Alpha Hunter (31 page)

“He is a member of the Holy Order of St. John. Surely you knew that before you came here.”

“What is he to
you
?”

Stubbornly closing her eyes, she allowed Brother Gabriel’s kind, serene face to form within her mind, driving back the dark compulsion. “Why have you detained me?”

“Because you’re lying.” His hand slid down along her jaw, his thumb stroking back and forth across her bottom lip.

A hot, golden haze burned through her mind, consuming the image of Brother Gabriel. Naomi’s eyes flew open. It was as if he were controlling images inside her head!

“You lied about being a scribe. You lied about Gabriel. You not only know where he is, but he is important to you. What is the connection?”

Someone had to end the stalemate. Although he could easily find out about her, his identity and purpose would be far harder to learn. “Brother Gabriel is the nearest thing to a father I have ever known. He is a friend and mentor. What is he to you?”

“Gabriel is my brother.” With an enigmatic smile he turned and left the room.

She stared after him for a long moment, her mind filled with questions. Why had Gabriel never mentioned having a brother? Was the stranger a mercenary or had he come simply to visit his brother? His interest seemed somehow…menacing.

How had he known her name?

An odd combination of fear and excitement pulsed through her entire body. She had never met a man who made her tingle with just the intensity of his gaze.

She must tell Brother Gabriel a man claiming to be his brother had arrived at the Krak des Chevaliers, but he was in the chapel attending Vespers. As she should have been, she realized with a small, rebellious smile.

It was all so very strange.

She turned her attention back to the manuscript page, determined to banish thoughts of the stranger from her mind. His striking features refused to stay suppressed. With a helpless sigh, she reached for a scrap of vellum and began to sketch.

* * * * *

Naomi angled her sketch of the stranger toward the lamplight and felt heat spread across her cheeks. Just his image caused her senses to respond. It was ridiculous.

“I missed you at Vespers,” Brother Gabriel said from somewhere behind her. “What kept you so occupied that you neglected your evening prayers?”

Carefully keeping the scrap of vellum turned away, Naomi pivoted on the stool and offered her warmest smile. “Adam and Eve. Well, mostly Adam.”

Brother Gabriel chuckled and Naomi tried to release the tension gripping her abdomen. She studied her mentor with new interest as he crossed the scriptorium. There was nothing she didn’t know about this man or so she’d believed until a short time ago.

He wore a long-sleeved black robe emblazoned with the distinctive white cross identifying him as a member of the elite Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Naomi felt proud to be part of such an important order. The Knights of St. John had been serving Western pilgrims as they traveled through the Holy Land for well over a century. One of their grandest accomplishments had been building a hospital in the heart of Jerusalem. Now members of the order were often called Knights Hospitaller.

Naomi focused her attention on the man within the robe. Gabriel’s neatly trimmed hair was a bright blending of silver and gold, nearly opposite from the raven-black locks of the man claiming to be his brother. His eyes were a warm brown, but there were shards of gold Naomi had never noticed before.

“Is something troubling you, Naomi? You stare at me as if I have sprouted horns.”

“Who is this man?” She handed him the scrap of vellum.

His eyes widened for just a moment before he concealed his surprise. She watched his throat work as he swallowed awkwardly. “Where did you see him?”

“He just left. You may have passed in the bailey.”

He set the sketch aside and grasped both of her hands. Fear shone in his eyes as he searched her face and person. “Are you well? Did he harm you? Threaten you?”

Naomi nervously licked her lips. “I’m fine. But why would that be your first assumption? Is he your brother as he claimed?”

Releasing her hands, Brother Gabriel averted his face for a moment before he spoke. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

“Nay, not until you tell me why he frightens you.
I have never known you to be afraid of anyone or anything yet I see fear in your eyes.”

“Gideon can be dangerous, Naomi. I cannot pretend otherwise. He—”

“Gideon,” she whispered. “He didn’t tell me his name.”

“What
did
he tell you?”

“Only that he is your brother. He asked where he could find you and when I wouldn’t volunteer the information, he became annoyed.” She had to fight back a smile as she remembered the heated embrace they had shared. “He can be quite intense.”

“Did he touch you?” He took a step toward her. “You said he didn’t harm you.”

“He didn’t harm me,” she said reassuringly. “What does he want with you?”

“I’m not certain.”

“Why did you never tell me you have a brother?” The faintest edge cut through her tone despite Naomi’s effort to conceal her disappointment.

“It never occurred to me that you would meet.” He turned toward the door. “I must find him. His coming can only mean trouble for both of us.”

* * * * *

Gideon leaned against the stone wall of the mercenary barracks and stretched out his legs along the narrow cot assigned for his use. Crispin had chosen the cot on his left while the one on his right remained unoccupied. The barracks were spacious and surprisingly clean. Gideon had arrived with eight mercenaries and the castellan of Krak des Chevaliers had extended them hospitality without hesitation. The compound was massive. Ten additional inhabitants would hardly be noticed.

Men of every shape and variety milled about the open room conversing with each other, some sharpening weapons. Gideon watched them with dispassionate interest in the smoky lamplight, his mind distracted by his encounter with Naomi.

She had been lovely and spirited. Still, her emotional connection to Gabriel was what interested him most. Who was she? How had she come to be in Gabriel’s care? Did she know her “father’s” true nature?

“Does he know you’re here?” Crispin asked.

“I’ve yet to speak with him, but it’s only a matter of time. As soon as the girl tells him I’m about, Gabriel will come running.”

