Carved

by Miki

  “See I can behave... sometimes.” I say to no one in particular.

  I make a cup of coffee and tuck my book under my arm. Going up to the roof has been on my mind all day. Now it’s starting to get dark. If I go now, Kino will be coming to life in a few minutes and I’ll see how that happens. I'll carry a gun in my sweats pocket. I'm pretty sure a .357 slug will break something off a Crafted, if not outright shatter one.

  The air feels so good after being cooped up all day. It’s not too windy today—just a little breeze. It smells like jasmine up here. I love the smell. I can hear a siren, but it sounds a long way off. I set my coffee and book on one of the cement tables. When I walk over to Kino I notice his eyes are still green. He looks scary with a grimace monsters make before they eat you. I’m ruined on that aspect. I already think he’s a pussycat. Sill not a pussycat to mess with—his claws look like they could take a head off.

  I stop as I feel an electric sensation and smell... what is that smell? Not a bad smell, but different. Sort of like when you walk into a welding shop. The same, but at the same time not.

  Watching Kino, I can see a light surrounding him, and it looks like his body blows up in a shower of sparkles. He steps right out of the sparkles, putting large hands on my waist.

  "How are you today, Edling?" Smiling doesn't soften his face. He looks sexy-scary now.

  I laugh at my thoughts. "I’m better today. I'm starting to feel human again."

  Is that a grimace? Who could tell? “Good news then, Edling. Do you mind sitting over by the hot tub? I think that is a safer location, if you insist on staying on the roof.” He gets this faraway look for a few seconds. Then he looks down at me and tells me he just heard from his commander and Mica will be here in a few minutes.

  I can hardly believe my life. How did I get so lucky? I’ve always thought my family and I are blessed. We tend to succeed at everything we decide to have or accomplish. I'm not saying bad things never happen to us—they do. Sometimes terrible things. We just tend to overcome. It’s a character aspect, maybe something our parents instilled. My parents did teach me the golden rule. I have known some who say do unto others before they do unto you. I have never been that way. I like to be an optimist, at least most of the time. Building others up is my goal. Judging is my pet peeve.

  "Kendra,” Mica's deep bass voice calls me out of my thoughts.

  "Oh hey, Mica,” I say, rising for a hug and then sitting back down quickly. He smells like musky vanilla.

  "Kendra, you’re moving well. Does this mean you’re feeling better?” he asks. Then, without waiting for an answer, he turns and gives orders to the other gargoyles on the roof with us. Kino is to fly above the building and recon the area. The smaller gargoyles Mica tells to search the inside of the apartment and neutralize all threats. One he calls Flint, he sends to get some dinner—Chinese. Sounds good. "What do you want Kendra?"

  "Oooh, I like cashew chicken and veggie egg rolls.”

  Mica adds my order and sends Flint on his way. “I have a lot to tell you Kendra. Please, let’s sit.”

  We both take a seat on separate cement benches, allowing us to face each other. I can see others of Mica’s team, moving with a purpose. They obviously are not going to let anyone or anything near us.

  “The nights have seemed too short for me lately. So, Kendra, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get to it.”

  “Sure,” I answer.

  “I have many discussion points I need to speak about, to get you up to speed on the Ceorfan. Edling, we’ve watched over you for a long time. Sometimes I feel I’ve known you for years. Yet you and I have only recently met. Because of this, I’m not sure how to approach certain topics. I need to tell you these things and many of them are going to be difficult for you to acknowledge. I don’t want to hurt you. So, if I tell you anything too far out of your comfort zone, tell me. I’ll stop and wait for you to prepare. When you tell me you are ready, I’ll continue. I’ll wait for you, even if it’s days, months, or even years later. Is that okay with you?"

  "Please continue, Mica. I doubt I can be surprised any more than I have been in the past couple of days."

  On his glamored face, doubt is prevalent—and a little hurt.

  Mica tells me of a grand city in the nearby caves. “The name of the city is Navan,” he continues. “The city is a sort of last refuge for the Ceorfan. It is near the Cueva Hallow Caverns. Yet it is far enough away that a tourist will not accidentally stumble onto it. It has its entrance disguised as well. Only a Ceorfan can see it.” He pauses and asks, “Are you ready for a break? This next part is going to be particularly difficult.”

