Author's POV:
Many Years Ago:
Sometimes evil believes there is no stopping them. The brutality of people increases after their first win.
Later victories make an abuser believe they are invincible, until they are struck with the reality that even a rising sun has to go down every evening.
Poor Gabriel only wanted to do the right thing. He cared for the welfare of the orphans, but the others saw him as a threat.
When he began to open his eyes, Gabriel felt his head was heavy.
The room around him was dim, lit by a few lanterns on the walls.
His arms were pulled back. Thick ropes tied him to a chair.
The floor felt cold under his feet. He had to blink several times in order to clear his vision, and as he did, he wished he had not.
In front of him sat his mate, Marilyn. She was tied to a chair the same way.
Her head leaned forward, and her breathing was soft to the point that he had to focus hard to make sure she was still breathing.
"Marilyn," Gabriel whispered.
