Inception

by Teal Haviland

  “I could never forget about you!”

  Lucas smiled as he lay down on the bed, tucking both hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling that had several brown stains from old water leaks.

  Or stains from vampires spilling their very Bloody Marys before they go out on the town for some fresh food. Lucas chuckled humorlessly, knowing the thought was silly, but it led to a more serious one.

  “Gabby,” Lucas began, loud enough for her to hear through the closed door. “What do I need to know about the Elders? What should, or shouldn’t, I do to avoid getting sucked dry or turned into a vamp myself?”

  He heard the knob turn and looked to see Gabby standing in the doorway. She leaned against the frame, her arms crossed loosely in front of her, her expression borderline morose. After standing silently for a moment, she spoke to him in a voice so faint it was barely a whisper.

  “Please … just wait on me here. You don’t have to be a hero. You don’t have to put yourself in more danger.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

  He didn’t want to upset or worry her. Even though he knew what he was doing was dangerous, he felt he had to go. Maybe it was morbid fascination drawing him here—maybe it was something else. He had a strong sense from the moment he met Gabrielle that destiny was at work with them. It could be this was all part of it. He walked to her and kissed her forehead, then bent down to level their eyes, placing his hands on her cheeks. He spoke as softly as she had.

  “Love … I promise this isn’t some lame attempt at playing the hero. It’s just something I have to do. I know you’re worried, but I’m going.” Now, his eyes pleaded with her to understand.

  She gave him a forced smile and nodded her head so slightly he may not have even known she’d moved it at all if he hadn’t had his hands on her face.

  They were back in the car and pulling away from the hotel before much more was said, and Lucas was becoming more anxious now that the time he had to prepare himself for the meeting with the Elders was running out.

  “So, do the Elders even know we’re coming?”

  Gabrielle smiled at his question. “Of course.”

  “How? I’ve been with you from the time you told me about the vision ‘til now, and I haven’t seen you call them. Do you call them on the phone, or what? I don’t know what the appropriate, The Angel of Karma wants to speak with The Elder Qalals, protocol is.”

  Gabrielle stifled her laughter and pressed her lips together to try to keep from smiling.

  “Well, I did notify them, but I didn’t do it personally. I had my second in command tell them. They’re expecting us. Both of us.” She glanced at Lucas. “If I was communicating telepathically, Lucas, you wouldn’t know. I could be speaking to you audibly and sending thoughts to one of my brethren at the same time.” She chuckled. “I’m pretty good at multitasking.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.” He smiled and shook his head as he usually did when trying to comprehend her world—a world he was finding himself more enmeshed within. He became more serious. “You know, I may be crazy for going with you to this vampire meeting, but I’m not stupid. I really do want to know how to handle myself and learn whatever you think I need to know about them.”

  “Sure,” she responded, smiling. “I was about to get to that. The drive will take about an hour. We have plenty of time.”

  “I thought they were here in London.”

  “Oxford.”

  “Why not stay there?”

  “To be honest,” Gabrielle glanced at him and took his hand, “I didn’t want it to be easy for them to find us when we’re done. They might try to get to you right away if we stay that close. It’s a long shot that they would, but I want to be as safe as possible.” She deliberated on her next words. “Since you’ll be fair game, they might find the hunt for you hard to resist even with me around. I still don’t think you comprehend the amount of danger you’re putting yourself in. Basically, for the rest of your life. This is a really bad idea.”

  She looked at Lucas, and he wondered if she did it to see if he was willing to think twice about his decision, but she would have only have seen resolve.

  “You know …” Gabrielle started. Lucas noticed a shift in her tone that captured his attention more securely. She looked alarmed. “I can’t believe I didn’t consider this possibility sooner!”

  She stared intently at the road before her, deep in thought. Lucas wanted to know what she was so taken aback by, but it was obvious she was considering something important, so he fought the urge to press.

  Several minutes crept by, and he was about to interrupt her thoughts when she abruptly pulled over to the side of the road. She turned to him with an intensity in her eyes he hadn’t seen before and looked at him as though she was going to change his mind simply by using the force of her gaze. It was the first time he had truly sensed her power, and it made him feel small. When she spoke, her voice was ominous and as distant as her mind seemed to be seconds earlier.

  “Lucas, how do we know the reason for the Qalal attack isn’t simply because they are after you and everyone else was in the wrong place at the wrong time? As I already told you, my vision didn’t show me why. If they are acting within their rights to kill a human who knows about them in order to maintain their anonymity, it does make sense.”

  “I don’t think that’s it, Gabby. I know you know more about vampires than I do, but you said they can kill only those who know. From what you described, they were going after everyone, not just me. I know I have no plans to tell my friends and family, so why were they going to that extreme? It seems to me like me knowing has nothing to do with it.”

  “Even so, it is a possibility. This adds to the reasons why you shouldn’t go in there with me.”

  He could tell she was getting frustrated that he wouldn’t be more sensible.

  “I’m going.”

  Gabby sighed heavily and jerked the car back into motion. She fixed her eyes on the road, but now she wore a deep scowl, mumbling something Lucas couldn’t make out. It was probably something he didn’t want to hear, anyway—about how foolish, or what an idiot, he was.

