5. Gabby

"Ialready know where the next shard is," Gabby tells Colt, wrapping her fingers into her palm. They tingle, almost burn.

Imagine what it would feel like if she was holding all of the pieces…

"How?" Colt asks, his voice hard enough to be sharp. "You haven't done the location spell."

Gabby pulls up a smile, fueling it with the sense of rightness that's filtering into her bones. "The shards call to each other. I'm sure Blaise knew that when she provided the location spell in the first place."

Colt frowns. "Gabby?—"

"We need the obsidian, Colt," she says, her own voice sharpening. "This is the only way."

The only way to stop the Grigori.

The only way to save the world.

He sighs, then glances up at the faint light high above them. "It's getting close to midday. We've been going all night."

Yet Gabby isn't tired. Seems the drive to save the world doesn't wane. She takes Colt's hand. "Rest is for those who have all seven shards of the obsidian," she says, only half joking.

She leaps into the air and Colt does the same, following her as she shoots for the hole at the top of the pyramid. "Where are we going?" he calls, slipping out right behind her.

Gabby twists high above the pyramid, enjoying extending her wings to their full span. She grins. "Jerusalem. Where else?"

Colt looks thoughtful as they dart through the small invisible exit and head west. "Uriel certainly had a preference for the Middle East."

Gabby shrugs. "He's an angel. It would've been their stomping grounds back then." She glances at Colt. "Which means demons probably hung out there, too."

He casts her a glance, his lips twitching. "I may have been there once or twice."

Curiosity tugs at Gabby, but she doesn't say anything. There's still so much about this sexy, enigmatic demon she wants to know, but something stronger tugs at her.

The next shard.

The sixth shard.

So she looks forward again, squinting as they fly toward the sun. Jerusalem isn't far. They could have the second-last piece within the hour. She finds she's already anticipating holding it. Almost craves it. Each one holds a flash of victory. Of power.

The promise of the tomorrows they're fighting for.

They soar over the stretches of desserts, the flashes of vegetation and villages, cloaked and almost silent. Jerusalem appears within minutes, making Gabby's breath hitch.

Descending, their wings cut through the warm afternoon air. The city's sprawled out beneath them, a tapestry of history, culture, and mystery. From their vantage point in the sky, they can see the bustling markets, the populated squares, and the labyrinthine alleyways that weave through modern and ancient architecture.

Ahead, the skyline's adorned with a mosaic of towering minarets, ornate church spires, and ancient synagogues reaching for the heavens, their diversity a symbol of the city"s rich tapestry of faiths. They pass over the iconic landmarks, the Western Wall, and the Dome of the Rock, each one bringing them closer.

Gabby closes her eyes for a brief moment, connecting with the endless well of energy now thrumming through her. She opens them, pointing ahead as she holds the image that's so clear it's like she's been there before. "It's in a chapel. In the heart of Jerusalem."

Colt nods, his lips now in a thin line. "We need to be alert. The cult could already be there seeing as they have the third stone."

Gabby's muscles tense and coil, thinking of the witch who was foolish enough to think she could outwit her. "Just like the others, they won't stand a chance."

Nothing will keep her from the obsidian. It's hers.

She angles to descend, cold, black determination filling her veins, only for Colt's hand to wrap around her arm. Gabby turns to him, anger flaring. "We don't have time for your reservations, Colt?—"

He frowns, then glances down. "The cult's already found the next shard," he states flatly.

Gabby follows his gaze, registering what she'd clearly missed in her single-minded focus. The chapel she saw in her vision is just as she pictured. Built of pale stone, the ancient walls are painted amber by the setting sun. It stands amidst a garden filled with olive trees, their silver leaves rustling in the breeze. But that's where the similarities end.

It's not quiet or peaceful.

It's teeming with people carrying guns.

Gabby scowls, her hand itching for a weapon. "They won't have it for long."

She angles for a sharp descent, only for Colt's hand to grip tighter. "No, Gabby."

Spinning around, she glares at him. "I'm not scared."

"I am," he says, his voice softening. "I don't want to lose you, Gabby."

She stills, leaving them both hovering in midair. For some reason, Colt's words feel layered. As if he's not just talking about fighting who-knows how many armed cultists. She floats closer to him, their wings barely moving as they hang, cloaked from the enemy below. "You don't need to worry, Colt."

He keeps his chocolate gaze steady. "Are you tired?"

She shakes her head. "No. This is too important."

"Well, I'm exhausted, and my body is as human as yours," Colt says, his hand sliding down to grasp hers. "Besides, we're better off attacking under the cover of night. We'll have the element of surprise. We should rest."

Gabby hesitates. Waiting feels…wrong.

But she knows Colt's asking this because he's worried the obsidian is influencing her. He wants to see what she'll choose.

A second truth settles in her gut. Reassuring Colt feels right.

"Did you have somewhere in mind?" she asks, glancing down. "It'll need to be safe."

Colt's grin is broad and blinding. Enough for Gabby to forget everything for a breathless second. All she sees is him. All she feels is the boundless love that changed her life. "I know a place," he says enigmatically.

Turning away from the chapel, Colt leads them to a bustling marketplace nestled within the labyrinthine streets of Jerusalem. They land, their wings disappearing quickly followed by the cloaking spell, and are instantly absorbed by the lively merchants and flustered tourists. Holding Gabby's hand in a tight grip, Colt navigates the crowded alleyways with the ease of a local. With each step she resists the urge to pull back or lift into the skies. Walking away from an obsidian shard, even if it's only until nightfall, is harder than she expected it to be.

