by Wendy Owens
“Wait, what? I thought they wanted us here; that we would be safer here, surrounded by everyone. Right?” There was a panic to Rachel’s voice that set Gabe on edge. She was always so calm and collected; it unsettled him to see her rattled.
“I promise, my love, there is nothing to worry about; Michael and the elders are right. He’s going to send Uri and Haim along. Between the three of us, you will be the most highly protected woman in the world. How’s that feel?” Gabe reassured his bride to be.
“You think this is what’s best?” Rachel asked, peering into Gabe’s eyes, seeking his honesty.
Gabe stared into her oversized, beautiful brown eyes. He didn’t want to tell her that her chances were slim if she were protected by him alone, or about the doubt Michael expressed in his abilities. Instead he wanted to know she believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she would be safe. “I do. Oh, and I have some other good news. Michael has offered to let us have the wedding here, before we leave.”
“Here? You told him about the engagement?” Rachel asked after a moment’s hesitation.
Sensing the discomfort in the conversation, Uri turned to walk away, over his shoulder muttering quickly, “I’ll be right outside if either of you need me.”
Gabe did not acknowledge his friend’s exit; instead he was consumed by Rachel’s reaction. Pausing a moment, he examined her stare before finally asking, “Rachel, are you having second thoughts about agreeing to marry me?”
“God no!” she exclaimed.
“Then what is it? I thought you would be excited.” Gabe inquired.
“It’s just— well, I thought when I got married my family would be there, now I don’t even know if they’re —” Rachel began, flinging herself forward, unable to contain her sobs.
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t even think about it. God, I can’t believe I could be so insensitive.”
“No, I know you didn’t mean anything by it, don’t be silly. I’m fine.”
“You need to know there are people searching the ruins as we speak, they’ll find them.” Gabe offered as little relief.
“I just can’t imagine them being gone.” Rachel cried, heaving with every couple words.
“Shh, it will be alright. We don’t know anything for sure yet, you can’t give up hope.” Gabe said in an effort to comfort, holding her tight to his body with one hand and using the other to wave at Dina.
Catching sight of Gabe’s gesture, Dina approached quickly. “Is something wrong?” Dina questioned.
“Dina, can you give something to Rachel to help calm her?” Gabe asked.
Pulling away from Gabe, Rachel shook her head, “No— I’m fine.”
“Rachel, you’ve been through a lot—”
“No, I said I’m fine.”
“Rachel, listen to me, you experienced your first transportation spell and you are under a lot of stress about your family. I think you need to rest, Dina can help you with that.” Gabe insisted.
“Really, I’ve already slept, I’ll be okay.” Rachel pleaded.
“Sweetie, he’s right. You could probably sleep for a week and not be your old self. With worrying about your family on top of that, well, I just can’t imagine. I’ve got a sleep potion right here, guaranteed to get you a good six hours at least. You’ll feel much better by morning, I promise.” Dina urged.
Rachel stared intensely as Dina unclipped a small bottle from the cluster of tiny vials she had latched to her belt. “I don’t know.”
“Trust me.” Gabe assured her, reaching out and taking the bottle from Dina, twisting the top off and handing it to his beloved.
Rachel looked to Dina and then to Gabe. With a big sigh she threw it back, draining it of its contents. Turning and lying back on the cot, Rachel was asleep before Gabe could finish tucking the blanket around her body. Gabe lingered a moment, staring at her peaceful face.
“Don’t worry, Gabe, we’ll take care of her.” Dina added, touching him on his shoulder, before turning and walking away.
Gabe stood and turned to exit the building, there was no time to waste. Gabe intended on planning a list of possible places for the group to travel to in their attempt to outrun Baal. Rushing out the door, Gabe headed in the direction of the room where he had spoken with Sophie. He remembered the room had been littered with maps and decided it would be as good a place as any to start.
“Hey! What’s the rush?” Uri called out behind him.
