The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9)

by Lisa Blackwood

  “Yeah, so my grandparents raised me. I’m the youngest of four. My two oldest siblings did the equivalent of running off to join the circus as far as my granddad is concerned. My oldest brother forges swords and other weapons for renaissance fairs and movies. My sister works in Hollywood as a stuntwoman. She’s in a lot of fantasy and historical pieces. She also loves cosplay and does the convention circuit when she can. As far as granddad is concerned, my other brother is the normal one—a cattle rancher like him.”

  Glancing up at Gryton, she could see he didn’t understand half of what she was talking about but was pretending he did.

  He tilted his head. “And you are the warrior.”

  “A soldier, yes. At least, that was the plan before all this happened. I enlisted out of high school. This is my first assignment after completing basic training. Or at least, building the new base was supposed to be my assignment. Then everything went to heck.”

  “Why did you wish to be a soldier?” He sounded curious.

  She’d been asked that a lot by her family, but never really had a good answer. She shrugged. “Guess I wanted to see something of the world more than just cattle and horses and dust.”

  His typical hostility seemed to have simmered down a touch, and he was actually looking at her thoughtfully. “How old are you?”

  “I just turned nineteen last month.”

  “Nineteen years?”

  “Yes.”

  His expression gave nothing away as he turned from her. After a moment, his shoulders started to shake, and rich, deep laughter burst forth from his chest. “A child! The Divine Ones sent a child to watch over me. Ridiculous!”

  He continued to laugh until Gregory looked in his direction. Under the glaring eye of the gargoyle, Gryton eventually got himself back under control.

  “Funny, I don’t remember you laughing your ass off while I was draining you dry.”

  His features were a calm mask once more, but she was pretty sure that was a gleam of humor still in his gaze.

  “Oh, look. Guess it’s back to the cage for you,” Erika said as she jerked her chin toward where he watched as his parents approached, finished with whatever they were doing to the tree.

  “I’ve had worse lodgings than that cage.”

  She almost felt bad for him.

  Almost. Not quite.

  Chapter 12

  Obsidian

  STEPPING THROUGH THE great portal spell, Obsidian left the Magic Realm for the Mortal. Almost as soon as his talons touched the ground, this realm began plucking at his shadow magic like a starved creature trying to devour a meal too large for it. He gave himself a little shake and took a second step farther into the Mortal Realm.

  Behind him, Anna followed him through the portal.

  “Well, fuck. That’s quite the greeting.” She shifted from foot to foot, her talons digging into the loam of the forest.

  “It is unpleasant,” he agreed.

  “Why don’t I remember this from last time?”

  “I am not sure. Perhaps Thayn will have some insight.”

  “Of course I do.” Thayn quipped as he joined them, but he took a moment and commanded the portal spell to close before continuing, “You’re finding it worse this time because you had only begun your transformation when you’d left. And even if you weren’t awake for it, you have spent the last thirteen years in the Magic Realm. You have no more immunity to this place than any other gargoyle. Well, other than being as powerful as you are.”

  “Still sucks,” Anna muttered.

  Obsidian had to agree. He remembered the dislocation of crossing the Veil between the Realms when he’d been a cub. But that time he’d been newly born and weak. Now he realized it was more a condition of the Mortal Realm than the fact that he’d been a child.

  “I should report to Major Resnick,” Anna said as she dropped to all fours and scouted a half-circle around Obsidian, her nose in the air. From her thoughts, he knew she was trying to determine her location by any familiar scents. But they were likely too far from civilization to quickly pinpoint their location.

  At least that was the hope. By using a portal spell with a destination anchor this deep into the forest north of town, he’d hoped it would go unnoticed by any humans or fae. Thayn had cautioned them they should scout the area and find out what had happened while they’d been gone before revealing themselves.

  From what Truth, the current gargoyle spying on the humans, could determine, a great many changes had occurred in a relatively short time. Truth had confirmed that Gryton was here and a prisoner.

