The Trial

Chapter 20

I yawned and finally looked away from the stars, glancing around the deck. there where two lounge chairs with a table between them, so I sat down on one and got comfortable, looking back up at the stars and letting my mind wonder. I tried to tell myself that Gabriel and I sharing a room wouldn't be so bad. like he had said, it was the safest place for me, probably. I wondered how many vampires lived or stayed here or were just around in general. 

I remembered seeing the thousands that had been surrounding the sanctuary and wondered if they were all here or nearby. i wondered if that was all of them or if there were more. I quickly pushed those panic inducing thoughts aside, deciding that I didn't want to know. 

I wondered what my brother was doing and if he was okay. I hadn't been able to say goodbye. I missed him a lot, but Gabriel had said I could see him again, when he trusted me and vise versa. I wondered how long that would take. 

Ares even crept into my thoughts, and I wondered if he still felt that connection to me. I hoped it had faded, when Gabriel had nearly drained me the last time I was awake. Apollo came to mind, and I had no idea why. maybe, because he and Ares were the last ones I'd seen, besides my brother, before I was taken away from the only home I'd ever known. 

I sighed heavily and told myself that my going with Gabriel was well worth the lives of everyone else. in fact, I thought Gabriel was getting the short end of the deal. my life wasn't worth everyone else's, but he had asked for my life to keep the peace. I just didn't understand why. if it was because I'd read the diary, he could've just asked for the diary. I came to the conclusion that it must be because my blood was tasty to him, like Ares had mentioned in a round about way. 

my eyes were starting to get heavy, and it seemed to take longer and longer between blinks to reopen my eyes. I contemplated going inside, but I really didn't want to move. the food had done wonders for me, but I was still recovering and still felt like my energy was gone. it was like my body was exhausted, but my mind was still racing. 

another yawn made my eyes close, and I didn't bother fighting to reopen them. I just laid there in the lounge chair and let myself start falling asleep. the crickets chirping was like having quiet music playing, and it was lulling me to sleep. the soft breeze was caressing my skin and subduing my racing thoughts. the smell of pine and rain was soothing my senses and nerves. 

I was almost asleep, when I suddenly felt like I wasn't alone. it felt like someone was standing close to my right. with a gasp of surprise, I snapped my eyes and looked toward the door. Gabriel stood there, looking deep in thought. "I didn't mean to surprise you. you really shouldn't stay out here. It's going to rain soon."

as he moved toward me, I nervously said "I thought I could smell rain. it's been a long time since I've smelled it that I wasn't sure if it was going to rain or if it had already rained." 

as he reached a hand out to me, he murmured "let's get inside, before you catch cold."

hesitantly, I took his hand and let him help me up. as he guided me inside, I asked "how was your meeting?"

"it could've gone better, but we came to an agreement that will hold for now." he replied as he pulled the doors shut. pulling the curtains shut, he added "why don't you get ready for bed, while I take care of a few things downstairs." my heart skipped a beat and threatened to take off in a sprint, but I quickly kept it from doing so. however, I couldn't stop the slight gasp from escaping my lips. ignoring or not hearing my obvious panic, he added "there should be a few comfortable selections in your closet." 

he stepped up beside me and placed his hand on the small of my back, but I didn't budge. I was completely frozen in place, barely keeping my heartbeat and breathing calm and even. he gave me a curious look, so I forced a small smile and shakily said "okay."