Chameleon (Supernaturals)

by Kelly Oram

  The vision ended then and it was as if Gabriel had vanished. I felt his loss. I felt the void inside me that his absence created.

  I gasped and suddenly I was once again staring into the real Gabriel’s eyes. They were full of concern. “Danielle?” he asked lifting his thumb to wipe a tear that had escaped down my cheek. “What did you see?”

  I was so relieved to see him standing there, so thankful that he wasn’t really leaving me, that I threw my arms around his neck and pulled his face down to mine. Gabriel was shocked, but his hands came around my waist instinctively and he gave me the kiss I was so desperate for.

  When I finally tore myself away from him he, Russ and Alex all stood there wide eyed, mouths agape. Russ was the first of any of us to speak. “Well, that plan totally backfired.”

  I couldn’t take my eyes off of Gabriel. “I’m sorry!” I gasped, still feeling warm from his kiss. “I—I—I—”

  “Do not worry yourself, Danielle,” Gabriel said. He used the same words he’d used in the vision, except this time his eyes were bright instead of sad. “You need not apologize for that.”

  “You could apologize to me for it if you want,” Russ grumbled.

  Alex shook himself from his stupor and met my eyes. “What exactly did you see?”

  “Um.” I floundered for words. I couldn’t share that moment with anyone. It was too painful, and I was too scared of either Russ or Gabriel knowing that was our future. “It was just….” My eyes went back to Gabriel.

  “Our destiny,” Gabriel finished for me with a smile.

  I knew he didn’t interpret my reaction correctly, but I let him believe what he wanted. I was too weak to give him the truth.

  “Not for long,” Russ said, and pulled me out of Gabriel’s embrace. He threw his arm over my shoulders, flashing a wide smile at his dad and Gabriel. “So when are you guys leaving? Feel free to take your time. Do some shopping. Catch a movie. Don’t worry about us. I’ll take good care of Dani while you’re gone.”

  “Danielle does not need to be fixed,” Gabriel replied. “There is nothing wrong with her.”

  “The hell there’s not! You can’t have a say in this either. You’re totally biased.”

  “And you have no personal interest in this matter?”

  “Settle down boys,” Alex said. He was still watching me very curiously. “It would probably be best to figure out if your connection is truly physical Dani, but it should really be your choice whether we try to break the bond the Councilor has wrongfully forced on you.”

  Both Gabriel and Russ waited expectantly.

  “I—um.”

  Alex sighed. “You don’t need to make the choice right now. Just think about it.”

  “Okay.”

  Alex picked up his car keys. “I’ve got to go. I’ll probably be gone the rest of the day.” He looked at Gabriel. “Would you like to come with me?”

  Gabriel glanced at me and then at Russ. His face tightened almost imperceptibly. “I would rather not, unless Danielle wishes it.”

  I shook my head.

  “How about you Russ? Want to keep your old man company?”

  “Did you not see what just happened?” Russ asked, pointing at me. “No way am I leaving these two alone all day.”

  Alex frowned. “They are newlyweds son. Maybe they would like the alone time.”

  “DAD!”

  Alex laughed and with a wink my direction said, “Sorry, Dani. I tried to give you some peace.”

  “Maybe I should come with you instead.” A little peace sounded nice. “In case you need to know more about the vision.”

  “No, you need your rest. I should be okay. You’ve given me enough to start with. He was specifically using the blood of a baby. That should narrow down the type of ritual a great deal. If we can figure that out we can probably figure out what he wants and then ultimately discover who he is and how to stop him. If I need anything else, I’ll call you.”

  Alex looked at Russ and Gabriel once more and cracked another smile. “I’ll try to hurry. Don’t kill each other while I’m gone.”

  “No promises,” Russ grumbled.

  “Excuse me, sir?” Gabriel asked when Alex started out the door. “Will Danielle and I be safe here for that long? Our auras…”

  The look on Alex’s face changed to one of awe. “Yes, together they really are quite something, aren’t they? I can understand why the council thought to pair you.”

