PART TEN
Sara and Ian had returned to Gabriel's that afternoon and continued to revisit day after day, talking and showing Dianna how to use the Blade she now wore. Ian found early on that Gabriel had a natural ability in boxing and worked with the younger man daily to hone his strengths and how to defend his weaknesses. Sara and Dianna both noticed that Gabriel had an uncanny way of making the older man intensely angry but seconds later, laughing. It was a sound that Sara had seldom heard in the past and relished each time the musical resonance reached her ears.
Mija was also pleased when she returned to helping Gabriel with the shop that Dianna had decided to move in with the man. She could see her old friend and employer loosening up and becoming happier with each passing day. She would often clap her hands in glee when Gabriel told her to cancel appointments because he and Dianna had plans for the day.
Everyone soon picked up a regular and comfortable routine. Most mornings were filled with various duties that had to be finished. Gabriel would see clients, check in new merchandise and muster through the endless mounds of paperwork as Mija would go about tagging and cataloguing items as they arrived, along with taking appointments. Dianna had finally convinced her literary agent that she was not committing professional suicide by moving in with "some old geezer", and that the time away from the book signing circuit would give her a fresh outlook on her next book. .
In the afternoons on most days, Ian was either helping Dianna or Gabriel with their fighting skills while Sara would watch with Mija. Sometimes Sara would work out with them, correcting a move or suggesting an easier way of accomplishing something. Many times, Ian would be with Gabriel while Sara and Dianna sat in one of the rooms inside, talking about some of the things Sara had accomplished with the Blade.
Dianna was becoming quite adept in bringing the Blade to life at will and consciously being able to transform it into almost any item she wanted. And although they were few and very far in-between, Dianna was also able to tell when she was about to be whisked away into some dream or vision. Sara sometimes envied the woman for that ability.
They were also slowly becoming a family, and as Sara had foreseen, sometimes a very dysfunctional one. But all in all, they enjoyed their time together
Finally, one day, while Gabriel and Ian were outside, sparring, Dianna sat unusually quiet next to Sara. She had answered Sara's questions only if pressed, and then with short statements. Finally they had both lapsed into silence.
"You know, sometimes I think it was a complete mistake." She sighed deeply and sunk deeper in the sofa.
"What was a mistake?" Sara could tell Dianna was concerned about something.
"This!" She held her arm up in exasperation. "Why am I wearing it?" She didn't wait for Sara to say anything. "I've been here almost two months now, and what have I done. Fought with my agent, got my ass beat more than once by Ian. Listened to endless hours of Gabriel droning on about ancient history. Why was it so important for me to put it on so quickly. I would have been more than happy to just . . ."
"Honey, slow down a minute." Sara placed a reassuring hand on Dianna's shoulder and smiled. "One thing I found out about that thing, is there is no reasoning behind what she does. Or at least no rational reasoning. When the time comes, you'll be very happy you have had this downtime to learn as much as you can."
"Maybe." Dianna was still frowning as Gabriel walked in and headed for the freezer. Both women watched as he took out several pieces of ice and placed them in a towel before heading back outside, never saying a word to either of them. "What was that all about?"
"Don't know." Sara stared at Dianna for a moment and was about to get up when Gabriel returned, just as quiet as before. "What is going on?" She whispered to Dianna who shrugged and watched with wide eyes as the man pulled down a first aid kit, rummaged through it and when he found what he was looking for, sauntered back outside. "Dianna?"
"Yeah, I think we better go see what is going on." Both women jumped out and ran out the door. They stopped almost as soon as they got outside. "Should we ask what happened?"
Gabriel broke something and placed it under Ian's bleeding nose. The older man jerked back and glared angrily, pushing the offensive smell away as he placed the cloth with ice over his nose and eye.
"I didn't mean too Ian?" Gabriel spoke softly, trying not to anger Ian more. "Damn it, how was I supposed to know you weren't going to duck." Staring at Ian's face he added with a grimace. "That's gonna be black tomorrow."
