Part Seven
Dianna woke to the sound of banging on the closed bedroom door. Sara and Ian shouted at Gabriel to open it for them. Looking next to the floor, her heart sank as she noticed Gabriel's unmoving form where he had fallen next to the bed.
"No." She whispered as she dropped next to him, wanting to touch him but fearing to. "Gabriel? Please, wake up." Finally she turned him over and sat with his head in her lap. "Please Gabriel, I love you, don't leave me, not when we just found each other." She lowered her head and kissed his lips softly. "I need you Mythkeeper." Crying she simply cradled his head rocking back and forth as the door suddenly flew open. "Come back to me please."
"Dianna?" Sara stood over her, looking at Gabriel. "What happened?"
"I…" Dianna began crying hard as she held the man tighter. "The blade brought him into whatever that was. I….I don't know what happened…"
"Princess." A mummer seemed to echo from the still man.
"Gabriel?" Dianna loosened her grip. "Please say something else to me?"
"I can't breath." He stirred in her arms as he opened his eyes. "You're smothering me." Instead of releasing him, Dianna held him tighter. "No, really, I can't breath." Finally he pulled away and touched his head with shaky fingertips. "What a trip."
"What a trip? Is that all you can say?" Dianna leaned against the bed, stunned. "Gabriel you were dead, and all you can say is what a trip?"
"Are you all right?" He scooted nearer to her and reached out to stroke her wet cheeks. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm all right." She looked at Sara and Ian. "One of you want to tell me what just happened?" She brushed her hair off her face and noticed the bracelet. It had changed forms. Instead of the setting she remembered as a child, the design and stone itself had altered. "Guys, what's happening?" She felt panic as she turned her wrist over and notice that the metal had imbedded itself in her flesh. "Sara?" She stretched her arm out, showing thin intricate mesh covered the top part of her hand from her wrist to her middle finger, almost like what she remembered calling a slave bracelet. "What…the stone used to be red, didn't it?" The all stared dumbfounded at the now pulsating deep purple stone that seemed to sit in the midst of the webbing. "I don't understand."
"Must be the alternate bloodline." Gabriel mused as he gently held Dianna's hand, carefully avoiding the Witchblade itself. "Sara, remember when Lucretia wore it, the stone was blue?"
"Guys, why don't you leave Dianna and me alone for a few minutes." Sara walked to the bed, waiting for Dianna and Gabriel to stand. "Go on, we need some time alone." Reluctantly, both men moved toward the door. "Close it as best you can as you go." She couldn't help but grin as Ian began to pull on the door, trying to shut it.
"You broke my door." Gabriel accused as Ian continued to struggle. "Did you think about knocking?"
"You were preoccupied Mythkeeper." Ian growled as he finally got the door to close enough to give the women privacy.
"I can see this is going to be one big dysfunctional family." Sara smiled to herself as she sat and waited for Dianna to join her on the bed. 'Honey we have a lot to discuss." She stared at Dianna who appeared to be still shaken. "Think you're up for it?"
"Sara, let's put it this way. If I don't get some answers soon, I just might go insane." Dianna fought the urge to scream as she stared at her hand and the Blade. Suddenly she looked into Sara's eyes and whispered. "You know, this is seriously going to limit my wardrobe." Sara's mouth dropped opened at this statement causing Dianna to giggle as though she was a child again. "Just joking Sara."
"With what is going on…I wasn't sure." She hugged Dianna and then pulled back, brushing the long blonde strands off the younger woman's shoulders. "Wow, I'm not even sure where to start."
"How about starting with what just happened to me." Dianna's eyes narrowed as she lifted her hand. "This thing just jumped on my arm. Try explaining that to me first Sara."
"Yeah." Sara could see that although Dianna's eyes were not accusing, they were also demanding answers. "Okay, here goes…."
"Why did you break the door down." Gabriel had poured himself a cup of coffee.
"We heard the screams of the Princess. When you didn't come to the door, we did what we had to do." Ian sat across from Gabriel, his features set but animated. "What else could we do?"
"But why was the door locked? I didn't even close it when I went in there." Ian gave him a knowing look. "Oh, guess the Witchblade wanted us to have a bit of privacy."
"What happened to you? The Princess said that you had died." Ian scrutinized the man before him. "Were you dead?"
"I don't know." Gabriel looked across the steam as he sipped slowly. "I don't remember a whole lot. What I do remember is some demon like asshole decided I was in the way, and something in my back. Man that hurt like hell." He closed his dark eyes as he tried to think. "I remember Dianna screaming no…and holding me….but not much else."
"Whatever happened, it looks like she passed the test. She is worthy to wear the Blade."
"So now what? I get to have you as a permanent stalker?" Gabriel tried to smile. "You are the protector of the Wielder, aren't you?"
