Free The Return by Nicole R. Taylor Page A

forget about it. Your flattery won't get anywhere with me."
    Arturius laughed, and sat on the edge of her desk. "You're so spirited, Gabrielle. That's what I like about you."
    "Eat shit, Arturius."
    He smirked at her blatant, childish insult. "There's a prime example."
    "I'm not going to help you."
    "You don't even know why I'm here, love." He lent closer, making her inch backwards.
    "I don't want to know," she sneered. "Aya was a friend. A friend that you killed in cold blood. Why would I even listen to you?"
    Arturius scoffed, "You think she was your friend? She may have revealed her true self to you Gabrielle, but that was only out of necessity. Do you think she would have done it voluntarily?"
    She glared at the Roman, knowing that he was probably right. But, Aya had tried to help her in her own way. She had been limited in the information she could let go of. She had attempted to push her into going to see her grandmother and Gabby wondered if she knew that their meeting would result in her finding her true powers. Knowing Aya now, that was entirely possible.
    "Don't be so naive, love. A creature of power should never have been turned. It was my mistake to correct. And wouldn't you know? I'm a man of my word."
    "Fuck off, Arturius."
    To her annoyance, he ignored her and said, "I have access to something you want."
    "And what might that be?" she sneered.
    "Control."
    She couldn't help it when her eyes widened slightly. How did he know?
    "C'mon, Gabrielle," he laughed. "Give me a little credit. A witch with a power as natural and deep as yours needs help controlling it. You've been fumbling around in the dark and you know it."
    She pursed her lips, waiting to see what else he was going to say.
    "I'm offering my help."
    "I don't believe you."
    "Believe what you want, Gabrielle. My intentions are noble."
    "You have something I want," she cocked her head to the side. "So, what do you want in return?"
    Arturius smirked and looked at his watch. "Time flies, Gabrielle, love. Think about my offer. You'll know where to find me when you come round."

 

 
    Zac wasn't sure how he found himself here of all places. Perched on the embankment that ran down to the mouth of the cave, he played with a stick, frowning at the boulder that blocked the entrance. His entire existence seemed like an endless joke and the joke was on him. 
    He had dreamed of Aya. Not once, but twice, her horrible end playing out in front of his eyes. Dropping the stick, he clutched his head in his hands and sobbed. She had never spoke about her past to any of them and he now knew why. There was no doubt now that the other dream he had was about her as well. He wished above all else that he could hold her in his arms and comfort her, but she was dead and gone. 
    She had told them her blood was poison to anyone who drank it. Was this the reason why? Those who drank it would learn her secrets? See her memories? He couldn't believe it , he refused to . It was too far fetched. 
    Aericura, Aeriaya, Aya. Who was she?
    He was so engrossed in his melancholy, he didn't hear the approach he should have been aware of minutes before. A branch snapped behind him and he was on his feet in an instant, turning towards the forest. His breath caught at the sight of a familiar figure leaning against a tree. 
    " Morgan ?" 
    "Hello, Zac," the woman said, a grin on her face. Tall, blonde and flawless, she looked like she had stepped right out of a 1940s wartime propaganda poster. Her clothes were different, but she was exactly as he remembered her. And she was the last person he'd ever expect to see out here of all places. In the middle of nothing.
    "What are you doing here?"
    "Looking for you, of course," she grinned, walking towards him. Of course, she would have looked at the house first and followed him when he left Liz in the garden.
    "You haven't changed one bit," he sighed.
    "Except maybe the uniform." She embraced him, her familiar form strangely comforting.
    "Nurse