Chapter Four
Gabriel and Sara had been waiting with glasses of tea when to they had returned to the house. The four sat and sipped quietly, speaking of things that Dianna had accomplished since she had left them. Sara and Gabriel were both amazed when Ian would say something without prompting. The dark man's eyes seemed to look toward Dianna often, who would smile gently at him and nod.
"So how long will you be in town Dianna?" Sara finally asked the question that Gabriel had been avoiding all day.
"Well, that depends." Dianna placed her glass on the table gently. "If I can find someplace I like, I am seriously thinking about moving here."
"Really?" Gabriel eyes widened with hope. "You mean like live here?"
"Like live here." Dianna blushed as she suddenly looked away from Gabriel. "I think part of my destiny is to be among friends here. I've traveled enough and just want to find someplace I can call home."
"Where are you staying at the moment?" Sara questioned as she reached out and touched Ian's hand absently.
"Oh, I have a room at the Hilton right now." Shrugging, Dianna smiled softly.
"You should stay with the Mythkeeper." Ian unexpectedly blurted, looking up at the eyes that had suddenly began to stare at him. "What, I think it would be a good idea."
"I don't want to put Gabriel out. I mean he wasn't even expecting me."
"Ian's right Dianna." Gabriel stammered slightly. "I mean, I have two guest rooms that area always ready for visitors. I wouldn't mind it at all, and it would give us time to catch up."
"Are you sure? I really don't mind the hotel room." She thought about what was being said. "I mean, I would love to just be able to come and talk to you any time I want…"
"So it's settled. We can pick up your things and have you set in one of the rooms tonight." Gabriel winked at Ian. "Good thinking my friend." He was rewarded with a huge smile from Ian.
"Here's to good friends and new destinies." Dianna held up her glass and waited for the others to do the same. "May we all find our way."
Once Gabriel and Dianna left, they drove to the hotel to pick up Dianna's few suitcases and soon they were back at Talismaniacs settling her into one of the guest rooms. Gabriel had picked out the one with Egyptian motif which had thrilled the young woman. Now, after she had unpacked almost everything she sat on the end of the bed and looked up at Gabriel curiously.
"Gabriel, can I ask you a question?" He nodded as he sat beside her. "Where is the Witchblade now? I mean I know that it isn't with Sara. I think it would be too much of a temptation to her."
"After Sara took it off, she brought it too me." He rubbed his hands together, looking at the circular scars on the back of his right hand. "I wasn't sure I even wanted it here, not after my one experience holding it." He looked away as he continued to speak softly. "But it had to be kept safe. So with a bit of ingenuity, I gave it its own special place." He stood and offered his hand. "Come on, I'll show you." She stood, holding his hand and followed him out of the bedroom and to the back of the shop area. There, behind shelves, in the corner was a glass case with a single object in it, resting on a dark black velvet dais. The red stone rested deep in the intricate silver design. "Here is where it has stayed since the day that Sara took it off."
"It's even more beautiful than I remember." Dianna let go of Gabriel's hand and neared the case. "Did it really do all the things I remember, that I dreamed about?"
"Yes, and more." Gabriel crossed his arms as he stared at the bracelet. "As Sara used it more and more, she found it had powers she didn't even dream about."
"Has she ever wanted it back?"
"No." He shrugged absently. "She has never even wanted to look at it again. When she took it off, that was it. It was over."
"Do you think it understands?" Dianna was mesmerized by the stone. "I mean….I don't know what I mean."
"Come on, we can talk about it over dinner." Gabriel stepped forward and touched her on the shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. "Come on." He led her away from the bracelet, wondering what she had seen in the stone.
"I tell you, once the old man is in bed, we can just go in there and take what we want." The man wearing a black sweatshirt spoke quietly to his two companions. "There has to be jewels or something we can sell for a lot of money."
"Yeah, but wouldn't he have all kinds of security stuff?" The one dressed in a blue t-shirt whispered nervously. "Everyone says he's a computer geek."
"We'll be in and out before the cops can get here." Sweatshirt sneered. "And if the old man tries to stop us, we'll just knock him on his ass. Won't know what hit him."
"What about the woman?" Blue shirt asked.
"What about her? She gets in the way, we have our way before we leave." Sweatshirt shrugged with an evil grin plastered on his face. He saw the concern on the other's faces. "Look, you want out, you leave now. I don't need no cowards."
"No man, we're in." Blue shirt whispered, more afraid of his companion than what might go wrong.
"Good, now we just wait till they go to bed."
