Embrace the Night

Page 173



Gabriel nodded. What she said was true. Three days had passed since Nina's midnight visit at the window. Sara had sent word to the theater that she was ill and unable to perform; Maurice had sent word that he had been called out of town due to a family crisis.

In the three days since Nina's appearance, nerves had grown taut and tempers short. "Make a list, Sara, and I'll go," Maurice offered.

"Is that wise?" she asked, looking from one man to the other.
"He can protect you from her better than I can," Maurice said.

He was right, Sara thought, but who would protect Maurice? "We could all go out together," she suggested.

Gabriel stared out the window into the darkness, weighing the alternatives. Would it be safer if they all went out together tonight, or to wait and let Maurice go to the market in the morning? And what if one of Nina's creatures broke into the house while Maurice was gone and he was at rest? Who would protect Sara then?

"We'll go out," Gabriel decided. "And after you have eaten, we'll go to the gunsmith. I want you both to have some sort of defense against Nina's creatures."

"A pistol?" Sara shook her head. "I don't think I could shoot anyone."

"He's right," Maurice said grudgingly. "Nina has declared war on us, and we need to arm ourselves." "Have you ever fired a gun, Delacroix?"

Delacroix glared at Gabriel defiantly. "No, but I can learn."

Gabriel nodded. More and more, he found himself admiring the young man. He might be nothing but a dancer, but there was nothing effeminate or cowardly about him.

An hour later, they went to supper at a small restaurant near Sara's apartment. Gabriel sat in the shadows away from the windows, his face turned away while Sara and Maurice dined on roast duckling with all the trimmings.

There was little conversation at the table.

As soon as the meal was over, they left the restaurant and went to visit the gunsmith. At first, he refused to open his shop, declaring he was closed for the night, but Gabriel flashed a gold coin, and he obligingly showed them his wares. He was whistling happily when they left, having sold three pistols in the space of ten minutes.

From the gunsmith, they went to the market where Sara bought enough food to last for several days.
It was nearing nine o'clock when they returned to Sara's apartment.

Gabriel had just removed his cloak when he sensed the intruders. He managed to fire a single shot before six hulking brutes overpowered him, dragging him inside the parlor. They drenched him from head