Rituals (Cainsville 5)

"Just--" I began, but Helia cut in, saying, "We'll speak to Patrick. She is his problem, not yours. A father chooses who mothers his child. The child has no voice in the selection of his parents."

In this case, neither was responsible, but I kept my mouth shut. Patrick could deal with it.

As Alexios helped Helia climb out the window, she winced and I said, "You're hurt, Helia. I noticed that earlier. I'm sorry I didn't ask--"

"We all had other concerns," she said with a soft smile. "I'll be fine. We heal quickly, even at our age."

Gabriel turned then, frowning, as if poked from his thoughts. "Yes. You were injured trying to protect me. Thank you."

"We have committed ourselves to the adventure," she said. "Adventure comes with risk or it would hardly feel adventurous." She eyed him, the humor falling from her eyes. "I know something happened in there, and I will not pry now, Gabriel, but if you need our help, you have only to ask. I am not joking when I say we are committed. Fully committed."

"Taking care of my mother will be quite enough."

At the sound of running footsteps, the others went still, but I recognized them and hurried forward as Ricky ran around the corner, Patrick following at a more dignified quick walk.

Ricky caught me in a hug. "You're okay?"

I nodded.

Ricky released me and advanced on Gabriel. "I really do not appreciate--" He saw the look on Gabriel's face and stopped mid-sentence. "What happened?" he asked.

"Later," I whispered. "Patrick? Can I ask you to deal with Seanna? The dryads have offered to help."

Patrick nodded. "Of course."

"I'll go with them," Ricky said.

"Your bike isn't going to hold--" Patrick began.

A look from the dryads, Ricky, and me shut him up. He peered at Gabriel. "What happened in there?"

"We'll call," I said. "We just...We need to leave."

Gabriel's hand went to my back, and he steered me toward the car without another word.

--

Gabriel was driving. I didn't know where. I wasn't sure he did, either. When he reached an intersection on the city's outskirts, he stopped and his gaze traveled east, fingers tapping the wheel.

"You're thinking about the cottage you rented," I said softly. "Of going there."

"Anywhere," he said. "I want to go anywhere. Take you and drive as far as we can. Just drive until..."

He inhaled sharply. Silence for at least twenty seconds, and then he said, "Do you think it would help?" in a voice that was so quiet, I didn't dare reply, not when it wouldn't be the answer he wanted.

"It won't," he said, sounding more himself. "I know that. I just..." He ran a hand through his hair, setting it tumbling over. "I need a solution, Olivia. I must fix this, and the only thing I can come up with is running. Fleeing. Which I would do in a heartbeat if it would make any difference."

"We'll figure--"

"Do you know what I really want to do?" He turned to me, leather squeaking. "I want to say yes. Fine. All right. Let the sluagh be your choice. What does it matter to you? Really, what does it matter? There, the sluagh have your favor. Decision made. We're leaving now. Going as far as we can, and the fae and the Hunt and the sluagh can deal with the fallout after we're gone."

"It's not--"

"--not that easy. I know. It can't be. But what does it matter?" His gaze locked on mine. "No, really, what does it even mean to give one of them your favor? They talk and they talk, and they say nothing, and I'm so damned sick..." Another rake through his hair. "And I'm taking it out on you. You're the one they threaten, and how do I respond? Start shouting and cursing."

"Mmm, pretty sure shouting is louder. And cursing requires more than a single 'damned.' I can show you cursing if you'd like. I'm certainly in the mood."

"Which is my point. I'm making this about me. I'm upset. I had to leave. You needed to tag along and listen to me rant. I'm sorry."