  He let her mumble, permitting his own thoughts to explore the possibility deeper, wondering if the trip would garner him any additional insight into his new world. It had to, on some level. He just hoped it would be enough to help him to make plans for a certain demon. He didn’t let his mind stay there long, needing to be as clear-minded as possible about the subject around Gabby.

  Especially now that I realize she has the ability to know what I’m thinking … if she wants to.

  He turned his attention back to her, smiling as he saw how her brows seemed even more pinched than just moments before. She was terribly annoyed with him.

  “You know you can’t stay mad at me forever, love.”

  When Gabby answered, her words came fast. “Oh really? And why not? Maybe I will, but I won’t get a chance to let you know I’m mad at you forever because you got yourself killed by Qalal because you won’t listen to reason!” She was looking at him more than the road, making him thankful for angel GPS. “So yes I can!”

  Lucas’s playful smirk made an inappropriate appearance, which made her glare at him. “You’re an angel, love. It’s not in your nature.”

  Gabby turned her attention back to the road and let several moments pass before she responded. She mumbled something again when she did, but this time, it was loud enough to hear. Though he couldn’t understand the words, he could tell it was Enochian because it tickled his mind more than any language he had ever heard, making him long to speak and understand the words himself. He found himself silently trying to mouth some of the words she spoke. The last two, he understood. They were in English.

  “You’re infuriating,” she said under her breath.

  Lucas chuckled. He put his hand on her leg, leaning to kiss her neck. He raised his mouth to her ear and spoke into it slow and breathy. “And you don’t play fair, speaking a language you know I won
’t understand.”

  He kissed her ear and moved his lips back to her neck, smelling her scent and wondering what it was about it that he recognized. Sometimes, he thought she smelled like a field of wildflowers after a light summer shower. Other times, she smelled of exotic spices that he was probably never going to be able to place. He wasn’t going to try now. He just wanted to enjoy smelling it, the feeling of her warm skin against his lips, and seeing the goose bumps his touch caused.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  GABRIELLE ~ ABOUT THE QALAL

  Gabrielle fought back an almost uncontrollable urge to close her eyes and let her head fall back so she could just enjoy how magnificent it felt to have him kiss her the way he was. She knew he was right; she wouldn’t be able to stay mad at him forever. But it was pathetic that she couldn’t seem to last even five minutes without turning into mush.

  “I pray you’re right this time,” she whispered. “Now, stop that before you make me wreck.”

  “I thought you had angelic car control or something,” he said, continuing to kiss her neck.

  “I do. But you’re making me feel a little too human, and it throws my instinct off.”

  “That’s a bad thing?” He was slowly making his way back to her ear, and she felt the heat rise in her body with the anticipation of how it would feel when his lips arrived there. Before he did, he stopped and playfully bit her neck, drawing a surprised shriek from her as she placed her hand where his mouth had just been.

  Lucas bent forward in his seat in a fit of amusement, his arm across his stomach like it hurt. Little noise was coming out of him, but his body heaved as if he was laughing heartily. She saw tears welling up in his eyes when he looked over at her.

  “Are you turning hysterical on me?”

  His apparent fit continued for at least a minute before he was able to speak, though still trying to catch his breath.

  “Oh … love!” He paused to take a breath, and she injected more verbal protest.

  “Talk about a mood killer!”

  “I’m sorry …” He wiped tears from his eyes. “I just got the sudden urge to practice a little.”

  “For what? Because if that is some mating ritual of yours, count me out,” she teased, letting a coy smile curve her lips.

  “No. I thought I’d practice in case they turn me,” he responded as he shot her a flirty look.

  “That’s not even funny!”

  “It is a little.”

  “Honestly!” Gabrielle said with a sigh and then took his hand and put it back on her leg as Lucas situated himself comfortably in his seat.

  “We’ve got about forty-five minutes before we get to Oxford, so let’s get back to what you need to know before we get distracted again. There’s other information you’ll need, but it can wait until later.”

  “Shoot.”

  “You have to remember, at all times, they will be just as diverse in appearance as humans, because they were once human. Some will be more attractive than others. But Qalal are the most alluring, charming, and intriguing creatures you’ll ever encounter, if they choose to be. Don’t—”

  “I would disagree with that, love,” Lucas interrupted.

  Gabrielle glanced at him and saw him looking at her more lovingly than he ever had, making her forget to breathe for a moment.

  How does he have that effect on me?

  She smiled back and continued. “Anyway, don’t let your guard down. They’re also proficient predators. They have a profound effect on humans. You will be drawn to them, Lucas. Count on it.”

  “What if I can’t stop myself?”

  “I’ll be there to stop you. Don’t worry.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s best not to look at any vampire for too long. Just good practice. Trust me.” Lucas nodded. She was glad he seemed to be taking this part seriously.

  “Anything else?”

