Collecting herself and brushing off her knees, Gabrielle stomped to a bench and planted herself on its warm surface. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. The bright sun graced her face and, although her eyes were closed, the light still managed to break the darkness.
“HHHHAAAAAAASSSSSHHHHHH…GABRIELLE… HHHHAAAAAASSSSSHHHHH”
Gabrielle jumped. She threw her eyes open and looked around. At first glance, she saw nothing extraordinary. She brought her hands to her eyes and violently rubbed them until she could see spots.
“Hello? Is there someone there?” she called, with no response.
Gabrielle ground her jaw in frustration as she thought one of the servants was playing a trick on her. After another few moments without a response, Gabrielle brought herself back to her feet and brushed the soot from her dress. The hair on the back of her neck stood straight up. She wasn’t alone.
“GABRIELLE!”
With another whisper flickering in her ear, she spun on her heels. She turned so hard that she almost lost her balance and landed flat on her butt. As she held her arms out to steady herself, she saw it. Her secret admirer that had spied on her while she sat and composed herself.
The “it” was a “she”. The little girl was standing at the intersection of the pathway hedges, watching Gabrielle curiously. Gabrielle froze in place, trying to judge if the young girl in front of her was real or a figment of her food-deprived mind.
The girl stood like a statue. Her fair skin and light hair seemed to glow in the golden light of the day—giving her an angelic appearance. The only humanistic feature was her dirty dress that ended abruptly just above her mud-covered bare feet. Gabrielle studied the young girl that seemed to materialize in front of her.
“Arawn’s coming for you.” The little girl said, as if to no one. “He knows who you are and he means to stop you. Beware of the red eyes.”
She tried to open her mouth to speak but her vocal cords were paralyzed, as if her entire body weighed a thousand pounds.
CLICK.
Gabrielle’s eyes widened as they were drawn towards her bracelet. It was radiating heat on her wrist, as if it were an oven roaring back to life. She brought her eyes back up to where the girl stood but, to her shock, she was gone. All that was left was the fleeting glimpse of a small, bare foot escaping behind the path-hedges.
Without any forethought, Gabrielle sprinted after the phantom girl as though her life depended on it. She rounded the first turn to see only the same image of a small leg disappearing behind the next turn.
She increased her pace, feeling her heart thump in her ears and her breath beginning to stagger, yet she pushed forward. How is she so fast? How is she not out of breath?
“Wait!” Gabrielle managed to gasp as she approached the next turn. Her lungs were burning and her legs felt as if they’d been held to hot coals. Rounding the turn, she came to a sudden and painful stop as she collided with something hard enough to force her to the ground.
A barrage of damnations echoed throughout the earthen corridor as the sharp pain of the fall shot through her arms. Gabrielle rubbed her wrist and looked up to see a pair of eyes staring back down at her.
CHAPTER FIVE
As Gabrielle looked up from the earthen floor where she sat, all she could see was the sapphire sky. Forcing herself into a sitting position, she surveyed her surroundings. Gabrielle pushed her eyes past the man in front of her to see if the little girl was off in the distance, but, she was gone from sight.
“What are you doing? Why are you here?” a bewildered Hilde asked, rubbing her elbow that had taken the brunt of their collision. Gabrielle was embarrassed as she scrubbed the soot from her legs. Brenton, a boy about the same age as her, was fixing his shirt with one hand while holding Hilde around the waist with the other.
“Did you see her? Did she come past this way? I was right behind her.” Gabrielle rambled, bringing herself to her feet.
“What are you on about, Gabrielle?” Brenton chirped, clearing his throat nervously. Hilde and Brenton gazed at one another for a moment before bringing their attention back to Gabrielle. She lowered her eyes to the soil still covering her feet. She couldn’t help but feel like she’d interrupted something.
“Did you not see a little girl run through here moments before me? How did you miss her? She was young, wearing a dress that was a little dirty, she was barefoot…” she trailed away as the confused faces of the young lovers glared back at her. Hilde took a deep breath and placed her arm upon Brenton’s shoulders.
