by Amy Miles
Roseline turned around, shocked to see Nicolae leaning lazily against the school bus. “Go away Nicolae.”
He pushed off from the metal hull and approached. “So what did happen that fateful snowy afternoon?” he asked smugly. “Rumor has it that you left with a certain Gabriel Marston but no one can account for your whereabouts after you two ditched school. I happen to find that very interesting.”
Anger began to seep through her body, churning violently in her gut. “Give it a rest Nicolae. Gabriel’s alive so obviously I didn’t hurt him.”
Nicolae’s eye brow rose. “About that…” he grinned, picking a fleck of fluff from his cardigan. “Amazing how he lived through such a tragic accident. I hear the doctors are perplexed.”
Roseline stopped in her tracks. “Have you been snooping around his room?”
Smirking, Nicolae tilted his head. “Should I? Is there something I should know?”
She’d had about all she could take of his smugness. Roseline glanced behind her, noting that for the moment they were alone. She shoved him against the bus, baring her teeth at him. A flicker of fear crossed his face. “Leave Gabriel alone.”
Roseline stalked away, chest heaving with fury. “Is that a threat?” he called.
Turning, Roseline nodded. His eye twitch was the only sign that he feared her response. Nicolae was getting braver. That wasn’t a good thing.
She swung into a seat at the back of the bus and waited for Sadie to arrive. Her clomping cowboy boots caught Roseline’s attention a few minutes later and she blew out a breath of relief. Sadie threw herself into the seat, eyeing up Roseline’s pale face.
“Still avoiding him?” Sadie chucked her backpack into the seat to block a cheerleader from sitting next to them. With a huff, the girl turned and headed back up the isle.
“I just don’t know what to say to him,” Roseline admitted. That certainly wasn’t a lie! She’d barely slept since the accident. Images of Gabriel using her blood to heal had haunted her dreams. “I’ll go see him. Just not yet.”
“Rumor has it Gabe’s back at school today but I haven’t seen him,” William said, plopping into the seat next to her. “Maybe this field trip will get your mind off things. Apparently there’s a whole section of Romanian art. Won’t that be neat?”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “It’s art doofus. It’s boring!”
“No, I just meant that it’d be cool to see where Rose is from,” William amended, sneaking a glance at Roseline.
“Whatever,” Sadie muttered, pressing her nose against the window. “I’m just glad to be out of school.”
***
As Roseline inched slowly behind Sadie, she couldn’t help but compare the lifeless paintings to Gabriel’s stunning charcoal drawings in his attic. And she was the only one who knew about it. It pained her to think such talent was kept hidden from the world.
Mrs. Smithton’s voice droned on up ahead, informing her students about each artist. From the looks of her classmates, none of them cared. Sadie moved on ahead, popping her bubble gum loudly as she went. Roseline grimaced as her art teacher sent a withering glance Sadie’s direction.
A hand clasped around her forearm and before Roseline could react, she was being pulled backward. “Gabriel!” she shrieked, stumbling after him as he led her through the crowd. She watched her classmates move away, grumbling as they followed Mrs. Smithton into yet another art gallery. “Where are we going?” she asked, wincing at his painful grip.
“Just follow me.”
“Like I have any choice,” Roseline gasped, struggling to keep up with Gabriel’s fast pace. He ducked low, keeping his head just under the radar as they slipped out of the room. As soon as Roseline saw the darkened hallway she grew nervous.
How much did he remember about the accident? Would he confront her right then and there in front of the entire school? Ok maybe not the whole school, but enough people to set the rumor lines on fire once again.
“This is better,” he said, stopping in the middle of the hall. Only one resided at the far end, a name plate announcing the president of the museum’s office. “Are you ok?” he asked, noticing Roseline cradling her arm.
“I’ll be fine,” she murmured, glancing at him warily. He’d gotten stronger, but she wasn’t sure if it was of his own accord or the mingling of her blood with his. “You’ve got quite a grip.”
Gabriel winced, flexing his fingers. “Apparently.” He lowered his hands, pleading eyes latching on to hers. “Do you know what’s going on with me?”
