Part 23 (1/2)

'Out of theThree of them!'

'OK, scas in the fireplace was the kitchen's only sound Then so ravel The flank of an enor passed the kitchen s Astride it, wearing jeans, boots and a scruffy jacket, sat Gabriel He wore a battered felt stetson on his head

'It's the fisherman!' Leah shouted

Gabriel's expression was relaxed and caled at the side of his mouth, as if he contemplated a private joke A solemn brown mare with a reddishfull saddle and bridle, led in turn a s at its rope

'Don't irl She yanked open the pantry door and grabbed the gun froht

Poking her head around the door, checking that Gabriel could not see into the kitchen, Hannah crossed the tiles to Nate's couch and laid the weapon alongside hi into her pockets and touched the cold brass caps of her two spare rounds

What was Gabriel doing here? Why the horses? Her head buzzed as she tried to consider the potential threats, the best way of handling this intrusion She looked down at Nate The back of his couch shi+elded hiht you warned him off'

'Doesn't seem to have worked, does it? I'll find out what he wants Then I'll get rid of him'

'Han, wait Don't be too short with him We don't want to raise suspicions here He's persistent, this guy'

'Too persistent'

'Agreed But let's slon a bit Can you think of any way that Jakab could have found us yet?'

She couldn't And surely he wouldn't have contacted her, atte their location, if he already knew Still, sohtened her 'I don't like it'

'Nor do I But we're fighting a war now We need to think strategically On the slightest chance that Jakab ainst us Itwe can use; so we can validate'

The way Nate so matter-of-factly raised the possibility of Gabriel's supplanting, and how they could arainst its consequences, chilled her deeply Yet he had only voiced the sainning to lose a vital part of their humanity? She didn't want anyone else to be pulled into their nightmare; too many people had died already But she only had Nate and Leah left Right or wrong, she would trade the lives of any nuers for theirs If Gabriel insisted on interfering, she would not add his safety to that of those she already sought to protect As Nate said, a little knowledge could be indispensable

Outside, she saw the Irishers He swung hi and strode to the back door 'Leah, reht of Hannah through the glass, he grinned, and she found herself surprised once ainst the whiteness of his teeth

Heart thu hard in her chest, Hannah walked to the door She replayed what Sebastien had told her of Gabriel

Sociable felloaysas hell Give hi his head into things that don't concern hiht about that last part Hannah put her hand to the door handle and opened it

'Well, there's a sight,' Gabriel greeted her, putting his hands on his hips 'The vision of Llyn Gwyr stands before me Mistress of the lake, admonisher of poachers Protector of fish!+'

'What are you doing here, Gabriel?'

He filled his lungs with Welshhis ar! Breathing! Exulting under God's sky! Did you ever witness a day with as much promise as this?'

'There's a stor, all right And we should prepare, because when it arrives it'll be savage, no doubt But it won't co its passing, and witnessing nature's swansong Autuhter said you ride?'

'I do' Hannah found theto weave their spell on her, much as they had before The erous she felt the situation beco here I don't knohat, but so

'Will you join me for a ride?' Gabriel said 'I'd ask you by naiven hter on her own'

At this, he turned and with a flourish gestured at the mounts 'Behold three horses One for the feckless Gabe One for the little ap between Hannah and the doorway She peered at the horses and squealed in exciteo? Please? Just for a while? You know you'll love it! Please, Muhed 'Well, that sounds like an endorsement tohats'

'Brought you a couple'

'It's close to noon Leah needs to eat' She flinched, shocked that she had so carelessly revealed her daughter's nalinted Was that triumph she saw reflected there? He indicated the pack attached to his saddle 'I co bread, cold meats, cheese Flasks of soup and chocolate biscuits Ambrosia Food of the Gods, no less'

His manner was so absurd, so excessively theatrical, that she found it difficult to remain cautious of him

Idiot! That's exactly why you have to be so careful

'Come on,' he said 'Give me the pleasure of your company for two hours and I'll show you and the little rand old mountains like to keep to themselves' Gabriel tilted his head to one side 'I ask you: will you receive a better offer than that today?'

They took the trail that followed the near shore of the lake, before curving north towards the first slopes of Cadair Idris Gabriel led, followed by Leah on the grey colt Hannah had been worried by the young horse's temperament at first, but it had behaved i froer on Gabriel's back, wondering at the man's motivations

Torn clouds continued to jostle across the sky, filtering the sunlight In the distance, she saw a falcon hanging in the air, gliding on a current It watched their progress for a while before banking and diving to the earth

Despite the unusual situation, it felt fantastic to be riding again The union between horse and rider had always brought her peace She leaned forward in the saddle and rubbed her h its nostrils

Ahead, the path widened and began to climb Their horses' hooves scraped on the rocky , Hannah watched her daughter closely, but even though the colt she rode was young, it appeared to need only a light touch

Moss-slicked boulders ancient detritus frolaciers lay strewn across the landscape Gabriel slowed his pace until his horse fell in step alongside her They both watched Leah guide the grey up the incline

Hannah felt Gabriel's eyes appraising her

'How's she handling?' he asked

'I'll give you one thing, you kno to train a horse What's her name?'