by S.B. Rodgers
Fenris nodded in agreement, a crooked grin growing on his lips. “In that case, if you want some of your own you should hurry.”
Mammon, who had been ignoring their mundane conversation stopped suddenly, turning on his heel. He snapped his fingers, a sheet of flame instantly engulfing the bloody remains. He turned again and continued walking as though nothing had happened. Fenris sniggered. “Oh…too late now.”
Chapter 16
He bared his teeth, a flash of white in the darkness. Raph stared into the mirror, watching her sleep cocooned under the blankets. Abby moved fitfully, twitched and grimaced as she dreamed. He watched her expression change, unconsciously breathing in time with her. Time to go to work. He closed his eyes and focused, placing his hands on the mirror. He felt the tattoos slide down his fingertips, the power surging through his body. His eyes flew open, glowing inky black. He saw into her dream, the same one she had every night.
* * *
Abby stood still, feeling the gentle breeze caress her, move the simple white shift against her legs. She breathed deeply, the heady scent of roses filling her lungs. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the strong sunlight that flooded her vision. Roses were everywhere, all around her when her vision cleared. Every colour, she marvelled, and even some impossible mixes.
Her heart swelled with happiness—it was so calm, this place, this beautiful garden. The rows upon rows of rosebushes formed a loose sort of maze, but it didn’t feel claustrophobic or containing. The scattered arrangement felt right. She wiggled her toes in the grass. “It’s so soft,” she murmured, taking a few steps on the plush lawn. She lay down on her back, staring up into the perfect blue sky. “I could stay here forever…” she smiled, running her fingers over one of the thousands of roses scattered on the ground. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the feeling of the velvety petals on her fingertips.
She flinched away suddenly, her eyes flying open as a sharp pain shot though her index finger. A drop of blood ran down her finger, leaving a shining red trail in its wake. Abby looked around and gasped. The garden had changed completely. The sky was now dark, with storm clouds gathering in the distance. A peal of thunder rumbled, reverberating through the maze.
The bushes had moved in closer, the rows tightening and filling with thick, steely grey thorn-covered vines. All of the colours, the thousands of rainbow shades, had drained from the roses, leaving them a stark, blank white. A growing sense of uneasiness made her sit up quickly and look at the ground she lay on. The soft grass had withered, turned brittle, sharp and brown in the frozen earth. Vines sprung from the scattered roses and wove in and out of the ground like crazed sea serpents. Her deep, red blood was the only colour that remained in the harsh landscape. She spotted a drop of it on one of the thorn-laden roses, the rose she had been stroking.
She heard a rustling sound behind her and scrambled upright, wincing at the sting of the sharp thorns digging into her feet. Far in the distance she thought she saw a shape flitting between the rows of flowers. Her heart beat faster, the fear rising as it came closer. The black shadowy presence was vaguely man-shaped, with glowing orange-red eyes that burned into her. Loose dirt and flower petals swirled around its base as it slowly stalked towards her. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as dust as she saw the flowers on the monstrous rosebushes wither and fall to the ground, singed and smoking as the shape moved past.
Run, her mind screamed; run! She willed her legs to move, to retreat, but they wouldn’t budge. She was frozen, transfixed as the shadow bore down on her, the glowing eyes holding hers captive. There was a smirk of triumph in those eyes that blazed into her unwaveringly.
A sudden pressure began to build behind her temples and eyes, throbbing painfully along with her pulse. The rustling noise of the dying flowers faded, overtaken by a steadily rising white noise that filled her senses, blotting out even the sound of the blood rushing in her ears. Her legs buckled under the pressure and she fell to her knees, grasping at her throbbing temples with curled fingers. The pain grew more intense, forcing a whimpering cry from her throat. She felt faint, and vaguely hoped that she would pass out and escape the tearing, crushing pressure searing through her head.
She felt the darkness beginning to swallow her up, felt her feet slipping away from under her. That’s strange, she thought, looking down. The ground was not slipping away from her, she noted in dazed horror. She was slipping into it, the ground already swallowing her up to her waist. Abby moved, the fear spurring her on as she set her fingers scrambling against the cold earth, grasping at thorns and grass that scratched and pierced her hands.
