Cross the Line: A Gabriella Cross Paranormal Romance Book 2 (18 page)

“You have betrayed me for the last time,” said Lilith, pulling back the spear tip.

Gabby used what strength she had left to reach out and grab ahold of Lilith’s head with both hands. She tried to nullify the vampire again, but she was spent, and only a small pulse emanated from her. Lilith growled with rage and pulled back the spear tip, meaning to stab Gabby in the heart, but before she could thrust it forward, something brown slammed into her. She released Gabby, whose legs gave out when she hit the ground. Gabby looked up from her prone position and found Michael in werewolf form grappling with Lilith, who was trying to impale him with the spear. Gabby tried to go for her gun but could hardly hold up her head.

Michael had taken a form that Gabby had never seen before. He no longer stood on all fours, but rather stood like a man. He had arms like a man, though his hind legs were still that of a wolf. His head and face were a cross between the two species, with long canines that snapped at Lilith repeatedly as they struggled. Weakened as she was from Gabby’s nullification, Lilith stood no chance in the end. Michael disarmed her and took up the spear himself before wrestling her to the ground and stabbing her in the heart.

Lilith cried out and instantly burst into flames that seemed not to touch Michael. In a few seconds it was over, and only ashes remained.

Gabby smiled to herself and surrendered to sweet oblivion.

Gabby woke up not knowing where she was. The sunlight through a window to her right cast such a brilliant glow that it temporarily blinded her. She tried to move and felt a shooting hot pain in her head. Her body ached everywhere, and her mouth was so dry that her tongue stuck to the top.

Someone pulled the curtain closed, and Gabby strained to see who it was.

“How you doing, girl?” said Quip.

He moved toward her, further blocking out the glare through the curtains, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Water,” Gabby croaked.

Quip helped her to sit up and brought a cup to her lips. She drank greedily and choked on the water, sending pain crashing through her body.

“Steele Tower?” Gabby asked.

“Yeah, we’re in Steele Tower,” said Quip. “You been out for three days.”

“How is my father?”

Quip smiled, and Gabby’s heart leapt. “The antidote worked. Though they’re still keeping him around for testing and to monitor his condition. He’s had a lot of complications from the poisoning.”

Gabby laughed and cried. She laughed because he was finally safe, but cried because her actions had gotten him there in the first place.

“I’m done,” said Gabby. “I’m never using my power again.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I’ve only done harm with it. I nearly got my father killed and helped a vampire get her hands on the Spear of Destiny. I don’t deserve this power.”

“Shush now, you’re talking gibberish,” said Quip, looking concerned.

“I mean it, Quip. I’m done. Please just be my friend and don’t try to talk me out of it.”

“Friends talk friends out of bad decisions,” said Quip, as unrelenting as ever.

Gabby shook her head and sighed. She sat up with effort and waved off Quip’s help before coaxing one and then the other shaky leg over the side of the bed. Quip hurried to the closet and brought back an old hard-shell suitcase.

“I went to your house and picked up some clothes and toiletries.”

Gabby thanked him and let him help her out of her hospital gown and into her street clothes.

“I want to see Dad.”

“This way, babe,” said Quip. “Lean on me.”

Her father’s room proved to be only a few doors down. Passing by the rooms, she recognized two of the men in hospital beds as the weres who had gone with them to the castle. Their pale faces reminded her that she had been the one to put them in harm’s way.

Quip stopped before the general’s open door and extended his hand inside, ushering her in. Gabby collected herself, realizing how ashamed she was to go before her father. She wanted to turn and run down the hall, but she could not. Instead she walked through the threshold bravely, and was relieved to find her father’s smiling face.

“Hello Gabs. It is good to see you safe,” said her father.

Gabby’s throat constricted when she heard his weakened, raspy voice. She noticed the many machines hooked to him, as well as the runes carved into the steel bed.

“The spells are helping you get better…I don’t want to nullify them.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said her father, opening his arms wide. “Get over here.”

Gabby walked quickly to her father and wrapped her arms around him. She tried to hold it in, tried to be strong like her sister had been, but Gabby lost it in his arms and let the tears stream down her face.

“I’m so sorry, Dad. This was all my fault.”

She felt her father laugh, and both anger and confusion filled her mind. “Why are you laughing? This isn’t funny,” she said, pulling back from him.

“You sound a lot like your mother. She always felt guilty about everything. Thought everything was her fault.”

“But what happened to you
was
my fault. Didn’t they tell you?”

“I know that you followed and fought three vamps who came in behind us. You nullified them to save our lives. That is all I need to know. I don’t blame you for what happened in the warehouse. The poison bullet points to the whole thing being a setup anyway. But I must say, Gabby, that you going after the vampire Lilith by yourself and then agreeing to help her break into Michael’s vault…that was reckless. Please don’t ever do something like that on my behalf ever again.”

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t just let you die.”

“Your displaced sense of guilt led you to make grave mistakes, Gabby. You wanted to be a part of this world, and now you must accept the reality of the Otherworld. Your ability will always draw enemies who will use those you love to get to you, to get you to do things that you know are wrong.”

