Soul

Discussion

6

"So do you reckon that guy's legit or what?"

Gabe sighed and pushed his wire rims back up his nose. "As far as I can tell, yes he is. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't watch our backs around him."

Leslie frowned. "Watch our backs?"

"Angels aren't always as innocent as they appear to be. Don't believe everything you read, especially when it comes to Otherworld creatures," Gabe said wearily. 

Leslie watched him carefully as he spoke, frowning a little. He was much too pale, there were deep shadows under his eyes and his whole body seemed to sag under some invisible weight. She didn't need to be able to read his emotions to tell that he was exhausted.

"You don't look well."

"I'm fine." Gabe glanced at her sharply and Leslie could tell once again that she'd overstepped the mark. Her concern unnerved him, that much was obvious. Actually, she seemed to make him uncomfortable full stop. And yet here they were, alone in his office, something that occured quite regularly.

 Leslie knew that the fact that her mind was hidden from him disturbed Gabe on some level. It made him wary of her. And yet she suspected that being with her was also somewhat restful- a break from the otherwise endless stream of chatter inside his already overflowing mind. She shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, fair enough.  Just saying it wouldn't hurt for you to actually get some sleep for a change. Despite what you might like to think, you are an actual human."

Gabe glared at her. "Meaning what, exactly?"

"Meaning that just like the rest of the people in the world, you require basic human things, like sleeping and breaks from work, to function, Oh Wise One."

There was a taut, cold silence. Leslie wondered if at last, she might have pushed too hard at the invisible wall Gabe had created between them. She prepared to be told to get out. Or to have the contents of the heavy wooden desk flung telekinetically at her head.

Then, against all probability, Gabe's posture relaxed somewhat. He sat on the edge of the desk with a sigh. "I suppose a nap might be beneficial."

"There we go." Leslie sat down on the chair directly in front of him. "So are you gonna tell me what has you so hot and bothered or not?"

Gabe didn't answer for a few seconds. He scrubbed his face with his hands. Sighed again. Then, "This Otherworld problem is bigger than even I  could have forseen. My preliminary reports suggested demon involvement but...nothing of this magnitude." He paused. "Also this particular development means Ro's abilities will be more vital than ever. And her powers are far from where they should be."

Leslie stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean they're not where they should be? The girl can  close hell portals and decapitate any demon with one swing of her sword. I've seen her destroy entire legions of Otherworlders without breaking a sweat. How much more powerful could she possibly be?"

A shade of his usual cold irritation bled into Gabe's tone as he answered, cutting through the exhaustion. "In case you haven't noticed, Leslie, this isn't just 'any demon' we're talking about here. This is the master of the Otherworld. The King of Hell himself. Do you really think such a powerful being can be taken care of as easily as your average Shadow Wraith or Ripper Hound?"

"Well obviously not, I just meant-"

 "Our entire operation rests on her abilities. I knew that from the moment I found her. Now the fate of this entire world's existence does too. Can you honestly say she's prepared for that?"

There was a pause.

Leslie bit her lip. "Maybe not. But she's strong, she'll get there."

"She has no choice but to get there," Gabe said calmly.

"And...if she doesn't?"

Gabe lifted his sharp, unyielding gaze to hers."We all die."

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I'm back, after three years. Shocker. Hoping to finish this this time. If anyone actually reads this I will be forever grateful.