Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1) (27 page)

Chapter Forty-one

Gabrielle ~ The Fantastical World

“
Vampires
?” Lucas asked in disbelief.

Gabrielle nodded, knowing he’d have a hard time wrapping his mind around this. It was enough for him to accept angels and demons, but now, he was faced with something he probably never considered possible.

They had barely spoken as they walked back to her townhouse, both deep in thought about her vision. Once inside, they went straight into the kitchen and sat at the counter bar. When Lucas spoke, he seemed to be in a trance, his tone flat and distant.

“Blood sucking, red eyed, incredibly strong and fast, burst into flames in sunlight, stake through the heart, sleeps in a coffin—
vampires
.”

“I’ve never known any who actually sleep in a coffin, and they don’t burst into flames in the sunlight, but other than that, yes. However, they are called Qalal, and they don’t exist for the reasons Hollywood would have you believe.”

“I hope you’re going to enlighten me, then. If I’m going to be scrapping with them, I need all the information I can get.”

“Qalal exist for one reason; they don’t value human life. They are those of your society who choose to murder or commit suicide. Hollywood has one thing right—they are damned. Their punishment isn’t turning into a monster with an insatiable urge for blood for eternity, though. It’s living that eternity with the absence of Yahuwah’s love and Light. It might not sound bad, but it leaves them an empty shell. Nothing, not even the blood they crave, ever satisfies them. The longer they go without Grace, the more they realize what they have forsaken. If they choose to take human lives, it becomes harder to deny their thirst the longer they live by that choice. As their craving worsens, the absence of Yahuwah’s love and Light is felt more profoundly. It becomes a miserable existence, but they don’t realize how bad it will get until it’s too late.”

Lucas went to the refrigerator and got them Cokes, handing one to Gabrielle as he asked a question. “What happens if they don’t kill people?”

“Unlike the Fallen, they have the opportunity to earn redemption. If they prove they value human life by
not
killing or turning humans, they can regain their soul. It takes a very long time to convince Yahuwah of their sincerity, though. Most give into their urges. But some attain redemption. If they do, they become Guardians—protecting and guiding humans. They aren’t quite angels, and it isn’t how humans typically exist in Heaven, but it allows them to ascend, and it beats Hell or remaining Qalal.”

“How do they survive if they don’t drink blood?”

“There isn’t anything they can’t eat; they just don’t
want
anything else. Animal blood helps dull their desire for what they really want, but the craving for human blood is severe. To refrain is agonizing, especially at first. Eventually, if they are able to keep from giving in to their wantings, it gets easier.”

“So, why can’t they go into sunlight if it doesn’t kill them?”

“They can but usually don’t. The sun represents the Divine light of Yahuwah, hence something they are not allowed to enjoy. It drains their energy. Pretty quickly, actually. It leaves them in a drug-like stupor for days, and it takes a long time to regain their strength. When they do go outside in the day, it’s usually only so for short periods of time.”

Gabrielle stopped talking, letting the information find its place in Lucas’s mind. He didn’t say anything for several minutes, and she imagined he was trying to get a handle on his ever-changing reality.

“What else exists that most people don’t believe in?”

“Do you really want to know, Lucas? I’m not sure you’ll believe me if I tell you.”

Lucas didn’t answer right away, then nodded reluctantly.

“There are all kinds of fantastical creatures people don’t think literally exist. There is what
you
call werewolves, but they aren’t what you think. Then, you have fairies, dwarves, goblins, and numerous nature spirits. The—”

“I think that’s enough for now,” Lucas interrupted. Gabrielle wasn’t surprised. He seemed to grow paler with every word she spoke. “Go back to the werewolves. You said they aren’t what I think, so what are they?”

“Werewolves are actually shape shifters. They can shift into any animal form they want, but wolves are the traditional choice. Shifters are a very old variation of humans, but they live far longer. In their case, the dog years comparison you use for how fast a dog ages compared to a human would be reversed.
You
age at a much faster rate than they do. I know one shifter, Grayson, who looks like he’s about your age, but he’s actually one hundred and eight.”

“You actually
know
a werewolf? Have had
conversations
with it?”

“Not it,
him
. I interact with many Shifters. I have relationships with many who live in Enchantment and Shadows. There are times I call on them to assist me in my work, and I have close relationships with some because I’ve worked with them for so long.”

Lucas slumped into the counter more, looking tired and worried, but Gabrielle could tell he wasn’t ready to stop the conversation. She could almost hear his mind racing through the information, trying to seek answers to all the questions he had.

“Back to the vampire attack you saw in your vision—what do you make of it?”

“That’s perplexing, because out of all the Shadow creatures, I have the least amount of contact with them. But usually Qalal operate very discretely. As a whole, they stick to a few strict rules. An attack like I saw in my vision would be surprising.”

“What can we do?” Lucas’s concern was written deeply in the furrows between his brows and the frantic look in his eyes.

“Well, first I’ll meet with their Elders and confront them with my vision to see what I can find out. It could be they, or a rogue coven, are planning something. I may not find out, though. They can be deceitful, but they know it would be a
very
bad idea to lie to me. It might turn out that they have no knowledge of anything concerning the vision. If the latter is the case, I should have their assistance in my search for who these particular Qalal are.”

