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“Yeah, but I wanted to say goodbye first,” Gabriel grinned, pulling Roseline up close to his side.
 
He tucked his arm around her waist, hooking his finger through Roseline’s belt loop.
 
“Are you heading to the game with Sadie?”

“And me,” William called, sliding up to his sister.
 
“Thought I do my brotherly duty and watch over Rose.
 
I’d hate for some guy to snatch her away tonight.”
 
Gabriel and William glared at each other.
 
Roseline sighed.
 
Ever since Gabriel had made it known that he was with Roseline, William had been a bit testy.
 
“Weren’t you leaving?”

Gabriel ground his teeth, his grip on Roseline’s waist tightened.
 
“I’ll see you tonight.” With a quick peck on the cheek, Gabriel turned and was instantly carried away by the swarm of pre-game, adrenaline laced teens.
 
Roseline acutely felt his departure but quickly covered up her disappointment.

“So you two seem pretty comfy now,” Sadie remarked, slamming her locker shut.
 
She didn’t even bother to stop and notice her backpack stuck in the door as she pulled Roseline towards the exit.
 

“Yeah.
 
Things are going good.”

“Have you kissed him yet?” Sadie asked.
 
Even though she’d firmly decided not to like the guy, she wasn’t about to give up her chance to find out what kind of kisser Gabriel was.
 

William tensed, desperate to hear her answer but there was no way Roseline was gonna kiss and tell.
 
“We’re just trying to get to know each other Sadie.
 
Stop trying to turn us into one of your smutty TV shows!”

Sadie laughed as she shoved her way through the double doors.
 
Outside, on the edge of the parking lot, a huge fire roared.
 
Above it hung the challenging schools mascot.
 
“Isn’t this a little odd?” Roseline asked, staring at the flaming bull.

“Nah.
 
It’s all in good fun.
 
I’m sure
Claremont
is burning our red devil right now,” William grinned.

Sadie giggled.
 
“Kinda fitting huh?”

Roseline smiled, eagerly joining in with the cheers led by Rosewood’s cheer squad.
 
But it didn’t take long for the mood to shift as the crowd become more aware of the head cheerleader’s piercing glare.
 

“I think Claire’s got it in for you,” William muttered, pointing out the painfully obvious.
 
Claire’s beady little eyes hadn’t shifted from Roseline since the pep rally began.
 
People all around began to follow her gaze.
 
Most nodded in understanding, thankful that they hadn’t been stupid enough to cross Claire.
 
Only a fool would do that.
 
It was social suicide to get on her bad side!
         

“This is going to be a long night,” Roseline sighed.

***

Roseline gripped the metal railing, careful not to bend it as she jumped and shouted like a mad woman.
 
Rosewood was neck and neck with
Claremont
High School
coming up to the final ten minutes of the game.
 
She’d never dreamed that football could actually be fun to watch.
 
But then again, it wasn’t the game she’d spent most of her time ogling.

Gabriel had been spectacular throughout the entire game.
 
His throws were longer than she’d ever noticed before.
 
He dove in and out of his opponents, taking them out as if they were limp practice dummies.
 
His speed was unmatchable, his accuracy off the charts amazing.

The crowd was going wild.
 
The deafening roar hadn’t faded for over an hour.

“Can you believe him?” Sadie cried, her face flushed with excitement.
 
Obviously her frustration with Gabriel disappeared as soon as he’d thrown the first touchdown.
 
“He’s a shoe in for MVP!”

Even William had to admit Gabriel was in top form.
 
“It’s no secret I don’t like the guy, but man does he have an arm!
 
Who knew he could throw so well?”

Roseline glanced over at William and Sadie, her eyes narrowing as she thought over their words.
 
They were right.
 
The
Claremont
team could barely keep up with Gabriel.
 
She turned and refocused on Gabriel as he dove over the end zone, ball safely cradled in his arms.
 
He was a one man team.

“Who does that?” William laughed, hooting loudly right along with the rest of the crowd.
 

“He’s not a man…he’s a machine!” Sadie crowed, stomping with all her might on the metal bleachers.
 
“I don’t know what you’ve done to him Rose but keep it up!”

Roseline’s face paled, her hands began to tremble as icy apprehension crept up her spine.
 
Something was wrong.
 
Sure Gabriel was a good football player but tonight he was spectacular.
 
