Gabriel

We followed Gray through the front doors of the bed and breakfast and were greeted by the smells of bacon and fried potatoes wafting through the air. Just like before, the absolute vacuum of spirits was unnerving considering the "people" bustling around this place. Even knowing the food wasn't real, our mouths watered. "Gracie, is that you?" Clara's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Yeah, we're here," Gray hollered back. "Breakfast smells amazing!" We followed her into the dining room as Clara came in carrying a tray loaded down with food. Luke quickly stepped forward and took it from her, setting it on the table as Silas and North began passing out plates. I watched as Nate hovered near Gray, his hand grazing along her arm and back. Her eyes darted to him as her body reacted - no matter now subtly to him. Looking around the room, I noticed all of them gravitated toward her. I admit I felt the pull myself and it confused me.

"Hey, you okay?" Victor asked as he bumped my shoulder gently.

"Yeah, just trying to figure it all out, I suppose," I replied.

Vic snorted, "Yeah, this is definitely in the weird category. I mean, how are we even standing here, and if Clara isn't real, is she a ghost, a memory, or just a figment of Gray's imagination?"

I ran my hands through my hair, sighing, "Well, thanks, now I have even more to consider." Victor laughed as he slapped my shoulder, then took his seat at the table near Luke. I sat in almost the same position I had the night before when I confronted her. My eyes settled on her as she looked up and gave me a full smile, then turned her attention back to Silas who was filling her plate with food.

"So what exactly happened after dinner?" Gray asked Kota, who was studying her just like me.

He cleared his throat hesitantly, then told her, "Well, we learned a bit about you and the town. Um, but now, we aren't sure if the information was correct."

Her nose scrunched and she tilted her head, "Well that doesn't tell me much. I mean what would you need to learn about me or the town that we can't tell you?"

"Can you tell us when this town was established, Gray?" Owen inquired.

She glanced at Clara as she was setting down a pitcher of orange juice, and Clara said, "Well, the original settlement on the flats was back in the early eighteen hundreds. It was just a group of homesteaders back then. The church and general store came along about ten years later, so I guess that'd be around 1860, just before the Civil War started." She put her hands on her hips and hummed, "Course, Gracie's ancestors were one of the first folks here, along with the Hamptons and Millers."

"So the Wilmont's were one of the original families?" Victor asked.

"No, that was my stepfather's family name. My mother's family was here first, the McClarnons," Gray interjected.

"Was your biological father's side of the family here as well?" I asked her. Her lip trembled a bit and she shook her head, then quickly excused herself from the table. I looked at Clara, "Did I say something wrong?"

Her lips formed a tight frown, "It's not my place to say, but I'd let that memory die, young man. She's fought that demon all her life, don't need to have you all come stirring it up again." Then the woman quickly left us with our mouths hanging open.

I turned to Victor, "I think we have a place to start now." He nodded and grabbed his laptop bag. As the others discussed the new information, I ventured upstairs to find our mystery girl. I could feel her sadness pulling me toward her as I softly knocked on the door.

"I don't want to talk right now," she said through broken sobs.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. She was on the bed with a pillow pulled up against her chest as she cried. Without a word, I moved toward the bed and gently pulled the pillow away, then took her into my arms. She felt so frail in that moment, like a strong wind would shatter her very existence. She quietly cried as I held her, rocking softly.

When she finally stopped, the front of my shirt was wet from her tears and she hiccuped lightly. "Feel better?" I whispered. She nodded yes, her red, teary eyes meeting mine. I lifted her chin slightly, then let my lips brush against hers. The sparks were intense as our connection flared. I knew I was taking a risk, but pushing might be the only way to find our answers. In moments, I had her flipped onto her back, pinned under me as I kissed her again, this time with more force. Her body responded instantly, as her hands snaked into my hair, her mouth parting to allow my tongue entrance between those soft lips. She whined when my hand slid under her blouse, my fingers tugging at her nipples.

Her eyes were hooded with desire when I pulled back, both of us panting. "Gabriel," she moaned, "Don't stop."

I chuckled as I pulled her blouse open. My hands slid over her cool skin before my mouth closed around her nipple. Gray's back arched upward until I pushed her back down, tugging the taut nipple with my teeth. She cried out, writhing beneath me. I let out a low growl as I straddled her waist, pinning her hands above her head. "So needy," I taunted her as I ground my hips against her. Her moans were music to my ears as my cock throbbed against her core. Her fingers dug into my hands as I continued to hold her down. I slid one hand down, then pressed the heel of my palm against her damp core. "Beg me to let you cum, my little slut."

