Interracial Erotica - https://interracialerotica.net/erotica
Wicked: Part Five
https://interracialerotica.net/erotica/articles/215/1/Wicked-Part-Five/Page1.html
By Tracy Ames
Published on July 21, 2010
 
Part Five

Never judge a book by its cover. This was certainly the case with Gabriel Kelley, a European historian tenured at Cambridge specializing in late antiquity. When he accepted an offer to become the department head at Durum College, tongues began to wag. No one had seen him; however his reputation as a studious perfectionist preceded him.

Why he’d leave a glowing career at Cambridge to begin a five-year tenure of office at Durum, a small rather obscure school by comparison, baffled most of the faculty—none more so than Samantha Cross, a fellow historian of Western Mediterranean history.

Wicked: Part Five
IRE Scoville Scale: Fire and Ice














Causal determinism is the thesis that every event—in the past, present, and future—is the result of a combination of causative events. Without exception, every event in the present and future is a consequence of events in the past; everything is the necessary result of a sequence of causes.


This may seem to be a simple and obvious thesis, but the consequences of it are significant and recondite. For, if it is true, the events of the past dictate wholly the events of the present and future, thus making these events predictable. To clarify, a hypothetical, sufficiently vast intellect which, at any given moment, knew all the forces that animate the universe and the mutual states and positions of all entities that comprise nature, would know the activity of all bodies in the universe in eternity, with no uncertainty. If the future can thus be predicted with no uncertainty, then the future is as set and unalterable as the past; any future other than the one fixed from eternity is impossible.


This would also entail that the actions of human beings are equally fixed; all of our mental states and actions are causally necessitated and it is impossible for any thought or action to be other than what it is. A person's experiences and memories, the biological and psychological compositions of the brain and of the mind, and the present stimuli that compel the individual to action, are all the necessitated effects of causes.




Sebastian sat at Claire’s bedside watching her sleep. She was completely unaware that he’d been there for hours. This will take some explaining, Sebastian sighed. Claire would definitely question why the old man from her shop was sitting in her bedroom while Lily and Vanessa busied themselves in her living room and Dorian was nowhere in sight. Dorian was moving the prince, Neil, to a safer location until Gabriel gave the word. But there was little time for Claire. The pneumonia attacking her was no accident nor was it treatable with standard medicine. Sebastian was left with no other choice. With or without Dorian’s expressed permission, he had to tell her the truth.


This was their way, the Deckens. They lived in the gray area, neither confirming nor denying—neither forbidding nor allowing. They simply turned their backs and let nature take its course. In this case, ‘course’ meant Sebastian doing the cleanup work while Dorian saw to family business. Though he was worried sick about Claire, Dorian was focused on the task at hand, protecting his charge.


Claire awoke shortly after midnight and, as expected, was shocked to find Sebastian sitting in her room. He calmly and carefully spelled out the details of their existence while Claire looked on in disbelief, clearing having a difficult time grasping what was happening. Dorian wasn’t Dorian—he was some unearthly yet earthly being? It didn’t compute.


“I can’t decide if what you’re saying is too profound for me to comprehend or just insane.”

Sebastian smiled. “You’re confused.” He rolled his shirt sleeve to the elbow and showed her his marking. “I’m a Heilende.”

“You’re a sorcerer?”

“I prefer healer or prophet.” He grinned. “I don’t practice the dark arts. I offer wisdom and health … and the occasional rescue. My nieces are the Cisans, they watch over the Deckens from the time of their birth.” He could see Claire’s wheels of thought turning as she put two and two together.

“Lily,” Claire whispered. “She’s one of you?”

“No, Lily is a human recruit I brought in the flock after Dorian’s last Cisan was killed.” He read shock in her eyes. “Yes, Cisans can be killed and, if need be, they’re expected to die for their Decken. Vanessa is Gabriel’s Cisan; she’s instructing Lily—teaching her to use her powers. She’s the better we have.”

