Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1) (40 page)

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

“
G
abby,” 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 for 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.

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.”

“
What
? Okay, wait a minute. You had a
premonition—
a
dream
—about vampires, and you believed it?” Nate asked, clearly exasperated. He let out a hard, sarcastic huff. “I have dreams about little men and women flitting about the yard and house—some with wings—but, it doesn’t mean they’re
real
!” he retorted.

“Yeah. Me, too.” Nonie said in passing, furrowing her brows, lost in thought again as if she was trying to piece something together.

Lucas looked at his two friends with a puzzled expression. “Me, too.”

Gabrielle studied them for a few moments, her expression resembling Lucas’s, though hers carried concern more heavily. “When did you start having these dreams?” She posed the question to all of them, but Lucas was the first to answer.

“I have since I can remember … maybe three or four years old. But I had another one last night.” He paused to look at the others who only nodded in agreement as if they’d been caught saying something they shouldn’t and didn’t want to make it worse by adding anything. Lucas looked back at Gabrielle. “Why does it matter, Gabby?”

Gabrielle started pacing again, this time a little faster. Her mind was working overtime. Why would the Gentry have any part in this? She needed to find out what they looked like so she could determine what kind they were, and then she’d be able to figure out their intent better. But she had to get the subject of vampires checked off her list before moving on to other fantastical creatures.

“We’ll talk about that later. Like I said, Nate, I think the information about the existence of the Qalal is going to be more difficult for you to accept, and rightfully so. People are encouraged to believe in Yahuwah—God, as you call Him—and if you believe in Him, angels follow. With your upbringing, it’s only natural to not have any real doubts about angels existing. But you were brought up to think of vampires as creatures of fantasy—not something to be truly feared. The only problem with that is that this fantasy is a reality that can kill you.”

“Let’s not jump the gun,” Nate said. “Just because I believe in angels doesn’t mean I believe
you’re
an angel. Or Emma.”

Gabrielle sighed. Her level of patience wasn’t what it needed to be to deal with their doubts when their lives relied upon the acceptance of the information she was giving them.

She spoke in a slightly agitated tone. “I haven’t done this in front of a human in hundreds of years, but we don’t have the luxury of time. You both need to believe what’s being said to you … now.”

She closed her eyes and pulled her shoulder blades apart, then brought her shoulders back to stand in a normal posture. As she did, a set of large white wings burst free. The air in the room whirled, making the curtains dance and everyone’s hair lift as if being played with by invisible hands.

The onlookers in the room sat in shock, speechless, with the exception of Nate, who was indeed speechless but no longer sitting where he’d been. He was now perched on the top of the couch, his landing spot after he leaped out of his seat. Gabrielle had to stifle a laugh as she saw Nate’s expression, not wanting to make light of things right now.

Slowly, she looked at Lucas. Wondering, as her eyes met his, what his reaction was going to be. Lucas gaped at Gabrielle, then a huge grin reshaped his stunned face. His eyes were wide with wonder. He stood and walked toward her.

“You’re even more beautiful with your wings. Is it okay if I touch them?”

Gabrielle smiled and nodded.

He stepped close and put his hand out, his smile growing as he did. Just before his hand touched them, he drew back slightly, glancing at Gabrielle as he did to meet her eyes as if asking permission again. Gabrielle nodded once more for reassurance. Lucas’s hand moved toward her wings and gently met them. A soft chuckle escaped him as he moved his hand over the feathers that covered them. His eyes sparkled as he spoke in whispered awe.

“They seemed to be nothing more than many layers of smoke, only thicker, but … they’re so solid. I thought my hand would go right through them. They’re so soft—softer than anything I’ve ever touched—but at the same time, I can tell that they’re far stronger than they look.”

Lucas became quiet again as he caressed hundreds of feathers, studying them. Gabrielle wondered if he noted all the different sizes or the colors, ranging from a silvery white at the lowest points to an almost blinding white at the top. He would surely realize that they gave off a soft, shimmering glow, but what he wouldn’t know is that they would light even the darkest dark. He locked eyes with her. Gabrielle’s eyes began to fill with tears. He reached for her face and drew them together to lightly kiss her lips, then moved close to her ear to whisper to her.

“What’s wrong, love?”

