Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1)

by Haviland, Teal

  “You’re pleased by the likeness?”

  She waited for him to respond. He couldn’t.

  The smile that had spread across his face slowly reversed, along with the hope that sprung with it. He was as disheartened as he was amazed. Shea had convinced even him.

  He studied her more carefully. From what he remembered of Gabrielle’s appearance in her human form, Shea was a dead ringer. Even her voice sounded similar. She’d be in his embrace then if she hadn’t said something that made him realize whom she was.

  Javan didn’t notice that her own smile had vanished into a scowl. She crossed her arms and threw her hip out one way, pointing the opposite side’s foot and knee the other direction.

  It was the universal stance of an annoyed woman.

  “Hello?” Shea voiced her agitation.

  Javan looked back to what he thought were Gabrielle’s piercing green eyes and was once again torn by what he’d hoped for only moments before.

  But she isn’t Gabrielle.

  And there was still work to do before he could make her see things his way so she would return to his arms. He nodded his head to Shea and moved aside so she could enter.

  “Are you happy with what I’ve done or not?” she asked curtly as she entered, turning in time to see him checking out her backside.

  Javan’s gaze traveled up her body to her eyes—eyes he could get lost in if he allowed himself to believe it really was Gabrielle for just a little while. He moved close to Shea. So close she arched her body. He took one of the dark waves of hair and wrapped it loosely around his finger, trailing its length. His hand remained where the lock ended, and he didn’t resist the desire to caress the area it rested upon. Shea closed her eyes, and Javan saw a smile part her lips. As he put his other hand on her face, she pushed into it.

  As he was about to press his lips to hers—to Gabrielle’s—he prompted her with a breathy whisper. “Open your eyes.”

  When she did, he knew she was going to allow him to do what he wanted while looking into them—believe it really was Gabrielle in his arms.

  Javan relaxed a little after being with Shea, just enough to be somewhat patient while he waited for Mara. He didn’t have to wait long. He heard her knock on the door, and Mara let herself in. He was glad she arrived later than Shea.

  He looked at Shea and smiled. He knew she wasn’t Gabrielle, but it was nice to think of her being there, anyway. It would be satisfying when she sat in his loft as casual and content as Shea was at that moment.

  Mara’s eyes fixed on Shea. “Holy shit! If I didn’t know what we were about to do, I would’ve sworn you really were Gabrielle.”

  Mara sat in her usual chair, in her usual manner. Only this time, she was turned the other way so she could continue to analyze Shea’s transformation. She spoke to Javan without turning around at all.

  “Are you happy, Javan?”

  He didn’t get a chance to answer. Shea beat him to it.

  “I think it’s safe to say he’s more than happy. You were right, Mara. He seized the moment.”

  The two of them laughed.

  Javan didn’t really mind that the two had expected this of him, but it did bother him how Mara seemed to have figured him out. He wanted to stay more of a mystery to her, knowing that the less she knew or expected would give him an advantage. As it now stood, it seemed that advantage was gone, and Mara was several steps ahead of him. That shift in power might prove to be a problem. He would have to correct his mistake some other time. He looked at his watch. They needed to leave. The minutes that had seemed to be dragging now moved at a normal pace.

  “Ladies,” Javan said and took another drink straight from the bottle. “I’m glad to have amused you, but we need to get ready for tonight. Let’s wrap up comparing notes and move on to what we need to focus on.” Javan spoke in a tone that made it clear not to test him.

  Shea was quick to take the cue from Mara as she swung her body around and stood. Shea followed her into the kitchen area. Mara was apparently ready to make him feel like he was back in control. Now that he sensed the shift with Mara, he wouldn’t let her gain any more footing. He would keep a closer eye on her from now on, which meant finding a way to spend more time together. It was something he wouldn’t have looked forward to three months ago, but now that he knew he’d underestimated her, he was far more intrigued. She was becoming desirable, instead of a convenience.

  As she looked at him, he could see confidence in her he’d never noticed before. She gave him a subtle, crooked smile that seemed to be both flirty and knowing. He found himself smiling back, enticed by the demon he didn’t know, but thought he’d figured out many years ago.

  “Okay,” he said to break himself away from unproductive thoughts. “I don’t think we need to go over the plan again, but if there’s anything either of you have a question about, now’s the time to ask. Don’t piss me off later because you hesitate. This has to be perfect and quick.” When he felt they had plenty of time to say something, he continued.

  “Cecily is already in place to start her diversion, but Gabrielle won’t be thrown off of her game for long. As soon as Gabrielle leaves Cecily, Cecily and the others are going straight to New Orleans to wait for us. I’m counting on Gabrielle being overly cautious tonight because of Halloween.”

  “You really think she’ll be taking extra precautions?” Shea asked.

