Taking Angels (The Angel Crusades)

by CS Yelle

“What? What is it?” I asked, sitting up in bed. “They’re on their way. We only have a few minutes before they get here.”

  I leapt from bed, throwing my things into my bag, and rushing out the door behind Gabe, just in my t-shirt and underwear. He jumped behind the wheel and I threw my bag in the back seat before I climbed in and slammed the door.

  Gabe had the Camaro throwing rocks as he burned out of the parking lot just ahead of the first black Mercedes. They spotted us and kept coming, racing up on our bumper as we fishtailed out of the gravel parking lot onto the blacktop.

  Gabe shifted adeptly, putting the engine through its paces, and soon had the muscle car roaring down the road, the Mercedes hot on our tail. I pulled some jeans from my open bag and tugged them on. Gabe hit the top end of fourth gear and shifted to fifth, squealing rubber on asphalt as he went, pulling away from our pursuers. He inched his lead out by the second until we had nearly a few blocks on them.

  “We didn’t decide; Winnipeg?” He glanced over.

  “Yeah, what other choice do we have?”

  “Whatever choice you want, but Winnipeg’s a good start.” He nodded for emphasis.

  “Go for it,” I shouted over the roar of the engine.

  We approached a crossroads. “Hang on,” he cried.

  I gripped the ‘oh shit’ handle over my door as he downshifted, pulled the parking break, and skidded into the intersection, turning to the left. He dropped the break down again, hit the gas to pull us out of our slide, and quickly shifted to get us back up to fifth gear.

  I watched out the back window as the first Mercedes tried the same maneuver and slid into the ditch across the road. The second fared a little better, then caught a wheel on the soft shoulder and sank up to its axel. Only the third car made the turn and raced after us.

  “We lost two,” I shouted.

  “Good. Now they have to stay close, but can’t try anything drastic for fear of losing us.” Gabe nodded.

  We sped towards Winnipeg, hoping to lose them in the city and buy us and Allister some time to get lost.

  As we drove I texted Angelina, hoping to inform her of our plans and waited impatiently for her reply. It didn’t come.

  Gabe slowed, managing to come within a reasonable range of the speed limit as the Mercedes, still on our tail, slowed as well, giving us some room.

  After driving for another hour, my cell pinged that a message had come in. It was Angelina.

  The trial is still on hold waiting for Bastion to bring you in. He sent word he has you in his sights and capture is inevitable. Keep going, we all believe in you.

  Tears came to my eyes as I read. Marveling at the faith these Eternals placed in me; totally unfounded. I lowered the phone to my lap staring out at the desolate road.

  “Good news?”

  “The trial is waiting for Bastion to bring me in.” “That will be some time if we have anything to

  say about it.” Gabe said, his eyes narrowing in determination. We sped into Winnipeg after dark, the lights of the Eternal’s car right behind us. Another set of lights joined the first not long after dark. I assumed the third car would arrive in short order.

  “What now. How do we lose them?” I asked as we slowed down for the city limits.

  Gabe gave me a smirk and took a hard right, hit the gas and propelled us down a side street before turning another right and then a quick left. He moved through the streets like it was second nature, not slowing or stopping for any traffic lights. Incredibly, they all went our way. As he came up to traffic, he veered and maneuvered like he knew what the drivers were thinking and kept going without ever touching the brakes.

  We pulled into the underground parking ramp of a large hotel and jerked to a stop in an open spot. Gabe turned the car off and got out quickly, pulling me after as I snatched the handle of my bag and dragged it along.

  We went to the front desk and checked in. This time Gabe did all the talking as the people called him by his first name and smiled knowingly. He took the key to his “usual” room and we climbed in the elevator a matter of minutes after pulling into the ramp.

  While the elevator bell dinged at each floor, I looked over at him curiously. “Been here before?” I asked.

  “I like Winnipeg. Not too big to be friendly and not too small to be overly noticed.” He grinned.

