Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1)

by Haviland, Teal

  Javan never understood what made humans so special, so unique, so loved.

  Angels, on the other hand, don’t get a second chance. Once we’re out … we’re forever out. The Gates of Heaven are slammed on us for all eternity—no redemption, no absolution, no mercy.

  To Javan, humans were utterly useless. It was one of the things that agitated him most about Gabrielle and Lucas. It would bother him to see her with anyone other than himself, but her attraction to someone he considered so worthless made it much worse. What could she possibly get out of being with him?

  He should have waited until he actually found the Book before he had confronted Yahuwah, but he’d let his temper get the best of him. At least now, it seemed as though he may get his chance at vengeance, but even without the bonus of revenge, Javan would have gone after it just as vigorously. His desire for power pushed everything else out of his mind—and heart—except for one thing. Gabrielle.

  Once she’s released from her duty to Yahuwah, she’ll see things my way. She’ll be mine again.

  Surely, she’d see how she’d been used and manipulated to do His bidding without any real reward for her loyalty. What did His favor really amount to, anyway? What did she gain from it?

  When I take power, I’ll give Gabrielle anything she desires. There will be no limit to what I’ll bestow on her. How could Yahuwah’s favor compare to what I will offer her?

  All he wanted was for her to love him as she once had, as he knew she still did, but was unable to let herself feel out of fear.

  That’s all it will take for Gabrielle to be in my arms again … freedom.

  Javan smiled at his epiphany, confident that the answer was the Book and the power it would give him. He would be patient with Gabrielle until she could see that she could love him freely again—once Yahuwah and His rules were out of the way. He had to get the Book. Then he could make everything right with Gabrielle—the world would belong to them to enjoy however they wanted.

  First things first. I have to get Lucas to New Orleans.

  Lucas was the key to what he needed most. The best way he could see to get Lucas to help willingly was to make him believe Gabrielle’s life was at stake, that the only way he could save her was if he did something for him.

  It would be easy to convince Lucas he had her. The difficulty in making his plan work, as he’d already expressed to Mara and Cecily, would be getting to Lucas when Gabrielle was away from him long enough. Then he had to get Lucas to New Orleans before Gabrielle came to find him. As soon as she knew there was trouble, she’d locate Lucas eventually, no matter where he took him. The veiling abilities he’d use wouldn’t be much of a match for her locating skills, especially since he didn’t have the power to sustain it as long as he once could. If things played out as he hoped, it would be enough.

  The Gentry might be able to help him with that, as well. He had been hearing rumors about some of the Gentry having powers they’d never possessed before—powers that could add to a demon’s and could be bought for the right price.

  If there is power to be had … I will have it.

  The only other thing he wanted to accomplish, once he had the Book in his possession, was to kill Lucas.

  Javan poured a drink and then fell comfortably into the soft leather couch and closed his eyes. He wondered if he should be so relaxed while having so much left to do. Somehow, he felt everything would work out just as he wanted. The Book would be his. Soon.

  “And with it, everything and everyone I want will also be mine.”

  He wondered how long it would take for Gabrielle to come around and see things as he did. After all, they spent so many centuries together; they had to be more alike than she knew. There had to be times she disagreed with, or doubted, Yahuwah.

  At least more than she’s willing to admit.

  How could she not when she saw, first-hand, how much more gracious and forgiving He was to humans every time she did her job?

  Javan let his mind wander into daydreams of Gabrielle, of the two of them together again like the day they stole away to the beach. Without noticing, he fell asleep. A smile was still curving the corners of his mouth. It was a smile more honest than any he’d had in over a hundred years, but he would never know that it had even been there. He would never know how much he missed the way it felt to smile the way he once was able to.

  When he was still in Heaven. When he was still with Gabrielle.

