’t much of a choice,” I shrug.

“Yes, there was. You didn’t need to go after him.”

Maybe, if it wasn’t the case that I heard firsthand what he planned on doing. But that isn’t what happened. I don’t want to tell him, so I say nothing. “Well, that’s the answer to the question you asked. I’m sorry you don’t like it.”

“Fine,” he says. “Let’s cut the bullshit. I’ll answer your first question. You are mine because of the mark on your neck.”

Finally, some real information and truth from him. “What is it?”

“It’s the Mark of the Omni.”

“What does it mean?” I move closer.

“Nope,” he says, “not your turn. You answer mine now.”

Damn, I let out the breath I was holding. He’s being honest, so I will respect that and do the same. The first person other than Topher I’m going to tell of my new abilities. But I doubt he will commit me to an asylum, maybe he even knows more like me.

“I could hear him think all the bad things he was going to do to her. That’s why I didn’t have a choice.”

I wait for him to be shocked. And look at me weird like there’s something wrong with me.

“And?” he says.

My brows furrow. Doesn’t he get it?

“Because I could hear.” I let the word linger. “What he was thinking.” Still, he doesn’t appear to be shocked. Then it registers. “You already knew?”

He shifts in his seat. “Yes, I did.”

Trusting this man would not be a smart move. He could be holding so many secrets. How long has he known? I feel like a fool, I’m so out of my depths with him. And I hate it.

I nod. I knew it. It’s like a pin has gotten into my tyre, slowly deflating me. I hate being disappointed, that’s why I try not to look forward or hope for something. This feeling is the one that sucks the most. The walls barricade back around me. No one is to enter. No matter how fucking hot they are.

“To answer your question, I didn’t feel like getting locked up into a mental institution by ringing the cops and telling them to follow a guy because I can hear him thinking. And I couldn’t just let him disappear and never be able to sleep again. So, I did not have a choice.” The time has passed for me to believe