Her aqua eyes narrowed in on his throwing arm.
 
Dirt caked his bare muscles, but it did little to hide the evidence Roseline had feared she’d find.
 
He’d grown.

Not just in the sense of gaining an extra pound of muscle or adding a little definition to his already toned body.
 
No.
 
Now Gabriel was ripped.
 
There was no way a seventeen year old boy could look like that!

“Hey.
 
Are you ok?” Sadie asked, noticing Roseline for the first time.
 
Beads of sweat had formed along her brow despite the plummeting temperatures.
 
She felt weak in the knees.
 
If it hadn’t been for her death grip on the railing she would have passed out completely.

“I’m not sure,” Roseline managed, shaking her head to clear her frantic thoughts.
 
“I think I need to sit down for a minute.”

William leaped over the seat to Roseline’s side, easing her down.
 
With his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, Roseline began to breathe easier.
 
Maybe she was wrong.
 

But Roseline had to admit there were too many odd things happening to Gabriel.
 
First, she was pretty sure she’d seen Gabriel’s eyes glowing.
 
Obviously not a human thing to do.
 
Second, his blood called to her in ways that shouldn’t be possible for Mortal/Immortal relationships.
 
Third, his reflexes were spot on and his physique was definitely changing.
 
It was almost like nature was working to perfect him in ways that defied human logic.

Roseline groaned, leaning heavily on William.
 
This was infuriating.
 
Nothing about Gabriel made sense.
 
How could he be so appealing, so impossibly addicting for her, when he was a mortal?
 
The only thing that even came close to explaining Gabriel’s oddities was that he was an Immortal…but that couldn’t be true either.
 
He would have transformed already.
 
One swift, painful, swoop.
 

No, he couldn’t be Immortal.
 
He had human parents, and being rudely overbearing certainly did not make them evil Immortals.
 
But then what else could he be?
 
His human status was certainly up in the air at the moment.
 
Something strange was going on with Gabriel and she needed to know what it was.

“Feeling any better?” William asked, his deep set eyes filled with concern as they scanned Roseline’s pallid face.

“Yeah, I think so.
 
Thanks for taking care of me,” Roseline smiled weakly, easing out of his arms.
 
In truth, she was still really freaked out, but she didn’t want William to get the wrong idea about her needing him.
 
Or for Gabriel to look up and see her in William’s embrace.

Roseline’s head jerked upright as the cheering crowd exploded around her.
 
Her eyes locked onto the football spiraling across nearly the entire length of the field.
 
Rosewood’s receiver ran for all he was worth to catch the ball.
 
Claremont
fell behind, unable to keep up with their adrenaline pumped opponent.
 

Rising to her feet, Roseline watched in slow motion as the ball arced towards the ground.
 
With hands outstretched, the ball fell, balancing precariously on gloved fingertips before they tightened around the ball.
 
A swatch of grass was carved from the ground as Rosewood’s receiver slid to a halt in the end zone.
 
The receiver rolled over, holding the ball high in triumph.
 

William’s fists pumped in the air over his head.
 
“That guy is definitely going pro.
 
He just broke every record set for high school football!”

Both sides of the stadium went crazy.
 
One side celebrating while the other roared in amazed disbelief.
 
The commentators screamed over the loudspeaker while the entire Rosewood football team piled on top of Gabriel.
 
College scouts raced onto the field, cameras flashed wildly, news reporters fought through the crowd to interview the star quarterback that’d just won the state championship almost singlehandedly.
 

Sadie and William’s shouts rose along with everyone around her, but Roseline was too numb to react.
 
She didn’t smile or offer anyone a high five.
 
All she could do was sit in horrified silence.

Chapter 7

“Rose,” Gabriel shouted, shoving his way through the applauding crowd.
 
The camera flashes were blinding.
 
He shielded his eyes in time to see Roseline dash down the stadium stairs, leaving a bewildered Sadie and William behind.
 
“Rose, stop!”

“Gabriel,” a shrill cry rang out as arms wrapped tightly around his chest.
 
He glanced down, instantly annoyed.

“Not now Claire.”

“Oh come on.
 
Let’s celebrate!
 
You won the game,” she purred, curling her finger around a lock of his hair.
 
“I’ll make it worth your while,” she grinned mischievously.

