by Amy Miles
“I shouldn’t let this happen,” Roseline muttered, holding his hand to her, refusing to let him pull back. “But I’m not strong enough to resist you any more.”
“So this is what you want? To be with me?” Gabriel asked, his hope shining through his words.
Roseline nodded, pulling Gabriel’s hand away from her face. She softly brushed her lips against each of his knuckles before releasing him. “Yes. I want that…but I need time. And I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything,” Gabriel whispered, staring down at his tingling hand. He knew he’d promise anything to this girl. His heart. His life. His soul.
“If something were to happen to me…” Roseline’s voice cracked as she turned away. “Please don’t come after me. I couldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.”
Gabriel shook his head. “I came for you this time Rose. I will always come for you.”
His altered promise ignited a fire in Roseline’s gut. Never before had anyone spoken those words with such fathomless love. Roseline knew he meant it. Gabriel would move heaven and earth to find her. Roseline smiled warmly, her voice soft and caressing as she spoke. “I know. But I had to try.”
Gabriel leaned across the console. He stopped a nose length from her, eyes locking intently on her. “I won’t let anything happen to you Rose. Now that I’ve found you I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
Roseline desperately wanted to believe him. She knew he believed every word, but the reality was that Gabriel would never stand a chance against Vladimir. “I should probably get home.”
“You want some company? Your mom might be pretty ticked.”
“No. She’s away for work. I doubt she even realized I was missing.” Roseline hated to carry on the lie with him. Roseline felt guilt burrow into her heart, knowing that she couldn’t be completely honest with Gabriel. She wanted him to know the good, the bad and the impossible. But she couldn’t do that to him. Gabriel was happy with the way things were and Roseline didn’t want to risk scaring him off.
“Lucky you,” Gabriel smirked as he turned down his street. “My dad’s gonna be furious when he sees me!”
Roseline reached out and squeezed Gabriel’s arm. “You’ll be fine. Me…I’m not so sure about,” she groaned, watching Sadie barrel out her front door as the Range Rover pulled into the driveway. “I think she’s gonna kill me.”
***
As odd as it might sound, Roseline was thrilled when Sadie refused to speak to her after their initial reunion. She’d decided the only fitting punishment for abandoning her without so much as a phone call was to implement the cold shoulder tactic. Roseline walked silently beside her friend, trying desperately to hide her smile. It felt so good to have a friend who cared enough for her to be that put out!
It was Friday afternoon and they’d been let out of school early in anticipation for that night’s state game. Roseline was a ball of nerves, excited and leery all at the same time.
“I know you’re not talking to me right now, but I was kinda wondering if you were still planning on heading to the game tonight.” It was all Sadie had talked about before Roseline ran off.
“Of course I’m going!” Sadie cried, breaking her vow of silence. “How could you even think I’d miss the biggest game of the year?”
Roseline smiled, letting her eyes linger over Sadie’s newest theme. Her hair was dyed black and styled beautifully. Her bangs lay softly across her forehead while the back of her hair fell straight. Gone were the raccoon eyes, spiked jewelry and flaming pink hair. Her dress was crimson, which made her ivory skin glow beautifully. Small white gold hoops hung from her ear lobes and a dainty necklace nestled against the hollow of her neck.
She’d never seen Sadie look so good. There was a softness about her that was betrayed the instant Sadie opened her mouth. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out on me now!” Sadie pulled Roseline to the side as a group of rowdy football players rushed by, on their way to the pep rally that would be starting any moment.
Bright posters of varying neon shades lined the hall, announcing the highly anticipated victory. It’d been nearly twenty years since Rosewood had won a state championship and everyone was psyched. Even the teachers had gone easy on the workload for that weekend.
“The bus leaves in an hour and you’re not even ready!” Sadie moaned, looking at Roseline’s sapphire blue sweater and jeans. Rosewood’s school colors were black and red, which Roseline was pretty sure had inspired Sadie’s new look. “Where’s your school spirit?”