Lucas squinted at her. “Why would they want to help you?”

“Refraining from killing or turning humans isn’t the only way to help themselves regain their souls. You could say they score additional points if they assist me when I need them. They’ve helped countless times in my work. That, and they’re aware of my abilities, so they’ll be wary of crossing me.”

“In your work?” Lucas raised his brows. “How?”

“I’ve been given the power to use those that live in Shadows and Enchantment at my discretion in order to deal with—
certain
—situations.”

“That doesn’t sound pleasant.”

Gabrielle smiled. “It’s not. But that’s the point.” She paused. “We need to begin preparing for the attack.”

“When will it be?” There was a frantic edge to his tone.

“I don’t have the specific date, but we should have some time.”

“How do you know?”

“The attack was outside, and I saw heavy snow falling. So, unless everyone goes on a ski trip, or there’s some crazy weather in Tennessee at the end of September, we have time to prepare. And to hopefully get more information.”

“You’re sure about the snow?”

“Yes. But premonitions and Knowings aren’t absolute. The result is usually unavoidable, but how it happens, and even when, can change.

Lucas focused past Gabrielle to the kitchen cabinets, but she knew he saw nothing except the scenarios he was creating in his mind. After some time had passed, he turned his head slightly. He looked into Gabrielle’s eyes, his own pleading with her before any words escaped his lips. When they did, they came out in a faint whisper.

“Gabby, you
have
to help us. Please.”

She took his hand between hers and moved as close to him as she could with the counter still between them.

“I will, Lucas. I promise.”

Lucas lowered his head, and Gabrielle wondered if he was trying to hide tears, but when he looked up, his expression was stony.

“When are you going to see their Elders?”

“Immediately after you leave.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Maybe half a day. I know where to find them, but once I do, it will take time to discuss everything.”

“Can’t you just pause time?”

Gabrielle got the feeling he didn’t want her to be away from him. After all he’d become aware of in just a matter of hours, she didn’t blame him. She wasn’t crazy about leaving him, either.

“Sure, but I don’t need to. I can be there now if I want to be, but I’ll still have to speak with them in human time.”

Lucas looked a little confused.

“Only those with Divine blood are functioning and aware when I pause time—angels, demons, Shifters, Nephilim, and the Gentry. Trust me, there isn’t anything Divine in a Qalal. I have to talk to them in mortal time.”

“Oh.” He looked distant again. “Can I come with you?”

Gabrielle pressed her normally full lips into a thin line.

“Gabby, this concerns me and people I love.”

There were so many reasons it was a bad idea for him to go. She understood why he wanted to though, and she would ask the same if she were in his position. As she thought about the pros and cons—mostly cons—his stony expression held.

“I don’t know, Lucas.” Gabrielle stood. “It’s dangerous for you to be in the company of Qalal. You
are
their preferred food source.”

“I don’t believe they’ll hurt me with you there. You seem confident they regard you with quite a bit of respect in the ‘Don’t screw with me’ department.” Lucas stood, as if to punctuate his comment.

“To be sure! But Lucas, there’s a lot you don’t understand about Qalal or any of the other creatures you can get into trouble with.”

Gabrielle placed her palms on her forehead out of frustration and as a reminder to keep her temper in check. She could feel her agitation rising, and Lucas seemed to sense the need to give her some time.

After quite a few deep, calming breaths, she continued. “Here’s the thing. Once they’re aware you know about them, you’re fair game. You become
available
for them to take care of,
if
they decide to, with no repercussions.”

“Why?”

“They, and the other creatures, see any human who knows they exist as a direct threat to their survival, and they’re right. I’m sure you can imagine how they would be hunted if people knew about them. Yahuwah allows Qalal to protect themselves, without punishment, if a person knows of them through no fault of the Qalal. When you add the intense urge they have for the blood in your body, and that they can have it without hurting their chances of reclaiming their soul, you’re in big trouble.”

Lucas didn’t acknowledge if he understood the consequences except with his body language. His face remained stony, but he put his hands in his front pockets, letting his shoulders drop forward as his body fell back against the counter.

Unmoving, they stared at each other for a long time.

Breaking the silence, Lucas spoke. His voice was quiet, but deliberate, and there was complete determination in his eyes. “Gabby …
I’m going
.”

Chapter Forty-two

Lucas ~ Dark Thoughts

The rest of Lucas’s evening was a blur of packing bags, making travel arrangements, and explaining to Gran why he and Gabrielle were running off in the middle of the night and would be gone for a couple of days. Luckily, Gabby was able to get them a red-eye flight to New York and then another to Europe early the next morning.

For obvious reasons, Gran wasn’t happy about the decision he had made, but because he still had the same look of determination, she didn’t put up much of an argument. She was well aware of his stubbornness and that there was no changing his mind once he made a decision, but it also helped that she knew he was in the safest hands possible.

He and Gabby didn’t say much on the way to the airport. The lengthiest conversation was when Lucas brought up needing to stop to get money for the trip, which mildly amused Gabby. She explained that when money was needed, she would simply have it. He shook his head and decided to just go with it.

