Cross the Line: A Gabriella Cross Paranormal Romance Book 2 by M.J. Lovestone Page A

thing.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Do you need me to come over…are you alone?”
    Gabby looked to Valentine, whose high eyebrows and pitying look showed her concern.
    “No, I mean, Valentine is with me.”
    There was a moment of silence. When Michael spoke again, his voice had changed. It was guarded, as though he were finally divulging a secret. “You need to be careful with her. We’ve got…history. She enchanted and seduced every woman I got serious with for two years after I broke up with her. I’m not saying that you and I…” he sighed. “Just be careful.”
    “I will,” said Gabby, glancing at Valentine, who now looked at her curiously.
    “I’ll let you know if anything changes with your father.”
    “Thank you.”
    Again silence. Gabby wondered what it was he wanted to say. She held her breath, waiting.
    “Goodnight, Gabriella.”
    She released her pent-up breath slowly. “Goodnight, Michael.”
    Gabby hung up the phone, and Valentine was there with a hand on her shoulder.
    “What is it? How is your father?”
    Gabby began to speak but then broke down. She was so utterly spent that she had not the words. Valentine took her in her arms and hugged her tight, caressing her head as she whispered words of encouragement.

Chapter 18
     
     
    Gabby ran through the forest and came out onto a sheer cliff. Far below, waves crashed against the rocky shore. The moon shone brightly, undisturbed by all but the smallest of clouds, which traveled across the sky swiftly, propelled by a haunting wind.
    “Come to me.”
    Gabby turned, startled by the whispered words that seemed to have come from right behind her. She searched the cliff and the dark pines beyond. There in the distance, an old ruined castle loomed above the dark forest. Its towers held dark windows, and Gabby could feel eyes upon her.
    “Save your father.” The voice came again, clearer now.
    “How? Tell me what to do!”
    “Come to me, and he shall be saved.”
     
     
    “Who are you!”
    Gabby shot up straight in bed and glanced around frantically, not knowing where she was.
    “Gabby, it was just a dream,” said Valentine, who sat on the edge of the bed.
    “It was so real,” said Gabby, trying to shake the fog of sleep.
    “You’re safe now,” said Valentine.
    Gabby realized that her nightgown was soaked with sweat. She could still smell the scent of the pine forest. “No, it was more than that. I think it was Victor’s maker.”
    Valentine studied her for a moment. “What did he say?”
    “It was a woman. She said, ‘Come to me and save your father.’ I was near the ocean, I think. There was an old decrepit castle.”
    Gabby shot out of bed and hurried to the living room. She sat at the computer desk and began searching castle ruins near the coast.
    “Do you think it was real?” Valentine asked as she pulled a chair from the dining table and sat next to her.
    “I think so. Yes, Victor had the same ability to reach me in my dreams. I think that though I am resistant to magic, telepathy can still be used against me.”
    Gabby glanced at Valentine, wondering why the hell she was telling her such dangerous secrets.
    “You’ve got to tell Michael,” said Valentine.
    Gabby ignored her as she scrolled through the pictures of island castles in North America.
    “Did you hear me?”
    “What? Yes, Michael. I’ll tell him about it once I’ve learned more.”
    “If Victor’s maker has come to you in your dreams, then she knows where you are.”
    “Then she could have come after me already,” said Gabby. “She wants me to go to her.”
    “It’s obviously a trap.”
    Gabby found a castle that looked a lot like the one from her dreams, and she clicked on it to see more pictures. She realized that it was the wrong one and determinedly went back to her search.
    “Gabby!”
    “What!” said Gabby, jerking to face Valentine.
    “I said that it is a trap. You’ve got to tell Michael so that we can plan—”
    “No, I got the distinct