by R. J. Ladon
“Not years or centuries, obviously because you have slept for seven hundred. Are you over three million years old?” Megan counted on her fingers. “Are you kidding me? I can’t even imagine that.”
“Yes, now you understand. But I am not three million years old. I am three and a half eons old.”
“Wow. That’s the same as a billion, isn’t it? Three and a half billion years.” Megan touched him again. “You have seen human empires rise and fall. Animals evolve. Mountains grow, and continents travel.”
Kragnor nodded, smiling. “It was peaceful before humans arrived. But I have to say life has become interesting now that your kind is here.”
“You called yourself an akitu. Is that like me being a human? Or an American?”
“American?”
“The country we are in right now is America. I was born in a country called Russia, which makes me Russian.”
Kragnor nodded. “I am akitu. You are human. Countries and borders are a human way of thinking. Ownership of land is ridiculous. Lands shift and change.”
Megan yawned. She covered her mouth, then looked at the clock. “Oh, my. I have to get home; it’s getting late.”
“Oh, must you?” Kragnor frowned, wrinkling his face and exposing his lower canines, giving him a ferocious expression.
“Does that make you angry?” Megan asked, holding her hands in front of her.
“No, just sad.”
“You look angry.” Megan motioned to her face. “Your frown looks like a snarl.”
Kragnor chuckled. “Not a snarl, a frown. Will you come back tomorrow? I think if we talk, more memories will come.”
“If I can, I will.” She squeezed his hand. “I must go before my father becomes upset.”
Kragnor gripped her hand. “Please don’t tell anyone of my existence.”
“Ow.” Megan pulled her hand.
The gargoyle released her. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to hurt. If others know, I am here…” He gripped his head. “No, no, I think that fear was old and back in Paris.”
“Fear of what? Someone knowing you’re alive.”
“Yes.” Kragnor’s eyes lit up. “There was a religious faction who wanted to end the old beliefs. Pope Boniface led them. We, the akitu, were at the roots of the old beliefs. If we were destroyed, then other religions could be forced upon people.
“So long as we lived, old faiths could worship the old ways. The akitu were a threat to the new religious order.” The gargoyle sat back on his haunches. “I can remember it now. During the night, while we slept, we were pushed from our perches. Those who were on high buildings or were very young, they broke. Many of my friends and family died.
“Others, like me who were too old to be destroyed by a fall, were captured. Some of the young were deep in catacombs or inside buildings. They were safe from the first night’s culling.” Kragnor paused, his eyes moist with sorrow and memory.
Megan moved to the gargoyle’s side. “Oh my God, you were in a genocide.” She took his hand into both of hers. “How did you survive?”
“We were placed separately into metal cages until another death could be dealt to us. We were to be heated over a fire until we glowed and then dumped into cold water. The sudden temperature change would have killed us or shattered us internally. Either way, the process sounded horrible. If we didn’t die that way, the Pope promised to find other ways to destroy us. Boniface was certain that we were evil because, to him, we looked evil. What else did you need to determine someone’s alignment? We had horns, tails, wings, and our appearance was terrifying, the embodiment of hell’s demons.” Kragnor slouched. He felt the pain and sorrow as if it were yesterday.
“While we were confined, Friar Francois approached us with an idea of escape. He and Basal had created Akitu Stones. Basal devised a ritual that would move our souls into the stones where we could hide until Pope Boniface’s reign was over. Or until the stones were brought to a safe place. At least that is what I assume. The ritual would have to be reversed, and we would have a new body to inhabit. I can only imagine the worry Basal had, trusting a human to save akitu.”
“Why did Friar Francois help? Wasn’t he part of Pope Boniface’s religion?”
Kragnor smiled. “There are two possibilities. During that time, King Philip of France defied Boniface openly. Either the Friar was faithful to the King before the Pope. I think even some of the faithful saw that his ego drove Boniface to do terrible things. Or the Friar saw akitu as an educational resource. I used to work with the Friar to copy and write texts. We spent many years together. Because akitu knowledge was greater than his, he understood our value as teachers and scholars.”
