Page 110 of Victorious

“It’s all right,” said Gabriel, one hand raised as he approached, as if the EO were a wild animal. “Calm down.”

At the words, the EO’s panic seemed to melt. His shoulders slumped, just like a puppet on loose strings.

“Hold him,” said Gabriel, and the guards took him by the shoulders. Forced him to his knees. He craned his bloody face. “I just—need to remember,” he pleaded, softly. “I’m trying but—”

He stopped as Gabriel’s palm came to rest on top of his head. “It’s okay,” he said. “You’ve been a good patient. But I think we’ve gone as far as we can.”

And then, a strange thing happened.

Gabriel’s hand dropped through Xavi’s head as it collapsed.

Eli watched, in fascination and in horror, as the one EO, flesh and blood moments before, crumbled to ash beneath the other’s touch. Apparently, it wasn’t enough that Gabriel Gray could resurrect the dead and bind them to his will. He could send them back just as easily.

Ashes to ashes.

And dust to dust.

Gabriel turned and left the cell and the two guards, their arms now empty. He’d brought Eli here, to watch, to understand. That if he resented his resurrection, it could be undone.

Gabriel brushed the remnants from his hands as he walked up to Eli.

“You’re right. I do bring them back.” He reached out, and laid a hand on Eli’s shoulder. The same one that had come to rest on Xavi’s head. It took all Eli’s will not to pull away. “But once I’ve learned everything I can, once they’ve served their purpose, well … we both know where EOs belong.”

His hand slipped back to his side, leaving a pale print in its wake. “You can go back to your room now, Eli,” he said, turning away. “Unless you need someone to show you the way?”

Another test.

Eli shook his head. “I can find it.”

Gabriel smiled. “Good.”

Eli turned and left the cell.

For the first time, he moved through EON unguarded. Alone. But he didn’t try to run. Didn’t even take a circuitous route. He retraced his steps, passed back through the open door and into his cell, his mind churning like waves in a storm.

Eli sank onto his cot, reached up and brushed the last flecks of ash from his shoulder. He didn’t know if the demonstration was meant only as a threat, or a promise, designed to unnerve Eli, or convince him that he and Gabriel were cut from the same cloth.

Either way, it hadn’t worked.

Gabriel may be dissecting minds instead of bodies, but he was no better than Haverty. A doctor playing God.

And Eli would put him in the ground.

The only question, given his current predicament, was:

How?

VINOW. THEN.

IT was a hard thing, holding on to sanity. To self.

Every time Eli’s guard so much as lowered, he felt the doctor’s will wash over him. Eli felt like he was treading water, knew the moment he stopped fighting, he’d slide beneath the surface. He was tired.

He wanted to relax, let go and simply float.

But that was the problem.

He knew he wouldn’t float.