  “It’s okay, Mica. I can take it.”

  “Kendra, do you remember the night you stayed at David’s grave?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, we were there—Kino, Mason, Amber, Flint, and,” a breath of a pause, “Megahir, who we call Mega. And, after a discussion, Mega invited Jericho.”

  “Who are Megahir and Jericho?” I ask.

  “Mega is our Commander. Jericho is a mage who is allied with the Ceorfan, Mega especially. Kendra, my sweet Edling, Jericho spoke with David after you buried him. Mega gave him a carved part of himself, which the mage used to bring him to life as a gargoyle.”

  I gasp! I can’t breathe. I try to stammer something, anything, nothing comes out other than more gasps.

  Mica continues, not giving my brain any time to process.

  All right I was wrong. I’m not only surprised, I don't believe this! No way! Trying not to look to mad, I rush away from him, and go to my bathroom, locking the door behind me. I can’t contain myself. I cry like I did that night.

  Why? I don't understand. Wait, don’t answer! I've got to think. Is this all just a lie? Are they fallen angels and not my saviors, like I’ve been thinking? That isn’t consistent with their behavior. Mica and Kino have both saved my life. Then to lie to me? No. Why would they lie? I need to consider that Mica had told me the truth. David is alive, and he’s a gargoyle. If he is, I want to see him.

  I feel like I’ve been sitting on the floor in here for ages when a knock brings me out of my mental retreat.

  "Princess, I’m sorry. What can I do to help you through this?"

  I’m not waiting. It’s not my speed anyway. I open the door.

  Mica’s very close, taking up the whole opening. I look straight up into his amber eyes. He looks so sad. Imagine that—I mean something to this monster. I smile because of that thought, he smiles back at me.

  "Would you like to go to Navan with me and see him? I can take you flying." Without a word, I grab his hand and start toward the roof again.

  When we get to the roof Mica looks over at Kino and says, “Come with us after you replace your stand with your ‘ef’—short for effigy. I give a little wave to Kino, winking at him so he knows I'm okay.

  Then Mica pulls me close to his body. My back is against his chest. He jumps into the sky. I can't breathe. My initial feeling of fear is replaced almost instantly with wonder. I love this feeling! I know I’m stiff as a board. I relax a little, Mica's strong arms holding me tight against him. The swoosh of his wings pumping surrounds me, then silence as he glides. Can he hear me if I ask him something? I’ll find out in a minute. I’m enjoying this. Nothing’s like it. I hope he’ll take me again. Oh, or maybe Dave. No, they said his name is Spar. Maybe Kino, if no one else will—this is amazing. I want to keep this up forever.

  Next time I’ll braid my hair back; it keeps blowing into my face.

  "Mica, how long do we get to fly until we reach your city?"

  "Princess, are you tired of this? Is it too scary for you? Your heartbeat slowed, so I think you might be enjoying the ride. Right?"

  "Oh no, the truth is, I love it. How much longer have I got to enjoy this sensation before I have to give it up?"

  "About 30 more minutes. If you get too uncomfortable let me know. We can always stop and rest. I’m happy you like it." I can feel his breath on my nec
k as he speaks. It gives me chills. He doesn't have to talk loudly, because he is so close. I need to shout for him to hear me, so I stay quiet and enjoy the rest of the trip.

  He starts gliding in a circle, telling me we’re almost there. I feel a thump of air on my body and jerk, a little surprised.

  "Did you feel the pulse, princess?"

  "Yes, what was it?"

  "It’s an echo pulse I sent to the sentries, so they know it’s me. All inhabitants of Navan pulse the code to the sentries to keep our city safe. It’s a little like the codes your aircraft use so your military knows which ones are on their side. They’ll pulse me back when I can come in. Did you feel their pulse?"

  "I didn't."

  I look to see if I can see a cave entrance as we approach. It’s not easy to see, but I finally pick it out of the surrounding landscape. There are several people... or gargoyles… standing nearby as we land. Two are obviously sentries. Another is huge. His skin is bluish, and he has a long mohawk. Of course, he’s beautiful. All the gargoyles are beautiful. I’m a gargoyle groupie, I guess.

