by Wendy Owens
“Calm down, alright? Freaking out isn’t going to do anyone any good.” Gabe urged. “What do you want me to say? No, I don’t really have a backup plan. I’m just hoping we figure out a way to defeat Baal before he finds us, I guess. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Not exactly—” Uri said, then hesitating briefly. “Look, I know how you feel about some things, but I’ve been thinking.”
“Why does it seem like I am not going to like what you are about to say?”
“Just hear me out. Sophie is at home trying to come up with a way to defeat Baal and that’s great. Not to mention, you have Haim and I am thinking about the problem as well. Let’s say, for arguments sake, I knew someone who could help.”
“Help what?” Gabe asked.
“Figure out a way to destroy Baal.” Uri replied.
“You know someone who can help us figure out how to vanquish Baal and you haven’t told me about them yet? I have to assume there’s a reason.” Gabe continued.
“Well, sort of— I know how you feel about Oracles.” Uri began.
“Nope, stop right there. I don’t need to hear anymore.” Gabe replied, his voice increasing in volume, turning to walk away and ending the conversation.
Uri reached out grabbing Gabe’s arm, and spinning him around before pleading, “Will you just wait and hear me out?”
“Really? You can’t be serious, you know my history with Oracles. They are simply trouble makers! Neutral my ass, I tell you what they are, they’re twisted, they get off on treating people like they’re toys, there to manipulate for their own amusement.” Gabe didn’t care if Rachel heard at this point. He was not afraid to explain and defend his position on Oracles.
“I get all that, I do, just listen, please!” Uri begged.
“Fine, you have sixty seconds.” Gabe offered, crossing his arms in disapproval.
“Have you heard of Mirada?” Uri asked.
“Yeah, sure, everyone in the Guardian world has. She used to work with the elders, but decided it was shifting the power in favor of good and has since refused to help either side. I thought she was killed though?” Gabe asked impatiently.
“Not exactly. First, you have to believe me, she’s not like the other Oracles you’ve met. She has no desire to see you in pain, she really is neutral. When Michael was young, he met and befriended Mirada.”
“What? He never told me that.” Gabe said, his curiosity piqued.
“The council said they wanted the Guardians to track her down, she would have to be kept by us, and that she knew too much. Michael decided he would be the one to bring her back and impress all of his peers in doing so. Well, when he finally found her, he couldn’t.” Uri explained.
“Why not?” Gabe snapped.
“I know it sounds crazy, but he fell in love with her. He wanted to be with her, and he went to the council to plead their case, but it became clear very quickly they were not going to listen, and they weren’t going to stop until they found her. That’s when he told them she had been killed in his attempt to retrieve her.” Uri’s tale of lost love made so much sense now, Gabe had always seen it in Michael, but didn’t understand.
“There have been rumors she’s still alive. How did he keep the council from hunting her down?” Gabe inquired.
“Gabe, why do you think Michael agreed to join the council? He wanted to stay by your side all those years ago, but he couldn’t risk that they would discover Mirada. The only reason I know is because he trusted me enough to ferry messages between them.”
Gabe leaned against a nearby rock, resting his weight on it. He remembered when Michael left him, about how he had thought he was abandoned. He knew he would do whatever it took to protect Rachel. Michael was no different than him.
“I don’t know, Uri, I’m just not sure I can trust one of them with Rachel’s life.” Gabe answered softly.
“I’m telling you, she’s not like that.” Uri assured him.
“How about we go to Luxom for now, if things change I’ll consider it.” Gabe offered, no intention of actually considering the option.
“That’s all I’m asking.” Uri said.
When Uri walked away, Rachel used the opportunity to approach Gabe. Sitting on the cold, hard ground next to him, she reached out and placed a hand on his knee. “Everything alright?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, everything is fine.” Gabe answered, his thoughts clearly somewhere else.
“Gabe, I can tell something is on your mind.” Rachel insisted.
Gabe looked at her, a smile across his face. Leaning forward, he reached an arm out, wrapping it tightly around her. “I love you so much. I never want to let anything hurt you. I want to share everything with you, but you have to understand, sometimes when it seems like something is bothering me, it’s just me thinking about everything I need to do to ensure you are safe.”
“Oh, Gabe, I hate that my safety does this to you.” Rachel sighed.
“Really? You take me the way I am, you always have. I want to keep you safe, and it consumes a large chunk of my thoughts because of how amazing you are. The idea of losing you is something I can’t handle.”
“You’re making me blush, stop.” Rachel giggled, waving a hand in her husband’s direction.
Gabe reached out with his free hand, turning her chin towards his face. Slowly, he leaned in for a kiss. It was so delicate and perfect that she had to remind herself to breath. After a moment more of longing, his mouth at last touched hers. The softness pushing together until their lips parted. Her heart skipped a beat as his tongue slipped past the barrier of her teeth, exploring her mouth until it connected with her own tongue.
Her head spun, and as they pulled apart, the sigh she released told Gabe he had done his job once again.
“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.
“I love you, too.” Gabe replied, staring at her face.
“Gross, enough already.” Uri groaned from across the way. “How about you two take a pee already so we can get out of here?”
