Chapter Twenty-One
Fallon sighed, snuggling deeper into the covers. Her body ached in the most delicious ways bringing a satisfied smile to her face. Gil had been masterful last night, taking her from one orgasm to another, filling her ‘til she’d thought she might actually burst. And all the while, telling her how much her loved her…needed her.
“Someone certainly looks happy this morning.”
Her eyes popped open even as she reached behind her only to find Gil gone. She looked over at the doorway and felt her heart skip a beat. He was leaning against the doorframe, his massive shoulders wedged into the small space. He was naked from the waist up, the lean play of his muscles dancing in the morning light. His low slung jeans hugged his legs, the top button splayed open, exposing a light dusting of dark hair as it trailed from his chest down below his stomach. His feet were bare against the wood flooring and he was holding a tray in his hands.
“I’d be happier if you were still naked in the bed with me,” she said, her gaze focused on the increasing bulge in his pants. She pushed up onto her elbow, allowing the blankets to slide down her arm, baring her breasts to him. His hiss of breath made her smile. “I don’t suppose I could tempt you back?”
Gil kicked his mouth into a sexy smile as he made his way across the room. “I thought after all your exercise last night, you might be hungry.” He chuckled as her stomach growled its agreement. “See anything you like?” he asked, lowering the tray onto the chair still sitting beside the bed.
Fallon gazed at the feast before her. He’d cut up a bowl of fresh strawberries, topping them with a generous dollop of whipped cream. There was warm buttered bread, a plate of scrambled eggs, a basket full of muffins and two glasses of juice. “Think you brought enough?” she joked, eyeing the whipped cream with interest.
“I don’t think either of us really ate yesterday,” he said, popping a piece of muffin into his mouth. “And quite frankly, I’m famished.”
Fallon smiled, loving how he watched her even as he stuffed more muffin in his mouth. He was hungry all right, but for more than just food. She raised an eyebrow and nodded towards his groin. “Take off your pants, and I’ll show exactly what I’m hungry for.”
His eyes darkened as he looked back at the tray of food and then at her. He seemed to read her intentions as she sat up in the bed and motioned to his jeans. “Okay, baby. But remember. Turnabout is fair play.”
“I’m counting on it,” she purred, watching his fingers work the buttons on his jeans. He moved slowly, teasing her with glimpses of his cock as he slowly slipped each one free, finally pushing the material down over his thighs. Then he was standing there, gloriously naked. She nodded and motioned him forward. “Stand in front of me.”
He paused for just a moment, flashing her a look that was anything but submissive, and then stepped forward, stopping when his cock was inches from her face. She leaned in, inhaling the fresh clean scent of him.
“You grabbed a shower.”
He shrugged, watching her through lowered lids. “I tried to wake you, darling. But sometimes you sleep like the dead.” He smiled down at her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Guess that’ll have to change in nine months.”
Fallon’s stomach dropped hard, making her head spin. God, he’d said the words like he was discussing the weather. He didn’t even look scared. “There’s no guarantee I’m pregnant. I just wanted you to have a choice. One you should’ve had from the start.”
“Well if you’re not pregnant, it’s sure not from lack of trying,” he said. “And there was never a need for a choice.” He touched her cheek softly then straightened. “Now I believe you mentioned something about being hungry. Or are you just enjoying the view?”
“Or I plan on enjoying more than just the view. Close your eyes.”
“Careful, baby. You’re moving onto thin ice.”
“I’ll take my chances. Now close your eyes. I promise you’ll like my surprise.”
Gil huffed but obeyed, squeezing his eyes shut. She knew he wasn’t one to give in, and just the fact he was allowing her to lead showed her how deeply his feelings ran. She shifted on the bed, kicking back the covers as she knelt on the floor between him and the chair. She could tell by the tension in his thighs, he wouldn’t last long, but she’d take every moment he gave her before she ended up back on the bed with him riding between her thighs.
“Mmm. What a delicious cock you have for me. I think it deserves a sweet treat.” She reached over to the tray, swiping her finger through the whipped cream. “Did you picture me eating this cream off you cock when you prepared breakfast?”
Gil’s mouth twitched and she could tell he was fighting not to open his eyes. “Actually, I picked all the things I wanted to eat off your body.”
“And exactly what did you have in mind for the toast?” she asked, not able to picture anything in her mind.