  I didn't feel the answering pulse, but I can see an aura around everyone. I have always been able to see auras. I don't tell very often. Not many people will accept that without thinking I’m a weirdo. It helps to know some things about people. I can get information from the color of auras around them. The colors for certain emotions or characters are the same. Gargoyles’ auras aren’t faint, unlike humans. Their auras are easy to see. The big guy’s is pink and yellow with orange. This tells me he has a lot of love. He is very intelligent and a warrior. I like him already.

  I’m anxious; I stay close to Mica. I look around for David. If he’s here I can’t tell who he is anymore. There are two little gargoyles and a large one who reminds me of a sphinx.

  We close in on the crowd. Mica nods at the blue gargoyle as if he’d said something to him. Immediately, he introduces me to everyone. The small ones come forward and kissed my hand.

  “Oh, can I take them back home?” I whisper.

  Mica introduces me to Megahir, who says, “You may call me Mega. Come with me into the city. You are welcome in Navan. Make Navan your home if you choose.

  I laugh as I reply, “Okay, as scared as I am, I probably can't even find the city by myself.”

  I can tell this cave is even better taken care of than the Cueva Hallow Caverns. This is a living cave, and the beauty is beyond description. The formations are lit, but I can't tell how. I’m so caught up in the cave features, I don't even ask where Mega is taking us until Mica touches my arm, bringing me back to myself. "Princess, we need to go up a few levels. Will you let me carry you again?"

  "Sure I will. Why do you keep calling me princess? I understood the first time that was irony. You can stop any time."

  "I know Kendra, but I like it. Now it’s a habit. It fits you. Don't you think?"

  I laugh at him. "No, not really," I answer him as I move into his arms to fly to where we’re going. I notice as much as I can; my senses are overloaded with the magnificence of this underground city.

  I stumble as he sets me on the floor of a large room that must be at least 50 feet above the floor we started on. He brings one of his wings up to protect me from falling. Soft and warm like a living blanket, his wings feel wonderful on my skin.

  The noise in the room quiets. I look around to see if I can tell why. There’s a huge, muscular gargoyle standing just feet from us. He is... oh my... "David, is that you?” I ask the new member of the company.

  He nods his head at me. His handsome face is full of hope. "I’m called Spar now, my love. But, if you insist, you can call me anything you want." He stares at me, looks at the floor, then back up. He isn’t sure I’ll accept him. I’ll give him a reason to be sure he’s loved. I run and jump into his arms, grabbing him around the waist and putting my head on his chest. He smells like home: all spicy, with a touch of a woodsy scent. He catches me and wraps his wings around me, giving us a little privacy from the people around us.

  I’m crying tears of joy. “It's true, it's true,” I keep repeating like an idiot. “I never thought this was possible, even when Mica told me you were alive. And your name is Spar? I’ll have to get used to that,” I chatter on. But right now, I don't care what anyone thinks. I have my love back and I’m not letting him go.

  After what seems like a very short time. Spar whispers, “I love you with all my heart Kendra. Are you okay?”

  I search his eyes. Ha, I love it! They’re still blue. He looks like he did in the face, but now—gargoyleish. Still my handsome boy. "I’m fine now. Better than fine, I'm happy. I love you so much. It was so hard to be without you! Let's never do that again, okay? Let me look at you.”

  I move back away from him a little, still touching. I look over his new body from his clawed feet to the top of his head. His claws are bluish, but dark where the color of his skin is pale blue. He was always muscular, but now he has muscles on his muscles. I heat up… his legs—so built. My mind goes straight to the gutter, speculating if his man stuff is the same or different. My mouth goes dry, imagining his penis in my hands. The ‘V’ on his defined abdomen stands out and is shaking with laughter. I see him smiling at me. I give him a 'What' face?

  He laughs. "I know you, Kendra, in a softer voice, “I’m so happy you still desire me like that. I was afraid…” He lets the thought drift off. “You’re all I can think about. To be honest, it’s messing up my training!” he adds with a chuckle.

