by Tara Chau
"Yes, I got to the Sanctuary just as they all gathered for an early morning patrol. I went to yours after, and you weren't there."
I look up at him, remembering the bloody mess I had left on the ground. Gabe sees my expression and laughs quietly to himself. “Don’t worry, I cleaned that mess up,” he assures.
I let out a relieved sigh, nodding my thanks.
“I’m always cleaning up after you, aren’t I?” he mumbles.
“Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, knowing exactly what he’d said.
“Nothing,” he answers, rolling his eyes.
Removing my legs from under my chin, I shift so that I’m sitting on them, making me taller than Gabe.
"Not nothing, Chip. What is it you said?" I push.
Gabe grabs one of my hands and pulls me forward, bringing me into a tight hug. He holds me tight against his body, chin resting on my head.
"You're not always cleaning up after me; this was the first time,” I grumble.
“Sure,” he drawls.
I relax into his embrace, listening to his steady breathing mingling with my own. A thought disturbs my peace, and I shift uncomfortably.
“Hey, just to make this awkward… what are we exactly?” I ask.
Gabe is silent for a while before he answers. “Together,” he decides.
“As in…”
“As in, no one else can have you. You're mine,” he says, claiming me for himself.
I turn around so I can look at his face. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yep, okay,” I say, smiling.
“Good,” he says with a nod.
I smile up at him, memorising how his lips curl into a grin when he’s amused and how the tips of his ears turn a shade darker when I bat my lashes.
“Now let’s go,” I say, jumping up. “We gotta go to school,” I say.
“I think that I’ll skip out on school for the rest of the week,” he says, laying back. “Though that doesn’t mean you can,” he says as I start to sit back down.
“Fine,” I mumble. “Walk me back? I have no idea where we are,” I admit. Gabe laughs as he nods his head, rising from the couch and flashing me a happy grin.
The rest of the week is spent feeding Gabe information on all the things we had collected about Lucien, along with all the stuff he'd missed out on at school. I had yet to tell them that Lucien needs my blood to bring to life the seven sins, though I have explained the rest. Just as Anne begins to fill him in on all the reckless things that I have done this past month, I stand to leave.
"You should have seen it when she stormed into Daniel's office. She gave him the biggest, most disrespectful lecture ever,” laughs Anne, grinning at me.
Gabe looks down at me, horrified.
“I’m gonna go train,” I say, turning my back, “I’ve been slacking off this week.”
"And…" Ty adds, "did you know she has a habit of trying to prove that she can take on huge demons by herself, when in fact, she cannot.”
"If we were playing that game, did you know that Ty is actually really bad when it comes to patience, and Annabelle can't even shoot from long range?” I fume, agitated.
“Calm down, Di,” Jess says, trying to soothe me.
I shake my head and stride out of the room. Familiar red lights flash, and the sirens begin. Gabe comes running out of the room to me, the others running down the hall in the opposite direction. Instead of ordering me to stay put, Gabe motions for me to follow him to his room. We bolt down the hall and storm in through the door. I cross the room as Gabe shrugs on his coat, tossing him the bow and quiver. He straps it to his back.
I search for my coat and turn around just in time to catch it; Gabe gives me a guilty smile. Checking my pockets to make sure my dagger and staff are still where I left them, I nod to Gabe, ready. We rush to the main room. The screens flash red, this time not with dots, but with two green eyes.
“What is that?” I ask Gabe.
“Two groups on either side of the city have reported to the police about Lycans,” he says, still staring at the huge screen.
“How can you tell all that by just one symbol?”
"The eye means knowledge, and green is the colour that represents Lycans,” he explains.
“Right,” I say, nodding my head.
“Be quiet,” he urges.
“Two squads of four should go to the city and rid them of the supernatural memories,” Daniel says, appearing in the crowd. “Protectors with Sterlings who have experience with the wipe report to me for grouping."
Gabe turns to me, serious. “Do. Not. Follow.”
I smile at him innocently, rise to my tiptoes and plant a wet kiss on his cheek.