  The elevator opened to a large suite, walls of windows overlooking a river and the city as the lights sparkled in the darkness. The spacious room had an enormous living room and two bedrooms off of it. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a man stepped forward out of the bar/kitchen area, handing Gabe a drink and waiting patiently.

  “Would the lady care for a drink?” he asked, looking at Gabe more than me.

  “What would you like to drink?” Gabe looked to me, expectant.

  “I could go for a beer.” I blew through pursed lips.

  The man began turning back to the bar, when Gabe intervened. “The lady would like a Diet Coke?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Yeah, fine.” I frowned.

  The man went to get my drink and I glared at Gabe.

  “Doesn’t being an Eternal-slash-Angel eliminate the need for a drinking age? If I’m going to live forever, what’s the point?”

  “I need you fresh and sharp. No need to muddy your thoughts.”

  “Fine,” I sighed, too tired to argue, as the man returned with my Diet Coke.

  “Will that be all, Sir?” The man asked.

  “Yes Kurt. Thank you.” Gabe smiled.

  The man disappeared through the kitchen and we were alone.

  “Don’t you think they’ll find us here?” I asked, taking a sip of my Coke.

  “Eventually, but by then we might get lucky and they’ll be less determined to find you.”

  I wasn’t sure I agreed. “So what now?”

  “We go about living. The chance of them coming across us is slim. We need to be careful, but we can see the sights, maybe take in a play, and enjoy ourselves for a while.”

  “What if they think we ducked back into the states? Won’t they start searching for me where they left off? Nashwauk is only 30 miles from Grand Rapids.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on them. I can find them and make sure they’re still here.” His confidence was comforting.

  “Okay. I’m beat. Which room is mine?”

  “Take your pick. Either is fine.” He motioned to one and then the other bedroom in the suite.

  “Thanks.” I smiled at him. “Goodnight Gabe.”

  “Goodnight Britt.” He grinned as I turned away and went into a bedroom.

  A king-size bed greeted me and I rolled the sliding doors closed behind me before diving onto the soft, welcoming mattress. I tossed my arms up over my head and got a whiff of my armpits. Whew. I didn’t have a chance to shower today and I could tell.

  I slid off the bed and went into the bathroom, turning on the six, count them, six shower heads and basked in the soothing steam and spray until my muscles turned to noodles.

  I crawled into the bed with my hair still wet, not caring what kind of bird’s nest resulted the next morning.

  I was just beginning to drift off when I noticed the message light on my phone flashing from its perch on the nightstand. I picked it up and opened the text from Angelina.

  Britt, the trial will continue in a few days. If you can stay hidden for at least that long, we might be able to get

  Allister released or a jail sentence. Victor thinks he might

  be able to convince some of the council members to show mercy on Allister. He might be able to keep them from

  changing the sentence even if you are captured at a later date. So please, please, stay hidden 3-4 more days. Angelina.

  I set down the phone again. Hope dared enter my mind for the first time in so long, I barely recognized it. I may be able to live with myself after all. Allister may be allowed to live. Jail wasn’t the most ideal way to live, but maybe Eternal prison was like the kind they send po
liticians to when they take a bribe or Wall Street execs when they swindled people.

  My eyes slid shut, the stress and excitement of the day catching up with me. I felt a smile curling my lips as I drifted off. Maybe I could see Allister again, someday. Now at least there was a glimmer of possibility.

  The next morning I woke to loud music coming from the other room. I got up, pulling down my t-shirt, and slid the doors to my bedroom apart. At that moment, I witnessed something I thought I would never see in my lifetime; Gabe rocking out to AC/DC. He sang ‘Dirty Deeds’ at the top of his lungs, playing air guitar and head banging like an old pro.

  I couldn’t help myself giggling in the doorway. He turned toward the sound and changed a dozen shades of red, then hit the mute on the remote in his hand.

  “Uh, yeah, good morning Britt,” he stammered. “Gabe, you never told me angels can rock,” I said laughing.

  “You still have a lot to learn about us,” he smiled, laughing as well. “I can only speak for myself, but being on earth as often as I am, I do find rock and roll enjoyable. A worthy stress reliever.”

