by Bonnie Vanak
“Not really.” Amused, Megan bit back a smile.
She touched her face. “Oh, no. Am I blue? I must have really overdone it.”
“A little.”
“Sorry. I must look an awful sight.”
Gabriel hooked his thumbs through his belt. “I told you to lay off the champagne. Your hair is red again, too.”
“Oh dear.” Sienna turned to Megan. “Gabriel’s wonderful. He’s like my big brother, took me in when I couldn’t even find a safe street corner. Usually I’m not this bad. It’s all this weirdness in town. I got scared.”
Sympathy filled her. She liked Sienna and sensed a kinship with her, another creature in need of refuge. “Why are you scared?”
“I ran away from an arranged marriage and there’s a hefty reward for finding me and bringing me back. I’m good at masking myself, but…” Sienna hiccupped. “When I drink too much, I’m toast.”
Gabriel sighed. “Stay inside the next few nights and have someone else cover your shift.”
The Fae looked upset. “I have to earn my keep.”
“Earn it next week when you can better disguise yourself.” He gave her a stern look. “That’s an order.”
Sienna put a hand to her head. “I’m not arguing with you. My head hurts too much.” She gave Megan a pretty smile. “I’m so glad we met, Megan. You’ll be good for Gabriel. I’ve been worried about him, he’s been alone too long.”
The Fae waved as they left.
They rode on his Harley out of the French Quarter. Her thighs spooned against his muscular ones, Megan hooked her arms around Gabriel’s waist. A warm wind whipped at her shirt, blew at her face. Wanting to laugh for the sheer joy of feeling free, she snuggled closer against his broad back.
A flash of his thoughts tore through her. The yo-yo of longing for her and need to protect his heart. Because she’d broken it quite effectively.
Throat tight with emotion, Megan loosened her grip.
At his parent’s house, the Cajun barbecue was in full swing. Delicious smells of spices and food threaded through the sound of loud laughter and conversation.
She was meeting Gabriel’s family. His pack. Anxiety ratcheted up a notch.
Gabriel and Megan walked around to the backyard. Conversation died as everyone turned to regard them.
Judging from the stony faces, she knew Remy and Celine had told everyone she was a Shadow. Megan steeled her shoulders and felt a warm arm slide around her waist.
Gabriel gave her a friendly wink. It’s okay, chère. They’re just a little surprised. They’ll warm up to you.
The chill dissipated slightly as she greeted his brothers. Gabriel introduced her to Indigo, a tall, muscular man with tanned skin, and his lovely vampire mate, Avril. Jamie, Damian’s mate, was friendly as she jogged a small, adorable baby in her arms. The mates of Gabriel’s other brothers greeted her kindly.
But Remy and Celine acted polite and distant. Though Celine served all the other guests the hot food, she discreetly ignored Megan.
I will never be welcome here, Megan realized as Gabriel fetched her a plate piled high with steamed crayfish.
As he talked with his brothers, she spotted the twins sitting on a picnic bench. Megan set down her plate and a smile died on her face.
Gone was the laughter and the shining joy. Jennifer and Jillian were two solemn toy soldiers, dressed alike in blue short sets. Their spines ramrod straight, they did not speak.
Megan squatted before them. “Hey, sweeties.”
They greeted her politely. Her heart sank. “Why aren’t you playing?”
Jennifer’s lower lip trembled as she squeezed Jillian’s hand. “Gramma and Paw Paw told us we can’t play unless we’re being supervised. No more hide-and-seek. They said we shouldn’t ever use our magick. They said Shadows aren’t normal.”
Patting their hands, she went to find her mate.
“Gabriel.” Megan plucked at his leather sleeve, urging him to follow her. At a discreet vantage point, she gestured to the girls. “I know things aren’t right between us, but this is important. Look at the girls. They’re afraid to move out of fear of displeasing your parents.”
His eyes narrowed. “What about my parents?”
“They told them that Shadows aren’t normal.” She plucked at the pretty dress. “The girls escaped discrimination on the island only to be treated just the same here. It will never change.”
He took a long, hard look at her, then the twins. Gabriel’s mouth tightened. He set down his beer and took her hand. “C’mon.”
