Gabriel pushed himself up slowly. His arms shook with the effort, and Mera moved to help him, but he waved her off. He needed to do this himself.
"What did you see?" Mera asked again, her voice quieter now.
Gabriel didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the book, on the red script that covered the page where his blood had fallen. The pull was stronger now, almost painful in its intensity. It felt like something was tugging at his chest from the inside, demanding he come closer.
He reached for the book.
"Gabriel, wait." Mera's hand moved to stop him, but she hesitated. "You just had a seizure. You need to rest."
"I need to understand." His fingers closed around the leather cover, and the moment he touched it, the pull lessened. Not gone, but manageable. Like the book was satisfied he'd made contact.