  Chapter Sixty-three

  Gabrielle ~ Safety in Numbers

  “Gabby,” Lucas said as he closed his front door, “they have a right to know what you saw. They’re involved whether we want them to be or not. I’d want to know I was likely to be attacked if it were me. Especially by something I don’t even believe exists. What do you think will happen if a bunch of vampires attack them? They’ll think what’s coming after them only lives in fantasies—books and movies. They’ll die.”

  Lucas was right; she knew he was, but she still had to talk to Ben and Lizzie first. She wasn’t positive their parents knew the full extent of what was going on or whom she truly was.

  “Lucas, I agree with what you’re saying. But we have to consider what they can handle. What they should know is up to their parents, not us.”

  She could tell her argument wasn’t working as he sat at the opposite end of the couch, staring stubbornly at each other, both firmly rooted in their side of the argument. Gabrielle was relieved when she heard Emma pull into the driveway. They heard her car door close, then the sound of her shoes meeting the wood porch steps. She was opening the door and stepping into the house before Gabrielle and Lucas broke their gaze.

  “Hey, you two.” Emma sat her things on the dining room table and turned to face them. A smile stretched from ear to ear. It melted away as soon as she took a good look at them, grasping there was something wrong by their lack of expressions. She briskly walked over and sat across from them.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, her face contorting from the fear welling up in her.

  Gabrielle looked at Lucas. “Do you want to tell her or do you want me to?”

  “They’re my friends. I’ll tell her.” He turned his attention to Emma and proceeded to tell her everything so fast that Gabrielle didn’t know if Emma could even understand what he was saying. When he finished, Emma’s expression showed she’d understood every word.

  “I’m so sorry, Lucas. We didn’t … I didn’t know anyone could hear us talking. I should’ve been more careful. I was just so worried, and I had to talk to someone. Ben and Lizzie are the only people I can safely confide in.”

  “Emma, how much do they know, exactly?” Gabrielle asked.

  “Everything. They already know what I am—or was. They know who you are, Gabrielle, but not until a couple of days ago. I would never have told them if all this hadn’t happened. After you two left Sunday night, I couldn’t sleep. And after spending the day making myself crazy, they asked me over to dinner. As soon as the kids left us, it all just poured out of me. I told them everything you told me. And this morning, I needed to talk to them again. After what you told me last night, I was so frightened. I wanted to ask Ben to bring home about a hundred gallons of holy water.” She laughed nervously.

  “How’d they handle it, Gran? What’d they say?”

  “They were silent for a little bit. I know I can trust them, but I’m not positive they’ve completely believed me all these years. Until two days ago, we never spoke about my origins again. They seemed really concerned, of course. I think they were a bit stunned and needed to let it all sink in. It’s one thing to believe I was an angel and that Gabrielle is one, but now, they have to wrap their minds around the reality of vampires existing on top of everything else. Considering Ben’s profession, the angel thing isn’t hard for him to believe, but there isn’t much that can prepare someone fo
r the other.”

  “Tell me about it,” Lucas said with an exasperated sigh.

  Gabrielle felt awful about the situation Emma and Lucas were in. If she’d stayed away, maybe this wouldn’t be happening. But if she wasn’t involved, Javan could have still found out about Lucas, only she wouldn’t be around to protect him. She had to believe it was better that she came into their lives, and she was sure it was what Yahuwah had intended.

  “So,” Gabrielle said, “now that Nonie and Nate know something is going on, the question is, how much do we tell them?”

  Emma looked back and forth between Gabrielle and Lucas. “I agree with Lucas; they should know everything. If your premonition becomes reality, they’ll be in mortal danger.”

  Lucas looked pleased and relieved.

  “But,” she continued, holding a finger up to Lucas, “I also agree with Gabrielle. This is a decision for Ben and Lizzie. They are their kids, Lucas. They have more right to decide than any of us. Including you.”

  Lucas sighed heavy and slow, closing his eyes as he slumped back into the couch in partial defeat. “When can we talk to them?” he asked in a flat tone.