When they reached his brothers, he dropped her hand and gave Alexandre a long, level look. “Alex, mon frère. Do me a favor. Take the twins and get them far away from here.”
Etienne choked on a sip of beer. “Say what?”
Gabriel ignored him, folding his arms across his broad chest. “Don’t let them feel like they can never measure up just because they’re Shadow. Promise me that, Alex. I can’t bear for them to be treated like I was. Or make the same mistakes I made and cost more lives like Simone and Amelia.”
Alex’s blue eyes narrowed. “Gabe, what the hell you talking about?”
Gabriel gestured to the silent twins. “Look at them. They were overjoyed to be with you last night. Kids having fun. Now our parents are turning them into shadows of themselves. Ironic, huh? They don’t like Shadows and Jilly and Jenny will pay the price.”
Alex studied the girls. “Damn. It’s happening all over again.”
“I already caused you to lose Simone and Amelia. Don’t lose them, too.”
The twins’ father said something that sounded like a Cajun curse. “I’ve told you again and again, Gabe, it wasn’t your fault.”
“It was. You had something good and honest and pure, and I took it all away from you. Because I was arrogant. I could have hidden Deke away in another safe house. But I didn’t. I brought him here, to our house.”
His voice dropped to the whisper of dead water. “I wanted all of you to see me as heroic because I personally saved a Shadow. I thought it might wipe out your fear of my Feral side. And Simone and Amelia paid the price.”
Raphael looked stunned. Grief twisted Alexandre’s face while Etienne and Damian stared.
“You never told us, Gabe. I never imagined you felt like this. Why didn’t you tell us?” Raphael rubbed the back of his neck. “Merde, why have you kept this from us all this time?”
“You didn’t kill them,” Alexandre said quietly. “Logan’s son did.”
Gabriel looked impassive. He pushed back at a fallen lock of his hair. “I was responsible.”
“I couldn’t tell, man, you never let on how you felt. Why didn’t you tell us?” Raphael seemed like a scratched CD, repeating the same line over and over.
He said nothing. Then Alexandre nodded slowly. “Because you never let on about anything, do you? All you ever do is smile or echo our emotions when something bad happens, when it’s acceptable to be sad or angry because we feel the same. You’ve always hidden yourself away. Like the day you were left behind. You waved goodbye as if nothing were wrong.”
Raphael stared at Gabriel. Grief etched his younger brother’s expression. “I looked up to you, man, I idolized you. You were the one who kept me together, the one who was always calm and collected. And now I’m finding out I never knew you all along?”
“Guess not. Things can get a little hairy with me.”
“Stop it,” Raphael burst out. “Just stop it, Gabe, goddammit! Always with the damn jokes, the act!”
“Would you rather see me turn Feral? Megan has. I’d say she’d rather have the jocularity.”
She couldn’t let this drag on a minute more. “No, I wouldn’t. I’d rather see you as you are, Gabriel. Angry. Sad. Happy. I care only about you.”
Gabriel gave her a wary look, but she took his face between her palms.
“All of you. Not just the part you show to the world. I’ll never let go, no matter what. Understand? I don’t care
what your brothers think, what your family thinks. I care about you, whoever, whatever you are. I’m with you all the way.”
He gave her a solemn look. “All the way, Megan? Enough to bond fully with me and exchange powers? Would you see yourself become a Trans-Feral, because that’s what will happen.”
A small fear flowered as she recalled the glowing red eyes, the blood dripping from his talons. “I’m not going to lie, Gabriel. I am afraid, but I’m more afraid of losing you.”
Gabriel gave a small, but very honest smile. Hope filled her. Maybe they could start over.
“I’ll take the girls away tomorrow,” Alex decided. “Thanks, Gabe. I guess I was too blind before to see it, and too blind now.”
Her mate mock-punched his brother in the arm. “Are you too blind for a quick game of football?”
Raphael’s face cracked into a reluctant smile. “You two are slower than a tortoise. Easy game.”
“And you’re too busy tripping over your own feet,” Etienne mocked.