  “You can what?” Russ gasped. “Dad, you are so not helping.”

  “Sorry Russ. It’s just logical with them being the only two pures in existence. I’m pullin’ for ya though, son. Honest.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  Alex turned his attention back to Gabriel. “I anticipated having to hide Dani. I set up wards on the house and misdirection spells around the entire property. You should be safe.”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Russ warned me when I settled in on the couch after Alex left.

  “What?” I asked defensively. I looked at Gabriel next to me and snapped, “We’re not even touching!”

  “For once.” Russ sat down on the other side of me and snatched the remote from my hands. “However, I just meant don’t even think about watching a bunch of crappy home makeover shows all day.”

  “I was not planning to watch—” Russ cocked a brow at me and I rolled my eyes. “Okay fine, smarty pants. Do you have a better idea?”

  “As a matter of fact I was thinking we should go to the beach.”

  “The beach?” I gasped. “Really?”

  Russ grinned. “We’re less than an hour from Long Beach Island. They have an awesome beach there with this big lighthouse, I’ve been dying to take you to it since the minute Dad told me we’d be coming here.”

  Gabriel interrupted my squeal of delight. “You wish to go to the ocean?”

  He made it sound like Russ suggested we scrub toilets.

  “I’ve never been to the ocean before.”

  Russ laughed at the longing in my voice. “Dani’s obsessed with the water. We have this lake in our town back home and she made us go there every single day over summer break.”

  “But it is the end of October,” Gabriel argued. “It will be cold and windy.”

  “The perfect time for us to go,” Russ countered. “It’ll be deserted so Dani won’t need to cloak the two of you while we’re there.”

  I didn’t care about this argument. Visiting the ocean was a life-long dream of mine. I was going no matter what. “We’ll wear jackets!” I said and jumped up off the couch.

  I was quick, but Gabriel managed to stop me before I got out the front door. “Danielle,” he said in that way that he does when he’s about to politely argue with me.

  I decided to beat him to the lecture. “We’ll be perfectly safe. I’m feeling much better today. I can handle hiding us for the ride to the beach. And if I do get a little tired it’s like Russ said, I won’t have to hold the spell while we’re there so if we need to, you can recharge my battery.”

  “You misunderstand me. I am not suggesting we would be unsafe. But if you are truly well enough to leave, then I believe there are better ways to make use of our time than sightseeing.”

  “Better than going to the beach?”

  Gabriel hesitated but then said, “Have you not considered going back to the consulate?”

  “Go back?” Russ and I asked together.

  Gabriel nodded. “The council needs to know what we have discovered. They could help us figure out what the man in our vision is trying to accomplish, and they have much more power and resources to stop him than Russ’s father.”

  “But there’s a mole in the council,” I argued.

  “All the more reason to go back. I hate to think it, but it appears the mole is Robert and we need to warn the Councilor.”

  “I only saw a warlock,” Russ said. “The man doing this probably is the Councilor. We can’t just give ourselves up to him.”

  Gabriel sighe
d. “I promise you the Councilor is not behind this.”

  “So you say. Forgive me if I don’t trust your totally brainwashed opinion. Sorry dude, but Dani’s not going back. Ever. End of story.”

  “With all due respect,” Gabriel said to Russ, “that is not your decision. It is a matter between Danielle and myself.”

  I shook my head. “I’m sorry Gabriel, but Russ is right. I can’t go back there.”

  “Surely you do not mean ever?”

  I shrugged apologetically. “The Councilor’s got to be furious that we left. If we set even one foot back in that building it’s an automatic life without parole. We’ll be locked up forever and they’ll throw away the key. You might not care about being free, but I’ll never see anyone I love ever again.”

  “The Councilor would not do that. He would not take away my freedom.”

  “No. Just mine. And like the dutiful little pet that you are to him you would stay with me.”

  Russ laughed and both Gabriel and I glared at him.

  “There is no need to be hurtful,” Gabriel said to me.

