"It looked like you needed it," Gabriel said. "Besides, it gave me time to think a few things over."
Things had gotten so far skewed for her and Gabriel that Mira was a little worried about his train of thought.
"Have you considered leaving town?" Gabriel asked.
Mira's train completely derailed. "No."
He must have seen something in her face, because he rushed on. "Just until this mess has been sorted out. I don't want you to go—"
"Good," Mira said. "Because I'm not."
"You'd be safe," Gabriel said.
"Karma isn't going to take a vacation just because I do."
"Someone could go with you," Gabriel said. "I'm sure Reinfield's men go where the job takes them."
"Great, so I can travel a hundred miles away, where I know no one, and have a stranger standing at the foot of my bed while I sleep. No thanks."
"I'll talk with Emmit. I didn't know that was going on."
"So far it hasn't mattered what I've said, Emmit won't budge on it."
"Does he think someone is going to sneak up to his floor, break in, and then, what, walk through walls to avoid the guard at the door?"
"I've tried that," Mira said. "He reminded me that there are supernaturals that wouldn’t be slowed down by walls."
That seemed to give Gabriel pause. "There are?"
"Yeah. In fact, I think one of the victims might have been able to do that."
"Who?"
"Karen Green, the banshee. I can't say for sure—it's only a rumor."
"I thought you all don't share rumors."
"Not anymore," Mira said. "We've learned a few lessons from the past. Still, witches pass grimoires down through the generations. They aren't all nice safe spells."
"I still don't think it's right for you to have to have Reinfield’s men in your room," Gabriel said. "I'll talk to Emmit."
"I wish you better luck than I've had."
A waitress approached. While Gabriel chatted with the woman Mira scanned the menu, before they ordered.
"He could be trying to overcompensate," Gabriel said when the waitress was out of hearing range.
"What?" Mira said, feeling like she'd missed something.
"Emmit. He could be trying to overcompensate for... you know."
"You mean trying to get me killed?"
"That wasn't intentional."
Mira raised her eyebrows. "You're on his side now?"
"God, no," Gabriel said. "I just meant, maybe the guards are his way of apologizing."
"It's possible," Mira said, not liking the new direction of conversation.
"Maybe he thinks you and he could—"
"There's not," Mira said. "He lost any chance of that when he told you I was already dead."
"Does he know that?"
"Yes." Mira twisted in her seat, wishing she could change the subject. "He's the one that said it, although I agreed with him."
Gabriel nodded and looked like he was trying to hide the fact that he was pleased.
"Can we change the subject?" Mira asked, trying not to sound like she was pleading.
"No.”
Mira's mouth almost dropped open by the simple answer.
"Sorry," Gabriel said, quickly. "What I meant is, there's a reason why I wanted to know."
That sounded more promising to Mira, but she only nodded.
"I want to use you."
"What?" Mira was louder than intended.
"Shit, that came out wrong."
Mira put her elbows on the table and began to rub her temples with both hands.
"I want to use you against Emmit."
She sighed. "Do you think that sounds better?"
"Not really. Look, Emmit knows more about the Ether and this whole mess, but he won't tell me anything."
"And you want me to, what, seduce the answers out of him?"
"No. Don't even joke about that. I just want you to ask him the questions—with me there, of course. You may not get any further than I did, but I'd like us to try. If you don't mind, that is."
"We can do that," Mira said. "But can it be tomorrow?"
Gabriel smiled. "Of course. You look beat and I'm not far behind you. If I had known how bad you had been hurt in the Ether, I never would have dragged you out today."
"I was getting out of there today one way or the other," Mira said with a sleepy smile.
When the food arrived, Mira perked up a little. Food slowed down their conversation but didn't stop it.
"If you want to take it easy tomorrow, Ian and I can do the interviews on our own," Gabriel offered.
"I think you'll have better luck with me there." Mira's gaze went to her purse, where she had stowed the book. "Even if I'm standing in the corner."
"I'm sorry the witches are treating you this way," Gabriel said. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?"
"If I find something, I'll let you know," Mira said.
"Are you going to read that whole book tonight?" Gabriel asked.
"I'm not even sure what it is," Mira said. "Not really, anyway."
She pushed her plate away before taking the book out of its bag. The cover was blue cloth, and there was no title on the cover or spine. Inside was a title page, with Shunned, Banished, and Bound written in type slightly larger than International Realignment for the Twentieth Century.
"It looks old," Gabriel said.
"It sounds like it was written over a hundred years ago," Mira said.
Flipping through the pages, she found a flower pressed between two pages. The page showed the beginning of a new chapter entitled Trial Preparation for Banishment.
The book snapped shut, and Mira dropped it on the table before slumping back in her seat. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Am I allowed to read it?" Gabriel asked.
"I'm not sure there's any more trouble I could get into at this point."
Gabriel picked up the book and flipped through it, pausing here and there to scan a page. He, too, stopped at the flower.
"Does this represent anything?" Gabriel asked.
"Probably a bookmark left behind by the last poor witch who found need of the protocols." She added as much scorn as she could into the word, but felt that it still fell short.