She whined, "Make me cum, Gabriel, please. I need it so bad."

I chuckled as she obeyed me, letting my hand slide under her pants. My fingers dipped inside her warmth as she groaned, her hips pistoning against my hand. "That's it, be a good little slut and ride my fingers," I moaned as my teeth pulled at her earlobe. Our pace increased until she was panting and crying against my shoulder, begging me for release. "Cum for me." I curled my fingers against her G-spot and watched her head push back against the pillows as she fell apart. Her juices covered my hand as I pulled it free, sucking the sweet nectar from my fingers as she smiled sleepily.

I massaged her wrists and fixed her clothes, then pulled her against my chest. "Rest baby, I'll keep watch over you," I told her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She hummed softly as her fingers clutched my T-shirt until her breathing evened out.

I lay there, running my fingers through her hair as the room began to shimmer. I felt the shift and blinked as I adjusted to the new scene. Instead of a cozy room, we were now in an old barn, the bed replaced with loose straw and blankets. She blinked rapidly as her eyes met mine and she swore, "Oh shit! If Pa catches us, he'll shoot you. I've got to get back before they notice."

"Hey, woah, it's okay, I promise," I tried to reassure her, but she pulled away, grabbing a worn yellow dress and apron from the hay above our heads. I grabbed the heavy pants and white shirt, dressing along with her. Hmm, I wasn't naked before, and she doesn't seem to realize who we are...

"Gracie?" I said gently, reaching for her hand.

"Reid, we can't get caught," she said, snatching her hand back. "I'll go ahead, you come after you finish feeding the calves. No one will think a thing."

I think I'm going to have to play this out... "Fine, but I'll meet you at the house in a few minutes." She nodded and slipped out the small barn door. I moved around the barn, noticing it seemed real. Unlike Kota, I didn't seem to be in technicolor or black and white, but who knew what we looked like lying in the bed - assuming the bed was even there anymore? I waited about five minutes then went out the same door. The sun was low in the sky behind what looked like a newer version of the bed and breakfast we were staying at except there weren't any powerlines or cars. Instead, there was a single wagon with a pair of tired-looking mares tied to a post. Somewhere in my mind I recognized this wasn't my home and I needed to knock...strange.

I knocked on the front door and took a respectful step back. Gray's full smile greeted me through the screen door. "Hey Reid, come on in, Ma's almost done with supper." She opened the old wooden door and moved aside for me to come in. I looked around, noticing the room seemed to be the same, but with older decor than Clara's. Hanging my coat on the hook, I followed her to the dining room we had eaten in earlier. Her father stood from the table and extended his hand.

"Reid," the man gruffed. "Thanks for helping with the cattle. Been a bit rough lately for us," he nodded to his bandaged leg.

"Of course, Mr. Willmont," I tipped my head, "I'm happy to help anytime." We sat, bowing our heads as the man said a rudimentary prayer, and then we began to fill our plates. He talked about the farm, livestock, and upcoming harvest, then paused, his water glass just in front of his lips, "So do you plan on making an honest woman out of my Gracie, or just keep fooling around in the hay barn with her?"

"Pa!" Gracie shrieked as her mother paled, her hand to her mouth. Meanwhile, I practically choked on my drink. As I coughed and sputtered, the old man sipped his water, eyeing me sternly.

After a few good breaths, I stood up and looked directly at Gray, then her father. "Mr. Willmont, if you'll allow me, I'd be honored to take your daughter's hand in marriage."

The man's face split wide as he slammed his glass down and laughed, "Took ya damn long enough. Hell, I was beginning to think you'd make me a grandfather before ya walked her down the aisle!" He slapped my back and grabbing my hand, he pulled me into a fierce hug. Gray was shocked, tears streaming down her face as her mother hugged her as well, then began prattling on about her dress and when the wedding should be held.

It was almost surreal as I stepped closer to her, and pulled her to me. "I love you, Gracie," I whispered as I kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I let out a small yelp when I felt her teeth pierce my skin. The feeling that followed was euphoric. Her eyes danced with mischief as she pulled back, my blood dripping down her chin.

She giggled, "Oops." I began to feel dizzy and the room seemed to tilt. She said my name softly at first then louder...no wait, she wasn't saying Reid, now she was calling my name..."Gabriel, Gabriel! Wake up dammit, Gabriel!"

I blinked rapidly, my hand flying to my neck as I looked up at her, but there was nothing there - no bite, no blood. What the fuck just happened?

Author's Notes:  Still struggling...but the characters are starting to talk so that's a good thing...