Gargoyles I, II, III: Dark Angel Alliance

by Rach Elle

  Rue cursed as she realized she wasn’t writing a letter to her mother anymore. She was writing a goddamn diary entry. No matter; not like she was actually going to mail the thing anyway.

  Rue’s body jolted at the sudden ringing of her phone. The tone filled the otherwise empty and quiet space as she pressed the button to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Rue,” Corey responded on the other line. Rue winced as he continued, “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  “Actually, yeah, I was asleep.” She lied. She really didn’t feel like talking to the guy right now.

  “Oh, gosh, I’m sorry.”

  “No, no, it’s okay,” She felt bad for lying; damn her personal moral code.

  “Oh, well, I’ll chivvy along.” Please do. “I wanted to call and say I had a really nice time last night. It was good getting to know you and I was hoping you’d be interested in going out with me again?”

  “Isn’t there like, a three day rule?”

  “What?”

  “You know, you’re not supposed to call a girl for three days after the first date?” Why was she being such a prick to the poor guy?

  “Oh,” Corey forced a laugh, “Yeah, well, I just figured we’d be seeing each other before then and I thought I’d get this kind of awkward phase out of the way now. You know, so we both know where we stand and such.”

  Rue relaxed her shoulders as a soft smile reached the corner of her lips. “How mature of you,” she said kindly. After a moment of silence, she answered his question. “Yes, I would love to go out with you again.”

  “Crackin’,” she could hear Corey beaming through the phone, “Next Saturday then?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Alright, well, I’ll let you get back to bed.”

  “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight Rue.”

  “Goodnight Corey.”

  Rue hung up the phone and leaned against her sofa. She wasn’t sure why she had agreed to another date with Corey. Maybe it was because she longed for friendly interaction? Although, she figured there would come a time when Corey would want to get a little friendlier than she was prepared for. Rue couldn’t help it – she cringed at the thought. Quickly, she grabbed her glass of wine and took a gulp. One thing was for sure, it was kind of nice having someone so enamored with her. It wasn’t something she was used to. She figured if they ever did take things to the next level then she’d be in charge every step of the way; calling all the shots. She could ride the kid like a sideshow pony whenever she had the urge.

  With a grimace of disdain for herself, she knocked back the rest of her wine. God, she needed therapy.

  38

  The castle was quiet in the middle of the night. The television wasn’t blaring, pots and pans weren’t clinking in the kitchen, and no one was punching a heavy bag in Zeff’s makeshift gym downstairs.

  Awilda stood in the darkness of her bedroom. Her curtains were open, allowing moonlight to seep into the space; affording her just enough to see by. She figured the other humans were all asleep; and the shifters too, for that matter. She knew she should be as well. But then again, she hadn’t truly slept in almost a week; why start now?

  She stood in silence, staring at her reflection in the full length mirror. She admired her new haircut. The short bob gave her a look of maturity. And the brown dye masked all the grays that used to ravage her locks.

  Her eyes slowly ran the length of her body; her scrawny shoulders, past the short, silk robe she was wearing and down to her pale chicken legs. Slowly, she untied the sash that held her light green robe together and allowed it to open as it pleased, revealing more of her body underneath.

  A small smile appeared on her thin lips at the sight of her black lace bra and panties. The underwear drawer Cooper had acquired for her consisted of two themes; practical – and lace. She had always stuck to the practical side, but that was the old Awilda. That was the Awilda that believed her life to be unfortunate but hopeful. That was the Awilda that wasn’t aware that every aspect of her life had been orchestrated; a carefully constructed jigsaw puzzle that took her twenty-three years to see the full picture. Everyone she loved was either dead or a magical satanic creature. Okay, she really couldn’t be blamed for not foreseeing that last part, but it didn’t change the fact that that Awilda Rose was long dead and buried.

  As she stared at her nearly naked body in the mirror she began to wonder what her life would have been like without this prophesized destiny. She probably would have been socially acceptable, for one. Her high school career wouldn’t have consisted mainly of blending into shadows and nearly failing every class because the pills she took made her either too sick or sleepy for homework; sometimes both. She probably would have graduated with honors and gone on to a reputable university where she would have obtained a degree. By now she’d be working the ground level for some corporation with her eyes on the ladder to success; a five or ten year plan to climb each rung all the way to the top.

  Awilda frowned; or maybe she would have ended up a deadbeat like her father. But hey – at least she would be normal.

  Either way, there was one very big missing component – Junior. She sighed as she thought about him in the other room. In all of this chaos he was the only being that made her feel like a person. She didn’t feel like a pawn, or a monster, or a bomb about to explode. For a while he had kept his distance from her. The emptiness she felt when he wasn’t around was almost enough to bring her to her knees. But she couldn’t really blame him for staying away. She had made it perfectly clear time and time again she wasn’t ready for any sort of relationship; physical or emotional, even though he clearly was.

  She continued to stare at the woman in her reflection. She seemed older, stronger and more mature. She looked like the woman Awilda figured she would be if her life had been normal. So why was she still allowing her silly trepidations stop her from pursuing something that she truly wanted? She was being much too childish.