Claire fell back on her pillows and stared at the ceiling blankly. “Is this why I’m sick? Are…” she scrambled for words. “… are those bad thingies you talk about trying to kill me?”

“I’m afraid it’s more complicated.” He made himself comfortable. “You didn’t know much about your parents, did you? They passed away when you were very young, correct?”

“I was raised by my grandmother.” Claire nodded, wondering how he knew any of this.

“You’re what we call Dormants, meaning you’re one of us. Your mother was a recruit like Lily; your father was human. You’re human yet superhuman; your powers are suppressed until late puberty but, somehow, you’ve slipped through the cracks. In my estimation, your dormant senses were triggered by the end of the thousand year reign.”

“My mom was one of you? Well that explains a lot.” Claire exhaled. “So, am I gonna get all fangy and bloodthirsty because, quite honestly, that wasn’t on my career plan. I’m not gonna burst into flames if I walk into a church or anything, am I?”

“No, your human gene never dies,” Sebastian quieted his laugh. “You will remain as you are. Does Lily or any of us appear any different than a normal human? I understand that you’re afraid but this is who you are.” He took a deep breath as she digested everything he’d told her.

“Does Dorian know?” Claire said nervously.

“He had his suspicions. But I knew, I’ve always known. This is why he sent me to talk to you.” He moved closer to Claire. “You have a choice: allow me to release you or allow the being inside to kill you. It can’t be suppressed any long, it wants out.”


She nibbled at her nail. Tears and angst filled her eyes. Her life was turned upside down. “It’s not going to hurt, is it?” Her voice was shaky; she nervously looked at Sebastian shaking his head. “And can I still live here? I won’t have to move to some underground cave with poor mobile reception and bad plumping?”


He laughed. “No, my dear, you can walk between worlds as we do. Your life doesn’t change. And might I add our world looks no different than yours. We’re far more advanced though.” He saw that Claire was having a difficult time stomaching the news. Who wouldn’t? Everything she’d known to be true was gone and Dorian wasn’t around to help her with the transition. “Claire,” Sebastian spoke softly. “You don’t have much time. I’ll be with you. Don’t be afraid. I won’t allow anything to happen to you.” 


                                                          ******


Gabriel arrived in London after ten hours of travel. He rested in the cab, gazing at the rain soaked streets through the cab’s windows; the city lights staring back at him in the emptiest manner possible. London was as he remembered; rain soaked and eerily bustling. There’s no way the production team can work in this weather, he thought looking up at the night sky. A month and it’ll all be over. Time to start again.


He blew a long breath, knowing it was time to tell Samantha his secret and get her to safety before all hell broke loose. After years of faithful, selfless service, moving through each motion while disconnected from the world around him—after the blood and disaster he’d witnessed—all of the blood he’d spilled in the name of duty; Samantha was the first dollop of normality he’d allowed himself in years and now it might be stripped away. The thought turned his stomach but it was his fault; he’d created this strange paradox for himself and his loyalties lay elsewhere. The revelation of his follies should’ve lessened the hurt yet it didn’t—it simply didn’t. He wasn’t willing to turn his back on either of them. To have to choose between the two worlds he straddled like a giant colossus wasn’t an option. Above all else, he was a warrior; he would lay down his life for the greater good. Maybe the interpretation of the prophecy was correct—maybe he wouldn’t survive. He smiled, welcoming the challenge. He sure as hell wasn’t going down without a fight, forsaking his people or Samantha. If they thought his father was despotic in battle, they hadn’t seen him on a bad day.


That night, all he wanted was Samantha’s skin against his. Samantha, by contrast, wanted lovin’. She’d been dragged to a production dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. It seemed finding a gruesomely murdered guest in the hotel prompted a teambuilding exercise rather than a change of accommodations. At least Drew provided decent company. He and Samantha spent most of the day sightseeing due to a halt in production. He was handsome and charismatic and caught the eye of nearly every woman he encountered. This amused Samantha because Gabriel had the same effect when he chose to sociable.


