Saving Me

Eva’s happy feeling sailed out the car window when her cell phone rang and she read the caller ID. Gabriel saw her face pale. “Who is it honey?” She took a fortifying breath and answered the phone. “Hi daddy.” He saw her wince and grew furious that her father made her dread speaking to him. Gabriel reached over and laid his hand on her thigh comfortingly. She gripped his hand like a life preserver.
“Eva.” The other voice on the phone was clipped and low with anger. “I hear someone put a dead rat on your locker.” Eva’s lips thinned at the patronizing tone. “Says who?” She heard her father shrug, she could see him leaning casually back in his big leather chair, behind his big leather desk, in his prim stuffy office. “I have a contact at the sheriff’s station.” Eva closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the seat. “Gee dad, you almost sound concerned.” “Do not take that petulant tone with me Evangeline!”

Tears pricked her eyes and she was so grateful for Gabriel’s hand on her thigh. “Sorry.” “So is that man you’re working with taking care of the situation?” Eva nodded. “Yes sir.” “And what about the new skater? I did a background check on him…” Anger snapped to life in Eva and her tears disappeared replaced by hell fire. “You had no right to do that.” She said low, Daniel Page scoffed. “I had every right, you are my daughter.” But the statement sounded as though he suffered the fact. “Nice to hear you admit it finally.” “So what do you know about him?” Eva bit her tongue and counted to five. “Enough to know he is a good man.” She could see her father frown in disbelief. “I see. You’re sleeping with him. Aren’t you?” Eva’s mouth fell and her heart broke a little. “That is none of your business.” “I’m making it my business Evangeline. For all you know he and that Adrian person are playing you. Taking advantage of your childhood delusions of a stalker.” A hot resentful tear streaked down her face. “Delusions? You still, after all these years don’t believe me.” There was a harsh laugh. “About Martin, no I don’t, he was a good boy and you taunted him into thinking you wanted him. And you’re probably doing it again to this…” She heard papers shuffling. “Gabriel Hunter.” He said triumphantly. Eva took a deep shaky breath. “Let me make something perfectly clear. Stay the hell out my business, out of his business. I don’t care if you believe me or not, but don’t you dare get involved with the police investigation.” “You will not speak to me like that young lady.” His voice rose in his most threatening tone. “I am a grown woman, and I will speak to you how I see fit.” “I’m only trying to make things easy for you Eva.” She laughed. “The hell you are. Tell mom I said Hi.” She hung up the phone and set it down in her lap.

Gabriel could feel her shaking under his hand. “Eva?” She shook her head. “No, just give me a while.” Gabriel lifted his hand off her, but she took it back. Lacing her fingers in his. “Alright.” He squeezed her hand and was quiet the rest of the way to the rink. He opened her door and she stood slowly, not looking at him. But he could see the way her eyes glistened with hurt. He wanted to hold her, tell her he could make it better. But from the stiff way she held her shoulders, that was the last thing she needed. He took her hand instead and slung their bags over his shoulder. Saying nothing. Adrian ’s smiled faltered when he saw Eva’s face. “Eva baby, you look upset.” He pinned Gabriel with an accusing glare, and Gabriel shook his head. “Upset is really not the word.” She said quietly. She took her bag from Gabriel and pulled out a CD. “Go put this on number eight okay?” Adrian looked at the CD and nodded. “Okay. Be right back.” Eva sat down and pulled on her skates silently. “I just need a minute to vent out there.” She said, still not looking at Gabriel. He sat beside her and leaned down on his elbows. “Alright, will you tell me what happened after?” Eva nodded and finally looked up. “I promise.” Gabriel saw the empty broken look in her eyes and he hoped to God he never saw that look again. It burned a hole straight through his heart.

Adrian came back with a grim look on his face. “Ready when you are baby girl.” Eva nodded and stepped on to the ice; she made a slow circle to the center and stopped nodding that she was ready. Gabriel stood and put his hands in his pockets, not sure what to do. Adrian clicked on the music and crossed his arms. The first strains of a haunting melody wafted across the ice. A mans voice, an evil sounding hiss spilled from the speakers.

'Bound here to you by my shackles of fear, so many lies through so many tears. Lost from my faith presuming the end, I fight for the chance to be lied to again.'

Eva became someone else, as another voice joined in. A woman, sounding hurt and lost as Eva looked. That malevolent voice layered behind the woman’s. Behind Eva’s inner voice. The voice her parents had programed into her with hateful lies.

'You’ll never be strong enough; you’ll never be good enough. You never conceived in love, you don’t know what lies above. They’ll never see, I’ll never be I’ve struggled on and on to feed this hunger burning deep inside of me.'
The demonic voice took over.

'Through my tears break blinding light, perfect dawn to this endless night. Autumn self stretched over the land, I’ll open a wrist on this bleeding terrain.'

Then the two voices blended again. Innocence and evil.

'Rest in me and I’ll comfort you, I’ve lived and I’ve died for you. Follow me and I vow to you, I’ll never forsake you. They’ll never see, I’ll never be I’ve struggled on and on to feed this hunger burning deep inside of me.'

It was powerful, electric guitars pounding out sinister sound. Eva whirled and picked up speed. She leapt into an angry triple and kept going, pouring her hurt and fury into every movement. It was amazing how she fed from the music, how she knew exactly when to make a powerful move that hit right at the peak of a cord or clash of a drum. “She’s got on hell of a mad on. You gonna tell me what this is about?” Adrian said as he watched his student, dying inside and setting the ice on fire with her rage. “Her father called.” Gabriel said. “Oh shit.” Adrian answered his face paling. The insidious voice bellowed in fury, demanding obedience.

'Rest in me and I’ll comfort you, I’ve lived and died for you. Follow me and I vow to you, I’ll never forsake you.'

