by D. C. Gambel
“What did you do?” he shouted at Grayson before falling to his knees next to Clive. “Clive! Clive!” He shook him trying to wake him. I was almost worried that Shawn might transition to his wolf form because of his grief, but the cursed item left him weak.
Grayson’s gaze fixed on me. He still looked like his earlier perfection in his formal tux, but the joyous expression he wore at the wedding was gone now replaced by something darker. He stared at me wrapped in Sebastian’s embrace, but there was no hint of jealousy. He watched, waiting for my reaction. I lowered my hand from my mouth and made a step towards him, but Sebastian’s grip on me tightened. I looked into his face. His eyes remained glued on Grayson, but I saw concern in them. He had just seen the same thing I had and was worried for my safety, but I knew I was safe with Grayson. I placed my hand on Sebastian’s shoulder causing his gaze to shift to me. I gave him a tight lipped smile. Soon I felt his grip release.
I moved slowly towards Grayson. My legs were a bit unsteady. When I stood a foot in front of him, the burden of what he had just done seemed to become unbearable and he fell to his knees. I rushed to close the distance and wrapped my arms around him as he laid his head against my stomach. I held him as he cried for the life he took. I cried for him and for Shawn, who cried for the love he lost.
I never looked back to see if Sebastian was there, I could feel him watching us.
It took some time, but I was eventually able to get Grayson into the shower and into bed, although I had to join him in both. I washed him as I had after his kidnapping then held him while he struggled with sleep. The whole time he kept himself wrapped around me like I was his anchor. After Grayson was asleep, I went to tend to Shawn. Sebastian had already called for a cleanup and when I returned, they had arrived. I had to pull Shawn back so they could take Clive. I held Shawn until they left. Once they were gone, he was inconsolable and refused to stay. Not that I could blame him. I couldn’t even stay in my apartment when I thought Grayson was dead because of the memories and he hadn’t died there. I tried my best to convince him to stay. He needed people around him, but he said that there was nothing keeping him from his apartment anymore. I wanted to go with him, to be there for him the way he had been for me, but I couldn’t leave Grayson and Shawn refused to stay. Without even grabbing his stuff, he left in a hurry. I became worried that I might never see him again. The man I loved killed the man Shawn loved. I didn’t know how we could get past that, but I would try anything short of losing Grayson.
I stood there, in my now quiet and empty living room. I looked for the mess that had been there earlier, but not only had the crew taken Clive, they had also cleaned up any remembrance of the “incident.” My eyes searched around the room looking for the one person I expected to still be there, but saw no one. I knew Sebastian was still there somewhere. I relaxed and allowed the bond between us to take over. Pulling me along until I discovered him out on the balcony where I had found Grayson so many times over the past few months. It was where he went when he was feeling troubled.
I slid open the glass door stepping out onto the balcony with Sebastian before closing the door behind me.
“Is everything taken care of?” he asked looking over the city.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“How’s Grayson doing?” He kept his eyes forward almost as if he refused to look at me.
“He’s asleep now. I had to give him something to help.”
He nodded. “And Shawn?”
“He left. I tried to stop him, but…”
“But he just watched someone he loved be killed here.”
“Yeah.”
We stood there quiet for a few moments as the city buzzed around us. I was going over what the correct way was for saying thank you for saving my life, again, but just saying the words didn’t seem to be enough to show how grateful I truly was. If he had not shown up when he had, I could have been the one dead, instead on Clive. “Sebastian, I…” Sebastian spun so quickly he was a blur. His hand cradled my head then claimed my lips with his before I could utter another word. It all happened in one swift, but smooth movement. The tie between us that I had cracked to find him, slammed wide open. Everything I constantly fought when I was near him hit me like a hammer. He pressed his tongue against my lips and I opened them welcoming him. I moved mine against his in a dance that seemed natural. I moaned enjoying the feel of him, the taste of him. My fingers threaded into his hair pulling him closer. We moved together like magnets. If I tilted my head one way, he tilted his the other, matching one another with precision.
All too soon, Sebastian broke away. Both of our breathing was heavy and ragged. His hands cupped either side of me head holding me so gently. His emerald eyes flicked back and forth between my blue ones like he was searching them for something. Then, moving in so slowly and giving me all the time in the world to stop him, he placed a delicate kiss on my lips.
“I will always keep you safe. Do you understand me? No matter what the cost.” He stared at me for moment almost like he was making sure his words soaked in. It allowed me to rein in our blood tie. After a few seconds, I smiled softly then nodded. He smirked then kissed me again. Without the blood tie raining down, there was no fire or electricity between us, but I kissed him back just the same. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my body against his. I allowed myself to have this moment with him knowing that I would never have it again. Our kisses were effortless. I kissed him with every feeling I felt for him, but denied, every emotion I refused to share. When his tongue asked for permission I granted it, moving mine against his in a comfortable rhythm. This time I was the one that broke away. Sebastian sighed and I knew he wished it was longer, and if I was being completely honest with myself, so did I. I cupped his face between my palms and placed one final kiss on his lips. I felt a single tear steam down my cheek before I pulled away. Sebastian smiled softly, but it didn’t reach his eyes then he wiped away my tear.