  “Based on what Mara has heard, yes. But even if she goes overboard in trying to protect Lucas’s mortality, she isn’t stupid. Far from it. She has extremely sharp instincts. I don’t think she’ll be diverted for long. That’s why I am stressing there’s absolutely zero time for mistakes, or wavering, on your part.”

  Javan studied Mara and Shea, wanting to make sure he had their attention so he could drive the next point as hard as possible.

  “I know both of you have been told how powerful Gabrielle is, but I’ve seen her in action. From what I’ve been hearing, Yahuwah has granted her even more powers than she had when I was with her. She isn’t someone you want to make an enemy, so do yourselves a favor and make sure you don’t screw up. If you do and she catches us, I’ll be the least of your worries.” Javan looked at Mara directly. “You think I’m a dick when I get upset—Gabrielle makes me look like a newborn kitten when she loses her temper.”

  Mara nodded in understanding, and when he looked at Shea, she did the same.

  “Let’s go, then. We still have time, but I’d rather get there early.”

  Javan picked up his keys and grabbed a duffle bag he’d already prepared. Before he opened the door, he turned to Mara and Shea.

  “One last thing. If things do go bad tonight, it’s every man for himself. Don’t expect me to turn hero.” Neither responded. “Got it?”

  Mara was the only one to say anything. “Loud and clear—Romeo.”

  Javan smiled at her and turned to leave his loft, not knowing what the evening would hold for him or if he would be alive to return.

  If he did, he hoped to be carrying the Book of Barabbadon.

  Chapter Seventy-two

  Gabrielle ~ Dark Vision

  Gabrielle dropped Lucas off at his home after they left the costume shop. She could tell he was a little off with his affection and hoped it was only because he was disappointed she wasn’t going to join their festivities—aware that she was ignoring the nagging impression that there was more to it. She sighed and tried to push the thoughts out of her mind the way she pushed air out of her body.

  It didn’t work.

  She couldn’t help but think about what was happening to Lucas—to them. Even now, when out of the restraints of her human form, the thoughts were still there. She’d hoped at least one benefit of being away from Lucas, and in her Divine form, was that her thoughts would be less focused on their problems. But in the ear
ly stages of tonight’s watch, she was finding absolutely no reprieve from the panic she was beginning to feel about their relationship.

  She still hadn’t told Lucas about the decision he’d have to make and wondered if that’s part of why she felt distance growing. She figured that was part of it but certainly not the entire reason. The most troublesome thing to her about not telling him was not understanding what her motivation was for keeping the truth to herself. In the beginning, she didn’t know how to tell him. But since weeks had passed, she wondered if her fear of losing him was more involved. If that was the real reason, it’d be the first time she had acted so selfishly. She felt the truth in that, and shame followed on the realization’s heels. She decided she would tell Lucas as soon as she was alone with him again—whether or not the time was right.

  There will never be a right time.

  The simple act of making the decision brought relief she’d not expected. She realized what a burden the secret had been.

  I should have told him right away.

  For now, though, she had to get him through the night safely so she’d have the opportunity to tell him. In order to do that, she was going to have to concentrate on what was going on in their surroundings and stop obsessing on their relationship.

  Gabrielle spent the next part of the evening scanning Shadow World and Underworld energies flitting about in the night. Nothing in particular caught her attention. The Gentry’s activity was more than normal, but that was expected. She’d also not been surprised by the number of spirits moving in and out of the human realm or that the activity seemed to be so prominent in the Nashville area.

  The only thing she kept focusing on was a group of Qalal just over the border in Kentucky. She wasn’t too concerned about them. They seemed to be moving slowly north. But with the danger Lucas was in from their kind, she would keep a close eye on any in, or near, the city. The number of Qalal she’d originally tallied in Tennessee and its bordering states had stayed roughly the same, and she was glad for that.

  Lucas, Nonie, and Nate had been at the school Halloween party for a little less than an hour, and she knew they were planning on staying until about ten before they made their way back to the Daniels’ home. She was amazed by how realistic Nonie had made the bite marks and blood on Lucas’s neck appear, and her reaction had convinced her that she did the right thing by staying to herself. Having to look at Lucas all night with realistic signs of a Qalal attack would’ve made her more edgy.

  Lately, she found herself feeling increasingly angry at the three of them, especially Lucas. They seemed to be aloof about the dangers they knew existed for them. It was as if they thought making light of the situation would make it go away when, in fact, all it would do is make them more vulnerable. She definitely thought Lucas was slipping into denial, and there was a possibility that his denial was one of the reasons for the coolness she felt from him. If he was pushing away the reality of Shadow World and Underworld beings, it would also mean denying angels.

  At least for a few hours, she felt the three were safe enough for her to do her job without watching them constantly. It lessened her concern with them around so many other people. No Shadow Worlder would dare do anything when Lucas was around so many humans, and that meant Nonie and Nate would be safe, too. Those who lived outside of human’s perceived reality would know they would be hunted down and killed for something as brazen as attacking a human with scores of witnesses. They would be an immediate target of those with Divine blood and any who feel the need to live only in people’s imaginings.

