Gabriel's Inferno 01 - Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard Page A

front of his trousers would not attract untoward attention.
    That’s when he saw her. He stopped, staring across the street at the attractive brunette.
    Calamity Julianne .
    Except she was not alone. Paul was holding her abomination of a book bag and walking with her. They were chatting easily and laughing and strolling dangerously close to one another.
    Carrying her books now, are we? How very adolescent of you, Paul.
    Professor Emerson watched as the couple’s hands brushed against each other, drawing a small but warm smile from Miss Mitchell. A growl rumbled low in Emerson’s throat, and his lips curled back from his teeth.
    What the hell was that? he thought.
    Professor Emerson took a moment to collect himself, and as he leaned against the window of the Louis Vuitton boutique, he tried to figure out what the hell had just happened. He was a rational agent. He wore clothes to cover his nakedness, he drove a car, and he ate with a knife and a fork and a linen napkin. He was gainfully employed in a job that required intellectual ability and acuity. He controlled his sexual urges through various civilized means and would never take a woman against her will.
    Nevertheless, as he stared at Miss Mitchell and Paul, he realized that he was an animal. Something primitive. Something feral. And something made him want to go over there and rip Paul’s hands from his body and carry Miss Mitchell off. To kiss her senseless, move his lips to her neck, and claim her.
    What the fuck?
    The thought scared the living hell out of The Professor. In addition to being an ass and a pompous prick, he was a knuckle-dragging, potentially mouth-breathing Neanderthal who felt some proprietary ownership over a younger woman he barely knew and who hated him. Not to mention the fact that she was his student.
    He needed to go home, lie down, and breathe until he calmed the fuck down. Then he was going to need something else, something stronger to calm his urges. As Professor Emerson continued his journey home, dragging himself painfully away from the sight of the two young people together, he pulled out his iPhone and quickly pressed a few buttons.
    A woman answered on the third ring. “Hello?”
    “Hello, it’s me. Can I see you tonight?”
    ***
    The following Wednesday, Julia was walking out of the department building after Emerson’s seminar when she heard a familiar voice call to her.
    “Julia? Julia Mitchell, is that you?”
    She whipped around and was drawn into a hug that was so tight she thought she’d choke.
    “Rachel,” she managed as she fought for air.
    The thin, blond-haired girl squealed loudly and hugged Julia again. “I’ve missed you. I can’t believe it has been so long! What are you doing here?”
    “Rachel, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for everything and for your mom and…everything.”
    Two friends were quiet in their shared sorrow and held one another for a long time.
    “I’m sorry I missed the funeral. How’s your dad?” Julia asked, wiping away tears.
    “He’s lost without her. We all are. He’s on a leave of absence from Susquehanna right now, trying to sort some things out. I’m on leave too, but I had to get away. Why didn’t you tell me you were here?” Rachel reproached her, tearfully.
    Julia’s eyes shifted uncomfortably from her friend to Professor Emerson, who had just exited the building and was gaping at her like a codfish.
    “I wasn’t sure I’d be staying. The first couple weeks have been really, um, rough.”
    Rachel, who by all accounts was very intelligent, noticed the strange and somewhat conflicted energy radiating between her adopted brother and her friend, but for the moment she overlooked it.
    “I was just telling Gabriel that I’m going to cook for him tonight. Come home with us.”
    Julia’s eyes grew wide and round, and she looked mildly panicked.
    Gabriel cleared his throat. “Ah, Rachel, I’m sure Miss Mitchell is busy and has other plans.”
    Julia caught his look, pregnant