  “Good to know.” I nodded, still smirking.

  “Hear any more from Greece?” he asked, sweeping back his hair with one hand.

  “Yeah.” I wondered if he could read my mind. “Angelina said if we can avoid Bastion for the next few days Victor may be able to work something out and keep Allister from being sentenced to death…ever.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  I think he truly meant it. Even though Gabe wanted me to be with him, I think he wanted me to be happy too. “Maybe we should hole up here instead of going out, at least for a few days,” I suggested.

  “Nonsense. Bastion won’t find us in Winnipeg too easily. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.”

  “Well…if you think it’s safe.”

  “Trust me. We’ll be fine. I already have tickets for us to see Les Miserables tonight.”

  “Theatre, really?”

  “If you’re going to live forever, it won’t hurt you to get a little culture along the way.” Gabe frowned at my reaction.

  “Alright.” I nodded, conceding the point. “But today, you need some new clothes.”

  “I don’t have money to buy clothes,” I informed him, a little embarrassed. “I only have enough to keep me going for a short time.”

  “No worries,” Gabe grinned. “Being immortal gives you time to save up for a rainy day.” He winked at me.

  “Save up? Like how much have you saved up?”

  “I don’t like to talk about money.” He turned towards the windows.

  “Come on. Give me a hint.”

  “Britt,” he sighed, still not looking at me.

  “Hundreds of thousands?”

  Gabe didn’t respond.

  “Millions?”

  Gabe kept his back to me, watching the city below.

  “Billions?”

  He smirked over his shoulder at me as my mouth dropped, eyes wide.

  “You have to be joking,” I said, short of breath.

  “Like I said, money tends to make people nervous.”

  “So shopping it is?”

  “As soon as you’re ready.”

  I raced off to take a shower and get dressed. Thirty minutes later we were driving through downtown Winnipeg in the hotel’s limousine, stopping in front of a very swanky looking boutique.

  “Are you sure?” I gazed up at the shiny sign over the door.

  “Anything you want.” Gabe smiled.

  We went in. I tried on different outfits not only for the night of theatre, but also everyday clothing with prices three times what they would cost in a normal store. Gabe didn’t bat an eye as we bought a trunk load of clothing and hauled it back for the poor bellhops to lug up to our room.

  When we arrived back at our room, lunch waited under silver covers. We sat in front of the high windows eating lobster and shrimp. Gabe asked me about my life before meeting Allister and I fought hard to steer away from the cancer stories and stick to the happier times; the times with Trish, Elisa, and Cassie. I went quiet after saying their names, missing them terribly.

  “So what would you like to do with your life?” Gabe changed the subject, “If you didn’t have Eternals chasing you?”

  “I’m sorry.” I looked at Gabe as he frowned, confused.

  “What would you need to be sorry for?”

  “If I could do anything right now…”

  “Go on Britt,” Gabe urged.

  “I’d like to be with Allister, just the two of us. It’s been so long since we’ve spent time together where we could feel more of what we had before this all went crazy.”

  Gabe’s face turned red and he stood, wiping his lips with a napkin and tossed it down on his plate.

  “I’m sorry.” Sensing that I’d wrecked the mood, I felt like a heel.

  “Not your fault.” He looked at me, his eyes filled with hurt. “I hoped you could find your way to considering me romantically.”

  I didn’t have anything to say. I stared at him, my mouth gaping uselessly.

  “I need to get ready for tonight. I suggest you do the same.” Gabe paced off, not turning back as he slid the door to his bedroom closed.

  Chapter 31 I felt bad, really bad, but I’d never intended to lead Gabe on. I never told him I would choose him over Allister. Don’t get me wrong. Gabe was incredible in his own right, but when your heart makes a choice it rarely is logical or controllable. My connection to Allister couldn’t be ignored; even with thousands of miles separating us, my feelings for him never lessened.

  I walked into my room, the dress for this evening laid out by the suite’s butler. Dark green satin, cinched at the waist, fairly low neckline; nothing I could imagine wearing in Grand Rapids, ever.