"Not just me Mythkeeper." Ian shrugged. "Sara will be needed too. And you of course."
"Of course, good ole keeper of Myths." He sounded put off. "Just wish I could do more than just recite history. Sometimes I felt so helpless, watching Sara go through what she did and not being able to help."
"You did help Mythkeeper. You…"
"Ian, my name is Gabriel." He set the cup down and rubbed his eyes, looking toward the door, hanging slightly skewed. "I need to be more for Dianna. Do you understand that? I can't just sit back and give her history lessons."
"Trust me Myth…Gabriel." Ian's dark eyes twinkled. "You will be much more than just a storyteller to the Princess if you allow it."
"What in the world are you talking about Ian? More than a storyteller?" Gabriel glanced at the door then at his coffee. "I can't fight worth a lick."
"That can be changed but fighting is not what I am speaking of." Ian waited and when Gabriel didn't say anything he continued as though he were talking to a child. 'Gabriel, do I really have to spell it out?" He was rewarded with a blank stare. "Are you that blind?"
"I guess I am." Gabriel felt his cheeks blush as Ian simply shook his head, grinning widely. "You know something I don't?"
"Gabriel." Ian searched carefully for the words he wanted. "You can have with the Princess the very thing I never thought I could have with…"
"Wait just a minute." Suddenly Gabriel's eyes widened. "Are you saying…" He pointed at himself and then at the door. "Her…..Me?" He ran fingers through his hair. "Ian, I have to be what…fifteen years older than she is."
"She is a woman, you are a man." Ian shrugged.
"But she is so young. She needs to experience the world. Date a while before she settles down with one man. She needs to be with men her own age." Gabriel rattled.
"I don't think she wants that." Ian couldn't suppress his smile. "She sought you out Gabriel." Gabriel still stared at Ian hard as he continued. "Gabriel, you have read her books. She is not some inexperienced child, she is a woman."
"But still…" Gabriel paused and stared at the door.
"Look at her, not as a child Gabriel." Ian whispered close to the younger man's ear. "Look at her as she is. A grown, beautiful woman who cared for you enough to search you down. She is not seven years old anymore Mythkeeper." Ian leaned back and shrugged. "It is not something that must be decided tonight. Observe her, question her if you must. Then if you do not feel the same way, talk to her but do not leave her in the darkness about your feelings. It is not the right thing to do to her. She should be aware."
Suddenly the sound of wood creaking caused the men to look toward the door where Sara and Dianna pushed to get out.
"Broken, isn't it." Sara put her hands in her pockets and rocked on her heels as she tried to avoid Gabriel's look. "I'll help you fix it if you want."
"Its all right Sara." He stood and moved to Dianna. "You all right baby?"
"Confused, frightened, exhausted…but other than that, I think I'm okay." Dianna reached out and touched Gabriel's chest, looking up into his face with concern. "How about you?"
"All of the above and then some." He hugged the woman tightly and thought about the words Ian has said. "Been pretty enlightening here tonight, hasn't it?"
"You can say that again." Dianna gently pulled away and moved toward Ian. "Ian?"
"Hello Princess." He stood and allowed the woman to wrap her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you are safe."
"Well, if the two of you are going to be okay, I think Ian and I will head back home." Sara smiled as Ian pulled away and moved toward her. "I suggest both of you get some rest. We'll come by sometimes tomorrow and discuss more of what happened here and see if we can't agree on some what to do next." Nodding to Dianna she continued. "There is a lot you need to learn."
"Look, it's late, why don't the two of you stay here tonight." Gabriel bit his lip as he tried to stop the words from falling from his lips. "I mean there are two bedrooms, well there's my room and the only surviving room with a door. The ladies can sleep in one and Ian and I can sleep in the other."
"I got a better idea." Dianna grinned mischievously. "Why don't they stay in the other room and I stay with you? It would be like old times and to be honest, I might want to talk some more." Gabriel looked to Ian for help but got only a knowing glance. "I mean come on Gabe, it's not like I want to jump your bones or anything…I just…" She took a deep breath. "I need to be able to look over and see that you are all right. That's all."
"We would love to stay." Ian before Sara could say anything. "The arrangements the Princess has suggested would be acceptable. Of course if that is acceptable with you Sara."
"Yeah, I guess." Sara's dark eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips and shrugged. "Yeah, that's fine."
"Good. Let me show you which room you will be in." Dianna started to move but stopped and smiled. "Wait, I guess you know where it is, don't you?" Sara nodded. "Okay then, I guess we'll see each other in the morning." Looking at Gabriel she wrapped her arms around his. "Come on Loverboy, let's go to bed, I'm exhausted."
"Why is it, " Sara looked suspiciously at Ian as Dianna led Gabriel away, "that he suddenly looks like a lamb being led to the slaughter?"
