Chapter Fourteen
"Gabrielle?"
The knock on the door startled Gabrielle. Rolling around in her sleep, she rubbed her eyes and hollered out to the intruder. Sam spoke through the door, telling her that it was already night and that the Brotherhood would be at The Pack any second. Listening to his footsteps, she waited until he was downstairs and rolled on her back.
She had spent yesterday hunting lessers that she found her max. After having twenty-six visions in one day, her body reached its limit that she slept the whole day off. Now it was night and the bar would be filled with vampires soon.
Still feeling like she was having a hangover, Gabrielle slowly sat up and shook her head. The room spun around for a second before settling. Once she was sure she could stand without falling over, she kicked off the covers and hopped up to her feet. The little clock on her nightstand said that it was eight-ten and the Brothers would be showing up in twenty minutes. Just thinking about the vampires being in the same room with her sent shivers down Gabrielle's body. But since they didn't know she knew them, the shivers didn't feel as cold.
Flexing her muscles and popping some bones, she looked at her hanging clothes. Almost everything she packed was clipped on the clothes line drying. Fetching her duffle and seeing if there was anything left, Gabrielle had to settle with a pair of loose jeans and a black sleeveless turtleneck. Since the jeans hanged around her waist, Gabrielle found a belt and tightened its hold. She didn't plan on showing the Brothers her goods.
Running a brush through her hair and brushing her teeth, her hand automatically went to her neck. It felt taboo without her chocker. At least she was looking forward to one thing. The rest she would wing it and see how it went. Finishing her business in the bathroom, Gabrielle shoved her feet in her boots and threw on her leather jacket.
Barely touching the steps as she made her way downstairs, Gabrielle saw Sam coming from the kitchen where she heard the cooks preparing. On the stage was a group of people testing the system while a woman was tuning her violin. The waitresses were cleaning the tables and making sure everything was in order before heading back to the kitchen to talk some things over with the cooks. Staying on the steps for a second, Gabrielle waited until Sam was behind the bar checking the drinks did she move.
Taking a seat on one of the barstools, she waved at her friend and he nodded. Looking over her shoulder, Gabrielle listened to the woman play a few notes before nodding to herself. Pointing her thumb, Gabrielle asked if paying the violinist was such a good idea. Sam laughed briefly as if what she asked him was so stupid.
"Victoria is a regular. A bunch of customers arrive here on Fridays just to hear her play. It'll only be a matter of time before some big shot agent comes to give her a record deal. Until then, I'm paying her double just to play tonight."
Gabrielle wheeled around in her seat and inspected the woman named Victoria. She had to be only twenty-two because she looked really young. She had light blond hair that curled around her face since it was barely touching the nape of her neck. Her dark blue eyes showed such an innocence that Gabrielle could hear it every time she plucked a string. She had the body every model died to get since she was tall without the help of the heels she was wearing and her clothes hugged her body like it was a part of her. Even though she was wearing a nice blouse, Gabrielle caught peeks of a tattoo that had to be on her back since what looked like an ear ended at her shoulders.
"Does Victoria have a last name?"
"Bishop. Her name's Victoria Bishop."
"Interesting. If she's as good as you say, then I approve."
Sam laughed again and went back to double checking the drinks. When he wasn't looking, Gabrielle snatched a shot glass and the whiskey bottle. Sam saw her and rolled his eyes. He then went back to the kitchen to tell the cooks something. Pouring herself a drink and placing the bottle back in its spot, she tossed the drink around before drinking it. Tossing the cup in the sink, she shook her head and eyed the clock hanging above the bar. It almost felt like years of training was doing little to calm her. In five minutes would the Brotherhood show up and she would be in this room with them.
Eyeing that whiskey bottle again, Gabrielle shook herself and got up from her seat. Walking over to Gabrielle, she told the woman to play something electrifying. Telling her that the guests would be here any second, Victoria called over for the tech guys to get ready. Watching the violinist take control of the stage, Gabrielle snatched a chair and plopped her ass firmly in the center.
Propping her legs up on the table and folding her arms under her breasts, she waited for Victoria to play. When a beat radiated from the amps in the walls, Victoria ran her rod down her strings and the sound stole whatever sound was coming out of the amps. Going for a fast paced song, Victoria worked her magic that the music coming from the walls was only the structure for her song. The music coming off her strings was the composure.
Gabrielle was so caught up with the music that she failed to hear the door open. But when she did look over, she gulped so loud she was glad the music covered her. The first person to enter the door was Wrath. And right behind him was Tohrment and Beth. When Gabrielle watched the Brothers flood in, she almost knocked over her chair by jumping. It wasn't only the Brothers who were checking out The Pack. They had brought their shellans as well.
