Blood Lilly

Chapter 10

There was voice, a person calling out to me. My blood tingled as I struggled to hear what the person was saying. This was not a dream like before, I knew Cayn was not invading my sleep and yet it felt as though someone was.

"Lilly," the hushed voice called out as if not to disturb me. My mind racing as it tried to figure out who was talking. Only one name came into my mind... Levi. But no, not him, he was gone. Maybe I was having a nightmare. "Lilly, where are you?" the voice caressed my soul making me feel agitated. Levi was gone and never coming back. That had been his choice, not mine. He had broken my heart and ruined something beautiful and now he wanted to do that again...No, not this time.

"Go away. Go away. Go away," I chanted, he wasn't going to ruin this for me. I would not allow him to. My blood boiled as I twisted uncomfortably. Something was happening but the voice was gone.

I woke while it was still dark, the heat from Gabriel's body made me feel hot, I assumed. I pinched myself... just to make sure I was actually awake. He was still here, his arms wrapped around me. My nightmare faded into the background, much to my relief. The soft sound of Gabriel's breathing a comfort, as I rested my head back into the nook of his arm. Instinctively he pulled me closer, holding my body against his. This is what it was meant to be like, I sighed contently; closing my eyes with the peace of mind that he'd still be there when I woke again. Sweet blissful dreams were the only thing to plague me.

A hand brushed away my hair from my shoulder, as I yawned. Was it morning already? My neck was stiff from sleeping in an uncommon position but I couldn't have cared less. The hand that woke me, made tingling little lines down the side of my waist. A small sound, not quite a moan but something similar escaped from my lips. This was something I could get used to, waking up with a gorgeous guy. Oh how badly I wanted to kiss him.

"Good morning," Gabriel chimed as I turned. "It is certainly a beautiful start to the day." He reached over to check his clock that had somehow been twisted around. My breath taken away as I caught the sight of him in the morning light, he was truly a sight to behold. His square jaw softened in this light, bright ocean blue eyes gazing down at me with happiness.

"Good morning." I smiled unable to control myself.

"Do you want breakfast?" he asked, as I bit my bottom lip, I wanted something but it wasn't breakfast I thought with a wicked smirk.

"Lilly you have that look in your eyes, one that means trouble," he chastised as I reached up to pull him towards me. I didn't care that I probably looked like shit or that I might have had the worst case of morning breath. Nope, none of it mattered when he clasped my waist and his mouth touched mine.

We made love in the morning light until I was exhausted. Sweat dripped from his brow into my chest as he laid his head between my breasts. The sun now sat high in the sky and there was not a cloud to be found. Slowly he rose, making his way to the master bathroom. Pulling up the sheet I giggled, life seemed so surreal. Surely this was all too good to be true. Were we now an item? I wondered, unsure how to ask him. His cell rang, the sound echoing in the room. I glanced at the number wondering who it might be, not that I had a reason to be jealous. The name was private so I left it.

Slipping into his shirt, I wondered if now was the time to head back to my room and get dressed. His room felt awkward and uncomfortable now, though I was sure that was my inexperience at doing such things. After a nice hot shower and putting on proper clothes things would feel right again. I was sure of it.

Picking up the towel I had walked in with I made my way down the other end of the house. I had heard Gabriel's shower turn off and the sound of his cell phone rang out again. Someone must have wanted to talk to him badly. Grabbing some black yoga pants and a white singlet I headed to the shower.

My wet clothes were still on the floor where I had left them the day before. Picking them up and ringing them out, I laid them over the sink. Soft wisps of steam filled the room as the shower began to fog everything up. Every muscle in my body was sore, my legs felt the worst, both heavy and weak. I had swollen knuckles and some pretty decent bruising but I didn't care.

I understood now why he had done it, to see if I could protect myself from him. Maybe one day he'd have to choose between me and the Order but I wouldn't make him. I wouldn't force him to leave all that he had known. So that meant I would just enjoy the time we had, however long that might be. I hoped for more than three days but the Order was fickle and could call him back whenever.

After showering I walked to the laundry with my dirty wet cloths. I could hear Gabriel in his study, talking on the phone.

"Yes, of course I've looked for her but she was..." Caught my attention, surely he wasn't referring to me so who was the girl? "Yes I know it's been over a month but you told me that the Fallen were searching, wouldn't it make more sense that one of them has her tucked away somewhere."

My breath caught and that uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach twisted making me sick. Clearly he was talking about me but to whom and why was he lying. I didn't like the sound of this...not one little bit. My heart thumped harder as I pressed my ear against the door.

"No, I understand. You want me to find her and kill her." Gabriel spoke the words in a low groan as my heart exploded. I had hoped for a few days of bliss. To spend the time in Gabriel's arms, while forgetting the outside world even existed. That was not going to happen. I knew Gabriel couldn't put off what he had been ordered to do forever. It would kill him to hurt me; I wouldn't do that to him. Dropping my clothes I ran back into my room, stuffing things into a backpack. I had a prepaid credit card, thanks to my tastes in shopping and I knew where Gabriel's motorbike keys were. Quickly I grabbed them, feeling awful as I took out cash from his wallet. There was a pen and pad in the kitchen, which I used to scribble a note.

Gabriel, I know what you have to do. Last night was the best night of my life and I will always hold that close to my heart, even when it stops beating. Sorry to have to do this but I want to live and to prove to the Order that I am no threat.

Love, Lilly.

I didn't cry though I wanted to; tears would have to wait. I needed to escape and find a way to redeem myself in the eyes of the Order. It wouldn't be easy but what other choice did I have.

Throwing on the helmet and jacket I had used when I arrived here, I hopped onto Gabriel's bike. The gate was already opening as I turned over the engine and high tailed it out of there. I didn't know where I was heading all I knew is it had to be somewhere the Order wouldn't look for me. First thing I know I needed to do was to ditch his bike and find another ride, otherwise I would be an easy target.

A bus stop was only two miles down the road but I wasn't comfortable leaving Gabriel's bike there. I rode into the small town securing the bike outside a diner before heading to the bus station. I would catch the first bus out of here, making sure to leave the bike key with the station master. I brought two tickets unsure which one I would catch. I had two choices, I could end up in Las Vegas or I could go in the opposite direction and end up in Virginia. Both buses would board at the same time, making it harder for Gabriel to track me. Only fifteen minutes to wait before I had to decide. I wondered if Gabriel knew I was gone yet. Would he hate me for leaving? Every fiber in my body told me I had done the right thing and yet I still felt horrible. What if I had just made the worst mistake of my life?

Two buses pulled up and I waited for people to unload and for my turn to jump on. Handing the driver my ticket; he looked up at me with a sympathetic smile. Clearly he thought I was an abused girl looking for a way out. It wasn't far from the truth I guessed, as I slunk my way to the back of the bus. Rain began to fall onto the window with soft little thuds as distant thunder rumbled. What a fitting end to my time with Gabriel I thought as I rested my head against the glass. Time would tell if we would meet again. And, if we did, who would survive?