Chapter 15 – The Offer

  Rivera and Gabriel sat opposite each other, locked in silence. The dim lights above cast long shadows across the room. They stared daggers at one another, neither willing to break away first.

  What eventually shattered the stillness was Rivera’s quiet hiss. Immediately her hand moved instinctively to her swollen belly, as she winced, rubbing slow circles over the taut fabric of her dark blue blouse.

  Gabriel’s eyes softened as he watched her—only slightly. Something inside him churning as his eyes fell on her protruding belly.

  “Don’t think of anything funny,” she said, voice edged like steel but still accompanied by a slight smirk. “I'll end you before you even know what hit you.”

  Gabriel didn’t doubt her words. Her presence was suffocating enough, and it only swelled the harder her child kicked.

  There was no questioning her strength. Even the large man–Bulk couldn't be compared.

  Gabriel still had his eyes on her as he leaned back slightly, hands loose in his lap. “I was only curious,” he said. “How far along are you?”

  Rivera’s smile faded into something quieter. Wistful. “A little over a year.”

  His eyes widened faintly. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  She chuckled. “Don’t be. It’s not uncommon for Heroes to carry that long. Some hold it for well over a year, depending on the child of course.”

  Her tone had dipped, thoughtful now, but her eyes stayed alert. Watching.

  Still, there was something raw beneath her control. Gabriel caught it. So he asked softly, “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

  Rivera laughed again—dry, tired. “No clue. But the father probably already knows. He is like that.” She smiled, something bittersweet tugging at the edge. “He’s done a pretty good job keeping it from me, though.”

  They both went quiet for a moment.

  Then Rivera spoke again, her voice lower, steadier. “...Everything I do is for the betterment of my family. And in extension, my people.”

  She paused, her eyes lifting to meet Gabriel’s.

  They stared at each other for a long, suspended second—like neither quite knew what to say next. Then, suddenly:

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  “What do you want from me?” Gabriel asked.

  Rivera didn’t miss a beat. “I want you to be a part of this. Not just to help us find your father. Not just because you could prove to be a powerful asset. But because…” Her voice softened. “Because I know, you were meant to be here... and you do too.”

  “And if I don't?” Gabriel’s voice was low, guarded. “Will you let me go?”

  “Not until you’ve at least led us to your father.”

  “So I’m a prisoner.”

  “No, you’re not,” she said with a sigh. “But as much as we’d love to let you roam freely, you still pose a great threat to the rest of the world. And one of the core mandates of the 4LN is to protect the world from threats.”

  Gabriel’s gaze narrowed. “Is that what the Professor is? A threat?”

  “Yes—I mean, no. Not exactly.”

  “This is my problem with all of you.” Gabriel’s voice rose, frustration bubbling under the surface. “Since I woke up, I haven’t gotten one damned answer. Where am I? Why am I in the body of a child? Where are my sisters?” He stopped, his voice cracking under the weight of too much silence. His next words came out softer—bitter. “What the hell happened?”

  Rivera’s eyes darkened. She leaned forward slightly, pointing at his head. “Then stop resisting. Most of what you’re looking for is scrambled somewhere in there. What Ansel is trying to do is help you reach deep enough that the memories come back.”

  Gabriel frowned. “What? So just yank them out?”

  “No,” she said. “It’s slower than that. Messier. But eventually, they will come. Because honestly? There isn’t a lot I can give you that would satisfy you. But I promise you this—” her voice steadied, “—as long as you’re with me, I’ll do everything in my power to get you the answers you need... The answers you deserve.”

  Gabriel looked at her for a long time.

  Then he spoke, flat and firm. “Fine. I’m in.”

  Rivera blinked.

  “But I want to know,” he continued, “what exactly are you all, and what do you need the Professor for?”

  She smiled. “That’s easy. We’re the Fallen—an association born from the need to protect the world from everything that threatens its peace. Man, god, or eldritch. All in the shadows, of course.”

  She stood slowly, hand on her belly again. “As for what we need Professor Allen for…” She trailed off. “I think Ansel is better suited to explain.”

  She stood slowly, one hand resting on her belly. “As for what we need Professor Allen for…” She trailed off. “I think Ansel is better suited to explain.”

  “That bastard agai—?”

  Gabriel’s words froze in his throat as her presence slammed down like a tidal wave, pinning him to his seat. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move.

  “Please,” she said, her eyes dark with a crooked, twitching grin, “learn to refrain from calling your elders names.”

  Gabriel gulped and nodded, watching as she rose to her full height.

  Just then, a bestial growl reverberated through the air.

  Rivera’s ruby eyes flicked toward Gabriel’s stomach—and her expression suddenly softened.

  “I completely forgot,” she murmured. “You must be famished.”