Money appearing out of nowhere was something else to add to the list of what was an impossibility for Lucas a day and a half ago. Circumstances were forcing him to become an open-minded and fast learner.

He still hadn’t been able to get the look on Gabby’s face during her vision out of his thoughts. Her eyes were wide with panic and horror while the rest of her face held no expression, frozen from the onslaught of images. She had seemed so far away that he hadn’t known if she would hear him calling her name at all. How bad had the scene playing in her mind been?

Maybe it’s better if I don’t know.

In the short amount of time that had passed since he had learned of the fantastical side of the world, especially that he was a part of that mystical side, he had wondered if he was better off not knowing. It would mean remaining in the dark about whom he was, though. He would continue to have unanswered questions about himself, probably for the rest of his life, and that wasn’t comforting, either.

It would mean that I wouldn’t know that there is someone out there who tried to kill me, who will probably try to kill me, again. Someone
I
want to find. Someone I
will
find.

Fresh adrenaline surged through him from his anger and need for revenge. His hands formed tight fists. He wanted to cause the demon who murdered his family as much pain as a human could, dragging it out as long as possible. He wanted to see its black eyes plead with him for its existence as he watched its life fade away to nothing.

The way he enjoyed watching the lives drain out of my family’s eyes, and the child’s—the one he thought was me.

He wanted that more than anything he had ever wanted in his life.

He hadn’t mentioned to Gabby or Gran that while he stood there in the living room that night, frozen and unable to speak, listening to the horrific end of most of his family, he was already planning an agonizing end for the demon. With every word spoken about the murders and the murderer, more power and life was breathed into that dark creature that he was beginning to accept lived within him—a creature that would remain silent no longer now that it yearned for blood. Lucas smiled tightly at the thought. Whether anyone thought it was right or not, he would enjoy the moment he ended the life that had caused him so much loss—so much pain.

He just had to figure out how to find him. Lucas knew it was going to take a tremendous amount of planning and patience. He hoped accompanying Gabby would teach him more about what he needed to know of the Underworld and Shadow World and all its inhabitants.

Lucas closed his eyes and focused on calming himself. He didn’t want Gabby to see, or somehow sense, his intentions. If he were honest, the level of hate it brought out of him was unnerving. He had never felt the hunger to end someone else’s life. He didn’t even know he had it in him
to
feel it, but he wanted to watch as the demon’s blood spilled, and know he was the one responsible the demon’s death.

He focused on how it felt to hold and kiss Gabby, trying to recreate the feelings of warmth and desire, hoping it would be stronger than the anger as he tried to push the dark thoughts away. It seemed to work. He felt his pulse slow, his hands relax. Lucas shook off the obsessive thoughts as he brought his focus back on their journey and the angel who sat next to him. He took her hand in his as they continued their drive to the airport, but it wasn’t until they were seated on the plane, taxying down the runway, that he began to truly feel better.

Lucas turned to Gabby who was peering out the window next to her, looking into the black night surrounding them. The color seemed to be deeper than normal. Was it because the thick ceiling of clouds blocked what little light the moon and stars offered, or was it his new knowledge of the real Darkness of the world? He wasn’t going to think any more about creatures lurking, though. He was going to be content just looking at her, and he had a feeling she was somewhere in her mind where nothing in her human vision would garner her attention.

Butterflies stirred his stomach. They had hitched a ride as soon as they left his house but were more active as he considered what could be in her thoughts. Was she thinking about the vision? His safety? What the Qalal may do to him later? If he was worth all this trouble? If God would strike them both down for their relationship? It was all a part of the unknown craziness he was venturing into. He sighed quietly and tried to let his thoughts drift further toward Gabrielle—away from questions he had no answers for.

Lucas could have never imagined someone would have the ability to possess his heart so completely—so quickly. A lock of hair slipped out of her messy ponytail, and he gently tucked it behind her ear, feeling a familiar rush of warmth.

Gabby turned her head toward him, then her body. She reached out to put a hand on his cheek. When her fingertips touched his skin, more tendrils of heat meandered through him—dwelling in every inch of his body. He wished they were alone so he could kiss her the way he wanted. Instead, he closed his eyes, took her hand, and slowly brought it to his lips. Starting at her fingertips and ending at the bend of her elbow, he tenderly kissed her skin. When he raised his head and opened his eyes, she was smiling her brilliant, perfect smile, causing his stomach to flip.

“Thank you, love,” he whispered, “for letting me come. At least this makes me feel like I’m not just waiting around to be a victim. I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. It would have made me crazy.
”

“I think you’re pretty much ready for the straight-jacket
now
for doing this,” she whispered, laughing as she did. “But, I would have insisted too, if I were you.” She paused, seeming to get caught up in studying his face; he was only inches away from her. She reached to touch his cheek again.

“I do understand, Lucas.”

After a few moments, they closed their eyes and drifted into restless sleep. Both had similar, unsettling dreams full of blood, violence, pain, and heart-wrenching loss.

Dreams they both kept to themselves, hoping that was all they would ever be.