Gabriel (27 page)

The men exchanged glances
ranging from shock to fear. Gabriel paid particular attention to Robert’s blank
expression.

“
How long will it take him to get here?” Robert asked.

“
He will be here before we are done planning.”

Robert’s shoulders relaxed.
“Good.”

“
Michael is coming to aid us in this assault.”

“
I don’t want to waste any more time. I want to get my girls back.”
Robert shoved the bag towards the center of the table.

“
As do I.”

“
They’ve already been gone for several hours. I want them back
alive.”

“
Michael will increase the odds in our favor.”

“
I know.”

Gabriel stood and rested his
hands on Robert’s shoulders. “We will get them back, my friend.”

Robert nodded.

The men opened their bags,
sifting through the contents.

“
Ajeet and Tre, I need to see you upstairs,” Gabriel said.

Ajeet and Tre glared at each
other, set the bags onto the table, and headed upstairs. Gabriel followed. When
they reached the kitchen, Gabriel opened the sliding door and went onto the
deck. Both men joined him.

“
What happened to the truce?” Gabriel asked.

“
The hatred runs deep. We were naïve to think a handshake could
wipe it away,” Tre said.

“
Did you really believe the handshake wiped away the past or was it
a step in a direction for a better future?” Gabriel asked.

“
I wanted to believe it would be a new beginning. That we could put
the past where it belongs,” Ajeet said.

“
What is the problem then?” Gabriel asked.

“
Everything he says I take offense to,” Tre said.

“
As do I,” Ajeet said.

Gabriel folded his arms. “I
do not have time for this childish behavior. I do not have faith you two can
work together. I am pulling you both from this mission.”

“
Gabriel, I faced them once. I can help. Calla and Maree were both
very kind to me, and I need to do this,” Tre said.

“
I appreciate that, Tre, but given your recent actions I am not
confident you will be more help than liability.”

Tre lowered his head. “I
understand. I’m sorry I disappointed you.”

“
I do not find disappointment in either of you. This mission is
important, and I cannot have my attention divided any more than it already is.”

“
I’ll try harder. I’m sorry that all I have done so far is waste
this opportunity for a fresh start.” Ajeet lowered his head.

“
I understand this ‘hatred’ runs deep. Several generations spewing
the same hate about each other. This division is what allowed you to become
blind and lose faith in the Almighty. I do not expect instant resolution, but
if you two had just met without any information of where you were from, would
you like each other?” Gabriel asked.

They raised their heads and
looked at each other.

“
He has one mean shot. I never saw anyone pick up a weapon and be
so comfortable with it on the first try,” Tre said.

“
He has been patient and kind to the men when they were struggling
to learn how to use the gun,” Ajeet said.

“
If we truly had a clean slate, you are someone I would be grateful
to call friend,” Tre said.

“
As would I,” Ajeet said.

“
That is a great place to start. Let me give you something to think
about, and then we will discuss your participation in this mission later,”
Gabriel said.

“
If we find members of your people, do you want them to relive the
war that has been forgotten in this time? Do you want to teach your people to
teach your children to become killers, or do you want something more for them?”

Silence.

“
You have the opportunity to shape the future for your people. What
you do is up to you, but I advise you to tread with care. We will not introduce
a new civilization to this time only to have another war started.”

“
What are you saying?” Tre asked.

“
The time of your people is gone. If you cannot integrate with this
time then we will have no choice. We will kill all the Kematians.”

“
You are angels! Where is your mercy?” Ajeet asked.

“
That would be showing you mercy. Now you sit and wonder if your
loved ones are alive or dead. Is that merciful?”

“
You would sentence us all to death?” Tre asked.

“
You sentenced yourselves a long time ago when you turned your
backs on the Almighty. I was trying to give you another chance, but I will not
allow a civil war to break out, and neither will my brother. We will not fix
one problem to be left with another we helped create.”

“
So the fate of the human Kematians rests with us?” Ajeet asked.

“
If two people cannot find a way to get along, then how can I
expect hundreds to live in peace? Tre, you are the leader. What example will
you set for your people?”

“
I understand your concerns, and I agree with you. I have not been
a very good leader, but I ask you don’t punish my people because of my lack of
good judgment. I will work harder and find a way to make peace.”

“
Spoken like a leader,” Gabriel said.

“
I will also find a way to make peace. I don’t want to live with
guards outside my home and worry about being attacked while I sleep. I will
find away to start anew if you are willing to forgive me, Tre,” Ajeet said.

“
We have both been fools. Let us start again as friends.”

“
That is better, but this is the last chance. My brother has less
tolerance than I. He will not hesitate to kill any and all Kematians. As far as
he is concerned, their judgment has already been passed. You two better give
him a good reason to change his mind. The lives of your people rest in your
hands,” Gabriel said and walked into the house.