“Right here,” a voice called from behind Roseline. Before she could react, Gabriel wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and drew her close. Roseline couldn’t help but laugh. She’d warned him earlier in the week that they should take things slow but sometimes he got too excited.
“Put me down,” Roseline giggled, batting at him playfully. Gabriel winced, instantly releasing her. “Are you ok?”
Gabriel nodded, gingerly rubbing his arm. “Yeah. I’ve been aching a bit the past couple days. Hope I’m not coming down with something.”
“Did you pull a muscle in practice?”
“Nah. It’s all over. Kinda flu like, ya know? But I’ll be fine knowing you’re watching me,” he grinned, pinching her side.
Sadie rolled her eyes. She wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of them pursuing a relationship together, especially since she suspected Gabriel was the reason for Roseline’s sudden disappearance. It was a fact that she made perfectly clear anytime he was around. “Shouldn’t you be at the rally?
“Yeah, but I wanted to say goodbye first,” Gabriel grinned, pulling Roseline up close to his side. He tucked his arm around her waist, hooking his finger through Roseline’s belt loop. “Are you heading to the game with Sadie?”
“And me,” William called, sliding up to his sister. “Thought I do my brotherly duty and watch over Rose. I’d hate for some guy to snatch her away tonight.” Gabriel and William glared at each other. Roseline sighed. Ever since Gabriel had made it known that he was with Roseline, William had been a bit testy. “Weren’t you leaving?”
Gabriel ground his teeth, his grip on Roseline’s waist tightened. “I’ll see you tonight.” With a quick peck on the cheek, Gabriel turned and was instantly carried away by the swarm of pre-game, adrenaline laced teens. Roseline acutely felt his departure but quickly covered up her disappointment.
“So you two seem pretty comfy now,” Sadie remarked, slamming her locker shut. She didn’t even bother to stop and notice her backpack stuck in the door as she pulled Roseline towards the exit.
“Yeah. Things are going good.”
“Have you kissed him yet?” Sadie asked. Even though she’d firmly decided not to like the guy, she wasn’t about to give up her chance to find out what kind of kisser Gabriel was.
William tensed, desperate to hear her answer but there was no way Roseline was gonna kiss and tell. “We’re just trying to get to know each other Sadie. Stop trying to turn us into one of your smutty TV shows!”
Sadie laughed as she shoved her way through the double doors. Outside, on the edge of the parking lot, a huge fire roared. Above it hung the challenging schools mascot. “Isn’t this a little odd?” Roseline asked, staring at the flaming bull.
“Nah. It’s all in good fun. I’m sure Claremont is burning our red devil right now,” William grinned.
Sadie giggled. “Kinda fitting huh?”
Roseline smiled, eagerly joining in with the cheers led by Rosewood’s cheer squad. But it didn’t take long for the mood to shift as the crowd become more aware of the head cheerleader’s piercing glare.
“I think Claire’s got it in for you,” William muttered, pointing out the painfully obvious. Claire’s beady little eyes hadn’t shifted from Roseline since the pep rally began. People all around began to follow her gaze. Most nodded in understanding, thankful that they hadn’t been stupid enough to cross Claire. Only a fool would do that. It was social suicide to get on he
r bad side!
“This is going to be a long night,” Roseline sighed.
***
Roseline gripped the metal railing, careful not to bend it as she jumped and shouted like a mad woman. Rosewood was neck and neck with ClaremontHigh School coming up to the final ten minutes of the game. She’d never dreamed that football could actually be fun to watch. But then again, it wasn’t the game she’d spent most of her time ogling.
Gabriel had been spectacular throughout the entire game. His throws were longer than she’d ever noticed before. He dove in and out of his opponents, taking them out as if they were limp practice dummies. His speed was unmatchable, his accuracy off the charts amazing.
The crowd was going wild. The deafening roar hadn’t faded for over an hour.
“Can you believe him?” Sadie cried, her face flushed with excitement. Obviously her frustration with Gabriel disappeared as soon as he’d thrown the first touchdown. “He’s a shoe in for MVP!”
