It was especially quiet on the day Angel McKell was first taken.
She had been walking amongst the field of tulips when the sky suddenly darkened. Clouds black as pitch covered the blazing sun, fast enough to seem unusual. It wasn't uncommon to have flash storms, but the clouds moved slowly. Angel stared upward in horror as a flash of lightening revealed a man with a smile on his face so wide, she was surprised it didn't crack.
"W-what do you want?" Angel heard herself squeak.
Pull it together! Be strong. Remember what mama told you! The day you are caught, my daughter, call out in your mind as loudly as you can. He will hear you. But until then, fight as I did.
"What I want is a lifemate strong enough to bring me back."
"You're a vampire."
"Quite so."
"Nothing can save you." She was proud to say that she sounded level.
"Not true. Even you must realize that."
"What? That your beliefs get you no where but dead?"
"What do you mean?"
"If my memory serves me well, it seems as though every time one of
your kind tries to take a lifemate, it dies. It would be in your best
interest to just leave me alone."
"Ah, but you see, there is no one to save you. No one knows you exist. I am free to take you."
"Not as free as you think."
"If I must, I shall use force."
"Bring it on."
The burst of power aimed at her missed its mark. She'd jumped and landed gracefully behind him.
"Boo."
She whispered, and when he turned, she punched him in the face hard enough to break his nose. He ignored the pain and reached for her. She jumped again. This time, he was right on her tail. He grabbed her ankle, and pulled her down his body so he could have a better hold on her. The world around her disappeared. She was caught.
'I'm caught! HELP ME! She said you would hear me!'
She waited. And waited. There was no answer. She tried again.
HELP ME!! MOM SAID YOU'D HEAR!!
I hear. I am coming.
Those last three words, said with such dark fury, made her hope.
Thank you.
Lifemate, there is a price for you to be saved.
What?
I must be allowed to claim you as soon as I can.
Oh. Well, what is your name?
Gabriel, Angel, Gabriel.
How did you know my name?
A little bird told me. Focus on your surroundings. He could come for you at any minute, and he is not against compulsion to get you to comply.
Hurry.
GABRIEL
He was sitting on his couch, staring blankly at his TV. There were some days when he wished that he could just go to her, show her that she isn't alone. But he'd promised her mother that he'd wait until she was caught. He'd whispered the words of claim when she was born, but that wouldn't stop a vampire. He sighed, turned the TV off, got up, and stretched like a cat.
HELP ME!! MOM SAID YOU'D HEAR!!
Her voice caused him to flinch. She was caught, but now he could claim her.
I hear. I am coming. He replied.
Thank you.
He couldn't resist.
Lifemate, there is a price for you to be saved.
What? She sounded wary.
I must be allowed to claim you as soon as I can.
He was mean. He knew it too.
Oh. Well, what is your name?
Gabriel, Angel, Gabriel.
How did you know my name?
He almost laughed.
A little bird told me. Focus on your surroundings. He could come for you at any minute, and he is not against compulsion to get you to comply.
This time, he wasn't joking.
Hurry.
