Legends Never Die

V. Ally

Out of all his brothers, Gabriel Coleman was most prone to anxiety. Almost to the point of attacks that cut off his ability to breath. At that moment in time, his heart was racing like a horse, crashing against his ribcage painfully.

When they planned this meeting, he was all for it. If the ancient vampire could help Sang, then fuck his own safety, honestly. But it was different seeing her in person. The way his heart seized and skipped was proof enough that she was dangerous. Gabriel might not be much use to his team outside of subterfuge, but one thing he could claim was having good instincts.

The scary vampire lady looked at them with deep brown eyes that viewed them with tolerance, but barely any respect. Even Mr. Blackbourne looked uncomfortable, which was a feat that many have to work hard for.

It was almost sad how hard the team worked to achieve an intimidating presence, only to be faced with this being that had walked the earth far more years than their own grandmother's could claim.

Despite her intimidating presence, Sean was the first to speak up and make introductions. After all of our names were offered, Sif tilted her head and viewed everyone with curious eyes, almost like how a human would view their pet. It was beyond unsettling.

One thing was for sure; Gabriel was new to this whole supernatural bullshit, but he was no stranger to being in a room with a predatory presence, and this woman was definitely on-fucking-top of the food chain.

It was comparable to what he would imagine taking a stroll through the Amazon would feel like. Stifling and fear inducing. Knowing danger was around every corner but having no idea when an attack would happen, or where it would come from.

He could only hope that North would rain in his temper, because he was not willing to become chow for a thirsty, vengeful vamp. They weren't in a book or a movie. The situation they were in wasn't fiction. The idea of being bitten wasn't hot or sexy. It was downright terrifying.

Gabriel had no delusions. Knowing the person standing across the room from him could kill him as easily as breathing was something he never would have imagined. It was different with Trouble. He loved her and feared her. This lady had no relationship with them that would keep her from harming them. Their lives were inconsequential.

With that in mind, he sent her a small, shaky grin that basically begged don't kill me, don't kill me, don't kill me. And his sweaty palms added on the timid please that he couldn't speak out loud.

Sif looked at him and traced his stance with a furrow to her brow, but knowing how uncomfortable he was, turned her gaze elsewhere. Gabriel let out the rush of air from his lungs that he wasn't aware he had been holding, and Luke pressed his arm against his side in comfort.

The quiet in the room was awkward as fuck, and he had to stop himself from blurting out something stupid. Thankfully, Owen saved him from the upcoming, enormous mistake.

"We're thankful that you are here to help, Ms. Sif," Owen says.

She nodded. "It's no trouble. Jace was able to fill me in, as much as he was able. Is there anything you would like to add?"

"I assume you know of Ms. Sang's...transition. Did he warn you of the other women who've been attacked as well?"

"He did," she confirmed with a quick look at Jace, who was sitting in an armchair. "That is something we can discuss later. I'd like to speak with Sang before we start with hunting the people responsible."

Gabriel tensed at the mention of Sang, along with his brothers. It went against everything in him to allow this lady around his Trouble, but...wasn't she here to help? Could he even stop her if he wanted to? He shared an uneasy look with Luke, his best friends brown eyes just as conflicted.