“Don’t-” he says, eyes widening as I turn and run through the chaos to Daniel. I come to a skidding stop in front of Daniel, standing stiff and tall.
“Reporting,” I say, trying to hide my excited smile.
“Daniel,” Gabe barks, running over to push me harshly behind him. "Don't mind her. She's being incredibly stupid. By the way, good to see you again,” he says, starting to push me away.
Daniel peers behind Gabe to look me in the eyes. “I agree, she is being very stupid, or she just might be def.” Daniel sidesteps Gabe to talk to me face to face. “I distinctly remember saying Protectors with Sterlings and experience."
"Yes, but what about when I do get my Sterling? If I go with them now, I'll already have an idea of how to use it,” I attempt.
Daniel shakes his head firmly, looking behind me to Gabe. “Reporting?” he asks.
“Yes,” Gabe nods, trying not to look me in the eye.
"Good, you with Cleo and Frankie. The main town square,” he says, pointing to the green eye in the middle of the huge screen. "This time, Dianna, you stay here. That's a direct order,” he adds sternly.
Daniel walks away through the dissembling crowd, people parting for him as he approaches. Gabe turns towards me and looks down into my scowling features.
“It’s not fair,” I whine, trying not to sound like a whinging baby, but failing.
Gabe huffs in annoyance as he starts to walk to the lift that will take him up to the back car park. I stumble along beside him, dodging the hurried people who seem to be purposefully pushing me back. As he reaches for the button, I glare at the back of his head, mentally cursing him. We're still silent as the elevator pings open and the people file out. We climb in.
“Stop sulking,” he demands with an arched brow.
“No,” I say instantly, crossing my arms immaturely.
I lean against the wall as it continues to go up. Gabe opens his mouth to speak, but I glare at him, challenging him to say something. He simply shrugs but doesn't take his eyes off me. As the lift comes to a stop, Gabe's eyes twinkle with amusement, making me fume. The wall shifts behind me, I fall through, hitting the lobby ground hard. Gabe walks through the lift door after me, his lips pressed together in an attempt to keep from laughing. He looks down at me as I rub my elbow. Suddenly Gabe bursts out laughing, doubling over, holding his stomach. I groan my disapproval, bringing him back to his senses. Gabe extends his hand to me; I take it grudgingly.
“Ow,” I mumble.
“Aw, do you want me to kiss it better for you?” he asks, raising my arm to his upturned lips.
“No,” I snap, snatching my arm away from him. “No kisses for you.”
Gabe pouts, and I can't help but laugh slightly. We stroll out into the back car park, where I see two figures in the distance, waiting close to a small black car. Gabe turns to me and gives me a lop-sided smile. Damn, it still makes my insides flutter.
He spots me rubbing my throbbing elbow and looks back up to meet my gaze. Gabe drags me forward by the other arm, carefully raising my scraped wound to his lips and kisses it softly, then wraps me in his arms. I try to scramble free, each passing second, my anger for him dulling.
“I said no kisses,” I sq
ueal.
Gabe laughs, using one arm to wrap around my waist tightly, and holding the back of my neck with his free hand. He bends down and plants a firm, insistent kiss on my lips. I don't pull back, but I don't kiss him until I do, the last of my annoyance slipping away. We stand there, wrapped in each other for what only feels like a minute before Gabe pulls back, only far enough to see my eyes.
“I have to go,” he says.
“Who cares?” I ask, but the last word is cut off by my lips connecting with his greedily.
Gabe pulls back again after a moment, “Di,” he mumbles into my flushed cheek.
I huff in disapproval, working my bottom lip to make him feel guilty. Gabe simply shakes his head and untangles himself from me, placing my mattered hair behind my shoulders.
“Two hours, can you manage not to get in trouble for two hours?” he asks seriously.
I nod unsurely, making sure that he knows it.
“Try doing some homework,” he smiles.
“I’ll get very bored,” I complain.
“Right, and we don’t want that,” he says, nodding.
“No,” I agree.
