Embrace the Night

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she heard his voice again, urgent, filled with love. And regret.
"Drink, Sarah," he said. "Drink."

Obediently, she opened her mouth, and he pressed his wrist to her lips again. "Drink," he commanded, and she felt his hand at the back of her neck, holding her in place.

And because she feared the darkness, because she didn't want to leave him again, she did as he asked, her throat convulsing as she swallowed again and again, until, with a groan, Gabriel jerked his arm away.

"Enough, cara," he murmured.

Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked up at him. "Gabriel, what happened?"

"I'll explain later," he promised, gently brushing a lock of hair from her brow. "Sleep now." "Don't leave me!" She couldn't bear the thought of being parted from him again. "Please don't leave me!"
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, until she felt her heart beating in time with his.
"I won't leave you, cara," he promised, his voice infinitely sad. "But you must rest now."

She didn't want to sleep. She wanted to know what had happened to Delano and Sydelle, wanted to know why she felt so strange, why the thought of being separated from him for even a moment filled her with such gut-wrenching anxiety, but a lethargy unlike anything she had ever known was creeping over her, dragging her down into oblivion once more.

Chapter Nine

She woke to the sun in her face and a raging thirst. Alarmed, she sat up. "Gabriel?" There was no answer, and for a moment sheer panic threatened to engulf her. "Gabriel? Gabriel!"
I'm here.

Relief flooded through her, sweeter than wine.
"Where are you?"

Below. Go back to sleep, Sarah. "What happened? I feel so strange."

I'll explain later. Go to sleep now, he said again, his voice low and soothing. I'll come to you as soon as I can.

"No! I need you now. Please."