‘Not my thoughts, exactly. Just the communication I want you to hear. It’s selective, for not only what I want to be transmitted to someone else, but also who I want to hear that information.’
‘Wow—can I do the same thing?’
‘You already are. You just have to learn how to perfect it.’
“Cool,” Lucas said aloud and smiled. Gabrielle smiled at his reaction. But she couldn’t help noticing how white his teeth were. There was definitely some Qalal in him.
“How do you feel, Lucas?”
Gabrielle was surprised by how quickly he seemed to calm down after being in almost a rage a few minutes ago.
“I feel kinda great, actually. I thought I’d feel all empty and emotionless. You know—dead. Instead, all my emotions seem to be enhanced. Like with you I feel angrier than I ever have in my life. So much so, I can feel it twisting inside me. Like it’s got a life of its own. I’m having a really hard time not physically throwing you out right now, to be honest. The only reason I haven’t is because I’ve heard you all talking over the last couple of days.” Lucas studied her for a moment. “Maybe there’s some truth to what you’re claiming. I have to find out what really happened. If it wasn’t you, then you aren’t the one I need to go after—Javan is … and whoever impersonated you. And Mara …” he said, then seemed to go somewhere deep within his thoughts.
While he was far away in his mind, she thought she saw black playing around the edges of his eyes. A grave tone accompanied his next words.
“I’ll go after them … all of them. I’ll make them pay.”
CHAPTER EIGHTY
GABRIELLE ~ BITTERSWEET
Gabrielle watched Lucas from her solitude high above him. It hadn’t been easy between them over the last couple of weeks. Lucas still didn’t know what to believe about Halloween night. His only contact with anyone since then had been with Gabrielle, Emma, and Amaziah. But now that she felt he was safe for Nonie and Nate to be around, she’d agreed to let them see Lucas. She left after the initial reunion, and the long hugs had ended without Lucas gnawing on his best friends’ necks. She still wasn’t comfortable not being close by, though, so she thought she’d stay and keep an eye on things without him knowing she was around.
The way Lucas had dealt with the changes in his body, in his life, had been amazing, to say the least. What was more remarkable were the changes themselves. He was stronger and faster than any Qalal she’d ever seen. He’d even almost beaten her in an all-out sprint. Almost. His vision and hearing were far beyond human capability and even pushed very close to the abilities of an angel.
He’d also gotten quite good at telepathy, purposely making idle conversation with Gabrielle when he knew she was working, even communicating with Amaziah about his new body and abilities. She’d wondered if he’d tried to communicate with Javan, but it wasn’t likely he’d be able to. Javan’s ability to use telepathy would’ve been weakened, maybe eliminated, after he’d fallen.
Gabrielle was still disturbed, and sometimes unnerved, by some of Lucas’s actions and demeanor. He was more imposing than she would have ever thought he could be, and he seemed to enjoy using his new-found ability to persuade others. She caught him trying to use it on Emma one day, but as soon as he realized Gabrielle was in the room, he stopped. She never said anything, hoping he was just trying to fine-tune a new gift, not meaning any harm.
The gift of Persuasion was very rare. One that even Gabrielle didn’t have. It worried her, and she hoped he would never do anything negative with the ability. Now that he was probably more Qalal than anything, he was going to be far more prone to Darkness and its ways. The only thing that could help keep it at bay was his Divine side that had awakened within him. But they didn’t have any idea how strong that side was.
Emma seemed to be adjusting to her grandson’s change. Lucas still wasn’t showing a strong urge for blood. The steaks and burgers he ate, cooked rare, seemed to be enough to stave off any intense desires. Emma even joked that Lucas was going to have to get a job to help her rising grocery bill. It was good to see everyone becoming so light-hearted in a way, but it was also troubling. As much as Gabrielle wanted to think this transformation was going to be easier than anyone hoped for, she still believed it was far from complete. She sensed a struggle within Lucas, something she wasn’t sure he was aware of.
At times, she could see it in his eyes when the blue and violet swirling would briefly change into a violet and black duet. Gabrielle wondered if the sporadic color shift ever pushed out the blue altogether, if the Lucas she loved would be pushed out, too. She noticed the change most when she and Lucas talked about the night he was attacked or about Javan. She knew his hatred for her former Reyah was deep, and she felt if those negative feelings increased, he would slip further toward Darkness.
Even with some of the more disturbing new traits, though, he still seemed to be very Lucas to her most of the time. At least for now. She did wonder if his battling sides would keep shifting at all times, causing him to be in a constant state of instability. And if he would have days he didn’t seem to be at all the Lucas she’d fallen in love with. The most disturbing thing was not knowing if those bad days came, would they increase to the point that his more menacing side would be the only one she could find anymore.
That was what Ramai hoped for so Lucas could try to bring about the end of Light’s rule over Darkness. She’d do everything in her power to make sure that didn’t happen. The first step was to get him to trust her again. To trust the love she had for him, and she hoped he still had for her. They hadn’t touched in more than a friendly gesture since he’d changed. Not because she didn’t want to. It was everything she could do to not fling her arms around him, show him how much she loved and missed him. Her heart became an ever-tightening knot in her chest when she allowed herself to think about it—like it was at that moment.