“This genocide went further than France, didn’t it?”
“Boniface was compelling. He believed himself above the power of kings and queens. He thought himself second only to God. Even though I didn’t see or hear it, I am positive he took his decree as far as his reach would go.” Kragnor raised his hand.
Megan paced back and forth, thinking. “I think I’m missing something. Kevin managed to reverse the ritual. Right? That doesn’t feel right, but that seems to be where this conversation has led.”
“That seems to be what happened. Either Kevin or Sorceress reversed the ritual. Because there was no akitu body for me to inhabit, I went into Kevin. Sorceress said they created a spell column that night. I would like to see what spells they each used.”
“Why would it matter? What’s done is done.”
Kragnor shrugged. “Curiosity. Knowledge. We may have to repeat the spells to put my soul into the proper vessel.”
Megan raised her finger and shook it. “Wait a minute. Back in Paris, if the akitu soul was out of the body, wouldn’t it be obvious? Wouldn’t Boniface know his attempt to destroy you was wasted?”
Kragnor shook his head. “When I sleep, I look like a statue. There is no difference to the human eye. Another akitu would know. We can see and feel the life force of others like ourselves.” Kragnor rubbed his chin. “Why do you ask?”
“Maybe the Friar or Basal left something to tell us how to reverse the ritual. But if the Friar was caught in the act of helping the akitu, there probably isn’t anything. He probably would have been killed.”
“I wouldn’t know. Many of the other akitu didn’t trust Friar Francois because he was a man of God, just like Pope Boniface. I remember the fear. The confusion. The urgency. So, out of my group, I went first.”
“Wow, that took an immense amount of courage. I’m not sure I could have done that.”
“You would be surprised what you can do in a time of crisis. But what helped more than anything was what Friar Francois told me and showed me the stone Basal’s soul entered. I could see the akitu life force inside it. I knew the Friar was telling the truth. If we can find the onyx stone that contains his soul and release him. Basal would know how to separate me from Kevin.”
Chapter 41
M egan looked at the clock. “Speaking of crisis. It’s late. I have to go.”
Kragnor looked disappointed. “I understand, child. If you are in a hurry, I could take you.” The large wings opened and closed slightly as emphasis.
“You’d fly me home?” Megan closed her eyes for a moment. “That sounds fantastic. I promise to come back tomorrow.”
“I will be fractured until you return.” Kragnor bowed, emphasizing the dip with his wings. “Please, after you.” He opened the door to the hallway.
Megan smiled behind her hand. “Why, thank you, sir.” She stepped through the doorway and went down the stairs.
Ruby watched television from under a blanket. Curled on her lap, slept Rapscallion. She smiled when she saw Megan. “You stayed late.” Her eyebrows wagged, implying something grander than talking.
“You’re right. I’m late. But I got a ride home.”
“Kevin’s going to take you?” Her mouth fell open when Kragnor stepped out of the stairway. She blinked a few times.
“Sorceress,” Kragnor said, bo
wing to Ruby. “It is good to see you again.”
“Kragnor said he would take me home,” Megan said. “Kevin is, ah, preoccupied.”
Ruby blinked, not saying anything.
“Ruby, are you alright?” Megan moved closer to the older woman. “Ruby?”
“I’m okay, dear.” Ruby’s eyes landed on the gargoyle. “Good evening Kragnor.” Her voice changed from soft and playful to assertive. It was as if she had transformed into another creature as Kevin did, but the physical change wasn’t as pronounced.
“Sorceress, while you are lucid, you must know I spoke to Benny last night. He told me that my existence had broken many spells and curses. Including yours and the girls.” Kragnor bowed. “My humble apologies.”
Ruby’s brows knitted. “My curse? The girl's spell?” She rubbed her temples.
“Who is Benny?” Megan asked Kragnor.
The gargoyle indicated with his head. “A gnome who lives behind the house.”
“A gnome?” Megan raised an eyebrow, then nodded. “Of course.”