  “Plenty. But that’s all you need to know for now. I’ll give you a crash course on the way back home. They’ll know they can’t get to you as long as I’m with you, so I’m not as concerned about tonight as my precautions would indicate. Really, it never was tonight that concerned me. But … better safe than sorry.” She shot him a bleak smile. “I think they’ll wait until you’re alone … unprotected. So, just know I’m going to be your shadow, basically, for a very long time.”

  “I think I can handle that,” he said, then whispered to himself. “My personal angel bodyguard—hot angel bodyguard.”

  Gabrielle kept her amusement to herself, not wanting him to know how good her hearing was yet. It might come in handy in the future.

  They pulled into Oxford just after two in the afternoon. Gabrielle could tell Lucas liked the look of it. She’d always been fond of it herself, especially the architecture. It was beautiful and old. So much history moved quietly, invisibly around the streets. The medieval stonemasons’ handiwork showed their skill, and the city possessed some of the most spectacular stained glass windows she’d ever seen. She could walk the streets and tour the buildings of Oxford for days and not get bored, especially if she had the camera she’d bought.

  Gabrielle turned onto another road. Lucas noticed the signs to Oxford University.

  “You’re not going to tell me that they’re professors at Oxford, are you?”

  Gabrielle smiled. “No, but they have been here since around the thirteenth century, so their home is near the University.”

  “Why’d they choose Oxford?”

  “Maybe because they could get to a more populated area at the time—London—to prey on people if they chose to and still be far enough away not to draw suspicion. Plus, there would be a large amount of wildlife to feed on without leaving carcasses where they would be easily discovered. Beyond that, I don’t know. I’ve never asked.”

  “Why not?”

  Gabrielle laughed softly. “It never mattered, and I haven’t really sat around with the Elders making small talk at afternoon tea.”

  Lucas laughed, too. “I just got the mental image of The Angel of Karma and vampires sitting on settees and armchairs around a coffee table while having a proper English tea.” Lucas absently shook his head. “Yeah … I can’t see that happening.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  JAVAN ~ THE DEVIL’S OWN SELF

  Javan lay on the couch for an undetermined amount of time—his thoughts far away. He supposed he had nothing to lose by trusting Cecily, and he didn’t have any other leads on the Book right now, anyway. He would have to deal with Mara, though. She’d already demonstrated her jealousy. Having Cecily help him would involve a lot of contact between him and the Qalal. It would take only moments for Mara to notice the attraction he had for the vampire.

  I need a shower, he thought, pushing his deliberations to another time. After allowing the hot water to soothe the aches in his body, Javan dressed and left his loft. He didn’t know where he was going, just that he needed to get out for a while.

  Although he was enjoying the time away from Mara, he wondered where she had gone for so long. They hadn’t been apart much since she’d joined him, when they met in Santiago, Chile.

  He’d been wandering the world, hunting down leads about the Book. It was after another dead end and his efforts to find a new lead when they crossed paths. At the time, Mara was using another body. She had chosen one belonging to a woman married to a powerful Chilean politician and was having quite a good time with it—sleeping with politicians and foreign dignitaries, then blackmailing them for her, or the husband’s, benefit. She probably would have insured his being elected president had she stayed. Javan chuckled quietly. The politician’s wife must have seemed quite different after Mara left her body if she’d survived the departure. A human body so thoroughly taken by a demon for such a long period of time rarely did. If she had survived, she would’ve been clueless about what had happened.

  Javan and Mara sensed their shared origins, and he told her what he was searching for. He was surprised when she told him she want
ed to join with him. Mara never told him why, but they’d looked for the Book together ever since. All he knew was as soon as he told her why he was looking for it and who he felt he was destined to become, she asked if she could assist him. He would be extremely powerful one day. Surely Mara sensed that and wanted to rule by his side.

  That place will be Gabrielle’s.

  After searching for years with no luck, Javan felt drawn to Nashville. Since seeing Gabrielle, there was no doubt why he was being pulled here. He would always want her near. She was a craving.

  Javan had been surprised to see Gabrielle’s energy coming from the other car that day. Part of that surprise was from knowing Yahuwah had allowed her to be incarnated for more than the few moments her duties might call for. But mostly, it was because he never imagined Gabrielle could be the angel Mara had run into. He could tell when Gabrielle saw him that she was also surprised. But then, sadness took over her expression; there was no delight in her eyes when she recognized him. Instead, he saw confusion and pain that quickly washed away her shock. He couldn’t show her how glad he was to see her. His hatred for Yahuwah, who took him from her, dominated his expression. The entire experience, and thinking about the jeopardy his love was in every moment she was in that human body, made Javan angrier at Him, reinforcing his desire for vengeance. Gabrielle was his.

  Fallen or not.

  He’d hoped, even if it was foolish, she would want to be with him if they ever crossed paths again. He hadn’t expected both of them to be in human form for their first encounter since he’d fallen. He longed to see her as she was created. She was beautiful in her human body, but she was glorious as she was meant to be—a Divine angel.

  What could have prompted Gabrielle to leave Heaven to be here—with humans? Her job? He knew things had been getting increasingly difficult for her before he fell, but what she could hope to accomplish escaped him. Javan felt a flood of anger and jealousy as he considered the next possibility.