Page 144 of De-Witched

Leah relished their embrace, even as she sought Gabriel, who stood next to Kole. Two men couldn’t be more different on the surface, she thought, but underneath, both had that protective core, an honor that made them fight for what they loved. It was strange but somehow Kole seemed the more isolated one now, loneliness a black ribbon that twined around him. She hoped he found someone soon. And she hoped the female made him work for it.

The idea for a celebration rose but Gabriel rejected it, curling his hand around Leah’s. “I need to borrow her for a second.”

“I pity you if it’s just a second.” Tia’s smirk wiped away any hint of the vulnerability she’d just displayed. “Well, we’ll see you crazy kids at the bar.”

All of them walked through the portal Bastian created, laughing, talking, joking. Only Kole paused. His head angled back. “I don’t like you, Goodnight,” he said flatly. “Honestly, I think you’re a dick.”

Gabriel lifted his chin, boredom playing over his face. Leah tightened her hand on his.

“But you risked it all. Leah deserves someone who’d fight the world for her.” He ran a hand over his hair, dullness dimming his usual light. “Not someone who’s content with what little he thinks he can get.”

Mystified, Leah turned to him, but he was already stepping through the portal.

Gabriel didn’t give her time to question. He tugged. “Come.”

“Where are we going?” She stopped him with a hand, curling her fingers around his arm. “And what did Luisa mean about the price having been met?”

He hesitated.

“Gabriel.”

At his uncle’s voice, every muscle on Gabriel’s body locked. Regret moved across his face as he visibly steeled himself before swiveling to August. Leah stepped close, ready to throw down if needed.

The two men, so alike, stared at each other.

Gabriel broke first. “Thank you, Uncle.” The tone was husky with gratitude. “That you’d show up even after... I can’t even—” He trailed off.

August merely held out a hand. Gabriel slowly put his own into it, cautious as an animal looking for a trap. That changed when August pulled him in, wrapping his arms around his nephew in a tight embrace. Leah watched a tremor shudder through Gabriel’s body, felt the same pass through her heart.

When they pulled apart, August nodded at her. “We’ll talk.”

It was obvious to Leah that Gabriel was too choked up to speak so she took up the reins. If August was making an effort, she supposed she could, too. “Maybe you could come to dinner.”

“I’d like that. You know how to reach me.” With one last look at Gabriel, he walked away.

“Intense few hours,” Leah observed in the silence that followed.

Gabriel grunted.

She grinned. “Quick. Before anyone else comes. Take me away.”

A faint smile before his hand tangled in hers. With a gesture, he opened a shimmering portal behind them, leading her through it.

She marveled as she had the first time, how it was just like stepping through a door, the only indication of travel a small pop in her ears. God, she’d never walk again if she could do this. Which, considering the many dogs she had to walk each day, was why it was probably a good thing she couldn’t.

They exited onto an unfamiliar balcony. Vines wove through iron railings, flowers creeping up the old brick. The air was warm, sultry, scented.

And there was a black Labrador flopped on the stone floor.

As he caught sight of her, Chuck woofed in delight, throwing himself from his sprawl against her legs and almost knocking her back through the portal. She steadied herself, bending down to give him a hug. He licked her face and she grinned. “Hey, big guy. Where are we, huh?”

“My home.”

Chuck barreled into his master, overjoyed to see them both. He danced around until Gabriel conjured a tennis ball and heaved it to the gardens that dropped away from the balcony. Claws scraped stone as Chuck threw himself down the stairs after it. Leah winced.

Then turned to Gabriel, arms crossed. “So?” she ordered. “What price did you pay?”

He ignored her crossed arms and touched her cheek lightly as if to reassure himself she was there. “I’m sorry about your mum.”

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