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seem to know things. I can hear and feel her talking to me. I know she's there with me." Her
fingers continued to pluck nervously at the sheet. "Just like the other one is there when I'm
afraid."
"Skyler," Gabriel said very gently, "if you do not wish to read my emotions or my thoughts,
then you will be shielded from them. If it would reassure you to do so, then, by all means, let us
begin."
Her large dove-gray eyes were very expressive as they moved over his face. He waited
quietly, allowing her to make up her own mind. Eventually she nodded. Gabriel took her hand
with extraordinary gentleness, leaned close so that his black eyes could trap Skyler's gaze in
the dark depths of his. She didn't even blink. When the young woman made up her mind to do
something, she threw her heart and soul into it and did it 100 percent. He would have to keep
that in mind when he was trying out his nonexistent parenting skills.
She startled him with her laughter, not aloud, but in her mind."I'm reading your mind, too," she
reminded him.
"Great, you are going to be a pain in the neck, just like Francesca,"he groused, teasing her gently
while flooding his mind with the extent of his love for Francesca, with his warmth and feelings of
protectiveness toward Skyler. She felt his presence in her mind occasionally, but she didn't
realize he had already shared her memories of her childhood. That would have humiliated her.
He knew it instinctively and had no intention of allowing her to be embarrassed. She read what
he wanted her to read. His desire to welcome Skyler into his family, his hope he would be a
good parent, someone who would protect her and guide her and always make her feel safe. He
shared his feelings of inadequacy as a husband, his fears he would somehow let Francesca
down. He loved Francesca more than life itself and he allowed Skyler to know he would grow to
love her the same way.
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All the time, he was delving deeper into her mind in an attempt to find a trace of power, a hint
that his twin intended to use her to strike against Francesca. He saw Francesca's work and it
was flawless. He saw their combined safeguards, the strong protection they had wrought
together, yet he could find no trace of Lucian, no hint of tainted power, no dark hidden agenda.
Gabriel was careful, searching everywhere for the slightest anomaly, finding many, examining
them all meticulously. She seemed to be free of all outside forces.
He sighed softly, releasing her before his sudden, unexpected surge of anger transmitted itself
to Skyler. She had been hideously abused and the raw wounds in her mind would forever leave
scars. She was an extraordinary young woman with rare insight and gifts beyond measure. But
the man who should have loved and protected her had been the very one to initiate and
perpetuate the abuse.
Gabriel was careful to breathe deeply, wanting to appear completely calm and in control. He
knew that Skyler would be terrified by any masculine displays of temper. Lucian had already
destroyed Skyler's abusers one by one. He had taken the girl's enemies as part of his little
chess game with Gabriel, to show he knew what Gabriel knew.
"Did you see anything in there that changes your mind about wanting to take me home with
you and Francesca?" There was a challenge in Skyler's soft voice but her gaze had slid away
from his the instant he released her.
Gabriel caught her chin in two fingers and tipped it up so she had to look at him. "You have an
astonishing mind. I stand in awe of you and the things you have accomplished and the things
you are capable of doing. I am honored you would want me to serve as your guardian along with
Francesca. Did you not see yourself through my eyes?" He asked it very gently.
A faint flush of color crept up her face. "I'm not like that. Not like you think of
me courageous and brave and beautiful. No one else thinks that." When he continued to look
at her the color deepened. "Well, only Francesca, but she doesn't have a mean bone in her
body. She would find something nice to say about a monster."
A small smile tugged at Gabriel's mouth. "You are very likely correct, Skyler, in your
assessment of Francesca. She would think the best of a monster, but she also is very astute. In
you she sees what I see. You need to begin to see yourself as we do. We are your guardians,
and you must learn to trust and rely on us. If ever you wish, you may examine my mind and I
will share my thoughts with you openly."
"I wish to get out of this horrible place and go home with you and Francesca."
"She was securing the doctor's permission when we were interrupted."
Skyler bit her lip, started to speak, and then dragged the stuffed animal to her face.
"Tell me, little one," he encouraged softly. "In our home I will expect truth and respect to be
given on both sides. If you wish to say something, I will listen and value what you have to say."
"You won't believe me, but I know I'm right." She dug her fingers into the plush wolf in her
nervousness.
Gabriel gently placed his hand over hers and sent her a small wave of warmth and
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reassurance. "If you know you are right, Skyler, I will believe you."
She loved the sound of his voice, the accent she couldn't place, the funny way he twisted his
words. Mostly she loved the conviction in him, the way he made her believe him. "I don't think
the doctor is really good. Something's wrong with him."
Gabriel nodded. "He was very much in love with Francesca and he was not happy when I
returned. You see, Francesca thought I was dead. I think the doctor is having difficulty
overcoming his jealousy."
Skyler stared at him a long while, then shook her head. "It is more than that. I feel it when he
touches me."
For a moment, the red flame of the monster danced in Gabriel's eyes and inside him, claws
unsheathed. He took a moment to breathe before he responded. "What do you mean, little
one?" His voice was quieter and more beautiful than ever.
Skyler felt the air in the room grow still, as if the earth itself were waiting for her answer. Her
long lashes swept down, concealing her expressive eyes. "When he comes in to examine me,
he tries to hide it, but I know something's wrong with him. He's twisted. It's more than jealousy,
Gabriel."
"I am going to secure your release for tomorrow evening. Francesca and I will need to set
things up at home so we can give you adequate care while you recover. In the meantime,
Francesca has hired a bodyguard for you. He isyour guard, not a hospital employee, and he will
ensure you are safe in our absence. If you feel threatened, you tell him to get you out of this
place and take you to our home." He pulled the key to the front door of Francesca's house
from his pocket. Taking a thin chain of gold from around his neck, he secured it. "This is the
house key, little one." He placed the chain around her neck. "If you need to come home, you
have the key."
He felt her relief. She was lifting the key, turning it over, and holding it to her as if he had
given her something precious. Gabriel stood up, towering over her. "Your room is ready and
Francesca has outdone herself." He wrote the address on a slip of paper and tucked that into
her hand also.
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