by Kelly Oram
Alex laughed but quickly became serious again. “I swear Simone never knew about Dani.”
“Did you tell her you owned the house she found us in tonight?”
“No,” Alex admitted hesitantly.
“Simone seemed very fond of you,” Gabriel said. “I believe she also coveted your power.”
“Can’t argue with that. She was attracted to me enough to fight against the blood feud between witches and warlocks.” Alex grinned at me in the rear view mirror just like his son would have in that moment. “It’s a Devereaux thing.”
“So is cockiness,” I muttered.
Alex laughed again but Gabriel refused to lose focus. “Simone knew that you parted with the council on bad terms. I am sure that the moment she joined the resistance she would immediately have thought of recruiting you. She would have come searching for you.”
“She didn’t have to search. She had my home address in her company files. I had all my skin care products shipped to the house in Carmine for years.”
“What are the chances that if she came to find you she would have seen Danielle?”
Alex snorted. “One hundred percent. Dani and Russ were completely inseparable and I know Simone. If she were scoping me out for the resistance, she would have been just as curious about my powerful teenage son.”
“So Simone comes for you,” I said, “learns about me, recognizes me as a pure, and runs back to tell the leader of the resistance. He then decides to use me to raise the Angel of Death in order to start a war with humans. But if the leader of the resistance is Robert Mason, wouldn’t he have known that Gabriel would see his plan?”
“That’s why he had to act fast,” Russ said, and then coughed. “Don’t you remember, Dani? The resistance beat the council in the race for you when they sent that werewolf. They just underestimated your supernatural awesomeness.”
“Russ!” I squealed. I was so relieved to see him awake that I pulled him up from my lap, squeezing as tight as I could, and kissed the top of his head. “You’re awake!”
“I’ve been awake for a while now,” he mumbled. “I was enjoying my position too much to say anything, but this is actually better.”
I realized that I was hugging his face to my chest and threw him away from me with a gasp.
Russ groaned like every muscle in his body hurt as he pulled himself to a sitting position next to me, but he was laughing through his groans so I still punched him in the arm. “Jerk!” Then I took a good look at him and felt guilty for being so rough. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I was impaled with a bed post,” he said with a grunt. He leaned against the window panting for breath and smirked. “I think you need to hold me again until I’m fully recovered.”
He was joking, but he was also still in a good deal of pain and trying to hide it, so I scooted into the middle seat and let him put his arm around me. Not that I could really use any magic to heal him—I was already exhausted from earlier and it was close to three in the morning now—but my energy seemed to be enough because he immediately melted against me and sighed.
After a minute his breathing evened out and I thought he’d fallen back to sleep, but when I tired to scoot back over to my seat he snagged me back into his arms. “I’m not fully recovered yet,” he said without opening his eyes.
I was forced to get comfortable in the tiny middle seat and once I was safely buckled in place he sighed and said, “Thank you for saving me.”
I shrugged in his grip. “Watching you die was something I couldn’t do.”
Alex interrupted us. “How’d you do it anyway? You were a seer.”
I looked up to see Alex watching Russ and me in the rear view mirror with so much affection that his face was positively glowing. It was so obvious that he liked seeing us together and I realized my marriage to Gabriel was difficult for him too, even though he would never admit it.
He was waiting for an answer to his question but I had no idea what to tell him. “I don’t know. I was desperate. I knew the magic was in me somewhere. I just had to get it to come to the surface. I don’t know if I could do it again though.”
“You’ll figure it out with practice,” Russ assured me. He studied me a moment then shook his head, incredulous. “You’d think I’d be jealous that you’re so much more powerful than me, but I just think it’s sexy.”
He turned his attention to the front seat. “What do you think, Gabe?” he called. “Is my girl sexy or what?”
“Russ can we please not ruin this drive with you being a jerk to my husband?”
“I believe I am going to be sick,” Gabriel mumbled.
Alex laughed thinking Gabriel was joking, but Russ and I knew better. “Uh, Alex, Gabriel gets carsick,” I warned while Russ yelled, “Dad pull it over. He’s seriously gonna blow chunks.”
Alex glanced sideways and then did a double take. Gabriel was hunched forward and leaning against the car window. He really didn’t have much time left.
Alex pulled off at the next exit and into the first parking lot he could find, which happened to be a twenty-four hour Waffle House. The minute he stopped Gabriel jumped out of the car and ran to the nearest trashcan. The poor guy. Throwing up sucks.
I started to go after him and Russ stopped me. “He doesn’t need you to hold his hair back.”
“But—”
“Let the guy puke in peace.”
Russ pulled me back against him and Alex turned back to look at us. I didn’t understand the expression on his face or why he cocked his brow in a way that made me blush and said, “I guess I’ll be inside getting a cup of coffee.”
I was shocked by Alex’s hasty retreat. “What was that about?”
“I have no idea,” Russ said.
The look on his face was suspicious. When I asked what he was up to he grinned and tried to kiss me.
I scrambled quickly out of his reach and sighed. “Russ.”
“You’re kidding me with this, right?”
He was glaring at me and I glared right back. “You’re sitting shotgun when we get on the road again.”
