Gabrielle had been wandering around for quite a while. Midnight didn't take control of her as much anymore as he used to, but whenever she saw the Grand Magus it was so hard to control him. For some reason he really wanted her dead. Dead, thinking about that word brought back memories of a bloodied blonde woman. She didn't want to kill her. It wasn't her intention but she was too weak to stop it. Was that why Midnight had chosen her. Did he just want somebody whom he could control like that? Was she a weak minded person?
No, she wasn't, couldn't be. Yet her lack of restrain whenever seeing Vera Stone was proof, that she might be. It tore her apart because she actually used to admire that woman. Used to? No, she still did. Vera Stone wasn't just Chancellor of Belgrave. She wasn't just the Temple Magus or the Grand Magus. She was her Idol. Even before attending Belgrave she had gotten to know everything she could about that woman.
When the werewolf thing started, all Gabrielle wanted was to make her proud, to make Vera Stone see her. And so she did, only it didn't go as planned. And when she saw Vera fight side by side with a Werewolf at the den, she didn't know what to believe anymore.
And now, she was in this messy situation. Being overtaken by a powerful being, not being able to control herself, it was a nightmare. At that thought she could feel the beast reacting within her. Yes, Midnight didn't like the fact, that Gabrielle sometimes hated him. But what exactly did he expect? That she would willingly let him do with her body whatever he pleases to do? No way in Hell. She would always fight him for as long, as he tried to force her to do things she didn't want.
It was going to be exhausting but Gabrielle knew, she just had to hold on. Many people underestimated her because they thought, that she was merely a spoiled rich brat. And to be fair, because everybody expected her to be that, she somehow started acting like it. But truth be told, there was much more to her than everybody thought.
She was a fighter and maybe that was what Midnight had seen in her. And if it was, she was going to show him how much of a fight she really was.
Once again she had spent the whole night outside, just staying away from everybody. In fact, it was a whole day and a night. So Gabrielle was quite surprised to return to the den, only to find a very much alive Lilith there. She was sitting outside the house, in front of the door and starring into nothingness. At first she didn't dare say anything to her, but why shouldn't she?
"So... did they actually succeed? Or am I imagining things?" Only then Lilith broke free from her trance and glanced at the other woman. "Gabrielle? What the hell are you doing here?" Right, she probably didn't know. And telling her about the latest member of the pack was most likely not on the boys minds. "Well, where should I start." The two women weren't exactly friends, so Gabrielle understood why Lilith was throwing her a death stare.
"I'm a werewolf." It was the shortest and easiest way to put it, only Lilith didn't seem too content with that answer. "Midnight, he chose me." She went on, but Lilith still stared at her with those eyes who looked ready to kill. Just when she was contemplating leaving again, going for another run in the woods, she could feel the beast scratching within. Her eyes became a silver shade and claws came out of her hands. But she quickly fought against it and regained control.
Still it was enough of a show to convince the skeptical woman, that she was right about her now being a wolf.
"Well, I guess a lot has happened in my absence. Since the guys were too emotional to tell me anything, how about you give me a brief update?" Gabrielle did not expect that, but then again, there was a lot of not expecting things going around lately. Ever since she had joined the order nothing was predictable anymore. Every day brought new and unexpected things.
And so she sat down next to the other woman and started to explain everything that she had missed. Including Alyssas Death. They sat out there until the sun went up and sounds could be heard from inside. Apparently the boys were awake.
"Hey, have you seen Hamish?"They were greeted by Jack, when they entered the house. He did seem a little surprised to see them together, but decided not to comment on that. "Well, I haven't Maybe he went out to get something for breakfast?" It was a plausible reason for him to not be there, but Lilith knew he didn't. "I've been sitting outside for quite a while. It's 8 am. If he really did go for breakfast then he must have gone in the middle of the night."
It was that exact moment that they heard foot steps and a familiar face appeared in the still open door. "Hey, you're all already awake?" Speak of the devil, Gabrielle thought as she eyed the man in front of her. Something was off about him. Was it his hair that had gotten a little longer? No, something else. He came inside the house and the moment he went past her she realized, it was his smell. He did smell awfully strong like a certain Grand Magus she knew. She didn't think the others noticed though, since she was the only one so obsessed with that woman. And not just her, Midnight as well. He noticed the smell too and for a moment Gabrielle had to fight him again.
Nobody saw it. They all were fixed on Hamish, trying to figure out where he had been. "Not everybody. Randall is still asleep." But just as he said that another sleepy face joined them. "Not true."
"Well, anyways, I think it is time we started on that research we promised Vera." As expected the others did not exactly seem pleased. Randall was thinking about going back to bed. Jack had other plans for today as well. Plans concerning a certain blonde woman. And Lilith had no Idea what promise Hamish meant. "So, Vera, huh? You two are on a first name base now?" Gabrielle couldn't stop herself from letting that question slip, which made Randall snort. "Didn't you know he's hot for teacher?" Hamish was about to protest but the younger wolf didn't let him.
