Chameleon (Supernaturals) (22 page)

Gabriel hesitated, embarrassed. I knew the polite thing to do would be to tell him he didn’t have to explain, but morbid curiosity kept me silent.

“It was the way the girl in the vision was so fascinated by his tattoo. I was thinking of how it might be someday when I had a mate.”

Speaking of deserving awards: Most. Awkward. Moment. Ever.

And I mean
ever
.

“So what does it mean? Your tattoo. What do the symbols stand for?” I asked, grasping for any way to move the conversation along.

Gabriel looked just as relieved for the subject change as me. “It says three words; serenity, courage and wisdom.”

“Oh.”

Gabriel smiled. “It is from Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer. ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’”

“Good quote.”

Gabriel looked at me almost ruefully. “It is sage advice, Danielle.”

I knew what he meant, but I wasn’t ready for that conversation. “I’m surprised
El Capitan
let you do it. I can’t picture him as the tattoo type either.”

Gabriel let my subject change slide and nodded. “It is true the Councilor was opposed to the idea. Even now I believe he still disapproves.”

I raised a brow at that. Gabriel defying the Councilor was as surprising as him wanting a tattoo in the first place. “So how did you get him to go for it?”

Gabriel tried not to smile but the glint in his eyes gave him away. “I believe the Creator blessed me with a talent for receiving the outcomes of my desire.”

I couldn’t help myself and burst into laughter. Gabriel was startled but also looked proud to have made me laugh. “I don’t doubt that,” I said to him. “Anyone who can get me to say I’m sorry for any reason has a rare gift indeed. And the way you told the council to stick it when they tried to kick me out of the conference room? I think they actually believed you’d have let those people die.”

“I would have.”

He said it so gravely I couldn’t argue and my playful mood was gone again.

“Sometimes the council needs to be reminded of who is really in charge,” he said.

“You?” I asked. I couldn’t keep the astonishment out of my voice.

Gabriel chuckled. “I meant the Creator. The council does well to rule over our people, but the Creator blessed us with you for a reason. It was arrogant and ungrateful of them not to accept your help when you were willing to give it. They needed to see how important you are. Ignoring that vision would not have been ideal, but I would have kept my word. I would have let those people die to make my point.”

Gabriel grimaced when he saw whatever expression was on my face. “I am the Seer, Danielle. In that role, I do not have the luxury of always doing what I want. I often have to make very difficult choices, as does anyone in a position of power. It is like the Councilor and what he did with you. Even I did not understand how he could do such a thing to you, but I see now how it was necessary and am thankful he had the courage to do it.”

I gasped. “You actually believe what he did to me was necessary?”

“I am starting to, yes.”

“Yeah, well you won’t get me to believe it. I don’t see how I’m any better off than I was. Now I’m just a slave to you instead of Russ.”

“Danielle, we have been through this. You are not a slave to me.”

“Wanna bet?” I grumbled. “Do you have any idea what it feels like when you leave the room? I woke up tonight and panicked when you weren’t lying next to me. I don’t feel right if I’m not physically touching you. If that’s not a form of slavery, then by all means, explain to me what it is because it’s sure as hell not normal.”

Gabriel lifted his shoulders and let them drop. “Perhaps it is merely the tattoos. Maybe that is why the Councilor did not wish me to get them.”

My jaw fell open in amazement. “Did you just make a joke?” I asked. I was pretty sure sense-of-humor was not in Gabriel’s vocabulary.

Gabriel’s answering smile was so serene I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. “What you are feeling toward me right now is just the cravings,” he assured me. “I experienced all these same feelings with the Councilor when I came into my power.”

Uh, considering how dry my mouth got every time I looked at Gabriel’s lips that was a very disgusting thought. “I sincerely hope not.”

Gabriel tucked my hair behind my ear and let his fingers linger on my cheek. “Perhaps it was a little different for me,” he relented.

“A lot different,” I said fighting off a shudder.

Gabriel pulled his hand back when he felt me shiver. “Come, Danielle. It is very late.”

As we climbed into bed, which was admittedly a little more awkward than it had been before, Gabriel rolled over to face me. “I am grateful that you are trying to do the right thing, Danielle. Thank you for tonight.”

I shook my head. “Don’t think so highly of me. I only helped tonight because I couldn’t stand to see those people die. I didn’t do it for the council.”

“That is not what I mean, though I was very appreciative of your help earlier as well. Tonight is the first you have ever spoken to me beyond necessity.” Gabriel smiled another one of his sad smiles. “I know you feel like a prisoner and do not want to be paired with me. It means a great deal to me that you are kind despite your feelings.”

And there he went again, making me feel guilty for not being excited about our marriage. “You were nice to me first,” I said. “Makes it really hard to be mad at you.” And then because I couldn’t resist I added, “Plus, you know, I couldn’t help myself because your tattoos are super hot.”

Gabriel looked for a second like he didn’t know what I meant but he eventually said, “You are teasing me?”

When I cracked a smile Gabriel rolled onto his back. After a yawn and a stretch he smiled at the ceiling. “I believe there is hope for our future, Danielle.”

I was surprised to realize I felt the same.

“Good afternoon!” Gabriel chirped
brightly when I came stumbling from the bedroom.

“Is it really afternoon?”

