Ladybug stood frozen; back and hands pressed against the door as shock and confusion held her in place.

Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth.

Her chest heaved. Her fingers twitched. Her dishevelled hair fluttered in her face.

But Gabriel couldn't be Hawkmoth. They'd proven that already.

She flinched as a roar and a scream rang out in the room beyond followed by horrific crashing.

Hysteria washed over her; she slammed her hands to her mouth and choked down a wail.

What was going on? How could this be happening?

She closed her eyes and swallowed when Chat Noir's cry of 'Cataclysm!' rang out.

Ladybug cried out and fell onto all fours as the whole floor shook and the world crashed on her ears. Her limbs trembled beneath her. Bits of plaster spiralled down and dust clouded her vision. It was a wonder the room was still standing.

Ladybug slowly drew herself up and faced the door, breathing heavily. Chat Noir had told her to stay put, but she couldn't leave him to fight Hawkmoth alone.

She ripped off her hoodie, slid into a stance, and pulled out her yoyo. She brushed back her fringe and calmed her racing heart with one more deep inhale. However, just as she was about to jump into battle, the door flew open.

Ladybug leapt back as Chat Noir burst through. He slammed the door shut, locked it, and plastered his back to the door. His chest heaved; his eyes shone with unshed tears; his miraculous beeped and his eyes locked onto Ladybug's. She sucked in her breath as she took in his terrible expression.

'ADRIEN!'

They both jumped as Hawkmoth pounded at the door.

'ADRIEN! HOW DARE YOU!'

Ladybug watched Chat Noir take a shuddering breath and slide down the door to the floor.

'ADRIEN!' came the shout once more followed by the rattling of the door handle.

Chat Noir curled in on himself and covered his ears with his hands. Hawkmoth pounded and pounded at the door.

'Why are you doing this, Adrien?' Hawkmoth yelled, confusion and hurt weaving its way through his words. 'Why don't you want to help me?'

Chat gritted his teeth and pressed his ears harder.

'Don't you want to bring her back?' Hawkmoth cried, his voice breaking. 'To be a family once more?'

Ladybug knelt next to Chat as he shivered and trembled. His ring beeped in his ear.

'I-I don't understand, Adrien.' Hawkmoth gave the door one last half-hearted thump. 'Don't you want her in our life again?'

Chat let out a strangled cry and pulled himself tighter. Ladybug placed her hand on his shoulder. His miraculous let out one final beep before dropping his transformation. And Ladybug could see the energy flee Adrien's body. He became limp and emotionless, his eyes glazed over, as his father's words physically weighed down his shoulders.

'Adrien, please.'

Adrien placed his head between his knees. Ladybug forced down the tears burning in her throat as she looked at the broken boy she loved.

There was a murmur beyond the door and Ladybug tensed, trying to make the words out. But then three sets of footsteps walked away. There was the sound of a door closing. And then silence.

Ladybug twisted around so she was sat next to Adrien, laid her head back against the door, and exhaled.

She raised her hands to fold them across herself but stared in disbelief when she saw they were shaking.

She shoved them behind her back when Adrien lifted his head.

He gave Plagg a wedge of cheese. They both watched the Kwami eat. Ladybug smiled, the gentle sound of Plagg's munching relaxed her.

But then Adrien spoke into the quiet.

'I'm sorry.' His whisper glimmered on the tiles.

'What?' Ladybug asked, not believing what he'd said.

'I-I'm sorry,' he repeated, hunching his shoulders and clenching his sleeves in his fists.

Ladybug stared at him.

He sniffed and wiped his eyes. 'I didn't… I- I couldn't tell you the f-full truth. My mother was only h-half the reason I g-got akumatised.' His voice shook with tears and guilt. 'The other half… is m-my f-father.' He took a shaky breath and clenched his eyes shut in a grimace of pain. 'He's- he's…'

'He's Hawkmoth,' Ladybug finished for him, her voice soft but final.

'I'm sorry,' Adrien sobbed, 'I'm so sorry!' he cried and it turned into a wail.

Tears burned in Ladybug's eyes and a lump rose in her throat as she watched Adrien dissolve and try to hold down his sobs. His chest spasmed; breath hitched; fists clenched on his hair and threatened to rip it from its roots. Ladybug shot out her hand and pulled him close.

And that's when Adrien's mental damn collapsed.

