"Tell them I'm going to the Sanctuary," she said. The portal formed before she'd finished the sentence. Without looking back, Deidre walked through it and emerged on a familiar beach, the same one she'd ended up on when she leapt from her apartment building.
At once, the rhythm and scent of the ocean soothed her. She'd missed nature while staying at the penthouse. Deidre sat down on the beach, mesmerized by the movement of the clear teal depths rushing ashore. Nothing made sense to her numbed mind, aside from the fragrant ocean, the fine sand that slid through her fingers like silk, and the warm-cool sensations caused by a combination of afternoon sun and sea breeze. The world outside her was calm, but the storm within her brewed. She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her cheek on one knee, closing her eyes.
"Am I right in assuming I'm the last person you want to see right now?" Gabriel asked quietly.
"I want to be alone."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"So, what, you plan on riding in like a knight in shining armor to rescue the vulnerable damsel in distress?" she snapped.
"Gods, woman." Gabriel settled behind her, his long legs stretching out on either side of her. His arms circled hers, and he drew her against him. "You've never done what I wanted in either life. I don't expect you to start now."
She wanted to tell him to leave, but whatever bond existed between them, it filled her with warmth and energy that quelled the meltdown she was about to have. His heartbeat was as steady as the tide, his strength needed when hers was fading. It felt too natural for him to hold her. She loved being in his arms, as much as she hated him right now!
She relaxed and pressed her bare legs into the sand in front of her. Gabriel's arms tightened around her body, his chin resting on her head. Deidre let her full weight settle against him. She'd never been able to sit like this with Logan. She'd never felt as secure or protected as she did this moment in the arms of the person who would claim her soul soon.
They sat in silence throughout the afternoon, until the sun sank far enough out of the sky to perch on the ocean. Gabriel adjusted whenever she shifted but never let go, his strong arms wrapped around her possessively. With the sunset came a chilled breeze. Deidre pulled her knees up and pressed her back into Gabriel. She buried her feet in the sand to keep them warm.