"What? It is so obvious how you always stare at here. And how you always make her extra fancy drinks. Always defending her whenever you can. Dude, even if she weren't such a bitch, she would still be out of your league. Stick to the people who actually deserve you." It took a lot of self control for Hamish not to jump at that. And when Gabrielle looked at each of them individually she seemed to be the only one who noticed it. The others were just laughing it off, while going their own way. And when it was clear that he would be the only one interested in keeping that promise, she decided to join him on that.
She waited a couple minutes and as soon as he disappeared in the artifact room she followed him. And when the two of them were alone behind closed doors, she quickly cast a silence incantation. A practical spell that she had learned the moment she found out about it. He looked at her in surprise but didn't do anything except waiting for an explanation.
"You're not just hot for teacher, are you?" He didn't know how to respond to that. His first instinct was to lie, to keep his secret, but she wouldn't let him. "Her smell is all over you. I doubt the others noticed since they never really paid that much attention to her. But you should be more careful if you want this to stay secret." Intrigued where this conversation was going, he sat down. "Ok, and you what? Just wanted to tell me you knew?"
She couldn't help but laugh at that. "No, despite what you might think, I actually like the Grand Magus. I wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt her. Well, Midnight sees her different than me, but I'm trying to contain him." Her gaze moved towards the floor, thinking about what happened with Alyssa, and how Midnight was set on killing the other woman as well.
"Ok, I believe you. In that case would at least you like to help me help her?" Her eyes flicked back up at him. "The promise. What did you promise her and what did she do for you?" Her mind went back to what had happened since she had gone for a walk and then realization hit her. "Lilith. She helped you bring Lilith back." Of course. There was no way those immature wanna be sorcerers could have opened a portal to the demon realm and retrieving their friend on their own.
"Yes, she did. And in return we need to find out as much as we can about some people who possibly have lived hundreds of years ago. And a prophecy connected to them." He was glad that at least one of the other wolves seemed to be on his side with this. He wouldn't have minded doing some research all by himself, but it was always better to have a second pair of eyes present. "Alright, you got my attention. Fill me in." What he never would have imagined though was, that his new found ally was the very person he needed to protect Vera from.
But Gabrielle did seem sincere and she didn't make a drama out of the fact that she knew about him and Vera. So maybe Gabrielle was just the ally he needed.
Was she really going to do this. Initially she did not want to include her in this. But Kepler was, after all, the one who let her in on the councils secret. And she should not forget, that the two of them used to be friends. Despite everything that happened lately with Kepler trying to take her position away from her. She was a person Vera would much rather have on her side than fight against.
So after Hamish left that morning, she pulled out her phone and sent the other woman a short text. It didn't take long until her doorbell rang. "Vera, you still look quite terrible." It wasn't a compliment, but Vera knew that from Bitsys mouth that was as much a sign of concern for her, as she could get.
"Thanks, but that is not why I called you here." The two of them moved inside the house, where Vera offered her guest a tea. "I'd prefer some coffee." She had to cringe at that request. Me too her inner voice basically screamed. "I am on a cleanse of sorts. Tea only." Was the only thing she could reply. "Well, that would explain why you look so miserable." Oh she had no idea. And Vera was not about to tell her the real reason for her decreasing health.
"Anyways, your dreams? Did you have another one?" At that question Vera pulled out the drawing she did of the man. "You sure do have some talent." Elizabeth muttered while taking in the picture. "He's a werewolf." That certainly did get her attention. "And how do you know that? Did he transform in your dreams? Maybe you have just been focusing too much on the wolves lately." Vera shook her head. "He and the woman were lovers. Her father didn't approve from what I have seen in my dream. Maybe this curse has something to do with his nature."
She didn't want to tell Kepler too much, but in order to get her on her side she would have to cooperate. "She got pregnant with twins, his children." The other woman listened and let her words sink in for a moment before replying. "If this thing really does have to do with werewolves, theyn why don't we just interrogate your lapdogs for a while. Surely they must know something about this." Vera shook her head. "No, Elizabeth. They don't. But I already talked to them and they will try to find out everything they can."
Apparently this answer was not enough for the council member. She seemed rather annoyed. "So you made me come all the way over here just to-" But Vera cut her off. "There is more." She pulled out another sketch she had started. It was not as detailed as the other one since she hadn't had much time until Bitsys arrival. "I saw this man too. He had something to do with her father I believe. It was all a little cut off in my dream."
The council member took the drawing and for a moment it seemed she held her breath. "You don't mind if I take this with me, right?" Vera shook her head and the other woman seemed pleased. She knew something, of that Vera was sure. But she wouldn't press for information. Instead she just kept going on her own health. "I'm going to stay home today. As you've noticed, I don't really feel that well. Could you jump in for me one more day?"
Keplers face went back to concern when she gave Vera a scrutinizing look. "Maybe one day isn't enough. Whatever bug you have caught, make sure to recover from it. Take a couple days off. I can handle everything for a while." And there she was, her long lost friend. They felt good, moments like this one where They seemed to reconnect. "Thanks. I'm sure I'll be back on track in no time."
But that statement didn't last long, because the moment the other woman had left her house, Vera ran towards her bathroom, literally hugging the toilet as she got sick. If she wanted to go back to work then she really needed to find a way to cover up her condition. Because there was no way in hell she could actually be getting better. No, Vera was dying and nobody could help her.