Even William had to admit Gabriel was in top form. “It’s no secret I don’t like the guy, but man does he have an arm! Who knew he could throw so well?”
Roseline glanced over at William and Sadie, her eyes narrowing as she thought over their words. They were right. The Claremont team could barely keep up with Gabriel. She turned and refocused on Gabriel as he dove over the end zone, ball safely cradled in his arms. He was a one man team.
“Who does that?” William laughed, hooting loudly right along with the rest of the crowd.
“He’s not a man…he’s a machine!” Sadie crowed, stomping with all her might on the metal bleachers. “I don’t know what you’ve done to him Rose but keep it up!”
Roseline’s face paled, her hands began to tremble as icy apprehension crept up her spine. Something was wrong. Sure Gabriel was a good football player but tonight he was spectacular. Her aqua eyes narrowed in on his throwing arm. Dirt caked his bare muscles, but it did little to hide the evidence Roseline had feared she’d find. He’d grown.
Not just in the sense of gaining an extra pound of muscle or adding a little definition to his already toned body. No. Now Gabriel was ripped. There was no way a seventeen year old boy could look like that!
“Hey. Are you ok?” Sadie asked, noticing Roseline for the first time. Beads of sweat had formed along her brow despite the plummeting temperatures. She felt weak in the knees. If it hadn’t been for her death grip on the railing she would have passed out completely.
“I’m not sure,” Roseline managed, shaking her head to clear her frantic thoughts. “I think I need to sit down for a minute.”
William leaped over the seat to Roseline’s side, easing her down. With his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, Roseline began to breathe easier. Maybe she was wrong.
But Roseline had to admit there were too many odd things happening to Gabriel. First, she was pretty sure she’d seen Gabriel’s eyes glowing. Obviously not a human thing to do. Second, his blood called to her in ways that shouldn’t be possible for Mortal/Immortal relationships. Third, his reflexes were spot on and his physique was definitely changing. It was almost like nature was working to perfect him in ways that defied human logic.
Roseline groaned, leaning heavily on William. This was infuriating. Nothing about Gabriel made sense. How could he be so appealing, so impossibly addicting for her, when he was a mortal? The only thing that even came close to explaining Gabriel’s oddities was that he was an Immortal…but that couldn’t be true either. He would have transformed already. One swift, painful, swoop.
No, he couldn’t be Immortal. He had human parents, and being rudely overbearing certainly did not make them evil Immortals. But then what else could he be? His human status was certainly up in the air at the moment. Something strange was going on with Gabriel and she needed to know what it was.
“Feeling any better?” William asked, his deep set eyes filled with concern as they scanned Roseline’s pallid face.
“Yeah, I think so. Thanks for taking care of me,” Roseline smiled weakly, easing out of his arms. In truth, she was still really freaked out, but she didn’t want William to get the wrong idea about her needing him. Or for Gabriel to look up and see her in William’s embrace.
Roseline’s head jerked upright as the cheering crowd exploded around her. Her eyes locked onto the football spiraling across nearly the entire length of the field. Rosewood’s receiver ran for all he was worth to catch the ball. Claremont fell behind, unable to keep up with their adrenaline pumped opponent.
Rising to her feet, Roseline watched in slow motion as the ball arced towards the ground. With hands outstretched, the ball fell, balancing precariously on gloved fingertips before they tightened around the ball. A swatch of grass was carved from the ground as Rosewood’s receiver slid to a halt in the end zone. The receiver rolled over, holding the ball high in triumph.
William’s fists pumped in the air over his head. “That guy is definitely going pro. He just broke every record set for high school football!”
Both sides of the stadium went crazy. One side celebrating while the other roared in amazed disbelief. The commentators screamed over the loudspeaker while the entire Rosewood football team piled on top of Gabriel. College scouts raced onto the field, cameras flashed wildly, news reporters fought through the crowd to interview the star quarterback that’d just won the state championship almost singlehandedly.