Samantha watched the door eagerly waiting Gabriel to walk through it. She’d left a message with the front desk to have him shown down upon arrival. Drew teased her for acting like a schoolgirl but she brushed him off. He had his hands full with two of her flirtatious students vying for his attention. The party was thinning out when Gabriel arrived dressed smartly. Drew watched as Samantha’s face lit up as did Gabriel’s. Undoubtedly, they were in love. Samantha introduced him to Tony and the rest of the production team. Drew took his leave with one of the two flirtations students before Sam returned with Gabriel, effectively forgoing their introduction. 


                                                          ******


Vanessa sat monitoring Claire as she slept. It was over; she was now one of them, a Cisan bonded to serve her Decken until death. Vanessa pitied her because her journey into immortality had just begun—everything she knew was still in place yet changed. But she also envied her past—what it must have been like to be human. Her hopes and dreams were untouched, now she had all the time in the world to see them to completion …while watching those she cares for come and go. No, Claire would age at a glacial pace. Some would say she’d be frozen as they all were. Claire stirred and Vanessa pulled the covers over her shoulders. Surely she’d awake frightened and needing Dorian’s comfort. It broke her heart knowing there was nowhere else he’d rather have been than at Claire’s side.


Vanessa knew all too well how passionate Dorian could be. She still remembered the security of being wrapped in his arms as they laid drifting to sleep. It felt real. It felt right. But, with the sunrise, the appearance of a loving relationship was gone—nothing more than a figment of her imagination. What had Claire done to capture him? she pondered. She obviously wasn’t one of his throw-aways. Vanessa chuckled to herself. Whatever charms she used, it was unmistakable; Claire was the best thing that had ever happened to Dorian. Thankfully, he tamed his whorish ways before Claire walked into his life. She was a lucky woman indeed.


Gasping, Claire sat up bolt straight in bed; her head fixed forward as her eyes darted towards Vanessa. “Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m Vanessa, Gabriel’s Cisan. You’re one of us now,” she replied carefully as Claire closed her eyes tightly. “Sebastian will be back shortly. I’m here to help as much as I can. Your vision is blurry, that’s your presentience precognition; your ability to sense emotions and feelings. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to control it.” Silence lapsed between them, long enough for Vanessa to realize Claire was scared shitless. “Dorian isn’t here. Would you like to see him?”

“That would be helpful.”

Vanessa took the space beside her in bed. “It’s clairvoyance, or as I call it ‘our ace in the hole’. We use it to locate our guys.” She placed her hand on Claire’s diaphragm. “Breathe into my hand and clear your mind of everything except Dorian.” The hours passed as Vanessa continued instructing Claire. She managed to get a fleeting image of Dorian, he was speaking with two gentlemen, a handsome blond and an older gentleman she assumed to be his father. But there was little else. It was enough for now. She left Claire alone to rest.


Claire laid in bed staring off into the darkness, doing her best to ignore the pounding behind her eyes, and waiting for the pain meds Sebastian had given her to kick in. Finally, she’d reached the stage where her mind, in an attempt to distract itself from what her body had gone through, raced in a continual loop of incoherent thoughts and sounds. She rose from bed, her legs tingled but there was no pain. Avoiding her reflection, she went to the window and took in the city below. It was unchanged. Everything was unchanged except for her she supposed. It was impossible to say when and why the hand of God intervenes in human affairs, but it was a certainty that it did. Though eternally changed, she was alive thanks to Dorian coming into her life. How different all of this would have been if he hadn’t changed his whoring ways—if he hadn’t made the first move and insisted they refrain from sex. How different would it have been if she hadn’t followed her heart and gone to his apartment that rainy night. She closed her eyes and gave thanks to whomever or whatever brought these events to pass. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to face the mirror, doubting she’d recognize the woman staring back at her. It was too soon. She climbed back into bed feeling a piece of her had died. Her mind circled at a slower pace, her thoughts were of Dorian—idle and distant. 


