Page 11 of By An Angel's Grace

“You have a good time last night?” he asked.

I arched a brow as he backed away. “You really think that’s any of your business?” I countered.

“Of course not! That’s why I asked.”

Tab just stood by and shook his head. Gabriel looked at us both and sighed.

“I’m serious, be careful, you two.”

Tab and I exchanged a look. “Driving the point home a little much, aren’t you?” I asked.

“What is it, brother?” Tab asked.

“Can’t say.”

“Great,” I muttered. Knowing I wouldn’t get shit else out of him, I put my helmet on.

Tab nodded and embraced Gabriel, thanking him. Gabriel gave a little salute, and I fired up the bike. Tab stretched his wings and with a smile, launched himself skyward. I turned carefully over the gravel and headed toward the main streets, following the guidance of the GPS.

Oh, I was in love. The bike hummed beneath me and gave such a beautiful whine when I twisted the throttle – a joyous sound that reached deep into my soul. I headed back to the freeway and when I got there, I took it north, opening up the bike, laying lithe across the tank, melding body and mind with the machine as the wind rushed over us and the pavement blurred beneath us.

Now this was freedom, but it still didn’t compare to the joy I felt when I was with Tab. I could feel him above me, a presence only I knew was there. I knew he had my back and that was amazing all on its own.

I passed through the border gates into Canada with ease, and remembered to keep an eye on my speed, using the inner dial marked with kilometers per hour versus the outer ring of notches marked in miles. When the warning came, it was like being punched in the chest – the burning and tingling of the scar between my breasts telling me I was in some deep shit. I glanced around and figured it had to be the pack of riders in my side-view mirror coming up on me fast.

I sent up a prayer to Tabbris. I’m in trouble. I love you. I’m pouring on the speed. It was a one-way communication but at the same time, unless he or I were in Hell, absolutely foolproof.

Music played in my helmet and I pushed a button flashing on the bike’s display. Bluetooth calling made my little prayer a two-way conversation.

“Adelaide, I see them. Don’t do anything dangerous, you cannot die but—”

“I know, Tab. It doesn’t make me immune to debilitating injury, believe me I know. What do you think they want?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do we want to find out?”

“No. Just keep riding.”

“Then what? There are a lot of them, and they’re going to catch up, eventually. If you get caught up with me, we’re toast. Shit, fuck! What do we do?”

“You remain intact. You swore to me once, that no matter what happened, you would find me. The same…” he choked up slightly, “the same goes for you, if you are caught. I will find you.”

“I believe you,” I said. “I always believe you.”

This was a bad idea. This was a very bad idea. We both knew it, but there wasn’t another option.

“I don’t want to go anywhere populated. All it would do is put innocent bystanders in danger. I’m pulling off at the next exit, I’ll see if I can’t get—”

“Adelaide!” came through my headset, but it was too late. My assailant pulled up next to me and reached out, a hand grabbing my arm. The many splendorous lights of travel through time and space took over, only the colors were corrupted somehow, muted and dark, the blur of the countryside melding with the blurred corrupt colors of rust, charcoal, and old blood.

I heard my assailant’s bike wind down and I let off my throttle to match. Wherever we ended up, we needed to match speed, or we were both going to go down. I didn’t want that.

My tires found traction again and I fought the bike. My assailant broke off so we wouldn’t collide and let the ether take them. I was alone, on a strip of asphalt that was quickly coming to an end. I slowed down and brought the bike around, coming to a stop.

My breaths heaved, my heart raced, hammering against the inside of my ribs. I sat astride my bike and thought, son of a bitch! That was like the perfect trap.

I didn’t bother with my helmet. I just unholstered my .45s, though they were just plain guns now and not the miracle .45s that Miri had given me.

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