"Gabriel, what did you do to Ian?" Dianna tried not to laugh at the sight before her as she and Sara moved closer to the men. "Ohhh, I think he's right Ian, that eye is going to be a shiner by the morning."
"You hit Ian?" Sara bit her lower lip as a grin began to form.
"I didn't mean too." Gabriel shrugged. "He said to come at him and I did. I never imagined I would connect once, let alone twice."
"You hit him twice?" Sara fought to keep from laughing out loud which only made Ian more irritated.
"I think we are finished for the day Mythkeeper." Ian growled as he slowly stood. "I will see to the bleeding." With only a nod to Dianna and Sara, the man disappeared inside.
"Mythkeeper?" Gabriel repeated as his eyes grew big. "He must really be pissed off. He hasn't called me Mythkeeper in weeks."
"Don't worry about it Gabriel." Sara finally started laughing. "The only thing you really hurt was his pride. He'll be calling you Gabriel again before you know it."
"I hope so." Gabriel stood and began moving toward the women. "Ian is the last person in the world I really want mad at me."
"Trust me Gabriel." Sara smiled as she draped an arm lazily around his shoulder. "Ian is just fine and will have forgiven you before the night is over with."
The three entered just as Ian slowly exited the bathroom. His nose no longer bled but his right eye had indeed become swollen and was beginning to discolor. He scowled at Gabriel who moved to one side to allow the man to pass. Just as he was about to sit down, Mija entered and stared.
"Wow! That's gotta hurt." She inhaled sharply as she spied Ian's injury, then turned to Gabriel. "Uncle Danny called and asked that you or Sara get in touch with him as soon as possible." She was about to leave but turned to Ian once more. "Man, you better get some ice on that before it swells shut." As if in answer, Ian lifted the stained towel slowly then placed it on his eye.
"Mija, I'll call him in a few minutes." Sara smiled at the young woman who nodded and left. "You three play nice for a few minutes while I see what Danny wants." She waited as each nodded at her, then left to make the call.
"You need some aspirin or something Ian?" Dianna asked softly as she sat next to the man. "I mean. . ."
"Thank you Princess but no." He smiled at her then looked up at Gabriel who was nervously shuffling from one foot to the other. "Mythkeeper." Ian's voice was a growl which made Gabriel more uncomfortable. "I am impressed."
"What?" Gabriel couldn't believe his ears. "You're what?"
"I would not have thought you were capable of causing me injury." Finally Ian smiled broadly. "You have impressed me."
"So you're not mad at me?" Gabriel still felt a bit uncomfortable with what he had done.
"No, not at all." Ian removed the ice as he stared at Gabriel. "You surprised me." He groaned as Dianna lifted the ice back onto the bruise.
"Don't make those noises at me Ian Nottingham, keep that ice right there." Dianna ordered and was amused that Ian obeyed. "I know it hurts, but. . ." She trailed off as Sara came back into the room, solemn. "That was fast Sara. What's Danny want?"
"Seems word has gotten around that you are living here." Sara spoke softly. "Danny has a missing person's case, teenage girl. Her parents found about you being here and asked Danny if you can come and see what you feel." She shrugged. "I told Danny I would have to ask before we commit on anything."
"Of course I'll go." Dianna stood quickly. "I have never refused to help the police with anything, why should I start now?" She noticed everyone looking at her wrist. "Look, just because I'm wearing this, doesn't mean my morals have changed. If someone needs my help, I'm going, with or without the permission of this piece of junk." She paused and looked at the pulsating stone. "No offense intended." She mused to the bracelet and watched as it seemed to calm down. "Apparently none taken." Grinning she looked back at Sara. "Call Danny back and tell him I will be more than happy to do what I can."
"All right." Sara sounded hesitant. "But I want all of us with you, understand?" Dianna nodded. "Okay, I'll go and call Danny."
"I'll go change and grab a few things I might need." Dianna hurried out of the room leaving Gabriel and Ian with Sara.
"Can I leave the two of you alone for a few minutes?" Sara asked playfully and received only nods from the men. "Okay, you two just behave yourselves and I'll be right back."