Gil chuckled in a way that sent heat spiralling out from her core. “I have the perfect holding slot in mind, baby.”
“You are wicked,” she said, smearing more cream along his shaft. “Perhaps, if you behave, I’ll save some cream for you.”
“Darling, you already have all the cream I need. Now I suggest you get moving, or you’ll find our positions reversed.”
“I think you need to work on your patience,” she teased, distending her tongue to the tip of his shaft. She loved how his cock bobbed up at the sudden contact, nearly connecting with his stomach, before descending back down. “Tasty,” she moaned, licking a small drop of cream off the hood. “I think we’re going to need more cream.”
Gil groaned as she lapped at his cock, licking every drop of cream off his shaft before pausing to smooth on a new layer. The mixture of tastes was intoxicating. Creamy sweetness. Salty musk. She bobbed forward, wrapping her lips around the crown and taking him deep, rubbing the tip against the back of her throat. His body tensed and his shaft thickened in her mouth, the head flaring as she eased back, sucking hard and swirling her tongue along the underside. She could feel the thick vein pulsing against the ridge of her tongue, pumping more blood to his already engorged head.
“You know. I never really liked whipped cream until this morning. But I think it’s missing something.”
Fallon reached for the bowl and picked out four plump berries. Gil had taken the time to cut them in half and she knew exactly where she wanted to balance them. “Now hold still, and let me enjoy some of my breakfast.”
Gil’s thighs clenched as she placed each one along the length of his shaft, smoothing a smear of whipped cream between each one. She wasn’t sure how well they’d balance, but as long as he held still, they seemed able to stay on their perch.
“So good,” she moaned, slowly engulfing his cock and sucking the first berry off his skin. She pulled back to eat her prize watching the others bob as his erection strained against her assault.
“You’d better hurry, or I’ll be digging those berries out of your sweet little pussy when I push you on your ass and shove my cock inside you.”
His voice was strained with lust and she knew he meant every word. Her lips curved into a smile as she descended for another round, slurping the next strawberry off his shaft and into her mouth. But this time she didn’t wait to enjoy the taste of it before bobbing back down for another one. “Damn. If I’d known you tasted so good all covered in cream, I would have done this two years ago.”
“Fallon…”
She looked up at him overwhelmed by the mixture of pleasure and pain on his face. He obviously loved her game, but the waiting was killing him. She held back a chuckle knowing her next comment would push him over the edge, but unable to deny him any longer. “I don’t suppose you have a banana I could use on another part of your anatomy?”
Gil’s eyes popped open and he snapped his gaze down on her just as she surrounded his pulsing flesh with her velvet heat. His moan filled the room and he wasn’t able to stop from punching his hip forward, fucking her mouth as she knew he longed to fuck her cunt.
“That’s it, baby. Take it all.”
Fallon moved faster, opening her jaw as wide as she could to accommodate his shaft. He was pumping her hard now, his hands locked in her hair, his hips undulating back and forth. She slipped one hand down and cupped his sac, adding another dimension of pleasure as she gently rubbed the small area between his balls. He groaned louder, increasing the pressure on her hair.
“Yes, that’s it. Suck me hard, baby.”
She complied, letting him plunge deep into her mouth and then hollowing her cheeks as he pulled out. She could feel his smooth skin rasping against her teeth, gently scraping the sensitive tissue under his hood. He managed to pound in three more times before he shouted her name and filled her throat with his seed. Fallon held on, sucking each spurt until his legs trembled and his grip loosened.
“God damn, Fallon. You’ve always been such a sweet mouth fuck. I don’t know where you learned to give blowjobs, baby, but you could suck a man’s eyes out through his cock if given the chance.”
Fallon smiled up at his contented grin, finally allowing his weakening flesh to pull free from her mouth. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.” She rose to her feet and moved into his arms. “Now how about I feed you your breakfast.”
Gil shook his head and pushed her back on the bed, smiling at her surprised yelp. “I think I’d prefer to feed myself, baby. But don’t worry, you’re going to be my plate.”
