by Shane Morgan
“Ugh!” the demon blurted as he landed hard, blade falling from his hand.
Ezio stepped past me, double swords ready to slice.
I gripped his shoulder. “Wait.”
He tossed back a perplexed look. “Why? He will escape.”
“He could have while we were fighting the others but didn’t. He is not welcomed in the dark realms.”
“Uhh… You’re right, guardian,” the demon grated out, pushing to his feet. “I disobeyed Rahel. She’s riling up demons to sacrifice to the beast.”
A feeding?
Tomei scoffed. “Do not all demons share the same belief, to bring forth damnation to the human world and the Gargouille kingdom?”
The rogue demon chortled mockingly. “I like the way things are now. The master and Rahel are too power-hungry. Tarekt will ruin everything, including all the dark realms.”
“You like the way things are?” Ezio repeated, moving closer to him. “You mean, taking humans and torturing them to satisfy your evil desire?”
“Wait!” The demon’s eyes broadened. He raised both hands in surrender. “Please. Spare me. I can provide information. Help you find and stop Rahel and the master. They’re planning on crossing your gargoyle barrier.”
“That is impossible,” Tomei reproached.
“Indeed.” Ezio lifted his swords. “Besides, we do not trust demons. Nor do we need your help.”
“No! I—uhh—”
Ezio chopped the rogue demon in two and turned as his body went ablaze.
I stuck my spear back into place. “So that is why demons were being assembled. Ren is feeding the beast.”
“What does that mean?” Tomei questioned, splaying his hand.
“It means they’ll need Calissa soon,” I muttered. Her name tasted so sweet in my mouth.
Silence settled between us for but a moment until Finn spoke. “We must set the souls free.” His voice came out low and regretful.
It always felt like a failure when we could not save humans. Knowing what we had to do, I stopped them before they flew to the lower level of the building.
“You two return home. Ezio and I will finish it.”
Finn and Tomei looked at us with wilted shoulders. They nodded in agreement.
As Ezio and I landed below and walked back to the area with the tortured humans, the two low ranked gargoyles departed through the back, sounds of their flapping wings fading in the distance.
I crouched beside a woman with blood oozing from the cuts on her chest and arms. Her pain was palpable. She shivered and mumbled gibberish.
“This is the part I dread,” I muttered.
Ezio knelt between an old man and a young girl. “Hm. I understand why you asked Tomei and Finn to leave.” He slipped the small vial from his boot and dripped a little onto the quivering lips of the girl. Her death was instant. “They haven’t done this as yet, and I pray they’ll never meet failure on their missions.”
I did the same, pouring small droplets into mouths. It upset us to the core, but it had to be done.
One by one, we freed the humans who were barely alive and in pain.
When we finished, Ezio prepared for a fire. He lit it once we were outside, and we watched from the trees as the flames quickly grew and consumed the warehouse.
The disappointment coursing through me was being soothed by the memory of the satiating kiss shared with Calissa. I was wrong. Going on a mission could not keep her from my mind. She was surely more etched into me than I’d realized.
“Let’s go,” Ezio said, nudging my arm. “Before the authorities come.”
We gathered force and stormed into the sky. In a matter of minutes, we were approaching a barrier between this world and ours.
I felt a great rush of eagerness. A longing for Calissa, and a sense of gratitude for another chance to see her. Even though my gargoyle appearance was probably not met with the same level of elation.
15
I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss. The feel of Lars’s lips on mine, and sadly, my hurtful reaction when he’d changed. He didn’t return that night, and he kept his distance for the next two days. I even heard he went on a mission with Ezio and other guardians.
Perhaps he was still upset. But could he blame me? We were like beauty and the beast. Except, Lars was no beast, and apparently, I had some hidden ability to awaken a real one.
“Ouch!” I yelped at the sting of the stick and snapped back to reality.
“Keep your guard up!” Sarayas barked, knocking me on my butt for the hundredth time.