  Fear crept up her chest and lodged in her throat at the same realization she’d come to several times already; she didn’t have much time left. She no longer had time to contemplate how she should live. It was time to decide how she should die. She had many regrets, but one in particular was within reach; and she needed to correct it; now.

  Junior couldn’t sleep. Instead he lay in his bed, on top of the covers, and stared at the ceiling. There was no need for his eyes to wander around the room; he’d memorized every inch already. The floor-to-ceiling windows were directly behind him, obstructed only marginally by the headboard. The bathroom door was in the corner and the stone, wood burning fireplace sat against the wall to his left. The crackling of the flames filled the silence. After seeing the other rooms in the castle he was sure he’d gotten one of the best; spacious and well equipped. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe the whole savior thing had something to do with it? Or maybe he just had the luck of the draw.

  His ears perked at the small sound of a knock on his door. Curious, he crooked a brow and lifted his head only slightly to see who was entering. Almost immediately he shot straight up to a sitting position as Awilda closed herself inside his room. She was wearing a silk, light green robe that barely reached mid thigh. The sash hung loosely around her waist, threatening to come untied any second. Quickly, he grabbed a pillow and placed it on his lap.

  Awilda was having a difficult time controlling her nerves. She had made a decision so definitely when she was in her bedroom. She had exited and walked down the hall with confidence. But somewhere between reaching Junior’s door and entering the room she’d become sheepish and weak.

  Her eyes took in the sight of him. Junior sat on the edge of the bed with his long legs hanging over the side and his bare feet planted firmly on the floor. He wore a pair of cotton shorts that he currently covered with a pillow, but she didn’t have time to wonder why. She was too busy focusing on his upper half.

  He was shirtless; his tattoos covering every inch of
his arms and shoulders and reflecting hints of the flames that flickered behind him. His chest was broad and his abdomen was tight and defined. He had his head turned toward her.

  “Is everything okay?” He asked in his deep, husky voice.

  She looked into his eyes and forced a nod.

  He smirked, “You got your hair cut.”

  “Yeah,” she blushed and habitually smoothed her locks with her palm. “And dyed; do you like it?”

  Junior nodded slowly, “I do.” His words felt open-ended.

  “But…” she prompted.

  “But… to be honest,” he shrugged lightly, “I kind of miss the gray.”

  Awilda couldn’t help it; she swooned. She could feel her body lean against the tall dresser next to her as she smiled and looked down at her bare feet. His words played in her head like her favorite song. She was trying to be a new person; to forget everything she ever was and be the woman she always thought she should be. But there in lied the plot twist; Junior loved her just the way she was. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a twist. It just took her too long to realize it.

  Awilda lifted her eyes and focused on the beauty of the man before her. Her smile dropped and she took a deep breath. “A while ago, when we were on the rooftop,” she began cautiously, “You said that if I ever needed anything; you’d be there for me. Is that still true?”

  Junior’s eyes bored into hers unwaveringly, “Always.”

  Awilda willed her feet to lift from the floor and carry her to the tattooed shifter. She took a stance directly in front of him as her heart began to race. Without saying a word, she slowly untied the sash around her waist, removed the robe from her shoulders and let the piece of silk drop to the floor.

  Junior’s breath caught at the sight of Awilda’s lean body wearing nothing but a lace bra and underwear. Fangs began to slowly protrude in his mouth as he thought about tearing through the sheer fabric. His erection began to kick in his cotton shorts and he was more thankful than ever for the pillow that concealed the lust. Awilda had expressed to him before that she wasn’t ready for a physical relationship. And no matter how much he wanted this gesture to mean she had changed her mind, he didn’t want to scare her off with his throbbing hard-on.

  He looked into her eyes to see an intensity he didn’t know she had. “Are you sure?” He asked softly, trying his best to be a gentleman.

  Without saying a word, Awilda lifted her arms behind her back and unhooked her bra. She removed the straps and allowed it to join the robe in a pile on the floor.

  Junior couldn’t take that response as anything other than a ‘yes’. In one swift movement he grabbed onto her hips and pulled her into him, lifting his chin and guiding her head to dip down to his. He crushed his lips against hers and wasted no time opening her mouth with his tongue. As he kissed her passionately his hands explored her exposed skin; running up and down the length of her back and moving around to her front. As his thumb grazed her nipple he could feel her recoil only slightly, but she stayed right where she was; kissing him, gripping onto his shoulders. Still, the hesitation was there.

  Shit, he cursed himself as he pulled away from her; just enough for a little breathing room between the two of them. “Awilda,” he began in a heated, breathy voice. “You have to know; once I start I’m not going to be able to stop – not with you. I need to know you’re sure.”

  He could feel her body tremble beneath his fingertips; as if it wanted to turn and run as far away from him as possible. But her eyes never wavered. They looked into his with absolute certainty, “Yes,” she whispered.

  His erection kicked for joy as he brought his lips to hers again for only a moment, before working his way down her neck. A growl resonated in his throat. “Then say it,” he demanded.