"Earth to Dianna?" Gabriel looked at the woman sitting across from him. "Are you in there?"
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm sorry Gabriel. I must have gotten lost in thought." She smiled and sipped her wine. "Sorry about that."
"Yeah you were lost all right, but I'm not sure it was in thought." He put his glass down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Dianna, let me ask you a question."
"Sure."
"What do you remember about the dreams you had while you were here?" He looked her in the eyes. "I mean what do you really remember?"
"What do I remember." She sipped from her glass once more then sat it down, pulling her legs under her. "I remember that man and how much he scared me. I also remember that somehow I knew I had to fight him and defeat him, but I didn't. You did."
"Do you remember what you wore? What happened at the end?" He urged her on.
"Not much. I just remember everything was so dark and scary. I remember I felt better when …..wait, Gabriel, the dream we shared, I was still a child. I didn't fight that man at all. Ian fought him and then you defeated him? What are you talking about?"
"I'm just trying to bring some memories to the forefront. See, the day after we shared our dream, Sara had a vision of you."
"She did?" Dianna's brow furrowed. "What kind of vision?"
"A vision of you as an adult." He paused as he carefully chose his words. "And you were the Wielder of the Witchblade."
"I was what?" She laughed but stopped as she saw the look on Gabriel's face. "You're not joking are you?"
"No. I'm not even sure I wish I were joking right now." He rubbed his hands together, again scowling at the scar. "See this?" He raised his right hand showing her the mark. "This happened after you left. It's a long story I'll tell you sometimes, but for now let's just say it was left by the Blade. I have fought hard not to fall into the dark aspect of the power that I felt when I got it." He saw the questioning look in her eyes. "No, I didn't directly put it on, and yes, only women are known to be able to wear it. Never the less, she marked me for life, and I have to constantly fight for my own sanity."
"What? Gabriel I don't understand." She watched as he put his hand down. "What are you saying?"
"I'm not really saying anything. Just trying to understand some things myself." He leaned back and ran his fingers through his hair. "Since you have seen the Blade, you have become very distracted, like you are listening to something or being drawn to something."
"I admit I feel a bit disassociated, but I just chalked that up to being extremely tired after my trip and the day I have had."
"Maybe, but I want you to try to promise me something." She nodded as he continued. "I want you to promise me that you will not go near the Witchblade by yourself. Can you do that?"
"I don't see why not." She thought for a moment then looked him in the eyes, unblinking. "Yes, I can promise you I won't go near it alone." He stared at her for what seemed to her a very long time. "Really Gabriel. I swear on everything I hold holy that I will not go near it alone."
"I know you feel that it is a promise that you can keep Princess, but I'll tell you right now, that if the Blade calls you, it will be extremely difficult not to go to her."
"Gabriel, you keep saying her and she about it like it's alive."
"It is alive Princess. It is as much or more alive than you or I and has survived throughout history." Gabriel picked up his glass and began sipping it again absently. "Sometimes, late at night when I am all alone, I can almost swear I hear it talking to me." He smiled as he closed his eyes. "It's hard not to go to her when she calls, but you have to try to resist it."
"And what if I can't." Dianna suddenly felt fear creep deep in her being. "What if I can't resist the call."
"Then I will be here to help you anyway that I can. And I can almost swear to you that will be the same with Ian and Sara. We won't be able to tell you everything because she may not work on you the way she worked with Sara. But we can support you and try to guide you with what knowledge we have." He paused, looking at the scars once more. "Dianna, one more question."
"Okay."
"Do you remember ever wearing her?" He put his hand down suddenly and stared hard at her.
"No, not really." She thought about the past hard. "Should I?"
"It's not important tonight." He suddenly looked away. "If you want, we'll discuss this more tomorrow." He stood up and stretched. "I'm not as young as I used to be and think I need to retire." He waited for her to stand. Hugging her, he whispered in her ear. "I didn't tell you all this to scare you baby, only to inform and warn you." Kissing her lightly on her cheek, he added, "Dragons and Unicorns guard your dreams." Pulling back he was rewarded with a smile. "Goodnight Princess."
"Goodnight Gabriel." She headed for her room but stopped and turned back toward him. "We will talk more about this tomorrow. You have my curiosity peeked now."
"Tomorrow then." He waited till she was in her room and the door was closed before he made sure all the doors were locked and set the alarm. Turning toward the area where the Witchblade rested he shook his head sadly. "If you take her, you take her with care." Finally he made his way to his own room and shut his door carefully, leaving the shop in darkness.