She closed her eyes, trying to block the thought. She wasn’t keen on letting her mind dwell in that gloom, preferring to just keep trying to help Lucas adjust in hopes he would be the one to pull her into his arms. Then, she would know he still loved her.
Then … maybe I could breathe again.
Gabrielle shifted her thoughts to the Book of Barabbadon. Javan had it. But Amaziah assured her they had time to get it back. Even knowing the date, knowing exactly how much time they had to try to get the Book back, she still had moments when she felt defeated.
When she opened her eyes, her focus targeted a familiar energy in the distance. Her anger surged.
Javan.
She hadn’t seen him since Halloween night, and now that he was close, she wouldn’t lose the opportunity to confront him. She made her way toward him, but he swiftly shifted direction away from her. She should have known he’d see her coming, but he wouldn’t be able to outrun her. She’d been faster than him even when he still held Yahuwah’s favor, so he had no chance now.
She closed the distance so quickly he must have pulled up on his attempt to flee, stopping completely. Gabrielle changed into her human form as she reached the ground in front of him, facing the fallen angel who was once her Reyah.
“Hello, dear,” Javan said, smiling innocently. “How have you been?”
Gabrielle calmed herself. She couldn’t strike out at any living thing without direct orders or just cause. Javan knew the rules, too. He wouldn’t be concerned right now as long as he gave her no reason to fear for her safety.
Her desire for revenge warred against her restraint, ebbing and flowing through her, testing for a weak spot in her resolve—trying to break free. Though it didn’t manifest physically, it latched onto her words, lacing her tone with venom.
“I’ve been better than you might expect.”
“Really? I thought you might be in mourning.”
“Why’s that, Javan?”
“I heard your little boy toy’s ability to breathe had ceased.” Javan’s smile turned sinister.
He doesn’t know Lucas survived.
She weighed whether or not it would be better for Javan to know the truth at this point. He was going to find out soon, though, and Gabrielle wanted to see the look on his face when he learned the truth.
She smiled back at Javan. “I think you’ve been misinformed—dear. Lucas didn’t die. All you did was make him stronger.”
Javan’s upper lip pulled into a sneer. Knowing he’d failed to kill Lucas would be a terrible blow to his ego. Gabrielle seized the moment to dig into the open wound a little deeper.
“You failed, Javan. You did not kill Lucas.”
“You’re lying! A human can’t survive the bite of a Qalal unless they’re turned themselves.” Javan’s smile returned again. “So. He’s one of the Damned, then.” He laughed, the sound vicious in its intent.
“No … no.” Gabrielle shook her head slowly, and Javan’s smile slipped away. “You’re right about one thing, though. A human can’t survive a Qalal attack without being turned. But there’s one tiny, tiny but crucial, fact that you didn’t take into consideration.”
“What’s that?” Javan asked, his words sounding more like a growl.
“Lucas was not completely human. Apparently, Nephilim can live through a Qalal attack.”
Javan’s face flushed with anger, and Gabrielle realized she was enjoying this far more than she should.
“It also turns out a Nephilim who’s bitten doesn’t turn all blood-sucker, either. As a matter of fact, what it did do to Lucas was give him all the really cool stuff. You know … like immortality. By the way, thanks for that one. I wasn’t sure how we would ever get past him being mortal. We don’t have to worry about that anymore, thanks to you. He has incredible strength, vision, speed, hearing, and even more incredible good looks—like he needed that.
“His angelic DNA seems to have been enhanced. So now, he can do things you can’t do anymore. Telepathy … he’s really great at that. And we’re sure there’s going to be more. He’s a phenomenon, you know. The first of his kind. There’s no telling what he’ll be able to do once everything he’s capable of is known.”
Gabrielle let Javan simmer, and when he was about to open his mouth to say something, she used her power to Hush him. He stood there, shocked. The expression on his face was born from what she was sure was anger at her gall in silencing him.
“There’s just one more thing I forgot to tell you, and I wanted to let you know before I forget. I always found Lucas incredibly desirable, but now—whoo! He really is amazing. I guess I should thank you for that, too. But even before all that, when he was mostly human, he made me feel things you never did.”
Gabrielle released the Hush and waited for his response. He stood, motionless, except for the heaving of his chest that spoke of how furious he was. She couldn’t help but smile. She’d gotten to him in a way no one had ever been able to. And what was more delicious, he had created the ammunition. When he finally spoke, few words passed his lips. It was very unlike Javan, but his bitter, dark demeanor was not lost.
“This isn’t over, Gabrielle.” He was back to growling more than speaking.
“You’re quite right, Javan. It isn’t. There is a lot to be settled and time needed for karma to take its course.” Gabrielle lost her smile. “I promise you … it will take its course.”
Javan turned to leave.
“Javan.”
He turned, the ferocity of his anger burning in his glare.
“You don’t know why you can’t use the Book … do you?”
He clenched his hands into tight fists by his side, the only answer he gave. It was enough to know the truth of her words, though.
Gabrielle smiled. “I do.”
Javan’s scowl deepened, and then he was gone.