  “That’s if he even lets you stay with me,” I went on. “You know he’ll blame your leaving on me.”

  Gabriel’s face fell. “I suppose I can understand your concern. Would you consider a compromise? Perhaps you could agree to a brief meeting with the Councilor away from the consulate? We can ask him to meet us at the beach Russ mentioned. That way the Councilor does not learn where this house is, and you are still able to see the ocean.”

  Russ tossed Gabriel his cell. “I’ve got a better idea. How about you call him and tell him everything he needs to know over the phone. Then we could be half way to China by now for all the Councilor’s concerned and we can enjoy the beach in peace.”

  “Works for me,” I said with a hopeful look to Gabriel.

  Gabriel could see he’d lost the argument. “Very well.” He looked at the phone in his hands and sighed. “I do not know how to use one of these.”

  I laughed and took the phone. “What’s the Councilor’s number?”

  “Number?” Gabriel asked.

  “You don’t know what a phone number is?” Russ asked incredulous.

  “His phone connects directly to the Councilor,” I told Russ. “He’s never had to dial a number.”

  I flipped through Russ’s contacts. As I suspected he’d saved Duncan’s number. “Russ?” Duncan said when he answered.

  “Actually it’s Dani.”

  “Thank the Creator. I thought I told you not to make my job difficult.”

  “Sorry. Must have forgot that rule. My memory’s a bit fuzzy due to a healthy dose of torture you know.”

  Duncan laughed despite himself. “Where the hell are you? The Councilor is going crazy. I had to lie and tell him you were already gone when I got there or he might have had me executed for letting Russ in and then losing you.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I wish I were kidding. I’ve never seen him so angry before.”

  “Well, that’s why I’m calling. Do you have his phone number? Gabriel wants to talk to him.”

  “Actually he’s right inside the conference room. I stepped out of a meeting when I saw Russ on the caller ID. I’ll just hand him the phone.”

  “Thanks. And Duncan? Sorry we bailed on you. Promise we won’t rat you out to the Councilor.”

  “It is the least you can do,” Duncan said and then I heard him say, “Excuse me, Councilor?”

  I handed the phone to Gabriel. No way did I want to be the one on the phone when he picked up.

  “Hello?” Gabriel asked. “Yes sir. We’re fine, sir…. Yes, I know, and I apologize. I was afraid she would have left without me, and I figured it was better for her not to go alone.... Yes sir…. No sir…. There is much we need to discuss concerning what we spoke of last…. Yes sir. We will meet you at the lighthouse on Long Beach Island, in New Jersey.”

  “What the hell!” Russ shouted and snagged the phone from Gabriel. I could hear the Councilor saying something when Russ hung it up. Russ was absolutely red in the face and shoved Gabriel hard.

  Gabriel didn’t seem bothered in the least that Russ was thisclose to pounding his face in. “The Councilor told me we should not speak over the phone,” he said as if that explained everything perfectly.

  “Of course he did! He wanted you to tell him where you are so he could send the freaking guardians after you.”

  “Actually, I suspect he will bring only Duncan. He is concerned about a mole in the council. I am sure he did not inform them that Danielle and I left. He would not want the resistance out looking for us.”

  “Either way, he’s still going to have something up his sleeve. His entire purpose in meeting will be to trap you and drag you back to the consulate.”

  Gabriel narrowed his eyes at Russ. “If you are afraid of the Councilor then you are more than welcome to stay here.”

  I snorted. Russ is such a boy when it comes to pissing contests. Gabriel would win this fight.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s get this straight. I am not afraid of the Councilor,” Russ said, proving my point rather nicely. “But just because I’m not scared of a trap doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to go walking into one. I’m not going.”

  Gabriel smiled. “Excellent. I am rather tired of dealing with you anyway.” He turned his attention to me. “Danielle?”

  “But what if it is a trap?” I asked.

  Gabriel sighed. “If I must, I will go alone.”