  Gabrielle relaxed for a minute and took in the night.

  It was a chilly evening. The moon was taking its time rising, still hugging the horizon that partially framed a cloudless sky. Sporadic outbursts of laughter were carried up to her by the light breeze that accompanied the evening. They were mostly the contagious giggles of children, but occasionally, she’d pick out deeper adult tones. She’d heard someone say earlier that they wished it felt more like spring than autumn, like the last few Halloween’s had.

  She would love to know what spring felt like, imagining how the new blooms would smell and how welcome the scent would be the first time the grass was cut. The warm temperatures and breeze that brought the spring scents would feel more like summer than a mild day after the cold winter months as everyone pulled out shorts and tank-tops and made their way to the nearest park.

  It probably feels like their skin has just been released from some kind of cloth prison.

  It was only a dream. She wouldn’t be on Earth in the spring. She wouldn’t get to experience that transition, know those smells, or have those sensations in a human body. She would have enjoyed the experience though, and she let out a frustrated sigh.

  Two more months.

  Thoughts of how much she might enjoy spring were abruptly replaced with darker ones, with her … without Lucas. As the vision in her mind appeared, sadness pushed through every part of her mind and body, heart and soul. She couldn’t tell if it was because he wasn’t in her life or something worse …

  Is he dead?

  Gabrielle felt her energy shudder as the vision continued.

  Now the image was just … dark. But she knew she was in that darkness somewhere. A shadow would have been no easier for her to make out wherever she was than a human trying to pick out their idea of a ghost in a thick fog. She was alone—alone and scared. And more than a little angry. She felt something she never had, and it sent terror screaming through her body and mind.

  I’m powerless! How could that be? What could render me powerless? Why did I feel so utterly alone?

  The vision didn’t bode well for her or any of her brethren or allies, either.

  Or Lucas.

  She hoped it wasn’t a premonition at all. Just her imagination getting the better of her.

  As she was trying to clear her dark thoughts, a bright flicker of energy in the north caught her attention. The energy was Qalal. As she watched for a few more moments, her mind began to race with the realization that it was the group she’d dismissed earlier. They were no longer moving slowly north; they were moving south—with a quickness. Toward Nashville.

  Toward Lucas.

  Chapter Seventy-three

  Javan ~ The Human

  Javan made his move as soon as Cecily called. He was situated close enough to Lucas to get to him quickly, but far enough away that Gabrielle wouldn’t be alerted to their proximity.

  The anticipation that had been steadily increasing in him all day was absent now. He was so focused on his goal that he felt nothing but his limbs moving, his mind methodically working through every step of his plan. All he had to do was convince Lucas that Gabrielle’s life was in his hands and that all Lucas would have to do to save her was obtain a simple little book. After that, he would let Gabrielle go.

  He smiled wickedly at the next part—Lucas experiencing more than one type of pain before his death.

  After arriving at the school, he let Mara take the driver’s seat so she and Shea could get in position while he lured Lucas outside. Before he made his way into the gym, Javan took a look around to make sure Gabrielle was out of the area. Once he was satisfied, he swiftly covered the remaining twenty yards to the doors. He would have enjoyed the attention from the teenage girls as he passed, but he had no time tonight to delight in young human flesh.

  Once inside, Javan scanned the large rectangular room for his target. All the teens behind makeup and masks might have been a hindrance if Mara hadn’t known what Lucas and his friends were dressing up as. Javan had found quite a bit of humor in their selection.

  Javan spotted Lucas within seconds. Even if he hadn’t known what to look for, Lucas’s regular clothes, with only puncture wounds and blood for makeup, made him easy to spot. Javan made his way through the clusters of high school cliques. Even in costum
e, you could tell who hung out together, all dressed in their group’s chosen theme.

  How pathetic.

  They were so ready to follow anyone who showed an ounce of leadership. Those leaders would be just as worthless but have overblown egos and an ability to delude a more simple-minded group of people that they were worthy of being followed. He loathed them, and the thought inflated his desire to acquire the Book of Barabbadon.

  Lucas was turned toward Nonie and Nate, so he didn’t see Javan approaching. But Nate spotted him, and he must have seen something about Javan that made it known his demeanor and appearance weren’t part of any costume. Nonie noticed her brother stiffen, and her head snapped in the direction of Nate’s gaze.

  I could have fun with her.

  Lucas was quick to notice his two friends’ abrupt change and followed their eyes. When his met Javan’s, he looked like a deer transfixed by a spotlight in the deep black of night.

  Javan didn’t slow and came upon Lucas so fast that Lucas stumbled. Javan stood, staring into Lucas’s blue eyes with his own black ones. Lucas’s brows pulled together, but he seemed too stunned to speak.

  Javan studied his face as a sneer pulled at the corner of his mouth.