Gabe and Rachel both chuckled at Uri’s crassness. He could be crude at times, but it was also one of the things that made him so special.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The rest of the journey to Luxom had been so uneventful, Gabe found himself almost being a little disappointed. He had prepared himself for a fight, now that he was here and nothing happened, he felt like he had been let down in some way.
When they arrived at Luxom it had not taken them long to find accommodations. Much to their pleasant surprise, there was a cottage for rent on the edge of town. The owners were spending the chilly season in the south and left the responsibility of renting the home to the local innkeeper. With three bedrooms and plenty of space for them to spread out, Gabe felt confident it would meet their needs. In addition, since it was just the four of them, they would be able to put protection stones on the corners of the property to ensure they could not be tracked.
Gabe rolled over on his side, stealing another look at Rachel sleeping next to him before closing his own eyes. They had already worked out a system for casting protection spells, the three men taking shifts. He could feel her breathing next to him, he noticed their heartbeats had synced during the night. The scent of her hair was intoxicating, so much so, it was lulling him back to sleep.
He had been running his fingertips up and down the side of her naked body. His hand now slowed to a stop as he drifted off, in and out of a state of unconsciousness.
Gabe was re-awakened by soft, wet lips. Opening his eyes wide, with great surprise, he soon saw his new bride was wide awake now, and had intensions of repeating the passions they had shared the night before, something Gabe was definitely not opposed to.
Freeing his lips for just a moment, Gabe moaned, “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Morning.” her word muffled as her mouth explored his chest. Gabe sighed, happy to let her continue. Reaching down and taking hold of her upper arms, Gabe pulled her body up to match
his, their lips meeting once again.
There was a brief knock at the bedroom door, neither noticed though. They continued kissing, their hands running wildly over each other’s bodies.
“Oh my God!” Haim exclaimed from the now open doorway.
“Haim! Get out!” Gabe yelled, tossing a pillow at his friends head as Rachel took refuge under the blankets.
“I’m so sorry. You didn’t answer, I— I—,” Haim stammered.
“Get out!” Gabe cried again.
Coming to his senses, Haim did as he was instructed, quickly shutting the door behind him. Another silent, horrifying moment passed before Rachel burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe you’re laughing.” Gabe exclaimed.
“Oh come on, it was horrific, yes, but he didn’t mean it. We better get dressed and see what was so important.” Rachel suggested.
“Oh yeah?” Gabe questioned, slipping a groping hand down to her bare buttocks and pulling her closer. Rachel giggled in response, kissing him again.
“Tonight, my love.” Rachel responded pulling away and standing to dress herself.
“Ugh.” Gabe huffed. “I’m going to kill him.”
Rachel simply smiled, continuing to rapidly dress herself.
“Seriously, come back to bed, they’ll leave us alone now.” Gabe pleaded.
Rachel kneeled onto the bed with one knee, leaning in close and giving Gabe a quick kiss, careful to maneuver away before she was caught in his grasp. “Get up.”
“Grr.” Gabe groaned, finally complying with her instruction. He was on his feet and fully dressed before Rachel was even halfway finished dressing herself. Gabe laughed lightly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just how slow you are.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault, these leather pants are like trying to put wet clothes on.” Rachel argued in her defense.
“Well, I’m not complaining. I like watching you get dressed, of course it’s even better when you get undressed.” Gabe said with a smirk.
Tossing one of the remaining pillows from the bed at Gabe’s head, Rachel lost her footing and fell to the floor, her legs now thoroughly tangled in the leather monstrosity of pants. “Will you shut up and go make me a cup of coffee?”
“Alright, alright, no need to get violent.” Gabe said, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.
“Gabe, thank God,” Haim gasped, rushing up and grabbing his arm.
“Have you been out here the whole time?” Gabe asked, disturbed by the idea.
“You have to come with me, now.” Haim insisted, dragging Gabe behind him.
Tripping over his own feet, Gabe attempted to shout in protest, but unfortunately nothing would come out. Haim dragged Gabe behind him like a rag doll to the front room of the cottage before dropping him to the floor. Jumping to his feet, alarmed by how easily Haim was able to relocate him, Gabe dusted himself off. Glancing around he saw Uri staring out the front window.
After regaining his composure, Gabe asked, “What’s the big idea? I’m supposed to be making Rachel a cup of coffee, but Sasquatch here insisted I come with him.”
“Yes, yes, we all know you’re whipped, Gabe, but that is a topic of conversation for another time.” Uri said flatly, still not looking away from the window, his joke losing some of its bite from his lack of enthusiasm.
“Seriously guys, what’s going on?” Gabe pleaded.
“Look.” Uri commanded, pointing out the window.
Gabe peered out the bay window attempting to see what all the fuss was about. His jaw fell open and his eyes grew wide in disbelief at what he was witnessing. “This doesn’t make sense, how can this possibly be happening?”
Gabe stared, unable to move, as Wintoks, Braymars, Krinams, and numerous other magical creatures milled up and down the streets.
“Well it’s happening.” Haim said, unable to look away as well.