  “Here, take the keys,” Russ said. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

  Gabriel snagged the keys Russ tossed him, and my heart seized up with fear at the thought of him actually leaving. “Gabriel, wait!” I ran to him like a pathetic ex-girlfriend begging for a second chance. “Don’t go. Please. That car is stolen and you don’t even know how to drive it! What if you get hurt or pulled over? What if you meet with the Supreme High Councilor and he doesn’t let you come back?”

  “I am sorry, but it is the right thing to do.” Gabriel put his hand to my cheek and smiled sweetly. “I would never force you to come, but I am not above begging. Please come with me Danielle. The thought of parting from you, even for a few hours... Tis torture and not mercy. Heaven is where Juliet lives.”

  The way Gabriel’s voice softened as he whispered those famous words made me shudder. I closed my eyes to free myself from his gaze but all that did was intensify the feeling of his hand on my face. “It’s no wonder you always get your way,” I breathed. “You don’t play fair.”

  Gabriel’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean exactly? Play what?”

  “Oh hell!” Russ groaned and then pushed his way between Gabriel and me as he stomped out the front door.

  . . . . .

  The ocean was more magical than any pool—be it filled with water, or Jell-O, or even mermaids. The sky was dull and the wind was blowing cold air off the water, forcing the waves to crash against the shore and yet it was the most serene place I’d ever been. I had to take a good five minutes just staring wordlessly in awe at the sight before me. The edge of the world.

  I kept myself wrapped in my jacket, but I’d taken off my shoes to feel the wet sand between my toes. After a while the freezing water pushed itself around my ankles, startling me back to reality.

  “Water enough for you?” Russ asked coming up beside me.

  I threw my arms around him. He laughed and twirled me around once before setting me on my feet.

  “I don’t deserve all the things you do for me, Russ.”

  “Don’t be such a narcissist,” he teased. “I didn’t want to bring you to the beach to make you happy. I wanted this moment.”

  My stomach filled with butterflies, and as if Russ could read my mind, he pulled me in closer.

  “Danielle?” Gabriel asked. I’d completely forgotten he was there. “I believe the Councilor will probably arrive shortly. It might be wise to head back toward the lighthouse now.”

 
Russ glanced over my shoulder and smiled. “Good idea. You head over and wait for him and we’ll catch up.”

  I tried to pull myself out of Russ’s arms but he refused to let me. He smirked at Gabriel, and Gabriel smiled so sincerely in response it startled Russ.

  “I would be happy to give the two of you privacy,” Gabriel said.

  Russ did a double take and couldn’t help asking, “Serious?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Of course. If that is Danielle’s wish. She knows she need only ask.”

  Gabriel turned his smile to me. He was just being his understanding and considerate self, but he’d unknowingly put me in a very awkward position because as much as I was glad to see Russ again, since he’d changed the rules in our relationship I was as nervous to be alone with him as I was scared by the thought of Gabriel leaving.

  “Well?” Russ asked me expectantly.

  When it became obvious that I wasn’t going to make Gabriel go, Russ stomped off down the beach grumbling all of his favorite curse words.

  I felt bad and looked to Gabriel for support but was shocked to see laughter in his eyes.

  “You did that on purpose!”

  Gabriel shrugged—a gesture that seemed too casual for him. “My offer was sincere.”

  “But you knew I wouldn’t take it.”

  He winked at me and my jaw fell slack.

  “You’ve been spending too much time with Russ,” I grumbled and started following after Russ.

  Gabriel fell into step at my side. “If you are angry with me, I apologize.”

  Angry with him? How could I be? It wasn’t like Russ didn’t deserve a little of what he was shoveling at Gabriel. No, it was myself I was currently annoyed with, because I’d found what Gabriel did to be more than a little hot. He may have been naïve, but he was extremely intelligent and catching on to things very quickly.

  “I’m not mad,” I admitted as I laced our fingers together.

  I was beginning to accept the fact that craving his touch was inevitable, and that it was best to just give in when I felt the need. Though, whether the desire to touch him was strictly from the cravings or something I actually wanted now was getting harder to distinguish, and that scared me.