Chapter 139

She looked around. The rippling partitions of the Gateway, curving over her head like clear, aqua-colored diamond surface, every side a ripple as if in water, however unmoving. And it pulsed. A low light, dim and general—from the core of everything—rose and fell inside it, like a heartbeat.

In time with her heartbeat, she realized—which was in time with Gabriel's.

“We did it!” she breathed, ecstatic.

Gabriel nodded and carefully dropped her legs so she may want to stand, but he was very cautious to hold contact between them, taking her hand and holding it tightly as if any individual was attempting to pull them apart.

There was the slightest sensation still, she realized. A tugging. Not painful, but insistent. As if she would be torn from him if she let down her guard.

Amelia swallowed.

“We did it!” She put her free hand to her mouth and Looked up at Gabriel, beaming.

He nodded, but his eyes were darting—his whole expression Looked seri