Gabriel pulled the door open, cupping a hand under her chin. “I’ll check for you, Eden. Would that help?”
She nodded numbly. There was no hope in his voice. Deep in her heart something broke loose, draining away everything inside. She walked through the doorway into the lobby in a daze, out the main entrance of the hotel.
It’s all over. The damp night air curled around her like denial, cold and still and empty. She hugged her arms around herself, not caring where she went. Somehow she made it across the road, down the stairs to the beach, knowing Gabe would look for her there.
I bumped his leg, she thought, barely aware of walking. The lights from the boardwalk grew dim. I just left him there.
She dropped to the sand. Every hope. Every dream of their life together, gone. Her life over.
“Eden?” Her heart jumped at her name, but it wasn’t him. Gabe. Only Gabe. He shook his head.
“Are you sure?” She glanced over to Gabe, barely able to make out his face in the darkness.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone, Eden.” Gabe’s voice was soft, careful, as he squatted down next to her. She winced when he touched her hair, running his hand down to her back. He took her hand, pulled her to her feet.
“Why?” she asked. “He was worried the Fallen would kill me.” He nodded in confirmation, and she turned. “I hope they do,” she whispered, too low for him to hear.
“Eden?” Gabe released her hand when she pulled away. For a moment she thought he’d heard, would argue, but then he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I am so sorry,” he whispered.
She blinked hard, staring into the open water. She walked into the surf, swaying as the waves broke against her knees. “Leave.”
He hesitated, but only for a moment. She watched, stunned, as he made his way back to the stairs, climbed them without looking back.
The retreating water swirled as it rushed away, pulling at her ankles. Az was really gone. I’m all alone. The thought brought back her tears.
She kept her eyes on where the horizon should have been. There were no stars; it was impossible to find where the water ended and the sky began, only waves retreating into black.
A dark sea of nothingness.
CHAPTER 9
Gabe’s hands clutched the rock, his legs quaking, threatening to give out, tip him into the fresh puddle of sick beside him in his hiding spot. He pulled himself up, fingers cramping and sweaty against the stone he’d hunkered down behind.
Eden’s body was facedown, far enough from the water’s edge that only the most ambitious waves brushed her heels. The shadowed figure at her side had her by the wrist. Gabe swallowed hard. Leave her, Luke. Walk away. He sent the thought out, hoping the suggestion would be enough. She’s dead. She’s nothing to you.
There was no reason for him to take her now, mutilate her. No gain. But with Luke, anything was possible.
Dead. The word echoed through his head, louder each time. She’s dead. She’s really dead. He squeezed his eyes shut. Stop. She’s gonna be fine. Three hours from now, you’ll have her at Kristen’s. He stifled a relieved moan when Luke cast Eden’s wrist loose, the arm falling, deadweight.
Gabe stayed hidden long after Luke made his way up the stairs and out of sight. Finally, he stumbled to Eden.
Her head was turned toward him, her eyes closed. The skin he could make out under the veil of her sopping hair was tinged blue.
All he had to do was get her to the parking lot, to the rental car.
“Come on, love,” he whispered, scooping a hand under her knees, another under her back. “We caught some luck with Luke seeing you like this. He’ll think you’re dead.” Her head lolled and he tightened his grip, pulling her against his chest. “Now we just gotta get you to Kristen’s.”
He straightened, stumbling in the sand.
There would be people on the boardwalk, but even if they suspected something was wrong, he doubted they’d get involved. If there was one thing to be counted on, it was how eagerly the mortals ignored what they didn’t want to see. The truth passed right by, and never once did they open their eyes.
CHAPTER 10
Eden nuzzled deeper into the covers, letting the warmth lull her, waiting for the new dream to take over. Already there was a soundtrack, the strange sound of violins mixed with a thumping bass beat.