Embrace the Night

Page 246



Come to me, then.

Jumping out of bed, she ran through the house, fairly flew down the cellar stairs. She hesitated, repelled by the thought of seeing Gabriel lying in that pine box, but the thought of being separated from him quickly overcame her reluctance.

And then, of its own accord, the cellar door opened. "Gabriel?"

I'm here. Lock the door behind you.

She did as he asked, a cold chill slithering down her spine as she locked herself in the basement. She was reaching for the light switch when she heard his voice in her mind once again.

Leave it off.

"Why don't you talk to me?" she asked as she felt her way through the darkness toward his resting place.

It takes less effort to communicate with you like this.

She shivered as her hand came in contact with the side of the box. And then he was reaching for her, lifting her over the edge as if she weighed no more than a child, cuddling her against him, and all her fears melted away.

"Gabriel…"

Sleep, Sarah, he said, his voice heavy as he fought to stay awake. Sleep…

He drew the edge of his cloak around her, and then he sank back down into darkness, her head pillowed on his chest, his arm around her waist.

She should have been afraid, but she wasn't. She was asleep before she could wonder why.

When next she woke, it was to the sound of Gabriel's voice speaking her name. It was an effort to open her eyes. Feeling strangely disoriented, she blinked up at him and then, realizing where she was, she bolted upright, aghast to find herself sitting in what was, for all intents and purposes, a coffin.

"What am I doing here?" Shivering with revulsion, she started to scramble over the side. "Relax, cara," Gabriel murmured as he gathered her into his arms.

Sarah clung to him, soothed by his presence, by the inimitable strength of the arms that held her.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice deep with concern.

She nodded, her gaze never leaving his face.