Spinning around to face him, Gabe halted. “Oh, sorry, I forgot you said you were coming out here.”
“Is Rachel alright?” Uri asked moving forward, coming to a stop next to Gabe.
“As much as she can be, I suppose.” Gabe answered.
“What do you mean?” Uri inquired, clearly concerned.
“She’s upset about her aunt and brother, and who can blame her? Talking about the wedding just made her remember about High Point. Damn it!” Gabe yelled, kicking the ground and swinging at the air. “I’m supposed to keep her safe from all this bullshit.”
“What are you talking about? You were somehow supposed to protect her brother from an attack that nobody could have ever dreamed would happen?” Uri argued, trying to point out the fault in his friend’s logic.
Gabe twisted, then began to pace. “I don’t know. I can’t stand her feeling like this. She trusts me, I’m supposed to protect her and keep her safe from everything.”
“That’s insane, there was nothing you could do, so stop beating yourself up.” Uri reiterated.
“What’s going on?” Haim asked approaching the two men.
Uri rolled his eyes before answering, “Oh nothing, just watching Gabe martyr himself.”
“Huh?” Haim asked, confused.
“Rachel’s brother, Haim!” Gabe snapped. “She is completely torn up about him, alright?”
“Huh? Why?” Haim inquired.
“Oh, I don’t know— because she loved him! Damn it! I should have protected him. I don’t know, somehow.”
“How are you supposed to keep track of some college kid while you’re protecting Rachel?” Haim asked.
“Exactly!” Uri exclaimed.
“Wait! What did you say?” Gabe exclaimed.
“Who, me?” Haim asked pointing to himself in disbelief. “About you protecting Rachel?”
“No, before that. You called him a college kid. Why would you call him that?” Gabe pressed.
“Because he is?” Haim answered in the form of a question, unsure if his response was what his friend was looking for.
“How do you know he is? When Uri took Rachel he hadn’t left for college yet. Rachel thought after she went missing, he probably wouldn’t go.” Gabe explained.
“Oh no, he went.” Haim confirmed. “His Aunt insisted. He enrolled at North Carolina; it’s about an hour outside High Point.”
“What?” Uri gasped, realizing the point Gabe was getting at.
“You told me to check up on the kid and his aunt every now and then, so I did. I don’t understand, I did what you told me.” Haim answered Uri defensively.
“That’s right, I did tell you that!” Uri leaped forward and slapped Haim on the shoulder.
“Haim!” Gabe began, “I need you to do me a favor, and this is important. Take someone with you and go get Rachel’s brother. Bring him back here, alright?”
“Really? A human, here?” Haim asked looking to Uri for approval.
Uri simply nodded. Without a word, Haim turned and he was off on his mission.
“Don’t say anything to Rachel until we know for sure. It will be hard losing her aunt, but if we can find her brother, I think it will at least give her something to hold onto.” Gabe confided.
Uri didn’t respond. He just stared at Gabe.
“What?” Gabe exclaimed, feeling Uri’s eyes.
“You really do love her, don’t you?” Uri inquired.
“Of course I do. What kind of question is that? What is with the people in this place?” Gabe added, annoyed.
“You know, I’m happy for you man. I guess I just never imagined you with anyone— well— anyone but Sophie. I don’t know, I always thought when the two of you saw each other again— never mind, it doesn’t matter.”
“You knew!” Gabe snapped.
“Knew what?” Uri inquired.
“You knew Sophie got her memory back and you never came to tell me. How could you do that?” Gabe could not conceal his hurt or his anger.
“What was I supposed to do, Gabe? She told me not to.”
“Did you know she still had feelings for me?”
“Of course, everyone knows that.”
“And you gave me no heads up?” Gabe snarled.
“I mean, really, it’s not exactly been all roses here either. Do you know how many nights I got to hear Miss Sophie bitch in her drunken stupor about how you two were written in the stars and meant to be?”