She ignored the slippery blood and tattering skin, dug trails into the cold grass roots as the earth continued to envelop her, inch by inch. She was pulled downwards, gasping desperately for breath as she felt roots winding around her chest. The dark, grainy soil filled her vision, clung coldly to her face as she slid through the earth, roots and dirt encasing her as she dropped through the ground. She glanced upwards once more in desperation and saw the burning coal eyes laughing at her through the dirt before she was completely swallowed by the darkness.
* * *
A flash of light filled her vision, breaking her from the nightmare. She inhaled shakily, bringing her hands out from under the blankets. Her body was bathed in a hot, sticky sweat, and she wiped her face with the faded pink duvet cover. She drew her knees up to her chest, still trembling from the dream. The dream…she looked around the room, trying to comfort herself with the familiar surroundings.
Everything seemed to be there, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something horribly wrong. Abby swallowed hard, working up her courage. Oh no…not this, she thought, her mind racing and her eyes misting with tears; anything but this. She crawled towards the side of the bed on her hands and knees, peeked over the edge, fearful of what may lay below.
Her fears were confirmed in one glance. A figure lay there in the darkness, a beam of light pouring in from the hallway half-illuminating the prone form. She recoiled, horrified. It’s happening again, she thought, tears flowing down her cheeks openly. “This can’t be happening,” she whispered “not again, you can’t die again…”
She swung her feet onto the floor, tiptoeing around the body on the floor. She knelt down by his head, reaching her hand out towards him. She hesitated, pulled her hand back slightly. “Dad?” she called softly, feeling the words catch in her throat. “Dad?!” He lay still, not responding, not breathing as she reached her hand out again, gently turning his face towards her.
She flinched as her fingers made contact with his skin. It was ice cold, waxy under her fingertips. His tawny golden hair rustled against his forehead as she turned him. Her father’s gentle, caring face was still, the easy smile gone, the strikingly blue eyes blank and lifeless. She bit her lip hard, trying to keep her tears back. This was just a memory, her mind screamed desperately; just a dream.
“Hey, wake up…wake up, dad…please wake up!” She cried, grasping his cold hand in her own. “Get up...you can’t die—don’t leave me alone again!” She wept, tears spilling unchecked from her eyes. “Don’t leave me alone.” She whimpered.
* * *
Gabe pulled his hand back from Abby’s forehead, the glowing silver tattoos receding up his arm. Fury filled him, and he whipped his head around to glare at the mirror. He could almost make out the demon, lurking on the other side of the glass. “Coward.” he growled, his eyes blazing white. The large, equally white wings that sprouted from his shoulder-blades fanned out behind him. He had to stop this, to free her from this torment. He looked down at her, at the tears rolling down her face as she slept fitfully, still locked in the nightmare’s clutches.
He curled his fingers, the runes swirling around his naked arms and torso, illuminating his half-clothed body in a silvery-white light. His hair swirled around his face as he glided towards the mirror and placed his hands on it, t
he silvery runes sliding down his fingers and into the mirror’s surface. They wove and knotted, forming a complex circular pattern.
Gabe placed his hands flat on the mirror’s surface, braced himself. “Out, demon.” He ground out through gritted teeth. “I guard this place.” A flash of silver light filled the room, flooding the mirror. A faint sliver of orange light appeared in the mirror but was quickly extinguished, engulfed in white.
Gabe stepped back from the mirror. He walked silently towards Abby, whose form seemed to relax a bit. The tears had stopped, and he watched for a moment as her breathing became deep and even. He smiled, feeling a surge of triumph and protective warmth flood his chest. “There, you see? He can’t hurt you anymore.” He whispered gently, reaching out to stroke her hair. Something stirred within him, a hazy emotion he had not felt before. He stopped himself, pulling back his hand and staring at it in bemusement. He glanced between it and her sleeping face. It must be my protective instincts, he thought as he backed away quietly. He closed his eyes, searching out his home with his mind. Yes, just…instinct.
