A Touch Mortal

Chapter 6





Being Bound had its advantages. First off, faster travel options. Sometimes he pitied Az, having to take the subway when he wanted to get around.

Gabriel materialized in the doorway of a closed shop he’d scouted out earlier, in a quiet neighborhood just down the street from the hotel he and Az had made home. The crowds had thinned. The prospect of a few minutes to himself was more than Gabriel could resist. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Az answered on the second ring.

“It’s taken care of,” Gabriel said.

“Already? You on your way back here?”

“No. Think I’m gonna head down to the beach.”

Boots scraped against the asphalt behind him. Gabriel fell silent, concentrating. Someone was there, walking in the road, instead of on the sidewalk. The sound traveled well in the stillness.

“You there?” Az asked. Gabriel didn’t answer. Luke had worn the same style of boots, all zippers and buckles, long enough for Gabriel to recognize the distinctive sound.

“Is she with you?” Gabriel whispered, trying to keep the urgency from his voice, avoiding Eden’s name in case he was overheard.

“No, I walked her home half an hour ago. Why?”

“Call her. Make sure she’s there. Do not come outside.” He snapped the phone shut without elaborating. “Spectacular,” he muttered.

Luke made no effort to soften his steps. Gabriel did his part in return, slowing enough to allow him to catch up. It was best to get the little tête-à-tête over with.

For a long minute, neither of them spoke, walking side by side. Finally, just before the street merged into the main road, Gabriel gave in, flashing him a glare.

“Gabriel!” Luke cried, bursting into a grin so wide it gouged his cheekbones. “My my my! It’s been ages, hasn’t it? So tell me…” The grin fell away, his eyes reflecting maroon in the diffused glow of the streetlights. “What exactly brings you to the neighborhood?”

Gabriel gave him a once-over. “Vacation.” In a dream world, Luke would have laughed and left it at that, the two of them just passing strangers in the night. Unfortunately, the Fallen were more nightmare than dream. From the look of him, Luke was still playing gigs in dingy bars. Still partial to the cheesy Jim Morrison look he had when Gabriel had seen him last. He’d even grown his hair out for the part, long black curls dangling below his collar.

“And is this a working vacation?” Luke probed. He leaned against the railing of the boardwalk, his tight leather pants creaking as he adjusted his stance. They’d played the game hundreds of times. Luke would have his questions, knowing the Bound couldn’t lie. He lifted his jaw in the direction of the hotel. “If you have some free time, maybe I’ll stop by.” Gabriel’s heart sank at the satisfied smile. Luke never bluffed.

The question now was how long he’d been onto them. What he had seen.

“Are we done here?” Gabriel turned, heading back toward the hotel, not bothering to conceal his destination.

“I really have been bad about keeping in touch,” Luke called after him. “I owe Az a visit, don’t I?”

“Stay away from Az, Luke. I mean it.”

“Still trying to save your lost little lamb?”

Gabriel paused, turning back toward him. “He might not be ready yet, but one day he will be. He’ll use the wings. He’ll come home.”

“I beg to differ. Which reminds me, tell him I approve of this latest girl. She’s quite pretty, don’t you think?” Luke pushed off the railing, covering the ground Gabriel had put between them in a lazy stroll and moving past. Just before he turned onto the quiet side street, Luke spun back. “She looks like a fighter. And they’re so much more fun to break.”

Gabriel stumbled back to the hotel, the elevator ride passing in a blur. Az had been strong enough to keep from choosing a side so far, but if Luke got a hold of Eden, tortured her, it would be the catalyst to set off his Fall. Az opened the door before Gabriel could use his key.

“What’s wrong,” he demanded.

“Is she safe? Did you call her?” Gabriel collapsed on the bed.

“She’s fine. What the hell happened?”

“Luke.” His voice broke. “It’s Luke. He knew we were here. Az, he knows about Eden.”

Az’s legs went out, dropping him onto the other bed. “How much?” he whispered.

