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

by Lisa Blackwood

  Resnick mouthed the last three words and then shook his head. “I didn’t need that visual.”

  “If Fate is merciful, you need not ever see such atrocities firsthand.”

  But the last group was making their way to the portal, and now it was Erika and her companion’s turn. They were headed back to Earth, where they would wait for word from the scouting teams made up of dryad scouts and human special forces.

  When Erika crossed through the portal spell and came out the other side, it was to find night had fallen here as well. Though the military base was still teaming with activity. Major Resnick and his men remained to act as Gryton’s guards until Anna and Obsidian arrived with their own team of gargoyles.

  “Major,” Anna said and then saluted him, “We’re to guard Gryton while you report to command.”

  “I’m headed there now.” Resnick nodded, sounding tired but also still determined. I assume you’ve already secured lodgings for Gryton?”

  The way Resnick said lodgings, Erika pictured another clear-walled cage.

  “Yes, sir. Everything is ready.”

  With that, Erika’s group split up. She and Gryton followed Anna and Obsidian and the new guards while Major Resnick and his men headed off to command. Gran, Jason, and Thayn headed off to meet the clan and coven members already gathering in the forest outside of the military base with the newly arrived Second Legion.

  To Erika’s great surprise, and Gryton’s too, the fire elemental wasn’t to be housed in a cage on base. They were led out into the forest and soon came to a site where other gargoyles and dryads were already setting up their temporary homes.

  “You both will stay here,” Anna said as she pointed to one tent before turning a glower upon Gryton. “Everyone agreed that the gargoyles are better guards for you, but don’t think to cause trouble because you are under surveillance. If you so much as step one toe out of line, you’ll find yourself back in a cage before you have time to wonder what happened. Do I make myself clear?”

  Gryton nodded, but Erika sensed he wanted to say something else, something to Anna. She was just reaching for his thoughts to tell him to mind his own business, but he beat her to it.

  “Anna, might I have a word alone? There is something I wish to speak with you ab—”

  “No,” Anna’s expression had closed down. No emotion showed, but there was a hard edge to her voice. “There is nothing you need to say to me that Obsidian can’t hear. And to clarify things I’ll add that there is never going to be an us, Gryton. I feel nothing toward you. If you weren’t the Avatars’ son, I would have seen you into some dark prison hole on some abandoned world for what your actions caused. Shadowlight was captured because of you.”

  Obsidian reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Anna, that’s enough.”

  Anna shook off his hand. “Gryton, if you don’t stop sniffing after me, I swear I’ll be your doom. There is no way I’ll ever pick you. I’ll always pick Obsidian. Every damn time. He’s my Rasoren. My partner. My friend. Keeper of my heart. I know I can always trust him. You, on the other hand, are the least trustworthy creature I know.”

  Erika knew the other woman had reason to dislike Gryton, but she still felt sorry for him. Though, the last thing he’d want would be her pity, so she just stood without comment.

  “You have made yourself clear, Anna of the gargoyles.” Gryton bowed deeply and then turned and walked into the tent.

  As soon as he was inside, Anna turned and stalked off. Erika was left staring at a startled Obsidian. He had that look a guy got when he learned the woman he loved returned his feelings.

  “You didn’t know how she felt?”

  “I knew. But it’s complicated, and I hadn’t thought to ever hear her admit to choosing me. Anna was in love once before, and it didn’t end well, and then there was a secondary trauma.”

  “Well, in that case, you should probably go after her and offer comfort or something. I’m no expert, but I think Anna said things she hadn’t really faced yet herself.”

  “You are likely more of an expert than many. Thank you for your words of wisdom, Ancient One.” With that, the big male gave himself a shake and followed Anna.

  Erika still wasn’t sure about the ‘ancient one’ thing, but she wished them well. They seemed like a good match, their relationship already full of friendship and love.

  With a sigh, she turned to face the tent where Gryton had vanished. And by Anna’s earlier words, apparently, this was supposed to be Erika’s tent as well. Great. Guess no one was taking a chance that the dragon might try to overcome Gryton and put in an appearance while they were on Earth.

  But more importantly, she imagined Gryton could probably use a friend even if he didn’t want one.

  “You decent? I’m coming in,” she shouted.

  GRYTON WAS TEMPTED to answer with a ‘no’ and shed his scale armor if it would keep her away, but she was already shouldering her way inside. She took a moment to allow her sight to adjust to the darkness, and then she stomped over to where he was sitting on a cot. After a moment staring down at him, she turned and settled beside him until they were shoulder to shoulder.

  Surprisingly, she didn’t say anything. Just sat there next to him, not even feeding.

  It was actually rather nice, he admitted in secret. And the dragon liked having her close. The beast hadn’t been pleased to return to the Mortal Realm—something to do with how it limited the dragon’s ability to touch the Null.

  Gryton never thought he’d have something to be thankful to the Mortal Realm for. But if the Mortal Realm could limit the dragon, he’d look for ways to remain here after the war.

  As he sat there next to her, a strange thing happened. The urge to unburden himself was strong enough he inhaled a deep breath and then began to speak.