Fallon knew when she looked back at that morning, she’d blush about all the ways Gil had eaten his food off her body. How he’d covered her nipples in the last of the whipped cream and filled her bellybutton and pussy with scrambled eggs and crumbled muffin. He’d even used her smooth inner lips to hold his bread as he nibbled at it. Then he’d shoved a strawberry inside her and used his tongue to slowly extract it. By the time he was done, her body was humming, so close to climaxing she thought she might actually pass out from the strain.
“Please, Gil. I need to come. No more teasing.”
Gil’s breath whispered over her puckered clit, making it ache even more. “Oh, but you’re so beautiful perched on the edge, darling. Your skin is flushed a pretty shade of pink, and your pussy is so aroused, it’s dripping juice down your thighs. In fact, it’s so creamy I think I’ll have the other half of my toast now.”
Fallon screamed and pushed up on her elbows, locking him between her thighs. “No more food, Gil. So unless you plan on fucking me with something from the refrigerator, I suggest you kerb your appetite until you’ve made me scream.”
The smile that formed on his lips sent hot waves of desire pouring out from her core. “Wait. Right. Here.”
She stared in awe as he released her legs and bolted from the room, only to appear moments later carrying the largest banana she’d ever seen. He’d taken the time to cut off the rough end and was now busy encasing the fruit in a condom from his wallet.
“Now the trick with bananas is to keep the skin on so they stay hard inside you.” He smiled down at her and moved back between her legs. “Ready?”
“You can’t be serious. I mean…it’s a banana!”
Gil frowned and looked down at his prize. “Now talk like that is just going to hurt his feelings.” He gave the thing an affectionate pat. “Think of him a Mr. Pleasure. And I can assure you, you’re going love what he can do for you.” Gil leaned over and placed the end against her weeping sex. “Watch me, baby. Watch me pleasure you.”
Fallon’s gaze centred on the shinny banana, watching as Gil swiped it through her folds, moistening the surface with her juice. Then he nudged it against her entrance, pushing slowly, but firmly, until the first few inches slipped inside her. She gasped at the unusual sensation. The banana felt huge, and the coolness of it only made the stretching burn more. She lolled her head back, needing him to go faster, but knowing anything more would shatter her.
“Oh no, Fallon. Don’t look away.” Gil’s voice was low and gravelly, sending more shivers along her skin. “I want you to watch me, baby. I want to see the pleasure on your face.”
She forced her eyes open and her head back up as he sank the banana completely inside her. She felt stretched to the limit, but it felt so good. Gil’s face mirrored hers and she could see how much he was enjoying his game. Already his cock was hard and thick, more pre-cum beading the tip. “Please,” she whispered.
“Okay, baby.” He bent down over her, licking at her clit as he slowly eased the banana out of her, only to plunge it back in. She cried out, arching her mound upwards, grinding her clit into his lips, needing him to press harder. Gil chuckled once, blowing one last breath across her nub before suckling it into his mouth and devouring it.
Fallon held her breath, her body shattering into a million pieces as the orgasm pulsed through her, travelling down her body in endless waves that seemed to drain every ounce of strength from her. She opened her mouth to scream, but only whimpered as she collapsed on the bed, Gil’s mouth still latched around her clit, the banana still driving into her. More waves rolled over her and it wasn’t until the light faded briefly into dark that she realised he’d finally stopped and was smoothing his hands over her skin, whispering sweet words in her ear. She focused on his voice, letting the low sexy tone ease her raw nerves, soothe her pleasured body back to life. She opened her eyes to find him staring down at her.
“I knew you’d like having breakfast in bed.” He leaned down and kissed her nose. “Care for seconds?”
She laughed, knowing no matter how exhausted she was, she’d always want more. “Only if you plan on using your cock this time.”
Gil smiled and rolled on top of her, stopping just long enough to wrap his arms around her body, before rolling again. She gasped as she flipped on top of him, her legs straddling his. “I want to watch you take me, Fallon. I want to see your face as you ride me.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Gil didn’t offer to relinquish control very often. He usually preferred to be the one driving into her, whether on her back, from behind, against a wall. She shifted her body, angling her hips more as she brushed the crown through her creamy honey. Gil’s eyes narrowed and his lips pulled tight, but he kept still, waiting for her to sink down. She smiled at him, leaning over to brush a soft kiss across his lips as she lowered some of her weight, and sank one full inch of his shaft inside her.
