“So you burned the bodies, then? Did anyone else see what you were doing?” The first voice spoke with both command and concern. She focused harder, trying to identify who was talking, but they were too far away from her and her mind was still a little fuzzy from the fall.
“No. I took 'em to the gardens by the barn. I told the others that the smoke was from a brush fire, so we shouldn't have any trouble there. Thompson is taking care of the mess downstairs. Is she awake?” A second voice answered with the intensity of a soldier repeating commands. Sam. It had to be Sam.
“No not yet. The herbs I gave her should start to heal her wounds. It’s fortunate that I came back when I did or things may have been….” The voice faded out as if the speaker was walking away from the door but Gabrielle knew who it was. She threw her eyelids open and pulled herself up.
“Morrigan!” she screeched as she scooted herself to the edge of her bed. The door flew open as Morrigan and Sam ran to her side.
“What? What’s wrong? What happened? Are you OK?” Morrigan inspected Gabrielle, turning her arms over and looking at the gouges on her back. Gabrielle threw her arms around Morrigan, pulling her down onto the bed next to her.
Morrigan went rigid, both arms outstretched as if Gabrielle had the plague before wrapping Gabrielle in her arms and cradling her. Gabrielle opened her eyes in time to see Sam awkwardly staring at the floor and scratching the side of his neck, but she didn’t care.
The two squeezed one another so tightly that Gabrielle almost lost the ability to draw breath. A whiff of lilac and lavender crept into her nose and she was immediately transported back to the kiss. Her body began to burn as if she was on fire and her heart quickened.
Gabrielle was unable to breathe and she pushed away from Morrigan wanting only to have room so she could get oxygen. The room began to spin and all the confusion and emotion surrounding the kiss came rushing back to her. Morrigan cocked her head to the side, a look of curiosity dancing in her eyes.
“I’m…uhh…so glad you’re awake! How are you feeling?” Sam asked as he rubbed his hands together, as if he were cold. Gabrielle cleared her throat and not knowing where to look, she dropped her eyes to her bracelet.
“I, I’m alright,” she replied as she spun the cold metal around her wrist.
“No doubt thanks to the herbs that Morrigan gave us. Thompson is acting like a new man and I haven't felt better in days…” Sam trailed off and returned his attention to scratching at a phantom itch on his neck.
Gabrielle allowed her eyes to drift up to Sam before they landed on the captivating lavender fields of Morrigan’s eyes. She wanted so to talk about everything that happened, but she kept her mouth shut out of fear of the Sluagh.
“Well, I suppose the two of you have some things to catch-up on,” Sam said as he reached out and grabbed the handle of the open door. “I'll go an' help Thompson.” He turned and left, closing the door behind him.
“I didn’t know what to do! Those things came out of nowhere and tried to kill us. I thought we were going to die. It was awful, they were awful! Those THINGS!” Gabrielle rambled incoherently. Her body was buzzing from the fight, from the fall and from being near Morrigan again. She felt alive and exhausted all at the same time.
“I heard,” Morrigan had not taken her eyes off Gabrielle since she entered the room. “When I arrived, Thompson and Sam were bringing you upstairs. Sam informed me of everything. Well, everything that he knew. Something tells me there’s more to the story.” Morrigan played with the edge of Gabrielle’s sleeve as she spoke.
“I had the two of them clean up the mess, since they already know more than they should. Your wounds were bad, but Sam tells me that you fought bravely. Quite the animal in you,” Morrigan taunted as she ruffled her hands through Gabrielle’s hair and went back to checking for injuries.
Gabrielle dropped her eyes again to the bracelet as she chewed at the corner of her lip. Morrigan kissed the top of her head and stood.
Was that a friendly kiss or something more? The thought both shocked and irritated Gabrielle. In everything that happened, how could she still be thinking about her feelings for Morrigan?
“Morrigan…” The word came out more like a question. Morrigan gave a puzzled look and sat back down on the bed next to Gabrielle.