Gabriel saw the anger fade from Eva as the song ended, she wiped tears off her face and came towards them slowly. Adrian took her hand and hugged her. “Better?” Eva nodded and gave him a weak smile. She was breathing hard from exertion. “Yeah, sorry.” Adrian scowled at her. “Don’t apologize. What’d your asshole father want?” Her smile strengthened a little. But she stepped away and into Gabriel’s body, letting his heat warm her chilled soul. “He heard about yesterday and wanted to make sure I wasn’t running around telling everyone I had a stalker.” Gabriel frowned down at her. “How did he hear about it?” She snorted. “Some contact of his in the sheriff’s office.” Adrian searched her face knowing there was more to it than that. “But that wasn’t what gave you that holy mad on was it?” Eva shook her head with a short laugh. “Nope. He insinuated that it was either you or Gabriel who put the rat on my locker.”

Eva saw the warring fury and disbelief on both the men’s faces. “I never for a minute even thought that.” She stated calmly and they calmed, if only slightly. “What else Eva?” Gabriel said, hugging her to him protectively. “Apparently I made the whole thing up about Martin, teased him into believing I wanted his attention and then snubbed him. And that I was doing the same to you. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t sleeping with you yet.” She said with a dry smile. “That rank bastard.” Adrian growled. “Oh I agree.” Eva nodded and tilted her head up to kiss Gabriel’s clenched jaw. “He did a background check on you.” Gabriel scoffed indignantly. “Are you serious?” Eva nodded. “I’m really sorry, he’s just such an ass.” She was red with embarrassment. “Not your fault baby.” He said into her hair.

Eva turned her head when someone called her name from across the ice. “Oh my god.” She whispered, and then was out of Gabriel’s hold and flying across the ice and right into another man’s arms. The man caught her and spun her around, and much to Gabriel’s disbelief, she kissed him full on the mouth. A beast rose in him and he was very tempted to rip the bastard to shreds. Another, far older man joined the couple on the ice and Eva flung herself at him too. “Papa!” Gabriel heard her shout. “Baby Eva.” The old man held her like a precious jewel, his love evident on his face. “What are you two doing here? God I missed you Evan.” Gabriel relaxed, feeling like an idiot. It was her damn brother. He looked at Adrian , and the freaking fairy was laughing at him. “Shut up Adrian .” Adrian shook his head. “Oh baby you got it bad.” He turned to the people on the ice. “Hey Lucian can I have my skater back, we’re trying to practice here!” He said in mock outrage.

The trio looked over at them and came closer, giving Gabriel time to see the elegance that poured from both men. Lucian Page, their sponsor and owner of the Orion foundation. And Evan, Eva’s twin brother. She hadn’t told him that but it was evident. The tall young man was a more masculine version of Eva, and his hair was a deep brownish red. He was built well, lanky but in a predatory way, his grand sire shared the physique. He and his grandfather were both dressed in expensive clothes, Armani suits and shoes. Both wearing black overcoats that hung to their knees.

Eva was beside herself with happiness that her family, her real family was here. She stepped up beside Gabriel and took his hand with a smile. “Grandpa, Evan this is my new partner Gabriel. Gabe this is the better half of my family.” Gabriel gave both a firm handshake. “Welcome to the team Mr. Hunter. I’ve heard good things about you. We’re looking forward to seeing you skate with Eva.” Lucian said with a look at the hand that held his granddaughters. Gabriel smiled proudly. “Thank you sir, I hope I live up to your expectations.” Gabriel saw the tension leave both men. “Very good.” Evan said approvingly and Eva punched his arm. “Why are you here, not that I’m not glad to see you both. But does dad know you cut school Evan?” Lucian and Evan wore identical scowls. “Danny boy can kiss ass.” Lucian said tersely. “Papa!” Eva said with a laugh. Evan nodded. “I agree.” But he smiled sheepishly. “And no he doesn’t. I don’t really care actually. I was over at Gramps house when Francesca called.” Eva groaned and rolled her eyes. “God are you ALL spying on me?” Evan frowned. “Course not Eva, we’re just worried. You’re okay right?” Eva nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just scared me is all.” Lucian looked at Adrian . “I take it my son-in-law.” He grimaced at the term. “Called?” Adrian motioned with his head at Eva. “Called her not me. This morning.”

Lucian’s sharp blue eyes whipped back to Eva and waited quietly, power rolling from him. Gabriel could see that this man was no one’s fool. Eva sighed and looked down. “It’s really hard to imagine we’re the genetic offspring of that man.” She said tightly. “Eva?” Evan said, expecting the explanation, and now. “He called to make sure I wasn’t trying to convince the police that I had another stalker. Still doesn’t believe me about Martin.” She groused. Evan snarled, actually snarled at the mention of the boy’s name. Lucian put a restraining hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “Your father is a jackass and your mother too.” Eva’s lips lifted. “Grams would pop you for that.” She said reproachfully. “She would not; she’d pop your mama.” He said with a sniff. “Daniel did a background check on Gabriel Lucian. Which I don’t care for.” Adrian said as he crossed his arms.
Lucian’s face turned stony, his eyes into chips of ice. “He has no business poking into the affairs of my skaters. I’ll see he’s taken to heel for that. I apologize Mr. Hunter.” Gabriel shrugged. “I don’t have anything to hide, but thank you. And its Gabriel, Mr. Hunter was my father.” Lucian’s lips twitched. “Right then, didn’t I hear you say you were practicing Adrian ?” Adrian nodded sharply. “Indeed I did. Gabe put your skates on already. We’ve got to impress the boss man.” Gabriel blinked innocently. “But I thought you were the boss Adrian.” Eva snorted into her hand to hide her laughter. “I’m your boss, that’s my boss. Move it smartass.”