Fallon sighed out her breath, fighting the urge to plop down in one motion. She wanted to make the moment last. Savour every detail before her hormones took over, and she rode him to completion. She stretched forward, placing a hand on each of his shoulders. They were broad and hard, barely giving way beneath her weight. She took the time to caress his skin, scratching her nails across his nipples and chest, loving his low growl of appreciation. He was perfection personified, and she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life making love to him.
Gil’s hands moved up to her hips, guiding her further onto his cock. He was obviously trying to let her lead, but it appeared he had his limits. Fallon braced her hands back on his shoulders and rotated her hips, taking him half way inside. Her pussy pulsed, pumping more juice along his cock, easing his way as she lowered down, not stopping until her ass rested against his thighs.
“You’re so big, Gil. So big and hard and all mine.” She circled her hips, driving him slightly deeper, making him grunt with need. “I love feeling you inside me. Stretching me. Driving me crazy with want.” She arched up, pulling him through her channel, moaning at the way his skin slid against hers, burning every nerve along the way. “I can’t wait to feel you come inside me.”
“I suggest you find a rhythm soon then, my love. Or you’ll be feeling my cum very soon.”
His words were forced through clenched teeth, and he tensed when she plunged again, taking him deep then pulling back. Every movement tightened his hold on her hips ‘til she was sure she’d have small circular bruises. But the slight bite of pain only heightened her pleasure, and she moaned as the fire swept over her, heating her from the inside out. His cock was slick and thick, tunnelling into her with swift hard strokes as she pumped her ass up and down, riding him like a stallion.
“Faster, Fallon. Pump me hard, baby.”
She leant forward, bridging more of her weight on her hands, waving her breasts in front of his face. He didn’t wait for an invitation before suckling the closest one into his mouth, nipping at it as she pounded onto him. Her head fell back, a cry of pure pleasure purging from her lips as the approaching orgasm slithered down her spine and into her groin. She had just enough time to scream out his name as his mouth latched on to her other nipple, before the world exploded, sending her body into climax.
“Fuck, yes.”
Gil’s roar followed hers and she was vaguely aware of the hot jets of sperm spurting from his cock, splashing against her womb as she arched back, her hair grazing his legs. His hands were wrapped around her waist, holding her up as the intensity of her orgasm dimmed the light and zapped her strength. She hadn’t realised she’d collapsed on top of him until she felt his warm hands stroking her back, tracing small circles over her skin.
“You’re so beautiful. God I love you.”
She kissed his chest, pulling herself tighter against him. “Good, because I can’t lose you again. I love you too much.”
He sighed against her hair, brushing a light kiss across the shell of her ear. “You’re stuck with me now, baby. So stop worrying and rest. We’ve got a full day ahead of us.”
“Anything specific in mind?” she asked.
“Yeah. Lunch and dinner.”
* * * *
Two hours later Fallon was sitting on the bed, trying to decide whether to even bother attempting to get dressed. She’d already made a trip out to the kitchen in one of her T’s only to have Gil rip it to shreds before he threw her on the kitchen table and fucked her through three orgasms. She’d tried to be angry with him, but he’d silenced her protests with four firm whacks to her ass, with a promise of more if she tried to cover up her body from him again. Now she was perched on the edge of the bed, her ass still warm from his hand, wondering if she should just spend the day naked beneath the sheets.
“Good. You’re still beautifully naked.” He was standing at the doorway, watching her through lowered lids. “Now spread your legs wide, baby, and give me a nice view of that pretty little pussy.”
Fallon blushed, but opened her legs, giving him a full view of how wet he’d already made her. Gil’s jaw twitched and the pulse in his neck quickened. She was just about to slip a finger between her lips to tease him when the harsh sound of music blared through the room.
Fallon jumped, falling off the bed as she tried to reach for the phone. She caught it on the third ring, staring at the shiny metal as Gil stopped at her feet. She looked up at him, unable to hide the fear in her eyes. “It’s his ring.”
Gil nodded, his phone already in his hand. He knelt down beside her, motioning her to answer it as he pressed his ear to hers.
“9-1-1. Do you need police, fire or ambulance?”
“I think you know the answer to that…Angel.”
His voice was strange—a mixture of anger and exhaustion—and Fallon knew this conversation wasn’t going to be like the others. “I wasn’t sure you were going to call. It’s been so long.”