  Emma picked up her cell phone. “I’ll call them right now.”

  It was just before five when Ben and Lizzie walked through the door, without knocking, just as Lucas had done at their house. The two families’ comfort with each other was nice, and Gabrielle hoped nothing would happen to change their bond.

  They told Emma when she called that they’d talked all day and wanted to know how much their kids were involved in the premonition. Gabrielle hadn’t gone into too much detail with Emma before leaving for London, only telling her what she had to in order to save time.

  Everyone made themselves comfortable. Or tried to. Gabrielle and Lucas sat at one end of the couch with Emma on the other end, and Ben and Lizzie each took one of the chairs opposite them.

  Emma, Ben, and Lizzie all tried to talk at the same time, leading to uneasy laughter.

  “So … Ben, Lizzie,” Gabrielle said, deciding to take control. “I’m sure there are some things you’d like to ask me. Please, don’t hesitate to bring up anything. Emma assures me that you both can be trusted.” She smiled, hoping to ease the tension a little.

  Ben and Lizzie looked at each other. Lizzie nodded to her husband to speak for both of them. He looked at his friends, then at Gabrielle and smiled.

  “Well, Gabrielle … I’m sure you can understand that this, even considering the work I do, is a lot to comprehend. If it wasn’t for our strong faith, we might think you were all crazy. If it weren’t for how much we respect and trust Emma and know she’s sane, it would be more difficult. We know Lucas wants to tell Nonie and Nate, and we know that they already overheard some things. I guess what we need to find out is exactly what you saw in your vision.”

  “It was fast, but there was an attack on Lucas by several vampires. It was during winter—heavy snow was falling. The only other thing I have to go on for a timeline is that everyone looked about the same as they do now.” She paused before answering what they were really asking. “And, yes. Nonie and Nate were there during the attack.”

  Concern filled Ben’s eyes as he went to Lizzie’s side, who was trying to stifle tears. He knelt by his wife, taking the hand that wasn’t covering her mouth to give her comfort.

  “I didn’t see Nonie and Nate being attacked. The focus of the Qalal was definitely on Lucas, but because it was just a quick snippet, I have no way of knowing everything that happened.”

  There was a brief silence, and then Lizzie spoke.

  “Gabrielle,” she began through nothing more than a desperate whisper, “what can we do?”

  “There are only a few precautions that can be taken.”

  “Will you tell us what to do?” Ben asked with a look in his eyes that mimicked Lizzie’s. “I mean, to help protect everyone. Not just us. We would be devastated if anything happened to Lucas or Emma.”

  “Considering what’s going on,” Lucas began, “I think everyone involved needs to know everything.”

  “I agree with Lucas,” Gabrielle said. “I only felt we should leave the decision up to you. There is something to be said for safety in numbers, especially educated numbers. If everyone knows what to do, what to watch out for, and what not to do, at least no one will be caught off-guard.”

  “Even Chloe?” Lizzie asked.

  “That’s your call. But think about what it would do to her if she knew nothing and the attack happened in her presence. I don’t think she needs to know specifics, but I believe she should be prepared to some extent. Even if she says something to someone about angels and demons, or even vampires, they’ll likely chalk it up to an active imagination. You’ll need to handle Chloe differently than Nonie and Nate, for obvious reasons.”

  Ben walked slowly and somewhat dazed to the front window and parted the blinds to look toward his home—where his children were. “Is this really happening?” he asked but didn’t turn around.

  “Yes,” Gabrielle responded to him. “It is, Ben.”

  “Well, then … I have a lot of questions, some simply out of curiosity, as you might imagine.” He turned and smiled warmly at Gabrielle. “But I guess we better get the kids. Nonie and Nate, I mean. We’ll decide what to tell Chloe later. Maybe you could sit with her for a little while at our house, Emma? So Lizzie, the kids, and I can hear everything, all at once. That’ll keep Gabrielle from repeating herself.”