Her father was right, and the idea terrified her. She had been such a baby lately, bitching about not being allowed on bigger missions, finding any excuse to drink the blood of vampires and werewolves. It was a miracle that she was still alive.

“That won’t be a problem anymore,” said Gabby. “I’m done. You and Mom were right to try to hide the Otherworld from me. I can’t handle it. I’m too weak, nothing like Maggy. It should have been me who d—”

“Don’t you talk like that, Gabriella Amber Cross. Don’t you ever think or say those words again,” said her father, squeezing the hand that he held with two of his.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…” Gabby noticed that the runes embedded in the headboard were beginning to dim. Her power was leaking. “I’ve got to go,” she said, getting up.

Her father had noticed the change as well, but smiled on her kindly. “I’ll be out of here soon. We’ll talk.”

“I’d like that,” said Gabby, trying to swallow the growing lump in her throat. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, Gabriella.”

She kissed him on the cheek and enjoyed one last hug before leaving.

The bright lights of the infirmary gave way to soft earthy tones and the dim hall beyond the swinging doors. Gabby walked to the elevator as if through a dream landscape. The tears steadily flowing from her eyes blurred the hallway and sharp edges, giving the illusion that she was walking through a sparkling cone leading into darkness. Through the swinging doors she went, and came face to face with Quip.

“Jesus, Gabs. You alright?” he asked, stopping before her and taking her by the hands.

Gabby wiped at her eyes and got herself under control. She swallowed down the lump of sorrow and looked her dearest friend in the eyes. “I’m fine. Just happy to see my father in health. But I’ve got to go. I’m affecting the spells around here.”

“I’ll come with you then. You look like you could use a drink.”

“Not tonight,” said Gabby, trying not to give away what she was planning. But Quip was no fool. His witch senses had caught on before she had even opened her mouth, and she knew it.

He began to speak, likely to tell her that she had friends that she could lean on here, that she didn’t have to go away for their sake. Gabby knew that if she heard the words, she would change her mind.

“Please,” said Gabby, before he could speak. “Please don’t try to talk me out of it. I’ve got to do this, ok? I’ve just got to.”

Quip’s face became desperate, and sorrow washed over it. Tears welled in his eyes, pooling and shimmering above his sparkling mascara. Rather than speak, he hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

“You come back to me some day. Damn you, Gabby. You come back.”

Gabby walked out of Steele Tower and hailed the first cab she found. Cold October rain had begun to fall on Chicago. She stared at the windshield wipers and lost herself to her new plan, one that she was beginning to accept as truly the only way to protect the ones she loved from her enemies, and not only that, but to protect the world from herself.

She didn’t deserve her power, and she never thought that she would. The Spear of Destiny had fallen into the wrong hands because of her. What untold horror might Lilith have unleashed due to Gabby’s foolishness? Another holocaust? This one led by an ancient vampire? Gabby shivered despite the cranking heater in the front.

This is for the best,
she told herself.

When the driver dropped her off, she asked him to wait for her, and to keep the tab running if need be. Once in the house she locked the door behind her and took a quick shower. She packed a few bags of clothes and took her mother’s pendant from the jewelry box. In the white room she grabbed fifty thousand in cash, along with a fake ID identifying her as Piper Peterson. There was a fake birth certificate for Piper, along with a social security card and passport. Stashing the forged documents in her pocket, she considered the many weapons and especially the vials of vampire blood.

Gabby took one of the vials in her shaking hand and thought of what it would be like to drink it. Her body shuddered at the thought, and for a moment she fought the urge to pop the cork and throw it back. Instead she smashed it on the floor and broke the remaining vials as well.

She took nothing else from the white room; that was a part of her old life and had no place in her new one.

After closing the door to the white room for the last time, Gabby replaced the bottle that was used to hold down the locking mechanism with another, and added it to her bag.

In the living room she considered taking along a family photo and another that was her favorite of Maggy, but in the end she decided against it. She couldn’t bring anything that might give away her true identity.

She stopped at the door and gave the house one final looking-over before turning the knob and heading out to meet her new life.

Riggs stood in the doorway, looking to have been about to knock.

“We’ve got to talk,” he said, eyeing Gabby’s bags.

“This isn’t a good time,” said Gabby, glancing around at the street and dark window beyond.

“Yeah, well, make time,” he said, blocking the way.

“What are you doing? I told you I have to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what the fuck happened the other night. And where the hell have you been?”

“You don’t want to know what I’ve got to say. Do yourself a favor and forget about all of it.”

“I can’t forget what I saw.”

“Did you report it?”

Riggs shook his head.

“Why not?”

He laughed mirthlessly, and Gabby could sense intense anger burning just under the surface. “I’ve been let go.”

“Let go? Fired?”

Riggs nodded, brow furled in anger.

“I’m so sorry,” said Gabby, feeling that this too was of course her fault.

“Then tell me the truth. You owe me that much for saving your ass.”