She blinked, and a tear slipped past her lashes that he brushed away with his thumb. She lowered her head slightly as she spoke, breaking his gaze.

“I’m more than a little embarrassed by my theatrics just now. I shouldn’t have done this. There are other ways of convincing a human. I guess they’re all pretty theatrical, though. They kind of have to be for them to believe that the person in front of them is really an angel. Not many take us at our word unless we prove it to them in some Divine way.” She sighed again, and Lucas pulled her face back up to his, seeming to disapprove of her not wanting to look at him. “And I’m afraid of what you might be thinking.” She looked at Lucas. He smiled and then started to laugh.

He spoke to her in as quiet a whisper as he could. “Gabby, I can’t tell you everything I’m thinking right now because, well … “ he motioned with his eyes toward the others in the room, “it wouldn’t be entirely appropriate. But let me assure you, it’s only positive. How could it not be? You’re
breathtaking
.”

Gabrielle couldn’t help her reaction as she threw her arms around Lucas, holding him tightly, burying her face in the curve of his neck so she could smell his wonderful scent. When she finally released him, she saw that Nate had settled back into his seat, his eyes fixed on her. The color in his face was not back to normal. He looked like he might even be a little queasy, judging by the sallow tone of his skin.

Nonie, on the other hand, appeared to have made a complete recovery. In typical Nonie fashion, she was wearing an enormous smile, busting at the seams to say something. Gabrielle glanced at Ben and was a little unprepared by what she saw.

He sat back against his chair, his legs crossed, one hand covering his mouth. He kept shifting his eyes to the floor in front of his chair, then to her face and wings, and then back to the floor. Gabrielle noticed Lizzie smiling at her. Then Lizzie gave the hand her husband still held a squeeze.

Gabrielle turned and walked to him, kneeling down and placing her hand on his shoulder when she reached him. “Ben … are you all right?” She spoke gently, hoping to soothe him. He looked at her, and after several seconds, he placed his hand on the one she’d placed on his shoulder. A sheepish smile played at the corners of his mouth.

“I’m fine, Gabrielle. So much better than fine.”

She looked at him and cocked her head slightly, not understanding what he meant.

“I’ve spent my whole life, my career, going on nothing but faith and instincts that I was right about God. After Emma told us what she was, I believed her to a point, but I have to be honest … not completely. I have proof that most people wish for,
beg
for. You just gave it to me. Do you know what an amazing gift it is?”

Gabrielle squeezed his shoulder and smiled, and then she stood to face Nonie and Nate again. “Nate, do you believe me now?” Nate nodded, and Gabrielle thought the color was coming back into his face a little more. “Nonie, any doubts for you?”

Nonie was still sporting an enormous smile, and she shook her head enthusiastically. “
Man
, Gabrielle. That was
amazing
!”

Gabrielle smiled fondly. She was glad to know Nonie could still talk. She wasn’t accustomed to her being as quiet as she’d been. She could tell a long talk was coming as soon as Nonie was able to pin her down.

“Back to the Qalal,” Gabrielle said, concealing her wings. If they had blinked at the same moment, they would’ve missed it. After she looked like an ordinary human again, she sat on the couch. Lucas joined her, making her give up the end seat. He immediately pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She sank into him, fitting perfectly against his body—as if she belonged there, as if she was made for him. Although he would have been made for her. She’d been around just a little bit longer than Lucas.

Nate looked concerned again. “
Please,
tell me that you’re not going to summon a vampire or wave some magic wand to make one appear just to prove to us they’re real, too.”

Gabrielle laughed. “No, Nate. I’m sorry if I freaked you out. But I really need you to believe what I’m telling you—what Lucas will be telling you. It’s important … more important than you know.”

Nate nodded.

“The premonition I had, the one of the attack, the two of you were also there.” She waited again, wanting to give them as much time to let her words settle as she felt they needed. “We want you to have all the information Lucas and I do so you can be as prepared as possible when, and if, my vision comes to pass.”

Nonie motioned to Gabrielle that she wanted to say something. “You said
if
it comes to pass. Is there a chance it won’t?”

“There is a chance. But my premonitions are rarely unavoidable. It’s only happened a few times in my life.” She smiled at Nonie. “And I’ve been around for a
long
time.” She looked at Lucas, then back to Nonie and Nate. “I hope with everything in me that this one doesn’t come to pass.”