                                                            ******


“Can I put my tongue inside you, Ma’am?” Drew whispered softly against the naked pussy lips of the student, his pet project for the night.

“Um,” she squirmed shyly. “Are you sure this is right?”

He gave her one long, deep lick with the flat of his tongue. “Does that feel right?”

“Oh, hell yeah!”

Without another word Drew pushed her legs back and continued to feast. He licked her from bottom to top and then sucked her clit. And when he slid his finger inside of her, her head rolled back. She expected him to be harsh, he was anything but. His gentleness took her breath away. She looked down at him between her legs, his finger and tongue worked in sync … pushing her closer to orgasm. She expected to see crazed lust in his eyes, but there was only patience and kindness. It drove her mad, her body ripped in two … one begged him to stop, the other demanded more. She screamed as her release came hard and fast.

Drew licked softly, knowing she was sensitive to his touch. He moved up beside her, his finger still inside of her. “You’re a virgin.” he stated rather than asked.

“Yes.” she confirmed.

“Well, in that case.” He gave a graceful smile and drew her into his chest. “… get some sleep.” He was a cad, but taking someone’s virginity wasn’t something he took lightly. It was better saved for her husband or someone she cared about. He told her as much, but she was insistent; she had her heart set on having him.

She reached for his cock and he admonished her and pulled the covers over them. She turned in his arms and pled her case. Drew entertained her argument and listened. He’d lived long enough to know that one’s virginity was one of the few things in life that we can’t get back. Once taken, it was gone forever … like one’s innocence. But what if that special person didn’t find her? What if, after him, there came a less noble-minded man who would take her without a second thought? How would she manage? At least he’d treat her with decency. His gaze locked on hers, he ran his hand between her thighs, making room for himself. He kissed her lips and whispered, “Don’t be afraid.” and filled her completely.

She bit her lower lip as the unexpected pain of his penetration seared then fizzled to pleasure. Her virginity was at its end. It was his, he’d taken it in the sweetest most gentle manner anyone could hope for. Slowly, carefully, he rocked into her until she relaxed and surrendered under him. She drew his mouth to hers. The deeper, more sensual their kiss became, the more certain she was that she’d made the right choice—so did he. She felt him smile as they kissed.






Gabriel lazily twisted a loc of Sam’s hair between his fingers as she laid on his chest. His words, perched on his tongue, failed to tumble from his mouth. She had a right to know the truth, but how and where should he begin? What words would inflict the least amount of hurt? All she’d ever wanted was a thriving career and family, something normal. Unless the ability to mentally manipulate gravity was on the list of normality there was nothing normal about him. Still, he knowingly allowed her to fall in love with him. Sometimes allowing someone to open up their heart to you is the cruelest thing you can do.


Her confusion, anger, and fright were forgone conclusions; Gabriel was ready to face those emotions. However, it was her sense of being betrayed that would kill him. Knowing how devoted she’d become made his desire to love and protect her even more intense. He couldn’t tell her. Not now … a few more hours of peace.


Gabriel slid from under Sam’s weight and went to check his voice massages. He quickly moved past the ones concerning the school and replayed Dorian’s several times before the gravity of it set in. The couple, the prince and princess, was together and safe with him. Thank God.


It was time to go. He had to tell Samantha.


Sam found Gabriel standing outside on the balcony and embraced him from behind. He must’ve heard her coming, she thought when he didn’t flinch. In truth, it was because his thoughts were thousands of miles away. He moved her in front of him and they quietly looked out over the city.

“I love you, Samantha.” Gabriel said lowly. “I promise I’ll always love you. No matter what happens, just remember that.”

“I love you.” Samantha rested her head back against his chest, wanting to hear him repeat what he’d said over and over again.

Try as he might, Gabriel couldn’t bring himself to tell her.