  “It still boggles the mind,” Anna said along a private link, “that almost no time has elapsed here, but so much has changed. Meanwhile, it has been thirteen years in Haven. This must all be strange for you.”

  “It will be,” he agreed, not hiding the disquiet that crawled through his soul at the thought of meeting his sister again when the Avatars might now be their enemies or rivals. But he could share anything with his Kyrsu, and she would never judge.

  “Oh, I’ll totally judge if the situation warrants it, but I’ll always have your back, my Rasoren.” She slid up next to him and gave him a little nuzzle before returning to her circling.

  “I think I know where we are,” she said. “Or at least which direction leads to civilization. I smell a patrol. We can follow the unit back to base.”

  “Good,” Thayn agreed. “You both scout the Avatars’ lair to see what you can learn. When you have news, bring it to me. In the meantime, I will do some scouting on my own. I’m sure Truth could use the help.”

  Obsidian and Anna nodded at the ancient gargoyle’s words before heading in the direction of the gun-metal and sweat scent.

  AS ANNA HAD SUGGESTED, the human patrol led them back toward town. Once Anna knew where they were, they left the patrol behind and continued swiftly on toward the spa grounds with its maze and glade. The Avatars often spent time there. It was an excellent place to start the hunt.

  They entered the maze first, making their way to the center.

  “By the scent, they were here recently,” Obsidian said as he cast a glance around the glade.

  The hamadryad stood tall and proud like he remembered. It wasn’t until his gaze tracked to the stone statue resting in its shade that he jerked like someone had punched him in the stomach.

  “Obsidian, I’m so sorry.” Anna came to stand next to him where he’d frozen in place. She curled one wing around his shoulders and then leaned into him, her compassion flowing along their mental link and into his mind, brushing away the sharpest pains the old memories unleashed.

  He hadn’t thought they would still hold such power over him after all this time, but they did.

  After a few moments of Anna’s compassion, he could force his legs to move and carry him closer to Darkness.

  Reaching out, he caressed one stone cheek.

  “Hello, Father.” His throat tightened, and his eyes blurred with tears. He continued in mind speech. “Even after thirteen years, I’m not ready to be without you.”

  “He loved you, still loves you. He’ll return just as soon as he’s able. I know he will.” As usual, Anna’s words were plain but grounded, and he took comfort in them.

  After another whispered prayer to the Divine Ones to speed his father’s healing, he reluctantly stepped out from Anna’s warmth and sheltering wing. Later, after they’d had their reunion with his sister and her mate, and he’d had a chance to check on his mother’s healing, he would allow himself to bask in Anna’s compassion and love.

  “Do you think my mother still lives? She was in a coma when I was abducted.”

  “Your mother was one tough lady. She survived a battle with Gryton, I doubt a simple coma would keep her down.” Anna nuzzled him again. “But we’ll find out as soon as we can.”

  He nodded and then followed her as they started out of the maze.

  “Should we see if we can locate Gryton first or seek my sister and her mate?” he mused. />
  Anna shrugged. “Gryton first. I know what Truth said, but I’ll believe Tin Man’s a prisoner when I see it with my own eyes. He’s entirely too manipulative. I don’t trust him to remain in a cage for long.”

  Chapter 13

  Gryton

  FOR THE FIRST TIME in days, the restlessness Gryton had been suffering was finally sated. It was also the first time he’d ever crossed swords with his father in a practice ring. The last time they’d met in battle hadn’t been particularly enjoyable since they’d been trying to kill each other.

  This time had been different. They’d been able to study each other’s sword forms. As expected, his ancient father had had plenty of time to master many styles, but Gryton had held his own. Though there’d been a few times where he’d had to sacrifice beauty for efficiency.

  He’d even been able to ignore the glowering human guards. Perhaps that was because a particular talkative female soldier was absent, the need for sleep finally catching up with her.

  It had been a peaceful afternoon without his new ‘partner’ trailing after him.

