Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“These aren’t for the children, are they?” she asked, making him stiffen. “I mean, I’m sure the kids would love them, but it’s late.”
“Oh… no, it’s only one pan. I baked those for myself,” he said, making her laugh.
“You’ll eat all four?”
“Didn’t you say I should eat more? I’m happy to share one.” He smiled and handed her a muffin. “Be careful, they’re still hot.”
Mrs. Knight chuckled. “I came here for a sandwich, but how could I possibly say no to those?”
Gabriel bit his lip, unsure how to tackle the topic he hoped to consult with her. “Mrs. Knight… have you ever been in love?”
The sudden silence made him stare at the tips of his shoes, but she finally spoke. “Well, yes. A long time ago. Why do you ask?”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m watching a TV series, and this guy is very much in love with this girl…” He got so exasperated with his own lies that he turned to open the window and let out some of the heat into the evening. “And she’s leaving for college, but he can’t go with her, but he’d really want her to stay, and it made me wonder, what would a normal person do in such a situation. When you really love someone.”
Mrs. Knight’s shoulders relaxed, and she put the hot muffin on a small plate. “I think if a person’s feelings are strong, they should communicate that. Lots of people never do that, afraid of the other person’s reaction.”
“Do you think it’s possible to change someone’s mind in the name of love?”
Mrs. Knight smiled at him and patted his shoulder with her small, tender hand. “Oh, Gabriel… Anything’s possible in the name of love, and I’m sure you’ll find out one day.”
He nodded, but her answer didn’t apply to his situation. The man he needed to keep in his life wasn’t a mortal with the freedom to do as he pleased.. But Gabriel hadn’t given up and was intent on working out a way to keep Abaddon with him after he fulfilled his mission.
Mrs. Knight soon left him, and he breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the children had already been served their evening meal, and the cook, Robin, would only return the next day. His gaze swept over the floor, and for a moment he remembered what it had been like three weeks ago, stained red. Blood had been everywhere, even on the counter where he’d prepared batter for the sweet treat he’d baked for Abaddon today, yet he didn’t feel the slightest inkling of remorse over Watson’s death. Abaddon had done the right thing. He was everything good in Gabriel’s life.
Gabriel’s fury, his need for revenge and justice had been so strong when he’d first found out what had happened to him. Now, no matter how brightly that anger still burned within him, the thoughts of losing Abaddon dampened the will to stab a kitchen knife into Father John’s neck. Every step Abaddon made toward fulfilling his ultimate goal was a step away from Gabriel, and he couldn’t help but feel bitter about it.
But they only had so much time, so why was he wasting it agonizing over things he might not be able to change?
He was about to grab the muffins and take them to Abaddon when something dark poured in through the window. Overcome by fear, he grabbed a knife from a wooden block and pointed it toward the intruder just to see his lover rise from the floor like a prince of darkness with a curtain of brown hair covering his face.
Gabriel exhaled and put down the knife. “Jesus! You scared the shit out of me. I really don’t want to stab you again by accident.” He laughed, but when Abaddon didn’t, Gabriel frowned. Something was off.
“I need to borrow a car from the garage. Is there something you could do to create a distraction?” Abaddon asked, not even noticing the muffins baked for him.
“What’s the rush? What’s going on?”
Abaddon looked back, as if he wanted to be certain they were alone. “I’ve been spending a lot of time following Father John around when we were apart, and I just overheard him talking to Martinez in his office. The bastard already left but tonight he’s staying in a motel nearby.”
Right. Two weeks had passed since Martinez’s last visit. Only a few more days to go until the ritual.
Gabriel cocked his head. “There’s no need to spy on him, right? We know he’ll be back for the ritual. How about we take the muffins upstairs, and—”
Abaddon shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about it, and taking out four at once would be a stretch, especially that he is a cop and probably carries a gun on him. If I get rid of him now, only an old man and two women will be left to take on. And I can’t risk that he does recruit those two new people, like he and Father John have discussed.”