Inception

by Teal Haviland

  “I will, Lucas. I promise.”

  Lucas lowered his head, and Gabrielle wondered if he was trying to hide tears, but when he looked up, his expression was stony.

  “When are you going to see their Elders?”

  “Immediately after you leave.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “Maybe half a day. I know where to find them, but once I do, it will take time to discuss everything.”

  “Can’t you just pause time?”

  Gabrielle got the feeling he didn’t want her to be away from him. After all he’d become aware of in just a matter of hours, she didn’t blame him. She wasn’t crazy about leaving him, either.

  “Sure, but I don’t need to. I can be there now if I want to be, but I’ll still have to speak with them in human time.”

  Lucas looked a little confused.

  “Only those with Divine blood are functioning and aware when I pause time—angels, demons, Shifters, Nephilim, and the Gentry. Trust me, there isn’t anything Divine in a Qalal. I have to talk to them in mortal time.”

  “Oh.” He looked distant again. “Can I come with you?”

  Gabrielle pressed her normally full lips into a thin line.

  “Gabby, this concerns me and people I love.”

  There were so many reasons it was a bad idea for him to go. She understood why he wanted to though, and she would ask the same if she were in his position. As she thought about the pros and cons—mostly cons—his stony expression held.

  “I don’t know, Lucas.” Gabrielle stood. “It’s dangerous for you to be in the company of Qalal. You are their preferred food source.”

  “I don’t believe they’ll hurt me with you there. You seem confident they regard you with quite a bit of respect in the ‘Don’t screw with me’ department.” Lucas stood, as if to punctuate his comment.

  “To be sure! But Lucas, there’s a lot you don’t understand about Qalal or any of the other creatures you can get into trouble with.”

  Gabrielle placed her palms on her forehead out of frustration and as a reminder to keep her temper in check. She could feel her agitation rising, and Lucas seemed to sense the need to give her some time.

  After quite a few deep, calming breaths, she continued. “Here’s the thing. Once they’re aware you know about them, you’re fair game. You become available for them to take care of, if they decide to, with no repercussions.”

  “Why?”

  “They, and the other creatures, see any human who knows they exist as a direct threat to their survival, and they’re right. I’m sure you can imagine how they would be hunted if people knew about them. Yahuwah allows Qalal to protect themselves, without punishment, if a person knows of them through no fault of the Qalal. When you add the intense urge they have for the blood in your body, and that they can have it without hurting their chances of reclaiming their soul, you’re in big trouble.”

  Lucas didn’t acknowledge if he understood the consequences except with his body language. His face remained stony, but he put his hands in his front pockets, letting his shoulders drop forward as his body fell back against the counter.

  Unmoving, they stared at each other for a long time.

  Breaking the silence, Lucas spoke. His voice was quiet, but deliberate, and there was complete determination in his eyes. “Gabby … I’m going.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  LUCAS ~ DARK THOUGHTS

  The rest of Lucas’s evening was a blur of packing bags, making travel arrangements, and explaining to Gran why he and Gabrielle were running off in the middle of the night and would be gone for a couple of days. Luckily, Gabby was able to get them a red-eye flight to New York and then another to Europe early the next morning.

  For obvious reasons, Gran wasn’t happy about the decision he had made, but because he still had the same look of determination, she didn’t put up much of an argument. She was well aware of his stubbornness and that there was no changing his mind once he made a decision, but it also helped that she knew he was in the safest hands possible.

  He and Gabby didn’t say much on the way to the airport. The lengthiest conversation was when Lucas brought up needing to stop to get money for the trip, which mildly amused Gabby. She explained that when money was needed, she would simply have it. He shook his head and decided to just go with it.

  Money appearing out of nowhere was something else to add to the list of what was an impossibility for Lucas a day and a half ago. Circumstances were forcing him to become an open-minded and fast learner.

  He still hadn’t been able to get the look on Gabby’s face during her vision out of his thoughts. Her eyes were wide with panic and horror while the rest of her face held no expression, frozen from the onslaught of images. She had seemed so far away that he hadn’t known if she would hear him calling her name at all. How bad had the scene playing in her mind been?

  Maybe it’s better if I don’t know.

  In the short amount of time that had passed since he had learned of the fantastical side of the world, especially that he was a part of that mystical side, he had wondered if he was better off not knowing. It would mean remaining in the dark about whom he was, though. He would continue to have unanswered questions about himself, probably for the rest of his life, and that wasn’t comforting, either.

  It would mean that I wouldn’t know that there is someone out there who tried to kill me, who will probably try to kill me, again. Someone I want to find. Someone I will find.

  Fresh adrenaline surged through him from his anger and need for revenge. His hands formed tight fists. He wanted to cause the demon who murdered his family as much pain as a human could, dragging it out as long as possible. He wanted to see its black eyes plead with him for its existence as he watched its life fade away to nothing.

  The way he enjoyed watching the lives drain out of my family’s eyes, and the child’s—the one he thought was me.

  He wanted that more than anything he had ever wanted in his life.

