Chapter Thirty-Seven

Safina

I woke to shouting. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and was tossed from the bed. I landed on the floor with a thud. Rubbing my sore bottom, I looked up at my mate. He was thrashing about, kicking the blankets and screaming for help.

I came to my knees, shaking his shoulders. "Gabriel, wake up! You're dreaming."

Gabriel shot up, arms flailing. I ducked and his fist swung past my ear.

"Gabriel!" I shouted. "It's okay. We're safe."

His arms stilled as he slumped against the headboard, staring vacantly at the wall in front of him. It took several more moments for him to blink. Finally, he looked at me with a slackened jaw. "Mi amor, I had a nightmare we were drowning in the ocean."

I sat beside him, patting his arm. "We were until my mother plucked us from the sea."

His eyes widened. "How did she find us?"

"My father showed her the way. I don't know how, but he and I are still connected."

Gabriel jerked upright, kicking the blankets off his feet. "But your father is a dragonslayer." Did my mate remember nothing from yesternight?

"He is no more," I said. "He says he's sorry and he loves me."

Gabriel gaped at me before breaking into a wide smile. "How could he not?" His voice broke, and he ran his tongue over cracked lips.

I answered with a sigh of relief and leaned back on my heels. "Can I get you some water, Gabriel?"

"Yes, please."

I poured him a tall drink from a nearby pitcher, then sat beside him, waiting for him to finish.

He handed me the empty cup. "I'm sorry my powers weren't strong enough, mi amor."

My heart clenched at the hopeless look in his eyes. "Don't be sorry, Gabriel. You kept us alive long enough."

He shook his head. "Barely." He jumped when a gust rattled the small window above us. "The wind is getting angrier." He tossed his feet over the bed and slowly stood, rubbing his temples as he leaned against the wall. "Ugh. The room is still spinning."

I grabbed his elbow. "Get back in bed, Gabriel."

He tried to push himself off the wall but fell right back against it. "No. I need to find Papí."

I channeled my mother's tone as I wagged a finger in his face. "Not until you eat something."

He paled as he clutched his gut. "I don't know if I can stomach food."

My jaw hardened with grim determination. "You can and you will."

* * *

Dr. Charles Straw

DR. CHARLES STRAW CONSIDEREDhis stroke of good luck. One of his widowed patients had been foolish enough to tell him she'd be visiting relatives in Philadelphia for three weeks, leaving the maintenance of the house to a caretaker older than dirt. After he had paid the caretaker a visit, and after the caretaker had conveniently fallen down a flight of stairs and broken his neck, Dr. Straw now had the house to himself.

The widow had a surprisingly large cache of silver and a stunning jewelry collection. Surprising, because the old bat had always been stingy when it came to paying for his services, never offering him any tips, even when he'd stooped so low as to rub ointment on her bunions.

He considered her ruby and diamond earrings, topaz necklace, and matching bracelet a tip long overdue. He could hock the jewelry for the five hundred he owed, but after he'd been seen leaving the murdered whore's room, he knew he couldn't stay in Galveston.

Nobody knew where to find him. All he had to do was stay long enough to sell the jewelry and book passage to somewhere far away. Perhaps he'd travel to New Orleans. There were plenty of gaming halls and whorehouses there to occupy his time. And when he tired of that city, he could go west. Many people ventured to California in hopes of a better life. Dreamers, to be sure, but dreamers made such easy targets.

He contemplated the best place to hock the jewelry. The police would be looking for him at his usual haunts. He knew his best option for a fair trade would be the docks, where he could barter for passage to New Orleans. Dr. Straw hated to leave Galveston. The city had some of the finest whorehouses and the wealthiest, sickest fools he'd ever encountered. How he'd miss taking advantage of their desperation.

Dr. Straw had been in some scrapes in his time, but never had he come this close to the hangman's noose. If the stupid trollop hadn't robbed his apartment. If the charlatan hadn't moved to town and healed his patients. As he slipped into a borrowed coat and a pair of gloves, he contemplated finding another way to get the redheaded bitch to divulge her secret. He could make a fortune in New Orleans if only he had the elixir in hand.

* * *

Safina

I HELPED GAbrIEL DRESSand was pleasantly surprised to find someone had left me a new dress and boots. I brought Gabriel to the kitchen and piled his plate with food, pouring him a large glass of juice. After I was satisfied he had eaten a sufficient amount, and after I helped myself to a generous serving of cheesy eggs, potatoes, and pico de gallo, I tried to help him stand.

He waved me away. "I can walk by myself, mi amor."

His legs appeared shaky, but he made it through the parlor and out to the porch without using the walls for support. Though the dawn was just breaking, Josef was outside smoking his pipe and drinking coffee, staring thoughtfully at the horizon.

Because I no longer had dragon-touched senses, I couldn't see the shoreline from such a distance, but I heard voices from afar. The wind blew my hair across my face.

Gabriel grasped his grandfather's shoulder, his expression turning to stone. "The hurricane is almost upon us."

Se?or Cortez didn't even blink. "I know, mijo. My family will not perish. I will make sure of it."

"And what about the rest of Galveston?" Gabriel pleaded.

Se?or Cortez merely shook his head.

"Papí?" Gabriel tenderly cupped the old man's hand.

He shrugged and looked away. "You may warn them if you wish."

Gabriel stood, resolution set in his jaw as he marched toward the stairs.

I followed. "Gabriel, where are you going?"

Shadows fell across his tired eyes as he ran a palm down his face. "I'll start with people close to the beach, and then I'll work my way up to the docks."

I let out a frustrated groan. "Gabriel, how will you explain yourself when people see you walking?"

He clenched his hands. "I don't care anymore."

Before he could descend the stairs, I was beside him, clutching his arm. "I'm coming with you."