“So long since what, Angel? Since I’ve called you?” He paused breathing heavily into the phone. “Or since we talked in person?”
Her body dissolved into tremors, making the phone shake in her hand. She bit down on her lip, wondering how she was going to keep talking, when Gil smoothed his hand down her back, silently soothing her fears. She chanced a quick glance his way, only to see him smiling back at her. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean?” she replied, wanting him to explain what he’d seen.
“Oh, I think you do. Like I told you at the chapel, it’s not the first time I’ve sensed your presence. You’ve been with me since my first salvation in Seattle, haven’t you?” He waited and when she didn’t answer he laughed. “What’s wrong, Angel? Are you scared of me?”
“I’m not afraid,” she lied, hoping her voice sounded stronger than she felt. “I want to help you. Please. If you’ll just tell me where you are, I can get you some help.”
“Like you helped me last night!” he shouted. “Bringing the cops and feds like hungry little scavengers. You sent them to me when you knew I hadn’t had enough time to fully cleanse her soul. I had to compromise on the cross, leaving out some of the more intricate details, and I barely had enough time to fuck her before I left.” He sighed, making her hairs prickle. “You disappointed me, Angel. I thought you understood. I thought your soul was pure.”
“I only wanted to help you. You seem so…tortured. I don’t think kill—I mean purifying the women is helping you. I’ve seen the way you touch them. You don’t really want to hurt them, do you?”
“What I want doesn’t matter. I’ve been given a task and I intend to complete it. It’s the only way to bring him back.”
“Bring who back? Why are you doing this?”
“Enough!” The force of his voice made her jump back from the phone. The man was beyond reasoning with. “Tell me…Angel. Is your lover there with you?”
Fallon pulled the phone away and looked over at Gil. His lips were pulled tight and the expression on his face was pure hatred. He nodded, mouthing the word, yes. “Yes.”
“Good. Then you can tell the illustrious Agent Grant that I want to meet with him and his partner, Agent Davis.”
“Where?” was all she could get out. How did he know Gil’s name and that he was her lover?
The Priest laughed, building the bile burning her throat. “That’s where you come in, Angel. I’ll be waiting for you to pay me a visit. Once I give you the location, you can tell him where to go.” He laughed again. “I’ll see you soon…Angel.”
Fallon listened to the connection go dead, her hand still clamped around the phone. It took a few moments before she was able to place it back on the table, forcing her fingers to open one by one. She stared at it, half expecting it to ring again, when she felt the familiar shuffle. The bedroom faded, blurring to black before materialising again. She turned and tried to focus on Gil, but his silhouette vanished, melding into a grey wall. She could hear a voice ringing through the empty room, but it wasn’t Gil’s that called to her.
“Are you there, Angel? I can feel your presence. You must be near.”
She scrambled to her feet, and hid behind a bundle of boxes stacked along the wall. The Priest was somewhere off to her right, beyond the light. She inched forward, peeking around the edge. Dark shadows pocketed the space, giving the room a mottled appearance. She drew back, not quite sure what to do. Even if he could see her, it wasn’t as if she was really there. He’d only see a ghost of her reflection. But the thought of facing him sent cold shivers up her spine. She’d never had to deal with this kind of connection before.
Minutes ticked by. She looked around the room again, a strange feeling prickling the hairs on her neck. It looked familiar, but the layout was wrong. Where she expected to see a row of windows, there was nothing but metal walls. And all the windows on the opposite side of the room had been boarded over. An image of Charlie’s pale face wavered in her mind, but it faded into the sound of footsteps.
“What’s it going to be, Angel? Are you going to hide from me forever?”
He was circling the room, waiting for her to make the first move. She took a deep breath and stepped out, walking to the centre. She stopped in a bright patch of light, and waited.
“Such a pretty face. Does it serve you well?”
His voice was behind her now and she spun in the hopes of catching a glimpse of him. He was moving through the shadows, keeping his body cloaked. “I’m here, just like you wanted. Now show yourself.”
“Not yet. We both know you disappear whenever we look directly at each other, so our formal introduction will have to wait until later.” He’d moved off to the left now. “Tell me. Do I appear transparent too?”
She looked down at her hands, but everything here was solid to her. “It depends on how strongly I’m summoned.”
“So it’s only you that shimmers in the light.” He laughed, his voice stronger, closer. “You really do look like an angel.”