Chapter Nineteen

Gabriel went over the plans
with all six men. He wasn’t sure if Tre and Ajeet would go, but wanted them in
on the plan in case. He thought about having them wait outside for the women,
but changed his mind. If he couldn’t trust them not to kill each other, no way
he could trust them to keep Calla and Maree safe.

Everyone was restless. Tre
fidgeted with his hands, while Ajeet looked out the window, shifting his feet.
Gabriel wanted to wait for Michael before he finished planning, but he would
have to start without him. He didn’t want to waste another second. The women
were gone, and he needed to go get them … now. A knock sounded on the front
door, and the men looked at Gabriel. He knew Michael was not going to use the
front door.

“
I will go see who it is.” Gabriel stood.

“
I’ll go with you,” Robert said, and tucked a gun in his waistband.

They went upstairs, and
Gabriel opened the heavy wooden door. A man stood on the step, his face
beet-red, and he smacked a piece of wood against his palm.

Gabriel turned to Robert.

“
It is for you,” he said.

Robert looked around Gabriel.

Robert nodded. “Sam.” Then he
turned back to Gabriel. “No, I think this visitor is here to see you.”

 
“
Open the
door and let me in!” Sam yelled.

“
Better let him in before the neighbors call the police.”

Gabriel opened the glass
door. Sam walked in and handed the board to Robert.

“
You left this at my house after someone hit me over the head. I
should return the favor, and I would if your friend here hadn’t left me good as
new,” Sam said.

“
Yeah, he’s handy,” Robert said.

“
You never did introduce us, and if you walk behind me again,
Robert, this is going to end a whole different way.”

“
I apologized, but you didn’t hear me,” Robert said.

“
Thanks. That makes it all better. You’re an asshole, you know
that, right?”

“
Yes, I said sorry before and after,” Robert said.

Gabriel watched the men
banter.

“
Robert, are you going to tell me what’s going on now?”

“
I am sorry, Sam, but I cannot.”

Sam slammed his fist into the
wall. Robert placed his hand on his shoulder. “It’s because I consider you a
friend that I can’t involve you in this anymore then you already are, at least
not now.”

“
So that’s it. Old Sam is only good enough to bail your ass out
when you’re in trouble, but not good enough to know what’s going on. I was your
handler. I was the one who protected you. I don’t need your protection. I need
God-damn answers!”

Robert remained silent.

“
I understand and think it’s shit!”

“
We’ve been friends a long time, Sam. That’s not the case at all.”

“
Then explain it to me.”

“
If I could, I would. I really am an asshole because I need to ask
you a favor,” Robert said.

“
Of course you do.”

“
If something happens to me … do you remember the name you gave me,
Dr. Maree Weiss?”

Sam nodded.

“
She will be living here, and I’d appreciate if you could come and
check on her from time to time.”

“
You really are in the shit this time, aren’t you?”

“
Yeah.”

“
All right, but the second you can tell me what’s going on I expect
a phone call.”

“
Deal.” Sam and Robert shook hands.

“
Nice to meet you, Gabriel. If you’re the reason my friend dies
‘your ass is grass, and I’m the lawnmower’.”

“
Noted.”

Sam turned, got in his car,
and left.

“
He’s not going home. He’s going to find out what’s going on. I
only hope we can finish up at the warehouse before he arrives.” Robert let out
a long sigh. “Because he will show up you know.”

Gabriel clasped Robert’s
shoulder and they walked to the kitchen where they found Michael. Robert
stopped. Gabriel went to greet him.

“
Brother,” Gabriel said as he wrapped his arms around Michael.

They released, and Gabriel
stared into his older brother’s face. Michael had new lines around his eyes,
and the brilliant blue had faded some. He wore a long trench coat, jeans, and
cowboy boots. His t-shirt was speckled with dried blood that Gabriel suspected
belonged to his brother.

Robert took a few steps
forward, and Gabriel pulled him closer.

“
Michael, this is Robert. Robert and his mate, Maree, are the ones
who came up with the formula.”

Michael extended his hand.
“Thank you for all your help. I will be sure to thank your mate as soon as we
have her safe.”

“
She is the one who detected the gene and came up with the
formula.” Robert walked away and headed downstairs.

“
Is everything okay?” Michael asked.

“
No, it is not. Robert and Maree have been reunited after being
separated for several decades. Calla is his granddaughter, although she does
not know this, and we are wasting time when we should be bringing them home,”
Gabriel said.

“
You sound like them.”

“
That is the second time you have told me that, thank you.” Gabriel
walked towards the basement. “Follow me.”

Michael and Gabriel strode
into the lab. The men stood around the table, going still as Gabriel and
Michael entered. Gabriel toned his aura down with the humans, but Michael
didn’t. The presence of both angels had the men lowering their heads.

“
Ease up, Michael,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel watched the men begin
to stand straighter as Michael dampened his aura.

“
This is my brother, Michael,” Gabriel said. “Michael, this is Tre,
Ajeet, Chander, Devdan, Rama, and of course you have already met Robert.”