  He hadn’t mentioned to Gabby or Gran that while he stood there in the living room that night, frozen and unable to speak, listening to the horrific end of most of his family, he was already planning an agonizing end for the demon. With every word spoken about the murders and the murderer, more power and life was breathed into that dark creature that he was beginning to accept lived within him—a creature that would remain silent no longer now that it yearned for blood. Lucas smiled tightly at the thought. Whether anyone thought it was right or not, he would enjoy the moment he ended the life that had caused him so much loss—so much pain.

  He just had to figure out how to find him. Lucas knew it was going to take a tremendous amount of planning and patience. He hoped accompanying Gabby would teach him more about what he needed to know of the Underworld and Shadow World and all its inhabitants.

  Lucas closed his eyes and focused on calming himself. He didn’t want Gabby to see, or somehow sense, his intentions. If he were honest, the level of hate it brought out of him was unnerving. He had never felt the hunger to end someone else’s life. He didn’t even know he had it in him to feel it, but he wanted to watch as the demon’s blood spilled, and know he was the one responsible the demon’s death.

  He focused on how it felt to hold and kiss Gabby, trying to recreate the feelings of warmth and desire, hoping it would be stronger than the anger as he tried to push the dark thoughts away. It seemed to work. He felt his pulse slow, his hands relax. Lucas shook off the obsessive thoughts as he brought his focus back on their journey and the angel who sat next to him. He took her hand in his as they continued their drive to the airport, but it wasn’t until they were seated on the plane, taxying down the runway, that he began to truly feel better.

  Lucas turned to Gabby who was peering out the window next to her, looking into the black night surrounding them. The color seemed to be deeper than normal. Was it because the thick ceiling of clouds blocked what little light the moon and stars offered, or was it his new kno
wledge of the real Darkness of the world? He wasn’t going to think any more about creatures lurking, though. He was going to be content just looking at her, and he had a feeling she was somewhere in her mind where nothing in her human vision would garner her attention.

  Butterflies stirred his stomach. They had hitched a ride as soon as they left his house but were more active as he considered what could be in her thoughts. Was she thinking about the vision? His safety? What the Qalal may do to him later? If he was worth all this trouble? If God would strike them both down for their relationship? It was all a part of the unknown craziness he was venturing into. He sighed quietly and tried to let his thoughts drift further toward Gabrielle—away from questions he had no answers for.

  Lucas could have never imagined someone would have the ability to possess his heart so completely—so quickly. A lock of hair slipped out of her messy ponytail, and he gently tucked it behind her ear, feeling a familiar rush of warmth.

  Gabby turned her head toward him, then her body. She reached out to put a hand on his cheek. When her fingertips touched his skin, more tendrils of heat meandered through him—dwelling in every inch of his body. He wished they were alone so he could kiss her the way he wanted. Instead, he closed his eyes, took her hand, and slowly brought it to his lips. Starting at her fingertips and ending at the bend of her elbow, he tenderly kissed her skin. When he raised his head and opened his eyes, she was smiling her brilliant, perfect smile, causing his stomach to flip.

  “Thank you, love,” he whispered, “for letting me come. At least this makes me feel like I’m not just waiting around to be a victim. I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. It would have made me crazy.”

  “I think you’re pretty much ready for the straight-jacket now for doing this,” she whispered, laughing as she did. “But, I would have insisted too, if I were you.” She paused, seeming to get caught up in studying his face; he was only inches away from her. She reached to touch his cheek again.

  “I do understand, Lucas.”

  After a few moments, they closed their eyes and drifted into restless sleep. Both had similar, unsettling dreams full of blood, violence, pain, and heart-wrenching loss.

  Dreams they both kept to themselves, hoping that was all they would ever be.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  GABRIELLE ~ THREE WORDS

  Gabrielle and Lucas awoke at the same time as the captain’s voice alerted their descent into New York City. The flight had been smooth, and both slept the entire time, but neither felt rested due to the vivid, violent scenes that played out in their minds.

  They made their way through the wide walkways of the airport until they found a quiet spot to wait until their flight boarded for London. Gabrielle sat and propped her feet up on her carry-on. Lucas lay down on the seats next to her, placing his head in her lap. She switched back and forth between running her fingers through his hair and gently stroking his temple with her thumb.

  Images of the dreams and visions took turns in her mind. It was frustrating to have so many unanswered questions, to know something horrible was coming in Lucas’s future—maybe several things based on all she’d been shown—and any one of them could end his life.

  And I can’t do a damn thing about it because I still don’t know what any of it really means!

  “I’ve always liked to fly just so I can people watch. But there isn’t much opportunity to do that in the wee hours, huh?” Lucas asked, pulling Gabrielle back from her ponderings.

  “What?” she asked through a laugh. Lucas had asked his question with a straight face, and the outburst of laughter from Gabrielle startled him. Gabrielle had to give herself a second to reign in her amusement. “You’re flying to another continent to see the Damned, and your thoughts are about having no people to watch. I’m both impressed and concerned you’re not asking many questions.” She became more serious. “Don’t you have more questions? We’ve covered a little about angels and other things, but not enough to satisfy what I would think would be natural human curiosity.”