Roseline shook her head, her hair falling in waves over her shoulder. “No. I honestly don’t.”
“But you…you saved me. I saw you.”
She dropped her gaze, feeling the blood seep away from her face. Roseline felt the warmth drain from her body, chilled by his admission. “No one will believe you.”
“I don’t care about telling anyone Rose. I just want to know what’s happening to me. How did you save me? I remember talking to you and then two bright lights…” he faded off, his brow scrunched in frustration. “I felt you pull me out of my seat and hold me. I saw the truck hit you,” he cut off, his face crumpling with despair.
Roseline remained silent. What could she say to that? Was Gabriel ready to know the truth about her? Judging by how violently his hands were shaking, Roseline didn’t think so.
Gabriel stretched out his hand, gently caressing her soft skin. “You don’t have a scratch on you.”
“I heal quickly.”
Gabriel frowned. “How? Why? Tell me something,” he pleaded forcefully.
A shadow passed by the entrance of the hall. Roseline stiffened. Two brilliant green eyes met hers for the briefest of moments before moving on. Nicolae was watching. “I can’t talk to you right now. It’s not safe.”
Gabriel blinked, looking around. “What the heck does that mean?”
“It means I’m asking you to trust me. Give me time to figure things out.”
“Is that even possible?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.
Roseline shrugged. “Perhaps. But don’t get your hopes up. You’re…different.”
Gabriel groaned, slamming his fist into the wall. Chips of concrete fluttered to the floor. Roseline watched as Gabriel pulled his hand away, watching the amazement on his face as he pulled back his uninjured hand. “You see? This is what I’m talking about. It’s not normal!”
“I know,” Roseline sighed.
“No you don’t,” Gabriel cried, shoving his hands through his tousled hair. “You have no clue.”
Roseline’s chest puffed with indignation. “I know far more than you do!”
“Fine. Then tell me what these are.” Gabriel wrenched up his sleeves and shoved his forearms into Roseline’s face.
Instead of the recognition he’d hoped for, Roseline’s brow knit. “When did you get these tattoos?”
“I didn’t,” he growled, gritting his teeth. “I woke up with them.”
Roseline leaped back, bracing against the wall. Her teeth barred automatically. Gabriel flinched, shocked by her reaction. “What is it? Do you know these symbols?”
Unable to take her eyes from the markings, Roseline slowly nodded. “It’s an ancient language, from before man existed.”
“Whoa,” Gabriel blew out a breath. “So what’s with this one?” He held his arms close together, forming the cross.
Roseline blanched. “It’s not possible.”
Gabriel dropped his sleeves. “Rose, tell me what you know.”
Roseline shook her head, trembling from head to foot. “I don’t know anything,” she insisted, struggling to tear her eyes away from his arms.
“Rose…it’s me.”
Gulping hard, Roseline looked up into his handsome face. “I honestly don’t know anything. These markings are sacred. I’ve seen them before but I can’t read them.”
“Then why are you so frightened?” he asked, ducking his head to meet her eyes.
“Because they are forbidd
en.”
Gabriel pulled her close, tucking her into his arms. He held Roseline until her trembling stopped. “Shh,” he soothed, rubbing his hand along her back. “It’s ok. We’ll figure it out.”
Roseline nodded, stepping back from his embrace. “There are books…”
“Good,” he cut her off, desperate to latch onto something hopeful. His hand gently cupped her cheek. “Can I ask something else?”
Unable to speak, Roseline bobbed her head up and down. “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
“I am,” Roseline whispered, leaning up on her toes. “But not for the reason you think.”
“No?” Gabriel questioned softly, lowering his head to meet her advance. “Why then?”
Roseline allowed him to pull her close, molding his body around hers. “Because I need you too much.”
Gabriel’s throaty chuckle sent electric shock waves down her spine. “Good.”
The instant his lips touched hers, Roseline’s legs went weak. She slumped against the wall, grateful for its solid embrace. His lips moved smoothly over hers, his tongue flickering over her lower lip. A contended exhale escaped Roseline’s lips as Gabriel’s fiery kisses trailed down her jaw line, drifting down to her throat. He paused over her artery, grinning against the fluttering of her heart just under the thin veil of skin.
