When they’d first arrived in the glade, they took turns linking with the hamadryad and the child within, allowing their daughter to grow accustomed to their minds and the essence of their magic. Then after they’d spent time with their daughter, they’d lazed under the shade cast by the tree for a short time. But Lillian had other plans, much to Gregory’s confusion and disappointment.
When he’d paced over and gotten in the way, she’d shooed him off. With a huff, he’d stomped away and thrown himself back down in the shade beneath her hamadryad.
That’s where he still sat an hour later. Every so often he’d grumble softly in ancient languages.
“Oh, stop pouting. We can go hunting once I’m finished here.” She gestured at the potting mix and the pots.
“What are you doing?” He finally asked.
“I’m going to take cuttings from my hamadryad. I want a big family.” She pulled a set of pruning shears from her basket and walked toward her tree.
Gregory bolted upright.
“Got your attention, didn’t I?” She grinned and then sidestepped around him when he wouldn’t move.
“Lillian, you’re the Sorceress once more. We can’t beget another child.” His words were slow and gentle as if he feared her reaction.
She just shook her head at him. “I haven’t taken leave of my senses. I know we can’t have another Gryton. The Divine Ones might not forgive their Avatars a second time. But once we defeat the Battle Goddess and restore peace, my hamadryad can become the Sorceress once more. And I can simply be your mate—your wife. At last, we can have a family like we’ve always wanted.”
Gregory had gone still, but she could feel his thoughts, his joy. “I was uncertain if you would wish to return to how you were before. The sacrifice of putting your soul and magic into your hamadryad—”
“Is a sacrifice I am willing to make to finally have a family.” She gestured at the fifteen pots. “I’m planning to have an enormous family to make up for lost time.”
Gregory glanced at the pots, his ears flicking gently, revealing his emotions as clearly as any facial features. “You know I’ve wanted the same thing, but I would never expect you to sacrifice your powers as the Sorceress. I love you as you are. I am content.”
She felt what he hadn’t said. “I love you too. And I’ll admit, while children are a big part of my decision, I miss my mate. I look forward to the day we can join again like that without risking all creation.”
Gregory leaned forward and purred softly.
Hmmm. She wasn’t the only one remembering the times they’d come together as lovers while she’d been a mere dryad and it had been safe to love each other like they’d always craved.
Something else occurred to her, and she tapped him firmly on the chest. “Don’t you dare go getting yourself killed in the final battle. If you do, I’ll follow you into the Spirit Realm and bitch you out for half an eternity.”
“I’ll try to remember that.” He shifted closer, his hands settling on her hips.
“Hmmm, hold that thought and let me finish up here and I’ll reward you later tonight.”
Gregory huffed and stepped back, giving himself a little shake. “You are wise as always. Now isn’t the time for play.” He looked troubled for a moment. “Perhaps it would be safer if we don’t tempt fate again while you are the Sorceress.”
Now it was her turn to scoff. “Oh, you can just stop that train of thought. I just spent a small fortune on toys for us.”
“Toys? I don’t understand.”
She grinned. “Toys for adults, my innocent immortal. Since we can’t share intercourse, I ordered a few things to make up for the lack.”
Gregory’s tail froze, and she grinned at the telltale sign he was processing her words. Then a hint of mischief gleamed deep in his eyes. “I think I understand. Greenborrow showed me many things on this vast, mystical thing called the internet.”
He said the terms like they were foreign to him, but his body language was still happy and eager. “I will do anything you want, my Sorceress. Even play with these ‘toys’ you speak of.”
Lillian laughed. “We will figure them out together.”
“As we’ve experienced all things.”
Nodding, she reached for him with one hand while the other snatched up the clippers. With a gentle tug, she led him toward her hamadryad and began selecting the tips of branches that would make the best cuttings.
It only took her a half hour to select and cut each one and deposit them into a pail of water that Gregory had blessed with gargoyle blood and spelled to increase strength. Calling upon her dryad magic, she soon encouraged each one to root.
Then, within a matter of minutes, they each had a vigorous enough root system to plant them up into pots. After watering each one, she turned to glance at her other half.
“There. What do you think of the beginnings of our new family?”
“I think I’ve never seen such a beautiful thing in my life.”
“Sweet talker. You just want to go play with the new toys.”
Gregory looked momentarily embarrassed. “What can I say? You have triggered my curiosity.”
While she was happy with this symbol she’d created for a bright future with her beloved gargoyle, there was one thing sullying her enjoyment.
Gregory must have sensed it for he dipped his muzzle to brush her shoulder. “What darkens your happiness so suddenly, my Sorceress?”
“Shadowlight, Anna, and the Lord of the Underworld.”
He stilled, and she watched as his earlier humor fell away. “As soon as we know the Null has Gryton safely contained, we will inform the fae council and our human allies that we must return to the Magic Realm and face Lord Draydrak and learn what has become of Anna and the cub.”
“They’re alive. They have to be.” Lillian glanced down at her loam covered fingers and rubbed at them absently. “I’d know if my little brother was dead.”
