Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1) (23 page)

Chapter Thirty-four

Gabrielle ~ Moving Forward

Something stirred Gabrielle from her sleep. She raised her head and saw a familiar face sitting across from her. She wondered how long Lucas had been there. They looked at each other for several seconds, neither seeming to want to be the one to speak first. Lucas broke the silence.

“So … an angel.” Lucas still had no expression.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t let you know before, Lucas. But there was no way. Would you have believed me?”

Lucas took some time to answer.

“No. I wouldn’t have. The only reason I do now is because I was held hostage for who knows how long, listening not only to
you
, but to my grandmother, talk about being angels and having powers and living with God before here. I know Gran’s sane. But if it had been you, alone, just coming out with,
Hey, by the way, Lucas, I have wings and can fly. Is there a message you want me to give God for you tonight when I check in with Him?
’ No. No way.” He paused again and studied her more.

I really wish he would smile. Or scowl. Or yell. S
omething
. Almost anything would be better than this.

“So, I have an angel for a girlfriend. A really
powerful
angel for a girlfriend.”

“If you still want me to be.” Gabrielle let her eyes fall away from his.

Lucas put his open hand on the table in front of her, and she placed her hand in his. Was he reaching out to let her know he did want her, or was it a kind gesture before breaking her heart?

“Gabby …
Gabrielle
. Look at me.”

Reluctantly, she met his gaze.

“I’m not going to lie and say this is easy for me.
Especially
to the angel that’s in charge of handing out karma. I just found out two people I know are
angels
, for crying out loud! One is someone I’ve loved all my life. The other is someone I care about
a lot
even though I’ve only known you for a short amount of time. There’s a demon who will be after my blood if he finds out he didn’t finish the job seventeen years ago. And let’s not forget,
I’m
not altogether human myself. I feel like I’m getting punked, and at any time, someone is going to jump out and show me the hidden cameras. So please, have a little patience with me. I have to let this sink in.”

Gabrielle relaxed just a little, feeling she wasn’t going to be shut out. “You’ll have all the time you need from me, Lucas. If, after all this sinks in, you still want me in your life on any level, I’ll be here for you. If you decide you can’t handle who, or
what
, I am, I’ll understand. Even though I won’t be happy about it.”

“Gabby, I don’t think I can make it through all this without you. I want you in my life more than ever. But what happens when it’s time for you to go? Where will that leave us? Do you know?”

“To be honest, I don’t. I didn’t expect to fall for a human. I’m sorry it happened,
only
because the last thing I want is to hurt you. But the fact is, I couldn’t seem to help myself. It felt like it was supposed to happen, that you and I were meant to be … maybe we are. Even if it doesn’t make sense.

“I don’t know everything, but I know who does, and He doesn’t do anything without a purpose. That’s part of what my job is about, after all. I do want you to think about the possible outcomes for us. The good
and
the bad. In a way, I’m glad this happened tonight. I know it’s rocked your world, but it’s better for the truth to come out sooner than later. I don’t know how I would’ve brought it up and convinced you without freaking you out more by showing you my true form. Now you can really think about this before you get in any deeper.”

“Did you completely miss what I just said to you, Gabby? I know I want you in my life, and I know
I don’t want it to be in a way that’s less than you already are. I’m moving
forward
with you—with us. I’m concerned with the outcome, and I know we could come to an end, but it’s worth the risk. At least it is for me. Is it for you?”

Gabrielle felt relief creep through her. She’d been prepared for him to take quite a bit of time to think about this, but she wouldn’t have to wait. She smiled and finally saw his smile return.

“Yes, if you’re absolutely sure.” She searched his face for any trace of uncertainty.

Lucas stood and walked over to her. He pulled her up to him, put his arms around her, and whispered in her ear.

“Without a doubt.”

Gabrielle let herself ease into the warmth of his body as he held her, enjoying the heat it awakened within her. She loved how happy he made her and wondered if she made him feel as happy. They held each other, silently, for a long time—just listening to each other breathe, feeling the pulse in the body they pressed themselves against. For a while, she wasn’t sure if she would ever know that warmth from him again—not after what he’d just found out about himself. About her. Gabrielle didn’t want it to end … not yet. She would enjoy every moment with him for as long as Yahuwah would allow.

Chapter Thirty-five

Lucas ~ New Secrets

Lucas kissed Gabby on the forehead as he released her. All he had just learned about himself, his family, and her swam around in his head. He had a lot to think about and was already reflecting on things that had happened in his life. Now, he understood why Gran couldn’t give him the answers he’d wanted when he was younger. At the time, he wouldn’t have been able to deal with it as well as he could now. Everything made more sense—his strength, his speed, and why languages and learning came easy. There was a reason for all of it. For the first time in his life, he had some answers to why he seemed so different from everyone.