“We need to talk about what happened… what happened with us I mean… the, you know, the kiss…” The last word was hardly above a whisper and Gabrielle’s face was so red she could feel the heat radiating throughout her body.
“Gabrielle, I…” Morrigan began before standing up again and straightening her dress.
“I'll give you some time to rest. Then, when you feel well enough, come on down and help us clean up the mess.” Morrigan turned and headed for the door. Gabrielle’s heart plummeted. The rejection wasn't even a rejection, it was a complete avoidance of the situation.
Well, at least I know how she feels. Gabrielle forced the hot tears away from her eyes and tried to focus on the situation. Arawn was still out there, planning his next move and keeping her mother prisoner.
“He has my mother,” she blurted as Morrigan reached for the door. Morrigan froze mid-step and turned to face Gabrielle.
“What?” she asked, her voice dropping an octave. She stalked back to Gabrielle and placed both hands on the younger girl’s shoulders. “No. That can't happen. He has no dominion over the liv—” It was as if the pieces fell into place as she spoke.
Tears spilled over Gabrielle’s lids and dripped onto the front of her dress. Her mother’s lifeless expression flashed before her eyes. Her bug eyes and contorted features had almost made her look as much like a demon as the monster that was torturing her.
Morrigan let out a sigh and sat next to Gabrielle on the edge of the bed; the anger in her eyes vanished, replaced by understanding.
“Tell me,” was the only thing she said and Gabrielle recited everything. The vision of her mother’s death, her inability to save her, the field, Sam, and the Sluagh.
Morrigan sat in silence as she spoke. With each breath and pause, Gabrielle looked to Morrigan whose lavender eyes held a sadness that she hadn’t seen before.
Morrigan kept her eyes locked on Gabrielle and waited for her to finish recounting the events.
“I can’t believe this!” she finally said, the anger wavering in her voice. “I wasn’t away more than a few hours.” The statement hit Gabrielle like a punch to the face.
“I don’t need you to look after me!” Gabrielle snapped, her face flushing as the anger boiled over like an unattended teapot. “I'm not some helpless child or a damsel in distress. God! I’m so tired of being spoken down to by both you and Arawn and feeling like I always need saving.” Gabrielle rose so she was looking down at Morrigan, who still sat on the bed, a look of curiosity on her face.
“I chose this journey. My mother's dead, my father’s soul is God knows where and people’s souls are in the balance. No one’s responsible for my safety but me.” Gabrielle was out of breath, her body was shaking with anger and it took everything she had to keep herself standing.
“That’s not what I meant, Gabrielle. I only meant that if I wasn't so wrapped up in myself, I could have been here for you.” Morrigan spoke plainly and calmly as if they were discussing the weather and not in the middle of what Gabrielle thought was a heated argument.
Gabrielle narrowed her eyes and found herself feeling bad for yelling at Morrigan. How is she able to always make me feel this way?
“Why are you back so soon, anyway? I thought you'd be gone for a few days at least. You didn’t have time to go to another plantation, stage a break, and bring them here already did you?” Gabrielle changed the subject in an attempt to alter the mood in the room.
“I didn’t get very far,” she began, a look of horror on her face as if she were reliving a tragedy. “As I met with another agent who was going to help me, the Home Guard attacked. Apparently there was a small group of slaves that had broken free from anoth
er plantation and they tracked them there. I managed to get away in the night and make my way back here but my partner was not so lucky.” Morrigan’s voice caught in her throat and Gabrielle recognized the look. Another life lost to the senselessness of war.
“I’m sorry Morrigan,” Gabrielle fell silent, unsure how to console the woman who was stronger than anyone else she'd ever met. “I’m sorry for shouting at you,” she finally said, keeping her eyes on the floor.
Morrigan didn’t say anything; she just stood and wrapped her arms around Gabrielle, placing her chin on top of Gabrielle’s head. “What do we do now? Arawn knows we’re here. He’s going be back at some point to try and stop us. We need to be ready for him this time.” Gabrielle whispered as she buried her head into Morrigan’s arm.