Chapter 17
Abby shivered and pulled the zipper of her jacket up a little further. She blew on her hands gently and rubbed them together for warmth, watching her breath steam and curl in the crisp autumn air.
It was a beautiful Monday morning near the end of October, and it was the first time in a long time that she felt awake. The recurring nightmares that had haunted her sleep for months, ever since the night her father died, had finally ceased. She didn’t remember the dreams that replaced the nightmare, but they left her feeling safe.
A familiar voice broke her out of her reverie. Abby glanced around; she had arrived at the school grounds, her feet taking her there with no thought on her part. She heard her name being called again, and turned her head to look over her shoulder. Gabriel was jogging towards her, a cup of steaming coffee in either hand. “Abby!”
She stopped, waiting for him to catch up. “Aren’t you cold wearing that, Gabe?” She asked, pointing at the thin black jacket that he wore over his uniform.
“Oh, not really.” He grinned “At least my hands are warm. Here.” He passed her one of the coffees, which she accepted hesitantly.
“What is it?” she questioned, staring at the paper cup dubiously.
“Try it!” he encouraged, taking a long sip from his own drink. She leaned forward slightly, smelling the fragrant steam that wafted out through the lid. It smells good enough, she thought, taking a sip. The taste was a rich, deep vanilla followed by the bitter taste of coffee. It was sweet and creamy, but—she pulled a face “I don’t think it’s for me, sorry. It’s a little too strong.”
Gabe nodded thoughtfully, at least the cup would warm her hands. “Well, looks like French Vanilla is off the list, then. I’ll try again tomorrow?”
“You don’t have to do that Gabe!”
“Want to walk to English with me?” Gabe asked, ignoring the comment entirely as they wandered into the school.
“Sure, I mean, we both have the same class, right?”
Gabe half-smiled at her awkward rambling “Then you have calculus? After English?”
Abby shot him a perplexed look. They had always parted ways before she went to calculus. “How did you know that?”
“I pay attention.”
* * *
She stood in front of her open locker, wondering vaguely what Gabe was up to as she dug through her backpack. My lunch has to be in here somewhere, she thought as she sifted through papers, books and the occasional bitten-up pen. Abby was elbow-deep when she glanced up and immediately wanted to disappear.
Gabe was walking towards her, surrounded by her former friends. The popular jerks, who had pretended to like her when she and Raph were…No, that wasn’t important right now. She pushed away the painful memories, focusing on the situation at hand. What was Gabe doing with them? He stopped in front of her locker, that trademark charming smile lighting up his face. She felt her heart skip a beat as his eyes met hers.
“Hi Abby! We were just going to the cafeteria for lunch. Care to join us?” The others stared at him with as much disbelief as Abby did.
“Wha—“
“Gabe, Gabe, Gabe.” Tyler walked up to him, putting a hand on his shoulder and speaking as if he was explaining something obvious to a small child. “We get it; You’re new. You don’t know how things work around here. But she,” he pointed at Abby and shook his head. “doesn’t eat with us.”
Gabe gently but deftly brushed his hand off “Who does she eat with?”
Britney sneered at Abby “Who cares! Probably no one!” Her friends snickered their agreement.
“I see.” Gabe glanced over his shoulder at the small group behind him, giving them a hard, unreadable look. “In that case…” He moved towards Abby, standing in front of her before sweeping into an overly dramatic, debonair bow. “Dearest Abigail, wouldst thou do me the honour of dining with me this lovely noontide?”
Abby stared at him as if he had just grown an extra head. “Umm…” Gabe smiled at her encouragingly and winked discreetly.
Abby grinned. “Why certainly, good sir.”
“Excellent.” He leaned over her and grabbed her coat out of her locker, holding it open for her. “Shall we? I know this great little café just around the corner. It’s kind of off the beaten path, but it’s amazing.” He said as Abby pulled the garment on.
Looping his arm with hers, he began to lead her down the hall. The small crowd he had been with just moments before stood and stared at them.