Gabriel met his eyes. “I don’t think he knows she’ll be a Sider, but he’s going to come after her. I’m sure of it. If he takes her…”

There was no reason to say it, to add details out loud. Az flinched as if he’d been slapped. Luke wouldn’t kill her outright. He’d keep her in pain as long as possible.

Worse, she wouldn’t be the first. Twice before. Violent, drawn out, and painful. Every day had been a battle against the Fall for Az, searching in vain, knowing Luke kept the girls alive. The search only ended when the packages started to arrive. A finger in a jar. A hand wrapped in newspaper. Gabriel had barely gotten Az through the loss, through the guilt. For weeks after, he’d done his best to pull him out of the depression, didn’t let him out of his sight.

Even now, Az’s breaths came fast, his eyes darkening as thoughts of vengeance no doubt crossed his mind.

Az shook his head, his eyes still glazed. “I told her today. About what we are.”

“You should have waited for me!” Gabriel tried not to look startled. They were going to tell Eden, but he hadn’t expected Az to take it on himself. “You didn’t tell her anything else, did you?”

Az shot him a look. “Of course not.”

“Well, you didn’t call, so I guess she took it well?” He tried not to feel left out.

Az nodded. “Gabriel, with Luke being around…” Gabriel heard the hesitation in his voice. “If he gets to her first, and does to her what he did to the others.” He swallowed, unable to go on.

“We’re not going to let that happen,” Gabriel insisted.

“What happens if Luke cuts her.” His shoulders shook. “Cuts her up,” he went on.

Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair. “If he kills her, she’ll come back when she’s with him. He’ll know what she is. Az, he won’t stop.”

“We can’t let that happen,” Az said.

“Well then, we can’t wait much longer. Luke knows Kristen’s on our side. And as long as he doesn’t know Eden’s going to be a Sider, he won’t come looking for her. She’ll be safe there.” He dropped his hands to his knees. “As long as she goes Sider before Luke can get to her. Az, we’re running out of time.”

Az rose to his feet, staying silent as he made his way to the balcony door and slid it open.

They hadn’t exactly been looking for a grand view when they’d booked the room. Instead of facing the shore, the balcony provided an aerial glimpse of the homes behind the hotel. Twelve stories down the fog dimmed porch lights to the muted glow of a dozen fireflies. Az squeezed the rusty railing, his knuckles white, his back to Gabriel.

“She’s happy. She’s not going to do it in time.” Az’s voice broke. Gabriel moved to stand beside him, leaning his arms on the railing.

“She has to.” He glanced at Az, met his worried eyes. He did have an idea. It was horrible to even think about, but he had to suggest it. “We could give her a nudge.”

“What do you mean, nudge?”

“Losing you would break her.” He pointed his finger at Az. “She’s happy because she’s with you, Az. If you took that away from her—”

“You’re seriously suggesting this?” Az interrupted, his face full of disbelief. “That I what, dump her so she kills herself? That’s f*cked up.”

But Gabriel couldn’t get the image out of his head. What Luke would do if he got to her. “Once she’s settled at Kristen’s, you can explain.”

He leaned over the railing next to Az. Far below, the parking lot was only half full, car hoods wet with moisture from the fog. Az followed his gaze.

“I can’t do that to her. I love her. She knows I do. What am I supposed to do, tell her I changed my mind?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Tell her it’s for her own good, that you’re not good for her. It’s a sacrifice you’re going to have to make.”

“A sacrifice,” Az said quietly. His expression turned thoughtful. “Where is everyone? Shouldn’t there be more people?”

“It’s Sunday night. Most people are already headed home.” Gabriel pulled back, leaning against the glass of the open door. “Why?”

Az didn’t answer the question. “Think it’ll be the same tomorrow? Empty like this? I don’t see anyone around.”

“Probably,” Gabriel said. He was losing patience. “Az, breaking up with Eden is the best option. Let’s just hope it’s enough.”

“We can’t risk it.” Az turned, heading back into the hotel room. “Whatever we do, we need to make sure it is enough. I have an idea.”