Adrien wailed and gripped Ladybug tight. His nails dug into her back and he buried his head in her shoulder, and she murmured soft words into his hair to calm his shuddering cries, his grief-wracking sobs.

She stroked the back of his head and he trembled in her arms. Hysteria, once more, ran havoc in her mind. She gripped him tight and forced herself to take deep breaths. She couldn't panic. Not now. She was Ladybug! Adrien needed her.

But as Adrien calmed, Ladybug's internal frenzy intensified.

She clenched her fists tight to stop them from trembling and bit down on her lip to not let her shaking breaths betray her. She stared over Adrien's finally still shoulder, down at the tiles, and forced herself to count them. One, two - they glimmered in the light - five, six - most were slick with dust - nine, ten… She took a deep breath and held it. It was only then that she noticed the oppressing silence.

The rain had stopped. Its absence was deafening.

When Adrien lifted his head ever so slightly, she stayed staring at the floor. He spoke into the silence.

'Last time we met,' he said, his voice hoarse and shaken, 'you promised everything would be all right in the end.'

Guilt clawed its way up Ladybug's throat while fear settled in her gut.

'Can you promise it still?' Adrien begged, and she could feel the desperation in it. 'Please,' his voice cracked, 'I need to hear it.'

Ladybug clenched her eyes shut and grimaced. She didn't know what was going to happen. She didn't know how to get out of this mess. I'm only fifteen! she wanted to scream. But she was Ladybug.

'We'll get out of this, one way or another.'

Adrien pulled away. Ladybug shivered as cool air flowed between them.

Adrien wrapped his arms around his knees and tucked his head away once more. That's not what I asked, his posture said.

And so Ladybug stared at the tiles while Adrien stayed curled up beside her, and the absence of rain echoed around them for what felt like forever.

Ladybug didn't know how long she and Adrien sat there in silence. It could have been seconds, it could have been hours. But, at some point, the sound of a door opening in the room beyond disturbed the quiet. Ladybug twisted around in a flash and put her ear to the door.

She felt Adrien's eyes on her. But there were no other sounds.

'Did you hear that?' she asked him. He nodded before murmuring: 'Plagg, Claws Out,' and transforming.

Chat Noir pushed himself to his knees and pressed his own cheek to the door. His leather ears twitched but he shook his head. 'Nothing.'

He reached for the door handle.

Ladybug grabbed his wrist. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm going to check it out.'

'No!' she exclaimed in a harsh whisper, 'Don't be stupid.'

'We can't sit here forever! My father is Hawkmoth,' he hissed, 'we have to do something!

'Yes! We use your cataclysm on one of the steel barriers, then go seek Master Fu!'

'Oh.' Surprise and relief flooded Chat's eyes. 'Yeah, that's a much better plan.' He smiled, though it was broken. But Ladybug was relieved to see a glimpse of her former partner again.

But then a roar of pain rang out that curdled her blood and made Chat turn white.

'Gorilla,' he whispered with horror, 'they're hurting him.' He leapt out the bathroom.

'No, Chat, wait!' she cried, grabbing his tail. It slipped through her fingers. 'Shit.' She leapt out after him.

Chat Noir burst out the bathroom with his heart in his mouth and leapt over the carnage that was now his bedroom. His whole balcony had collapsed with his previous cataclysm and he scrabbled over debris and loose CDs in his desperation to get to the open door.

Somewhere deep down, he wondered how the door was even open at all, but then another roar rang out and he shoved his unease down.

He leapt down the staircase and looked about wildly. The only other open door was into his father's office. He ran in.

'Gorilla!' Chat cried with relief and shot towards the man knelt in the far corner of the room, holding his stomach as if injured. He lifted his head. Chat stopped in his tracks. That look in his eyes… An insidious fear crept over Chat Noir as Ladybug skidded to a stop next to him.

The door slammed shut behind them. The two heroes whipped around to see Nathalie stood in front of the exit, remote control in her hand.

'Nathalie?' Chat made to step forward, but Ladybug flung out her arm and stopped him.

He shot Ladybug a questioning glance, but she wasn't looking at him. Chat watched, fear growing, as Ladybug drew back in a stance and started spinning her yoyo.

Chat swallowed. He slowly put his hand behind his back and gripped his baton before turning his gaze on Nathalie.