Jason glanced at his brother, unsure of what to do—they had never been ditched before, and certainly not for someone like Abby. “Whatever, dude…” he muttered dismissively “Later, I guess.”
Abby glanced up at Gabe, whispering in a low, fervent voice. “You don’t have to do this. I’m not a charity case! Besides, I’m used to it by now.” She looked away “Don’t sacrifice your social life for me.”
“Hey.” She looked up at him. “What makes you think I’m sacrificing anything?” He said. “Being around you is much more mentally stimulating!” Abby snickered, pulling her coat tighter around herself as he opened the door, stepping out into the chilly autumn afternoon.
* * *
“You’re going to love this place!” He said, holding the door of the café open for Abby. He stepped in after her, the door gently gliding shut behind them, setting off a little brass bell.
“Coming!” a thickly accented voice called from somewhere behind the counter. A tall, dark-skinned man came through the doorway that lead to the kitchen. He carried a tray of large, clean mugs in his hands and was concentrating on them as he spoke “Hi, welcome to—Gabe! Hello again!” He cried, a huge grin lighting up his exotic features. “How was the coffee? Did your girlfriend like it?”
Gabe laughed and nudged Abby with his elbow, not bothering to correct him. “It was great, Emmanuel, but I ended up drinking both of them! So, what have you got in the way of a lunch menu?”
The man pointed upwards with long fingers “It’s all on the signboard. The daily special is a fresh mozzarella panini with basil and tomato. You get a bowl of squash soup with it.” He added. “My daughter made it, it’s very good. Take your time, ok? Let me know when you’re ready to order.” He disappeared into the back again, leaving them to decide.
Abby glanced around the tiny shop as Gabe stared intently at the menu, reading the options carefully. The walls were painted in varying deep earthtones, from a deep caramel shade to a bronze ochre. The few tables and chairs and tiny, cozy booths were done up in gleaming, warm mahogany, and the floors were a creamy, buttery off-white.
“This place is really nice…” Abby said quietly, smiling softly. Who knew such a cute little shop was so close by? Not many, it seemed. The shop was deserted aside from themselves and the shopkeeper—Emmanuel, Gabe had called him.
“What are you thinking about getting?” Gabe asked her sudden
ly, eyes still trained upwards. She looked up at the black signboard, reading the colourful chalk menu for the first time.
“Ummm…well, the special sounded really good. I don’t think I’ve ever had squash soup before.”
Gabe nodded thoughtfully. “It does sound good…maybe I’ll get that too. Do you want something to drink? I know you don’t like coffee.” He teased.
Abby shook her head ruefully. “Just water, thanks.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing. Wanna grab us a booth while I order?”
Abby nodded silently and walked across the shop to the row of leather lined booths. She picked one next to a window, the autumn sunlight streaming in, and took a seat. She watched Gabe leaning over the counter and talking to Emmanuel for a moment before he turned and walked towards her.
“It’ll be just a few minutes.” He said, sliding into the seat opposite her. She watched him, entranced by his graceful movements as he took off his coat, smoothed unruly wisps of hair back into place. He paused, one hand still tangled in his hair, as he noticed her stare. “What is it?” He asked self-consciously.
She shook her head, embarrassed “Nothing, I guess I just zoned out for a second…”
“Is that all?” He smiled gently at her. “So, what do you think? Nice place, right?”
“It’s great, but Gabe—why did you bring me here? You should be eating with your friends—“
“Abby, you’re my friend. If I wanted to hang out with your brothers, I would, but…” he leaned forward a bit “I’m here with you, instead. Ok?”
Abby glanced away from his gaze, muttering “They—they’re not my brothers.”
“What?”
“Tyler and Jason aren’t my brothers. Not really. And Kiki,” her face twisted in disgust. “is not my mother.”
Gabe rested his chin on his fist, blue-grey eyes serious. “So, if they’re not your brothers, and she’s not your mother, then who are they? And where is your family? Because they don’t treat you like family, from what I’ve seen.”