Gabriel's Hope

"Okay then," she whispered. "Never mind. Just … hold me."

Doing the right thing was painful. Gabriel held his tongue. Their connection was strong, its calming affect on her the only comfort he was able to offer.

"Who's soul is in my head?" she asked.

"We don't know," he lied. "Probably an anomaly."

"Does that happen often?"

"Not that I know of."

"It's kinda weird, isn't it? To have someone else's soul in your head?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want me to take the one percent chance?"

"I do," he replied as evenly as he was able to. "One percent now is better than zero percent in three months."

"Ugh."

He waited. She was deliberating silently. At last, she sighed.

"I want to live," she said, sounding unconvinced. "I think. The idea of this being my new reality terrifies me. Even if … even if you don't want me, I want that chance. I guess if the operation fails, I'll die anyway, right?"

You have no idea how much I want you. Aloud, he replied, "Instantly. No pain, no comatose state."

"Never thought I'd consider that good news."

Secretly relieved, Gabriel drew a deep breath. He needed her agreement to try, even if they weren't ready yet. He'd figure something out. He just needed to find the right combination of factors that would allow him to withdraw the soul from her head without killing her. If that meant he took Wynn with him everywhere from here on out to ensure the Immortal didn't disappear, he'd do it.

If it meant he went to Darkyn and made a deal as a final alternative, he'd do that, too.

"Maybe we can adopt an angel," she added. "Toby said they need homes. So bizarre."

"Gods. Let's get through this before we talk kids," he said gruffly.

She laughed.

"Trust me?"

"I don't have much of a choice, if I want to give living a go," she said.

"Good enough. You ready to go home?"

"Yeah."

Gabriel stood carefully and pulled her to her feet. She took his hand but didn't look at him, the odd melancholy stirring his instincts once more. A death-dealer outside her door - or better yet, on her couch - was all that would make him easier about leaving her alone.

He took her home through the shadow world. She released his hand as they walked into the living room. Gabriel watched her walk away, loving how much the clingy dress revealed of her body.

"I'm assigning someone to sleep in the apartment," he told her firmly.

"Because of demons?"

"More or less."

Deidre curled up on the couch, eyes thoughtful as she studied him. She was contemplative and calm, sad but not suicidal. Gabriel returned her intent gaze.