Gabriella had experienced. All I could hope to do was help carry her through the pain, until she emerged the other side.
Time seemed to grind to a halt. Minutes became hours that stretched forward towards infinity.
At some point, Gabriella’s sobs became deep sighs. Then they stopped altogether. She kept her head buried in my shoulder, as if trying to hide.
I sat up and waited.
Like a timid animal, Gabriella eventually emerged, lifting up and pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes. They were swollen and red. Without another word, she slipped from the couch and disappeared into the bathroom. When she returned, all physical signs of her breakdown had been wiped clean. But I could still see it behind her eyes.
Gabriella sat down close to me. “You know I’ve never told anyone that before.”
I looked down. “I’m sorry. What happened to you…I had no idea. I feel so guilty for forcing you to talk about it.”
Gabriella shook her head. “No, it’s okay…really. I needed to, I just didn’t realise. I can’t explain how much better I feel now. It’s like I’ve been purged.”
“Still, it wasn’t fair of me to make you re-live all that purely for my sake. Although I am really glad you told me about them. They sounded like wonderful people.” She nodded. “They were.” “Sage Etorre was right. I bet if your parents could see you now they would be so proud of the person you’ve become.” Gabriella closed her eyes and fresh tears slipped down her cheeks. “Oh Ella, I didn’t mean to…” She shook her head and took a deep breath. “They would have really liked you.”
I felt a squeeze in my stomach at what was easily the best compliment anyone had ever given me. Gabriella brushed the back of her hand against my cheek, which vibrated where our skin connected. “It’s such a strange sensation,” she said, pulling her hand away and wiggling her fingers. My mouth fell open “You…you can feel that too?” “Since the day I first met you.” “Why didn’t you say something?” She smiled. “Why didn’t you?” I had no answer.
Gabriella looked away from me into the fire. As she stared at the flames, something shifted in her expression — became conflicted. “I need to tell you something else,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. “Anything.” “If I tell you, promise me that you won’t freak out.”
I panicked internally. Gabriella had already told me she was half-succubus and that her parents had been murdered by The Sorrow — the same nightmare that was after me — and neither times had she looked as nervous as she did now. What could possibly freak me out more than what she’s already told me?
“I won’t,” I promised.
She turned back to face me. Her expression looked so torn, I could feel the knots wrapping around my insides. “No it’s too soon, oh god, I don’t know-”
“Gabriella, tell me!”
“I think I’m in love with you.”
The words burst from her mouth as if they had escaped without permission. For a few seconds they didn’t register. Then like a delayed response, my body came alive with emotions. My heart skipped so many beats it seemed like it would never regain its rhythm. The knots transformed into a flurry of butterflies that beat a storm of wings against the walls of my stomach. Adrenaline surged through me, igniting every inch of my body and pushing all of my senses into overdrive.
Gabriella looked away. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a lot to take in. I–I’m confused myself. Maybe it’s the soulmate thing. I don’t know…I can’t help it.”
This can’t be real. I’m dreaming. But the look in her eyes told me it was real. I was sat in front of the most incredible girl ever to grace the Earth, and she was confessing her love for me.
Words were beyond my reach.
Gabriella stood up suddenly. “Look, don’t worry, it was stupid. Forget I said anything. I’m going to go downstairs.” She started moving towards the door.
Not this time.
I sprang off the sofa and marched after her, grabbing hold of her arm.
“Gabriella.”
I pulled her around to face me and pressed my lips against hers. They felt a thousand times better than in my imagination. The charges rolled through my body — they were different this time, more exciting. Our mouths parted and tongues gently touched and explored. Gabriella’s lips slid along mine as we kissed and a soft moan escaped her throat.
I pulled away and stared into her eyes. “I love you too. I did from the second I saw you.”
Gabriella’s face broke into a smile. She grabbed at the back of my neck and pulled me close. We kissed in short, breathless bursts. A wave of charges rolled down my spine making me shudder with pleasure. I ran my fingers up and down her bare arms, each one sending a fresh wave of electricity coursing through my fingers. My heart was racing.
With a sudden burst of control, I lifted Gabriella up. She wrapped her legs around my waist and placed her hands either side of my neck. Still kissing, we stumbled towards the sofa. I threw her down and slid on top of her. I slowly kissed the side of her neck as she let out sharp breaths, fingers raking through my hair. My lips buzzed every time they met her skin and she shook gently in response. She grabbed at my t-shirt, and I stopped so she could slide it off. I placed my hand in the small of her back and lifted her up into a sitting position. Gabriella crossed her arms and pulled her own top off. My breath caught in my throat as I saw her naked skin, covered only by a bra. She’s perfect.
Gabriella wildly kissed me all over. My face, neck, collarbone, chest. Each kiss sent vibrations rushing through my body. I wrapped my arms around her and felt the warmth of her Umbra skin on my hands. I sank back down onto her and pushed my lips against hers. The charges made everything more intense. I couldn’t believe I’d ever seen them as a bad thing. The more intense we got, the more pleasurable the electric connection got. I had no idea that anything could feel this good. Gabriella’s sweet breath filled my mouth as our tongues wrapped around each other. Her breathing grew heavier and she pushed a hand against my chest, breaking away. She moved her mouth to my ear and whispered into it, her voice breathless.
“Alex I want you… now.”
I didn’t refuse.
I woke up to a red glow pouring through a crack in the curtains. For a split second I thought the base was on fire, before I realised it was only the sunrise.
Gabriella’s naked body was wrapped around me, her head resting on my chest. Her raven hair flowed over it, spilling onto the sheets. I ran my fingers up and down her arm, letting the tips flow over her soft skin. She sighed in her sleep and nestled into me. At that moment, I was the happiest I’d ever been in my life.
In the tranquil silence of the morning, I let myself remember the night before and my stomach filled with butterflies all over again. It had been the most amazing experience of my life. At some point we’d ended up in the bedroom. Afterwards, I’d held Gabriella close and listened as she told me the rest of her story.
She’d still been wrapped in her mother’s arms when the HASEA had found her. Gabriella had thought it was the ‘giant’ come back to finish her off. But instead she’d been picked up by a kind female Guardian who soothed her, whilst another spoke on the phone. He’d told the person on the other end that they’d been too late. He had moved away from her and lowered his voice, but she’d still heard him say, ‘one more thing Sage Etorre. They had a child.’
I kissed Gabriella’s cheek and gently slipped from underneath her. I pulled the duvet up and wrapped it around her body, tucking her in. Moving over to the window, I opened the glowing curtains.
The sky looked as though it were on fire. Streaks of scorched clouds stretched into the horizon. Directly above was a yawning hole of blackness as dark as death. I twisted the drapes in my hands. This isn’t a sunrise.
“It’s the Red Storm.”
Gabriella’s voice made me start. I turned away from the window. She was sitting up, covers drawn up to her collarbones. “The Sorrow’s influence.” “What does it do?” “It’s a symbol used to invoke fear. The storm always arrives before The Sorrow does.” “But I thought Faru sealed the Veil?” “He did. But unfortunately that doesn’t stop