Wicked: Part Five
As predicted, the production team called off the excavation due to the weather. Tara, Sam’s grad student, and Drew spent the day touring museums while Gabriel and Samantha took in the historical site … as if neither hadn’t seen them a thousand times. For Gabriel, this was simply buying him time. Eventually he would have to tell Samantha everything. Just a few more minutes, he kept telling himself. A few more minutes turned into hours. He managed to steal a few minutes away to call Dorian. He needed Terry brought up to speed and on the next flight to London. If nothing else, Samantha would need his support and protection. That evening they returned to the hotel in time for the teams’ dinner in the lounge. Gabriel checked his watch constantly and relaxed only when one of his old mates from Cambridge arrived shortly ahead of Terry.


Samantha peppered Terry with questions about his sudden appearance and he answered them with the canned responses Dorian supplied. It didn’t matter, Sam was glad to see him. Gabriel and Terry exchanged knowing glances; it was obvious she was still in the dark.


They stood around talking and laughing—Gabriel and Terry both looked for the right moment to make their exit. Gabriel’s smile instantly faded, leaving his demeanor hard and cold, when he saw Drew step through the door and approach them. He and Drew exchanged looks that could kill, literally. A bit nervous, Samantha didn’t know what to make of the swift in moods. Terry pulled at her to leave but she yanked away from him.


“Do you know each other?” she asked brightly, trying to break the anxiety hanging over them.

“Yes,” Gabriel said, his eyes fixed on Drew’s. “Our fathers were brothers. He’s my cousin.”

Sam blinked wildly and turned to Drew. “Wait, your last name is Cordell not Kelley.”

“I use my mother’s maiden name. There were too many of us Kelleys working in the same field.” Drew smirked at Gabriel. “You’re a hard man to catch up with.”

“I wasn’t hiding.”

“Of course you weren’t. You never hide from anyone.” Drew snickered. “How’s Dorian? The last time I saw him he’d injured himself.”

“Dorian is perfectly fine. I wouldn’t push him. He has our father’s temper. You remember how that turned out, don’t you?”

Samantha and Terry’s eyes danced between the two of them, absolutely confused and more than a little nervous. It was like watching two Greek Gods square off. “Wow, you Brits sure know how to kill a party.” Her attempt to lighten the mood failed fantastically. Without warning, Gabriel ushered Drew outside, ordering Terry to take Samantha upstairs.

Outside and out of plain sight, Gabriel grabbed Drew by the neck and threw him against the concrete wall, lifting him off the ground. “What are you doing here, Sin?” he growled.

“Well, right now I’m hanging from the side of a building. Do you mind putting me down? This scene is running head on into a cliché.”

Gabriel eyes burned through his. “I should rip your head off.”

“Yeah, but you won’t because you’re good cop and we’re in public. Is this really how you want to introduce humanity to the realm of the supernatural? A headless body on the sidewalk? Like I said, this is a bit of a cliché.” Gabriel dropped him. “Thank you.”

“I should’ve known you were here. The trail of dead bodies was the first hint. Talk about cliché. You stupid fuck. Have you lost your mind?”

“No, you know me, I bore easily.” Drew straightened his collar. “Besides sport killing is the one bright spot of this job. And Samantha …”

Gabriel’s eyes pierced Drew’s. “Don’t go near Samantha. She has nothing to do with this. This is between you and me.”

Drew laughed. “I don’t want Samantha! I’m batting her around until I find time to kill her—like I did Valerie, your ex. How do you think Samantha will feel once she knows you sat back and watched me gut your last girlfriend?”

“That was different. Valerie was one of us. She knew the risk. Samantha is innocent. Leave her out of this or I’ll summon our legions and take you out.”

