by Wendy Owens
“Gabe, why do you think Michael agreed to join the council? He wanted to stay by your side all those years ago, but he couldn’t risk that they would discover Mirada. The only reason I know is because he trusted me enough to ferry messages between them.”
Gabe leaned against a nearby rock, resting his weight on it. He remembered when Michael left him, about how he had thought he was abandoned. He knew he would do whatever it took to protect Rachel. Michael was no different than him.
“I don’t know, Uri, I’m just not sure I can trust one of them with Rachel’s life,” Gabe answered softly.
“I’m telling you, she’s not like that.” Uri assured him.
“How about we go to Luxom for now, if things change I’ll consider it,” Gabe offered, no intention of actually considering the option.
“That’s all I’m asking,” Uri said.
When Uri walked away, Rachel used the opportunity to approach Gabe. Sitting on the cold, hard ground next to him, she reached out and placed a hand on his knee. “Everything all right?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, everything is fine,” Gabe answered, his thoughts clearly somewhere else.
“Gabe, I can tell something is on your mind,” Rachel insisted.
Gabe looked at her, a smile across his face. Leaning forward, he reached an arm out, wrapping it tightly around her. “I love you so much. I never want to let anything hurt you. I want to share everything with you, but you have to understand, sometimes when it seems like something is bothering me, it’s just me thinking about everything I need to do to ensure you’re safe.”
“Oh, Gabe, I hate that my safety does this to you,” Rachel sighed.
“Really? You take me the way I am, you always have. I want to keep you safe, and it consumes a large chunk of my thoughts because of how amazing you are. The idea of losing you is something I can’t handle.”
“You’re making me blush, stop,” Rachel giggled, waving a hand in her husband’s direction.
Gabe reached out with his free hand, turning her chin towards his face. Slowly, he leaned in for a kiss. It was so delicate and perfect that she had to remind herself to breath.
Her head spun, and as they pulled apart, the sigh she released told Gabe he had done his job once again.
“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.
“I love you, too,” Gabe replied, staring at her face.
“Gross, enough already,” Uri groaned from across the way. “How about you two take a pee already so we can get out of here?”
Gabe and Rachel both chuckled at Uri’s crassness. He could be crude at times, but it was also one of the things that made him so special.
The rest of the journey to Luxom had been so uneventful, Gabe found himself almost being a little disappointed. He had prepared himself for a fight, now that he was here and nothing happened, he felt like he had been let down in some way.
When they arrived at Luxom it hadn’t taken them long to find accommodations. Much to their pleasant surprise, there was a cottage for rent on the edge of town. The owners were spending the chilly season in the south and left the responsibility of renting the home to the local innkeeper. With three bedrooms and plenty of space for them to spread out, Gabe felt confident it would meet their needs. In addition, since it was just the four of them, they would be able to put protection stones on the corners of the property to ensure they couldn’t be tracked.
Gabe rolled over on his side, stealing another look at Rachel sleeping next to him before closing his own eyes. They had already worked out a system for casting protection spells, the three men taking shifts. He could feel her breathing next to him, he noticed their heartbeats had synced during the night. The scent of her hair was intoxicating, so much so, it was lulling him back to sleep.
He had been running his fingertips up and down the side of her body. His hand now slowed to a stop as he drifted off, in and out of a state of unconsciousness.
Gabe was re-awakened by soft, wet lips. Opening his eyes wide, with great surprise, he soon saw his new bride was wide awake now.
Freeing his lips for just a moment, Gabe moaned, “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Morning,” she answered with a smile.
There was a brief knock at the bedroom door, neither noticed though.
“Oh my God!” Haim exclaimed from the now open doorway.
“Haim! Get out!” Gabe yelled, tossing a pillow at his friends head as Rachel took refuge under the blankets.
“I’m so sorry. You didn’t answer, I— I—,” Haim stammered.
“Get out!” Gabe cried again.
Coming to his senses, Haim did as he was instructed, quickly shutting the door behind him. Rachel burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe you’re laughing,” Gabe exclaimed.