“Why would you have listened to her when she told you to keep it from me?” Gabe questioned, unafraid to reveal his outrage.
“Please, don’t give me a hard time. Your love life is not a place I want to stick my nose in. Honestly, I was surprised you stayed away. Two people don’t feel the way you guys did about each other and it just disappear. She may have crippled your relationship as much as you, when you left Rampart, but you chose to stay away.”
“What was I supposed to do? It didn’t look like she was going to get her memory back. I thought if I stayed I was standing in the way of you and her.”
“Now I know you can’t possibly believe that! You know there was never anything between Sophie and I.”
“Now I do! All I knew then is she didn’t notice me, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of you.”
“You really don’t love her anymore?” Uri asked softly.
“What?” Gabe was furious Uri could even ask him that question. “You know how I feel about Rachel!”
“I get that. I’m not saying you don’t love Rachel, but can you honestly say you feel nothing for Sophie? You risked your life for her.” Uri argued.
Gabe took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and seriously consider his friend’s words. Uri was right; he obviously felt something for Sophie. He couldn’t deny there were certain feelings that swelled in him when she confessed she still had feelings for him. There was also no denying that she was exquisite, her wild beauty still captivated him.
“You’re right.” Gabe answered.
“Huh? What do you mean I’m right?” Uri looked concerned by Gabe’s confession.
“I do still have feelings for Sophie. I think, if I’m honest with myself, I always will.”
“What are you going to do?” Uri asked, his mouth hanging open in shock.
“Nothing. What I feel for Sophie will always be part of my past. It can’t compare to what I feel for Rachel. I was alone for so long out there, part of me was ready for it all to be over. I think I even wanted Baal to find me in a way, to put an end to my misery. But then I met Rachel, and no matter how hard I tried to fight her, she somehow managed to pull me back from the ledge.”
“Are you saying you wanted to die out there?”
“I don’t know what I felt. I know I was miserable and then Rachel opened my eyes to the joy life still had in it. She makes me want to be more, does that make sense? When I’m not with her she is all I can think about. When I thought of a life without Sophie, I found a way to go on. It was hard, but I did it. I can’t even bring myself to imagine a life without Rachel in it. Just talking about it makes me feel like there’s a vice tightening around my heart. She’s my everything, man.”
“Then I’m happy for you, and Sophie will understand.”
“Yeah, I think you might be wrong about that part.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Pacing the length of the room, dodging pieces of furniture as he did so, Gabe studied the squares in the stone floor. Anxiety over the wellbeing of Rachel’s brother consumed him. Haim had been gone for several hours on a mission to retrieve the boy. Too frightened things would not turn out as he hoped, Gabe kept the plan a secret from Rachel. She already felt like she had lost him once, he did not want to give her hope, only to then take it away.
The scenarios ran through his mind, the countless possibilities, perhaps the boy was home, visiting his aunt when the attack occurred. What if Baal already knew he was away at college? If that was the case, what if they beat Haim there? Was is a trap, would it be an ambush? Gabe squeezed his eyes tightly shut, attempting to push the questions aside. As hard as he tried though, he couldn’t quit thinking of Haim and wishing he was there, watching his friend’s back.
That wasn’t an option for Gabe, not anymore. His only priority now was protecting Rachel; he was not willing to leave her side, to leave her safety in anyone else’s hands. Being here however, made him feel helpless.
Much to his relief, earlier in the evening when Gabe had returned to the room where Sophie had confessed her feelings, he found it empty. He now had a sanctuary, a place where he could examine maps, plan out a route for him and Rachel as they attempted to hide from Baal and his armies. A place where he didn’t have innumerable eyes peering at him, wondering how he could have run years ago, abandoning his calling, and leaving his friends to fight for themselves.
His thoughts darted briefly to Sophie, his skin growing hot in the moment. The confident and snide way she had blurted out that his wedding with Rachel would never happen left him reeling. He could understand her still having lingering feelings for him, but to just assume they would still be together, even after knowing he was to marry another, nearly made him blind with anger.