Finally, they arrive at a clearly signposted landmark: the entrance to the catacombs beneath the Old City of Jerusalem.

Gabby arches a brow. "This is it?" she asks, glancing around at the milling tourists.

Colt arches a brow. "You know I like my privacy."

He tugs her forward as a group of people move toward the entrance as part of a tour. Gabby feels the tingle of a cloaking spell overcome her again just as they enter the shadowy opening. As the group walks straight, the stone ground already descending, Colt takes a sharp right.

One press of an innocuous looking stone and a hidden tunnel opens up. Colt and Gabby step in, the stones melding back together as if they were never there.

"A hidden tunnel?" Gabby asks in surprise.

Colt presses a kiss to her temple. "Your father isn't the first one to have created an underground safe haven for supernaturals."

Gabby blinks, looking around. The tunnel branches out in multiple directions, going who knows where. And who knows what other beings are down here.

"Come on," Colt says.

He leads Gabby deeper into the catacombs beneath the heart of Jerusalem, the torchlight flickering and casting dancing shadows on the damp stone walls. The air grows cooler as the echoes of their footsteps reverberate through the ancient underground labyrinth.

Gabby quickly discovers the catacombs are a maze of narrow passageways adorned with crypts and ancient relics, a silent testament to centuries of history and secrets. The walls are lined with enigmatic symbols and faded murals depicting stories long forgotten.

Not that she has a chance to look at any of it. Colt moves with determined focus, his gaze scanning the ancient walls. They reach a junction where he pauses, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. He approaches an unremarkable stone wall adorned with ancient carvings and places his hand on a particular symbol. The wall shimmers and shifts, revealing a hidden entrance.

"A hidden tunnel inside a hidden tunnel?" Gabby asks, surprised all over again.

With a soft, triumphant grin, Colt turns to her. "I told you I liked my privacy."

He creates a ball of fire in his palm as they enter the hidden chamber, revealing an astonishing sight. A magical sanctuary untouched by time, a place of ethereal beauty hidden deep within the catacombs. The chamber"s ceiling sparkles with countless crystals, casting a gentle, radiant light that seems to come from the very stones themselves.

In the center of the chamber, a tranquil pool of water mirrors the celestial glow, creating a serene and mystical ambiance. The walls are adorned with shelves holding ancient tomes and artifacts, their secrets waiting to be uncovered.

"Colt…" Gabby breathes.

He flushes, as if suddenly embarrassed. "I didn't get to come here often, but when I did, I wanted it to be somewhere beautiful."

"Mission accomplished," Gabby says, doing a slow turn. The room is magnificent.

"One day, I'll show you all the artifacts I've collected over the years."

Gabby's heart melts, having no doubt that Colt's never invited anyone else into his secret sanctuary. To think that she almost opposed coming here. She fights a frown. The reasons for not coming seem far away. Is the obsidian sinking its claws into her?

Is it blinding her to the goodness she has with Colt?

Before she can start to answer either question, Colt scoops her up. Gabby yelps in surprise, even as she's more than happy to wrap her arms around his strong shoulders. He grins. "It's time to rest, angel of mine."

She leans in close. "I'm certainly not feeling tired now."

Colt chuckles, a deep, rich sound that reverberates straight through him. But then he's walking toward a pile of lush-looking cushions. He lowers himself seamlessly, as if he's not carrying her entire weight, then settles Gabby amongst the riot of emerald greens, deep reds, and rich golds. Softness instantly engulfs her, but it's the hardness of Colt's body that she needs.

He must sense it, because he curls around her, pulling her tight against his chest. "Sleep for a few hours, Gabby," he murmurs, nuzzling her neck. "I have a feeling we're going to need it."

She settles in, content despite everything that hangs in the balance. Somehow, everything seems possible when she's in Colt's arms. It's together that they've achieved the impossible, over and over again.

It was your power that did that.

Gabby stiffens as the words hiss through her mind. She goes to turn toward Colt, somehow hoping he's the one who said them, but a gentle snore tickles her ear. Colt's asleep.

It was your power that did it all.

Gabby squeezes her eyes shut, already knowing who's talking to her. What's invading the peace and light that she was reconnecting with.

The obsidian.

Against her will, blackness fills her mind, dragging her under even as it simultaneously surges through her veins like electricity.

You have unlimited potential, angel, it whispers seductively.Imagine the great power you could wield. The power to reshape the world. You could be a ruler, a beacon of justice in a world plagued by chaos.

An image of herself rises from the billowing black, vibrant and ethereal. Transformed. She stands tall, her wings gleaming with an otherworldly light, her eyes ablaze with celestial fire. Hovering above the shadows and whispers, she radiates a commanding presence, an angel of unparalleled power.

Visions dance behind her eyelids, showing her a world where she reigns supreme, where she brings order and harmony to both the supernatural and humans alike.

You'll right every wrong. Protect the innocent.

Punish the wicked with unwavering justice.

In every scene, she's a beacon of hope, a force of righteousness. Her heart swells with the belief that she can bring about a better world.

Gabby's eyes shoot open, yanking herself out of the vision. She holds still, focusing on the sensation of Colt's arms around her as she steadies her breathing. The obsidian's trying to tempt her.

She can't give into the promise of being the one to bring peace.

Can she?