"So it's not magical in any way?"
"Not by itself."
He scanned a few more pages before handing the book back. "There has to be a reason for all this."
Mira dropped the book back into the paper bag and shoved it in her purse. "I'm sure I've given them enough reasons over the years."
"Is there anything positive about this? The process, the results, the aftermath—does any of it have an upside?"
"I don't see how, but I guess I'll find out," Mira said. "Sorry to put a crimp in your day. I know you wanted to get more done."
"The earthquake would have stopped our interviews anyway."
"Do you think that the earthquakes are being caused by what's happening on the other side?" Mira asked.
"That world seems to be the reflection," Gabriel said. "But who knows really?"
The screech of the monster in the city of the Ether was vivid in Mira's mind. Each time, it had been accompanied by an earthquake. Was it crying because of the earthquake, or was the screeching causing it?
Gabriel paid for the meal, and when Mira tried to argue, he changed the subject.
"You said you and Emmit talked after you got back," Gabriel said.
It was enough to stop Mira's protests.
"Um, yeah. It seemed necessary since he had taken me in." Mira could feel her face heat up, so she led the way out of the restaurant, hoping to keep it hidden from Gabriel. Once outside, she wrapped her coat more tightly around herself.
"You said he lost any chance of being with you," Gabriel said.
Mira tried not to audibly sigh. Gabriel seemed intent on picking things apart. "I said that, yes."
"Have I?" Gabriel asked.
Mira stopped, ignoring the cold beat
ing against her. "Have you... what?" She wanted to make sure she was understanding Gabriel before she stuck her foot in her mouth. It seemed as if he'd been saying things she hadn't expected all day.
"Have I lost any chance? You said it yourself, I did the same thing he did. When I woke up, I assumed the worst and left you alone."
It wasn't possible to take those words back. "Emmit almost got me killed because of his arrogance. You just..." She didn't know how to finish that. Saying he ticked her off didn't seem like the right direction for the conversation.
They stopped at his car, but neither of them reached for the door.
"I left you alone to deal with all this,” Gabriel said. “And then there was the Ether."
"Why should the Ether be a factor?" Mira asked, trying to choose her words carefully.
"I don't really remember what happened. One moment we were there, and the next I was waking up in the hospital. I feel like I let you down."
"That's crazy. You wouldn't even have been in the Ether if not for me. The only reason anyone survived is because you were there."
"I should have called you.”
Mira agreed, but figured it probably wasn't the right thing to say. "You haven't lost your chance." She wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she didn't tell him.
Gabriel broke the moment that had been stirring between them when he opened Mira's car door. "I should get you back."
Chapter 5
Had she said something wrong? He had asked the question. The big question. She had been waiting for this type of sign from him for ages. She’d told him he still had a chance, that he hadn't blown it, and she’d received nothing in return.
Traffic moving toward the city was light. Apparently, no one was in a rush to go back into a city that had been struck, once again, by an earthquake. There was still congestion in the streets, but the chaos had been extinguished.
"Did Ian get called back in to work?" Mira asked, trying to think of some sort of small talk.
"He was still on duty," Gabriel said.
"Do you think he'll be done in time for his date with Della tonight?"
"I think it will take a lot to make him miss his date. I'm not sure an earthquake would do the trick."
"I get the feeling that Della is thinking along the same lines." Della’s anticipation of the date made Mira hopeful for the future. Della had planned on leaving work at a normal time tonight, which was a huge change for the lawyer.
"What about you?" Mira asked. "Do you have any plans for the night?"
The gaping silence after the question made Mira want to squirm in her seat, but she sat still and forced herself to not fill the silence.
"Not really." His words did nothing to fill the void left by his lack of response.
He had a date? Mira wondered if she should ask, but she didn't think she could pull off asking it in a joking, ‘we're all good friends here,’ kind of way.
"You?" he asked.
"The book."
"Oh, yeah."
"I think it'll keep me busy."
Gabriel drove into a parking structure nearby Emmit's apartment.
"You could drop me off out front if you need to be somewhere." The hint wasn't very subtle, Mira had to admit, but she was honestly curious as to what Gabriel had in mind for the night.
And why had he dropped their earlier conversation?
"I'm where I need to be," Gabriel said, not missing a beat this time.
Mira couldn't stop her lips from curling up, but she looked out the window trying to hide the fact she was happy with his response.
"Do you think the elevator is fixed?" Mira asked.
"He sent me a text earlier," Gabriel said. "If it wasn't fixed, I would have found something else for us to do."
When Gabriel turned off the car the chilled air began to slip in before the doors were even open.
Mira tugged her phone out of her purse before she got out of the car and saw that she hadn't received any messages from Emmit.
"I don't blame you," Mira said as she got out of the car. "I wasn't looking forward to them either."
"Ah, but you'd be stuck with me."
"I like being stuck with you." She wasn't too sure that she should have said it, but she was glad it was out.
"It just sucks that I have to take you back to his place."
Mira hugged her coat closer to her. It seemed that they were getting down to the real issue.