In that instant, a small rustle caught Gabrielle’s attention from the distance, along with a glimpse of fabric disappearing past the next bend. Mute frustration flooded her as she darted forward, through the gap between her friends. A gasp of shock followed her as she gained distance and pursued the apparition.
Rounding yet another corner, a flash of a pale face startled her, making her trip over her feet and stumble into the bushes. With a newly found pugnacious resolve, Gabrielle collected herself, standing and shaking the leaves from her hair. With her heart pounding in her chest, she looked around but could only see the empty path and the trees ahead.
A large winged creature flew up behind her and pushed her forward. She spun around in time to catch two blood red eyes peering back at her. Oh no! Not the bird again! Gabrielle had seen this creature in her last life in Scotland. A pair of large black wings protruded from a hunched, skeletal back. A solid black face, blurred at the edges with no distinguishable features, rushed at her, wings flapping as it gained speed.
Gabrielle turned to run and stepped into the grasp of a woman. She looked up to see two sunken pits that housed glowing red eyes glaring back at her.
She tried to back away but the woman’s long talons held tight to her as she wriggled and fought to free herself. She brought a determined leg up and pushed the creature back, putting distance between them.
Gabrielle stared in paralyzed shock at the woman that stood before her. Her appendages were knotted and twisted like that of an old tree. Their cracked and protruding ends weathered as though they’d been beaten by time and storm. Every one of the extremities reached towards Gabrielle, clawing at the air between them.
As she inched backwards, her foot became entangled and she fell on her butt. The large, winged monster that stood behind her cocked its head to the side and let out a high-pitched wail.
The woman trundled towards Gabrielle, each vine-like appendage stretching out to her. The creature’s mouth dropped open as if it meant to say something, but, no words escaped and Gabrielle screwed her eyes shut, screaming as loud as she could.
“Gabrielle, what happened? Are you hurt?” Brenton’s hands searched over her body as he looked for the cause of her shriek. Gabrielle knitted her brow and forced her terrified eyes open. Brenton’s face was paralyzed in fear, but it wasn't from the monsters. They were alone on the path.
“I... I... they...” Gabrielle broke into sobs as she couldn't think of the words to explain what happened. Brenton took her into his arms and rocked her until her sobs slowed and she brought her tear stained face up to meet his.
“I’m sorry, I fell and…um…I tripped and scared myself. I’m alright now.” Brenton helped a still shaking Gabrielle to her feel and shook out the dirt from her dress. He put his arm around her shoulder and walked with her to where Hilde waited in nervous anticipation.
“Are you sure you're all right?” Brenton questioned as they rounded the corner and made their way over to Hilde.
“I’m sure, really, I’m OK,” she replied, a tremble still noticeable in her voice.
“Gabrielle! What happened? You worried me sick with that scream!” Hilde ran the last few feet to meet them, worry covering her face.
“She’s fine Hilde. She just fell, but I think she is all right.” Brenton patted the side of Gabrielle’s arm as he reassured the three of them.
CHAPTER SIX
The frustration drained from their faces and was replac
ed by pity. Gabrielle crossed her arms in a feeble attempt to cover the bandages. Feeling the chilled metal as the bracelet touched her inner arm, Gabrielle realized she wouldn’t be seeing the girl or the monsters again today. The artifact had drifted back into slumber.
“I...I’m fine! I thought I saw something. I’m sorry that I ran into you,” Gabrielle said, fixing her disheveled hair to force the embarrassment from the air around her. “Why are you here in the first place? Should you not be tending to your chores?”
“On a day like this?” laughed Brenton, swelling his chest in his best attempt at bravado.
Hilde let a nervous laugh escape her lips, which deflated Brenton’s chest and caused his cheeks to flush.
“As I was saying, with a day like this, and with such lovely company, how can one even attempt to ponder work?” Brenton finished.
“Renée doesn’t like us spending time together,” Hilde interjected, interlocking her fingers between Brenton’s.