Kragnor huffed. “Sorceress, are you alright? You look pale.”
“Broken?” Ruby’s forehead creased. “That little trickster.” She looked from Rapscallion to the gargoyle. “Kragnor, we’re going to be busy.”
“Sorceress, I promised to take Megan home, she is late, and her father is acrimonious. We must take our leave. We can talk when I return if you wish.” Kragnor bowed again and turned to the kitchen.
Megan pointed to the living room. “Shouldn’t we go out the front door?”
“No. The back is better. We can move in secrecy.” He continued to direct her through the kitchen and to the back door. They stepped out into the dark. Kragnor turned her around and picked her up in his arms, like a superhero. “Are you well?” Kragnor asked. “Your breathing and heart rate have increased.”
“I’m nervous,” Megan said, embarrassed.
“You have nothing to fear.”
“I hope not.”
Kragnor sank low into his haunches, then shot them upward. His wings swung open, catching the air, and pushed them higher.
“Which way?”
Megan looked down. “West until there is a pond below you, then north to the river.” Kragnor pumped his wings a few times then glided. “Do you have muscles under there?” She pressed her hand on his chest. “I don’t feel any movement under your skin.”
“I have no skin or muscle.”
“Fascinating.” Megan pressed her head against his chest as if listening for something.
“Here?” Kragnor asked.
Megan examined the ground, but it was too dark to see. “I think so.”
The gargoyle circled, dropped lower, and gently landed next to the river. Kragnor set Megan on the ground.
“How far can you see?” Megan asked. “Nothing looks familiar here.”
Kragnor pointed down the river. “I see five small houses near the river.” He pointed the other way. “Four small houses that way. Very small. Do humans still keep other humans as slaves?”
“Slaves?” Megan chuckled. “According to our school texts, it’s been hundreds of years since there were slaves. But I’m not so sure. Human trafficking has become a problem. Do you see one of those small buildings with a blue roof?”
“Blue,” Kragnor repeated. He looked both ways then pointed. “There. Three houses away.”
Megan laughed. “Not bad. I’ve never given directions from the air before.” She ran toward the boathouse to be sure. Kragnor galloped on all fours next to her, sounding like stampeding buffalo. “Excellent eyesight, I’m impressed.”
“Shall I walk with you? To ensure your safety?”
Megan shook her head. “No, my father will hear. I need to sneak back in on my own.” She put a hand on his arm. “Thank you for getting me home.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.
“You will.”
Kragnor smiled at her, then launched back into the sky and flew back to the Sorceress. There was much to discuss with Sorceress if she was still lucid. He landed in the backyard next to the oak.
“You are but a flame, and all the curses come to your light,” Benny called to Kragnor from one of the raised beds.
“Benny? Stop speaking in riddles.”
Benny’s voice came from a different bed. “Do you not know a Wolf of the Woods when you are so close?”
Kragnor frowned. “Benny, what have you done?”
Benny chortled from a third raised bed. “It’s all you, my gargoyle friend. If she doesn’t know she is the Wolf, she will soon. What is done is done.”
Silence filled the night.
Kragnor swept into the kitchen and to Sorceress. She was not alone.
A man stood near her with a metal thrower pointed at him.
Kragnor swept between them, enveloping Sorceress and Rapscallion with his wings. “Your metal thrower will not harm me, but you could kill Sorceress or her familiar.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Johnny said with bravado. “There is more than metal in my bullets.”
Kragnor huffed. “It does not matter what you throw at me.”
“Johnny, put your gun away. Kragnor is my friend.” Sorceress’s tone confirmed she was still lucid.
Johnny relaxed, but his metal thrower remained in his hand. Kragnor pulled his wings back and stepped away from Sorceress.
“I have broken another curse, Sorceress. But I can’t seem to break my own.”
“Call me, Ruby, remember?”
Kragnor nodded. “I remember.”
Ruby narrowed her eyes at Johnny. She stood from her chair and stepped between man and gargoyle. “What curse?” She placed her hand on Kragnor’s arm.