“Oh come on, it’s not that big a deal. We better get dressed and see what was so important,” Rachel suggested.
“Oh yeah?” Gabe questioned, pulling her closer. Rachel giggled in response, kissing him again.
Rachel grinned and continued to rapidly dress herself.
“Seriously, come back to bed, they’ll leave us alone now,” Gabe pleaded.
Rachel kneeled onto the bed with one knee, leaning in close and giving Gabe a quick kiss, careful to maneuver away before she was caught in his grasp. “Get up.”
“Grr ...” Gabe groaned, finally complying with her instruction. He was on his feet and fully dressed before Rachel was even halfway finished dressing herself. Gabe laughed lightly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just how slow you are.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault, these leather pants are like trying to put wet clothes on,” Rachel argued in her defense.
“Well, I’m not complaining.” Gabe said with a smirk.
Tossing one of the remaining pillows from the bed at Gabe’s head, Rachel lost her footing and fell to the floor, her legs now thoroughly tangled in the leather monstrosity of pants. “Will you shut up and go make me a cup of coffee?”
“All right, all right, no need to get violent,” Gabe said, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.
“Gabe, thank God,” Haim gasped, rushing up and grabbing his arm.
“Seriously? What’s so urgent?” Gabe asked.
“You have to come with me, now,” Haim insisted, dragging Gabe behind him.
Tripping over his own feet, Gabe attempted to shout in protest, but unfortunately nothing would come out. Haim dragged Gabe behind him like a rag doll to the front room of the cottage before dropping him to the floor. Jumping to his feet, alarmed by how easily Haim was able to relocate him, Gabe dusted himself off. Glancing around he saw Uri staring out the front window.
After regaining his composure, Gabe asked, “What’s the big idea? I’m supposed to be making Rachel a cup of coffee, but Sasquatch here insisted I come with him.”
“Yes, yes, we all know you’re whipped, Gabe, but that’s a topic of conversation for another time,” Uri said flatly, still not looking away from the window, his joke losing some of its bite from his lack of enthusiasm.
“Seriously guys, what’s going on?” Gabe pleaded.
“Look,” Uri commanded, pointing out the window.
Gabe peered out the bay window attempting to see what all the fuss was about. His jaw fell open and his eyes grew wide in disbelief at what he was witnessing. “This doesn’t make sense, how can this possibly be happening?”
Gabe stared, unable to move, as Wintoks, Braymars, Krinams, and numerous other magical creatures milled up and down the streets.
“Well it’s happening,” Haim said, unable to look away as well.
“Creatures from the underworld aren’t allowed to walk the earthly realm, it’s part of a treaty that’s thousands of years old.” Gabe insisted.
“Perhaps you should be telling them about the treaty, not us,” Uri said, finally breaking away from the window. Turning, he walked over to a side chair and plopped down.
&nb
sp; “So what do you think is happening?” Gabe asked his battle experienced friend.
“Do you know much about the type of beings out there? What they are known for?” Uri asked, watching his friend’s face for a reaction.
Gabe looked back out the window, examining the creatures again and trying to think of something they all had in common. Suddenly it struck him, “They’re scavengers, they’ll take any job.”
“Bingo!” Uri exclaimed.
“Are you telling me they’re a bunch of mercenaries out there?” Gabe asked, clearly alarmed.
“Not just out there. When I saw them this morning I contacted Sophie, she said they’re getting reports of underworld creatures everywhere,” Uri explained.
“I don’t understand, this has to be causing mass hysteria. How are the humans reacting?” Gabe asked, walking over and taking a seat next to Uri. Haim still watched the show in the streets.
“They’re terrified, most are too scared to even leave their homes. I don’t see everyone lying down so easily though, and you know what that means.” Uri continued.
“A blood bath,” Haim added.
