Gabriel (26 page)

“
Then count me in,” Devdan said.

Chander, Ajeet, and Rama
exited the cell one behind the other. Each one grasped Gabriel’s hand and gave
him a nod.

Robert returned with a pile
of clothing. He handed the stack to Tre.

“
Since you guys are pals now, I’ll leave it to you to explain how
they go on.” Robert smiled.

Tre took the clothing.
“Thanks, you’re a real ‘pal’.”

“
We’ll be in the lab. When you’re done come over,” Robert said.

Robert and Gabriel went back
to loading the weapons. Robert stopped and looked at Gabriel.

“
How much time do you think she cut off?” Robert asked.

“
Any time will be a help.”

“
Yeah, but it would be a nice surprise if we hit them and they
dropped dead. I don’t suppose that’s going to happen though.”

“
I would say let us not count on it.”

“
Are you planning on using the aerosol when we get there?”

“
The idea was to throw it and lock them in. I do not feel like
locking a bunch of mad Kematians in with our women is the best idea.”

“
I hoped you were going to say that. I thought we could use it once
we get them out. You know, shoot them, and in case they wake again we’ll throw
the canister in for good measure.”

“
That is a good idea.”

“
We should make a layout of the building. There are more of us now,
and those idiots probably aren’t expecting you to bring a small army. The other
guys are all former warriors, so I’m sure they’ll be able to help with the plan
of attack.”

“
You are right. I am honored to have you at my side.”

“
That, ah, that means a lot to me. You know, you being an angel and
all.”

“
You are a good man, Robert. Never forget that. I will do my best
to make sure you all get out of this without harm.”

“
Gabriel, someone is going to die. I know this, and if it’s me I
just ask that you and Calla help take care of Maree. I don’t want her to be
alone ever again.”

“
You will not die. I will not allow that to happen.”

“
Your attention and primary focus should be on the women. Don’t
divide your attention amongst us. Have faith that we will watch each other’s
back and make it out alive. Promise me your main priority will be saving them.”

Gabriel stared into Robert’s
eyes. Tears that would not fall glistened.

“
I promise.”

“
Good,” Robert said with a strained voice. “The weapons are loaded.
I’ll go see what’s taking them so long. Surely it’s not that damned hard to
figure out how to use a zipper.”

Robert left.

Gabriel sat, staring at the
weapons. The rage died down, or maybe he was getting better at focusing it. He
wasn’t sure, but he knew on this occasion failure wasn’t an option. As he
packed the weapons his thoughts ran amok. The thought of Calla’s soft lips and
the way she brushed up against him twisted his stomach into knots. He smiled at
the thought of losing control when it came to her.

His mind went back to his
brothers. He had help and science on his side. How were they faring on their
own? He wanted to reach for Michael, but was afraid the channel would be
closed. He couldn’t be distracted, not now. His thoughts wandered to his new
friend Robert. He was a very loyal man who would do anything for his family.
Gabriel was honored to be included among those he cared about.

He wondered about the new
members of this very unique family. He trusted Tre, but was unsure if he would
be able to let go of the past. It was a lot to ask. He was a man who stepped
into a new time and thrown into a war he once participated in as the enemy.

He remembered what Devdan
said about having his memories stolen and wondered if he would ever consider
that a blessing. Gabriel suspected if they knew how they had lived while
existing as Kematians it would break the human mind. Calla was partially affected,
and it about drove her insane. No, the lack of memories was a gift, one he
hoped they would see as such in the future.

The men entered the room.
Gabriel watched them. These were warriors. All carried the same expression, and
the threat of death didn’t deter them from the upcoming mission. If anything,
their stance only reassured Gabriel they may come out of this fight with
minimal casualties and the main goal a success.

Robert reached towards the
table and grabbed a gun.

“
We aren’t fighting with swords today, men. Today we fight with
these,” he said, holding up the gun. “We will work on a plan and go over the
layout after each of you is comfortable shooting. Tre will teach two of you,
and I’ll take the other two. Any questions?”

The men remained silent.

“
Last chance to turn back,” Gabriel said.

No one moved.

“
Good, then let’s get started,” Robert said.

Chapter Eighteen

Robert and Tre took the four
men outside. Gabriel gathered up supplies and worked on the map they would use
to formulate an attack. He separated them into six piles. In addition to the
dart guns, they each had a handgun, two knives, and an ear piece. Robert
brought the communication system out of the bag of goodies his military friend
gave him.

Gabriel weighed the risks of
contacting Michael. If he couldn’t reach him that would be an additional weight
he would carry into the battle.
 
But if
he died, which he realized was a possibility, he wanted his brothers to know
his new family. Maree’s research would be an invaluable asset in destroying the
Kematians. In the end he decided it was worth the potential heartbreak.

He opened a channel and
reached for Michael. At first it seemed closed. Gabriel felt an ache
threatening to swallow his heart. He tried again, this time successfully.

“
Brother,” Gabriel said.

“
I am here, Gabriel,” Michael said.

