Embrace the Night

Page 70



"I've missed you, Gabriel."

"Have you?"

"Yes." She took a step forward. "You're in pain, aren't you?" "How do you know that?" he asked sharply.

"I felt it when it happened. I feel it now."
"Go, Sara, please go."

"You'll come to me later tonight?"
"Yes." The word was torn from his lips.

Two hours later, he knocked at the door of her apartment. Like a callow youth courting his first girl, he stood in the shadows, uncertain and a little afraid.

He heard Sara's voice telling someone named Babette she was dismissed for the night. A moment later, Sara opened the door, and he was overcome with a rush of wild emotion.

"Gabriel! I'm so glad to see you. Come in, come in."

"The lights," he said, hugging the shadows. "Put out the lights."

She frowned at him a moment, then went to do as bidden. Only then did he enter the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

For a moment, he stood there, guilt rising up to meet him. She had no idea what she had invited into her home.

"Gabriel?"

"How are you, Sara?"

"Fine. And you?" He heard the underlying note of concern in her voice. "Won't you sit down?"
With a nod, he sat down on the damask-covered settee.

"Can I take your cloak?" she asked.

He shook his head, retreating into the concealing folds of the hooded garment.

She stood in front of the sofa, her hands toying with the wide blue sash of her dress. "I'm glad you're here. I've missed you."

"You were wonderful tonight," he said.