Megan laughed, glad the camaraderie had been restored. She headed to her abandoned plate of crayfish as the game began.
Her mate raced backward to toss the ball. She sat on a chair, hungrily tracking him as smooth muscles flexed. The tight jeans hugged his taut ass. Gabriel caught her staring and winked.
Blushing, she sat back.
They could make it. She felt certain of it.
And then all her hopes were crushed like seashells beneath a steamroller.
Chapter 22
In the midst of the game, Tristan materialized. He caught the ball and squeezed. It deflated instantly.
Her heart pounded hard as the Immortal paced toward her. Gabriel wiped his brow and raced to her side as his family drifted over, looking bewildered. He snapped an order for the women to hustle the children into the house. Looking scared and uncertain, Jenny and Jillian went with the others.
“What the hell are you doing here, Phoenix? No one invited you,” Gabriel demanded.
“I’m here for Megan.”
Pulse racing, she shrank back as Gabriel snarled. “You promised not to turn her or the twins over.”
Tristan laid a hand on Gabriel’s wide shoulder. “I made the promise not to turn Megan or twins over to Enforcers. I never promised I would not take Megan back to Shadow Island.”
The Phoenix studied her with his piercing cold eyes. “If you come with me, Megan, the girls may remain with their father.”
“That’s what you wanted all along, isn’t it? You want to bring me back to Shadow Island, to face punishment and banishment.” She stepped back, her heart racing in panic.
They would beat her, then dump her in isolation. She would never be among another living being again, but spend her days alone. It was the worst torture for a Shadow.
“No.” Gabriel stepped forward, pushed Tristan out of the way. “Take me.”
His gaze never left Megan. “Leave her alone, and make your promise to include giving Megan her freedom forever, and the twins to remain with Alex. Honor the pledge I made to you, Phoenix. Fair trade.”
Tristan seemed oblivious to the loud protests, and Gabriel’s brothers, who looked like they would strangle the Phoenix. “It is a fair trade,” he said slowly. “I will honor it.”
“Gabriel, what promise? The one you made to him back at the house?” Megan asked.
He took hold of her trembling, clammy palms. “The promise I made when I was ten, Megan. Tristan wanted to lock me up for good. He released me on one condition. He said when the time came for him to take someone I cared about, he would let them go if I finally went to prison. A fair exchange.”
“You can’t do this.” She turned to Tristan. “Lock him inside a demon prison until he dies!”
“He’s a dangerous Trans-Feral and the prison at Donaldson is the only facility that can effectively contain savages like him.” The Phoenix’s face was harsh, his tone impartial.
“He’s no more savage than you and I,” she insisted. “No one taught him to curb his powers when he was growing up. Everyone was too afraid of him.”
“Are you not afraid of him, Megan? A Trans-Feral who would tear you to pieces?”
“He’d never hurt me. He’s been nothing but gentle to me and the twins. He’s only a danger to his enemies.”
“And yet you called him a monster.” The Phoenix’s tone was gentle.
Ashamed, she looked away.
Tristan snapped heavy silver handcuffs on Gabriel. Her mate flinched as the metal touched his wrists. She felt his pain and knew these were no ordinary handcuffs, but burned his skin and kept his magick suppressed.
“No,” she whispered. “Don’t do this to him.”
The Phoenix ignored her. She turned to Gabriel’s parents, who stood by in mute shock. “You can’t let him do this. Do you know what they’ll do to him in there? They’ll torture him, he’ll die! Please, help me! Stop this.”
But they remained immobilized. Tears blurred her vision. Her entire body shaking, Megan flung her arms around Gabriel. “You’re not taking him,” she screamed at Tristan. “I won’t let you.”
“Megan.” Gabriel’s voice was soft. “C’mere, chère.”
Broken, she faced him. He lifted his cuffed hands and cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “Look at me, Megan. It’ll be okay. This was meant to happen a long time ago. It was inevitable.”
“I won’t let you go,” she choked out.
“You must.” He kissed her mouth and whispered into it. “Go with Rafe and Em. They’ll keep you safe. That’s all I care about now, you and the twins, and Alex will never let anything happen to them. I want you to live.”