Sara and Ian had returned to Gabriel's that afternoon and continued to revisit day after day, talking and showing Dianna how to use the Blade she now wore. Ian found early on that Gabriel had a natural ability in boxing and worked with the younger man daily to hone his strengths and how to defend his weaknesses. Sara and Dianna both noticed that Gabriel had an uncanny way of making the older man intensely angry but seconds later, laughing. It was a sound that Sara had seldom heard in the past and relished each time the musical resonance reached her ears.
Mija was also pleased when she returned to helping Gabriel with the shop that Dianna had decided to move in with the man. She could see her old friend and employer loosening up and becoming happier with each passing day. She would often clap her hands in glee when Gabriel told her to cancel appointments because he and Dianna had plans for the day.
Everyone soon picked up a regular and comfortable routine. Most mornings were filled with various duties that had to be finished. Gabriel would see clients, check in new merchandise and muster through the endless mounds of paperwork as Mija would go about tagging and cataloguing items as they arrived, along with taking appointments. Dianna had finally convinced her literary agent that she was not committing professional suicide by moving in with "some old geezer", and that the time away from the book signing circuit would give her a fresh outlook on her next book. .
In the afternoons on most days, Ian was either helping Dianna or Gabriel with their fighting skills while Sara would watch with Mija. Sometimes Sara would work out with them, correcting a move or suggesting an easier way of accomplishing something. Many times, Ian would be with Gabriel while Sara and Dianna sat in one of the rooms inside, talking about some of the things Sara had accomplished with the Blade.
Dianna was becoming quite adept in bringing the Blade to life at will and consciously being able to transform it into almost any item she wanted. And although they were few and very far in-between, Dianna was also able to tell when she was about to be whisked away into some dream or vision. Sara sometimes envied the woman for that ability.
They were also slowly becoming a family, and as Sara had foreseen, sometimes a very dysfunctional one. But all in all, they enjoyed their time together
Finally, one day, while Gabriel and Ian were outside, sparring, Dianna sat unusually quiet next to Sara. She had answered Sara's questions only if pressed, and then with short statements. Finally they had both lapsed into silence.
"You know, sometimes I think it was a complete mistake." She sighed deeply and sunk deeper in the sofa.
"What was a mistake?" Sara could tell Dianna was concerned about something.
"This!" She held her arm up in exasperation. "Why am I wearing it?" She didn't wait for Sara to say anything. "I've been here almost two months now, and what have I done. Fought with my agent, got my ass beat more than once by Ian. Listened to endless hours of Gabriel droning on about ancient history. Why was it so important for me to put it on so quickly. I would have been more than happy to just . . ."
"Honey, slow down a minute." Sara placed a reassuring hand on Dianna's shoulder and smiled. "One thing I found out about that thing, is there is no reasoning behind what she does. Or at least no rational reasoning. When the time comes, you'll be very happy you have had this downtime to learn as much as you can."
"Maybe." Dianna was still frowning as Gabriel walked in and headed for the freezer. Both women watched as he took out several pieces of ice and placed them in a towel before heading back outside, never saying a word to either of them. "What was that all about?"
"Don't know." Sara stared at Dianna for a moment and was about to get up when Gabriel returned, just as quiet as before. "What is going on?" She whispered to Dianna who shrugged and watched with wide eyes as the man pulled down a first aid kit, rummaged through it and when he found what he was looking for, sauntered back outside. "Dianna?"
"Yeah, I think we better go see what is going on." Both women jumped out and ran out the door. They stopped almost as soon as they got outside. "Should we ask what happened?"
Gabriel broke something and placed it under Ian's bleeding nose. The older man jerked back and glared angrily, pushing the offensive smell away as he placed the cloth with ice over his nose and eye.
"I didn't mean too Ian?" Gabriel spoke softly, trying not to anger Ian more. "Damn it, how was I supposed to know you weren't going to duck." Staring at Ian's face he added with a grimace. "That's gonna be black tomorrow."