Gabe did take a measure of comfort in knowing that Uri finally seemed to get it. He understood what he had with Rachel, that she made him whole, made him find a contentment that had always escaped him.
Meeting Rachel was almost like waking up for Gabe. All the fuzziness and insecurities of his place in the world fell away. The clouds parted and the dark fields were now filled with yellow blossoms. He found himself more willing to put himself out there, no longer afraid of being hurt.
He didn’t give putting his life on the line to protect Rachel a second thought. Even though he knew he might perhaps be bringing about his own end by marrying the very woman who was destined to give birth to the prophet, he didn’t care. None of it mattered to him, except being with her.
The prophecy he had been avoiding for the past five years was staring him in the face, yet he felt no hesitation. Didn’t Sophie understand that it would have been easier for him to love her, to just stay with his friends, giving up any future with Rachel? Gabe didn’t want the easy path, he didn’t want to go back to what he had. He wanted Rachel.
“Gabe!” Haim’s voice filled the room. The man rushed in, stopping and standing before his friend. Gabe had been surprised by the physical changes when he first saw Uri, but Haim was shocking in a different way. He was still tall, towering above him, but his physique had not changed much. Haim had always been a large and muscular fellow. The biggest change Gabe noticed in his appearance when he first saw him again was the full and lush beard he proudly wore. Gabe could grow some handsome stubble, but nothing that could rival the behemoth facial growth Haim touted.
“What happened? Did you find him?” Gabe gasped.
“Bring him in.” Haim called over his shoulder. A plump girl, with wiry blonde hair entered, clad from head to toe in body armor. Behind her she pulled a boy, perhaps nineteen years in age at most. He wore a gray hoodie; the color of his hair was dark, like a raven. His nose was large, his jaw line sharp, and his head hung low. Gabe didn’t think there was much resemblance to the woman he loved so dearly until the boy looked up.
There he was, looking in to the exact same eyes that peered back at him when he was with Rachel. Oversized and brown, full of innocence and empathy. Gabe could see the boy was confused and afraid, he could only imagine what this felt like for him.
“You must be Damon.” Gabe said at las
t.
“How do you know my name?” the boy asked, the full sized woman retaining a tight grip on his arm. It was clear Damon had not been eager to go along with them.
“Please, release him.” Gabe instructed.
Pushing the boy forward into the room, the warrior woman did as she was instructed. Gabe flashed a look of disappointment at her before adding in a tone that relayed his feelings, “Thank you, can we be alone?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, sir, this one is a runner.” The warrior woman glared at Damon as she spoke.
“And where do you presume he will run?” Gabe asked, a clever smile displayed on his lips.
“Come on, out.” Haim commanded, turning to exit the room and dragging his comrade along behind him. A moment later, Gabe and Damon were alone in the room.
“I’m sorry if she was rude to you. Some of the folks around here are— well, they’re not exactly what I would call skilled when it comes to communication. They have been trained for battle, not diplomacy; I hope they weren’t too horrible though.” Gabe offered.
“Where am I? Why am I here?” Damon replied, uninterested in Gabe’s apologies.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Let’s sit, shall we?” Gabe offered, motioning to two nearby seats. Damon watched Gabe cautiously, allowing his host to sit first, glancing towards the entry way a few times.
“Damon, you can leave, but honestly, there’s nowhere to go. You might as well get some answers.” Gabe said, not even looking at the boy as he spoke.
“How?” Damon gasped. He couldn’t comprehend how this stranger knew he was contemplating fleeing without even looking in his direction. Quickly the boy decided answers would be the most help to him at this point. Walking around, refusing to take his eyes off his host, Damon sat across from Gabe.
“So, what is this place?” Damon pushed.
“The facility we’re at is called Iron Gate. It has been here for hundreds of years.” Gabe explained.