I am different.

Gran came into the kitchen to say she was going to bed. All three showed their exhaustion with heavy eyes and a contagious round of yawns that began with Lucas.

“I should be going, too.” Gabby said, then said bye to Emma, who gave her a hug.

Lucas walked her outside. With every step he took, he made sure he wasn’t dreaming by biting his lip.

“Will I see you tomorrow—I mean, later today?” He asked Gabby as they made their way down the steps of the front porch.

“That may not be the best idea.”

“Why not? I thought I made it clear to you that I don’t need time to think about whether or not I want to be with you.” He paused, concerned she was having second thoughts. “Or are
you
the one who needs time?”

Gabby laughed and stretched to kiss his nose. With that smile and kiss, he felt confident that things were okay.

“No, it’s nothing like that. There’s a lot you still don’t know about me and my job. More so, what effect my job has on me.”

Lucas must have looked as confused as he felt at that moment because Gabby explained further.

“The thing is, my mood is directly affected by how much good karma I enforce, compared to bad. If I’m able to give out more good karma, my mood reflects that. And the reverse is true as well. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll just add it to your quirks.” He smiled. “But what does that have to do with seeing you or not?”

“I dealt with some
pretty
bad people yesterday, and it more than outweighed the good. I’m expecting a
very
bad mood. I don’t think you’ll want to be around to see that side of me.”

“What? Are you going to turn all green and grow biceps the size of tree trunks? Because if that’s the case, then yeah, I’ll see you at school on Monday. Otherwise, I think I can handle it—unless you plan on freezing me again.” He raised his brows for a dramatic expression of contemplation, and Gabrielle shook her head to appease his question. “Besides, if I’m really going to be with you, I want to see and know everything about you. Plus … I just found out you’re only here for a few more months … I’m going be a part of every second of that time I can.” He kissed her hand. “Deal?”

“If that’s what you want. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I stand warned. There’s a secondary motive anyway. I have a
lot
of questions I would love to get answers to.”

“Okay,” she said. “I don’t think you have any idea just how bad my mood may be, though. I’ve got quite a bit to do tomorrow, so I’ll need to stick around my place. Why don’t you come over whenever you’re ready and bring school work if you have any. That way you can escape into your chemistry, or whatever, if I get too intense.”

“Sounds good. Do
you
have to do school work?”

Gabrielle laughed. “No—no. I take care of that in a snap, if you know what I mean.” She grinned.

“How ‘bout working that magic for me so I have more time just to look at you?”

“Not a chance, Lucas!”

“Well, it was worth a try. Now go home so I can hurry up and see you again. I’ll walk you to your car.” He scanned the street. “Where is it?”

Gabby motioned. “It’s just around the corner. I had to make it look like I was leaving before I could come back and confront Javan so you would go into your house.”

“I’ll walk you to it.”

He took her hand and started toward the sidewalk.

Gabrielle laughed. “I wasn’t planning to walk to it, Lucas. I don’t have to act like I’m human anymore. You know my secret now.”

He raised his brows in understanding.

“Since you brought up Javan, can we talk more about him?”

“Sure, but we have plenty of time to do that. I need to know about what happened with you and Mara, too.”

“Mara? Why?”

“Mara’s palling around with Javan.”

“Oh!” He scowled. “That would explain things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like you said—plenty of time for that.”

He kissed her gently, and she turned to leave.

“Hey!” She spun back around. “I guess you already know not to say anything about all this to anyone, right?”

“
Yeah,” he laughed, “I think I’ll keep this information
all
to myself. By the way … did this angel stuff have anything to do with the language you spoke in the car that day when I recognized some of what you said I shouldn’t know?”

Gabby nodded. “I was speaking Enochian, the language of angels. You recognized it, well, a little of it. It’s the language you would have spoken as soon as you were created if you were a full-blood. It’s not learned, it’s
known
. It’s on our tongues and in our minds from the moment we begin our lives. I guess it hitched a ride in your DNA.”

“Oh. Makes sense, I guess.”

They smiled at each other, and then both turned to
continue to their homes. Lucas glanced back from the steps, wanting to see her one more time, but she was already gone. He smiled and shook his head.

“Having an angel for a girlfriend is going to take some getting used to.”

Chapter Thirty-six

Javan ~ Unexpected Company

Javan went back to bed after he drank his latest temper tantrum away. It had become a routine for him over the last decade. He was growing tired of how long it was taking him to gather the information he needed. The longer it took, the angrier and more intoxicated he became. His alcohol-laden slumber lasted far longer than normal. He opened his eyes to late afternoon light coming through his window, cursing the painful throbbing in his head.