"Gabriel, what did you do to Ian?" Dianna tried not to laugh at the sight before her as she and Sara moved closer to the men. "Ohhh, I think he's right Ian, that eye is going to be a shiner by the morning."
"You hit Ian?" Sara bit her lower lip as a grin began to form.
"I didn't mean too." Gabriel shrugged. "He said to come at him and I did. I never imagined I would connect once, let alone twice."
"You hit him twice?" Sara fought to keep from laughing out loud which only made Ian more irritated.
"I think we are finished for the day Mythkeeper." Ian growled as he slowly stood. "I will see to the bleeding." With only a nod to Dianna and Sara, the man disappeared inside.
"Mythkeeper?" Gabriel repeated as his eyes grew big. "He must really be pissed off. He hasn't called me Mythkeeper in weeks."
"Don't worry about it Gabriel." Sara finally started laughing. "The only thing you really hurt was his pride. He'll be calling you Gabriel again before you know it."
"I hope so." Gabriel stood and began moving toward the women. "Ian is the last person in the world I really want mad at me."
"Trust me Gabriel." Sara smiled as she draped an arm lazily around his shoulder. "Ian is just fine and will have forgiven you before the night is over with."
The three entered just as Ian slowly exited the bathroom. His nose no longer bled but his right eye had indeed become swollen and was beginning to discolor. He scowled at Gabriel who moved to one side to allow the man to pass. Just as he was about to sit down, Mija entered and stared.
"Wow! That's gotta hurt." She inhaled sharply as she spied Ian's injury, then turned to Gabriel. "Uncle Danny called and asked that you or Sara get in touch with him as soon as possible." She was about to leave but turned to Ian once more. "Man, you better get some ice on that before it swells shut." As if in answer, Ian lifted the stained towel slowly then placed it on his eye.
"Mija, I'll call him in a few minutes." Sara smiled at the young woman who nodded and left. "You three play nice for a few minutes while I see what Danny wants." She waited as each nodded at her, then left to make the call.
"You need some aspirin or something Ian?" Dianna asked softly as she sat next to the man. "I mean. . ."
"Thank you Princess but no." He smiled at her then looked up at Gabriel who was nervously shuffling from one foot to the other. "Mythkeeper." Ian's voice was a growl which made Gabriel more uncomfortable. "I am impressed."
"What?" Gabriel couldn't believe his ears. "You're what?"
"I would not have thought you were capable of causing me injury." Finally Ian smiled broadly. "You have impressed me."
"So you're not mad at me?" Gabriel still felt a bit uncomfortable with what he had done.
"No, not at all." Ian removed the ice as he stared at Gabriel. "You surprised me." He groaned as Dianna lifted the ice back onto the bruise.
"Don't make those noises at me Ian Nottingham, keep that ice right there." Dianna ordered and was amused that Ian obeyed. "I know it hurts, but. . ." She trailed off as Sara came back into the room, solemn. "That was fast Sara. What's Danny want?"
"Seems word has gotten around that you are living here." Sara spoke softly. "Danny has a missing person's case, teenage girl. Her parents found about you being here and asked Danny if you can come and see what you feel." She shrugged. "I told Danny I would have to ask before we commit on anything."
"Of course I'll go." Dianna stood quickly. "I have never refused to help the police with anything, why should I start now?" She noticed everyone looking at her wrist. "Look, just because I'm wearing this, doesn't mean my morals have changed. If someone needs my help, I'm going, with or without the permission of this piece of junk." She paused and looked at the pulsating stone. "No offense intended." She mused to the bracelet and watched as it seemed to calm down. "Apparently none taken." Grinning she looked back at Sara. "Call Danny back and tell him I will be more than happy to do what I can."
"All right." Sara sounded hesitant. "But I want all of us with you, understand?" Dianna nodded. "Okay, I'll go and call Danny."
"I'll go change and grab a few things I might need." Dianna hurried out of the room leaving Gabriel and Ian with Sara.
"Can I leave the two of you alone for a few minutes?" Sara asked playfully and received only nods from the men. "Okay, you two just behave yourselves and I'll be right back."