“Yours, the girls,” Kragnor pointed toward the triplet’s house, “and now, Megan.”
“No.” Ruby grabbed Kragnor’s face. “What curse do you have?”
“The one Kevin and I share.”
Ruby’s forehead creased. “Yes, now, I remember. The spell column.” She sighed. “Megan?”
“She is a Wolf of the Woods.”
“Who told you that you broke her curse?” Ruby asked.
“Benny.”
Johnny laughed. “You can’t trust a gnome.”
Kragnor forgot about the man. He turned his stare to Johnny. “Who are you to determine the trustworthiness of another creature?” He pointed his clawed finger at the man. “Narrow minded vainglories jump to such conclusions.” Kragnor didn’t care for this human. He gently picked up Ruby and moved her aside.
Kragnor towered over the man. He growled, displayed his wings, and tossed his tail, techniques which would have scared most humans.
“Too late big guy. I saw you protect Ruby and Rap. You’ll have to try threatening someone else. I stand by my word. Gnomes are naughty. Besides, I’ve protections against your kind.” Johnny smugly crossed his arms.
“Like what? Holy water?” Kragnor chuckled. He reached for Johnny.
“No. Knowledge. You are akitu. Protector and pacifist.”
Kragnor’s clawed hands stopped. “You know akitu?”
“Only from textbooks. You’re the first one I’ve met.”
Chapter 42
K evin scrambled out from the piles of odds and ends in the attic, went into his bedroom, and looked for the notebook. In green crayon was written:
Talk to Megan.
I need more purple crayons.
Kevin trotted down the stairs, a smile plastered to his face. Megan stayed; she might be able to help.
“You look like the cat who ate the canary,” Grandma said. She handed him a granola bar and poured a cup of milk. “Why the good mood? Or should I ask?”
“It’s nothing.” Kevin tried not to smile but failed.
“Right.” Grandma Ruby sipped her hot coffee. She nodded to the oven clock. “You’re late again.”
Kevin shrugged. “Nothing I do seems to make a difference. I guess I’m late.” He ate the breakfast bar and s
lammed the milk, leaving the glass on the table. “Gotta run.” He kissed her on the cheek and ran out the door.
Sitting in his old car, Johnny waved Kevin over. “Get in.” His eyes were bloodshot like he hadn’t slept all night.
Kevin took shotgun. “What’s wrong?”
“Many things. But my priority, in this case, is you. Annie is gone.”
“Gone?”
“She was not in her jail cell this morning. The cops don’t know how she got out, but she had help.”
“Did she seduce someone in the police department?”
“The AKG confiscated her necklace, and it was destroyed. She couldn’t have used it.” Johnny drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I don’t know if she ran or if she is nearby biding her time. Either way, you have to be careful.” He looked at Kevin over his glasses. “Her accomplices and her parents are missing too.”
“Wait? What? Her parents? They knew?”
Johnny nodded. “It would seem so. They may have organized her escape. We don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. The AKG wants me to keep eyes on you. I thought you should know.”
“Am I bait?” Kevin turned away from Johnny and looked out the window, not wanting to know the answer. “If I know Annie, she isn’t going to be happy that I defied her and survived. She’ll try again. The best way to catch her is to use me as bait.” Kevin swallowed hard. He wasn’t afraid, but he wasn’t looking forward to it either.
Johnny pulled into the school driveway. “See you after.”
Kevin turned back to Johnny. “Are you going to admit that I’m bait?”
“Nope.”
“A lot can happen during the school day.”
“I’m aware.”
“I’ve seen many movies where the hero can’t tell anyone anything because the government company he works for won’t let him. Or, that the hero is there in plain sight, working as a substitute teacher, there to save the day.”
Johnny picked at his cuticles. “You’ve seen too many movies. You better get going. You’re late the way it is.”
“You’re not coming with me?”
“Nope. I figure I’m going to hang out with Ruby.” Johnny winked at Kevin.