Page 79 of Destiny Reclaimed
Ariel was special, Gabriela knew it. Her granddaughter was destined for great things. Warmth filled her heart. She’d seen it firsthand when their paths crossed during the WWII mission with Jack. How odd. In all her travels protecting Preservers, she’d never encountered the presence of more than one generation of Preservers and Protectors at a given incident. How lucky she was to get a glimpse of her granddaughter in action as an adult. Blake, too. He was a fine boy and would grow into a fine, strong man. He’d need to be strong, both physically and mentally. His role as a Preserver would require it.
Eeriness seeped into her soul. Those Duponts were bad seeds. Of all the Modifier families she’d battled through the years, the Duponts were the worst she’d ever encountered. The Cornelis had their work cut out for them to preserve history and the future.
Gabriela rose from her chair, walked over to the large console television, and turned it off. Then, she turned out the lamp lights and headed down the dark hall toward the bedroom.
“So, you thought you got away with this, did you?”
Her heart leaped, and she spun to see who’d spoken, but nobody was there. Or, was someone? It was too dark to see.
In two quick steps, she could be at the end of the hall and could flip the light switch. She hadn’t even planted her first step before someone gripped hold of her hair and jerked her back. She reached out to catch herself, but found nothing to latch onto. The hold on her hair loosened, and she landed abruptly, smacking the back of her head hard against the unforgiving surface. A kaleidoscope of stars flashed, then all went dark again.
A heavy body pounced on her, pinning her to the floor. She squirmed to free herself and punched at the air to no avail. The person on top of her captured her arms and restrained them under his knees. Then he leaned forward, close enough his fiery hot, rancid breath washed over her face, assaulting her nostrils.
“Sorry to say, but no. Your actions can’t go unpunished.”
The voice held familiarity, but she couldn’t quite place it among the high-pitched tones ringing in her ears. Her temples throbbed.
She squirmed as violently as she could, but the confines of his hold were too strong for her to escape.
“Who are you? Show yourself, you coward!”
A feral growl sounded. Oh God, she knew who this was.How did he find me?
She twisted her body to try to free herself. He ground his knees into her arms, flattening her aching muscles onto the floor.
Two large hues of red cut through the darkness. The heat of the rays burned her skin.
A shiny glint reflected in his eyes as he sinfully and slowly leaned closer to her. The red hues burned hotter. Pain like she’d never known pierced her heart. Still, knowing it was punishable to break the rules of engagement, she’d do what she did all over again. The fact it was for the greater good brought some comfort to her in this time of pain and ending. She’d go out knowing she did all she could do.
Blood pooled in her throat, choking her. Her body went cold. The glow of red faded...everything faded.
––––––––
Jack returned homefrom picking up the Sunday paper. He’d just sprawled it out on the kitchen table when the pitter-patter of tiny feet sounded from down the hallway. His smile grew with each step his son took toward the kitchen. As the boy bounded into the room, Jack slid back slightly in his chair, scooped his son up, and hugged him.
Blake still wore his footed, one-piece pajamas.
“Did you sleep well?”
His son nodded.
He rose with Blake in his arms then placed him in his booster seat.
Gwennie entered the room. Her long hair sexily tussled from their early morning adventure. Her almond-shaped, caramel eyes still held satisfaction but looked a little sleepy. That was understandable since they hadn’t actually slept much last night.
He raked his gaze over her mouth as she drew a sexy smile from those bow-shaped lips of hers. She was on to him.
She swung her gaze to Blake. “Do you want pancakes today?”
He clapped and nodded.
Jack returned his attention to the newspaper and lifted it closer to his eyes.
The headline read.
No Suspects in Brutal Murder of Green Bay Woman.
Not fifty miles away. What was this world coming to?