Drew stepped toe-to-toe with Gabriel and spoke evenly. “See, cousin, you forget. I’m a Kelley just like you. I know your father’s dirty little secret—the real reason he killed my father.” He wasn’t fooled by Gabriel’s stone express; he’d struck a nerve. “You didn’t think I’d find out, did you? Your mother was human. When your father discovered that my father knew his secret, he saw his power slipping from his hands and used his army, our brethren, to slaughter him. Do you think the Deckens will swear loyalty to you once they realize you’re half human and your father used them to kill selfishly?” Drew was so close to Gabriel he could feel heat rise from him. He shook his head. “No, they won’t, you’re polluted. They’d unite behind me … I am a Kelley … the son of a butchered Decken. Your father’s line is finished.”

“That was long ago and between our fathers. It has nothing to do with us. Let it go.” Gabriel ordered.

“Not a chance. I’m taking back what’s rightfully mine.”

Gabriel nodded at a passing couple, buying time to reply. “What do you want, Sin?”

“The only thing you can give me. I want the couple.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll wage war in the name of my father, kill you, Harold, and Dorian, and steal the couple away. Without them, you’re nothing. And they won’t be pleased with the turmoil you’ve brought to their front door so early in their reign.” He sneered knowing he had Gabriel backed into a corner, crumbling under the weight of his father’s lies. He’d patiently kowtowed in Gabriel’s shadow for centuries. Now his time had come, he’d destroy him once and for all. Oh, if he could savor this moment just a little while longer! Oh, if Gabriel would give him the benefit of seeing him defeated!


No such luck. Gabriel didn’t do defeat. If he’d learned anything from his father it was unyielding resolve. Sin’s overconfidence and thirst for glory clouded his judgment and would play against him. This wasn’t about righting the past; this was his quest for fame. There’s a very fine line between clever and stupid. And at that moment, on the street, Gabriel was close enough to kill him but he had other plans for his cousin. “You and me; one-on-one until death,” Gabriel offered. “No armies, just you and me. Winner takes all. If you kill me then it’ll prove I was the weaker man. Everything is yours fair and square. One condition; you leave Samantha alone. I’m breaking up with her tonight. I don’t want her involved.”


He weighed his options. Defeating Gabriel one-on-one would deliver him God-like status and killing Sam wouldn’t be as much fun seeing that Gabriel knew it was coming. “On your honor,” he offered his hand. “It’s a deal. I’ll make no move on the couple until after I’ve killed you. But aren’t you concerned about what will happen to Dorian and your father after you’re gone?”


Gabriel’s eyes danced. “No, Dorian is more than capable of taking care of himself. And my father,” he shook his head. “… I’m not worried about him.” Gabriel shoved Drew backwards. “But if you go anywhere near Samantha the deal is off and you lose your one shot at glory. I’ll have Vanessa make the arrangements. Until then, stay out of trouble. Killing hotel guests is hardly the definition of keeping a low profile.” He turned to walk inside the hotel.


Drew frowned at Gabriel’s last statement. If he was going to be blamed for a kill, he’d at least wanted the benefit of having done it. He caught up with Gabriel. “Sorry, you’ve got the wrong man. I didn’t kill the girl.”


Gabriel stopped mid-step and looked at Drew. He didn’t need the glaring lights of the hotel lobby to confirm Drew’s sincerity—it was in his voice and Deckens, even a rogue like Drew, wouldn’t lie about a kill. He was telling the truth. It wasn’t him. “What about the others?”

“Guilty as charged,” Drew raised his hands in mock surrender. “The others were mine but the girl—no, that wasn’t me. It was definitely one of us though. Who else would’ve decapitated and spiked the head? Textbook move.” he snickered, then walked to the bay of elevators, and called back to Gabriel. “If I were you, I’d lock your door.”


Gabriel watched him leave and headed for the stairs, taking two at a time with his phone in hand. “Yeah, it’s him.” he said when Dorian answered. “I got your message. Make sure they’re in a safe location and grab Claire. Yeah, Sin went for it. We have to move fast. Father took out one of Sin’s Cisans in the hotel and I have to give it to him, spiking her head was a nice touch. Too bad Sin missed the warning—or maybe he didn’t—maybe he just doesn’t give a damn.”

“Have you spoken to father?” Dorian asked.