Gideon had quickly learned having a human under his control was more than just convenient. It was necessary. Crispin safeguarded Gideon whenever he was vulnerable.
Gideon didn’t allow him to remember many of the things they did together, but Crispin was loyal. A preternatural compulsion assured his loyalty.

“This girl, is she comely?” Crispin asked with a characteristic grin.

“She is wondrously fair.” Gideon felt his hunger stir as he remembered her sweet taste, so pure and innocent. “Her dark hair has just a hint of fire and her eyes hold the blue of an endless summer sky.”

“How poetic,” Crispin teased him.

The raucous sound of numerous conversations diminished suddenly, drawing Gideon’s attention toward the main entrance to the barracks. A Knight Hospitaller stood in the doorway, his dark monastic robes decorated only by the large white cross on his chest.

Gideon suppressed his unconscious reaction to the symbol. Revulsion, fury and fear rolled through him. Breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth, he managed to keep his expression composed. He focused on the individual clothed within the robes and ignored his discomfort.

Nearly a century had passed since he last saw his brother face-to-face. The confrontation was long overdue. Drab robes didn’t distract from the purity of Gabriel’s features or the bright splendor of his gilt-colored hair. Gideon watched as he crossed the barracks. Gabriel managed to maintain a serene expression yet his gaze revealed his uncertainty.

“Gideon,” he greeted calmly as he reached the cot.

“Gabriel,” Gideon replied, his tone mocking.

“What brings you to the
Krak?”

Before Gideon could answer, Gabriel noticed Crispin’s avid interest. “May we speak outside?”

Gideon smiled. “Why? Do you have words for me that would make my friend uncomfortable?”

“
Making people uncomfortable seems to be your goal not mine.”

He narrowed his eyes. How much had Naomi confessed? Surely she hadn’t shared all the details of their meeting. Swinging his legs to the floor, Gideon rose and followed his brother out into the night.

Moonlight caught on the large cross atop the chapel’s bell tower, casting a dense shadow across Gideon’s path. His steps faltered and his stomach clenched. With a surge of stubborn determination, he marched through the shape and into the darkness beside the barracks. He didn’t stop until they were well away from curious ears.

“How did you find me?” Gabriel asked.

“It’s a simple thing to find someone who is following you. Did Michael dispatch you or do you willingly participate in my punishment?”

“There is only one participant in your punishment, Gideon, and that is
you
.” Gabriel’s voice was firm, his expression guarded. “I am here. You cannot change that fact. When did you become aware of my presence?”

“I saw you in Jerusalem. I thought you had some manner of assignment, but the more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became. How long have I
been
your assignment?”

Gabriel smiled and glanced away. “You have been more like a command center from which I am dispatched to other assignments.”

“So you spy on me unless He has something of more importance for you to do?”

“For the most part,” Gabriel agreed.

“And you are only to observe? Not give me guidance?”

“Would you accept my guidance should I give it?”

Gideon chuckled, resting one shoulder against the barracks outer wall. “You’re nearly as good at avoiding questions as am I. You can speak only truth so tell me now. What role has Michael set for you?”

Gabriel fidgeted. “I have been told to monitor your situation.”

“And report back to Michael no doubt. How is the study coming? Have I learned my lessons well? How much longer am I to be banished from the Light, expected to live off these mortals?”

“That is and has always been up to you. All Michael did was release your constraints. You claimed that we are slaves so Michael set you free.”

“There is no freedom in what I have become,” Gideon sneered.

“You are a creature of your own making. If you are not content, then change.”

They glared at each other for a long moment.

“Have all these years taught you nothing?” Gabriel asked.

Anger boiled up within Gideon, tasting foul in the back of his throat. He folded his arms across his chest and began to pace. “Oh, my time with mankind has taught me many things. I’ve learned to be ruthless and to deceive. I’ve learned to manipulate others to my own will. I’ve learned to lust and covet. I’ve learned—”

“Nothing you needed to know,” Gabriel interrupted impatiently. “Have you not seen the sacrifices they make for each other?
Their tenderness and their loyalty, their courage and honor?”

“Honor?”
Gideon scoffed. “Honor is as much a myth as love.”

“You have known love, Gideon. I love you unconditionally. You must learn how to
give
love, not how to
be
loved.”

Gideon looked away from the hope and the expectation in his brother’s eyes. He gazed out into the night, drawing strength from the darkness.

“Are you in love with her, Gabriel?” he asked in a quietly provoking tone. “Do you feel the full range of human emotions as I do, or did Michael spare you that torment?”

“We speak of Naomi now?” Gabriel asked.

“She is quite remarkable. The most intriguing combination of innocence and lush, feminine promise.”

Gabriel took a step forward, anger hardening his features and brightening his gaze.
“Leave Naomi alone. She has nothing to do with any of this.”

Gideon
grinned, amazed at how well he had guessed what his brother was feeling. “No wonder you masquerade as a monk. Your very nature makes the role effortless. Piety, selflessness and chastity are routine for an angel. You do not burn with lust, do you? You feel protective and responsible, but you feel nothing more for this girl.”

“I have cared for Naomi since she was a babe.” Gabriel sounded defensive. His bright eyes narrowed in his perfect face. “Her mother died in my arms, and I have taken responsibility for the child ever since.”

A deep chuckle rumbled in Gideon’s chest. “She is no longer a child,
Brother
Gabriel. And I will continue her education from here.”

“Why are you doing this?” Gabriel
demanded, frustration clear in his melodious voice.

“Because I can,” Gideon snapped in return.