~~Young~~

Chapter Nineteen

   Well that was certainly a relief but, “then what’s wrong?”

   With a dramatic sigh Death turned back to the counter and dropped her elbows down with a thud, “you saw how hard it was for me to convince you that you love him and you at least have some concept of what it is. Now, imagine me going through the same thing with an immortal that has absolutely no understanding of the sentiment.”

   It was at that moment the door to Gage’s bedroom finally cracked open, “it’s okay,” Sera grinned as she slid off her stool, “I think I know how to make him understand.”

   Jerry was the first out of the door, scrubbing a hand over his face in fatigue. But he had alluded that their “employer” wasn’t too happy so she didn’t think too much of it. Especially once Gage’s figure crossed the threshold.

   “There’s something I need to tell you,” she beamed as she threw herself at him.

   “Does it have anything to do with your little group there calling the dogs out on my boss?” he asked gruffly even as he returned her embrace.

   “What?” she lost some of her resolve and pulled away so she could see his face, he looked just about as beat down as Jerry. And cleaner. She hadn’t heard the shower turn on but the stubble that had been on his face when she left him was gone…as were his wings. He had tucked then away beneath the business suit he now wore, “no…no. Are you…leaving?” she asked quickly.

   She knew the answer even before he said anything. It wasn’t in his turned down eyes, or how one corner of his mouth crooked up remorsefully, but in his dress. The suits…as fine as they looked on him they just weren’t him. She knew he wouldn’t choose to dress that way.

   “I’m afraid so, my boss is pissed and is demanding some answers…you sure you don’t know anything about the arrest order?”

   “Arrest order? No, Gage I haven’t, I mean I know about my own-”

   This time Gage was the one to pull away sharply, “yours? What do you mean yours?”

   She frowned at his panic until she remembered that she hadn’t yet had the chance to explain that little moment of decay in her world. She was a little distracted at the time. First by that desperate need to see him, then her anger-because it really was his fault- then confusion, and rationalization, and a hundred other emotions that had filled that time and now. So she got to it, explaining to him her conversation with Lacy and how she was being accused of betraying the Angel’s because of her family ties. They don’t take it lightly, and anyone perceived to be disloyal to their cause is swiftly, and severely, dealt with.

   “And you know the worst part,” she finished up, “seeing firsthand how they deal with people…like me I guess, it’s cruel. And it honestly makes them no different than the people we chased, no different than my Uncle’s methods to get results.”

   Gage said nothing through the whole matter, though his features went through a myriad of expressions telling Sera he found everything very disturbing. But at the mention of her Uncle he grew very calm after taking a deep breath through his nose.

   “Family ties huh?” he nodded thoughtfully, “and your Uncle, okay,” he paused and closed his eyes for a second to collect himself, “so what I’m getting from this is your own Uncle ordered me to kill you?”

   “Yeah I…I guess so.”

   “And this doesn’t surprise you?” he asked tightly, “you’re his kin, his blood!”

   “No,” she shook her head, “You’ve met him, would it surprise you?”

   “I’ve never met him,” Gage mumbled as he gripped at his chin, “everything was arranged with couriers, Jerry did the bargaining for our side. And the man’s body he took over did it for the Senator.”