“No, his defenses are up. Most likely he’s blocking communication because of Sin; he doesn’t want him reading his mind. I can’t get anywhere near him. No matter, we’re leaving earlier than intended. He knows the plan.”

“Whoa! Wait,” Dorian said. “What about Samantha? How soon are we talking?”

“We’re leaving first thing in the morning. We have decoys in place,” he sighed. “I’ll handle Samantha. We don’t have much time.”


                                                           ******


What is love? Some say it’s blind while others say it opened their eyes. It binds and liberates. It’s jealous and magnanimous. It builds and destroys. It protects and sacrifices. It’s steadfast and fickle. It asks nothing and demands all. It’s humbling and empowering; old and new; light and darkness. Love is truth … and, in trying times, it’s lies. True love is marvelous but the notion that it overcomes all obstacles is bullshit. Love would have us believe that as long us we hold tight and cling to one another and trust in its brilliance that it would see us through hellfire. It’s not true.


Love should be an unstoppable, undeniable, inexpressible feeling; a raw current of emotion between people. But, truthfully, love is little more than responsibility with conjugal visits. This is what Gabriel told himself as he prepared to break Sam’s heart.



Perhaps there was movement in the street below—Sam didn’t know, she couldn’t hear anything except the fragments of her world crumbling about her. She sat on the bed as Gabriel knelt in front of her, explaining who and what he was. Wave after wave of emotion washed over her, eroding what was left of their relationship; leaving her cankered and raw. His words snatched her breaths when she needed them the most. This can’t be happening spun in her head. The legends and folklore were true. This didn’t upset her as much as him dismissing her.

“Why?” Sam asked, her brow furrowed with grief.

“You know why. Don't make me say it again.” The world stood still as he watched her disappear within herself and reemerge with fresh tears. He felt like he was breaking apart; his heart splintered and cried out for hers. But her safety meant more to him than his sorrow.

“Last night you promised you’d love me always. You promised. You swore you’d never break your promise.”

“I know, baby.” He cupped either side of her head and brought his forehead to hers. Though she was standing, he felt her go limp and his heart shattered along with hers. “I’m not breaking my promise; this doesn't mean I don’t love you anymore. It’s just ...”

The fragment of their relationship hung between them, neither wanted to fill in the blank. A deep churning started in the pit of Sam’s stomach, tears gathered in her eyes and pooled there. She couldn’t fight it, her chest heaved painfully and tears soaked her cheeks and trailed against his thumbs.

“Gabriel, what are you doing?” she asked through labored sobs. “Really? Is this how it ends? Why are you doing this? Do you have any idea what you’re doing to us?”

Gabriel bit back his words, fearing they’d do more harm than good. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I love you, Samantha.”

“I love you too. I don’t understand.” Her bloodshot eyes looked up at him expectantly. “Help me understand what this means because I don’t know. Is this really what you want? I don’t think it is …”

Her passionate words stabbed him repeatedly. She knew him well enough to know that he wouldn’t say anything he didn’t mean. His honor was in question and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. He stood rooted in his resolve; he’d protect her at all cost. And maybe, just maybe, on his return she’d forgive him. “Samantha,” he spoke softly. “He’ll take care of you …” he spoke over her protest. “… Listen! You’re not safe here. You have to leave.”

“Terry knows … he knows what you are?”

“Yes, Dorian explained everything. He’s come to take you away.” His last statement damn near choked him. “Whatever happens, don’t hate me. I’m doing this for your protection.”

Sam shook her head frantically. “No, I don’t have to leave. I can stay with Claire until you come back. She can protect me. Gabriel, don’t make me go.”

He would’ve given her a show of emotion but he lacked the energy to do so. “We’re all leaving, Samantha. Please, do as you’re told and don’t give Terry a hard time.”

“I’m never going to see you again, am I?”

Gabriel refused to lie. “I’ll settle matters with the production team. Pack your bags. We leave in an hour.” 