Gabriel tried to delve deeper
to find out what kind of shape Michael was in. Michael snapped the link shut
before he received the answer he sought. Michael was trying to protect Gabriel
from something, but Michael prevented him from finding out.

“
Are you okay?” Gabriel asked.

“
I have been better.”

“
Is there anything I can do?”

“
No.”

“
Very well then, I have information I need to share with you,”
Gabriel said.

“
Okay.”

“
I am with a group of people in Northern Michigan. The woman,
Calla, I have told you about has family here that are scientists. They
developed a formula.”

Gabriel told Michael about
the effects it had on the demons and the humans. He explained how Calla and
Maree had been captured and his plans for retrieving them. When Gabriel
finished, a silence stretched between them.

 
“
I am
interested in learning more about this formula.”

“
That is all you have to say?”

“
I am sorry, brother. This news is both good and bad. You have made
great progress, and I am proud of the discoveries you have made.”

“
I do not need you to be
proud
of me, brother. I am looking for—” He searched for the right word. “Never
mind.”

“
I am not a human, and neither are you. If you expect me to be
happy you found love, I cannot express those sentiments. You are a warrior
first and foremost. The idea of love has distracted you from our mission.”

“
The people whom you dismiss as a distraction are the same ones who
helped us find a way to destroy the enemy
we
failed to kill in the first place. My love for Calla has me more focused on
finding a way to win this war. I do not need you to remind me of my duties. I
have not neglected them, and the implication that love has blinded me is a
falsehood.”

Gabriel paced as the mental
communication turned in an unexpected direction. The rage started to rise to
the surface again. He thought Michael would help those he loved, but it
appeared the only people Michael could love completely were his brothers. Yes,
Michael would protect humanity with his last breath, but he would always feel
superior to the humans. Gabriel had always felt a stronger connection to the
humans and none of the superiority that Michael did.

“
You speak more and more like a human. Where has the warrior I know
and love gone?”

“
I am here, Michael. What information have
you
collected that will aid us in this war?”

“
I have not done as well as you, brother.”

“
You may not like my methods, but choosing to become closer to the
humans has not made me weak. It has allowed me to understand the race we give
our lives to protect. It has allowed
us
to find information that can help
us
win the war and destroy the Kematians.”

“
That is true. You acquired valuable information, and I have been
less than compassionate to your dilemma with your woman. For that I am sorry,
but I do not understand this newfound love for a single person, nor can I
pretend to.”

“
Tell me what is happening where you are.”

“
I am getting my ass kicked every day.”

“
The Great Michael is getting his ass kicked. Surely you jest,”
Gabriel said with laughter.

“
Mock me all you like, little brother,” Michael said. “There have
been many human losses. I feel shame that I cannot do more to protect the
humans.”

“
Do not feel shame. We can win this time. We now have the resources
to do so. I wish you were here to aide me in this battle. How far away are
you?”

“
Ten day’s journey.”

“
Two hundred miles?”

“
That is what I said.”

“
You could be here in a few hours.”

“
Yes.”

“
I could use your help here.”

“
For you, brother, I will come.”

“
Safe journey.”

The connection ended.

Gabriel sat down at the
table. A weight lifted from his shoulders. The rage was put back in its cage.

He gathered up the items and
placed them into six camouflage packs. The table was clear except for a roll of
white paper. He opened it and placed a book on each corner. He sat down and
began drawing the inside of the warehouse.

When the diagram was finished
he glanced over it. He was pretty sure Calla and Maree were held in the office
or the bathroom. Those were the only two rooms with a door. If Calla was
conscious, they would want to keep her from escaping.

An ache threatened to consume
him as his thoughts started to drift to possibilities he couldn’t entertain.
Calla’s smile flashed through his mind, and the sound of her laughter filled
his head. The idea that these things would be no more than memories, allowed
him to push the fear down into a small compartment that never saw the light of
day. He didn’t have time for fear. Today he was a warrior.

The men came back in from
shooting practice. Their shirts were wrapped around their heads while sweat ran
down rock solid abdomens. Tension filled the air. Gabriel watched them to try
to pinpoint who it came from. Chander, Devdan, and Rama were smiling and
talking about shooting. Ajeet and Tre were not. Gabriel sighed. It was time to
have a heart-to-heart with those two.

As they approached the table
Gabriel rose. The men gathered around the table inspecting the layout. Gabriel
grabbed the packs and placed one in front of each of them. He turned towards
Robert and pulled him aside.

“
What happened?” Gabriel asked.

“
The peace lasted all of five minutes. Tre and Ajeet have been at
each other’s throats the whole time we were shooting.” Robert said, “I’m just
glad it was the verbal sniping and not the other kind.”

“
I see. I have some news I will share with everyone, and then I
will talk to those two.”

“
Okay.”

They joined the other men and
sat down at an empty stool. They each pulled a pack in front of them. Before
they could open the bags and examine the contents, Gabriel spoke. “I have
contacted my brother, Michael. He is on his way here.”