Gabriel's eyes drifted in the direction where he sensed Deidre was. Desire and yearning crept into him, knowing she was so close. Doubting she'd welcome him, he was drawn to her in a way he wasn't going to be able to fight for long.
What did Darkyn want from Deidre? What kind of deal had past-Deidre made that the Oracle didn't record?
Gabriel rubbed his jaw and strode out of the Oracle's small room. He followed the instinct that led him to Deidre and trotted up the stairs leading to the top of the fortress. His step slowed as he saw her leaning against the wall, gazing into the darkness. Her features were drawn in the moonlight, and there were circles under her eyes. Her petite, shapely body was clothed in jeans and a tank top. The sight of his name across her shoulders made his body hot with anger and need that left him frustrated. He was so close … and couldn't touch her the way he yearned to.
The ocean breeze brought the familiar scent of brandy. Gabe approached and stopped behind her, claiming the alcohol with one hand. She jumped. Gabe tossed the brandy over the side of the fortress wall and caught her as she tried to escape. The softness of her body combined with the power of their bond jarred him.
"Leave me alone!" she cried.
"I just need a minute," he said in a calm, level voice. He released her, not wanting to make this worse. He braced his arms on either side of her. She didn't face him. She leaned against the wall, trembling visibly.
The sight disturbed him more than he wanted it to. Daniela said she was scared. Gabe saw she was more- Deidre was terrified. Of him. He found himself hating the feeling instead of relishing it, like he thought he would if their roles were ever reversed. He didn't want her to fear him. It probably didn't help that she was drunk.
Pensive, he swallowed hard and finally admitted that he didn't want her to be his by obligation, the way he'd been enslaved to past-Deidre. He took a deep breath, making a decision he knew he'd probably regret.
"I need your head clear," he said, irritated about the alcohol. He rested his hand on the base of her neck, the warm energy of their bond moving through him. As tempted as he was to read her mind, he didn't. He cleared it, pushing aside the haze of alcohol and the pain he sensed but didn't understand the source of. It was physical discomfort, not mental, and he was relieved to feel she was in no great mental pain from the loss of her boyfriend.