Though, if Lord Death was no longer an ally, then he could easily hide Shadowlight from her. But one thing was certain. She would learn what happened to Shadowlight even if she had to challenge the demigod for the truth.
“Shadowlight lives. I’m certain of it. And I pray Anna has survived.” Gregory glanced away from her to look upon her hamadryad. Then he continued in a quieter voice. “But there is no certainty that the Lord of the Underworld is still an ally. By the time we find them, Anna and Shadowlight may no longer be allies either.”
His words weren’t truly a surprise. She’d thought the same thing more than once. Lord Draydrak couldn’t be counted on to think like she or her other half, but he could be very persuasive. He was one of the few beings that could wield truth like a weapon.
It was part of his power that went along with purifying souls before they made their journey to the Spirit Realm. Lillian also knew that mighty being may no longer view them as fitting leaders for his gargoyle legion.
But one problem at a time. Once the Null had mastered her powers and Gryton was safe to leave behind with the humans, then she and Gregory would see what had become of her little brother and discover if Draydrak was still an ally.
Chapter 9
Gryton
“HEY! SOMEONE GET IN here and let me out!” Rhythmic banging on the transparent walls of their prison accompanied the Null’s shouts. “I didn’t sign up for this shit!”
Gryton glowered at the human. “You might as well stop screaming now. It’s the leshii outside. He hates me, which is likely why he erected a shield spell around the outside of the room. The guards in the hall can’t hear you, and he also did something to those strange devices on the wall the humans use to look into a room without being present.”
She stopped and turned to him. “The cameras?”
“I’m unfamiliar with that word.”
She pointed out the devices in the corners of the room. “Those are cameras.”
“Yes. The leshii did something to them. I imagine whatever the humans see is e
xactly what the leshii wants them to see.”
“What the hell? Isn’t he supposed to be an ally?”
Gryton shrugged. “He’s an ally when it suits him. And in this case, his hatred of me likely goes deeper than his common sense.”
“What did you do to him?”
“Why do you think I did something to him? Perhaps he just hates me for serving the Battle Goddess.”
“Bull. Shit.” She turned to face him fully, her arms crossing her chest as she glowered at him.
Gryton felt himself fighting back a grin at her tone.
“While I might only know a fraction of what’s going on inside your head, I absolutely know you’re lying about the reason the leshii hates you.”
He shrugged. “There was an incident between us the last time I was in this realm.”
“Why the hell is he punishing me for something you did?”
“I think he’s hoping you’ll feed on me until you extinguish my life-force enough that he can come in here and kill me without destroying this world.”
“You’ve got to be fucking with me. How did this happen? They put so many safeguards in place, this shouldn’t be possible.”
“I would prefer not.”
“Prefer to not what?”
“Fuck you.”
She did a double-take. “What are you talking about?”
“My speech is perfectly logical and clear. It’s you that spouts rubbish every other sentence.”
“You know what? Never mind the leshii. I will drain you dry and then worry about getting out of this cage later.”
“If you wish. At least between you and the leshii, you might put me out of my misery.”
“Oh, stop whining. Your fate could be much worse.” The Null rolled her eyes. “I don’t know everything that’s going on here yet, but I know your parents moved mountains to keep you near them instead of handing you over to be dissected by scientists or having you shipped back to the Magic Realm where I hear two demigods would like to sink their talons into you. The leshii is probably the least of your worries.”
He grunted. “Did I say I was worried?”
She scrunched up her brows and then gave him the finger.
“Back at you.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Hah. You know what that means but don’t know what a freaking camera is?”
He shrugged. “A human soldier followed her young gargoyle friend into the Battle Goddess’s kingdom. I learned a few things from Anna and the cub while I was mentoring them.”
“Hold up!” She held one hand out in front of her and then nodded and looked at him again. “You know a human and actually speak respectfully of her? Yet you can’t even address me by my name. How does that work?”
He’d been about to say Anna had earned his respect but sealed his lips instead. He’d already revealed more to the Null than she deserved at this point.
“Fine. I can always go back to shouting at the top of my lungs. You’ve heard nothing yet.”
Bleeding Gods! Was she serious?
Of course she was serious.
“I didn’t like her in the beginning either, but over time she proved herself capable of mastery over her mental and physical being.” He arched an eyebrow at the Null. “You aren’t anywhere near that level of mastery yet.”
She snorted. “You going to teach me?”
“Not unless I’m forced to.”
“Good. The feeling goes both ways.” She turned and began pounding on the clear wall.
“The leshii’s hatred is warranted.”
The Null turned back to him. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
Folding his arms and leaning against the wall, he studied her.
“Speak,” the Null barked. “Your acolyte thirsts to hear your great words of wisdom.”
He merely arched a brow at her words.
When it became apparent he didn’t plan to say more, she scowled. “I wasn’t joking.”
She pounded her fist on the transparent wall hard enough to make it quiver, but it only made a dull, hollow sound. After a moment she looked over her shoulder and began hollering again, never taking her eyes off him.
