Mate of Fate

Lost

Gabriel's POV

Gabriel was deep in thought, pacing the grand hall of the mansion. The weight of his responsibilities and the complexity of his feelings for Alice occupied his mind. He hadn't yet realized she had slipped away for a walk.

The sudden, almost mocking presence of Zadkiel broke through his reverie. Gabriel turned to find the other angel leaning casually against a marble pillar, a smug grin on his face.

Taunt

"You really should keep a closer eye on her, Gabriel," Zadkiel said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "It seems your vigilance isn't as infallible as you think."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed, confusion giving way to a sharp, protective instinct. "What are you talking about, Zadkiel?"

Zadkiel's smile widened. "Alice. She went for a walk in the forest. Alone."

Gabriel's heart skipped a beat, panic and anger rose within him. "You were with her?" he growled, stepping closer, his wings flaring slightly.

Zadkiel pushed off the pillar, his demeanor infuriatingly and mockingly casual. "I found her. She needed someone to talk to, someone who understands her," he replied, his voice calm but his eyes gleaming with a mix of challenge and triumph. "You really should be more attentive."

Fury surged through Gabriel. "You had no right to be with her," he snapped, his voice a low growl. "I won't let you manipulate her."

Zadkiel chuckled, the sound a taunting echo in the grand hall. "Manipulate? She sought me out, her soul seeks and yearns for mine like ours do hers. She may not know that her heart cries out to us, but you know as damn well as I do that it does. I answered her call, when you were not even aware she had slipped out right under your nose! You need to either step up or step back, brother! If anything had happened to her, while you were busy feeling self-righteous and holy, neither you nor I would ever forgive you! So instead, be grateful that I actually keep tabs on our most precious treasure in the history of the universe itself!

Gabriel's fists clenched, his anger barely contained. Yet a hint of sorrow lingered in his eyes. "She's under my protection. Haven't we already caused her so much grief and pain that she's already going to reject us, then your popping out of the blue all the time will definitely push her over the edge. Zadkiel you always had an inflated ego and nothing to show for it! I will never forgive you if you cost us the chance of loving her for eternity" he reiterated, his voice lazed with emotion. "Stay away from her."

Zadkiel's expression shifted, his smugness giving way to a more serious, yet still challenging, demeanor. "You can't keep her from making her own choices, Gabriel. And you can't keep her from me. She is as much mine as she is yours, but it seems that this argument is as futile as every other argument we've ever had."

Tension

The tension between them crackled like lightning, the air thick with unspoken threats and the weight of their rivalry. Gabriel knew he couldn't waste any more time arguing. He needed to find Alice and ensure she was safe.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and rushed towards the mansion's grand doors, his wings spreading wide as he prepared to take flight. Zadkiel's voice followed him, a final taunt that spurred him onward.

"Good luck finding her, Gabriel. Remember to mention you only knew she was gone because I did you the service of informing you."

Gabriel's determination burned hotter than ever as he soared into the sky, desperate to find Alice, make sure she was safe, and ensure that Zadkiel's influence didn't sway her. His guilt and pain immense. If she had only told him, he would have escorted her, even if she wanted him to stay out of sight while she walked, but he would have gone with her. He would have accompanied her anywhere, now he lost her out of his sight, and that smug jerk, Zadkiel had a talk with her alone. If he hurt her in any way, it would be his undoing.