Dianna woke to the sound of banging on the closed bedroom door. Sara and Ian shouted at Gabriel to open it for them. Looking next to the floor, her heart sank as she noticed Gabriel's unmoving form where he had fallen next to the bed.
"No." She whispered as she dropped next to him, wanting to touch him but fearing to. "Gabriel? Please, wake up." Finally she turned him over and sat with his head in her lap. "Please Gabriel, I love you, don't leave me, not when we just found each other." She lowered her head and kissed his lips softly. "I need you Mythkeeper." Crying she simply cradled his head rocking back and forth as the door suddenly flew open. "Come back to me please."
"Dianna?" Sara stood over her, looking at Gabriel. "What happened?"
"I…" Dianna began crying hard as she held the man tighter. "The blade brought him into whatever that was. I….I don't know what happened…"
"Princess." A mummer seemed to echo from the still man.
"Gabriel?" Dianna loosened her grip. "Please say something else to me?"
"I can't breath." He stirred in her arms as he opened his eyes. "You're smothering me." Instead of releasing him, Dianna held him tighter. "No, really, I can't breath." Finally he pulled away and touched his head with shaky fingertips. "What a trip."
"What a trip? Is that all you can say?" Dianna leaned against the bed, stunned. "Gabriel you were dead, and all you can say is what a trip?"
"Are you all right?" He scooted nearer to her and reached out to stroke her wet cheeks. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm all right." She looked at Sara and Ian. "One of you want to tell me what just happened?" She brushed her hair off her face and noticed the bracelet. It had changed forms. Instead of the setting she remembered as a child, the design and stone itself had altered. "Guys, what's happening?" She felt panic as she turned her wrist over and notice that the metal had imbedded itself in her flesh. "Sara?" She stretched her arm out, showing thin intricate mesh covered the top part of her hand from her wrist to her middle finger, almost like what she remembered calling a slave bracelet. "What…the stone used to be red, didn't it?" The all stared dumbfounded at the now pulsating deep purple stone that seemed to sit in the midst of the webbing. "I don't understand."
"Must be the alternate bloodline." Gabriel mused as he gently held Dianna's hand, carefully avoiding the Witchblade itself. "Sara, remember when Lucretia wore it, the stone was blue?"
"Guys, why don't you leave Dianna and me alone for a few minutes." Sara walked to the bed, waiting for Dianna and Gabriel to stand. "Go on, we need some time alone." Reluctantly, both men moved toward the door. "Close it as best you can as you go." She couldn't help but grin as Ian began to pull on the door, trying to shut it.
"You broke my door." Gabriel accused as Ian continued to struggle. "Did you think about knocking?"
"You were preoccupied Mythkeeper." Ian growled as he finally got the door to close enough to give the women privacy.
"I can see this is going to be one big dysfunctional family." Sara smiled to herself as she sat and waited for Dianna to join her on the bed. 'Honey we have a lot to discuss." She stared at Dianna who appeared to be still shaken. "Think you're up for it?"
"Sara, let's put it this way. If I don't get some answers soon, I just might go insane." Dianna fought the urge to scream as she stared at her hand and the Blade. Suddenly she looked into Sara's eyes and whispered. "You know, this is seriously going to limit my wardrobe." Sara's mouth dropped opened at this statement causing Dianna to giggle as though she was a child again. "Just joking Sara."
"With what is going on…I wasn't sure." She hugged Dianna and then pulled back, brushing the long blonde strands off the younger woman's shoulders. "Wow, I'm not even sure where to start."
"How about starting with what just happened to me." Dianna's eyes narrowed as she lifted her hand. "This thing just jumped on my arm. Try explaining that to me first Sara."
"Yeah." Sara could see that although Dianna's eyes were not accusing, they were also demanding answers. "Okay, here goes…."
"Why did you break the door down." Gabriel had poured himself a cup of coffee.
"We heard the screams of the Princess. When you didn't come to the door, we did what we had to do." Ian sat across from Gabriel, his features set but animated. "What else could we do?"
"But why was the door locked? I didn't even close it when I went in there." Ian gave him a knowing look. "Oh, guess the Witchblade wanted us to have a bit of privacy."
"What happened to you? The Princess said that you had died." Ian scrutinized the man before him. "Were you dead?"
"I don't know." Gabriel looked across the steam as he sipped slowly. "I don't remember a whole lot. What I do remember is some demon like asshole decided I was in the way, and something in my back. Man that hurt like hell." He closed his dark eyes as he tried to think. "I remember Dianna screaming no…and holding me….but not much else."
"Whatever happened, it looks like she passed the test. She is worthy to wear the Blade."
"So now what? I get to have you as a permanent stalker?" Gabriel tried to smile. "You are the protector of the Wielder, aren't you?"