Closing the door right behind him, Nightmahre looked at the bar. The first thing he heard was a violin playing. Whoever was playing almost sounded like they were mixing today music with the oldest orchestra music. It was so good that Rhage whistled and the others clapped. But Nightmahre wasn't focused on the violinist on the stage. His eyes zoomed in on Gabrielle who had a shocked expression on her face.
Her eyes were so wide that her eyebrows shot up under her bangs. It almost looked like she paled in a nanosecond because her color fled instantly. Nightmahre wasn't the only one who noticed because his brothers waved at her. Waving back at them, she held up her finger for a second and nearly ran to the kitchen.
"What was that about?" murmured Sohrrow.
"I have no idea."
When the violinist changed her song to continue, Wrath led the others deeper in the bar and they took their seats. Well, not everyone. The song the violinist was playing had all the shellans begging their hellrens to dance with them. It was Ehnvy who cracked first and led Annahbeth to the dance floor. Rhage was second to follow with Mary and Phury was right behind his Brother with his hand in Cormia's. It was only seconds later when Bella got up and Zsadist followed her to the floor.
While they danced, Nightmahre kept his eyes on the kitchen door. Gabrielle had been in there for a while and he didn't know why. But then he remembered that she was only human. She probably hadn't expected to see such huge men in the same room. The numbers must've overwhelmed her that she had to go in the back to collect herself.
Palming the chocker he had in his hand, Nightmahre remembered why he came. He was to give Gabrielle her chocker and be done with her. Only then would he be with his Rhoslyn in his dreams.
All heads turned to the kitchen doors when they swung open and the waitresses came streaming out. Sam was right behind them with Gabrielle at his side. A smile formed on Nightmahre's lips when the two of them wouldn't look at each other. There was a hint of annoyance in Sam's eyes and a short temper in Gabrielle's. The soldier part of Gabrielle must've kicked in because she held herself with complete control.
Sam waved his hand for Victoria to stop playing. Coming to a halt, she lowered her instrument and the music stopped.
"Welcome," he greeted.
The Brothers and their shellans said their hellos. Being a gracious host, Sam told the vampires the specials if they wished to have any and the waitresses passed out the menus. When Lhyra, Annahbeth and Ehmma stood, Sam shot them a look that told them not to get up. Tonight was their night off and Sam already had someone working the bar.
Giving out their orders, Victoria resumed to her playing and the waitresses left with their orders. Informing them it wouldn't be long, Nightmahre watched Sam retreat to the bar and took a seat next to Gabrielle. The human released his breath and Gabrielle laughed. She said something to him that had Sam arguing and she laughed again.
Seeing that this was his only opening, Nightmahre got up from the table and walked over to the bar. Before he got there, Gabrielle's eyes locked on him and he stopped in his tracks. Sam noticed his friend looking towards the male and he got up to check on the orders. Now that it was only Gabrielle, Nightmahre closed the gap and was standing in front of her.
Having no words at the moment, he raised his hand and revealed the chocker.
"I was wondering where that went," laughed Gabrielle. Taking the chocker, she clipped it securely around her neck. "Thanks. I don't know what I would've done without it."
"It must be important to you."
"Not really. It's just one of those things you have to have. You know, like if someone's wearing a watch and they forget it one day they feel naked? It's just a habit and it felt weird without it. Again, thanks. How about a cup of whiskey to show my appreciation?"
The bartender quirked his eye brow. Baring her teeth, Gabrielle made a move and the tender backed up. Nightmahre stifled a laugh as the tender went back to his business and ignored her. Reaching over for the bottle and two cups, Gabrielle poured the brown liquid in the cups and handed one to Nightmahre.
"To honesty. Because I honestly didn't think I was getting this thing back."
They clinked their cups and swallowed the drinks whole. Placing his cup on the counter, Nightmahre took a seat next to Gabrielle and watched the others.
"So," mumbled Gabrielle, "are you going to tell me who the others are?"
"Just some friends."
"Friends my ass. We just made a toast to honesty. So be honest."
"Fine," he laughed. Pointing to each Brother and their shellan, Nightmahre told Gabrielle the Brother's names and their females. She didn't seem too bothered that their names were of emotions. In fact, she grumbled on how cool their names were. She then assured him that his name was cooler than the rest.
What was he doing? He was supposed to be cutting the string between the both of them. Instead, he felt whatever tiny bond they had strengthen. The more he heard Gabrielle talk and laugh, the more he wanted to seal those lips with his. As she talked, Nightmahre's eyes left her lips and traveled to the turtleneck hugging her breasts. He saw the faint outline of her bra and felt himself harden. The more he looked, the more he wanted to take Gabrielle somewhere quiet and undress her.
Shaking his head, he tried to focus on whatever she was saying. When she asked what he thought, he lied and agreed with whatever she said. She mumbled again about honesty and nudged his shoulder. He couldn't help himself and nudged her back. Since the food wasn't out just yet, Nightmahre eased back in the stool and caught a glimpse of the picture hanging behind them.