I lay on the ground, huffing. My body hurt all over.
We’d been training since breakfast, and while I had learned a few things in the past few days, there was still a lot of improvement needed. Thank goodness we were away from spectators because my failures didn’t need witnesses.
“Get up, Calissa!” she ordered. “You never quit! You keep fighting until the last breath leaves your lungs.”
“Jesus.” Exhausted, I eased up on my elbows and rasped out, “Come on, Xena, Warrior Princess. I need a break. Please.”
Sarayas cocked her head and pondered a beat. “Fine. A short one.” She sat on a rock and leaned her sparring stick against it.
“I’ve been wondering something,” I began, catching my breath. “You and Ezio. Are you together?”
She cracked her knuckles. “Ezio saw my face in the fountain, but I saw nothing.”
“So?” I scoffed. “That shouldn’t matter.”
A smile played at her full lips. She looked away from my gaze. Her long reddish hair and tanned skin shone beautifully in the sunlight. Yet again, she didn’t have a bit of sweat on her. I was drenched.
“My father requested that I wait until the fountain gave me an answer. The council agreed. The match has to be right if we’re going to mate for eternity.”
“What?” Hearing that pissed me off. “What if you end up waiting until you’re old? That’s insane. You like each other, and just because some magical fountain didn’t show you his face, you’re not going to be together?”
“You do not comprehend our ways. If you were from the Gargouille kingdom, you would honor our practices.”
“Damn all these laws,” I grumbled under my breath. “What about your feelings? That should be the most important thing.”
Sarayas frowned and reiterated, “It is our way, Calissa. Learn to understand.”
I rolled my eyes. “Even if I was from the Gargouille kingdom, I’d fight to make my own choices. It’s just not fair.”
She picked up a pebble and tossed it at my leg.
“Hey.” It stung a little. I rubbed the area while thinking about my passionate kiss with Lars. “Have you and Ezio… Have you ever kissed?”
Sarayas paused with a wooden container of water. A sneaky smile emerged, but she tried to hide it as she muttered, “Maybe.”
“Hm.” I giggled, only to stop as I thought about Lars being with Anya.
My voice came out low when I asked, “Is it possible to stop the ceremony to seal a union?”
She drank a bit then set the container down. “Not when the council has already approved.”
“Well, could it be unapproved?” I failed at keeping the jealousy from my tone.
It made Sarayas flinch. She wrinkled her brows while studying me. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” I rushed to say.
She got up slowly, eyes never leaving my face. “You…you care for Lars.”
“No,” I mumbled, picking at my jeans. “Well, what if I do?”
“Why are you not training?” bellowed from behind me.
I shot to my feet at Lars’s deep voice. He walked over. When I faced him, my heart rate soared, and chills ran down my spine from our proximity, no matter if it was his gargoyle side.
Gosh, it felt like centuries, not days, had passed since we last looked at each other or spoke, and crazily, I had an unbearable longing for him. In his prolonged gaze, I suspected he fe
lt the same.
“She requested a break. Humans cannot endure that much training,” Sarayas teased. “They aren’t as strong as gargoyles.”
Lars snorted and stepped past me. “Give me the play weapon.”
Sarayas chuckled then handed him her stick. He motioned for me to pick mine up from the ground.
Shit.
“I’ll take my leave then,” Sarayas said on a soft chortle, leaving me alone with my new tormentor.
“Show me what you have learned so far,” Lars requested.
“All right.” I gripped the stick with both hands and made a fighting stance. He looked down at my legs and smirked.
When I followed his gaze, he used the opportunity to strike, sweeping me off my feet effortlessly. I landed on the ground with a thud.
“Ow. Sheesh.”
“Never take your eyes off your enemy,” he grunted. “And remember, demons do not play fair.”
Without waiting for me to straighten on my feet, Lars struck at me again. I blocked it with my stick and pushed him back, jumping up fast from the ground.
He appeared impressed. “Good. But not great.”
Lars wielded his stick above him.