"Not just me Mythkeeper." Ian shrugged. "Sara will be needed too. And you of course."
"Of course, good ole keeper of Myths." He sounded put off. "Just wish I could do more than just recite history. Sometimes I felt so helpless, watching Sara go through what she did and not being able to help."
"You did help Mythkeeper. You…"
"Ian, my name is Gabriel." He set the cup down and rubbed his eyes, looking toward the door, hanging slightly skewed. "I need to be more for Dianna. Do you understand that? I can't just sit back and give her history lessons."
"Trust me Myth…Gabriel." Ian's dark eyes twinkled. "You will be much more than just a storyteller to the Princess if you allow it."
"What in the world are you talking about Ian? More than a storyteller?" Gabriel glanced at the door then at his coffee. "I can't fight worth a lick."
"That can be changed but fighting is not what I am speaking of." Ian waited and when Gabriel didn't say anything he continued as though he were talking to a child. 'Gabriel, do I really have to spell it out?" He was rewarded with a blank stare. "Are you that blind?"
"I guess I am." Gabriel felt his cheeks blush as Ian simply shook his head, grinning widely. "You know something I don't?"
"Gabriel." Ian searched carefully for the words he wanted. "You can have with the Princess the very thing I never thought I could have with…"
"Wait just a minute." Suddenly Gabriel's eyes widened. "Are you saying…" He pointed at himself and then at the door. "Her…..Me?" He ran fingers through his hair. "Ian, I have to be what…fifteen years older than she is."
"She is a woman, you are a man." Ian shrugged.
"But she is so young. She needs to experience the world. Date a while before she settles down with one man. She needs to be with men her own age." Gabriel rattled.
"I don't think she wants that." Ian couldn't suppress his smile. "She sought you out Gabriel." Gabriel still stared at Ian hard as he continued. "Gabriel, you have read her books. She is not some inexperienced child, she is a woman."
"But still…" Gabriel paused and stared at the door.
"Look at her, not as a child Gabriel." Ian whispered close to the younger man's ear. "Look at her as she is. A grown, beautiful woman who cared for you enough to search you down. She is not seven years old anymore Mythkeeper." Ian leaned back and shrugged. "It is not something that must be decided tonight. Observe her, question her if you must. Then if you do not feel the same way, talk to her but do not leave her in the darkness about your feelings. It is not the right thing to do to her. She should be aware."
Suddenly the sound of wood creaking caused the men to look toward the door where Sara and Dianna pushed to get out.
"Broken, isn't it." Sara put her hands in her pockets and rocked on her heels as she tried to avoid Gabriel's look. "I'll help you fix it if you want."
"Its all right Sara." He stood and moved to Dianna. "You all right baby?"
"Confused, frightened, exhausted…but other than that, I think I'm okay." Dianna reached out and touched Gabriel's chest, looking up into his face with concern. "How about you?"
"All of the above and then some." He hugged the woman tightly and thought about the words Ian has said. "Been pretty enlightening here tonight, hasn't it?"
"You can say that again." Dianna gently pulled away and moved toward Ian. "Ian?"
"Hello Princess." He stood and allowed the woman to wrap her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you are safe."
"Well, if the two of you are going to be okay, I think Ian and I will head back home." Sara smiled as Ian pulled away and moved toward her. "I suggest both of you get some rest. We'll come by sometimes tomorrow and discuss more of what happened here and see if we can't agree on some what to do next." Nodding to Dianna she continued. "There is a lot you need to learn."
"Look, it's late, why don't the two of you stay here tonight." Gabriel bit his lip as he tried to stop the words from falling from his lips. "I mean there are two bedrooms, well there's my room and the only surviving room with a door. The ladies can sleep in one and Ian and I can sleep in the other."
"I got a better idea." Dianna grinned mischievously. "Why don't they stay in the other room and I stay with you? It would be like old times and to be honest, I might want to talk some more." Gabriel looked to Ian for help but got only a knowing glance. "I mean come on Gabe, it's not like I want to jump your bones or anything…I just…" She took a deep breath. "I need to be able to look over and see that you are all right. That's all."
"We would love to stay." Ian before Sara could say anything. "The arrangements the Princess has suggested would be acceptable. Of course if that is acceptable with you Sara."
"Yeah, I guess." Sara's dark eyes narrowed as she pursed her lips and shrugged. "Yeah, that's fine."
"Good. Let me show you which room you will be in." Dianna started to move but stopped and smiled. "Wait, I guess you know where it is, don't you?" Sara nodded. "Okay then, I guess we'll see each other in the morning." Looking at Gabriel she wrapped her arms around his. "Come on Loverboy, let's go to bed, I'm exhausted."
"Why is it, " Sara looked suspiciously at Ian as Dianna led Gabriel away, "that he suddenly looks like a lamb being led to the slaughter?"