I went in search of Gabriel, slamming the door behind me when I got out of the car. I found Gabriel sitting on the curb next to the trashcan with his head buried in his knees. “Feeling better?”
Gabriel looked up at me and said, “I am sorry for the inconvenience, Danielle.”
I helped him to his feet. “It’s no inconvenience, I promise. I needed the break as much as you did.”
As if to prove my point Russ stomped past us right then and slammed the restaurant door as he disappeared inside.
“Russ is still mad at me for accepting you,” I explained when Gabriel turned to me, bewildered.
If it was possible Gabriel became more confused after my explanation, not less. “You mean you have not changed your mind?”
“Of course not.”
Gabriel didn’t look like he believed me. “Because you seemed very.…” He stopped when he couldn’t find the right word and said, “You love him very much.”
“Gabriel, he almost died! And besides, I know I get a little crazy where Russ is concerned. My feelings for him aren’t something I can just get rid of. I’m sorry about that. But I made my choice and I don’t regret it.”
Gabriel studied me warily and finally sighed. “If that is true, Danielle, then I must suggest that we leave this place together.”
I nodded my head. “Leave Russ.” The idea was paralyzing. “I know, and I understand why, but I’m not sure I can do it. I don’t think I can cut him out of my life.”
“It is not Russ who worries me.”
Gabriel glanced inside the restaurant. “Russ’s father wants to take us somewhere deep into hiding, but I do not believe that is the wisest choice and—” Gabriel glanced toward Alex and Russ again and lowered his voice. “I do not trust him, Danielle.”
I plopped down on the curb that I’d just helped Gabriel up from. “I agree we can’t just sit around hiding, but obvi
ously Alex isn’t the leader of the resistance if they’re trying to recruit him. They almost killed his son tonight, Gabriel. The Councilor was wrong about him.”
“But he has been so untruthful to you and Russ. Even now he keeps secrets from us. I also do not like the way he is encouraging you to restore your bond with his son.”
“He’s just hurting. He loves Russ and me so much. It’s hard for him to see us have to be separated.”
Gabriel shook his head. “He has other intentions Danielle. I am certain of it.”
“But Alex would never hurt us. What reason could he possibly have?”
“He opposes the council.”
“But he opposes the resistance too. He just wants to live his own life and keep his family safe. That’s all he’s ever done. He’s a good man.”
“Then why lie? Why keep secrets from you that could keep you safe or help you fulfill your destiny?”
I had no answer for that.
Gabriel let out a breath and sat down next to me. “I understand you do not trust the Councilor and will not return to the consulate, but would you at least consider treating Alexander Devereaux with the same wariness for now?”
When I didn’t say anything, Gabriel pulled my hand into his. “Leave with me,” he said. “We are powerful Danielle, and can see things no one else can. We can solve this ourselves, and if no one knows where we are, then everyone will be safer. Russ was hurt tonight because of us. We are a danger to them both so long as we are with them.”
Gabriel had me with that one. I sat in silence for a long time, and he patiently waited for me to think it all through. “All right,” I finally relented. “But I won’t leave without saying goodbye.”
Gabriel pulled me to my feet and gave me a hug. “I would not ask you to.”
By the time Gabriel and I joined Alex and Russ at their booth they were almost finished with breakfast. It looked like Russ had even finished off a plate of pancakes or French toast. Alex held up his mug. “Don’t worry, I ordered you both a cup to go.”
“Thanks.” Even in that one single word, my voice shook. I was so not looking forward to what I was about to do.
Russ glared at me over the cup of coffee he was nursing but couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong with you?”
I felt the blood drain from my face and turned to Gabriel in a panic. I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t be the one to tell Russ I was leaving. Gabriel understood my dilemma and looked steadily at Alex when he said, “Danielle and I will not be going with you.”
“What do you mean?” Alex asked, while at the same time Russ said, “Of course you’re coming with us.”
“We have decided it would be safer for all of us if we left and no one knew where we were.”
“Yes exactly,” Alex said. “And I have a place where neither the council nor the resistance will find you.”
“I beg your pardon, sir,” Gabriel said calmly. “But it is not the resistance or the council we wish to separate ourselves from this time.”
Russ figured it out first. He just couldn’t believe it was happening. “What?”
I finally found my will to speak. “I’m sorry, Russ. You know it’s going to kill me to leave you, but it will be better for both of us. I’ve accepted my marriage to Gabriel. I’m with Gabriel now. I can’t stay and watch it hurt you.”
Russ dropped all his anger and went into panic mode. “Dani, don’t do this,” he begged. “I’ll stop being a jerk. I won’t say another word about you and Gabriel. Just—you can’t leave.”
“You’re not going to change my mind about Gabriel. It will break your heart.”
“That’s my problem.”
“Russ.”
Russ jumped up from the booth and pulled me away from Gabriel. The way he hugged me was so desperate it made my stomach churn. “You’re not going anywhere without me,” he whispered.
Russ was now holding me against him so tight I couldn’t breathe. I hated that he was so familiar. I hated the yearning I still felt for him, that I had always felt for him. The right thing to do was to walk away from him, but I couldn’t. Gabriel was going to have to pull me away.