Not without you. Never without you. “I love you, Gabriel, I’ve always loved you, but I was too stubborn to tell you. Please, don’t leave me.”
Tristan pulled him away. “Time to go.”
“No,” she screamed.
Gabriel glanced at the Kallan. “Take care of her, Rafe. I’m entrusting her to you.” He gave her a tender look. “Love you,” he whispered.
Then Tristan waved his hand and they vanished.
She screamed, falling to the ground. Her chest hurt, her stomach did a sickening spin. Megan wept, and then scrubbed at her face, letting the anger take over.
Standing, she glared at his parents and lifted an accusing finger. “This is my fault, but it’s your fault, too. All he ever wanted was to be normal and accepted. And you were too afraid of him, couldn’t work past your fear, to make him feel that way. You drove him into prison. All of you. I hope you rot in hell for what you’ve done to my Gabriel.”
Remy looked stricken as Celine began to sob uncontrollably. As Remy led his mate into the house, Raphael rubbed the back of his neck. “Megan, come inside.”
She told him to do something nasty in Cajun French. His eyes widened. She braced herself for the retribution. Instead, he sighed.
“We’ll work this out…”
“No, we won’t. I’m going after him.” She dusted the fertile Louisiana soil off her shaking hands. “Where is this prison in Donaldson? Take me there.”
Raphael gave her a level look. “No.”
“Fine. I’m going myself. I’ll find it.” She had no money, no resources, but hadn’t she escaped from Shadow Island? “Just stay out of my way.”
“I can’t take you there.” Raphael heaved a deep breath. “I promised Gabe I’d keep you safe.”
“But I didn’t,” Etienne ventured. “I can take you there, but it won’t do any good. We have to try something.”
“We can break him out,” Damian offered.
Raphael shook his head. “I’ve been there. No way can an ordinary Draicon get out of there. You’ll die trying. I’m Immortal, let me do it.”
“And you have a pregnant mate you need to protect.” Etienne shook his head. “I’m the eldest. I’ll do it.”
“We will,” Damian and Indigo chimed in.
“I owe him one for my beautiful gi
rls.” Alexandre’s eyes narrowed. “Rafe, you said no Draicon can break out. But Gabriel isn’t an ordinary Draicon.”
Raphael’s dark eyes widened. “Damn, you’re right. But even one Trans-Feral can’t take on the Crimson demons guarding the prison.”
“What about two?”
The men turned to look at her.
“Two Trans-Ferals would give him a fighting chance,” Raphael said slowly.
Indigo shook his head. “If only there was another Trans-Feral in existence.”
Megan’s heart raced. “Not yet. But there will be after I get into his cage.”
Damian frowned. “How can you…” His green eyes widened. “The mating lock.”
Sweat beaded her brow as she clenched her hands. “It’s the only way.”
She was still partly afraid of what Gabriel was. But every cell cried out for her mate.
Megan looked at Etienne. “Take me to him.”
His brother glanced at the sky. “Tomorrow. It’s not safe now. Tomorrow, when the sun is high, I’ll do it.”
Clad only in a pair of cut-off jeans, Gabriel sat inside the silver cage. His arms wrapped around himself, he constantly shivered.
Every time a demon neared, his Feral side took over. The constant ping-ponging of the transition was taking its toll.
Seeing a demon walk toward the cage with his dinner, Gabriel fled for the sheltered part of his cage. The “house” was private, surprisingly comfortable and spacious with room enough for him to stand upright, as if to encourage him to remain in human form. It had a wide bed, a small kitchenette with table and chairs, nightstand with a good reading lamp, a separate bathroom and shower. Even some of his precious books had been transported here.
Luxury for a prison.
Then again, considering how long he’d be here…
Suddenly a delicate scent of flowers filled his senses. Weary, he lifted his head and inhaled. Gabriel peeked outside the shelter, suppressing his Feral half by sheer will.
No one was in sight as the demon shoved in a bowl of bloody entrails inside his cage, then closed and locked the door.
The fragrance lingered. Drew closer.
Naked, Gabriel sat on the bed, his heart beating furiously. Daring to hope, afraid to think the impossible.