He may have the Book, but at least she knew he didn’t know why he couldn’t use it. He had at least two obstacles in his way—Lucas, and not knowing about the date—and that would buy Gabrielle more time. Until that date came, she would do everything she could to get the Book back in safe hands.
And away from anyone who would use it … especially Javan and Lucas.
She was going to be busy in the coming months.
‘Gabrielle.’
The voice in her mind was now familiar. Lucas was calling to her.
She made her way to him, seeing Nonie and Nate climbing the steps of their home as she neared. Lucas was alone. She manifested across the room from him. Since he had changed, she learned that he didn’t appreciate being startled. He was still hyper-defensive and wasn’t used to his enhanced reflexes or the instincts that drove them. It was best if she stayed far enough away that he wouldn’t fling her across the room if she surprised him. He didn’t do it intentionally, and he didn’t hurt her. She tried to reassure him she was okay the couple of times it happened, but he fell all over himself apologizing anyway. But now that she knew he was so jumpy, she chose to keep the incidents from repeating.
“Hi.”
He had her in his arms so quickly, his lips parting her own, that he knocked the breath out of her. Or maybe it was the rush of emotions she felt after the long absence of his affection.
She didn’t care.
All she cared about was the way he was kissing her, the way it made her feel as the heat from each other’s bodies reacted the moment they touched, sending a fire through her she’d never felt before.
She couldn’t believe how strong he was as he picked her up as if she weighed no more than a baby and carried her back to his room—making her feel she was his for the taking. She had no desire to resist him.
He placed her purposefully on the bed. He was no longer acting like an unsure teenager. He was confident, intent about every place he touched her with his hands and lips. His hands made her skin tingle, and even when they left one area of her body and traveled to the next spot, that sensation lingered for several moments before lifting away from her.
The feeling of their bodies as they moved together, when he pressed his rhythmically against hers, was sensational. She’d didn’t know anything between a man and woman could feel so sensual. A raw hunger awakened within her. She wanted him—wanted to make him physically hers—and at that moment, it was all she could think about. Maybe it was only because she wasn’t worried about hurting him by accident with her own strength, or maybe it was knowing he wasn’t quite as innocent—as human—as he was prior to him changing, but she didn’t want him to stop. Her body warmed, making her think she was going to throw everything away just so she could feel him in the most complete way possible. He was making her body feel so wanting that it would be hard for her to resist him if he moved things in the direction she wanted. She would have let things go further, much further, but he reduced the intensity of his kisses, changing them to gentle wisps across her neck and face, then stopped all together to look in her eyes.
“I love you, Gabby.”
She smiled at once. He called her Gabby. He hadn’t since he’d awoken, and it was a word of endearment that she missed every time he spoke her full name.
He looked at her longer, and she didn’t say a thing. She just let the words linger in the air between them, losing herself in the slow swirl of blue and violet in his eyes.
“I know, now, what you told me was true. Nate told me about you coming to find me at the gym, not long after Javan tricked me into going with him. And I already asked Amaziah about some things he knew that happened that evening. He told me you were trying everything you could to figure out where Javan had taken me. It fits with what Nate said—I’m sorry, love.” He looked at her, then kissed her lips gently, stopping again to whisper in her ear. “Will you please forgive me?”
She put her hands on his face and moved him to look in her eyes again. She answered with a long kiss of her own before answering with words.
“I love you, too, Lucas. Never doubt that again.”
They lay there for a long time, mostly with their eyes closed, holding each other like they never had before—like it was the last time they
ever would again. When Gabrielle finally broke their embrace to stand, she turned to see a slightly puzzled look on Lucas’s face.
“What is it, Gabby?” he asked.
She didn’t want to tell Lucas she’d just seen Javan, but she was already keeping so much information from Lucas.
“I just spoke with Javan.”
Lucas remained seated for a moment, expressionless, but his eyes became a darker shade than Gabrielle had seen. It unnerved her. Lucas walked to the window of his room, looking out into the day that was slipping into night as he spoke.
“What happened?”
“Just a conversation. I can’t do anything to him unless he attacks me or someone else in my presence.” Gabrielle moved behind Lucas and wrapped her arms around him. “He didn’t know you survived. He does now.”
Lucas was quiet, but Gabrielle could feel the negative energy coming off him. She hugged him tighter, wishing it would make his anger stop surging. Lucas seemed to sense that she was trying to calm him, and he pulled her around to face him.
“I’m okay, love.”
His words weren’t convincing, not when she saw Darkness was still in his eyes. Lucas smiled, an attempt at further reassurance.
“I can’t say that things will be so easy for Javan when I finally have him in front of me since I’m not bound by your rules, but I am okay.”
He leaned in to kiss her, pulling back slightly after he did to look in her eyes. Gabrielle was pleased to see the shade of his eyes returning to what was their new normal. She kissed him again, then let him just hold her, feeling his energy lighten as anger slipped further away.
Gabrielle allowed a happier mood to settle on her in spite of not knowing what the future held for Lucas, for her, or for any who made Heaven or Earth their home. He pulled her closer, kissing her head, and she let herself melt into him.
This wouldn’t be such a bad way to be together as long as I can keep him from Darkness.
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