The first time they’d slept together, Gabriel had felt skittish and left soon after. Even as he vanished out Adrian’s window, he’d worried that he’d upset Adrian, but Adrian had stuck his head out the window and invited him for coffee the next morning, so Gabriel guessed it was all right.

The second time they’d slept together, Gabriel had stayed until Adrian had fallen into the trance that passed for sleep, and then, feeling vaguely disquieted, had left.

The third time, Gabriel didn’t really want to leave, but he was feeling restless and didn’t want to disturb Adrian either, so he slipped out into the darkened hall and began wandering the house.

In a corner of the den, he found the little shelf. It was a corner shelf, mostly hidden by the nearby furniture. If it weren’t for the tealight burning on it, Gabriel didn’t think he’d have noticed it at all. Curious, he stepped closer.

Besides the tealight, the shelf contained only two things – a ring and a slightly worn photo. With a start, Gabriel realized who the woman in the picture must be.

“That’s Anne,” said a voice from behind Gabriel. “Adrian’s wife.”

Gabriel spun, coming face-to-face with Jonathan. He didn’t say anything, and after a moment, Jonathan spoke again.

“He lights the candle for her every night.” Jonathan looked sidelong at Gabriel, his strange eyes glinting oddly in the candlelight.

Gabriel still said nothing, but something in his face must have given him away, because Jonathan’s expression softened. Gabriel left the room before Jonathan could say anything else.

Jonathan picked up the picture, looking into Anne’s eyes. “I think you would approve of him.”

Gabriel’s soft footsteps, which had paused outside the door, continued down the hallway. Jonathan smiled.