“Well, go sit and think about what you want to do while I go and save a bunch of people from their own brains,” he says, turning around and walking towards the two people.
Then there’s Lucien, who has just appeared in front of me. I groan and roll my eyes. He smiles at me menacingly.
“Gabe,” I call lazily, not really bothering to sound like I’m in any kind of distress.
He simply waves from where he is, not stopping to turn around.
“I failed; it literally took three seconds for me to find trouble,” I yell.
He stops. I knew he would. I look back to see Lucien, his eyes alight with amusement. Then Gabe's blocking my view, and so is the tip of his bow. Oh god. I quickly approach Gabe pushing down on the arm that holds his drawn arrow. A silent conversation happens, our eyes darting between Lucien and each other.
Don’t.
Why?
You’ll lose.
I will not lose.
You will.
Get behind me, now.
No.
Now.
You get behind me!
Gabe’s next demand is cut off by me pushing him behind my body. Imagining that the ground is holding him in place, I wince and take three steps closer to Lucien. I look behind me once. Gabe's eyes are huge, and they are blazing with anger and fear. My attention snaps to the two people running towards us, weapons ready and aimed at Lucien. I fling my hand out, stopping the girl by throwing her back just before she throws her knife, but I’m too slow to stop the boy from lobbing his axe at Lucien, sealing his own death.
“Don’t!” I scream at Lucien, but it’s too late.
Lucien stops the axe in mid-air and sends it right back at the boy. It's all too much, holding Gabe and the girl Cleo back at the same time. I can already feel my energy draining. So, I have to watch as the axe sores towards his chest, knowing I can do nothing but struggle to keep both Gabe and Cleo from jumping in front of it.
The horrid sound of a weapon connecting with flesh rings through my head, making my hold on them slip slightly. From the corner of my eyes, I see Cleo take one slow yet successful step. I force my mind to stop her again, enforcing my grasp on them both significantly. My head starts to ache as I try to keep my mental grip on them from slipping even further, cursing as both of them take another two steps closer to Lucien. Something in my mind is screaming at me, but I shut it up and try to divide my attention perfectly between Lucien and keeping Gabe and Cleo in place. My eyes dart to the downed body on the car park pavement, crimson blood pooling from the axe lodged in his abdomen. Bile rises up in my throat, but I force myself to swallow it back down. Looking to Lucien now, I put all my steel, anger, and horror into a deathly glare. It's too hard to speak.
“Oops,” Lucien shrugs, the last of his grotesque features slipping away. “Sorry, if you wanted me not to, should have spoken up sooner.”
“Y-you’re a monster,” I stutter.
“Not nice,” he scolds. “Hey,” he says, pointing to my outstretched hand and the two slowly approaching people. “it’s like you’re put them in slow motion. Cool trick.”
“What do you…want?” I demand.
“You, it’s time to do your small part, Di,” he speaks, saying my new nickname for the first time.
“Get away from her!” Gabe screams, taking another three steps.
I turn my whole body towards them, using two hands now. I imagine I'm pushing against the wind, not allowing the strength of it to topple me over. It seems to work, both of them have stopped moving completely, but their facial expressions and voices seem to still be working.
“What are you doing?” Cleo asks, panicked.
“Don’t you dare touch her,” Gabe growls as Lucien takes a step towards me.
Though I have Gabe and Cleo protected, it leaves me in a very bad position, unready and unstable. I sink to one knee as the weight of my mind and exhaustion comes crashing down on me. Looking to Lucien, I see his amused and excited expression.
“Really, you’re making this too easy for me,” he comments, moving closer still.
“Dianna!” Gabe protests, using my full name as a warning. “Let go.”
I turn to look at Lucien again, who is now only a metre away but still coming closer. Mustering all the power I have left, I fling one hand at him, tossing him back metres away and onto the hard concrete. Sinking onto both knees now, I return both arms to Cleo and Gabe, who have made it another few steps.
“Okay, now you’re starting to piss me off,” Lucien says, walking back towards me.
