Page 14 of Fated Angel

A second truth settles in her gut. Reassuring Colt feels right.

“Did you have somewhere in mind?” she asks, glancing down. “It’ll need to be safe.”

Colt’s grin is broad and blinding. Enough for Gabby to forget everything for a breathless second. All she sees is him. All she feels is the boundless love that changed her life. “I know a place,” he says enigmatically.

Turning away from the chapel, Colt leads them to a bustling marketplace nestled within the labyrinthine streets of Jerusalem. They land, their wings disappearing quickly followed by the cloaking spell, and are instantly absorbed by the lively merchants and flustered tourists. Holding Gabby’s hand in a tight grip, Colt navigates the crowded alleyways with the ease of a local. With each step she resists the urge to pull back or lift into the skies. Walking away from an obsidian shard, even if it’s only until nightfall, is harder than she expected it to be.

Finally, they arrive at a clearly signposted landmark: the entrance to the catacombs beneath the Old City of Jerusalem.

Gabby arches a brow. “This is it?” she asks, glancing around at the milling tourists.

Colt arches a brow. “You know I like my privacy.”

He tugs her forward as a group of people move toward the entrance as part of a tour. Gabby feels the tingle of a cloaking spell overcome her again just as they enter the shadowy opening. As the group walks straight, the stone ground already descending, Colt takes a sharp right.

One press of an innocuous looking stone and a hidden tunnel opens up. Colt and Gabby step in, the stones melding back together as if they were never there.

“A hidden tunnel?” Gabby asks in surprise.

Colt presses a kiss to her temple. “Your father isn’t the first one to have created an underground safe haven for supernaturals.”

Gabby blinks, looking around. The tunnel branches out in multiple directions, going who knows where. And who knows what other beings are down here.

“Come on,” Colt says.

He leads Gabby deeper into the catacombs beneath the heart of Jerusalem, the torchlight flickering and casting dancing shadows on the damp stone walls. The air grows cooler as the echoes of their footsteps reverberate through the ancient underground labyrinth.

Gabby quickly discovers the catacombs are a maze of narrow passageways adorned with crypts and ancient relics, a silent testament to centuries of history and secrets. The walls are lined with enigmatic symbols and faded murals depicting stories long forgotten.

Not that she has a chance to look at any of it. Colt moves with determined focus, his gaze scanning the ancient walls. They reach a junction where he pauses, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. He approaches an unremarkable stone wall adorned with ancient carvings and places his hand on a particular symbol. The wall shimmers and shifts, revealing a hidden entrance.

“A hidden tunnel inside a hidden tunnel?” Gabby asks, surprised all over again.

With a soft, triumphant grin, Colt turns to her. “I told you I liked my privacy.”

He creates a ball of fire in his palm as they enter the hidden chamber, revealing an astonishing sight. A magical sanctuary untouched by time, a place of ethereal beauty hidden deep within the catacombs. The chamber's ceiling sparkles with countless crystals, casting a gentle, radiant light that seems to come from the very stones themselves.

In the center of the chamber, a tranquil pool of water mirrors the celestial glow, creating a serene and mystical ambiance. The walls are adorned with shelves holding ancient tomes and artifacts, their secrets waiting to be uncovered.

“Colt…” Gabby breathes.

He flushes, as if suddenly embarrassed. “I didn’t get to come here often, but when I did, I wanted it to be somewhere beautiful.”

“Mission accomplished,” Gabby says, doing a slow turn. The room is magnificent.

“One day, I’ll show you all the artifacts I’ve collected over the years.”

Gabby’s heart melts, having no doubt that Colt’s never invited anyone else into his secret sanctuary. To think that she almost opposed coming here. She fights a frown. The reasons for not coming seem far away. Is the obsidian sinking its claws into her?

Is it blinding her to the goodness she has with Colt?

Before she can start to answer either question, Colt scoops her up. Gabby yelps in surprise, even as she’s more than happy to wrap her arms around his strong shoulders. He grins. “It’s time to rest, angel of mine.”

She leans in close. “I’m certainly not feeling tired now.”

Colt chuckles, a deep, rich sound that reverberates straight through him. But then he’s walking toward a pile of lush-looking cushions. He lowers himself seamlessly, as if he’s not carrying her entire weight, then settles Gabby amongst the riot of emerald greens, deep reds, and rich golds. Softness instantly engulfs her, but it’s the hardness of Colt’s body that she needs.

He must sense it, because he curls around her, pulling her tight against his chest. “Sleep for a few hours, Gabby,” he murmurs, nuzzling her neck. “I have a feeling we’re going to need it.”

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