Tears shone in her eyes and Chat allowed himself a glimmer of hope.

'Please, Nathalie,' he begged.

Nathalie gave a sad smile and it was ice down Chat's spine. 'Why, out of everyone, did it have to be you?' she asked, her voice so soft and so cold.

Chat's hope trickled away. He brought his baton forth and extended it. But then he almost dropped it as he was betrayed by her next words.

'Duusu, Fan Feathers.'

'No,' Chat whispered while Ladybug gasped with horror. He took a step back in denial. 'No, not you too.' Turmoil surged within him as blue magic swirled around her. His legs weakened; he almost collapsed to the floor. And she transformed from Nathalie to the terrifying Mayura.

Somehow, it hurt worse than his father's betrayal.

Chat stood, frozen, as Mayura pulled a feather from her fan and blew on it. It drifted over him and slid into the crack behind his mother's portrait. A yell made him shiver and Chat turned back with mounting horror to see Ladybug attack Mayura. Tears rose in his eyes at the sight of the two people he loved fighting each other with snarls and vicious cries. He wanted to pull them away and yell at them to stop! But that wasn't an option.

Chat wiped the water from his eyes. He slid deeper in his stance and gripped his baton so tight his knuckles turned white.

And then, when Mayura turned onto him, he didn't falter or hesitate.

He attacked right back.

Soft light trickled down into the chamber deep beneath the ground where the fresh smell of green mingled with the metallic scent of underground water. Reflections danced on the surface of the case within which Emilie lay. And Gabriel gazed down at her, trailing his fingers on the glass above her face.

'The time has nearly come,' he said quietly. A soft click rang out as his wedding ring grazed the glass. 'You'll be back with us soon, my love.'

He could feel Nooroo hovering above his shoulder, but the Kwami stayed silent. Gabriel swallowed the lump in his throat that threatened to overwhelm him.

'But you'll have to forgive me…'

A feather fluttered in front of him. He smiled.

'For I'll do anything to bring you back.' His voice echoed around the chamber like a Gregorian chant and he found solace in the ghosts of his words as he transformed into Hawkmoth.

He released the tension from his shoulders with a sigh as magic and strength flooded through him. He raised his cane and let the feather enter it. His emotions twisted inside of him and released in the form of a giant purple moth. It fluttered ominously behind him. Hawkmoth traced his wife's features in the glass, pretending to brush her hair back, before turning away and walking back towards the staircase.

He made his up the stairs. One slow foot at a time. The image of his wife lying still amongst the green still etched in his mind.

Everything was ready. All he needed were those two miraculous'. And they were both within his grasp.

He reached the top and rested his hand on the doorway.

He was so close. He could taste it! And he was willing to pay the price.

'Don't worry, my love,' he whispered to himself, 'all will be okay in the end.'

Hawkmoth took a deep breath. Then he pushed the door wide.

Carnage. Hawkmoth was met with carnage. Mannequins were strewn about in pieces, bits of paper scattered in the air, and glass from shattered portraits littered the floor. He dismissed the Gorilla cowering in the corner and turned his gaze onto the fight unfolding before him. None of them had noticed him yet - he remained hidden in the shadows. A smile grew on his lips as he watched Ladybug and Chat Noir struggle to battle his magnificent Mayura.

She danced more than fought; she was graceful and quick - a deadly yet beautiful combination.

Chat Noir didn't even get a chance to cry out before she spun him around and pinned him to the ground. But then she was thrown back with a shot from Ladybug's yoyo. She recovered with grace, her dress flaring behind her, while Ladybug pulled Chat to his feet. They both rounded on her.

Hawkmoth had to admire Ladybug and Chat Noir's teamwork, they weaved seamlessly together. But Mayura was faster and knew exactly where to strike.

Ladybug used her yoyo to grab the last standing mannequin and hurl it at Mayura. Hawkmoth tensed as Ladybug succeeded in momentarily disabling her and used the spare second to cast her lucky charm.

But he let out a low chuckle as a black-spotted red water bottle fell into Ladybug's hands. What a useless power.

'Thirsty, my lady?' Chat asked, but there was no humour in his voice. His tail flicked restlessly as Ladybug spun on her heels.

'I can't figure it out!' she exclaimed.

