Raven Saga 01 - Raven

were gossiping while they prepared what looked like soup over a large open flame. Before I could introduce myself I heard them talking about Carmelo. “I've never seen him act this way before. This young girl seems to have bewitched him,” said one.
    “But don't they make a lovely couple. It's about time he found true love. It's been a long long time since Dharma died,” said the other.
    I cleared my throat to make myself known and they both turned and smiled widely at me.
    “Hello, dear. You probably heard that,” chuckled one.
    I nodded and she continued “But it's true. That cousin of yours, Jo, seems to be brightening Carmelo's day. He's quite smitten. It's been an awfully long time since he knew love. What can we do for you, dear?”
    We spoke for a little while longer before I thanked them and left the room carrying a tray with tea for the three of us.
    When I eventually found my way back to Gabriel's room, he was alone. Tabitha was nowhere to be seen.
    “Where's Tabitha?” I asked, noticing that he was smiling more than he had been before.
    “I sent her to find Carmelo.”
    “What for?” I asked, and he told me that there was something important he needed to speak to him, and us, about.
    As I set the tray down I asked Gabriel what he thought about Carmelo.
    “He is perhaps the most remarkable man I have met, the most remarkable vampire anyway,” he chuckled, “why do you ask?”
    Not sure whether to say anything or not, I decided that rumours were already doing the rounds so he should know.
    “Because it seems that Cupid has shot him with his arrows,” I grinned.
    “Cupid is here? When did he arrive?” he asked seriously.
    I shook my head in disbelief, “Cupid is actually real?”
    Gabriel began to laugh and I grinned.
    “Very funny,” I said, gently punching him on his good shoulder. “What I meant to say was, it appears that Jo and Carmelo have bonded.”
    Gabriel smiled and relief flooded through me. “You're okay with it?” I asked.
    He nodded, “Since you arrived Lilly, my outlook on life has changed quite a lot. You have helped me become more open minded,” he whispered gently, stroking my face as he spoke. “Especially since you brought Sammy back into our lives.”
    Before I could answer, Tabitha returned with Carmelo and Jo in tow.
    “Gabriel. How good to see you. My apologies for not coming to see you sooner. I was away for a few days and only returned yesterday evening and I certainly did not want to disturb your sleep last night,” said Carmelo as they gently shook hands.
    “And you have had far more important matters to attend to, Carmelo,” Gabriel replied, looking at Jo, who blushed and smiled at the same time.
    “Ahh, so the cat is out of the bag,” laughed Carmelo.
    Gabriel nodded and said, “Well, it's funny that you should use those words exactly Carmelo because I believe that the cat is quite literally out of the bag... that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I believe that Tabitha here is, in fact, of the feline variety.”
    Jo moved forward to sit at the foot of the bed, clearly curious. Carmelo followed, standing behind her with his hands lovingly on her shoulders.
    Tabitha sat on one side of the bed and I sat on the other.
    Gabriel took a sip of his tea and then handed it to me to put down.
    “I believe Tabitha is part of our family.”
    We all gasped.
    “But how?” I asked.
    “Tabitha has kindly filled me in on her life but it wasn't until she mentioned, right at the very end, the name of her mother... Lori,” he said and he turned to look at her, “that's why you looked so familiar to me when you first arrived. You are Rose's grandchild, Tabitha. You are Lilly's second cousin.”
    And we both shrieked and laughed and leaned over Gabriel to hug each other.
    “That means that Lori is still alive!” I gasped, “We must return home to tell Rose.”
    “This is wonderful news, Gabriel. Would you like me to send news to Rose?” asked Carmelo.
    But Gabriel declined, “I think this is something that needs to be done in person by Tabitha and Lilly. But thank you, Carmelo. In the meantime, I need to decide what I am going to do. And you, Carmelo, and you, Jo, need to decide what you are going to do too. If you understand my meaning.”
    Jo turned to look at Carmelo and he smiled down at her.
    “Perhaps you would like to discuss this in private?” asked Gabriel.
    “Well, actually. We've already decided,” Jo answered quietly, “I'm going home