“Are you going to tell me why you wanted me here?”
Fallon could almost hear his shoulders shrug as a soft sigh whispered across the air. “I thought we agreed you were going to tell your lover where to find me?”
“You could’ve done that over the phone. There’s another reason you wanted to see me.”
The Priest laughed. “Not only beautiful, but smart as well.” He took a step forward and Fallon saw his boots emerge from the darkness. “Tell me, Angel. Do you use your gifts for good…or evil?”
“Please. Just let me help you. I can come to the meeting…we can talk.”
“Don’t worry, Angel. We’ll meet soon. And then I’ll tell you everything.” He shuffled closer, revealing his waist and thighs. “Tell your man to meet me back at the chapel. And tell him not to bother searching for me. I’ll find him.”
Fallon took a step back, just as The Priest stepped forward, baring himself to the grey light. Her body jolted backwards, the images around her beginning to fade. He smiled at her, the tilt of his lips so like another’s she felt the air purge from her chest, the faint echo of her name following her into the light.
“Fallon! Damn it, Fallon, talk to me!”
Gil’s voice was urgent, and she could feel the firm grip of his hands on her shoulders. He was shaking her, his breath hot against her neck. She forced her eyes open, groaning as the room continued to shift. “Chapel.”
Gil stilled at the sound of her voice, cupping her shoulders rather than squeezing them. “What about the chapel?”
She looked up at him, needing to tell him her hunch, but unable to voice her concerns. She was fading again, falling back into the darkness.
“Darling, please.”
She licked her lips, forcing the words through clenched teeth. “He’s back at the chapel.” She shook her head, wrapping her fingers around his arm. “Something…not right. Gil…don’t.” The rest of what she wanted to say got lost in the haze dragging her under. Too many visions in such a short time had exhausted her body, and she just couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. She focused on one last thought, putting all her energy into a single word. “Charlie.”
Gil watched Fallon fade into unconsciousness, her head lolling off to one side. She’d lost all the colour in her face and she looked like she’d gone a week without sleep. He felt his chest tighten and his eyes sting. But even like this she was beautiful. And so strong. He wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her until the nightmare was over. But if he didn’t stop The Priest now, he knew Fallon would never be free. And he loved her too much to watch her suffer.
Gil scoped her off the floor and placed her gently in the bed, brushing the hair back from her face as he skimmed her forehead with his lips. Her skin was cool and clammy, and he reached for the blankets as he flipped open his phone and dialled the number.
“Wade Davis.”
His partner’s voice was deep and heavy, and Gil realised he’d probably woken the man. “Wade, Gil.”
“Geez, Gil. Don’t I get a chance to sleep? Not that I imagine you got much sleep last night.” His friend chuckled. “Hope you two remembered to keep your voices down with a cruiser parked outside.”
“We did our best. But it looks like the honeymoon’s over. The bastard just called. He wants to meet us back at the chapel. I’m not sure what his intentions are, but it’s worth the risk.”
“Did he ask for us specifically?”
“By name. I was listening on the phone when he told Fallon the message. He seems to have discovered our relationship.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Me neither. That’s why I’m going to have Trevor send another unit over. I need to know she’s safe before I leave.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll pick you up in say…ten.”
“I’ll be waiting, buddy. Let’s make sure we nail him this time.”
Gil hung up the phone and sat down on the edge of the bed, turning to watch Fallon sleep. She looked so fragile tucked beneath the white sheets, he had to force himself to stand up and fetch his clothes. He thought about what she’d tried to tell him and wondered why she always came back to Charlie? And how his dead partner could be the missing connection between her and The Priest.
He shook his head, stuffing his hands through his shirt, as he glanced back at her one last time. Soon the horror would be over, and he could only pray her visions would end with it.
* * * *
Fallon rolled to her side, keeping her eyes shut against the pain. Her head felt like someone was running a jackhammer inside it. Even her teeth hurt from the continual pounding. She pressed her palm against the bridge of her noise and released a shuddering breath. Maybe if she moved slowly…
Sparks pierced the darkness, but she forced herself up, feeling the room dip and sway as she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. Cool air caressed her skin, spreading goose bumps along her legs and arms. She cracked her eyes open and reached for Gil’s T-shirt still folded on the chair, slipping it over her head. The movement sent a wave of nausea churning through her stomach, but she ignored it, grabbing some socks off the floor. It took her three tries to stand up, but after the room stopped spinning, she found her balance and headed for the closet, emerging with a pair of sweats.
