Katie's Hellion

"Rhyn didn't do this," he observed, handing her the juice.

She wiped her face again and shook her head, pain thrumming through her body. Rhyn could make it leave. She didn't know how, but she knew he could. Gabriel touched her forehead, and cold lightning buzzed through her, absorbing the pain. She released a tight breath. His hand remained, and she felt the cool lightning in her mind, ruffling through her memories.

"Gabriel," she objected.

"Kris?"

She said nothing.

"Rhyn needs to know."

"It's the last thing he needs to know! He and Kris are barely working together as it is. I think Kris is right --the fate of humanity is more important than me."

"Doesn't give him a right to break the Immortal Code. You don't touch another's mate."

"The Immortal Code has done me no favors yet, Gabriel," she said, beyond exhausted. "Can we talk about it in the morning? Please?"

Gabriel fell silent, and she closed her eyes, exhausted.

* * *

"His time is up, my pet."

Gabriel replaced the hourglass after several unsuccessful attempts to shake it. The sand at the bottom didn't move.

"He's almost there," he replied, facing the bright figure that was Death.

She offered one of her warm smiles and approached him, looking up at him with a mischievous twinkle in her gaze. The heavy Caribbean air rustled the pages of the Oracle's book. A storm brewed on the horizon, visible through the window behind Death.

"What?" he asked warily. "The last time you looked at me like that, I lost a bet."

"I guess it's cheating when you can see the future," she mused.

"Damn right it's cheating."

"Then you better answer this question right."

He crossed his arms, aware she was the only creature not intimidated by his displays of strength. She whirled away and crossed to the Oracle's book, closing it after his failed attempt to see Rhyn's fate.

He watched her grab the hourglass and toss it in the air. It disappeared before it could hit the ceiling. He felt dread knot in his stomach at the sign she wasn't going to give Rhyn yet another chance.

"Would you do anything for your friend?"

His jaw clenched at the question. She'd been trying for years to have his voluntary service revoked.

"I've always done everything you asked," he replied. "I've served you longer than any of the others. You'd put me in the position of choosing my freedom or my friend's life?"