Sadie and William’s shouts rose along with everyone around her, but Roseline was too numb to react. She didn’t smile or offer anyone a high five. All she could do was sit in horrified silence.
Chapter 7
“Rose,” Gabriel shouted, shoving his way through the applauding crowd. The camera flashes were blinding. He shielded his eyes in time to see Roseline dash down the stadium stairs, leaving a bewildered Sadie and William behind. “Rose, stop!”
“Gabriel,” a shrill cry rang out as arms wrapped tightly around his chest. He glanced down, instantly annoyed.
“Not now Claire.”
“Oh come on. Let’s celebrate! You won the game,” she purred, curling her finger around a lock of his hair. “I’ll make it worth your while,” she grinned mischievously.
“Not gonna happen Claire.” He unhooked her hands and shoved her aside, ignoring her indignant shriek as he ran full out towards the bleachers.
“Over here son,” Steve called out, a wide grin plastered on his face. College scouts were flocked around Gabriel’s dad. “I have some people I’d like for you to meet.”
“I’ll be right back,” he called, slipping into the crowd descending from the bleachers.
“Where is she?” he called up to Sadie, who was hanging over the railing, searching for Roseline from above.
“She’s heading towards the entrance. Something really spooked her.”
“No kidding,” Gabriel grumbled as he flung himself through the crowd, shouting his apologies as he knocked people aside.
“Rose,” he screamed, catching a glimpse of her fleeing figure.
She turned. The instant he caught her eye he knew she was gonna run again. “Please don’t do this. We need to talk!”
He could see Roseline’s tears gleaming under the stadium lights, the pain and confusion jumbled on her face. And he could see the determination that replaced it.
“I’m sorry,” she mouthed as she slipped into a yellow cab. The door slammed, echoing loudly in his ears as she turned her back on him. He stood in rigid disbelief as the taxi merged with oncoming traffic. She didn’t even look back as she fled from him.
***
“So did they win?” the cabbie asked through the small slit in the window separating them as he pulled onto the interstate. He’d noticed the crimson Rosewood banner clutched tightly in her hands as she darted into the cab earlier.
“Yeah,” Roseline sighed, glancing out the window at the fleeting lights. It would take quite a while to get home, an eternity. “They sure did.” She closed her eyes, letting her head loll to the movement o
f the car.
“Miss,” a voice called little over an hour later. “We’re here.”
Roseline nodded groggily as she shoved her payment through the window and stumbled to the door. The stairs proved tricky but she managed to crawl on her hands and knees. The instant Roseline hit the bed she passed out.
The early morning light streamed in through the grimy windows, warming her face. Roseline groaned as she rolled over. Her head felt like it’d been kicked in, her throat burned with lingering acid from the night before.
Unwilling to face the day, Roseline threw the covers over her face and fell back into a fitful sleep. Each time she awoke, the computer called to her, begging her to give in. To contact Fane. But she knew it wouldn’t be enough. She had to talk to him, hear his voice.
As the sun began to set, Roseline pulled on a tank top and shorts. She laced up her running shoes and bounded down the stairs. For the first time all day she felt relief from her worries. She was going running.
Not the kind of run she longed for though. This one would have to be at a human’s pace, which was an annoying alternative. She couldn’t risk stretching her legs like she used to back in Romania.
Roseline knew where her feet were carrying her even before her mind came to the same conclusion. The main street appeared and Roseline slipping inside the door of a cell phone company. Less than an hour later Roseline rushed back home to plug in her shiny electric blue phone.
“Hey Sadie, it’s me. I uh…I’m really sorry about bailing on you again. I know it’s becoming a bad habit,” Roseline chuckled. “And I wanted to let you know I got a new phone, obviously. It’s just for emergencies. The number is…oh where is it?” Roseline fumbled through her paperwork and finally found the phone number she’d been given. She rattled off the number to Sadie’s voicemail and hung up.
Roseline sat, staring at the phone in her hands. Logic reminded her that her plan was foolish. But the sudden arrival of Gabriel’s scent on her doorstep made the decision for her. He’d found her!