  “I’ll send Nonie and Nate right over.” Emma kissed Lizzie on her head as she walked past, pausing when she reached Ben. She placed her hand in his. “Take all the time you need. Chloe and I will be having a big time.”

  Chapter Sixty-four

  Gabrielle ~ Seeing is Believing

  Nonie and Nate came over right away. Gabrielle laughed to herself, thinking about the two of them wondering what was going on across the street. They had probably been driving each other crazy with questions and ideas about what all the fuss was about. Angels, demons, and vampires were not likely in the forefront of their imaginings. It wasn’t amusement behind the laughter, though. It was disbelief at how things were getting so out of control.

  I’m really messing things up.

  She hoped they wouldn’t completely flip out. It would be hard not to believe what they were about to hear, though. When your parents are as solid as theirs, and knowing Emma and Lucas weren’t imbeciles, how could they not believe them? Even if they bucked it at first, they’d have to come to terms with it. Soon. There wasn’t time to let doubt take over. They needed to take it seriously.

  Nonie and Nate squeezed on the couch with Gabrielle and Lucas, looking at everyone with matching quizzical expressions. Nate had more reservation in his eyes, though.

  “Kids,” Ben started, “we understand you have some questions and concerns because of some things Nate overheard.”

  Both nodded.

  “There are some things Gabrielle and Lucas have to tell you that Emma, your mom, and I am already aware of. I want to let you know that what you’re about to hear might be more than a little unbelievable, but I promise both of you that it’s real, and you need to listen with an open mind.”

  Nonie and Nate’s expressions changed to concern, and both looked quickly between Lucas and Gabrielle.

  “Ooh!” Nonie said, her expression perking up. “Is Gabrielle royalty? Is that why you went to London?”

  Gabrielle smiled at them, shaking her head, then looked to Lucas to see if he wanted her to begin. She took his nervous gaze as her answer.

  “I’ll just come right out with it and spare you the long story. I’m an angel, and Emma was one, as well, until she fell in love with Lucas’s grandfather and chose to live as a human.” She waited for that information to sink in, studying the reaction from each of them.

&
nbsp; Nate looked to his dad for confirmation, which he got with Ben’s nod. He raised his eyebrows and looked back to Gabrielle, then Lucas, then back to Gabrielle again. Nonie just squinted at Gabrielle.

  “So, what?” Nate asked. “Are you the Angel of Death or something? Cause, whatever you are has Emma pretty freaked out.” He looked back at his dad. “Really?” he asked in a ‘you’ve got to be kidding me, right?’ kind of way.

  Ben nodded again. “Really, Nate.”

  Angel of Death—The Reaper. The situation Lucas was in made her feel a little closer to the description than she ever wanted to be, making her even more annoyed at the comparison. Gabrielle glanced at Nonie and was sure she hadn’t blinked.

  “Angel of Death?” Nate repeated in an agitated, questioning tone.

  “There’s more to it than that, Nate,” Lucas said, his tone defensive. “She’s not the Angel of Death. She’s not the enemy.”

  Lucas’s glare and tone was more aggressive than the situation called for.

  Why?

  “It’s okay, Lucas. This is a lot to take in.”

  “Then he’ll really have a hard time with the next part,” Lucas said under his breath and seemed to calm.

  Nonie finally blinked and looked at Lucas, mentally rejoining the group. “You mean the rest is going to be more ludicrous?” she asked with raised brows.

  “Yes,” Lucas said. “And also completely true.” He looked back at Gabrielle.

  Gabrielle couldn’t sit any longer as the tension in the room thickened and eyes seemed to bore into her. She stood and slowly paced as she continued.

  “Again, I’m not going to waste time in trying to prep you. I don’t know how I could.” She stopped pacing and faced the twins. “I had a premonition that Lucas was going to be attacked by Qalal, what humans call vampires, and that’s why we went away. We went to see the Qalal Elders outside of London.”