Mara still hadn’t come back since she slipped out of his loft. He knew she was trying to smooth things over with the seduction routine. She’d over-stepped when she confronted him after Gabrielle had her fun-filled Saturday with Lucas.

That
worthless
human
.

He didn’t care. It suited his needs at the time, and not wanting Mara’s company wasn’t wavering. He was glad for the solitude. The only one he wished to be with had looked at him the night before with pain in her eyes that he’d never seen in her, and he knew he was responsible. Guilt began to slip into his mood, which he angrily pushed away. He had no time or patience for regret.

She’ll come around.
He told himself as his feet hit the cold hardwood floor.

Stumbling into the shower, he turned on the water and stepped in without waiting for the hot water to make its way through the pipes of the old warehouse. His was one of ten lofts in the converted building, and based on the inadequate plumbing and wiring, they had spared as much money as they could. The space was large and would perfectly serve his purposes later, though—and later was all he focused on.

After he had dried off, he stood in the full-length mirror admiring his human physique. He’d chosen well. The body he took was tall and muscular with just enough mass to intimidate. He had dark hair and eyes, olive skin, and an intensity to his features that gave him a dangerous air, which he found was particularly appealing to females. Anyone guessing his nationality would likely suspect Spanish or South American.

He pulled his sweatpants back on and decided to search the internet for more clues about the location of the Book. This type of research was mind numbing, but until he found a high-ranking demon who would follow and assist him, he was stuck finding information through the followers he had recruited and by means of human knowledge.

“Gaining information was so much easier before I became one of the Fallen,” he said through a sigh.

He hated to use the word demon for himself even though that was what he’d become. He felt it was beneath whom he was destined to be.

Before he was able to begin his research, he sensed someone was waiting for him outside the door to his loft. Even those who had joined the ranks of demons were still able to sense the presence of Divine blood or those from the Shadow World. It was one ability Yahuwah didn’t remove from his banished troops. Javan thought it was his way of reminding them of where they’d come from.

As if any of us need reminding.

Javan stood and cautiously made his way to the door, trying his best not to make noise. Being in a human body didn’t afford him the stealth he would have had as an angel. He continued through the large room, shadowed heavily from dusk settling outside his windows. When he reached the door, he quietly pressed his ear to its cold metal, listening for something that would give him a clue to who was waiting for him on the other side. At first, he heard nothing, but then, within his own mind was the voice of a female, speaking softly to him—requesting to enter.

Javan opened the door to find a beauty. Black eyes, heavily spiked with red, looked back. She wasn’t tall; his six foot frame loomed over hers. Her skin was creamy white and contrasted her long auburn hair. By his estimation, she was flawless and one of the Damned. Immediately he desired her, an effect he knew she would have on any man. What would it be like to couple with a Qalal? He’d never considered it. It would be nearly impossible for a human to survive what may happen.

But I’m not human.

A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he felt his body responding to his thoughts. She smiled back.

“Javan, I’m Cecily. I understand you need help finding a certain …
something
.”

Her voice was enchanting. A smile completely reshaped his normally stern expression as he addressed her.

“Yes.” He continued to covet her body. “I do.”

“If you invite me in, I think I can make your day … possibly your night.” Her expression became provocative. “Depending how long you’d like me to stay.”

Javan stepped aside with a wide welcoming motion. In his most charming voice, he invited her into his loft. “In that case,
please
… make yourself at home.” Cecily sauntered in as Javan closed the door behind her, clicking the lock into place.

“Trying to keep me in, or someone else …
out
?” Cecily slowly turned on her heel as she spoke, stopping once she was facing Javan.

“I know better than to think a locked door would hold you captive. It’s safe to say you know the answer.”

Javan held Cecily’s gaze. Neither spoke for several moments. In that time, Javan continued with only two trains of thought—what one of the Damned wanted with him, and what it would be like to have her in his bed. He gave most of his mental energy to the latter, and he felt one side of his mouth curve up in response.

“What is it you think you can help me with, Cecily?”

“There’s word traveling through the Shadow World that you’re seeking the location of a certain book.”

“The rumors are correct.” Javan moved closer to Cecily. “
And
?”

Cecily turned on her heel again to continue further into the loft, looking at him over her shoulder—luring him to accompany her deeper into his home.

Javan followed.

“And the book you seek is the same as the book Ramai intended to use against … well, I don’t really care to even utter the name, but you know who I speak of …
personally
. Don’t you?”