Brenton was not a good-looking man. His almond colored eyes sat just a little too far apart and sandy blond hair stuck out on the right side of his head as if he’d just woken up. Gabrielle wasn’t fond of his attempts at impressing Hilde, though Hilde was bewitched by him. Hilde tilted her chin up and peered into Brenton’s eyes through half lidded eyes.
“So, when we get a moment to ourselves, we try to steal away for a bit of privacy.” Hilde brought her attention back to Gabrielle. “We are simply enjoying one another’s company without the panicked hustle of the servants’ quarters.”
“I’m so, so sorry that I bothered you. I wanted to get out of the palace for a while because I couldn’t stand just sitting in the chamber for the WHOLE day.” Gabrielle took a panicked breath and, seeing the jaws of her audience agape, she continued speaking at a normal pace. “I thought I would be alone here. Far from Madame Toinette, Renée, and everyone.” With this, Gabrielle remembered stinging feel of the long talons grasping ahold of her and she shivered.
“With a morning like what you had, I cannot say that I blame you,” Brenton began, understanding her reaction to be something else. Gabrielle rocked on the balls of her feet as the situation went from panicked, to relaxed and, finally, to awkward.
“Gabrielle!” a small voice called from behind her, followed by the sound of hurried, slapping steps on the cold hard stone. The sudden sound worked her nerves and caused her to jump. Jean-Paul was standing between the triad, looking from one face to another in confusion. “I have been trying to catch up with you. I called for you but you ran. Why were you running from me?” Gabrielle looked down at the scrawny younger kid.
“Running from you? I wasn’t running from you. I didn’t even see you following me. I thought… I thought I saw some… one else.” Gabrielle shook the thought from her head.
Brenton reached out and ruffled Jean-Paul’s hair and the kid swung and batted at the air with the fervid tenacity of someone attempting to best a wasp. Brenton was Jean-Paul’s older brother, and he enjoyed any chance to taunt the boy.
“What brings you down here, little sir? Couldn’t let your precious beauty walk alone eh?” Brenton waggled his eyebrows and winked at the ladies. Jean-Paul’s face rumpled like a prune and he proceeded to swing his fist as hard as he could.
A lucky shot connected with Brenton’s stomach, making the older boy gasp in pain and hunch over. There was a moment of pride in Jean-Paul’s face as he looked at his fist, enamored that he won. The look disappeared as a growl rumbled from Brenton and he lunged forward at his little brother.
Jean-Paul grabbed the edge of Gabrielle’s skirt, using it to swing himself around to hide behind the two girls. Brenton slid behind Gabrielle and the two brothers ran around and around. Brenton grasped at the back of Jean-Paul’s collar and Jean-Paul barely avoided capture.
Brenton swore at his little brother as he held his stomach with one arm, and swatted with the other. Gabrielle found her mind wandering. Though her friends were having a good time, she couldn't get the sight of red eyes, long claws and black feathered wings out of her head.
The cat-and-mouse chase went on for a few moments as the girls threw their arms in the air to avoid getting snagged in the pursuit. Jean-Paul ducked as Brenton brought down a barrage of swings, then spun around to run in the other direction.
He stepped on the edge of Gabrielle’s dress and sent her tripping forward onto Hilde. Hilde caught Gabrielle and the two stumbled backwards. Hilde yelled at Brenton who shot an angry glare at his little brother.
“Remember, Jean-Paul, I know where your quarters are. Maybe I'll let one of the squirrels from the gardens loose in your bed while you sleep tonight,” Brenton threatened. Jean-Paul stuck out his tongue in response, but kept himself hidden behind Gabrielle. She could see out of the corner of her eye that he had both arms crossed making a timid bras d’honneur that he had no doubt learned from his brother.
“HEY!” Brenton shouted, with one boney finger outstretched at his younger sibling, as if he were tattling to their mother. The gesture was cut short by a firm tug on his arm from Hilde. A wide smirk stretched across Brenton’s face and a childish tongue peaked its way through his parted lips.
“All right children,” Hilde interrupted. “It's best if we are on our way back to the palace.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, taking a firm stance.