“I love you, Gabriella Carmichael, until my dying breath.” He turned to leave. I almost let him go when Clive’s words came ringing in my head
“Sebastian?” He looked at me over his shoulder. I hesitated. “What was it that Clive was talking about? What’s this prophecy that I triggered and how did I trigger it?”
He looked at me dumbfounded. “He never told you?” he spoke with disbelief ringing in his voice.
“Who?”
“Damien!” he sounded agitated. When he turned his gaze to me, it softened. His agitation was with Damien, not me. “As far as The Prophecy goes, you’ll have to ask Damien,” He spoke his name with a hint on annoyance, “the specifics, but it’s my understanding that it talks about the end of the world as we know it”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “And how did I trigger it?”
Sebastian sighed heavily. The words seemed hard for him to say, almost as if they pained him. “You triggered it,” he swallowed hard, “because you’re pregnant.”
EPILOGUE
Ava stood outside Gabriella’s apartment. She had hoped the hunter would handle the situation for her, but seeing Damien’s cleanup crew leave the building carrying a large box, let her know that he hadn’t. What a shame. It meant more plotting. Ava was an immortal after all. She had all the time in the world for her vengeance.
She had tried many ways to get back at Gabriella for killing Anton. Tipping off Damien’s enemies hadn’t worked, even after she had gone through all the trouble of finding them a witch.
When they had kidnapped Gabriella’s former human lover, she thought for sure her thirst for revenge would be quenched. But then they hadn’t been able to find away to kill him. Although, the torture she was told that had been inflicted on him, was enough to temporarily satisfy her.
Ava thought about the angel she had seen Gabriella with. She knew they had feelings for one another. Ava had even sunk low enough to try and seduce him, but the spell Gabriella had him under was strong. She stood there watching him lean against the balcony hig
h above. With all the people still moving around about her, she didn’t worry that he would spot her.
When the doors to the apartment building opened up again, Ava saw a werewolf appear. This was her game now.
“Wolf,” she called out to the dark skinned boy with black hair. He looked like he had just gone a round or two with someone who knew what they were doing, judging by the bruises that were already beginning to heal on his face. His gaze shifted over her, but he continued on his way. Ava, not being one to take no for an answer, raced in front of him. “It was your lover, yes, that was killed tonight?” She spoke bluntly.
“What’s it to you?” he sniffled, obviously upset.
“Your lover did not deserve what happened to him. It seems that all those that are around Gabriella lose someone, while she keeps herself busy with the attentions of two men. I no longer have one because of her and neither do you. Tell me, how is this fair?”
“Gaby’s my best friend.”
“Yet, did she stop your lover from being killed?”
“No,” the wolf mumbled.
“She could have though. She could have stepped in, but she did not because your happiness is not as important as hers. No one’s is. Would you rather grieve or honor the man you loved?”
“I would never do anything to hurt, Gaby. I love her.”
Great, Ava thought, another man lost in entwinement with Gabriella. “What about the man who killed him?” Ava was grasping at straws here. She didn’t know who had actually killed the hunter, but she needed more help to take down Gabriella.
“Grayson,” the wolf hissed.
Grayson? Ava was stunned. She didn’t think he had it in him. It hadn’t been long since he was turned. She thought surely it had been Sebastian. He looked the warrior part.
“He killed him, there were other choices, but he took the easiest route, not caring that it hurt you. Do not take your revenge on Gabriella for not stopping it. You are right. It was not her fault. The blame belongs on Grayson. Let me help you get even with him. Let me help you show him that what he did was wrong. Make him pay for the choice he made.”
Ava waited patiently hoping her words struck a nerve with the werewolf before her. He knew Gabriella best, even better than Persephone. He was the key to Ava’s plan. Let him think she was helping him, and she would, but only to help herself.
The wolf looked up at her. The decision was clear on his face.
“I’m in.”
Ava couldn’t help, but grin.
The End of The Edge of Forever – Blood Ties
Gabriella’s story will conclude in The Edge of Forever – The Prophecy
About The Author
D.C. Gambel is an independent author, army wife, and new mom. She an avid reader with a preference for romance novels.
D.C. Gambel in the process of writing two series. Clouded, which will be made up of two books, Clouded Innocence & Clouded Corruption. Along with The Edge of Forever Series which will, as of now, be made up of Fate, Blood Ties, The Return & The Prophecy.
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