Javan didn’t respond right away. He continued to follow her without taking his eyes off his captivating, dangerous guest. His desire increased with every step, almost to the point of being uncontrollable.

“That’s the one … yes. And
you
think you know how I can find it?”

Cecily turned back around to face Javan, who didn’t stop walking until he was as close as he could get to her without actually touching. Cecily slowly traced the muscles on his bare chest with her cold fingers, keeping her eyes on what she was doing instead of his face. He felt a chill run through his body—more a result of his desire than her frigid body temperature.

“Oh, sweetie … I can take you to it myself. But it’s going to cost you.”

The cost didn’t matter to him. The reason for everything he had done to this point, for everything he would still do, was to retrieve the Book and gain its power.

“What’s your price?”

“First things first, Javan. What do you say we get something out of the way, so it won’t be such a …
distraction
when we start talking business?” She propositioned him as she cut her eyes to various parts of his body. Cecily confidently turned her gaze to his eyes. He’d never seen eyes that could summon someone to them the way hers were.

Calling to me—welcoming me to take her.

Javan went after Cecily with a hunger to possess, greedily kissing her, searching her body with the hand that was free from the task of forcing her to him. He felt her respond. He moved his hands low to lift her up to him, then carried her to his room. Her legs wrapped around him, the strength in them evident as she squeezed. What was he doing? This was no mortal woman. She could crush this human body if she wanted to. He didn’t care, though. If he had to abandon it and find another to use, he would. All he wanted was her. He wanted to relish in the sensations of being with her. Hopefully, through the rest of the night.

He fell on top of her on his bed and removed her clothes, and any thought of danger slipped away—into her.

Javan stirred from a deep sleep. As he tried to move his normally nimble frame out of bed, he had to slow abruptly, wincing from the pain he felt almost everywhere. He cautiously made his way to the bathroom and flicked on the light, squinting until they adjusted to the brilliance he’d unleashed, then walked to the mirror. Once he was able to open his eyes, he gasped.

He knew he was looking at the same body and face he had admired after his shower earlier, but the reflection now showed hideous bruises in shades of purple, blue, and black splattered around his torso. Trickles of blood seeped from small puncture marks, one on the inside of his upper thigh—that one made him wince from the sheer sight of what it was located next to. Except for light purple bruising around his mouth, his face was unscathed.

He smiled and chuckled; pain shot from his mouth and ribs. His human body survived the escapade. It was more than worth the risk he’d taken. Cecily was divine.

“What’s so funny?”

He heard Cecily’s voice behind him, making him jump. He hadn’t heard her approach.

He turned to see an unclothed and physically unmarked Cecily—still looking irresistibly alluring. Javan let his gaze fall wantonly over every inch of her body, enjoying looking at what he’d just conquered. He hadn’t been able to see her like this while she lay under, or on top of, him. Her curves and angles were perfectly balanced and symmetrical. Her skin snugly fit her frame, leaving nothing but a toned body beneath. Time no longer affected her beauty; she would never age or sicken, and she would always be this exquisite.

Even with all she could physically and visually offer him, he knew she could never stop the pain he felt from losing Gabrielle—the one thing that caused him to regret his decision to challenge Yahuwah. The one thing, if he was given the chance to change what he’d done, he would stay for.

Gabrielle would be worth the aggravation of bowing to Him.

That chance would never be offered. Of that, he was sure. There was no way he could turn back time; there was only one who could. And there was no way Yahuwah would ever forgive him. Javan would just have to believe Gabrielle’s love for him would return her to his side.

Some day.

Javan’s attention was drawn away from thoughts of reconciling with Gabrielle when Cecily dramatically shifted her stance as if her body was getting tired in the position she was standing in. The idea was ridiculous because it was impossible—the Qalal didn’t tire in mind or body except in sunlight. She achieved the desired result, which was letting him know that the staring and silence between them had become boring.

Javan finally spoke, smiling a mischievous smile as he did.

“I just didn’t know if this body would survive our fun. I’m happy I don’t have to vacate it to find another one that isn’t broken.”

Cecily glided toward him. “I was on my best behavior.” She used her fingers to trace the muscles and curves of his chest again. She continued speaking between lingering kisses that went from one side of his neck to the other. “I was—really—
very—
gentle.”

“
That
was gentle? I’d hate to see what rough is like.”

Cecily moved her lips down his chest. She stopped to look up at him. “On the contrary, if you were in a body that could handle it, a Qalal’s body, I assure you, you wouldn’t hate it.”

As she continued on her previous path, Javan closed his eyes, smiling and sucking in a sharp breath through his teeth when she reached her destination.