Gabriel and Sara had been waiting with glasses of tea when to they had returned to the house. The four sat and sipped quietly, speaking of things that Dianna had accomplished since she had left them. Sara and Gabriel were both amazed when Ian would say something without prompting. The dark man's eyes seemed to look toward Dianna often, who would smile gently at him and nod.
"So how long will you be in town Dianna?" Sara finally asked the question that Gabriel had been avoiding all day.
"Well, that depends." Dianna placed her glass on the table gently. "If I can find someplace I like, I am seriously thinking about moving here."
"Really?" Gabriel eyes widened with hope. "You mean like live here?"
"Like live here." Dianna blushed as she suddenly looked away from Gabriel. "I think part of my destiny is to be among friends here. I've traveled enough and just want to find someplace I can call home."
"Where are you staying at the moment?" Sara questioned as she reached out and touched Ian's hand absently.
"Oh, I have a room at the Hilton right now." Shrugging, Dianna smiled softly.
"You should stay with the Mythkeeper." Ian unexpectedly blurted, looking up at the eyes that had suddenly began to stare at him. "What, I think it would be a good idea."
"I don't want to put Gabriel out. I mean he wasn't even expecting me."
"Ian's right Dianna." Gabriel stammered slightly. "I mean, I have two guest rooms that area always ready for visitors. I wouldn't mind it at all, and it would give us time to catch up."
"Are you sure? I really don't mind the hotel room." She thought about what was being said. "I mean, I would love to just be able to come and talk to you any time I want…"
"So it's settled. We can pick up your things and have you set in one of the rooms tonight." Gabriel winked at Ian. "Good thinking my friend." He was rewarded with a huge smile from Ian.
"Here's to good friends and new destinies." Dianna held up her glass and waited for the others to do the same. "May we all find our way."
Once Gabriel and Dianna left, they drove to the hotel to pick up Dianna's few suitcases and soon they were back at Talismaniacs settling her into one of the guest rooms. Gabriel had picked out the one with Egyptian motif which had thrilled the young woman. Now, after she had unpacked almost everything she sat on the end of the bed and looked up at Gabriel curiously.
"Gabriel, can I ask you a question?" He nodded as he sat beside her. "Where is the Witchblade now? I mean I know that it isn't with Sara. I think it would be too much of a temptation to her."
"After Sara took it off, she brought it too me." He rubbed his hands together, looking at the circular scars on the back of his right hand. "I wasn't sure I even wanted it here, not after my one experience holding it." He looked away as he continued to speak softly. "But it had to be kept safe. So with a bit of ingenuity, I gave it its own special place." He stood and offered his hand. "Come on, I'll show you." She stood, holding his hand and followed him out of the bedroom and to the back of the shop area. There, behind shelves, in the corner was a glass case with a single object in it, resting on a dark black velvet dais. The red stone rested deep in the intricate silver design. "Here is where it has stayed since the day that Sara took it off."
"It's even more beautiful than I remember." Dianna let go of Gabriel's hand and neared the case. "Did it really do all the things I remember, that I dreamed about?"
"Yes, and more." Gabriel crossed his arms as he stared at the bracelet. "As Sara used it more and more, she found it had powers she didn't even dream about."
"Has she ever wanted it back?"
"No." He shrugged absently. "She has never even wanted to look at it again. When she took it off, that was it. It was over."
"Do you think it understands?" Dianna was mesmerized by the stone. "I mean….I don't know what I mean."
"Come on, we can talk about it over dinner." Gabriel stepped forward and touched her on the shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. "Come on." He led her away from the bracelet, wondering what she had seen in the stone.
"I tell you, once the old man is in bed, we can just go in there and take what we want." The man wearing a black sweatshirt spoke quietly to his two companions. "There has to be jewels or something we can sell for a lot of money."
"Yeah, but wouldn't he have all kinds of security stuff?" The one dressed in a blue t-shirt whispered nervously. "Everyone says he's a computer geek."
"We'll be in and out before the cops can get here." Sweatshirt sneered. "And if the old man tries to stop us, we'll just knock him on his ass. Won't know what hit him."
"What about the woman?" Blue shirt asked.
"What about her? She gets in the way, we have our way before we leave." Sweatshirt shrugged with an evil grin plastered on his face. He saw the concern on the other's faces. "Look, you want out, you leave now. I don't need no cowards."
"No man, we're in." Blue shirt whispered, more afraid of his companion than what might go wrong.
"Good, now we just wait till they go to bed."