While she’d intentionally set out to annoy him, she wasn’t foolish enough to turn her back to him. He met her gaze and continued to glare without blinking. She met his challenge, never faltering in her pounding.
He had the distinct impression she wished it was him and not the wall her fist hit. But she held herself in check.
She was testing him.
Was this all some part of his parents’ plan? An attempt to stress him enough to trigger some response in him?
They would be disappointed.
He hadn’t survived this long by being rash.
But after a few minutes, he concluded he’d have to tell her the truth if he wanted any peace. But that didn’t mean he’d have to do it on her terms.
Pushing off from the opposite wall, he darted forward and slammed his own hand over her fist, trapping it against the clear barrier. “The leshii has reason to hate me.”
Interestingly, the Null didn’t so much as blink at him. Her breathing remained even, and she smiled.
“See? That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”
He tilted his head slightly, puzzled by her behavior and demeanor.
“So, Hot Stuff, how did you end up in a fight with the leshii?”
“My name is Gryton.” He kept his expression neutral.
“And my name isn’t Null.” She twisted suddenly, showing surprising strength.
While she freed her one hand, the other was darting up to clip him in the jaw. His training saved him, and he jerked back enough her knuckles only brushed along his skin. But then her other hand closed around his wrist, and suddenly his knees were buckling.
He cursed and gasped at her feet. One of her boot toes caught him in the shoulder and flipped him onto his back. “See what happens when you don’t play nice?”
“I will kill you.”
“You’ll try.” To his surprise, she reached down and hauled him back to his feet. A moment later his magic returned in a rush that left him gasping again. “Think I’m getting the hang of this Null thing.”
She patted his shoulders and then pushed him against the wall so he could use that as for support until he found his legs again. Of all the embarrassing situations he’d endured throughout his life...
“Oh, stop whining.”
“I said nothing.”
“Your face sure as heck did.”
He glared but admitted the fault was his own.
He’d lost mastery over himself. Again. It kept happening with this Null. No one, immortal or mortal, should have that power over him. But the only way back to mastery was to take that power away from her. He didn’t have to rise to her baiting. He would be in control, of himself and the conversation.
“When I became trapped in this world the last time, I attempted to fight my way free. Many of the fae and human soldiers were injured or killed. My fire magic took the leshii’s arm.”
“That’d do it.” Her words were flippant, but the way she studied him was at odds with her tone. She watched him a moment more and then sighed, sounding tired. It reminded him she’d been through a trial as well.
“We good?” she asked with a skeptical look.
He acknowledged her words with a regal nod.
“Good. Because I’m tired.” She settled to sit cross-legged on his sleeping pallet. “My name is Private Emerson. Please refer to me as that instead of calling me Null. Or even just Erika. And I’ll refer to you as Commander Gryton or whatever other names you prefer.”
He came and settled on the pallet beside her because the cage was too narrow for anything else.
“Truce?” She held her hand out to him in the way he’d seen humans do before.
After eyeing it for a reasonable length of time, he slowly reached out and clasped her hand. His talons flexing and digging into her skin as he uttered ‘truce’ back at h
er.
She merely barked out a sharp laugh. “I can see life will not grow any less interesting anytime soon.”
No, he agreed silently, it probably wouldn’t.
Chapter 10
Erika
SHE’D BEEN DROWSING until she heard pounding on the door leading to the hall. Erika jerked upright from her slouch. A glance at her watch confirmed it was noon. Someone had just brought the prisoner his meal and realized something was amiss when they couldn’t get the door open. She glanced sidelong at him.
Gryton’s lips twitched in what might have been an aborted smile. “I think we’ve just been rescued from each other’s company.”
“Sweet baby Jesus! I think you’re right.” She clapped her hands and stood. No point looking too chummy with the prisoner. Not that they were chums. But appearances.
There was more pounding and then some shouting from outside. “Hey, I thought you said the spell the leshii wove sound-proofed the room? Why can we hear them?”
Gryton unfolded himself and glanced around. A couple seconds later, the earlier aborted smile returned, forming fully this time. “You’ve been feeding on the spell.”
She didn’t miss his change in expression.
“You’re happy. Now I’m suspicious.”
“It’s because you’re gaining some control over your natural abilities. From what I’ve read, most Nulls never learn to control their natural inclination to feed upon all sources of magic.”
“Not picky eaters, then?”
“No. Most Nulls absorb the nearest source of magic and then work their way out from there.”
“Ah. I see. Since you were the nearest snack in range, I should have feasted on you instead of the shield thing.” Her brows drew together over her nose. “But I wasn’t even trying to feed on the leshii’s spell. Mostly because I didn’t think about it.”
“It frustrated you to be locked in this cage. The spell stops others from hearing you and coming to your rescue.” Gryton waved his hand, gesturing vaguely toward the door. “On a subconscious level, you knew that was the only way out, and you made your ability search further afield for its next meal.”
The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9) Page 162