Anew

57

Gabriel tapped his fingers impatiently on his armrest. The flight back to Georgia was taking too long. He needed to get back to Scarlet immediately. She was in serious danger.

“So, Scarlet doesn’t remember anything at all this time?” Nate scratched the back of his head.

“Not really.”

“That’s odd.”

“Yeah.”

“What’s the deal then? Are you and Scarlet dating now?” Sitting beside Gabriel, Nate clutched his backpack like it was filled with lost treasure rather than video game equipment.

Gabriel sighed and leaned back, forcing his fingers to stop moving. “Yeah.”

“Then why did you leave her at home with Tristan? Why didn’t you just send him out to get me?”

Gabriel shrugged. “He’s in too much pain. It’s worse this time or something.”

Nate raised his eyebrows. “How bad is it?”

“I guess he can’t sleep anymore. But Scarlet only lives ten miles away, so I don’t get it.”

“And you left her in the cabin with Tristan? Alone?”

“Well, yeah.” Gabriel wrinkled his brow. “What was I supposed to do? Bring her with me? Tristan would have been in pain without her. And I certainly wasn’t going to travel with both of them. Airports and big cities aren’t secure and it would have been impossible to keep Scarlet safe in crowded areas.”

Nate blinked rapidly. “Maybe. But if he can’t be away from her, that means their connection is stronger than it’s ever been. His presence could make her really sick.”

Gabriel shook his head. “But not in just two days…right?”

Nate twisted his lips. “No. Not unless they touched a lot,” he looked away, “or something.”

Gabriel closed his eyes briefly, refusing to think about Tristan touching Scarlet. A shiver ran through him. “Maybe it wasn’t the best plan, but I needed your help with the Head Ghost thing. It couldn’t wait.”

Nate nodded.

Gabriel’s gut churned.

Tristan wouldn’t touch Scarlet…would he?

Gabriel swallowed. “We’re almost home. I’m sure Scarlet’s fine.”

Even as he said it, worry filled his veins.

Gabriel started tapping his fingers again.