Hawkmoth's grin widened when Mayura shot towards Ladybug. She ripped the bottle from her grasp, threw it to the ground, and shattered it beneath her feet.

Shocked silence rang out.

Mayura looked up, eyes blazing, and that's when she saw him.

The triumph in her smirk and the fire in her eyes caused warmth and pride to blossom within Hawkmoth as he stepped into the room. A feeling which only grew as she deftly ran over to him and stood tall by his side. But he forced himself to smother his emotions. Nathalie was a powerful ally, but she could never compare to Emilie. Loving her was a waste and a distraction.

Though the horrified expressions on Ladybug and Chat Noir's faces made him chuckle.

The two heroes wielded their weapons with fury and sprinted towards him.

But that's when his Sentimonster burst through the floor.

Hawkmoth swayed on his feet and smiled as everyone else collapsed around him; his beautiful moth swooped through the room. Bits of debris went flying and dust bloomed in the air. The grit on his tongue tasted of success.

But then Mayura shrieked. Outrage flared within Hawkmoth when he saw the Gorilla had jumped on her and had her pinned down. He went to attack but a scream took his attention. Out of the dust, Chat Noir raced towards him.

Hawkmoth raised his cane, however one flap of the Sentimonster's wings caused Chat to fly back and smack into the far wall. Ladybug yelled with anger and attacked the Sentimonster as Chat recovered and ran at him once more.

Both Chat Noir and Ladybug fought him with vigour. Eyes fuelled with hatred yet lined with exhaustion as they danced around the giant hole in the floor and alternated between attacking him and his Sentimonster.

And Hawkmoth wove through their attacks. Neither of them managing to land a hit on him. It was pathetic really, the fight they were giving. They both looked close to collapse; their emotions at their limit.

A reluctant sadness crept into Hawkmoth's heart as he knocked Chat's baton out the way and then dodged Ladybug's yoyo. He didn't understand why his son wouldn't help him. He loved his mother. So why wouldn't he, too, do anything for her?

There was a screech of metal on metal as his cane collided with Chat's baton and the moment slowed as they stared into each other's eyes. Hawkmoth's heart sank. Chat's glare filled with loathing. But Hawkmoth had one goal, and he wouldn't let his son stop him.

He'll see in the end, he thought as he knocked Chat Noir to the ground. If I can just pull it off, all will be forgiven.

Chat Noir cried, 'Cataclysm!'. Hawkmoth's eyes hardened.

Chat leapt towards his cane with rage burning in his eyes. Hawkmoth grabbed his wrist. A sickening crack rang out as he twisted Chat around and slammed his hand into the ground.

His son's screams were ice down his spine.

The cracks spreading across the floor echoed the ones in his mind.

And then suddenly, they were all falling deep underground.

Dust. Pain. A high-pitched ringing. Ladybug groaned and raised her body with shaking arms. She inhaled and choked on the grit that entered her lungs; deep coughs wracked her body and sent searing pains down her chest.

She spat the dry dust from her mouth and used the nearby railing to pull herself to her feet, debris trickling off her shoulders and vision swimming.

Her miraculous beeped in her ear. A strangled wail caught in her throat and caused her to dissolve into another fit of coughs. She held on tight to the metal railing to prevent her legs from collapsing beneath her and slowly managed to steady her breath. She wiped the gritty tears from her eyes before turning her gaze to the sight around her.

They'd fallen into some sort of underground chamber.

A moan by her feet made her heart to flutter. She pulled Chat Noir to his feet but was alarmed by how heavily he leant on her; he was practically white with plaster dust and was cradling his right arm. She pulled out her yoyo and prepared to launch it up. But Hawkmoth's Sentimonster fluttered high above, as if daring her to try make an escape that way.

Her miraculous beeped again. Panic flooded her body.

Her stomach turned cold as a low laugh rang out.

'You have nowhere to run,' Hawkmoth said, pushing aside a large chunk of ceiling and pulling himself to his feet. His chest heaved, and his eyes were terrifying.

Ladybug shot her yoyo towards a large chunk of debris and, with a grunt of fury, threw it at him. She smiled with grim satisfaction as he was knocked back with a strangled cry.

Chat tugged her hand and pulled her back, 'This way,' he murmured.

They fell into a run and made their way down the metal walkway, weaving through the debris, and heading right past Mayura who was busy throwing off the Gorilla. Ladybug looked back at them reluctantly as she ran on.