“Exactly, if I had to guess, the attack on High Point made most of the underworld think that the power had shifted to Baal’s favor. They would rather be working for him than against him if he wins. What is the point in honoring a treaty that’s thousands of years old if the people who made it are gone?” Uri groaned.
“I don’t understand, why are they here?” Haim asked.
“Really? It’s not obvious? There’s a bounty on our heads,” Gabe answered solemnly.
“There’s a what on our heads?” Rachel asked as she entered the room, her face full of surprise.
“Rachel,” Gabe gasped hopping to his feet. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, but not so fast. What did I hear you talking about when I came in?” Rachel insisted.
Gabe hesitated.
“You might as well tell her, man, she’s going to figure it out as soon as she goes outside,” Uri suggested.
With those words, Rachel rushed to the window, not waiting for Gabe to respond. She gasped at the sight. “What are those things?”
“They’re bounty hunters from the underworld,” Gabe answered honestly.
Rachel stood silent for a moment, no reaction, she simply stared. The quiet lingered for only a moment before Rachel continued, her voice unshaken. “And I take it they’re here for us.”
Gabe nodded, a little surprised by her composure. “Are you all right?”
“Of course I am. We need to get this figured out though. Now, if they are all over Luxom, the first thing we need to do is get out of town …” Rachel said before slipping into deep thought.
“Well, yeah,” Gabe began, still unsure what to think of his new bride. “We’re going to be fine, Rachel.”
“Of course we are. I already know that. Right now we need to be figuring out how that’s going to happen though. Uri, how long would it take to get to Mirada?”
“Rachel! Wait, how did you know …?” Gabe now stared at her, confused.
“I’m not deaf, Gabe. I could hear you and Uri discussing her the other night.”
“You don’t know what the Oracles are like,” Gabe argued.
“Honey, I trust you with my life, but we are a couple now and when it comes to making these decisions, we make them together. Uri is our friend and if he says we can trust her, well that’s good enough for me,” Rachel answered.
“But—” Gabe began, quickly falling silent, no good argument to rebut her with.
“I see no other choice. Uri, how long?” Rachel continued.
“Umm—” Uri hesitated, unsure what to make of the banter before him. “I guess, umm … well, if we hike far enough out of town, chances are if we transport, the tracers won’t be around long enough for a tracker to pick up on them.”
“Whoa, no way!” Gabe exclaimed. “You saw how hard transporting was on Rachel last time. We can’t do that. What if we landed right in a trap? She would be completely defenseless.”
“That’s what I have you for darling,” Rachel said walking over to Gabe’s side and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Whatever we do, we need to act fast,” Haim insisted.
“Why? Do you see something?” Uri asked, jumping to his feet.
“Only about half a dozen Wintoks entering the inn. How long do you think it will take before the innkeeper tells them about the new guests in the cottage at the end of the street?” Haim suggested.
“Good point,” Uri answered, patting Haim on the shoulder. “Everyone, grab your gear, we’re going out the back.”
“Wait, we haven’t even decided what we’re going to do yet,” Gabe insisted.
“Do you really want to be here when a mob of Wintoks come busting through the door?” Uri asked. The thought of it made Gabe’s scar along his hip ache.
Gabe was on his feet in a second, rushing past Rachel and into their bedroom, throwing whatever he could into their bags as quickly as possible. Rachel followed close behind.
“Gabe, if you would just think about this logically for a moment, you would see I’m right,” Rachel pleaded.
“Really? Now isn’t the time.”
“Then when? While we’re out there running for our lives?” Rachel argued.
“What am I supposed to say? I tell you that Oracles are bad news, you can’t trust them, and to avoid them at all costs. You apparently don’t believe what I say, so what else is there to say?” Gabe snapped, his voice now elevated.
“It’s not a matter of believing or not believing you, Gabe; I didn’t hear any other suggestions out there. We can’t just stand around doing nothing.
“So that’s what you think I do? I stand around and do nothing.”
“I didn’t say that,” Rachel could feel the conversation spiraling out of control.