With the group all in agreement, they turned and made their way back to the palace. A fleeting breeze washed over Gabrielle’s face and she looked over her shoulder to where she’d been attacked.
For a moment, she thought she could see the faded features of a small face peering around the edge of a bush. Before she could get a good look, Brenton placed his arms around her and Hilde and pulled the two of them towards him.
Brenton’s tight grip on the two of them acted like an usher, preventing her from turning and keeping the group moving in the same direction. Hilde squeezed in tighter and, rather than fight to turn, Gabrielle allowed herself to be captured, traveling in the group without fuss.
Brenton, despite his size, reminded Gabrielle of Fionn. He was strong, yet gentle and she felt safe around him. She took in a deep breath and allowed her eyes to close and her mind to wander.
She thought back on her friend and protector in her previous life and, in that moment, she was happy. The group took their time, walking slow and meandering around several walkways.
Jean-Paul led the way by walking several paces ahead of the group. His youthful vigor kept him at a hurried pace and he turned back to the group to taunt them into going faster.
After a few minutes, Brenton released Gabrielle from his embrace, and brought his focus to holding Hilde. The two young lovers walked in tandem, leaning into one another as if their love was the only thing holding them up. When they reached the kitchen door Brenton stopped to make sure they were alone.
“Before we enter, I wanted to ask something of you, Gabrielle,” Benton posed. “Tonight, after sunset, there is a function in town. A small ball, if you will. Hilde is going to be meeting me there with Claudie and I think it would do you well to attend with us.” Brenton’s face slouched as he looked at the bandages that covered Gabrielle’s arms.
Gabrielle was taken aback by this request and, before she could work through the fog in her head, she found herself agreeing.
“Yes, I would love to come.” The words flowed from her mouth as if she had no power over them. She could almost see the question in the statement as it left her mouth and hung in the air like a fly hovers over rotten fruit. Brenton shot a playful smile at Hilde, hugging her with his right arm.
“I promise it will be fun, Gabrielle.” Hilde beckoned, excitement rising in her voice.
It was only a moment before the obligatory groans buzzed in Gabrielle’s ear. Jean-Paul despised when his older brother was allowed to leave the grounds and he wasn’t.
“We should go in now, before someone comes back!” Jean-Paul whispered as he held the door ajar, shooting glances between the three and
the kitchen. With fleeting kisses between the lovers, the three parted ways.
The cool, shaded kitchen was empty now and Gabrielle’s skin chilled in the still air. Noticing that her bracelet was radiating heat again, she rubbed the warm metal. Am I supposed to go to the party? Am I supposed to stay away from the party? Deciding it was warm because she’d been out in the sun, Gabrielle began the short walk back to her quarters.
Closing the door as quietly as she could, Gabrielle was saddened and excited at the same time to find herself alone in the bedchamber. She stopped to wonder if it was her that was excited to be alone, or her host’s spirit.
The old cot creaked when she put her weight on it. She sat for a moment, looking around the room for any strange creatures that could be hiding in the shadows.
Laying her head back on her pillow, Gabrielle peered up at the stones of the ceiling above her head and forced her thoughts away from monsters. With her eyes dancing back and forth between the cracks of the old masonry, she found herself lost in thoughts of her parents, Alexandra and her old life.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The door flew open, startling Gabrielle and she sat straight up, sending a jolt of pain down her healing arms. Like a tide over a breakwater, Hilde and Claudie came rushing into the chamber with looks of panic and exhaustion covering their faces.
“What are you doing?” demanded Claudie, rushing over to Gabrielle and pulling her to her feet. Hilde flung open the wardrobe and the door bounced off the stone walls as she emptied its contents onto her own bed.
“What’s happening? What’s going on?” Gabrielle demanded as Claudie turned away from her and frantically threw clothes over her shoulder.
“Do you know what time of day it is? The ball begins in moments and we have yet to even dress!” Hilde spat as she tossed her work clothes to the floor and began fumbling with her corset.
The Gabrielle Series Boxed Set Page 17
