"Good morning, Gabriel," Andre said in a smooth voice as deep as his skin was dark. His eyes glowed turquoise, and he held a glass of wine in one hand. Dressed in a mock turtleneck of some expensive fabric and slacks, the seated Immortal was relaxed and bright-eyed, despite accompanying them on the hunt that led them to the meat locker a couple of hours ago. Gabriel was envious of how refreshed the Immortal managed to appear without sleep.
Andre's calming magic had an effect even on deities. The tension melted from Gabriel's shoulders as he sat on the settee across from Andre.
"Good morning, Andre," Gabriel said then tossed his head towards the door. Landon took the hint and left.
"Were you pleased by our rather gruesome discovery?" Andre asked.
"Yeah," Gabriel said with a snort. "We rescued three hundred souls. I'm grateful, Andre."
"It's what I do." Andre dismissed the praise with an easy smile. "I'm afraid I have no good news on the other front. I visited dear Tamer and spent most of the day with him and his records. I didn't know he had such an extensive library. I plan on returning to see what my brother is doing with all those histories he's not sharing."
Gabriel hid a smile, hearing the gruff-but-gentle disapproval of an older brother in Andre's voice. Gabriel knew the secrets of all the brothers on the Council; there were things people told Death that they never revealed to anyone else. He was accustomed to hearing and safeguarding the secrets of others.
"In any case, Tamer had no information to share with regards to the tumor," Andre finished. His cultured accent made even bad news sound pleasant.
"We may not need the information anymore," Gabriel said pensively. "But I can't find Wynn to help verify. You were able to feel the tumor in Deidre's head the other night, right?"
"I was."
"I need you to look again."
Andre's eyebrows rose. "Of course," he said.
He didn't ask questions, which Gabriel liked. Having played the patient sounding board to the Council members for thousands of years, Andre was adept at discretion.
"She's here," Gabriel added. "Sometime today would be good."
"I will take her breakfast," Andre said with a smile.
"Appreciate it." Gabe rose. "Check in when you're done."
Andre inclined his head.
Gabriel left for the Caribbean Sanctuary, where the book possessed by a long dead Oracle was busy scribbling notes about the Present. He strode to the lectern where the massive book was perched.
"Show me the deals past-Death and my mate made with the Dark One within the past year."