“Creatures from the underworld are not allowed to walk the earthly realm, it’s part of a treaty that’s thousands of years old.” Gabe insisted.
“Perhaps you should be telling them about the treaty, not us.” Uri said, finally breaking away from the window. Turning, he walked over to a side chair and plopped down.
“So what do you think is happening?” Gabe asked his battle experienced friend.
“Do you know much about the type of beings out there? What they are known for?” Uri asked, watching his friend’s face for a reaction.
Gabe looked back out the window, examining the creatures again and trying to think of something they all had in common. Suddenly it struck him, “They’re scavengers, they’ll take any job.”
“Bingo!” Uri exclaimed.
“Are you telling me they’re a bunch of mercenaries out there?” Gabe asked, clearly alarmed.
“Not just out there. When I saw them this morning I contacted Sophie, she said they’re getting reports of underworld creatures everywhere.” Uri explained.
“I don’t understand, this has to be causing mass hysteria. How are the humans reacting?” Gabe asked, walking over and taking a seat next to Uri. Haim still watched the show in the streets.
“They’re terrified, most are too scared to even leave their homes. I don’t see everyone lying down so easily though, and you know what that means.” Uri continued.
“A blood bath.” Haim added.
“Exactly, if I had to guess, the attack on High Point made most of the underworld think that the power had shifted to Baal’s favor. They would rather be working for him than against him if he wins. What is the point in honoring a treaty that is thousands of years old if the people who made it are gone?” Uri groaned.
“I don’t understand, why are they here?” Haim asked.
“Really? It’s not obvious? There’s a bounty on our heads.” Gabe answered solemnly.
“There’s a what on our heads?” Rachel asked as she entered the room, her face full of surprise.
“Rachel.” Gabe gasped hopping to his feet. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, but not so fast. What did I hear you talking about when I came in?” Rachel insisted.
Gabe hesitated.
“You might as well tell her, man, she’s going to figure it out as soon as she goes outside.” Uri suggested.
With those words, Rachel rushed to the window, not waiting for Gabe to respond. She gasped at the sight. “What are those things?”
“They’re bounty hunters from the underworld.” Gabe answered honestly.
Rachel stood silent for a moment, no reaction, she simply stared. The quiet lingered for only a moment before Rachel continued, her voice unshaken. “And I take it they’re here for us.”
Gabe nodded, a little surprised by her composure. “Are you alright?”
“Of course I am. We need to get this figured out though. Now, if they are all over Luxom, the first thing we need to do is get out of town…” Rachel said before slipping into deep thought.
“Well, yeah,” Gabe began, still unsure what to think of his new bride. “We’re going to be fine, Rachel.”
“Of course we are. I already know that. Right now we need to be figuring out how that’s going to happen though. Uri, how long would it take to get to Mirada?”
“Rachel! Wait, how did you know…?” Gabe now stared at her, confused.
“I’m not deaf, Gabe. I could hear you and Uri discussing her the other night.”
“You don’t know what the Oracles are like.” Gabe argued.
“Honey, I trust you with my life, but we are a couple now and when it comes to making these decisions, we make them together. Uri is our friend and if he says we can trust her, well that’s good enough for me.” Rachel answered.
“But—” Gabe began, quickly falling silent, no good argument to rebut her with.
“I see no other choice. Uri, how long?” Rachel continued.
“Umm—” Uri hesitated, unsure what to make of the banter before him. “I guess, umm… Well, if we h
ike far enough out of town, chances are if we transport, the tracers won’t be around long enough for a tracker to pick up on them.”
“Whoa, no way!” Gabe exclaimed. “You saw how hard transporting was on Rachel last time. We can’t do that. What if we landed right in a trap? She would be completely defenseless.”
“That’s what I have you for darling.” Rachel said walking over to Gabe’s side and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Whatever we do, we need to act fast.” Haim insisted.
“Why? Do you see something?” Uri asked, jumping to his feet.
“Only about half a dozen Wintoks entering the inn. How long do you think it will take before the innkeeper tells them about the new guests in the cottage at the end of the street?” Haim suggested.
“Good point.” Uri answered, patting Haim on the shoulder. “Everyone, grab your gear, we’re going out the back.”
“Wait, we haven’t even decided what we’re going to do yet.” Gabe insisted.
“Do you really want to be here when a mob of Wintoks come busting through the door?” Uri asked. The thought of it made Gabe’s scar along his hip ache.
Gabe was on his feet in a second, rushing past Rachel and into their bedroom, throwing whatever he could into their bags as quickly as possible. Rachel followed close behind.
“Gabe, if you would just think about this logically for a moment, you would see I am right.” Rachel pleaded.
“Really? Now is not the time.”
“Then when? While we’re out there running for our lives?” Rachel argued.
“What am I supposed to say? I tell you that Oracles are bad news, you can’t trust them, and to avoid them at all costs. You apparently don’t believe what I say, so what else is there to say?” Gabe snapped, his voice now elevated.
“It’s not a matter of believing or not believing you, Gabe; I didn’t hear any other suggestions out there. We can’t just stand around doing nothing.
“So that’s what you think I do? I stand around and do nothing.”