Awakening, The

by Nicole R. Taylor

"Yes, but not until many years later. They called me the Devil Who Walked." Tristan shifted uncomfortably. "I plagued the forests of Austria so much so, that the villagers left me offerings. Live offerings. I wasn't much different from the beasts that changed me. If it weren't for Arrow, then I would either still be there or someone would have gained the courage to stake me. She gave me some tough love and brought my humanity back."

  "That's why you're so loyal to her," Zac mused.

  "Yes, of course. We were companions after that for a long time and yes I loved her as you do, but I would never do anythin' to break what you have with her apart. She is my family now. It took me hundreds of years to find her after we parted and I am loathe to take my eyes from her again."

  Instinctively, Zac felt jealousy rising in his gut, but pushed it back down. He had nothing to be worried about where Tristan was concerned. Theirs was a different kind of love. The knight obviously grew up with a code of honor and loyalty and felt the same way towards Aya as he would anyone who'd saved him like she had.

  "Do you know what happened to your wife and daughter?"

  "It had been almost twenty years all told since I'd seen them. Who was I to go back? If she had of seen me...it was too great a risk to go back. I was unchanged for my thirty years, she would have been almost fifty. Back then, there was a chance she would've already have passed on. It was better they think me a dead hero than a live monster."

  "Well, you have one up on me."

  "It's not a competition. Just a way of understandin' my intent towards Arrow."

  "I get it." She saved him from endless torment and if there was anything he understood completely, it was torment.

  "We're not that dissimilar. We were both created by monsters and not taught anythin' about control."

  "Yes, I guess we were."

  "And whatever happens next, know that I have your back."

  "As long as I have yours, right?" Zac asked with a grin.

  Tristan laughed at his jibe and thumped him on the back. "It goes both ways, my friend, or not at all."

  Zac took out his cell, glad for the change in conversation. "I'm going to try and call Gabby. I'm beginning to worry about her."

  "I'll leave you to it," the knight said. "We'll wait for you downstairs."

  Zac watched as he disappeared inside. Dialing the witch's number with the uneasy thought's of Tristan's story echoing through his head, he pressed the cell to his ear and hoped to god that she'd pick up. If she didn't, then they were out of breadcrumbs to follow.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Gabby stood in the middle of the little room in the Bed and Breakfast outside of Grasmere glaring at Regulus. They'd become a whole lot closer since the night before, in more ways than one, but he was still fighting her when it came to Aed. He knew as well as she did what they needed to do, but as per usual he was having none of it. That meant they were arguing about it. Again.

  "I thought you were meant to be this diabolical asshole," she said sullenly. "Not a child who throws a temper tantrum the moment you don't get your own way."

  "You're beautiful when you're angry," he said with a grin, knowing that it would piss her off more.

  "You know we have to meet with Zac and Aya. Why are you being so difficult about it?"

  He drew her into his arms, using his strength when she tried to push him away. "Stubborn pride, dear one."

  "Your stubborn pride is what'll get you killed."

  "Is that what you're worried about?"

  "I worry about a lot of things."

  "And it warms my heart to know that you worry about me." He pressed his lips against the top of her head and she crumbled against him. Why did it have to feel so good?

  "I have to call Zac. He'll know what to do."

  "The last time I saw him, he was committing suicide by tearing out my heart. Do you really want to trust what he has to say?"

  "Regulus," she shrieked.

  "I'm acting on past experience."

  "And so am I."

  He looked down at her with a frown and pushed her away, hands her shoulders. "You want me to trust you, so call him if you believe it's in our best interests."

  "Really? You're giving in?"

  "For you," he murmured.

  She hardly believed what he was saying. For the first time, she felt like she had an even footing with him. Before he could change his mind, she picked up her cell phone from the side table and turned it on. As it sprung to life, Regulus began to back away.

  "I can't be here for this," he said thinly.

  He was still annoyed with her and it wasn't ideal, but contacting Zac and the others was the next logical step. They had to do this together. Regulus wanted to be all powerful on his own, but this time it wouldn't be enough.

