Rage and Redemption (Rebel Angels) (10 page)

She could no longer trust Brother Gabriel. Pain lanced through her at the thought. He was the only family she’d ever known, her trusted friend and mentor. Until last night.

The bell tolled announcing Prime and Naomi muttered a curse. It was later than she realized. Hurrying to the dormitory, she gathered her possessions into a bundle and thought of her sketches, charcoals and pens. Did she dare risk a trip to the scriptorium?

Someone cleared their throat in an obvious attempt to gain attention. Naomi looked up and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Brother Seth stood in the open doorway. Fear prickled across her skin. She refused to panic. True, he was Brother Aaron’s assistant, but he could be looking for someone else.

“What can I do for you, Brother Seth?” Naomi asked, careful to keep her tone casual and calm.

“Brother Aaron wishes to speak with you.”

Her hope sputtered out. “Did he mention what it was regarding?”

“He didn’t say.”

“I’ll be there directly,” she responded, needing him to leave.

If Brother Aaron was one of these creatures, it was more imperative than ever that she escape. And if he didn’t realize there was something
unusual
about Brother Gabriel, then she had no hope of convincing him of what she had seen. Who would believe such a wild tale if Brother Gabriel chose to deny it?

“He requested that I escort you,” Brother Seth informed her.

Tension banded her abdomen. What should she do? She couldn’t run with her injured ankle. Would they try to stop her if she simply ignored Brother Seth and left the Krak?

“Shall we go?” he asked.

This might not have anything to do with the night before. Entertaining the possibility was futile. Naomi could think of no other reason for the summons.

With a reluctant nod, she fell into step behind Brother Seth. When they reached the southwest tower, he knocked briefly then opened the massive door.

Before she could change her mind and find a place to hide, Naomi stepped past him and into the castellan’s chamber. The ceiling was dramatically vaulted, drawing Naomi’s eyes upward. The subtle scent of costly beeswax candles drifted in the air even though the shutters framing the windows had been thrown open to welcome the sunlight.

“Thank you for coming, Naomi.”

Dragging her gaze away from her surroundings, Naomi settled her attention on the man seated behind a heavy oak table. Writing instruments, a large ledger and several well-read tomes were scattered across the surface. Brother Aaron was dressed in monastic robes, but the white cross centered upon his chest was elaborately embroidered.

Brother Aaron’s gaze shifted to some point behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she found Brother Gabriel standing in the open doorway. Fear rippled through her in a numbing wave. He smiled. Naomi just stared. She had only to close her eyes to see the strange golden light emanating from him again.

“Come,” Brother Aaron said. “Sit. I have interesting news.”

Brother Aaron seemed casual, almost jovial. This couldn’t have to do with the night before. Did he know what Brother Gabriel was? And what exactly was Brother Gabriel? Naomi settled herself in the chair beside him, unable to meet his gaze.

“I received a message from
Antioch
this morning,” Brother Aaron began, apparently oblivious to the tension crackling between the other two.

“Who sent the message?” Brother Gabriel asked.

“King Louis of
France
.” He paused for a rather cheeky grin. “Perhaps you have heard of him.”

Brother Gabriel smiled and shot Naomi a speculative glance. “Perhaps,” he muttered. “What was the message regarding?”

“It seems King Louis is making inquiries on behalf of one of his noblemen.”

“Inquiries into what and on behalf of whom?” Brother Gabriel prompted.

“The message is not detailed. King Louis says only that one Leon of Le Puy needs to speak with the Knight Hospitaller who was entrusted with an infant girl in
Jerusalem
nineteen summers past. To my knowledge, that can only be you.”

He rested his hands on the tabletop and gazed at them silently as if there were no more to explain.

Naomi folded her hands in her lap. What did it mean? Was someone looking for her? This was every orphan’s dream, but why now after so many years?

She was about to speak when Brother Gabriel asked, “What is his interest in the incident?”

“That is what you shall find out two days hence. That is when Monsieur Le Puy is due to arrive,” Brother Aaron informed them with a casual smile.

“This man is coming here?” Her voice cracked with disbelief. Seeing the displeasure in Brother Aaron’s eyes, she quickly bowed her head, offering a belated show of deference. “I beg your pardon. I’m confounded by these tidings. What will be expected of me?”

“The message was to make us aware of his impending arrival and to encourage our full cooperation with his investigation. It would seem that our guest is on rather familiar terms with French royalty.”

“And if his investigation proves I have some connection to this person, you will no doubt be pleased.” Naomi continued to stare at her folded hands, knowing her gaze would reveal her frustration.

“I have reserved my conclusions. I suggest you do the same.” Hearing the calm authority in Brother Aaron’s tone, she glanced at him. “I intend to extend Monsieur Le Puy every hospitality. I expect you to be polite and cooperative. These are characteristics that do not always come naturally to you, hence the reason for this meeting.”

“Naomi.” Brother Gabriel’s beseeching tone drew her gaze to his. “Why do you feel threatened by this man when you have yet to meet him?”