“You needed the rest. How do you feel?”

“I’m starting to feel more normal,” I admitted. “I mean, not—the cravings are still there, but it feels more like before I came here.”

“Good.” Gabriel held out his hand. I came to him and he put my palm to his face. “You do feel stronger,” he told me. “And I am glad for it because I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I asked confused.

Gabriel beamed at me. “Go get showered and dressed, and—” He hesitated, then blushed as he asked, “If it would not be too much trouble, could you do whatever it is that you do to your hair that keeps it from looking like that?” He pointed at my head.

“Straighten it?”

Gabriel’s glossy eyes sparkled with mischief. “You are always beautiful, but I am very partial to the way it looks when it is tamed.”

I was startled by his attempt to be playful. I hadn’t realized he could be anything but serious. “Are—are you trying to flirt with me?” I asked.

Gabriel knitted his eyebrows in confusion. “Flirt?”

“Never mind,” I said.

“I am excited, Danielle.” He was more than excited. He was giddy. “I have been waiting hours for you to wake. Please hurry or it will become dark and your surprise will be ruined.”

“All right, all right.” I laughed, and headed back toward the bathroom in somewhat of a daze.

“You may need a sweater,” Gabriel called to me.

Gabriel’s face brightened when I finally immerged, dressed and ready to go with my hair as straight as I could get it. I would have blushed except he was literally bouncing with anticipation.

“So,” I said. “What kind of surprise are we talking about?”

“I was thinking of what you said, about how humans choose their own mates. I asked the Councilor about it this morning and he explained what you meant when you said ‘they date.’ You meant courtship right?”

“That’s totally a word my great grandma would use, but yeah. Dating is basically like courting. Why?”

“Because I wish to know you better as well. I understand this will be doing things a bit out of order, but, Danielle Webber, I would be honored if you would go for a date with me.”

Gabriel’s smile was infectious and I giggled at his phrasing. “What exactly did you have in mind?” I asked.

“Picnics seem to be traditional, are they not?” Gabriel proudly held up a basket. “City Hall Park is right across the street.”

“You mean they let you go outside?”

“Of course,” the Supreme High Councilor said, having come through the front door without knocking. Duncan followed behind him.

“Duncan!” I squealed and ran at him. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”

Duncan returned my hug with a smile, but his eyes were taking in the sight of me like he was trying to convince himself I was real. “Are you okay?” he asked in a hushed tone.

His worry stalled my playful mood. “I’m getting better.”

“And the Seer is being good to you?” He glanced at Gabriel with a hint of malice. “Not trying anything…
ungentlemanly
?”

“
Gabriel?
” I stifled a laugh. “I’m not sure he would even understand the meaning of ungentlemanly.” Duncan looked so skeptical that I laughed. “I like Gabriel very much,” I admitted. “He’s really helping me get through this. I promise you don’t need to worry. But I am so happy to see you.”

Behind us, the Councilor cleared his throat. “You really should get going if you’re to have any daylight for this picnic of yours.”

“You’re really going to let us go outside?”

“Of course, child, I am not a tyrant.”

I couldn’t help muttering, “Could have fooled me.”

The Councilor pretended to ignore me, but I know he heard because behind him Duncan winked at me.

“Gabriel and I often explore the city,” the Councilor said. “He has only stayed indoors so long because he refused to leave your side. You do understand, of course, that we must take precautions. You cannot just come and go as you please. You may never go out without me, as I am the only warlock in the consulate who has the power to cast a cloaking spell strong enough to hide your auras. The two of you have far too many enemies. That is why we will also be bringing along your guardian. Duncan and I will try to give you your privacy, but you must respect my rule that you are to stay close by at all times.”

“Of course, sir,” Gabriel said.

I’m pretty sure it wasn’t for Gabriel’s sake we were being read the riot act.

I couldn’t get over my attitude with the Councilor, even if he was letting me go outside. “Chaperones,” I said sarcastically when he looked to me for a confirmation that I understood the rules. “Awesome. And I thought my dad was going to be tough with the dating issue.”

“Danielle,” he said. He gave me a stern look.

“Yeah, yeah, freedom but not really. I get it. It’s not like I could outrun you guys anyway, so lead the way.”

I was glad to see I got under the Councilor’s skin, but he managed to keep his temper and walked out the door. Gabriel started to follow but I stopped him. “If you’re trying to go for an authentic human date, a gentleman would offer the lady his arm.”

“Offer it how?”

He watched with fascination as I lifted his elbow and tucked my hand into his arm.

We went down the stairs to the hallway where the council members lived but turned the opposite direction of the elevator. Even Duncan was confused. The Supreme High Councilor led us to the end of the hallway—a dead end—and waved his hand in front of the wall. The paint shimmered and melted away to reveal another elevator.

The Councilor laughed at the look of surprise on Duncan’s face and mine. “Simple illusion magic. You’d be surprised how easy it is to hide something when someone’s not looking for it. We keep this elevator strictly for Gabriel. No one but the council has ever seen him. No one even knows his name or age. It keeps him safe. It’s the reason he’s allowed to come and go from the building. We’ll try our best to do the same for your anonymity, Danielle. Still, you must always be cautious. Trust no one but the council and Duncan, as he is your sworn protector now.”