  "Don't be stupid," she said, glaring at him. "And don't even think about doing your little vampire disappearing thing."

  "Vampire disappearing thing?"

  "You know what I mean." She waved a hand at him.

  His lips curled into a smile and he sat on the bed, stretching his legs out.

  Just as she went to scroll through her contacts, the cell began to ring, making her jump. Looking down at the screen, she saw it was Zac and relief washed over her. She wondered if she'd been mulling over it so much that the universe had sent out a subliminal distress call to the vampire.

  Raising the cell to her ear she said, "Zac."

  "God, Gabby," came his familiar voice. "You know how worried we are about you?"

  "Sorry," she replied. "I've been tracking Aed."

  "What? How?"

  "I've got someone with me." She eyed Regulus who was looking at her smugly. She might be softening towards him, but she still wanted to slap that stupid smirk right off of his face.

  "Who?"

  "We'll come meet you. Where are you staying?"

  "We're in London at the Six's apartment in Camden. I'll text you the address."

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah. A lot better if you know what I mean."

  "Good. I'm glad. Who's with you?"

  "Everyone. Tristan, Nye, the Three. Aya. We're all here trying to figure out our next move. We need you, Gabby."

  "I need you," she answered. A snort came from behind her and she turned to find the Roman glaring. Making a kissy face at him, his expression instantly softened. Jealousy suited the founder, especially when it was over her.

  "Zac?" she asked, turning away.

  "Yeah?"

  "I'm glad you're okay. You and everyone."

  There was silence on the other end for a minute before he said, "Yeah. Me, too."

  "I'm coming. I won't be long."

  "Okay, but just to let you know that Aed is here in London."

  "What?"

  "A day and a half ago, he found me in the street. Said I stunk like a Celestine."

  "Are you okay? Aya? Where is she?"

  "I'm fine. He took a chunk outta me, but I fought him off. Aya is here and she's in one piece. She had a run in with him in Grasmere a couple of days ago."

  "I know. I saw the aftermath."

  "You're getting around, then," he said wryly.

  "Did he take your blood?" she asked. "He can read it like a book. Zac, if he…"

  "He did," the vampire interrupted. "But all he seemed to get was that I was in love with Aya. Then he threw it all up again in spectacular fashion."

  "Celestine blood…" she began. "It's…"

  "Poison or something. Chucked it up and tried to claw his throat open."

  "Well, whatever happened, it saved your life."

  "It seemed to weaken him enough so I could crack his head open and get away. Haven't seen him since, so who knows where he's gone."

  "Okay," she sighed. "Hold on. I'm leaving now, we should be there tonight."

  "Gabby?" Zac asked before she could hang up. "Who's with you?"

  Hesitating she glanced at Regulus, who just stared back at her like he was goading her on. Narrowing her eyes, she said to Zac, "
I'll see you soon." Hanging up, she shoved her cell into her pocket.

  "The apartment?" Regulus asked. "That's original."

  "You listened in?"

  "You wanted me to stay."

  "The shit's going to hit the fan the moment they know you're alive," she warned. "You could at least be a little nice."

  "I don't know how to be nice." She gave him a look. "Oh, okay, Gabrielle. I know how to be a little nice, but I'm much better at being wicked."

  She felt her cheeks burning and he chuckled.

  Regulus gathered their things and they checked out of the Bed and Breakfast. Then they were back in the car for the trip back to London. As they wound their way through the Lake District towards Liverpool, several police cars roared past, their lights and sirens blazing.

  "I guess someone finally found the carnage," Regulus said, dryly.

  "Sometimes I don't know where that man is," she said with a scowl. "The one that was with me last night. Sometimes I think I'm fucking hallucinating. You don't seem to care about life or death."

  "I care a lot, Gabrielle."

  "Could've fooled me."

  "I know how to pick my battles and when to walk away from them. I know how to fight."

  "I'm not talking about fighting," she said. "I'm talking about caring. There's a big difference."

