Page 163 of Terror at the Gates

Revel in the burn, that sweet agony

Make your mark and open your mouth,

Fill the night with your sacred screams

Shatter the earth and never know peace.

The fire seared my skin and torment twisted through me, a force I could not fight as it parted my lips and drew from my body an earthshaking shriek.

***

I woke to the same piercing cry, only it didn’t come from my lips.

It was Liam.

He was wailing. It was so loud I thought he must be in the room with us, but when I opened my bleary eyes, I realized it was just that shrill. I checked the time. I felt like I’d just fallen asleep, but it was late in the afternoon, so it had at least been a few hours. I didn’t want to move, but I was also worried about Gabriel. Liam didn’t sound okay.

I stretched, and Zahariev’s arms tightened around me.

That was when I knew he was awake.

“Hey,” I said, my voice quiet as I turned to face him. His eyes were closed, but I touched his face, his jaw rough with stubble. “I think Gabriel needs help.”

“I’m coming,” he said, though his voice was thick with sleep.

I kissed him and then extracted myself from his arms, rolling out of bed to dress. Zahariev was a step behind me, pulling on a pair of shorts.

In the hallway, Liam’s cries sounded even sharper, and I instantly felt on edge.

“He’s inconsolable,” said Zahariev.

“Gabriel?” I called, knocking on his door. I didn’t wait for an answer to enter and found him sitting on his bed, holding Liam. He was crying too. His face was drenched, and so was his shirt. How long had they both been sitting here like this?

“Oh, Gabriel,” I whispered.

I didn’t even know what to do or how to help.

“He won’t stop,” he said. His voice was so hoarse, I could barely hear him. “I don’t know what to do, and I really…I need Esther.”

Zahariev moved past me and took Liam from Gabriel.

“Let me try,” he said.

“He won’t take a bottle. I tried burping him. He won’t take a pacifier.”

Gabriel had to pause between words to catch his breath, almost convulsing.

“I got it,” said Zahariev. “I think you need a break. I’ll take him into the living room.”

Zahariev caught my gaze as he headed past. He was tense, and I didn’t know if it was from Liam crying or seeing Gabriel like this, probably both. He paused and kissed my temple before leaving the room, closing the door.

The barrier gave us some peace. Gabriel dropped his shoulders and slumped against the headboard.

I sat down and smoothed his hair out of his face. He had been so composed over the last few days, it was easy to forget this turmoil was living inside him.

“I tried so hard,” he said, covering his face with his hand. His body shook. “And when nothing worked, I thought maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough or that I wasn’t even good at this. If Esther were here, she would probably have him asleep in no time.”

“Gabriel.” Hearing him made my heart ache. I touchedhis arm. “Esther is magic, but I think even she would find this challenging.”

---