Images flip-flopped in her head as she opened the bedroom door and padded her way to the kitchen. She’d just flipped the kettle on when a hand tapped her on the shoulder.
Fallon screamed, grabbed the hand and turned, twisting the man’s arm. Adrenaline pounded through her veins, giving her strength. She slammed the guy against her fridge, locking his arm behind his back. He cursed and tried to turn, but she had him pinned by the arm.
“Are you quite done now, Fallon? Or do I have to get Ken in here to pull you off me.”
Her eyes bulged wide. She knew that voice. “Jeff?”
“The one and only. Now, if you don’t mind…” He grunted, tugging against her hold.
She gasped and released his arm, stepping back as he whirled to face her. “What are you doing here?”
Jeff shook out his arm, wiggling his fingers as if to ensure himself they still worked. “Protecting you, though I think your boyfriend underestimates your prowess with a fridge at your disposal. That was some move.”
She shrugged moving over to the chair. Now that her initial panic was gone, the pain in her head surged forward. She collapsed on one of the chairs, palming her head again. Boyfriend. Had Gil put it that way or had Jeff jumped to his own conclusions? Either way, she liked the sound of it. “Gil sent for you?”
“Apparently he and Trevor are worried you might be the next victim. So he asked Ken and I to kept an eye on you while another unit stays parked outside.” He pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. “Hey, are you okay. You don’t look so good.”
“Headache,” she mumbled. “I’ll be okay.” She glanced at the clock. “How long have you been here?”
“About an hour.”
“Gil’s been gone an hour?” she repeated, forcing her way over to the counter. She picked up the phone. “Has he called?”
“Nothing yet.” He stood up and walked over to her. “I’m sure everything’s fine. He could be quite a while if they managed to catch the creep.”
Fallon nodded as Jeff sauntered back into the living room, but it didn’t stop the uneasy feeling crawling up her spine. She was still having trouble organising her thoughts from the last vision, but she trusted her instincts enough to know something was wrong. She dialled his cell, praying he’d pick up.
“Fallon? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Gil’s voice was a mixture of fear and anger, and she could only hope the latter wasn’t directed at her. “I’m okay. Where are you?”
“I’m in Wade’s truck. We’re still at the chapel. Why?”
She shook her head, trying to clear it. “The Priest. Did you get him?”
“No. He never showed. At least we never saw him. There’s a chance he’s watching. Waiting to see if we came alone. But I think it’s a waste of time. How’s your head?”
“Feels like someone’s playing the bongos inside. I don’t think he was ever planning on meeting you there. That’s where he told me to send you, but it’s not where he summoned me from. He wasn’t at the chapel in my vision.”
“Do you know where he was?”
She moaned as another wave of pain rolled through her head. If it kept up, she’d pass out again. She tried to talk into the phone, but only managed a whimper.
“Fallon? Darling are you okay? Talk to me.”
“My head. Damn. It’s hard to think.” She forced in a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the image of the room she’d been inside. “I went to a large room. I felt like I’d been there before, but not really been there. More like in a dream. Everything was the same, only in the wrong place. There was a long row of boarded up windows and…”
Her voice cut into a keening cry as the kitchen shifted and dissolved into a dark room. She could see the faint gleam of light under a door at the far end, and there was the scent of oranges in the air.
“Fallon! Fallon! Damn it, what’s going on? Fallon!”
Gil yelled into the phone, his voice echoing in her ear as she sank to the floor, the phone still clutched in her hand. “Gil.” More images filled her head, but she tried to stay connected long enough to tell Gil what she was seeing. “Room. It’s dark. He’s opening a door.” Pain flared through her head and it was all she could do not to scream. The Priest was moving down a hall, his attention focused on a man sitting on a couch. “He’s coming up behind a man. There’s a couch and…”
Her mouth opened into a soundless scream as she watched The Priest knock the other man over the head with a bat, tossing it aside as he turned towards another doorway. She recognised the colour of the walls and the feel of the floor. She closed her eyes, her consciousness slipping away as she spoke one last time into the phone.
“He’s here.”