Morrigan may not feel the same way about Gabrielle as she did about her, but she was still her best friend and the only person who she trusted in this journey.
“I think we have some time before he shows himself again. Arawn is just as fearful of the Slaugh as you are and there’s a good chance he thinks you’re dead.” Morrigan ran her fingers through Gabrielle’s hair causing the hairs on her arms to stand at attention and gooseflesh to break out all over.
After a moment, the two women stepped away from each other. Gabrielle was still having a hard time bringing herself to look Morrigan in the eye, so she busied herself with fixing her dress.
“So, I think that for now we repair what was destroyed and continue on with getting these slaves to the next station while we think of what to do about Arawn. We have to be sure we're ready for him.” Morrigan’s words eased the panic in Gabrielle’s gut; she took in a deep breath and the two made their way down to the first floor.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
As Morrigan and Gabrielle walked through the house and into the open kitchen, the warm air enveloped Gabrielle and relaxed her tense muscles.
To her surprise, much of the mess and damage from the fight had been either cleaned up, or was well under way.
Thompson and Sam were working on fitting a wooden door to the entrance that led to the porch. Sam grunted as he struggled to hold the weight of the door while Thompson hammered at the nail that was to hold it in place.
The gouges in the wall had fresh paint over them and the broken pieces of furniture had been removed. There were still small bits of wood and glass littered on the kitchen floor, which had yet to be swept.
There was a pungent odor in the air that caused Gabrielle to crinkle her nose. It was the fear inducing smell of the Sluagh.
Without even realizing it, Gabrielle balled her fingers into fists and brought them up into a fighting stance. She caught a glimpse of smoke rising off in the distance through the window above the sink and a smile crept across her face.
The Sluagh were burning in the field. Morrigan placed a gentle hand on Gabrielle’s fist and she released her vise grip and dropped her hands to her sides. Once again, Gabrielle had won in a fight with Arawn and the monsters of the underworld.
Thompson and Sam finished replacing the new door and secured it to the hinges. The men no longer limped or winced in pain. It was as if the fight never happened.
“I told everyone what I told my family. Home Guard came and we had to fight 'em off. ” Thompson said as he whipped his hands across the front of his pants.
“What did your family say when they saw the mess?” Gabrielle asked, looking around at the scarce remnants of the fight that took place hours before.
“They didn't get a chance to see it,” Thompson began, rattling the doorframe. “I sent 'em out the back door to our hidden room that pops out behind the house.” Sam nodded in agreement and patted Thompson on the arm.
“The only kicker with that is now everyone's nervous about more Home Guard making their way here looking for their kin. I guess thinking that's better than knowing what actually happened.” Sam started, as Morrigan shot him a look that clearly meant, “stop speaking about the Sluagh.”
“It’s best that we avoid bringing them up.” Morrigan walked over to the door and checked its setting by jiggling the handle. “I don’t think you want to call more of them down here. I, for one, have no intention of fighting those things.”
Off in the distance, the rising smoke caught Gabrielle’s eye. The blackened tendrils danced up towards the sky and she found herself mesmerized by their seductive jig. It wasn’t until Sam cleared his throat that Gabrielle realized they were all looking at her in anticipation.
“What? Yes! We shouldn't talk about last night,” she struggled to catch up with the rest of the group’s conversation. They looked at her for a moment in silence, their curious eyes peering into her soul.
Gabrielle found herself feeling vulnerable, as if she were standing naked in front of two grown men and her only true friend in the world. The warmth of a blush spread across her face and she picked at the edge of her nails. The still air was finally broken by Thompson who coughed and drew the room’s attention.
“Well, I guess I’ll be goin’ to the gardens to help the others now that this business is done here.” With that, Thompson opened the newly hung door to the porch. He took a moment to smile and nod his head at Sam. He left the door ajar and disappeared out into the sun.
“Well, not to just all up and leave, but I think I should go check on the burn pile. Make sure everything is breakin' down properly and that no one's decided to go pokin' ‘round. Give me a shout if you ladies need anything.” Sam left as promptly as Thompson had, leaving Gabrielle and Morrigan alone in the kitchen.