“Not gonna happen Claire.”
 
He unhooked her hands and shoved her aside, ignoring her indignant shriek as he ran full out towards the bleachers.

“Over here son,” Steve called out, a wide grin plastered on his face.
 
College scouts were flocked around Gabriel’s dad.
 
“I have some people I’d like for you to meet.”

“I’ll be right back,” he called, slipping into the crowd descending from the bleachers.
 

“Where is she?” he called up to Sadie, who was hanging over the railing, searching for Roseline from above.

“She’s heading towards the entrance.
 
Something really spooked her.”

“No kidding,” Gabriel grumbled as he flung himself through the crowd, shouting his apologies as he knocked people aside.

“Rose,” he screamed, catching a glimpse of her fleeing figure.
 

She turned.
 
The instant he caught her eye he knew she was gonna run again.
 
“Please don’t do this.
 
We need to talk!”

He could see Roseline’s tears gleaming under the stadium lights, the pain and confusion jumbled on her face.
 
And he could see the determination that replaced it.
 

“I’m sorry,” she mouthed as she slipped into a yellow cab.
 
The door slammed, echoing loudly in his ears as she turned her back on him.
 
He stood in rigid disbelief as the taxi merged with oncoming traffic.
 
She didn’t even look back as she fled from him.

***

“So did they win?” the cabbie asked through the small slit in the window separating them as he pulled onto the interstate.
 
He’d noticed the crimson Rosewood banner clutched tightly in her hands as she darted into the cab earlier.

“Yeah,” Roseline sighed, glancing out the window at the fleeting lights.
 
It would take quite a while to get home, an eternity.
 
“They sure did.”
 
She closed her eyes, letting her head loll to the movement of the car.
  

“Miss,” a voice called little over an hour later.
 
“We’re here.”

Roseline nodded groggily as she shoved her payment through the window and stumbled to the door.
 
The stairs proved tricky but she managed to crawl on her hands and knees.
 
The instant Roseline hit the bed she passed out.
 

The early morning light streamed in through the grimy windows, warming her face.
 
Roseline groaned as she rolled over.
 
Her head felt like it’d been kicked in, her throat burned with lingering acid from the night before.
 

Unwilling to face the day, Roseline threw the covers over her face and fell back into a fitful sleep.
 
Each time she awoke, the computer called to her, begging her to give in.
 
To contact Fane.
 
But she knew it wouldn’t be enough.
 
She had to talk to him, hear his voice.
 

As the sun began to set, Roseline pulled on a tank top and shorts.
 
She laced up her running shoes and bounded down the stairs.
 
For the first time all day she felt relief from her worries.
 
She was going running.

Not the kind of run she longed for though.
 
This one would have to be at a human’s pace, which was an annoying alternative.
 
She couldn’t risk stretching her legs like she used to back in
Romania
.
 

Roseline knew where her feet were carrying her even before her mind came to the same conclusion.
 
The main street appeared and Roseline slipping inside the door of a cell phone company.
 
Less than an hour later Roseline rushed back home to plug in her shiny electric blue phone.
 

“Hey Sadie, it’s me.
 
I uh…I’m really sorry about bailing on you again.
 
I know it’s becoming a bad habit,” Roseline chuckled.
 
“And I wanted to let you know I got a new phone, obviously.
 
It’s just for emergencies.
 
The number is…oh where is it?” Roseline fumbled through her paperwork and finally found the phone number she’d been given.
 
She rattled off the number to Sadie’s voicemail and hung up.
 

Roseline sat, staring at the phone in her hands.
 
Logic reminded her that her plan was foolish.
 
But the sudden arrival of Gabriel’s scent on her doorstep made the decision for her.
 
He’d found her!
 

As Gabriel pounded continuously on her front door, Roseline thought about how hard she’d worked to make sure he didn’t find where she lived.
 
Jimmy’s bar, her usual drop spot, was over three miles from her home.
 
And there was no way Sadie would willingly offer up that information.
 
So how did Gabriel find her?
 

“Oh no,” Roseline groaned, slapping her forehead.
 
The school’s records.
 
Of course!

The pounding continued for nearly ten minutes before Gabriel finally gave up.
 
Roseline tip toed to the window, watching as Gabriel slipped down the icy sidewalk, turning just before he eased into the driver’s seat of his car.
 