"But, it's for the best," Gabriel continued before she could say anything in her defense.
"Is it?" Mira asked, surprised by the sudden turnaround.
"Yeah. He can protect you when I can't."
"I'll be okay once I get back on my feet."
"How so?"
"I haven't done any magic since we've been back. If I put a few spells together, I can keep myself safe. At least for a while." In the back of her mind, a voice shrieked that she'd only be safe until the other witches cut her off. Although she had sworn to others that her people couldn't bind her, she wasn't exactly sure. A week ago she would have thought none of them could open a path to the Ether, either.
They waited for the light to turn green before they crossed the street. Gabriel was starting to pay close attention to the cars around them.
When the light turned green Mira stepped off the curb and took two steps before she slid on the ice. She sucked in cold air in surprise, but Gabriel caught her as though it were a matter of course. Gabriel had her halfway across the street before her heart caught up with the fact that she was no longer falling.
"Thanks," she said when they were back on the sidewalk.
"Stay with him," Gabriel said.
"What?" It came out far too shrill, but she didn't care.
"Until we know John is gone, stay in Emmit's apartment."
"What? All day you've been complaining because I'm there."
"You're still a target. All the witches are, really. But John wanted you for a reason."
"Not five minutes ago you said it sucks that I was going back to Emmit's."
"It does. But it also keeps you safe. Stay with him."
Emotions bubbled over. It looked like he was trying to tell her what to do. Even worse, he seemed to be pushing her away.
Mira yanked the door of the building open, walked rigidly across the lobby, and then jabbed the button several times. She tried not to look at Gabriel, and when she caught a glance, she wished she had tried a lot harder. He seemed miserable.
Dammit, this wasn't her fault. She chided herself for wanting to tell him it was okay.
When the door opened, she was about to relent and let Gabriel off the hook, but there was a man in the elevator. He had been her first bodyguard, and it looked like he’d drawn the short straw again. Seeing one of Reinfield's men only stoked her anger. The man held the door open, as though worried it might close before she got in.
She pummeled the button before he got the chance to push it for her.
"And you are?" Gabriel asked, eying the man up and down.
"Thomas," he said.
"Why were you waiting in the elevator, Thomas?" Gabriel asked.
Thomas nodded at Mira, who was glaring at both of them, and said nothing.
Mira's mouth turned into a cruel smile. "Thomas was waiting for me the moment I got out of bed the other day."
Gabriel frowned and seemed to give the man even more attention.
The doors opened and Mira rolled her eyes, shook her head, and went to the apartment. Another man waited at the apartment door, opening it before anyone else had the chance to do so.
Mira strode by and went to the living room, where she found Emmit, pacing.
"Where have you been?" Emmit asked, looking cross.
"Excuse me?" Mira dropped her purse on the table and put her hand on her hips.
"I'm sorry," Emmit said, changing his tone. "We lost track of you on your way out of town after the earthquake. I was concerned."
"What do you mean ‘lost track of me�
�?"
"Not me personally," Emmit said.
Mira had had enough. "You had me followed?"
"In case you needed assistance," Emmit said.
"Next time, pick up a phone if you want to know where I am," Mira said.
"I reached out to Gabriel," Emmit said, glancing at the man.
"If you want to know where I am, ask me, not him," Mira said.
"I anticipated Gabriel might prefer that I reach out to him," Emmit said.
Mira glared from one man to the other. She wanted to yell at both of them, but she was afraid she'd be the one who would look like the idiot in the end.
"Whatever," Mira said at last. "Thank you for the ride, Gabriel." She snatched up her purse and started out of the room. When her shadow moved with her, she halted and crossed her arms. "Oh no you don't, Thomas, you follow me and I'll curse you so bad you’ll wish there was no tomorrow."
He remained impassive in his stance, but Mira could see the determination in his eyes.
She took a few more steps and stopped when she noticed movement again. Her hands balled into fists.
"Thomas," Emmit called. "May I have a word?"
Mira actually heard his sigh of relief and she finished storming off, feeling like her exit had lost its effectiveness when she’d threatened Thomas. It wasn't like it was his fault.
"You and I need to talk as well," Mira heard Gabriel say as she escaped.
Back in her room, she made sure to lock the door behind her. When the lock clicked, something broke loose inside her. Anger fell away, leaving resentment and depression in its wake. It didn't help that it felt awkward in the room now that she was alone. Putting the two men out of her head was difficult, but she managed when she pulled the book out of her purse.
Mira dropped the book on her bed, though it dragged at her attention until she went to the bathroom, her sanctuary, where she found the only privacy she'd seen in a few days.
Mr. Singer had pressed her to learn the protocols, but why should she? Looking back, Mira knew she hadn't done anything wrong except offer to help in the first place. John might be doing worse things had she not bound Ian.
It all boiled down to being in the Ether. Since she had been there, Mira knew how bad it was, and why witches should never be allowed to go to the Ether, but it wasn't like she had a choice. They had to see that, right?
Spellbound Murder Complete Trilogy (Spellbound Murder Box Set Book 1) Page 53