As if reading my thoughts, Gabriel pulled me back to his side. “I am sorry, Russ, but you are not the only problem here.”
“I’m not her problem,” Russ growled. “I’m her best friend.”
“And I respect that. But even if you could be only a friend to Danielle, which I am not convinced of, I do not trust your father.”
Gabriel turned to Alex, who I could tell was struggling to keep his composure. “I’m sorry,” Gabriel said. “You have lied to Danielle and Russ for so long about many things. You have withheld information from Danielle that could have helped her, and I do not trust your motivations.”
“You watch who you’re talking trash about!”
Alex had to grab hold of Russ so that he couldn’t jump Gabriel. “Russell, calm down,” he said. He dropped a wad of cash on the table. “Everyone outside. Now.”
Once we were in the parking lot I felt the sensation of magic cover me and knew that Alex had cloaked us all. He turned to me with a pained expression.
“Dani, think about this. It’s dangerous for the two of you to be on your own. You would have to remain a warlock at all times and you would quickly drain your energy trying to hide yourself.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said. “This is my prophecy to fulfill and as much as I hate the Councilor, he’s right. If I can be so easily swayed, then I can’t trust anyone. I have to do this on my own.”
“You’re not doing anything on your own!” Russ yelled and thrust an angry finger at Gabriel. “He’s making all your decisions! He’s the one swaying you!”
“He’s the Seer, Russ. He’s the one who found me. He’s the only person who can help me.”
“We can help you,” Alex insisted.
“Dani, it’s my dad. He loves you as much as I do. You have to come with us.”
Alex nodded his agreement. “I understand Gabriel’s hesitation, but you know me Dani. You’ve known me your whole life. I took care of you the best I knew how to, given the circumstances. I love you like you were my own daughter.”
Everyone was looking at me, waiting for me to take a side. I stood there hesitating because I knew what my answer was, I just didn’t like it. “I’m sorry, Alex. I—I love you too but…I don’t trust you right now.”
“Geez, Dani!” Russ’s temper exploded and he grabbed me by the arm and shook me. “What the hell is wrong with you? He’s got you so whipped that you’re actually buying into the Councilor’s lies!”
“Russ, the Councilor’s a jerk, but he’s never been unclear with his intentions. It’s your father who’s lied to us.”
Russ opened his mouth to yell at me some more, but I cut him off. “Think about it. You feel it too. I saw your face last night when Simone showed up. He never told us about his relationship with her.”
Russ frowned and glanced at his dad.
“I didn’t feel it proper to tell you kids of my love affairs. That is all.”
“Then what proposal were you talking about?”
“Proposal?” Russ asked.
“You were unconscious at the time Russ, but last night when we let Simone go, your dad told her that his offer still stands.” I looked at Alex. “What offer were you talking about?”
For a split second Alex looked scared, but he quickly recovered. “Simone and I were very close,” he said, resigned. “She knew all about my history with the council. Before she disappeared she told me she loved me and asked me to join the resistance with her. I didn’t believe she was serious about me. I believed she wanted only my power. Plus I couldn’t bear to separate you and Russ. I declined her offer. But I cared for her, so I told her if she wanted to continue our relationship she would have to come to Carmine to be with us.”
“You asked some chick to move in with us when you’d never even told me about her?” Russ asked. “What about Dani? You said you
didn’t trust Simone. You risked Dani’s safety anyway?”
“I knew she wouldn’t take the offer. But I hoped. I believed that if she were actually willing to leave her company and her sisters and her daughter to be with me that I could trust her with Dani’s secret.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell us this?” I asked.
“I wasn’t sure how it would affect you guys and I really didn’t believe she would come. I was right. She refused me. I didn’t want to stress you out with the idea of adding a woman to our family unless I was sure it was really going to happen. Soon after that I heard she died and I never saw the necessity of bringing it up.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell us you used to be on the council?” I asked. “Why did you leave? What did you do to make the Councilor hate you?”
Alex reached up to rub his head like he was getting a headache from my questions. “That is a very long story.”
“One that you seem unwilling to explain,” Gabriel pointed out.
Alex glared at Gabriel before he could stop himself. The look was so nasty that I gasped. Even Russ looked astonished. Though I doubted it upset him to think his dad didn’t like Gabriel.
I felt completely sick to my stomach. “I’m sorry, Alex. I—I can’t trust you anymore.” I turned to Gabriel and said, “Let’s go.”
I took Russ’s hand turning myself back into a warlock. “I’m sorry Russ,” I said and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
When Gabriel and I disappeared, Alex called out to us. “Dani, wait! You’re making a mistake!”
I tried to ignore it but then I heard Russ say, “Tell me the truth about my mom.”
Gabriel and I both stopped walking. It was like that moment I’d frozen everyone at the school dance. Nobody moved an inch. Nobody said a word. Nobody even breathed as we watched Alex’s face turn paler than Duncan’s. “How did you? W—what do you mean?” he stammered.
“You know exactly what I mean,” Russ said. “I want to know why you left the council, and why you never even bothered to tell me you were on it. And I want to know what it all has to do with my mother. Now.”
“Your mother left us, Russ. That’s all,” Alex said.