  “Session over,” Gregory barked, a toothy grin on his face. “Your nursemaid is headed this way.”

  Gryton’s shoulders hunched, but he schooled his expression as he turned. Sure enough, his father hadn’t been lying.

  “What did I miss?” The Null came to a halt in front of him, the toes of her boots almost touching his.

  Instinctively he stepped back as soon as her ability reached out and began dragging at his magic. He realized his mistake as a full-fledged grin spread across her face.

  “Made you move.”

  He sneered, flashing her a bit of fang. “Must everything be a challenge or a joke with you?”

  “Nope. You can make it all stop just by saying one thing.”

  He frowned, not understanding, but not willing to ask her for clarity. To show ignorance in front of her would be like alcohol poured over a wound. Scoffing instead, he turned and headed back toward his prison. When she didn’t immediately follow with the rest of the guards, he called back over his shoulder.

  “I believe you are supposed to escort me back to my cage and then report to Major Resnick.”

  She caught up with him swiftly. “You really going to prolong your misery when you could just eat humble pie and enjoy a bit of peace?”

  “As usual, I do not understand what you’re talking about.”

  “Yes, you do. It has been three days since I told you my name and you still haven’t used it.”

  He halted and received a prod and a growled order to keep moving from one of the other guards. Gryton ignored him. Instead, he eyed the insufferable female. “I will never dignify your existence by calling you by your name, Null.”

  He started forward again, his spine straight.

  “Well, bless your heart.” She started to laugh. “You must enjoy being miserable.”

  “I am accustomed to pain.”

  She came up beside him again. “You one of those guys who gets off on insults and pain? I can keep dishing out the insults, but I’m not into the other thing.”

  “Your words make no sense, and the images I see in your mind are... disturbing. Whips and cages and such are for torture, not pleasure.”

  “Not my cup of tea either. But that doesn’t give you the right to just pass judgment on other peoples’ lifestyles—”

  He halted, and the human almost ran into his back, but he paid her no more mind, his attention on another female he’d never thought to see again.

  “River, I see you survived our last meeting.” Last time he’d seen her, she’d been on fire courtesy of his magic.

  “You,” the dryad hissed, calling bits of shadow magic, which surprised Gryton since he’d cut down her gargoyle mate and she shouldn’t be able to call upon that magic. Perhaps her gargoyle mate was closer to waking than he thought.

  “River. We’re on the same side now. Don’t make me kill you. That might cause an unfortunate rift between myself and my new allies.”

  “We’ll never be on the same side. You stole my son! You killed my mate!”

  A swarm of tiny bits of shadow magic raced toward him.

  Summoning his own power, he called a shield of fire to vaporize the glass-like shards. He was about to call a secondary wall of magic when a pale, long-fingered hand reached through his fire and wrapped around his bicep. A moment later the Null stepped in front of him, and the dryad’s shards buried themselves in her back.

  Her eyes widened for a moment in surprise, and he made to push her aside before the next wave struck, but to his surprise, he couldn’t move her.

  Her eyes glittered dangerously. “Bitch just tried to stab me in the back, didn’t she?”

  The Null turned to face the equally startled dryad. “I’m going to toss your ass into a cage. You can have the one right next to his.” She jerked a thumb back in Gryton’s direction. “Give me a reason I shouldn’t?”

  While the human was threatening River, he studied her back. There was no sign of the shards, no damage to her clothing, no scent of blood. She had sustained no harm that he could see. She’d managed to absorb the magic, unmaking the shards before they could pierce her skin.

  Impressive. He’d known she was powerful by how easily she could drain him, but considering how young she was, he hadn’t expected her body’s ability to react swiftly enough to stop such a rapid magical attack.

  Turning his attention back to River, he found the dryad on her knees, gasping for breath. He might have felt a twinge of sympathy had she not just attacked him.