  I took a long shower, the warmth relaxing my tense muscles and lessening the strain on my nerves. Only a few more days and Allister’s life would be safe again. A life in prison didn’t seem much like a victory to me, still, it left the possibility of seeing him again as opposed to the finality of the alternative.

  I entered my bedroom and noticed a small black box sitting above my dress laid out on the bed. I moved over and sat on the edge of the bed, my towel wrapped around me. I lifted the box, my hands trembling as I considered its contents. Easing the cover open, I watched the light above reflect off the contents; a necklace, emeralds and diamonds to match my dress were surrounded by elegant strands of silver and gold.

  I lifted the jewelry from the case letting the gems sparkle and glimmer as I turned my hand, examining it from every angle. I gasped, the beauty of it causing me to hold my breath while I admired it. A small piece of paper sat in the box, my name neatly scrolled across it. I unfolded the paper, reading the words written on it.

  Dearest Britt,

  I wanted you to feel special tonight. Please do me the honor of wearing this, although it will pale next to your beauty.

  Gabe I smiled while tears welled up. I did feel special with Gabe. He made me feel very special. My heart hurt as I wished I could give him more of it. Yet how could I give him something someone already possessed? I dried my tears and turned back to the bathroom to get ready.

  An hour later I slid the bedroom doors open. Gabe waited before a fire burning in the fireplace. He wore a beautiful tux, cut to fit perfectly. The dark fabric shimmered with faint pinstripes and his cuff links bore diamonds nearly as big as a nickel.

  “You’re ravishing,” Gabe smiled at me with sad eyes. He walked over to take my hand, helping me down the stairs to the sunken living room where he’d waited.

  “Thank you.” I blushed. “You’re very sharp yourself.”

  “If you live forever you find out what works for you and what doesn’t.” He grinned, flashing stunningly white teeth at my compliment.

  “Good to know I can get better at this.”

  “You nailed it the first time, I’d say. Shall we go?” He held his arm up so I could lace mine thr
ough his and we walked to the private elevator. As the door slid open to the garage, a limousine waited for us, door open, chauffeur standing by ready to receive us.

  “This is crazy.” I couldn’t help giggling.

  “This is the way it could be every day,” Gabe said simply. Both of us hearing what he wasn’t saying. If I was with him this would be our life.

  I averted my eyes, getting into the limo and sliding over. He slid in next to me, glancing at me, expectant. Not wanting to take this away from him, I looked out the far window and said nothing. We rode through Winnipeg in strained silence. I kept staring out the window trying to feign interest in the sights, really not wanting to look into Gabe’s hurt eyes again.

  The car stopped in front of a grand old theatre, lit up for the evening. Gabe stepped out first, taking my hand and helping me from the limo. We walked arm in arm up to the entrance where the doorman bowed and pulled the door open for us to enter. An usher checked our tickets and led us upstairs to the balcony level. He then turned down an isolated hallway to a row of doors. Stopping at the very end, he nodded to Gabe.

  Gabe smiled and placed some money in the man’s outstretched hand.

  The usher stepped back bowing his head and opened the door for us to enter.

  Inside, the scene from countless movies lay before me. The curtains, fine silks; luxurious upholsteries covered everything. The ornate carvings along the walls and outlining the stage with its acres of fabric

  overwhelmed me. I stood gawking, taking it all until Gabe chuckled behind me.

  “All very impressive, huh?” he whispered.

  I nodded dumbly, unable to speak as my eyes scanned the huge theatre, trying hard not to miss even the slightest detail. Our seats were incredible, just off the stage but far enough back to see the entire panorama clearly.

  “These seats are awesome.” I turned to Gabe, my eyes shining with excitement.

  “Nothing but the best.” Though he downplayed it, his pride at my reaction was evident.

  The lights flickered and I looked to Gabe, confused.

  “They’re about to start, we should sit down.” He motioned me towards the chairs and I stepped over, sliding my hands along the back of my legs to smooth my dress before sitting.