Chapter 222

She was there, I could remember. But gone. Empty blank eyes. Even with the body on top me, it didn’t hurt though, and black took over quickly. I turned to Gabriel, fat tears dripping down my face, “Nona?” I whisper the sadness reflected back in Gabriel’s eyes tells me all I need to know. That breaks me. “Take Ava Casey…” Gabriel ordered and when she’s no longer on my other side he pulls me to him on the bed and the whole room clears.  My sadness soaks his shirt as I hold onto him tightly, needing him near me, to be there. And just like before, I know and can feel his need for this too. “We don’t talk for a while, just with each other, until Gabriel breaks the silence again, “Nona wasn’t the only one,” he says and I wish he hadn’t. Who else? Angel? No she was fine. Jamie too… “Violet?” I feel him shake his head, “Dana?” my voice muffled, shaky still, but I cannot help it, nothing should’ve happened to any of us, but someone else was hurt. Why? Because we were too close to the cluster-fuck the Elders created? “McKenna…” my heart twinges, pains, slams against my chest, my lungs were being squeezed painfully. I pulled away to search his face, maybe he’s wrong or – or maybe he’s confused. I was confused… maybe that was affecting him over our bond? That could happen… I cry. “Nona and McKenna weren’t – they weren’t even supposed to be there Gabriel,” I said horrified, whimpering, blank eyes come to mind when I close my eyes so I try to keep them open instead. I take the comfort and offer it back to Gabriel all at the same time. Chelsea… he asked me over the link. Yea? Did you go anywhere while you were resetting? Or resting? The hope in those words confused the ever-living hell out of me, but I try to think back and I had no memory of anything else come up. I didn’t dream of mother nor Jason. And as much as much as I wanted to tell Gabriel that I did, I can’t no, why? It should have been apparent but I missed it, still getting my bearings. I thought maybe Nona – maybe she’s in the Hereafter… maybe you knew she was there… Then I understood. Why he said I was his main concern… he hoped I would be able to eventually bring his Nona back. “I’m so sorry Gabriel…” the apology was weak even to my own heart and ears, but I really didn’t know what else to say to him. Then again, as fast as Gabriel got into the bed maybe just being here was helping. “It’s okay sweetheart,” he said the words but, they were empty as mine, he wasn’t mad though, but that tiny bit of hope was gone now.  Gabriel, I didn’t go there, but she may still be in the Hereafter. When he doesn’t answer, just hold me tighter, I change tracks, “How long have I been out?” “Just over three days total…” his voice raspy and catching, my body stiffened, “Really?” I had never taken that long before, more than 72 hours? “Jack theorized that it was all the different injuries especially the head wound, you need your brain to tell the rest of your body what to do, so that had to heal first. Jamie was hurt as well, so he wasn’t giving you much energy, he was eating like a pig, even went to just stand outside in the sun for a while. You woke up after 64ish hours, but you weren’t there yet, completely incoherent,” I just nodded, not remembering waking up the first time. “Do you know who did this?” he tensed right then, “Who?” “Pablo Santos, Dylan Ortiz and Julio Perez,” he growled their names but I didn’t know who they were. “The Elders made them?” I asked aloud but Gabriel chuckled humorlessly. “Oh no… Amara and Francesca hired them.” “Amara?” Now I know I heard wrong, “Amara? The human?” Before he could answer my questions, I was already asking, “Was Darren involved?” “Why would you think he was?” his voice hard and cold, my body shuddered, my heart machine beeped faster. He chuckled but was waiting for an answer. “Dana said that he was different now with Cody and everything, that’s what I was thinking about the whole time. Wondering how to handle it,” I replied and Gabriel didn’t response verbally. At first. “You want to rest?” he asked when I didn’t speak, just inhaling his scent, but the concern in his voice didn’t shift, it was still thick. Pulling away, I twisted my body, his eyes bore into mine. I leaned in closer, needing to feel his lips on mine, lowering my lips, molding them to his, slowly moving my stiff arms, my hands to his face. Feeling his lips shakily against mine, whodunit and sleep weren’t important right now because Gabriel thought he lost me. Whatever state I was in, he witnessed me in, which based on how I felt I knew wasn’t good; he had that image with him forever now. As the kiss deepened, the tension in his body slowly dissipated, it wasn’t wild and rushed, Gabriel kissed me back with care and tenderly; his lips masterful, in control until I couldn’t breath, my lungs and maybe ribs still healing from fracture. Resting my head against his when moisture, his tears slid down my thumb, “I love you,” I said hoping the words that many take for granted would soothe him, ease his pain of this event. Over time, I thought to myself. He nodded, swallowing trying to keep his composure, and I wasn’t hurt that he didn’t say the words back, because I could see it in his eyes. “I knew I’d get you back, but,” he shook his head, opening his eyes, keeping them on me, “it still hurt like hell,” his eyes glossy, gazing troubled into mine. I finally take a look at his physical state… he’s usual conservative and polished look was gone, shirt rolled to his elbows, pants creased in the wrong places, his face sunken – I didn’t know what I look like but – Gabriel looked like death himself. I spot blood on the rumpled up shirt; my eyes fly to his silently asking, if it was mine? The sadness reflected answered me loud and clear. Louder than words. I pulled him to me kissing him, sharing my love, taking his. I gather what little energy I had, pulling away, placing soft kisses against his jaw line, down his neck, over his pulse, until I’m right over my mark. I reveal in the groan that he releases his hands that grip me tightly, hold me closer, as he growls, moans into my hair. “Chelsea…” my name panted, whispered with love and want, when I made quick work of his zipper and button, reaching into the tight space, taking him into my hand, his groans spurring me on, “please… so close,” I struggle forcing my wolf forward, fangs elongate, piercing his skin, listening to his breathing change, quicken, a moan released deep inside his chest, and my hands covered in his release, “Mine,” I whispered as Gabriel panted next to me, “Mio – per – sempre amore.” My eyes closed I felt my hands being wiped and Gabriel eased away but I was closer to sleep. . .