I charged with all my strength, but he dodged my attack and shoved me back. I didn’t waste a second to try again, swinging the stick toward his side. He grabbed it from my hand effortlessly and knocked me to the ground once more.
I gasped as air rushed from my lungs, and moaned from feeling defeated. “Oh, come on.”
“Your control is awful,” he scolded. “How will you fight with a real weapon if you cannot keep hold of a simple stick?” His words had a bite.
He tossed my play weapon next to me on the ground.
“I’m done,” I rasped, sitting up. When our gaze locked and I saw the conflict in his, I added in a softer tone, “Please?”
“As you wish.” His shoulders relaxed with his features, the longer he stared at me. I’d never felt more desired than I did at that moment.
Yet, I was a tad self-conscious from all the sweat. I wiped my face with the sleeve of my t-shirt and asked, “Why aren’t you fighting me in your human form like Sarayas?”
Lars straightened boldly. “Enemies come in different sizes and strengths. She should train you as herself. It will better prepare you.”
There was something else within his words. Hurt, perhaps.
We gazed at each other in silence.
Heat circulated throughout my body, and I couldn’t determine whether it was from training or from being in his presence.
When Lars started to walk away, I used that moment to grab my stick and spring from the ground, going for his wing.
He seemed to have anticipated my move, because he spun quickly and snatched my hand, towing me into his chest.
We were both breathing heavily.
I dropped the stick from between us, and Lars released my hand. But he didn’t move.
Lowering my gaze to take in his muscular frame, I gently traced his strong arms with my fingers and then carried them across his broad chest, feeling him through the leather. Swallowing, I moved to his bulging neck and finally to his chiseled face, watching as he slowly transitioned to his human guise.
He whispered painfully, “You find the gargoyle ugly?”
“No.” I peered up into his saddened eyes. “You’re beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful.”
“But…that night, I frightened you while we kissed.” His voice sounded hoarse and sexy.
“I’m sorry I reacted that way. Didn’t mean to hurt you. Guess I just didn’t expect it.”
A sweet smile softened his worried features, causing tingles in my tummy. “No need to be sorry.”
Despite my sweatiness, Lars draped one arm around me and raised the other hand to my cheek, caressing my clammy face.
“We can’t, Lars. You know it’s forbid—”
“I know the ways of my kingdom by heart, Calissa,” he interrupted, voice deep and thick with lust. “But I am also unable to stop these emotions. I have no control.” He tightened his hold on me, throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. “Tell me, why is it whenever I look at you, it hurts like a sword to the chest when I look away? Why do I want to wrap you in my arms, fly you to the edge of the world, and keep you with me always?”
Touched by his honesty, my heart started to sprint even more, and a moan escaped me.
His discernible adoration lessened the sadness inside and filled me with peace. I needed only him and nothing else in this world.
“Lars,” I moaned, sounding like a famished creature.
His eyes lowered to my mouth, and he understood.
My breaths turned hurried as Lars leaned in to kiss me. I closed my eyes, eager for the feel of his lips. But as talking drew near, we hastily staggered away from each other.
Sarayas rounded the trees with Ezio right on her heels.
He pulled his mouth to one side and folded his arms. “You do not appear too beaten up. That’s good. It means you have enough left in you for your time with me.”
I sighed and raked over my curls. “Come on, guys. I’m not a punching bag. Could we pick this up tomorrow?”
They all laughed.
Ezio waved his hand. “Just teasing you, Calissa. Come on. Time to eat.”
They went ahead of us. I picked up the sparring sticks to return them to the stack. Lars reached for my arm.
When I peered back, he grazed my cheek and said, “If you like, we could go somewhere tonight where it’ll be just the two of us.”
The thought of being alone with him excited me. But an annoying voice in my head warned that we couldn’t be together.
Regretfully, I shook my head and eased my arm away. “I’m sorry, Lars. We shouldn’t.”
His smile faltered. He looked down and clenched his jaw. “Understood. I swore to protect you. I’ll focus on only that.”