“Let go,” Gabe whispers urgently, eyes pleading.
Lucien’s feet drag on the ground hauntingly, approaching me, getting closer. This time I won't be able to send him away again.
“Let go,” Gabe insists.
I shake my head in defiance. Gabe looks to Cleo. She catches his eye. All at once, I feel a surge of resistance from the both of them, like they've ganged up on me, combining their strength to knock me down completely. I'm only going to be able to fight back for another few seconds before I have to stop. Sweat gleams as it runs down my face. My hair has fallen loose from its braid, and dangling pieces curl around my eyes.
I can hear my heartbeat in my ears and feel my breathing becoming faster and heavier. My chest burns from exhaustion, and my head is spinning. I fight back the tears and clench my fist, hold. Hold.
I think I must have blacked out for a few seconds because when I look up, I see Gabe running towards Cleo and me towards the other boy. What is his name again?
“Get up,” Gabe demands as he comes to kneel beside me. “Get up.”
“I-I can’t,” I croak.
Gabe tugs on my arm, trying to lift me. He manages to get me standing but as soon as pressure is applied to my legs, they fall out from under me. I crash back to the ground, palms scraped bloody from the landing.
“Come on,” he hisses, looking between me and the slowly approaching warlock.
“Stop her,” I say, trying to raise my voice as I see Cleo dash for Lucien.
Gabe hesitates for a second, looking back at me before he sprints to catch Cleo around the waist. In a flash, Lucien is beside me, faster than a Protector. He lifts me up into his arms, carrying me like a baby.
I'm so shocked that by the time Gabe is calling my name, we've already started walking away. Kicking my legs out and flailing my arms around, I reach inside of myself for one last pull of energy, just enough to make him drop me. Miracle. That's not even a big enough word. Somehow, I've managed to stop Lucien from walking and moved so damn much that he's dropped me. I scream at my body to listen to my brain's commands.
Get up!
I scramble up, stumbling a few steps away from him before tumbling to the ground again. Frick, frack, fuck! Lucien rolls his eyes and strol
ls towards me.
A red mist starts to form between Lucien and me, blocking my view of him. Veronica Vain. Vain has materialised in front of me, stopping Lucien momentarily. Vain’s fingers light up, and red sparks fly as she points her hand calmly at his chest. Yellow light erupts from Lucien, creating a wall around him. The red string of power penetrates his shield easily, blasting it into a million pieces like a mirror and hitting him right in the chest.
Lucien dissipates before my eyes, leaving a faint yellow mist behind. Somehow, I know he's not gone, just somewhere else for now. Like a phoenix, he will come back.
Vain swivels around to face me, her lips quirked in a vile grin. "That's two you owe me, Iysador.”
With a wink and a click, Vain vanishes again, her good buy words not only a reminder but a warning. Gabe runs over to me, dropping like a weight beside me. I stare up into his stoned features, waiting for the lecture I know is coming.
“Thank you.”
It takes me a moment to process what he just said. Thank you? Gods, maybe I did overdo it with the powers today. Instead of questioning his newfound politeness, I simply say, "You're welcome."
Gabe kisses me lightly on the forehead before hoisting me up, allowing me to use him as a crutch. We slowly make our way over to Cleo, who is kneeling beside the boy. She's removed the axe from his stomach and thrown it across the lot. Cleo isn't an ugly crier. She simply lets the small tears run down her cheeks, splashing onto his hand, which is tightly intertwined with hers.
“I’ll request a different team to carry out the wipe,” Gabe says solemnly.
Cleo nods her head but doesn't look up or say thank you. She just continues to hold her friend, his head lying limp in her arms.
We walk into the lobby, earning concerned and suspicious looks from the guards. Gabe whispers to one of the nicer guards about Cleo and Frankie. He nods in understanding. Once we're inside the moving lift with me propped up against the wall, Gabe speaks.
“I’m gonna kill him. I am going to kill Lucien,” he whispers fiercely.
I shake my head, “Not if I get him first.”