  "Ahem.” A loud throat-clearing sound behind us is telling us we can have more time together later. He opens his wings, letting them wrap around him.

  I reluctantly step away from him. He takes my hand gently in his clawed one. Our fingers intertwine just like when we first met. Well, maybe not ‘just like.’ His hands dwarf mine. He can only hold my hand with the top of his fingers because if he held mine normally, it would pull my fingers apart.

  Damn, he has big hands, and you know what that means. Focus on the group, silly…

  We turn to the others, who have stepped over to the table and are sitting around it.

  Spar walks me over, and a man sitting at the head of the table rises. Smiling at me, he says, “Kendra Macbard, I have been waiting to finally meet you. Let me introduce myself. I am the king of the Ceorfan, Findare Magas. I am happy of your reunion with Spar. We would like to talk to you. Would that be all right?

  Then we’re seated at a long, beautiful stone table, one I imagine is used for meetings or other large gatherings. Kino is sitting on one side of Mega and Mica on the other. Spar is sitting beside me. There’s no way I’ll let him out of my sight. There are guards by the room's opening. There’s no closure to keep others out, only the guards inside and outside.

  King Findare picks up a tablet. It looks like one you might see in any school or office setting. “Kendra, I am ordering some drinks, fruit, and cheese. Would you like me to order anything special from the kitchens? They are fully stocked. They prepared for your arrival by getting some food Mica told us you liked ready.”

  Astonished they were so well prepared, my mouth drops open a bit. Without any clue what to ask for, I say, “Will you please ask them to bring me some cheddar cheese slices and some bread or crackers?”

  He adds my request to the order. “Now, with that out of the way… Kendra. Standing, he takes my hands. “On behalf of all the Ceorfan, I welcome you to our city. My heart rejoices at the happiness of our people. Joy comes from your visit.”

  The Ceorfan in the room stand and face me. King Findare bows deeply. Then each of the others in the room take a knee and bow their head. The room is quiet. As one, the Ceorfan return to their seats.

  “There is much to tell you, Kendra, but before we move on, I have been told of your injury. Mega, is Jericho in Navan?”

  “No, sir.” He responds.

  “Will you call him to us, then? I would see our guest is healed, so she will have the strength needed for what is to come in the next days.”
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  “Yes, my King. I will contact him immediately.”

  Mega appears to concentrate. No, that's not correct. He seems hypnotized. He snaps out of it, nodding politely to his ruler.

  Findare explains, "Kendra, Mega is gifted with the ability to communicate telepathically. He is friends with Jericho, our surgeon and healer. He was contacting the healer on your behalf. If you are interested, he will speak with you this way so you may know what it is like?"

  I’m a strong woman. I have an idea of what I want and don’t want, yet all I can think to say is, "Yes, sir," which elicits smiles around the room.

  "Commander, will you please show your charge this gift of yours personally?"

  Immediately, I hear a deep bass voice clearly in my head.

  "You do not know how happy we are to have you here yet, Kendra. You will soon, I promise."

  “Thank you, Mega. I could not be happier myself,” I think back to him, hoping he hears me as I heard him.

  He did! He nods and smiles.

  “That is wonderful! Do many gargoyles communicate this way?” I ask.

  “No, not many. Some have varying degrees of telepathy.”

  Just then, a man who looks like he just walked out of a King Arthur movie, beard included, comes into the room. Since the guards didn't try to stop him, I expect this is the healer. He walks straight to me, kneeling in front of my chair. With tears in his eyes, he stares at me.

  Spar, noticing my discomfort, introduces him. “Kendra, this is the mage Jericho.”

  I don't know what possesses me to reach for his hands, taking them in mine, but I do. I smile at him. “Mage Jericho, I thank you for your company. Will you gift me with your wisdom and healing?” Where the hell did that come from, I ask myself.

  Hearing Mega in my head, “You speak respect to him in the ‘old way.’ In the old way, you would show respect to magi and gift them with your favor. Today, your favor was your kind welcome to him.”

  The old mage drew in a breath, surprise covering his face. “Edling, you are most welcome. My life for yours in every danger. Will you accept healing from me?"