The threat closing in on her had nothing to do with the unexpected Frenchman, but she couldn’t explain that in front of Brother Aaron. “I treasure my life the way it is. I have worked very hard to find contentment in circumstances that are unusual to say the least. I want nothing to disrupt the balance I have managed to create.”

“If the balance in our lives is never disrupted, we never change, never grow, never reach our full potential,” Brother Aaron said.

Naomi silently inclined her head, unwilling to debate the issue when she was unable to explain the true cause of her turmoil.

“I will have Sister Renee find something more suitable for you to wear when you are presented to Monsieur Le Puy.” He held up his hand when she started to object. “You may go.”

Brother Gabriel nodded and motioned Naomi toward the door. Brother Aaron pulled the ledger back in front of him and carefully opened it across the table. Brother Seth closed the door after they stepped out into the corridor.

Anger joined the anxiety knotting Naomi’s stomach as they headed for the stairwell. She understood a woman’s role in the world. The world had been designed by men for men. In the quiet sanctuary of her scriptorium, she sometimes forgot that she too must follow these rules. She worked on her drawings and the world passed her by.

Well, her sanctuary was well and truly breached and she wasn’t sure where to turn for solace.

Naomi preceded Brother Gabriel down the steps.

“Naomi,” he halted her just before they reached the bottom. “Why are you afraid of me? I have never seen this sort of fear in your eyes before.”

She turned around. He stood two steps up from her so she tilted her head to see his face. “I have never seen lightning bolts shooting from your eyes before.”

He smiled, his expression uncertain. “Surely not lightning bolts,” he teased. “Sunbeams perhaps or Heaven’s light.”

“Heaven’s light? Then what does that make you? A god? An angel? A ghost? What happened last night? How were you able to do those things?”

“I will never hurt you. You must believe that. I could not, even if that were my want. It is impossible for me to cause you harm.”

He hadn’t answered her questions, Naomi realized, and her eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” she asked directly.

“I am Gabriel and I love you more than life itself.”

A tingle ran down her spine and Naomi felt tears burn her eyes. How she wanted to believe it, but he still danced around the issue. “
What
are you?”

Gabriel hung his head, his posture defeated.

Why did
she
feel guilty? He was the one harboring secrets. “I should be thrilled by Brother Aaron’s news. I never dared to dream that something like this might happen. I accepted that my mother was dead and whatever family I might have was lost to me. But all I can think of is escape. I want to run away from
you
. My father, my dearest friend. How can I trust you? How do I know—”

“You can trust me with your life.” Conviction rang in his tone. “No harm will come to you while you are in my care.”

“How can I believe that when you will not even tell me what you are?” He reached out to her and she twisted away. “Do not touch me. My entire life I believed in a person who does not exist. I will mourn for my friend and mentor. I do not know what to make of you.”

Ignoring his pain-filled call, she rushed out into the bailey and headed in the opposite direction from Brother Gabriel.

When had the world gone mad?

She didn’t want to meet this Frenchman and yet she wanted nothing more. She wanted to scream and she wanted to weep, but she no longer had a shoulder to cry upon. Ignoring the twinges of pain in her ankle, she hobbled back toward the dormitory.

Many lonely nights she had tossed in her bed wondering about her parents. How had her mother come to be in
Jerusalem
alone, lost or deserted, at the mercy of strangers? Did her father know she existed? Was he still alive somewhere, wondering what had become of her?

The questions were unending once they began so Naomi forced them all aside. She longed to confide in Zarrah, but she was not yet sure what she would say. Would she simply explain that a man was making inquiries into her past or dare she share what she had seen the night before?

If Brother Gabriel wouldn’t tell her what she had witnessed, how would Gideon respond? Was she brave enough to search him out and demand a clear, concise explanation?

Tingling heat chased shivers down her spine. Gideon did nothing without a reason. If he gave her the answers she desired, what would he demand in return?

* * * * *

Church bells rang announcing Compline, but Naomi was too upset to pray. She sat in a secluded corner of the upper bailey informally dubbed the meditation garden. Stone benches scattered throughout the area invited others, but Naomi was glad to be alone.

She toyed with the figs and nuts contained in the woven basket on her lap. Few actually reached her mouth. Having long since abandoned her sandals, she wiggled her toes in the prickly grass and angled her face to better catch the gentle evening breeze.

What was she going to do?

No one seemed to know where she could find Gideon. Half of the people she asked didn’t even know who he was. Even Brother Gabriel hadn’t been in any of his usual places. Were they together somewhere plotting their next move? She chuckled at the ridiculous thought and tossed a nut against the wall. They might share extraordinary abilities but they were still adversaries.

“I was told you were searching for me.”

His voice was so much a part of her thoughts that it took Naomi a moment to realize Gideon had really spoken. She looked to her right and found him standing indolently beneath one of the trees. His shoulder rested against the slender trunk, arms crossed over his chest.