"Since you've asked me a hundred questions, how about I ask you some?"
"Fine by me."
Nightmahre bobbed his head towards the picture. "Your friends? Did they make it back state side?"
Gabrielle went quite. The smile and light in her eyes faded so fast that it was almost like it was never there. Playing with her cup, she kept her gaze away from Nightmahre. She then placed it aside and rubbed her hands along her legs.
"That's a story for another night. All I can say was that they were good friends."
Nightmahre didn't push. He could tell it took everything she had just to say that. And he didn't have to speak. The waitresses came out with the food and the Brothers cheered. Having ordered a juicy steak burger with heavy salted fries, the waitress placed the order next to Nightmahre and walked off to serve John and Xhex.
But when Nightmahre turned to eat his burger, it was gone. For a second, all he could do was blink like an owl. He then raised the plate as if expecting to find the burger under it. When it wasn't there, he lowered the plate and looked around. That's when he watched Gabrielle take a huge bite out of his burger.
"That's mine."
"Oh, go cry me a freaking river. I haven't eaten since last night and I'm starving." Waving and snapping her fingers, the waitress leaving Tohr and Cormia looked over. "Yeah. I want another one. Actually, make it a double. Sam said this shit was for free and I'm hungry."
Fast on her heels, the waitress disappeared in the kitchen with the order. Nightmahre had taken his eyes off Gabrielle for one second to see everyone laughing and looked back to see the burger gone. Then he looked to see his entire plate had vanished. All he did was toss his head and watched Gabrielle finish the French fries. She made twenty large fries disappear in a complete second and looked like she was still hungry.
Pushing the plate to the side and burping, Gabrielle stretched like a cat and eyed the door. Nightmahre just stared at his plate in utter sadness. Another new thing he found out about Gabrielle and his dinner paid for it. At least it didn't take long for the waitress to come out with two more plates of the same meal. Just for precaution, when the waitress placed their food on the counter, Nightmahre shoved his arm between his plate and Gabrielle.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes and started chowing down on the burger. After they both finished their dinners, they spent the rest of the night talking about random things. Nightmahre would ask her about her tours in Afghanistan and Gabrielle would ask him about his life with his brothers. Of course, the both of them could tell when the other was lying. They just didn't push it.
Nightmahre was working up the courage to ask about her home when Wrath stood. The waitresses had left with the finished plates and Sam had just walked in from his office. When Nightmahre saw the other Brothers stand, he knew their time here was up. Whatever he was going to ask Gabrielle would have to wait for another time.
"I'm guessing this ship is sailing?" she asked.
"Afraid so." They got up from their seats and stretched their arms. Wrath was thanking Sam for the night and the two shook hands. While the others were getting ready to leave, Nightmahre looked back at Gabrielle. She had stuffed her fists in her pockets and was leaned against the counter in a cool fashion. Another thing that Nightmahre was going to miss if he decided to break his ties.
And the more he thought about it, the more he didn't want to leave her.
"How about we hook up another time?"
"Sorry. My work here is done. I'm booking a plane back home in the morning."
"Oh. Well, have a nice flight."
He didn't wait for her to say anything. Nightmahre said his goodbye and left before she could say anything. Some of the females were already outside and heading to the side of the building to dematerialize. Nightmahre shoved past Sohrrow and he watched his brother look over to the bar. He then followed his brother outside.
Once Qhuinn was the last one out, Sam locked the door and started locking up.
"I like this place!" hollered Rhage.
"And the food! Oh my God!" cheered V.
Everyone laughed as they made their way a few buildings down. But Nightmahre stayed quiet. Because he was a great brother, Sohrrow waited for a second and slung his arm around Nightmahre.
"What's the matter, Night? From the way you were talking to Gabrielle, I'd say you hit it out the park."
"Hold up," called V. "Is that the same human you were all over a few nights ago?"
Some of the Brothers whistled while their shellans told them to shut up.
"She's heading back to Wyoming in the morning."
The cheering stopped. Some of them coughed and changed the subject while Ehnvy and Phride joined their brothers. Lhyra, Annahbeth and Ehmma joined them as well and they tried to talk about something else. Since they were trying, Nightmahre dropped the depression he was feeling and got in the conversation.
When they were a few buildings away, Butch was getting in the parked Escalade with V, Mary and Jane when Nightmahre heard something in the distance. It almost sounded like a chained fence shaking as if someone was climbing over it. Resting his palm on his hilt, he scanned the area. In the distance, he heard someone breathing real hard and approaching at a fast pace.
"LHYRA!"
Everyone turned around to see Gabrielle running straight towards them. With a gun in her hand and aimed straight at Lhyra.
She pulled the trigger.