Page 19 of Abraxas

“This shows you why. I've never thought that there were any animals that dangerous on the island. Now I know that there are and that we need to avoid them at all costs," Gloria explained.

“Why were you out there after dark?”

“I was walking with Abe, and we were picking up shells. We will soon need them at the restaurant's entry."

“Were you scared?” Kiki asked.

“Yes, I think anyone would be. Isn't it time for you to go sit with the patients?”

“You never want to tell me anything.”

“I've already told you things that I don't think anyone else knows, and you need to keep that to yourself," Gloria admonished.

She didn't really know what her sister expected. Gloria supposed that she didn't feel like a child and wanted to be treated like an adult even though she wasn't one. It was an awkward stage caught between a youngster and an adult. Her sister had gotten so much better, but it was hard to take a chance on her when she considered her past behavior. Unfair? Maybe, but she had to be careful, and trust had to be earned. Kiki was on the right path, and it wouldn't be long before the trust was there. Gloria checked up on her less and less. Kiki was left on her own more and more. Wasn't that what she wanted?

Kiki left to take her shift at the hospital. Gloria had heard that Charlene, the patient they had brought back here fromtheir mission, was sitting up and able to talk. Her wounds were healing, and Lucifer had already talked to her about becoming a doctor at the hospital. She’d not given them an answer, but they all seemed sure she would take the job.

It was supper time, and she needed to meet Abe at the patio. When she arrived, torches were lit at every corner, and flowers were everywhere. Candles were on the table, and someone had put out the fine China, including wine glasses. The aroma of flowers perfumed the air, and everything was perfect. It was the way she imagined a romantic man would set the mood to ask his woman to marry him. Gloria knew they weren't to that point, but she appreciated his effort for her.

Abe sat there waiting for her and got up to pull her chair out. He poured her wine and then his own before he sat back down.

“I wanted to do something special for you, especially after yesterday's bad day. Nothing kills the romance like a dead body," Abe explained.

“Are you sure we're safe here?”

“Security is on high alert. We are as safe here as any place else on the island except for the beach or the forest. If anything were to happen, I would want you to run for the door, and I would deal with it.”

“Didn't like leaving you behind last night. I certainly don't want to leave you behind tonight," Gloria explained.

“That's too bad for you, Gloria," a male said from outside of the area the light hit.

“Go!” Abe urged.

“It's too late. I've got a gun pointed at her. If she moves, she's dead. You need to decide if you prefer her alive and captured or dead on the ground.”

“Carson, when did you become an important person at Origin? Last time you were seen, they said you were a guard and not a very good one," Abe said.

“You were always arrogant, even as a prisoner with no rights and sometimes barely alive. That will change when I get you back to the facility. I will be in charge this time, and I'll have your woman, so I'll decide what you do and don't. We figured out how to grow gods. That little bit of extra demon DNA won’t mean a thing when you breed with a human. The babies will be perfect gods. It was an oversight that we didn't milk all of you for your seed. All we have to do is find your perfect mate, and they get pregnant almost immediately. That means you're going to be a father. Isn't that exciting?” Carson said sarcastically.

“All these years with Origin, and you've learned nothing.”

“What do you mean?” Carson said, but then he looked down at the dart sticking in his chest. There were other darts in other strategic locations.

Undoubtedly, he would be completely out when he hit the ground.

“Lu, I'm going to kill you. I said we would not bait a trap.” Abe roared in anger.

“I wanted you to go walk on the beach. None of us knew the idiot was stupid enough to approach the building. I was just taking safety precautions because sometimes their people are stupid. You should be happy. We caught him, and he didn't intend to leave until he got someone. He has always had a particular thing for you for some reason."

Gloria listened to the conversation as cold chills ran up and down her spine. Had Abe really allowed them to be bait for a homicidal maniac?

Chapter 8

Carson and Origin

Abe was angry and tried to pull Gloria into his arms. She pulled away, giving him a look that told him she felt used. It was going to be difficult to recover from this because she felt like he had taken advantage of her and didn't care enough to worry about her being killed. He watched her walk away, then turned his ire on Lu.

“Do you know what you just did?”

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