Chat pulled her towards a dark archway, but she slammed into his back when he suddenly pulled up short.

There was a steel door in the way.

Chat put his good hand on the door. 'No,' he said, turning Ladybug's blood cold. 'No!' He banged at the door with desperation.

His miraculous beeped at the same time as hers. Horror bled through her bones as he looked at her; despair clinging to his eyes like the dust on his skin.

Tears burned Ladybug's throat. 'Mon Chaton.' She wiped the dust from his cheek using her thumb.

A crazed look appeared in Chat's eye.

He turned from her and raised his broken right hand.

Before Ladybug realised what he was planning, he yelled 'Cataclysm' and slammed his hand into the door.

'NO!' Ladybug cried and pulled on him. But Chat pushed her back and tried again.

'CATACLYSM!' he screamed, but he only left a tarnished mark on the door.

'CATACLYSM! CATACLYSM!' he screamed again and again, each time leaving a mark weaker than the one before.

Ladybug watched with horror. Dizziness overcame her. Chat's cries and following thuds washed over her as if from a distance. This couldn't be happening. There had to be a way out!

Another beep from her miraculous caused her to snap out of it.

'CHAT, STOP!' She jumped between him and the door and shoved him back. 'Your body can't take it!'

His eyes were red, and cheeks glistened with gritty tear tracks.

Her earrings gave a frantic beep. Tears rose in her eyes.

'Adrien,' she said softly. She placed her hand on his cheek and forced him to look at her.

Her miraculous beeped for the final time. Her suit fell away and took what little energy she had left with it. Exhaustion took over her body and mind and Tikki collapsed onto her shoulder, so tired she could barely move.

'Marinette?' Chat's voice was so soft it caressed her soul and the sheer emotional weight it held made her tears spill over. 'No,' he shook his head, 'it can't be you,' tears welled in his eyes, 'it can't.'

Something bubbled up inside her and escaped with a cold giggle. 'Surprise,' she said and a sob broke her laughter.

'No,' Chat repeated, over and over.

Then Marinette felt someone grab her. Chat's words turned to screams as she was dragged away from him; the frantic beeping from his ring mirroring the hysteria inside her.

'MARINETTE!' he screamed. Hawkmoth grabbed him.

'MARINETTE!' She closed her eyes to block the pain out, she couldn't bear to watch him struggling, but his cries were soul-piercing.

'Marinette.' His voice weakened as Chat Noir became Adrien. Marinette's eyes flew open. The defeat in his expression and the sight of Plagg limp on his shoulder caused a furious delirium to flare up inside her.

'Adrien! ADRIEN!' She strained against Mayura.

'MARINETTE!' he yelled back.

And they both screamed for each other as she was dragged further from him, until Adrien's cries were cut off with a sharp word from his father. Marinette choked at the sudden silence.

Hawkmoth threw Adrien into the arms of his chauffeur.

'You want him safe?' Hawkmoth's voice echoed around the chamber. 'Hold him still and make sure he doesn't escape.'

Adrien cried out and strained against his captor. Plagg raised his exhausted green eyes, so piercing in the murky light. And Hawkmoth reached for Adrien's hand.

Marinette's scream drowned out the horrific sound that tore itself from Adrien as Hawkmoth ripped the ring off his son's finger.

A horrible silence filled the giant chamber.

Marinette stared at Hawkmoth, her mouth wide with disbelief and terror.

Even Mayura stood frozen, watching him.

Hawkmoths chest rose and fell rapidly. He slowly raised his hand. The Black Cat miraculous lay in his palm.

Marinette's eyes darted to Adrien, heart in her mouth, but he wasn't looking at her.

'Take him to his mother,' Hawkmoth said. Confusion flashed through Marinette's mind. What?

The Gorilla bowed his head and gave Adrien a gentle nudge.

'Adrien?' Marinette panicked as Mayura tried to twist her away. 'Adrien!' she tried again. But he didn't respond.

His head was bowed, and expression shrouded in darkness; the Gorilla marched him down the walkway.

'Adrien,' she whimpered, and gave a wretched cry when Mayura wrenched her around and forced her to walk forward.

Marinette stared down past her feet, down to the water that lapped gently beneath them. It was an eerie pale green that danced with reflections, but their shadows quenched the pretty light and formed pools of darkness.