  His fists tightened around the steering wheel, but he didn't answer, his steely gaze fixed on the road ahead. This was probably something they'd argue about forever and a day without resolution.

  "When did you…" She didn't quite know how to end that question.

  "The day you walked into Devil's Kitchen."

  That day back in New Orleans? An unknown witch had summoned her and it had been Regulus that was waiting in that cafe. He'd threatened and manipulated her into linking him to Zac and now he was telling her that that was the first moment he felt an attraction to her?

  "You do know that your family is under my protection, now and forever…" He hesitated and she was taken aback. This was new ground for him as much as it was for her.

  "Once this is over and you take back your kingdom of thugs."

  "Yes."

  "It's no use thinking of the future," she said. "Not until this is over."

  If there was a future, she couldn't see things working out without a hell of a lot of heartache. It was like she was the prom queen dating a mob boss. In what universe was that morally right?

  "Will you teach me how to track Aed?"

  "Why?" He glanced at her out the corner of his eye.

  "We need to be ready for every possible outcome," she said. What if something happened to him? She would have to go on alone and without knowing how to find the hybrid, it would make her work even harder than it already was.

  After a moment he said, "Tomorrow."

  The apartment building loomed above Gabby as she gazed up at the facade. The top two floors radiated warm light and even without it, she knew that everyone was at home. Six vampires and a Celestine hybrid.

  Regulus was beside her, a hand on the small of her back. "No time like the present, Gabrielle."

  "Wait," she said, taking his hand. Pulling him toward her, she pressed her lips to his. He kissed her back, sliding his tongue against hers with a moan. Pulling away, she rested her forehead against his, her skin tingling.

  "What was that for?" he asked, running a thumb across her bottom lip.

  "Courage."

  "They will forgive you in time. It was my fault, after all."

  "You may have started this Regulus, but it's different now."

  "It's no one else's business," he growled. "You and I, whatever this is…it's between us and no one else."

  She took in his dark eyes, the curve of his cheekbones, his annoying mouth and sighed. "You're right."

  "I love it when you say that."

  "Don't get used to it."

  The Roman took her hand and led her inside, holding the door open for her. It was only a few flights of stairs to the top, so they walked together, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Zac had told her they were staying in number six, right at the top and when she stood outside the door, she knocked before opening it and walking into the fray.

  At first no one did anything. Four sets of eyes shot straight to her, then focused where she knew Regulus was standing just outside. Aya, Zac, Tristan and Nye sat around the kitchenette and every single one of their faces fell into shock.

  Aya shot to her feet like a lioness, her eyes beginning to change and before Gabby could stop her, she lunged forward with a roar. The hybrid's hands circled around Regulus' throat and they fell backward onto the floor with a crash.

  Aya's hands began to emit a dull blue glow that shone through her skin and the Roman let out a roar of anger, trying to pry her fingers away. Gabby knew that once Aya had a founder in her power, that was it. It would be too late to stop her, so there was only one option.

  Focusing her will, Gabby poured it all into the Celestine, and she froze, her expression falling into surprise.

  "No," Aya cried as her power began to subside. She fell back with a cry of rage, holding her head as Gabby willed a few thousand synapses in her brain to misfire. Regulus sat up the moment she let go and went to lunge for the hybrid, but Gabby focused her will on him and his jaw stiffened.

  "I'm not above hurting you both," she snapped.

  "I'll kill you," Aya hissed at the Roman.

  Gabby stepped forward, putting herself in between her and Regulus and let them go at the same time. They were both on their feet, eyeing each other with a disdain that she couldn't fathom.

  "No," she said, glancing at the hybrid. "We need him, Aya."

  "He's meant to be dead," she cried, as Zac grasped her hand, pulling her away.

  "I'm sorry I had to keep it from you, Aya, but surely you understand why?"

  "No, I don't. What's going to stop him from trying to end me?"

  "Probably the fact that you cannot be killed by conventional means," the Roman drawled.

  "He's the only one who can take down Aed for good," Gabby countered.