“Is this it then?” Gabrielle asked, turning to Morrigan.
“Is what it?” Morrigan lowered herself into one of the remaining chairs. The beaten seat gave a groan as if it might collapse, but it held. Gabrielle followed her over to the table but remained standing as she felt like all she had done lately was sit and sleep.
Morrigan’s lavender eyes cut into Gabrielle as she stood before her and she found herself averting her eyes.
“I mean, is this going to be our lives forever? Are we going to fight battles and monsters every day? Each day and each breath pushing us closer and closer to death?” Gabrielle began to pace in frustration as she thought of spending the rest of eternity fighting and growing close to people—only to have them ripped from her.
“There has to be more to this. I like to think there's a cause, or reason, for what we do. We’re saving lost souls, isn't that enough for you?” Morrigan began, a wrinkle spreading across her forehead. “There will be an end someday and meanwhile we're living a troubled existence, but not a pointless one.” Morrigan rose from her seat as Gabrielle continued to pace across the kitchen floor.
“It isn't just the battles with Arawn that we fight though,” Gabrielle stopped to plead her case. “Each of the lives I’ve lived are filled with war and death. I’m fighting a war on two fronts and I don’t have an enemy to focus on. I feel like this adventure isn't a blessing, but a curse.” Gabrielle was getting lightheaded as her breathing quickened and she began to pace again, faster than before.
She was jarred out of her thoughts as Morrigan grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. Gabrielle took a moment to look at Morrigan. Her face was crinkled in confusion causing her cheek bones to rise and her button nose to stick out a little more than usual. Gabrielle couldn’t help but to think she was even more beautiful when she was angry.
“So, all that you've seen and the triumphs you've held, besting a god and saving souls, have been a curse? That’s not a curse, that's a purpose! I refuse to think that I’m cursed with the responsibility of others. It’s selfish thinking that way, Gabrielle!” Morrigan had a sting to her voice as she spoke, like she was a parent scolding a child for having a tantrum. Gabrielle was jarred back to the situation.
It was easy for Morrigan to feel this way when it was Gabrielle who was the focus of Arawn’s wrath.
“How would you know anything about being cursed? Have you even seen any of the creatures that Arawn sen
ds after me? Are the monsters after you? Huh?” Gabrielle could feel the anger bubbling up inside of her.
“It seems like every time they come, you're conveniently not around. Don't talk to me about fighting the good fight and having a purpose, when all I see is death and monsters. I've died twice, and almost a third time last night!” Gabrielle’s blood boiled hotter with every word she spoke.
She felt her hands clench into fists, and although she knew she should calm down, it was like she'd lost all control of her body.
“How can you say those things, Gabrielle? I've shared in many of these fights with you! The hounds…Arawn…” Morrigan snapped back at Gabrielle, a look of hurt twinkling in her eyes.
A tightening took over Gabrielle’s chest and stomach. She didn’t want to have this conversation anymore. Morrigan was refusing to understand that their circumstances were different.
Gabrielle felt a fire burning throughout every part of her being. She felt like she would burst into flames if she stayed in the room any longer.
“Leave—me—alone,” Gabrielle snarled through her teeth as she threw Morrigan’s hands aside and pushed past her. Their shoulders met and Gabrielle felt Morrigan’s torso flex under the pressure of her body.
She didn’t care about anything anymore. All she wanted to do was leave, so she made her way out of the still open doorway and into the sunlight.
She didn't bother looking back to Morrigan, there was nothing left to discuss. Part of her knew that she was wrong and Morrigan wasn't to blame for any of this. The rest of her wanted someone to feel the same pain and loneliness that she felt.
A stab of guilt hit Gabrielle in the stomach but she pushed it aside and let the anger and frustration that had made a home inside her heart replace it.
As she stepped from the porch, the sun made contact with her skin. The embers from within almost muted the hot sun as it poured over her. She was numb to the heat.
The Gabrielle Series Boxed Set Page 37