Marinette forced herself to breathe. But the back of her eyes burned and loose strands of hair drifted in her vision. Her stomach clenched as fear and shock cracked through her.

How had this happened? How had they got here?

The smell of fresh earth penetrated her senses.

She looked up as they stepped onto green and was met with a glass case where someone lay inside. A confused horror seeped into her gut.

She didn't understand. Adrien had said she was dead.

She stumbled when Mayura pushed her to keep moving. She dragged Marinette to the side, but Marinette couldn't keep her eyes off Adrien's mother.

But then Adrien stepped onto the grass.

Marinette froze when Adrien's gaze met hers. His eyes were dark and foreboding. She shivered. Adrien turned his gaze from her when Hawkmoth came near.

'Father…' Adrien started, his voice was emotionless and cold.

'Quiet,' his father said and walked towards Marinette. She refused to draw back.

'Why are you doing this?'

'I said be quiet, Adrien.'

Marinette glared into Hawkmoth's cold grey eyes as he stood before her.

'You don't need to do this,' Adrien said, his voice started cracking, 'I know you want to bring her back, I do too, but this isn't the way. She wouldn't want this.'

Hawkmoth raised his hands and gently brushed the hair back from Marinette's ears.

'Father, please.'

Marinette refused to break her gaze with Hawkmoth. She willed her fire to burn through the steel in his eyes.

'I have to,' Hawkmoth said almost sadly.

'Don't,' Marinette said, voice cold and biting. She snarled when he put his fingers to the jewels.

'NO!' Adrien yelled, 'Father, DON'T!' His chauffeur grunted as Adrien strained against him.

Marinette gnashed her teeth with fury when Hawkmoth grabbed her face and forced her cheek to the side.

Her expression fell into dismay when she locked eyes with Tikki. 'I'm so sorry,' she whispered.

Tears spilt down the kwami's cheeks. 'Marinette, I-'

Tikki vanished as Hawkmoth pulled her earrings out. Marinette raged against Mayura, but she held her tight.

'You monster! How dare you!' she shrieked.

'You will understand why.'

Fury alighted itself so viciously in Marinette it made her tremble. She spat in Hawkmoth's face.

'Don't think you won't have to pay for what you're planning,' she said, eyes flicking to Adrien's mother.

Hawkmoth removed the spit from his cheek with an exaggerated wipe. Marinette glared, but Hawkmoth stared back with his cold grey eyes. He turned back towards his wife.

'You don't need to do this!' Marinette cried.

'Keep her quiet.'

Marinette gave a muffled scream of fury as Mayura covered her mouth. Hawkmoth de-transformed back into Gabriel.

'Father, please!'

Marinette's heart broke when she looked at Adrien. He looked utterly defeated, exhaustion had settled into the shadows under his eyes and anguish was ingrained into the white of his skin.

'She wouldn't want this!'

Gabriel twisted away. 'She wanted to live, to see you grow up!'

'NOT LIKE THIS!' he yelled, ferocity in his eyes.

Gabriel bowed his head. He stared at the jewels in his hand.

'But, I have to.' Uncertainty flickered behind his eyes.

'You don't,' Adrien urged, tears spilling down his cheeks.

'But I can save her! Just… just give me a chance!'

'She's gone, Dad!' Adrien cried. 'Nothing will go back to the way it was!'

Gabriel clenched the jewels in his fist. 'No,' he shook his head, 'I can do it! I can!'

'AT WHAT COST?' Adrien screamed, 'Dad, what will you give to bring her ba-'

'ANYTHING!' Gabriel roared. His cry echoed around the chamber before giving way to shocked silence.

Adrien stared at him, stunned. Gabriel turned back to his wife and leant heavily on the glass, shoulders hunched.

'I would give anything to bring her back.' His voice was low but sharp, and Adrien crumpled at his words.

'Would you give me?' Adrien asked softly.

Marinette's eyes widened. Gabriel's head shot up. 'What?'

With pain etched in his smile and despair shining in his tears, Adrien lifted his eyes so that they met his father's.

'Would you…' Adrien repeated, his tone terrifyingly gentle, 'give me?'

Gabriel swallowed. His hands started to shake. But then he turned from his son.

'I don't have to,' he said.

Marinette's blood froze when Gabriel's eyes turned to her.