  “I wasn’t trying to get her into my bed.” A bitter laugh escaped him. “I was going to apologize for my behavior, of all things.”

  Erika merely leaned back and turned her head to study his profile.

  He tucked his chin, but the words just kept pouring out. “I could not have her even if I wanted to. The dragon hates her.”

  Beside him, Erika stiffened and then turned more fully to him.

  “Why does the dragon hate her, and is she in danger?”

  Gryton snorted again. “Everyone is in danger from the dragon. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you and my mother.”

  “I mean why does he suddenly hate Anna in particular? Why is he singling her out? Because she rejected you? If so, I’ll have to warn the others.”

  Oh, the innocent and clueless Null. How could one of the First Wave be so naïve? “The dragon doesn’t hate her because she spurned my advances. He hates her because I showed interest in her. But the beast wants me to court another.”

  “Who?” she asked with growing suspicion in her tone.

  “You.”

  The Null jerked like he’d tossed cold water on her.

  “Oh, hell! No.”

  “The dragon cares nothing for denials, I’ve discovered.” Gryton looked Erika over, trying to see what the dragon saw in her. But he knew it wasn’t something visible to the naked eye. “He wants me to court you. I shall fight any power that tries to control or enslave me, but I doubt I’ll be able to win. The dragon has proven himself stronger.”

  “Well, I’m a Null. I’m not helpless. If the dragon gets too friendly, I’ll suck him dry and let him stew on the error of his ways.”

  “Don’t bother lying to me, Null. I know you’ve lost control over a part of your power, and you can’t feed on the dragon.”

  “Fine. You got me there. But why does the dragon even care about me in that way? What possible benefit can there be for him?”

  Gryton snorted. “I am a creature born of the Avatars. The dragon is a demigod in his own right. And yet there are no others like him.”

  “Amen to that.”

  “I believe he wishes to change that.”

  “Ch
ange it how?”

  “He wishes to breed with you.”

  The Null choked and sputtered until he thought she’d swallowed her tongue.

  “Why the actual fuck would you think that?”

  “Because I was in his head. I saw his desires for the future. Amid the wish for chaos and destruction, there was also a dragon’s drive to find his mate and produce offspring.”

  “Hell, nobody wants that. How do we make sure that the dragon doesn’t take our choices and force the issue?”

  “I do not know, but the first step is me winning against the dragon.”

  “Maybe if I explain to the dragon what asexual means, that I don’t feel any more romantic toward you than I do my rifle, he’ll leave us alone?”

  Gryton snorted with humor. “That won’t matter to the dragon.”

  “Damn it. And here I was starting to like the dragon more than you. Guess I’m going to have to rethink that.”

  “And that is the first bit of wisdom you’ve shown since I met you.”

  She rolled her eyes at him and then turned serious. “All jokes aside, if you need a friend to help you battle the beast, I’m your girl.”

  “Has no one told you I don’t have friends.” Gryton surprised himself again by adding, “But I will keep your offer in mind.”

  “Anyway, while you debate with yourself about whether to accept my friendship or not, I’m going to bed. Morning is only a few hours off, and you’ll be needed to help with magic-proofing all the military vehicles and ordnance.”

  “Goodnight, Null.”

  In truth, he was glad of her friendship. He thought he might need it in the years to come when everything he’d known turned to ash, and he had to rebuild and reshape himself into something new. To do that he needed to reach some kind of a compromise with the dragon before it took all his choices away.

  But first, they had a war to win. If they lost, Gryton might not have long to worry about the dragon. The Battle Goddess would see them both dead, and the Null along with him. The thought of the Null’s death bothered him a great deal, and he found himself glancing across the tent to the other cot where Erika was already asleep.

  “You’re entirely too trusting, my Null.”

  Chapter 19

  Lillian

  SLIPPING SILENTLY THROUGH the forested slopes of the valley, Lillian made her way to the edge of the trees. Gregory was a silent shadow beside her. Behind them, the First Legion spread out along the tree line, as silent as she and Gregory had been. Secrecy and stealth were of the utmost importance until they were ready to strike.

  The advanced scouts led by Master Rook had been swift to capture and contain the enemy scouts and patrols. Then they’d brought each one to Lillian, and she’d placed powerful spells upon them, preventing them from betraying the presence of the First Legion while still allowing the enemy scouts to report the all clear along a mental link back to their commander in the fortress city.

  The first part of the plan was going well. They were nearly in place and still hadn’t been discovered. With Light’s army split in two, it was a delicate time. They needed to avoid discovery until the Battle Goddess had committed to opening the massive portal spells she planned to use to transport her army to Earth.

  Such an expenditure of power would weaken both the Battle Goddess and Blood Witch Taryin temporarily. Meanwhile, Anna and Obsidian would be on Earth waiting with Second Legion for Lillian to commandeer the portal spells and direct them to where she wanted them, not where the demigoddess and witch planned. And when the portals opened, they would be very surprised to find the Second Legion, the human military, and the Clan and the Coven waiting for them.

  Lillian grinned.

  “What is that look for, my beloved?”

  She turned to her gargoyle protector. “Just imagining the Battle Goddess’s expression when she meets Second Legion.

