Embrace the Night

Page 145



"It's nearly dusk," he explained. In another hour or so, his full strength would return.
"I didn't mean to disturb you."

"It's all right, Sara. I could feel your distress, your confusion. I had hoped to put your mind at ease, but it seems I've only frightened you more."

She didn't deny it, and the knowledge that she was truly afraid of him sliced through him like a knife. "I'm sorry, Sara Jayne," he said gruffly. "I never meant to draw you into my life."

She stared at him, mute, unable to find the words to express what she was feeling and thinking. He had given her so much. For her dancing alone, she owed him a debt she could never repay, but now… willing or not, she had been drawn into a world she would never understand, a world she had never dreamed existed except in nightmares. And as much as she loved Gabriel, she wasn't sure she had the courage to face what he was.

From his place on the bed, Gabriel watched Sara's face. Even if he hadn't been able to read her mind, her every thought, her every emotion, was clearly etched on her face, in the clear depths of her eyes.

She had been so certain she loved him, so confident of her ability to accept him for who and what he was, and now she had come face-to-face with the ugly reality of his existence, and she couldn't accept it.

Feeling sluggish, he sat up and ran a hand through his hair. He could not blame her for her fears, could not fault her for being afraid.

He watched her leave the room, returning moments later to hang garlic around the bedroom's single window. The pungent smell sickened him, but he would have to endure it for Sara's sake.

Their gazes met when she turned away from the window.

"Did Maurice bring you home this afternoon?"
"No, I left early."

"I told you to stay with Maurice."

Sara shrugged. "I couldn't concentrate, so I came home." "Dammit, Sara Jayne, I don't want you going out alone."
His obvious concern brought quick tears to her eyes. "Sara…"

She went to him then, and he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her close to his side.

Sara relaxed against him, her earlier fear seeming foolish now. This was Gabriel. He would never harm her. With a sigh, she snuggled against him.