“The truth is I like you too much to tell you the truth. You would eventually curse the day you even asked that question. Consider this me saving your ass. We’re even.”

She shouldered her bags and moved to push past him. To her surprise, he grabbed ahold of her shoulders and turned her around, forcing her to face him.

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on with you,” said Riggs. “Are you in trouble again?”

Gabby laughed bitterly. “I’m always in trouble. Why do you even care what happens to me? We hardly know each other.”

He started to say something, looking unsure of himself, but then a look of determination overcame him and he suddenly kissed her. Gabby dropped the bags and wrapped her arms around him. The kiss was gentle, loving, with none of the animalistic urgency that they had shared previously.

Gabby wanted to tell him everything. She wanted to make love all afternoon and curl up safe beside him. But she knew that if she let him in, he would eventually get hurt or worse, and she liked him too much to risk it. Gabby was a liability to everyone who knew her, and for their sake, she had to go.

Riggs cupped her face with one hand and hugged her. Gabby fought the urge to melt into him, to shut out the world and all its problems and lose herself in his embrace.

“I can’t do this,” she said, voice shaking with emotion.

“Why not? I know that you feel the same way. Let me help you.”

“I…” Gabby pulled away before her determination failed her. She picked up her bags.

Riggs still barred the way. His eyes were glossy, and the look on his face broke her heart.

“Whatever it is, I’m with you, Gabby. Why are you so afraid to let me in?”

Gabby touched his cheek and pulled him in for one final kiss. When she released him, he looked hopeful.

“You’re a good guy, Frank, and there’s a good woman out there for you. You don’t need someone like me. Trust me.”

“Gabby…”

“If you love me, you will respect my decision. Don’t follow me. And don’t try to find me. It’s better this way. Goodbye, Frank.”

She moved to the door, and Riggs did nothing to stop her this time.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Gabby marched to the street and headed east, not wanting to take any of the vehicles she owned. To her relief, Riggs didn’t follow her.

The day was a chilly one, but Gabby wrapped her jacket around her tight and got in the waiting cab.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

“The airport.”

Gabby’s phone rang. It was Valentine. She let it go to voicemail, and after a few moments, the message notification popped up. She considered erasing it, knowing what Valentine would say, and she didn’t want to hear anything that would test her resolve. Eventually, curiosity got the better of her, and she tapped the button to listen.

“Gabby, it’s Valentine. Where are you? I’m headed over to your house right now. We’ve got to talk. Gabby…I’m so sorry. I really am. I never meant to hurt you. I meant what I said in the vault…I love you. You must believe me. I’ve never met anyone like you before. Please. Let me make it up to you. Let’s have a fresh start. You mean the world to m—”

Gabby shut off her phone and wiped her eyes. She opened the passenger window, meaning to throw the phone out, but just then she saw the dark SUV in the side mirror. Angrily, she dialed Michael’s number. She had been hoping to avoid explaining things to him, knowing that if anyone could convince her to stay, it would be him. But she wasn’t going to get anywhere with the weres trailing her.

“Gabby?”

“Hello, Michael.”

“They told me that you checked yourself out. Bob just informed me that you’re in a cab headed back to the city. What’s going on?”

“Call off the guards.”

There was a moment of silence, then, “Where are you going?”

“I’m tired of explaining myself. Please, just do what I ask.”

“Gabby, listen to me. You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes I do!” said Gabby, so loudly that the cab driver jumped in his seat and offered her a startled look. “Goddammit, Michael. Stop being my big brother and be my friend. The vamp—” Gabby glanced at the driver and lowered her voice. “The
threat
has passed. I don’t need your guards watching over me anymore.”

“Tell me where you’re headed. I’ll meet you. We can talk.”

Gabby ground her teeth and fought back the urge to break down. She didn’t know if she wanted to scream or bawl her eyes out.

“Michael. I’m asking you to trust me for once. Call off the guards, just let me go.”

Gabby heard a heavy sigh on the other line. When Michael spoke, the sorrow in his voice tore at her emotions.

“I can’t let you go. Not like this.”

Gabby fought to control herself and pushed the growing lump of emotion down deep. “You once told me that you don’t regret your biggest mistake, that it shaped you, and you learned from it. This might be a mistake, but it is my mistake to make. You’ve got to respect my decision.”

There were many long seconds of silence, and Gabby noticed the SUV behind them turn off onto a side road.

“Thank you, Michael.”

“Gabby...if you ever need anything…”

“I know, thanks. Goodbye, Michael.”

“Goodbye, Gabby,” said Michael, softly, reluctantly.

Gabby hung up the phone and wiped her eyes. She finally tossed the phone out the window.

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul, and Mary began to play on the radio, and Gabby laughed to herself until she was crying. She thought to tell the driver to change the channel but kept quiet. She needed to feel the pain, she needed to get used to it. Life was pain, and if you didn’t feel it, that meant that you were dead.

Gabby felt the urge to look back one last time, but she kept her teary eyes forward and looked ahead into the unknown.