  Lucas smiled and shook his head. “Oh, love.”

  Her heart skipped when he called her that.

  He sat up slowly, scooting his body into the seat next to her. “I have a million questions in my head. I just don’t know where to start.”

  “How about with something easy, and we can go from there? If you’re up to it?”

  “Sure. The only other thing to do is sleep. I don’t think I’ll be getting much of that on these incredibly wonderful, sleep inviting, cushy, comfy plastic seats,” he said with more than a hint of sarcasm. “What did you think of your first flight? Well, on a plane.”

  Gabrielle laughed lightly. “That I could have been at our final destination now instead of taking over half a day like we’re doing.” She saw Lucas flinch and realized how she must have sounded. Her mood still wasn’t that good. She quickly tried to make up for her choice of words and delivery. “But if I had traveled the way I’m accustomed to, I wouldn’t be here with you. For that reason alone, I would happily trek across the world and back if you were my companion on the journey.”

  Lucas made a dramatic gagging noise. It was her turn to be caught off-guard.

  “What?” Gabrielle asked, confused as to what brought on the dramatics.

  “It’s a really good thing there was no one around to hear you because, as much as I believe you mean it, that sounded disgustingly sappy. I think anyone within earshot would have hurled.” He could barely contain his laughter, sending Gabrielle into a playful attack mode as she proceeded to pinch him anywhere he wasn’t constantly trying to move to protect.

  After several seconds of wrestling and laughter, they calmed down. A few moments more and they were snuggled up again, Gabrielle’s head resting on his shoulder, easily picking up the conversation where they’d left off.

  “I did mean it, you know. Even if it did sound sappy. You make me sappy, Lucas. One big sappy, dopey, teenagery, mushy, mess of a powerful—I should know better than to be doing this—angel.”

  “I’m happy I have that effect on you, love. I don’t feel so ridiculous now about the things I think about you.” He kissed the top of her head, then moved the conversation back toward his questions.

  “Why does it make you feel ridiculous?” she asked.

  “We haven’t known each other very long.”

  Gabrielle could hear a smile in his tone even if she wasn’t looking at him to see it, but he seemed hesitant to voice the rest of what he wanted to say. After she felt his shoulders rise with a deep breath, he continued.

  “Most people would say that it’s too soon to have feelings as deep as I already have for you. I … uh …” Lucas let out a soft chuckle but never finished his statement.

  Gabrielle realized what he was trying to tell her, though. The idea of hearing the words I love you, and not just I’m falling in love with you, coming from his lips terrified her. This relationship was turning out to be so much more than she ever bargained for. She’d hoped for it, though, even if she hadn’t easily admitted that to herself.

  But … wow …

  Gabrielle let that conversation drift off to a quiet and possibly premature end. She just wasn’t ready to deal with those three words at the moment. Luckily, Lucas filled the silence with another question.

  “So … will you tell me what all of your powers and abilities are?”

  Gabrielle smiled. “I wondered when you would get around to the superhero powers. I have quite a few. Some I’ve just received and haven’t used … yet. I know we’ve talked about a couple of them, but I’m just going to go down the list.”

  Lucas grinned and nodded.

  “There’s, of course, pausing time—”

  “That one I won’t ever forget,” he said.

  Both snickered, but Gabrielle felt the bite of guilt return for a moment. She quickly shook it off and continued, not wanting to let the emotion take over her mood.

  “There’s telepathy with other angels, but t
hat’s one all angels have. So is reading a human’s mind, but we rarely do that. It’s considered too intrusive unless it’s a necessity. If we use that ability, we have to answer for it to the Council.”

  “Why?”

  “We aren’t supposed to interfere with a human’s free will. Unless we plan to in some way, there’s not much of a reason to use that ability.”

  Lucas made an exaggerated of course gesture, which brought on a much shorter version of their earlier wrestling match. Gabrielle continued after he pleaded for mercy.

  “I obviously have the ability to take human form and have human interaction.”

  “My personal favorite, I must say,” Lucas piped in and flashed that wonderful crooked grin.

  Gabrielle couldn’t resist returning it with her own. “I can Hush, now. Which I’m considering trying out for the first time on you,” she said jokingly.

  “What’s that?”

  “With a small gesture and thought, I can make any creature, whether of Divine blood or human, be quiet. It takes away the ability to verbalize, and in the case of those with Divine blood and Qalal, ceases their ability to communicate telepathically. Then, I just lift the Hush, and they can communicate normally once again.

  “I can make people forget whatever I feel they need to, with only the thought to make it so, be where I want to be within moments; I have tremendous strength and speed, and I have power to command any creature, except demons and the Gentry, to do what I ask when it relates to my job, but only then.” Gabrielle took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “And I now have the ability to control the four elements.”

  “Whoa! Really?” Lucas nearly sprang to his feet. He turned and looked at her with wide eyes and probably the biggest grin she’d ever seen on his face. “You can control the four elements?”

  “I’m not surprised you like that one.” Gabrielle smiled, wondering what was going through his mind. She’d bet he was thinking of all the ways he would use her powers.