“No, it’s just…”
Lars stepped past me before I could finish explaining. Perhaps it was for the best.
That evening, I went for a stroll with Ilris. Talking and laughing so comfortably was reminiscent of my friendship with Shari. But it could never replace it. God, I missed my best friend. That part of me would forever be shattered. I wondered how her family and Hakeem were holding up.
“Tell me about your world, Calissa.” We sat on a bench on the outskirts of the courtyard, listening to a few gargoyle children practice their cellos. “What is it like for you?”
I shrugged. “It’s a crazy place. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. There’s so much going on there.”
She crossed one leg over the other. So poised and elegant. “You miss your home?”
“Actually, without Shari, it’s not really my home anymore. I don’t have anyone. I was sad and lonely most of the time. Like a shadow of myself, wasting away. There’s no reason to go back. It’s not like I’m missed, anyway.”
“Hm.” She glanced at her lap, deliberating something.
“What is it?” I asked, curious.
“Well, a day or two ago, I heard a guardian and Luuk discussing your life in the human world.”
My brows went up. “What did he say?”
Ilris hesitated for a second but came out with it. “It seems a friend, Kyle Briggs, is looking for you. Also, an elder from your apartment has become concerned.” Giving my hand a tender squeeze, she finished with, “You are missed, Calissa. More people care about you than you think.”
“Mrs. Crawley…” My voice trailed as I recalled the sweet old lady and how kind she was to me. As for Kyle, I had no idea he liked me that much. Not showing up to work must have worried him. I knew my boss had pretty much fired me, though.
“You are thinking hard,” Ilris deciphered on a soft chuckle.
“Um, maybe I should go back. Just to tie up loose ends and say a proper goodbye to Mrs. Crawley. I could use some more clothes, too.”
Ilris straightened with apprehension. “You should not. It is not safe, Calissa.
” She wobbled her head. “I’ll provide you with clothing. You must not go back there. Demons are on the hunt for you. Lars—”
“Won’t let me go, so we can’t tell him. But, maybe I could convince Sarayas and Ezio with your help.” I gave her the puppy look. “I just want to say goodbye.”
Sympathy veiled her features as she observed me. “This Mrs. Crawley, she is special to you?”
I nodded. “She really is, and I don’t want her to end up ill worrying about me. She’s already so frail, and she doesn’t have a family either.”
Ilris drew a long breath and shook her head, strands dangling in her back. Then she stood from the bench. “All right. Wait in my private garden. I will send Sarayas and Ezio to you. As for Lars, I’ll do my best to keep him distracted. But I am sure this will anger him, Calissa.”
“He’ll calm down when I’m safely back in Gargouille kingdom.” I offered a confident smile, but once we parted and I headed to the garden, I silently prayed my plan would go smoothly.
16
After stuffing clothes inside a backpack as fast as I possibly could, I checked the apartment for anything significant while Sarayas and Ezio kept a lookout.
Finished, I plucked the fresh note from my jeans pocket, thanking my landlord, and requesting to donate the remainder of my things.
“Okay. That’s it. I’ll just say goodbye to Mrs. Crawley, then stick this under my landlord’s door.”
“This was a bad idea,” Ezio sputtered for the thousandth time, walking behind Sarayas and me down the hallway.
“Hush. It is important to Calissa,” Sarayas defended me. “This woman was good to her.”
Stopping at Mrs. Crawley’s door, I tapped lightly so as not to frighten her since it was night. “Mrs. Crawley it’s—”
“Don’t,” Ezio stopped me from finishing. “Do not announce your name.”
I rolled my eyes at him, only to startle as the door opened.
Mrs. Crawley beamed with elation when she realized it was me. “Oh, Calissa.” She pulled me into her feeble arms and held me tightly. “Sweet girl, are you all right? You’ve been gone for days. No phone calls. And I heard your friend was attacked and has gone missing. I’m so sorry, dear.”