Zipping the last bag shut, Gabe rushed to the door. Stopping in front of her, he grabbed her wrists, and looked into her eyes. “We’ll do this your way, and when all of this blows up in our faces, maybe then you’ll believe me.”
“Gabe, please,” Rachel begged, but he was already at the back door, waiting for the others.
Rachel followed, pleading with him, but Gabe was done talking.
“Is everyone ready?” Uri said, peeking out the back door, ensuring the coast was clear. With a few mumblings, things were set into motion. “Okay, stay near to the tree line as we head out of town. As soon as we get far enough where nobody can see us, high tail it south to the center of the forest. Once we get a couple of miles in it should be safe to transport.
Gabe grabbed a tight hold of Rachel’s hand, growling, “Don’t let go, whatever you do.” Rachel couldn’t help but smile, even when he was angry with her, his top priority was to keep her safe.
The door was flung open the rest of the way, and the group was off. The four traveled as quietly as they could with all of their gear, attempting not to garner any unwanted attention.
Gabe sighed a breath of relief as they emerged over the hillside at the edge of town, certain they were past the worst. Just as the breath left his lips the situation turned for the worse.
“Hey, you there! Stop!” Gabe heard a voice shout just ahead of them, his stomach sank.
The entire group slowed until finally halting. Gabe looked over his shoulder; from where they stood they were no longer visible from the village.
“Uri ...” Gabe whispered, motioning over his shoulder to show they were hidden from the village now.
Looking back at Rachel, Gabe handed her the bags and firmly insisted. “Stay here, if anything goes wrong, you run. Do you understand me?”
“What are you going to do? No, please don’t,” Rachel begged.
“Everything will be fine,” Gabe reassured her. He then began to walk towards the distant voice, Uri and Haim joining him. As they came closer, their opponents came into better view; Gabe’s heart began to pound. The one shouting was an over
sized Wintok, the spiky turtle-like shell on its back showed signs of many battles, it’s wide scaly foot planted in the earth as though it were an immovable force. Standing near him were three other Wintoks, they were younger and stared intensely at their elder, waiting for orders.
Standing directly behind the pack of Wintoks and to the outside, were two Krinams, their weapons already brandished. Gabe knew Uri had a special hatred for Krinams and assumed they would be the first he would go for. A Krinam was a serpent like being; it stood upright like a man but it’s head mirrored one more similar to that of a cobra. Uri had always hated snakes, and took great pride in killing any one that crossed his path. Gabe could only assume this Krinam would be no different.
“We need to see your identification, immediately,” the older Wintok demanded.
The three men approached the six creatures as if they were simply out for an afternoon stroll.
“Stop right there and provide your identification,” the creature shouted, growing increasingly impatient with the strangers.
“Did you hear him—boyssss?” a Krinam hissed as it arched it’s head back.
“Wow, you guys really are some ugly mugs aren’t you?” Uri asked, his pace not slowing as he approached. Gabe smiled, he wanted to burst out laughing, but it seemed quite inappropriate at the moment.
“Seize them!” came the gruff command from the senior Wintok.
“I don’t think so,” Uri answered, pulling his sword out from behind his back, the blade making a hissing whisper as he did so. Gabe marveled for a moment at the green glow. He had always loved how each family line had their own color and Uri’s was quite impressive.
“Yeah, we don’t think so,” Haim added, revealing his hammer, which now glowed yellow. Both Uri and Gabe couldn’t help but chuckle at Haim’s attempt to feel part of the moment with what he thought would be a clever statement.
“What?” Haim huffed, his face scrunched up in annoyance.
“Nothing, dork,” Uri dismissed his friend’s comment. “You and Gabe take the Wintoks. I’ve got the two snake breaths.”
Gabe smiled at the confirmation of his assumption; Uri would in fact first kill the Krinams. Without another word the creatures charged at the sign of aggression. Haim swung his hammer over his head bringing it down wildly, and with a thunderous crack, the shell of a younger warrior Wintok split, revealing the wrinkly gray flesh beneath.