  Through her heavy breathing Awilda managed to obey, “I need you.”

  Junior pitched the pillow off to the side and pulled her even closer to him. He dipped his head lower, never allowing his lips to leave her skin until he reached her right breast. He took it into his mouth and began to suck gently while caressing the other side with his hand. He heard her moan from pleasure as he worked her. Without stopping he grabbed her left hand and pulled it downward toward his lap until her fingers touched his erection through his shorts. She gasped before running her hand up and down the hard length. Junior tensed, her touch was almost enough to make him release right then and there.

  With a growl he cupped her thighs, lifted her off the ground and spun her onto the bed. He was instantly on top of her, still working her breasts as his hands removed her underwear. Once the fabric was off he slowly moved toward the foot of the bed, teasing her with a kiss on her ribcage, then another on her lower abdomen. He positioned himself between her legs before dipping his head and putting his mouth on her core. She let out an instantaneous groan as he licked at her; slowly increasing her pleasure and making her last longer. It was as much selfish as it was not. He loved the taste of her and didn’t want this to end; even though his erection was begging to differ.

  Awilda’s breathing grew heavier and heavier and her moans more frequent as she neared her breaking point. Her body tried to jolt but Junior held her hips in place as the intensity increased to an insurmountable level. After experiencing what she thought would be the greatest pleasure she’d ever know, she released to a feeling of all encompassing, overwhelming ecstasy.

  Junior quickly removed his shorts and crawled back on top of her. He spread her legs further and finally gave his length what it wanted; he entered her. He pushed himself in slowly, trying to cause the least amount of pain possible. As he looked down to see her face feeling the euphoria of their connection, his chest swelled with pride. He knew he was her first. And nothing could ever change that. As he began to pump into her he felt more and more like a beast marking its territory. She was his; now and forever.

  As Junior’s body trembled, threatening to release, he could feel his skin beginning to morph slightly. He wasn’t sure what was happening. He’d never experienced a shift during sex, but perhaps this was different – this was with the woman he loved more than anything.

  He continued to pump harder as his skin continued to boil. He bit his bottom lip and instantly tasted blood. He realized his fangs had fully engaged as his eyes began to burn. It was pain and pleasure rolled into one.

  Awilda could see the red in Junior’s eyes and the fangs in his mouth. He looked like he was in pain. She was too, she supposed. He was a lot to take in for anyone; let alone a virgin. But he was careful with her; understanding. He gently stroked her hair and softly kissed her neck and lips as if to apologize for his size; and thank her for this moment. Her fingertips dug into his back and she closed her eyes, reveling in her love for him; wishing they would never have to part.

  Junior could hear Awilda’s rapid breathing and her sporadic moans becoming more frequent. He knew she was nearing her peak. He pumped harder and harder until she uncontrollably called out his name.

  Junior clenched his teeth as he came at the sound of her voice; his erection throbbing to release completely into her. Their orgasms exploded in sync and exhausted their energies together. For a moment they were intertwined completely and wholly; each filling the other’s void with a cosmic, overwhelming perfection.

  Finally, Junior succumbed to gravity and fell limply on top of his love; as if he had no strength left. She had drained him for all he was worth; and he couldn’t be happier. Sluggishly, he rolled over and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into him as they lay on his bed. He breathed heavily as his fangs receded, his skin returned to normal and the stinging in his eyes left a phantom pain.

  After a moment of catching her breath, Awilda smiled and stretched upward, craning her neck to bring her lips to his face. Softly, she kissed his eyelid, helping the pain to dissipate entirely. She returned to her position; pushed against his side with her arm draped over his bare chest.

  Junior was filled with inconceivable emotion toward the woman next to
him. They hadn’t known each other for very long, and yet he felt like he had been waiting for this moment for decades. As he wrapped his arm around her small waist he wished they would never have to leave this spot; that this was where they could spend eternity and defy all the nightmares that loomed in the distance.

  Junior could feel Awilda fall asleep against his chest. He closed his eyes and silently prayed for the strength to get them both out of the impending war alive; for a happily ever after. At the end of his prayer his once furrowed brow smoothed, heaviness washed over him, and then he too, fell asleep.

  39

  Rula Jones woke up from a restless night in the early morning. The conversation she’d had with Sunders during their lunch two days ago continued to play in her mind. She had eventually come to the conclusion of revealing to him her real reason for joining the Finders. And it was killing her. She didn’t know if it was the anticipation or the fear of his response that made her so anxious; or maybe it was the fact that she hadn’t spoken about the incident to anyone in almost half a decade. She’d written about it – in letters to her mother that she never intended to send; but actually saying the words out loud was a whole ‘nother animal.

  Rue had gotten dressed and ready for work earlier than she needed to. She sat on her sofa and nervously flipped through a magazine; her eyes darting back and forth between the pages and the clock on the wall. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She stood, dropped the magazine on the coffee table, and grabbed her black leather jacket. After retrieving her keys and lacing up her new combat boots she took a deep breath and snatched the manila folder sitting on her kitchen table before heading outside.