“You smell amazing,” he cooed, nuzzling her neck. “Like cinnamon and vanilla.”
Roseline moaned, pressing up into him as his hands splayed across her back, dipping just under the edge of her sweater to touch bare skin. Her leg curled around his hip as she lifted up on her tip toes, fighting to get closer. Every touch felt like living fire on her skin, searing the hidden identity from her body, leaving only Roseline’s essence laid bare for Gabriel to see.
A woof whistle drew them back to reality. Roseline slowly opened her eyes, her cheeks flaming brightly as she noticed the crowd that’d formed at the hall entrance. Guys hooted and hollered, cheering Gabriel on. Oliver stood in the back, grinding his teeth as Claire dug her manicured nails into his arm.
“I guess we just confirmed the rumors,” Gabriel chuckled deeply, setting Roseline back on her feet. She straightened her top and readjusted the hem of her plaid skirt. Her skin was flushed, leaking hormones at an alarming rate.
“Can we get out of here now?”
Gabriel nodded, clearing his throat as he took her hand in his and led them through the gawking crowd. As they emerged, Gabriel leaned in close. “Oh, there’s something else I wanted to say back there.” Roseline glanced over at him, from the corner of her eye she noted a fuming Mrs. Carlson closing in quickly. “I love you.”
***
“How long is this going to take?” Gabriel groaned, pushing yet another dusty book across the table. It’d been over a month since Gabriel’s confession of love and Roseline had yet to acknowledge it. Thankfully Gabriel’s nifty forbidden tattoos were keeping them pretty busy with research. But coming across century old books on spells and myths wasn’t the easiest thing to do in secret. There were only so many antique book stores in Chicago.
“I don’t know Gabriel,” Roseline sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She’d had an ongoing headache for the past couple weeks. The changes she was seeing in Gabriel not only worried her, they down right frightened her. She’d thought of calling Fane again, but she knew he’d just insist on swooping in to save her. That was the last thing she needed. “I told you, you’re different.”
“Than what?”
Roseline shook her head, biting her tongue hard for allowing another slip. “I can’t say.”
“I think I have a right to know Rose. Obviously you’ve seen some pretty wacky stuff while in Romania.”
“Yes and those things are not meant to be known,” she cried, forgetting to keep her voice down. Heads came up from all over the school library. Roseline blushed, ducking her head. “Trust me. There are some things you really don’t want to know about Gabriel.”
“But you know,” he pressed, feeling completely left out in the cold.
“I know,” Roseline sighed, gripping his hand. “And I’m sorry. But trust me when I say that once you know, you can never go back. I don’t want that for you. You deserve a normal life.” Roseline was already beginning to wonder if that was even an option any more. How could Gabriel live a normal life when he was so obviously abnormal?
“Whatever,” Gabriel huffed, pulling his hand away.
Roseline sank back, fear gripping her heart with poisonous talons. “What’s with you today? You seem really on edge.”
“It’s nothing,” he grunted, pushing back from the table. The image of the shattered vase of orange roses lying on his art studio floor made him wince. He’d been angry; enough to destroy the only thing that made him feel closest to Roseline. But he couldn’t tell her, not yet. Gabriel couldn’t bear the thought of crushing her. He would wait until he could figure a way out. “Look, I gotta go. I’ll see you later.”
“But…” Roseline began but Gabriel had already disappeared. “Great.”
A few hours later, Roseline slid into her seat next to Sadie. “Wow, don’t you look glum. What’s up?”
“I don’t know. Gabriel’s been acting really off with me the past couple days.”
Sadie frowned. “Is it about the dance?”
Roseline shrugged. “He hasn’t even asked me.”
“Are you kidding?” Sadie cried. “It’s Saturday night and that scumbag hasn’t even asked you?
“Hey now,” Roseline laughed. “I thought you would’ve started to like him by now.”
Sadie shrugged. “A girl’s got a right to be jealous.”
“Jealous?” Roseline snorted.