The grim look on his face tore at Roseline but she refused to call attention to herself.
 

She walked back across the creaking floor, pacing around the center of the room for over an hour.
 
Roseline was debating.
 
The phone felt as heavy as an anvil in her hand, dragging her down.
 
Finally she sank onto the stool, heart and body weary with exhaustion.
 

“I have to do it,” she muttered, spinning the cell phone in circles.
 
Its movement was hypnotizing.
 
“Oh what the heck,” she cried, flipping the phone open.
 
Her fingers danced over the keys, shaking so badly she wondered if she’d gotten the number right.

“Hello?”
 
Roseline burst into tears the instant she heard his voice.
 
“Roseline?”

She wiped her nose with the back of her hand.
 
“Yeah, it’s me Fane.”

Fane blew out a breath.
 
“I’ve been worried sick about you.”
 
The sound of a door creaking to a close on the other end of the line reminded Roseline that she had to be careful.
 
The castle had ears.
 
“Where are you?
 
Why are you crying?”

Her throat caught as she imagined Fane’s brow knit with concern.
 
“I’ve missed you so much,” she cried.
 
“I’m so sorry I left you.”

“I know,” Fane whispered, covering his mouth as he spoke.
 
“I’ve missed you too.”

“I guess you’re wondering why I’m calling,” Roseline laughed weakly, drying her tears.

Fane leaned back in his chair, turning on his radio.
 
Loud bass filled the room.
 
“Yeah, it must be something pretty important for you to risk exposure.
 
What’s up?”

His voice was filled with warmth and love.
 
Roseline clamped her eyes shut, wincing at the ache in her heart.
 
She’d refused to allow herself to miss him, but now all of her feelings came rushing back in.
 
Fane was her best friend, her only reason for living…until Gabriel.

“I think I’m in trouble.”

“Tell me,” Fane demanded, glancing at the computer he’d booted up to start tracking her call.
 

“No, it’s not like that.
 
I’m fine.
 
It’s just…” Roseline chewed on her lip.
 
“There’s this guy.”

“Immortal?”

Roseline winced.
 
“No.
 
He’s mortal.”

Fane blew out a relieved breath.
 
“Oh good, you had me worried for a moment.
 
So why’s there a problem?
 
It’s not like he’s important or anything.”

“There’s something weird going on with him.
 
It’s starting to freak me out.”
 
She filled her friend in on all of the unusual things she’d noticed about Gabriel.
 
As the conversation wore on, she began to sense Fane’s tension.
 
“So what do you think?”

“Never heard anything like it…” he paused, scratching the stubble along his chin.
 
“I don’t like it Roseline.
 
He could be dangerous.
 
I think you need to leave, right now.”

Roseline sucked in a breath.
 
“I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Fane asked, confused as to why Roseline would even bother with a mortal in the first place.

“I just can’t, ok?”

“Fine.
 
Then let me come get you.
 
I don’t trust that guy.”
 
He glanced at the screen, watching as the satellite began to zero in on her location.
 
America
.

Roseline blanched.
 
She couldn’t let Fane come for her.
 
How could she have been so stupid?
 
She hadn’t even put any kind of trace blocker on her phone.
 
“I’ve gotta go Fane.
 
Thanks for the talk.”

“No, Roseline wait!” Fane cried, gripping the phone tightly in his hands.
 
Midwest
.
 
He just needed a few more seconds.
 
“Please don’t go yet.”

“I’m sorry Fane.
 
This was a mistake,” Roseline whispered.
 
Her heart ached to linger with him, to bask in bond of love they’d shared for three centuries.
 
He was home to her, the only definition she could use to describe her life after becoming Immortal.
 
“I love you.”

Roseline ignored Fane’s shout as she threw the phone across the room.
 
It shattered and fell, tiny lifeless pieces scattering across the wooden floor.
 
Roseline snorted.
 
“Just like my life.”

***

“So is this you’re new thing?
 
Ditch everyone that cares about you?” Sadie growled as she slumped into her lunchroom seat the following Monday.
 

“I’m really sorry about that…but I did call,” Roseline said, hoping this would appease her friend.
 
But by the firm set of her lips, Roseline knew she’d have to try better.
 
“I felt really ill and I couldn’t bare the thought of the bus ride home.
 
I just didn’t want to spoil your fun.”