"Earth to Dianna?" Gabriel looked at the woman sitting across from him. "Are you in there?"
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm sorry Gabriel. I must have gotten lost in thought." She smiled and sipped her wine. "Sorry about that."
"Yeah you were lost all right, but I'm not sure it was in thought." He put his glass down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Dianna, let me ask you a question."
"Sure."
"What do you remember about the dreams you had while you were here?" He looked her in the eyes. "I mean what do you really remember?"
"What do I remember." She sipped from her glass once more then sat it down, pulling her legs under her. "I remember that man and how much he scared me. I also remember that somehow I knew I had to fight him and defeat him, but I didn't. You did."
"Do you remember what you wore? What happened at the end?" He urged her on.
"Not much. I just remember everything was so dark and scary. I remember I felt better when …..wait, Gabriel, the dream we shared, I was still a child. I didn't fight that man at all. Ian fought him and then you defeated him? What are you talking about?"
"I'm just trying to bring some memories to the forefront. See, the day after we shared our dream, Sara had a vision of you."
"She did?" Dianna's brow furrowed. "What kind of vision?"
"A vision of you as an adult." He paused as he carefully chose his words. "And you were the Wielder of the Witchblade."
"I was what?" She laughed but stopped as she saw the look on Gabriel's face. "You're not joking are you?"
"No. I'm not even sure I wish I were joking right now." He rubbed his hands together, again scowling at the scar. "See this?" He raised his right hand showing her the mark. "This happened after you left. It's a long story I'll tell you sometimes, but for now let's just say it was left by the Blade. I have fought hard not to fall into the dark aspect of the power that I felt when I got it." He saw the questioning look in her eyes. "No, I didn't directly put it on, and yes, only women are known to be able to wear it. Never the less, she marked me for life, and I have to constantly fight for my own sanity."
"What? Gabriel I don't understand." She watched as he put his hand down. "What are you saying?"
"I'm not really saying anything. Just trying to understand some things myself." He leaned back and ran his fingers through his hair. "Since you have seen the Blade, you have become very distracted, like you are listening to something or being drawn to something."
"I admit I feel a bit disassociated, but I just chalked that up to being extremely tired after my trip and the day I have had."
"Maybe, but I want you to try to promise me something." She nodded as he continued. "I want you to promise me that you will not go near the Witchblade by yourself. Can you do that?"
"I don't see why not." She thought for a moment then looked him in the eyes, unblinking. "Yes, I can promise you I won't go near it alone." He stared at her for what seemed to her a very long time. "Really Gabriel. I swear on everything I hold holy that I will not go near it alone."
"I know you feel that it is a promise that you can keep Princess, but I'll tell you right now, that if the Blade calls you, it will be extremely difficult not to go to her."
"Gabriel, you keep saying her and she about it like it's alive."
"It is alive Princess. It is as much or more alive than you or I and has survived throughout history." Gabriel picked up his glass and began sipping it again absently. "Sometimes, late at night when I am all alone, I can almost swear I hear it talking to me." He smiled as he closed his eyes. "It's hard not to go to her when she calls, but you have to try to resist it."
"And what if I can't." Dianna suddenly felt fear creep deep in her being. "What if I can't resist the call."
"Then I will be here to help you anyway that I can. And I can almost swear to you that will be the same with Ian and Sara. We won't be able to tell you everything because she may not work on you the way she worked with Sara. But we can support you and try to guide you with what knowledge we have." He paused, looking at the scars once more. "Dianna, one more question."
"Okay."
"Do you remember ever wearing her?" He put his hand down suddenly and stared hard at her.
"No, not really." She thought about the past hard. "Should I?"
"It's not important tonight." He suddenly looked away. "If you want, we'll discuss this more tomorrow." He stood up and stretched. "I'm not as young as I used to be and think I need to retire." He waited for her to stand. Hugging her, he whispered in her ear. "I didn't tell you all this to scare you baby, only to inform and warn you." Kissing her lightly on her cheek, he added, "Dragons and Unicorns guard your dreams." Pulling back he was rewarded with a smile. "Goodnight Princess."
"Goodnight Gabriel." She headed for her room but stopped and turned back toward him. "We will talk more about this tomorrow. You have my curiosity peeked now."
"Tomorrow then." He waited till she was in her room and the door was closed before he made sure all the doors were locked and set the alarm. Turning toward the area where the Witchblade rested he shook his head sadly. "If you take her, you take her with care." Finally he made his way to his own room and shut his door carefully, leaving the shop in darkness.