Fuck. I can’t leave him here. My stupid heart, with its stupid inability to leave anyone or anything that’s hurting or in danger, won’t let me.
Dropping to my knees, I worry my lip and assess the situation. Gabriel is stuck, plain and simple, and there’s no way he’ll get out without help. I sigh, cursing myself for being so softhearted. A different, crueler person would probably leave him here.
Alas, I am not that person.
“Give me your hands, Gabriel.”
His green eyes are sharp as they meet mine.
“Give them to me, and we’ll pull you out,” I repeat.
This will be the third time I’ve helped the Hunter.
Well.Technically, it’s the third. Maybe it’s the second? I suppose that the last time, when I poisoned him before changing my mind and saving his life, might not count.
Semantics.
Gabriel studies me for a long moment before he nods. He slips back inside before reappearing, his arms in front of him.
I take hold of his right hand, and a wave of heat surges through me. Why? Why does a single touch make me feel like I’m burning up from the inside out?
I try dousing the flames, but they burn even hotter. None of this makes any sense, and I’m forced to tamp down my frustration as the twins both take hold of Gabriel’s left arm.
“On the count of three, we pull.” I glance at my sisters, and they nod.
“One.” I brace my feet against the ground. “Two.” I draw in a deep breath and steady myself. “Three.”
My chest heaves as I yank on the Hunter’s hand with all my might. He grunts, his face twists, and perspiration drips down his brow.
For a long moment, it seems like nothing is happening.
I dig in my heels and pull, refusing to give up. There’s a scuffling sound, and Gabriel grunts. One of the twins shouts.
Time itself seems suspended for a long moment before something gives. There’s a shift, followed by an ominous sound of flesh tearing that has my stomach twisting.
Gabriel shouts, the cry carrying through the evening air, as his shoulders finally make it out of the opening.
I stumble back, releasing Gabriel’s hand, and he crawls out of the opening. His black shirt is ripped, and a fresh, red gash runs down his arm. My fingers twitch helplessly at my side. Gods, I wish I had my bag. That wound could easily get infected, especially considering our surroundings. A dab of blessed salve would help.
Unfortunately, Kadyn and I hid all our belongings before we headed into the Winter’s Eve Ball. Our plan had been to retrieve them once we had the twins, but like everything else he and I had planned, that’s no longer going to happen.
Kadyn is gone, and although I’m not sure where we are, it’s clear we are nowhere near the Rose Palace.
Gabriel doesn’t seem to notice the cut on his arm. His back is to me as he straightens, his muscles rippling, and my mouth dries. I may despise this Hunter with every fiber of my being, but I cannot deny his handsomeness.
He turns around, and I avert my eyes. It’s one thing to watch him when he’s not paying attention, but it’s another to be caught doing it.
“Thank you for your help,” he says, and why does the rough sound of his voice make me feel all mixed up inside?
My tongue is in knots, and it takes me several tries to untangle it and mumble, “You’re welcome, Gabriel.”
The air between us feels weighted. There are more things to say, more questions that need answering. Conversations we need to have that can’t wait forever.
But this is neither the time nor the place.
Gabriel glances up at the sky, where the suns are trading places with the moons.
“Come on. Let’s get further away from the tunnels, and then we can talk about what comes next.”