  "That much we gathered," Tristan said.

  When everyone stopped and stared at Aya, she sighed dramatically. "I tried to burn his heart to ash and it didn't work."

  "You fought Aed?" Regulus snorted. "You."

  "We voided each other out," she continued, ignoring the Roman. "His power won't work on me and mine won't work on him."

  "So the all powerful Aeriaya can't save the day anymore."

  "Regulus," Gabby hissed.

  "Don't you dare say my name, filth," Aya said through gritted teeth. "I can still end you."

  "And what would that solve?" The Roman asked, walking around Gabby and picking up a bottle of alcohol off the table.

  Gabby watched the vampires as they eyed each other and she caught Zac's gaze. He frowned and shook his head slightly before turning back to Aya. She respected the Celestine as a witch, but Zac…he was different. His respect had been hard won and she was about to lose it if she couldn't explain herself to him. He'd gone to kill Regulus believing he was going to die and it was all her fault.

  "How is it that only you can kill the mental case?" Nye asked, breaking the silence. "Why not the Hunter?"

  "I don't understand how it works," Regulus said, putting the bottle back. "I always assumed it had something to do with the spell that created us. I'm not sure Katrin did, either."

  "But that doesn't make sense," Gabby exclaimed. "You said she created you for that reason."

  "Yes, but who knows how these things work." His eyes flickered to Aya.

  "Don't look at me," she rolled her eyes.

  "For a Celestine, you have quite the attitude."

  "Regulus," Gabby scolded. "Fighting will get us nowhere."

  "Perhaps not," he said, his eyes never leaving Aya's. "But, I do love getting a reaction from the fearsome Witch Hunter."

  "Why do you care about the hybrid?" Aya asked, her eyes borrowing further. "Why
not leave us to him?"

  "Because, dear star, I was made for this purpose. Besides, Aed is a threat to all out kind, not just a lone remnant of a long dead war."

  "You were made for this?" she scoffed. "Then why try and steal the Celestine's secrets?"

  "I didn't say it was my only purpose," he said with a smirk.

  "Enough," Zac said, stepping between them. "I doubt any of this matters right now. Not with a mental case on the loose. Leave your fighting for after he's dead."

  Gabby knew she was right in trusting Zac. He'd changed and even though she was obviously on the outs with him now, he still did what was needed to be done.

  "I can track the hybrid and we can end him for good," Regulus said. "Then all is fair in love and war."

  "I'm counting on it," Aya muttered.

  "Where are the Three?" Regulus asked. "I assume they're still around here someplace."

  "Downstairs," Zac replied, narrowing his eyes.

  "Oh, calm down, Zachary," the founder snorted. "I'm not going to take away your playthings."

  "I don't order them around. They're free to do whatever they want."

  "Regulus," Gabby murmured. "Leave them be."

  "You're not welcome here, Regulus," Aya said. "The moment you step out of line, you'll have to deal with me. Got it?"

  "As clear as a starry night, precious."

  "There's a spare room at the back," Nye said, nodding to a hallway that led off the dining room.

  The Roman narrowed his eyes at the spy.

  "If you've got something to say, mate, say it."

  "Don't think I haven't forgotten your betrayal, Nye." He looked the vampire up and down before walking down the hall and pushing open the door to the bedroom. A slam echoed through the apartment a moment later and Gabby glanced at Nye, who just shrugged.

  "He's got a good memory," he said like it didn't matter and went back to the table, picking up the drink he'd discarded earlier.

  The front door slammed as Zac left and Gabby looked to Aya who just rolled her eyes and stalked off in the opposite direction. A third and final slam signaled her final word on the matter.

  "He's gone to the roof, I'd say," Tristan said, joining Nye.

  There was no putting it off, so Gabby went out the door to the apartment and found the only set of stairs leading upwards. Zac was still unpredictable and there was no telling which way this was going to go. He'd changed so much in such a short amount of time it was alarming. Still, all she had was the truth and hopefully he'd hear her out.