                                                        ******


If free will is the freedom to choose a course of action without the restraint of necessity or coercion, the thesis of causal determinism seemingly forbids free will. If a person's actions are all inevitable, then it seems that it is necessary for a person in a situation to make the choice that he does, and impossible for him to make any other choice. He may deliberate extensively, the deliberation itself a product of causes, but he can only deliberate in a certain predetermined way, and can only conclude by acting in a predetermined manner.


Then, if a person is inevitably directed by causes, how can he be held morally responsible for his actions? Reasonably, a person is not held morally responsible for his actions if he had no choice in his actions. For instance, a person physically forced by another person to kill is not considered responsible for the death; it wouldn’t be possible for the person being forced to do anything but follow the function forced on him. There is no choice in the matter. Similarly, how can a person be the object of resentment or commendation if it’s impossible for him to deviate from his hated or lauded course?


Alternatively, quantum theory tells us that the subatomic activities of the world are truly random, and possibly that this reality is only a single reality in the realm of infinite possible realities. If this were true, and the random events of the most basic levels may be the causes of all else, then everything, including the actions of a person, would be random. On the other hand, we can see around us that it is highly improbable or impossible for random events to manifest in the macroscopic world, apparently due to statistical smoothing. However, if a person's actions may only be saved from causal necessity by random chance, there is still no moral responsibility.


This view may appear to lead one to fatalism; the inevitability of motivations might move a person to despondency or apathy. This need not be so. Despite the impossibility of alternative action, causal necessity may still be reconciled with free will. Still, all the events of a person's life may be hypothetically predictable from beginning to end, and it would be impossible for a person to do anything other than what he does.


On the other hand, if a person is simply defined at any given moment as a culmination of the past, such a person would have a manner of deliberation and choice that is consistent with his desires. If given the choice, ungoverned by causal necessity, that "person," at a given moment defined by his experience and biology, would make the same decisions as the ones that are causally necessitated. Thus, the actions of a person are still voluntary; a person's will is just not originative or boundless. Hence, it cannot be said that a person is ever unnaturally forced by causes to contradict his wishes, only that, because his wishes are the result of causes, his wishes directly concur with what is causally necessitated.


It’s nature’s cruel joke.


For all of his failings, Sin wasn’t ignorant. On the contrary, he was extremely intelligent and brave. Some believed he was Gabriel’s equal. But Sin never felt he measured up to Gabriel. After his father’s death, he and his mother were taken in by Harold and he was raised alongside Gabriel and Dorian in the moral world, much to his mother’s distress. She wanted him with her and Harold sent him back. This was a mistake he’d come to regret. For, when he returned on frequent visits, he found Sin changed. He was no longer that happy bright-eyed attention seeking child he’d known. As Harold feared, Sin had lost his innocence and had been poisoned against him. No doubt his mother brought about the swift change, which, under the circumstances was understandable. Harold had left her a widow with a son.


Riddled with guilt, Harold took Sin away from his mother before more damage could be inflicted on the boy; he doted on him. Their bond grew stronger but it was too late. Sin never forgave Harold for killing his father. Sin acted out and Harold covered for him; he wasn’t exactly a saint himself, especially when it came to women. There were times when Sin genuinely reached out for Harold’s affection but as soon as he drew near Sin pulled away. This was the way things were with them. Both shared the same grief, the same misfortune, yet neither was able to bring the other the peace they so desired. Both seemed bound to Quinn’s grave but for different reasons; neither knew how to let go. It wasn’t his fault, Harold would say in defense of him, he was fed lies as a child and he has every right to be angry. But Sin wasn’t a child anymore. He was a Kelley, a well-equipped killing machine who could raise an army as easily as Gabriel.


Gabriel felt Sin was his father’s sole weakness. Nothing was too good for Sin. Yes, he understood his father’s reasons for keeping him alive but he couldn’t justify Sin’s evils. It was textbook causal determinism. Harold and Gabriel knew this dreadful day would come.


And they were prepared.