  Gryton had once respected the dryad, and they’d gotten on well enough. And there was a good chance they’d need to work with each other in the future. Though he doubted they’d ever get past the whole ‘I abducted your son and killed your mate’ event. But with proper incentive, he and River might be able to work together.

  If the Null didn’t kill the dryad first.

  He cleared his throat. “She is Lillian’s mother. And she wasn’t lying about her son or mate. My actions led to their fates.”

  “Shit. You really are a Grade ‘A’ prick. I can’t believe I stepped in.” The Null glowered over her shoulder at him. “I should have just let you two battle it out. Might have saved me some trouble later.”

  Chapter 14

  Lillian

  AFTER MAJOR RESNICK left, having told her about the newest incident involving Gryton, Lillian dropped her head into her hands and cursed softly. Who needed enemies when they had a family like hers? But at least the Null had been there to prevent anyone getting killed.

  “Goddess, our son has me calling that poor woman ‘The Null’ in my head.”

  Gregory snorted. “Gryton is very stubborn and persuasive. That’s a dangerous combination. He’ll have everyone calling her ‘the Null’ before long.”

  “I wonder where he gets the stubbornness?” Lillian mused with a glance at Gregory.

  Predictably he didn’t rise to her baiting. “Me. We both know that. But enough talk of our troublesome son. It has been days since we’ve been alone.”

  Lillian grinned at his less than subtle hint. She sauntered over to him where he was reclining on their oversized bed. He gave her a toothy gargoyle grin and then a moment later light and shadow magic surrounded him, blurring his form. When she blinked the spots from her vision, her other half had taken on human form.

  “Didn’t even have to ask. Wonder why that is?” She grinned at him. “Might it have something to do with the new toys?”

  He huffed. “If you’d prefer me as a gargoyle...”

  “No. You’re too well endowed as a gargoyle for what I have planned tonight.”

  “I love it when you have plans, my Sorceress.” His relaxed posture didn’t hide the eagerness she felt in his mind.

  She was just leaning down for a kiss when a heavy pounding sounded at the door.

  “Fuck. Really?” Lillian turned to glower at the door. Still scowling, she marched to the door, fl
icked the lock, and then jerked it open wide. And it still didn’t convey a fifth of the annoyance she felt.

  “If an invading army isn’t even now crossing the Veil between the Realms—”

  “You might have just gotten your wish,” Gran said as she stood looking severe and more than a touch concerned. “A military patrol found a gargoyle. Or maybe I should say he let the patrol find him. We think he might be a spy.”

  Lillian’s breath hissed from her lungs like someone had punched her in the gut.

  A gargoyle? Here?

  By the Divine Ones. Could it be Shadowlight or Anna? Had they returned home at last?

  “It’s not Shadowlight or Anna,” Gran said, reading Lillian’s expression. “Though the newcomer was surprisingly forthcoming with his name.”

  “What is it?” Gregory asked suddenly.

  Gran flicked her gaze in his direction. “He says his name is Truth in Shadows. But we are welcome to just call him Truth. He wants a word with the Avatars.”

  “I don’t know a gargoyle by the name of Truth in Shadows.” Gregory’s words echoed Lillian’s thoughts.

  “He must have been born after we left the Spirit Realm.” Though Lillian wasn’t sure of that at all. Something didn’t feel right with her theory. It had only been twenty years since they’d been reborn into flesh and blood bodies. Lord Draydrak wouldn’t usually send a child as his spokesperson.

  “I don’t like this,” Lillian whispered along their link.

  “Nor do I.”

  “We’ll come at once,” Gregory said aloud, then asked, “Where is he being held?”

  “Major Resnick has him back at base.”

  GREGORY SURVEYED THE new gargoyle. It was as they’d both expected. He was a young one. Less than a hundred years. Despite his youth, the gargoyle had an excellent command of his magic, and Gregory couldn’t push past his mental shields without hurting him. He wasn’t willing to force his way into his mind and harm a young gargoyle just because the youth had excelled at his training enough to keep an Avatar out of his head.