  After Anna and Obsidian led Second Legion through, the clan and coven would follow. Those two factions would then drive back the Battle Goddess’s army enough to give the human military a window to mobilize and cross the portal, leaving Gryton and Private Emerson last. They didn’t want the Null’s power to disrupt the portal spell until all three groups were safely across.

  If the portal survived Erika’s crossing—Lillian intended to make sure it did—then the unmanned drones and other air support would make use of the gateway.

  Then they would attack the Battle Goddess on two fronts and crush her army between them. Of course battles didn’t always go as planned.

  Lillian gave a mental snort. And that may well be the easy part.

  Only after the armies were engaged and Lillian and Gregory had managed to clear a path to the Battle Goddess’s temple would the Lord of the Underworld leave his island home for the first time in an age. As soon as Lord Draydrak summoned a portal spell, that would be the signal for Gryton and Erika to join the fight. Unless they were needed sooner.

  The surprise attack would sweep through the enemy’s line of defense, and then together both sets of the Avatars as well as Gryton and Erika would face Naharnin, the Battle Goddess, and Blood Witch Taryin. During that phase of the battle, Light’s army would fall back to a safe distance, for once Death joined the fight, it wouldn’t be safe for anyone other than a demigod or a Null to be too near the fighting.

  There was a slight rustle behind her, and Master Rook appeared. She knew the rustle was him being polite. He was too well trained to stir so much as a leaf as he moved toward them.

  “Sorceress. Protector.” He gave each of them a bow. “There is another large group coming up behind us. They were using concealing magic. Otherwise, we would have sensed them much sooner.”

  “Who are they?” Gregory asked.

  “Other Faebloods.”

  Gregory huffed. “I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. The sidhe are nearly as good at sniffing out an intruder on their lands as a gargoyle is at sniffing out an enemy.”

  “Told you we should have given them some reason for why we were crossing their lands.” Lillian smirked at her other half.

  “No matter what we told them, if we had revealed ourselves in advance of the crossing, they would have guessed the real reason—the only reason—the Legion would be seen marching in the direction of the Battle Goddess’s kingdom. And we couldn’t risk spies learning of it in advance. Now, even if there were spies in the sidhe lands, they’ll have no way to send a message via magical means through the wards I put in place, and nothing is faster than a gargoyle on foot, not even their fae horses.”

  “Well, they caught up and are here now. I know they’re spoiling for a fight.” Rook commented, a stern expression on his face. “Our spies report that the Battle Goddess’s patrols have been making raids on their territory to snatch innocent fae to feed the witch’s spells. We couldn’t do anything about it and risk inciting a war until all was in place.” He made a husky sound of displeasure. “I hated sitting and doing nothing.”

  “Go. Tell them they are most welcome to join our cause, but warn them to stay along the outskirts, clearing up the numerous enemy we miss. I don’t want them caught unaware when Lord Draydrak arrives.” Gregory paused and grunted, his tone turning darker. “And ultimately, this battle will be between demigods and creatures of equal strength.”

  “I understand.” Rook bowed and then vanished back the way he’d come.

  “The sidhe deserve to be here,” Lillian said after Rook had gone to carry out his orders. “They, too, have lost much in skirmishes with the Battle Goddess. This will fulfill their need to at last avenge loved ones.”

  “Let us all hope that we don’t lose too many of our loved ones in this war.”

  GREGORY BELLY CRAWLED a few feet and then halted until Lillian and Greenborrow caught up with him. They and the rest of the legion gargoyles had been doing the same for most of the morning until they were now midway down the treeless slopes overlooking the valley floor. Below them, the Battle Goddess’s army spread out like a dar
k and shifting sea.

  That dark sea had been growing larger since they’d first set eyes upon it, more soldiers arriving through smaller portals, returning from other already conquered lands. If Gregory had his way, those warriors would never be returning to those enslaved kingdoms.

  If this battle went well, an entire empire of enslaved worlds would once again know freedom.

  When he deemed the legion’s shadow magic could flow another few feet down the slopes without triggering a disturbance in the natural flows of magic here, he gave the silent order to continue.

  They were almost close enough that his Sorceress would be able to reach out and steal control of the portal spells now being built. While she did that, he planned to start a war. And while he was off fighting enemy soldiers to create a distraction, Greenborrow along with some of the council would stay close to Lillian and act as bodyguards just in case the enemy broke through the line.

  He didn’t expect such an outcome—he planned to kill anyone who got too close to his Sorceress himself. But a contingency plan was never amiss.

  The wait wouldn’t be long now. Already a line of three separate walls of power shimmered in front of the Battle Goddess’s army. To judge by the level of power swirling in the core of each spell, they would be finished and capable of carrying an army to the Mortal Realm shortly.

  “Are you ready?” he asked along their private link.

  “I’m always ready to make the Battle Goddess have a bad day.”

  Gregory had to fight back a laugh. It didn’t help when Rook gave him a dark glower as if he’d seen Gregory’s chest shaking in silent mirth. The look didn’t help, but he mastered himself and started down a few more feet, being sure his shadow magic hid the unnatural movement of the grasses. It helped that there was a breeze. He could easily match the grasses’ movements to the shifting air currents.