“Oh don’t look at me like that Rose. I’m the one that’s lived next to the guy most of my life. I was pining over him long before you showed up.”
“Do I hear a small amount of bitterness in there somewhere?” Roseline giggled.
“Maybe,” Sadie grinned. “But I don’t hold it against you. I’m just ticked that I got stuck taking the Loser to the dance.”
Roseline reached out and took Sadie’s hand in her own. “I get that you’re bummed…but you can’t let your mom, or Nicolae, ruin your night. Besides, the dance will be the least of your worries. Just think about all of the pictures!”
“Oh, gee thanks,” Sadie grumbled, puckering her lip in a pout. “That makes me feel so much better.”
“Just trying to help,” Roseline laughed, pulling her arm back. Her smile faded as the weight of Gabriel’s clipped words fell heavily on her once again. “Maybe I should just assume Gabriel and I are going together. Isn’t that what couples do?”
“Forget that,” Sadie spat. “If he can’t ask you properly then he doesn’t deserve you.”
Roseline groaned, lowering her head onto the desk. “Why is this so complicated?”
Sadie grinned. “Welcome to high school.”
***
“You will never believe what I just heard,” William gushed, sliding up next to Sadie on Friday afternoon. “Claire Scofield is telling the whole school that she’s going with Gabriel to the dance.” Sadie stared at her brother with a look of horror on her face. “What? I thought you’d be happy to see the guy turn out to be such a jerk.”
Her gaze shifted as Roseline appeared from behind Sadie’s open locker, face pale as a ghost. “Oh no. Rose, I’m so sorry!” William cried.
Roseline’s hands trembled as she slung her pack over her shoulder. “No, it’s ok. I’m glad I finally know why he hasn’t asked me.” Her voice cracked, betraying the pain Gabriel’s betrayal had caused. None of the tortures she’d endured at the hands of Vladimir had felt this brutal.
“I was right. Scumbag!” Sadie spat, eyes narrowing with fierce anger. “Want me to egg his house tonight?”
“No,” Roseline sighed, her emotions too turbulent to think clearly. “Can you just take me home?”
“Sure.” William tried to smile but it fell flat. He
felt like the world’s biggest loser.
Roseline held her head up high as she passed by her gawking classmates. Wild whispers flew up and down the hall as she allowed William to open the door for her. The wintry wind felt wonderful on her burning skin. Her tears crystallized as they slid from her drooped eye lashes.
Sadie and William sat in silence, ill at ease, the entire way to Roseline’s house. Neither one knew what to say, feeling completely inept in this situation. What could you say to mend a shattered heart?
Tears fell endlessly from Roseline’s puffy eyes. She refused to acknowledge her weakness, fighting to build walls around her heart to stave off the tidal wave of anguish pouring out.
Two blocks from Roseline’s house, Sadie broke the silence. “Alright, I can’t take this anymore. The guy is a jerk, end of story, but I’m not going to let this ruin your only school dance here. You’re coming with me.”
“Oh no. I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Roseline hedged. She was sure to run into Gabriel, Nicolae would be there watching every move she made, and she’d be a third wheel. Three strikes, you’re out!
“Please Rose,” Sadie begged, grabbing hold of her hand. “I really need you. You can’t leave me all alone with Nicolae.”
Roseline groaned. She really did want to help Sadie. “But isn’t it weird for me not to have a date?”
“Of course you’ll have a date,” Sadie beamed. “You can go with William.”
William’s eyes bulged as he swerved around the corner. He glanced at Roseline through the rearview mirror. “Uh Sadie, don’t you think you should ask before you make assumptions like that. I could have a date, you know.”
Sadie rolled her eyes. “Please. We both know you’ve been hoping Roseline would throw Gabriel’s butt to the curb so you could go with her.”
William reached back and knuckled Sadie’s leg. “Shut up,” he hissed.
Roseline chewed on her lip. She had to admit going with William could be fun. He might even be able to cheer her up. But…she’d see Gabriel there with Claire. “Oh come on Rose, you can’t miss the last dance of your high school life!”
“I’m game if you are,” William offered, doing a poor job of hiding his excitement.
