Embrace the Night

Page 35



But then, even when he had been a mortal man, he'd always had trouble doing the honorable thing when it conflicted with something he wanted. And he wanted—no, needed—Sara. Needed her as he'd never needed anything else in his accursed life. And perhaps, in a way, she needed him. And even if it wasn't so, it eased his conscience to think it true.

"Gabriel?"

"No, cara, I'm not planning to tell you good-bye. Not now. Not ever."

The sweet relief in her eyes stabbed him to the heart. And he, cold, selfish monster that he was, was glad of it. Right or wrong, he couldn't let her go.

"Till tomorrow, then?" she said, smiling once more.

"Till tomorrow, cara mia," he murmured. And for all the tomorrows of your life.
Chapter Seven

Images flashed through his mind—scattered images of writhing flames, of frightened children crying, of women weeping hysterically.

Pain seared through him. Excruciating, nauseating pain.

He fought through the layers of oblivion, his gaze opening on darkness. He knew immediately that it was still daylight and for a moment he lay there, confused. Never before had anything save the threat of imminent danger disturbed the heavy lethargy that weighed him down during the light of day.

Sara!

He knew in that moment that her life was in danger, that the pain that had seared through him had been her pain. His hands clenched at his sides as he tried to rise. It was like trying to fight his way out of quicksand, and he fell back, breathing heavily, fear making his heart beat fast.

Sara!

His mind screamed her name, echoing and reechoing like rolling thunder.
Sara!

She was hurt, perhaps dying, and until sundown there was nothing he could do.

Never before had he felt so helpless, so cursed. From the depths of his heart, he cried out, beseeching a kindly heaven to help her, to spare her life.

"Please. Please. Please."

Just that single word, repeated over and over again, as he was dragged down into the darkness. When he woke, he could still feel her pain, her anguish, and he knew she was still clinging to life. I'm coming, Sara. He sent his thoughts across the miles, from his heart to hers. Hang on, cara. I'm