Gargoyles I, II, III: Dark Angel Alliance

by Rach Elle

  Bawli shook his head, forcing himself to look away.

  “You okay?” Elizabeth asked quietly.

  Bawli looked at the beautiful woman next to him and forced a smile, “Yeah.”

  He tried to turn his attention to the plate of breakfast in front of him but his eyes landed on the image of Tauggle sitting at the opposite end of the table; as in, actually sitting in a chair – like a normal person. He picked at his food as he stared ahead intently; a coy smile flashing the white of his fangs. Bawli followed his line of sight to the other end of the table. Cooper slowly took a drink from her water glass; her eyes never wavering from Tauggle’s.

  Bawli violently tore his stare away from the scene in front of him. How long had it been since he’d eaten with these people?

  “So,” Elizabeth began in a loud voice; trying to break up the isolated coupling that was forming before them. She lifted her water glass, “I’d like to propose a toast. To Bawli; for his bravery tonight.”

  Everyone lifted their glasses and clinked them against one another’s. They all took sips of their drinks.

  “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about Bawls,” Awilda cooed. “I know Sonny; he wouldn’t dare harm any of us.”

  “It’s not the Finders we’re worried about,” Elizabeth’s eyes hardened. “But, it’s nice to know that Bawli won’t be alone. If something, Heaven forbid, were to happen then you’ll all be there to help him.” She made eye contact with the shifters; all but one.

  “Ha,” Kingsley scoffed bitterly as he took a drink of his juice.

  “Sonny doesn’t trust Protectors any more than the rest of us,” Awilda continued, “He’ll take extra precaution.”

  “Well,” Elizabeth forced a smile, “forgive me if I don’t take your word as gospel.”

  “She’s not asking you to,” Junior cut in, “She’s just trying to help calm your nerves.” When Elizabeth pinned him with a harsh look he recoiled instantly. “But, it is good that we’ll all be there to back him up; you know, just in case.”

  “Way to stand your ground, mate.” Alvin said while playing with his phone. Mason chuckled while texting on his.

  “Boys,” Elizabeth warned, “let’s all try to have a civilized meal, shall we?” She looked back to Junior and Awilda. “It’s good to see you two are, um, getting along so well.”

  Cooper could see Zeff cringe out of the corner of her eye. She leaned toward him, “You alright?”

  “Yeah,” he said as he dropped his fork onto his plate. “Just haven’t much of an appetite lately. If you’ll forgive me,” he stood from his seat.

  “Where are you going?

  Zeff tried to act casual as he thought of his answer, “Just thought I’d hit up my gym; prepare for tonight and all that.” He headed out of the dining room but stopped at the threshold before turning to look back at the table. His eyes drifted across the clan before him. Cooper and Tauggle were seducing each other with their eyes, Alvin and Mason were engaged on their phones, Kingsley and Elizabeth spoke quietly to one another and Junior and Awilda looked like they were ready to have a hump any second.

  “Bawls,” he called. The heavy shifter jumped to attention at the sound of his name. Zeff motioned for him to get up, “Care to join me?”

  Bawli creased his brow, “Really?”

  “Yeah; really.”

  Bawli stood from his seat and shrugged, “Alright then.” He left the breakfast table full of duos; smiling uncontrollably. He couldn’t remember the last time Zeff had asked for his company.

  43

  The elevator doors opened and Sunders entered the fourth floor of United Financial. He headed down the main hall and toward his office. His head had been filled with regret ever since Rue had left his flat this morning. Why did he have to agree to look for her sister? He wasn’t a detective. He looked for tales of monsters and otherwise dismissed accounts of supernatural happenings. He didn’t know the first thing when it came to looking for a missing person. As far as he knew Rue’s sister didn’t have any supernatural capabilities that could narrow his search.

  He passed by Roderick’s team’s office and caught the sight of Rue sitting at her desk. He cursed himself. There was no way this was going to work in his favor. He was such a huddy.

  Sunders neared his office but instead continued his trek a little further. He stopped in front of a door and knocked.

  “Come in,” Bill called from inside.

  Sunders opened the door and closed him inside Bill’s office.

  “Sonny,” Bill greeted him, “What can I do for you?”

  “Actually, Bill,” Sunders began, “I need your help.”

  Bill crooked a brow, “what is it, m’ boy?”

  “I need you to meet me somewhere tonight. I have to show you something.”

  “Such as?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t say; not here. But it’ll be worth your while, trust me.”

  Bill’s interest had been officially peaked. He leaned forward onto his desk and narrowed his eyes at the tall Scotsman before him. “Am I to take it that no one else shall know about our little meeting?”

  Sunders nodded, “Not a soul.”

  “And would this have anything to do with your current investigation?”

  “Perhaps.”

  Bill squint his eyes as he read Sunders’ expression. “You’ve found something, haven’t you?”

  “Just meet me tonight Bill.” He placed a piece of paper with coordinates written on it down on the desk. “Ten PM; see you then.”

  Sunders turned and left Bill’s office with a knot in his stomach. He entered his own office and pulled out his cell phone. His fingers wrapped against the digital keyboard as he texted: We’re a go.

  44

  Bawli stood in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt watching a shirtless Zeff punch the bloody hell out of a heavy bag. He was under the impression that Zeff wanted to spar with him; or maybe they’d take turns hitting the bag. Hell, he at least figured Zeff would say two words to him. Instead the scarred, blonde shifter was silent as he ritualistically decimated the bag.

  Finally, Zeff stopped throwing punches. He caught the swinging bag between his palms and leaned his forehead against it; breathing heavily.

  “Anything you want to talk about, mate?” Bawli asked with his hands on his hips.

  Zeff slowly shook his head against the bag.

  “You sure? Because it looks like there’s something on your mind.”

  Swiftly, Zeff pulled away, turned and headed for Bawli. “Nah, I’m good; your turn.”

  Bawli shrugged and walked up to the bag. He began throwing casual punches.

  “Everyone looked pretty cozy this morning, yeah?” Zeff asked nonchalantly just before taking a swig of water.

  Bawli nodded as he threw another punch, “Yeah; especially Junior and Awilda. Is it just me or did that come out of nowhere?”

  “Exactly; one day they’re at complete odds; then the next day she gets her wig done and Bob’s your uncle.” Zeff took another drink. “I mean, don’t get me wrong; I’m happy for them; especially Junior. God knows that bloke needed a good bang; but yeah, out of the blue right?”

  Bawli tried to carefully place his words. He didn’t want to upset Zeff. “Still, aren’t you at least a little bit upset?”

  Zeff creased his brow, “Why would I be?”

  “It was kind of blatant mate; the way you looked at her. I haven’t seen you look at someone like that since – well, you know.” He stopped throwing his casual punches and looked toward the silent shifter. “Plus, you left the breakfast table in quite the hurry this morning. That would lead one to believe you were uncomfortable with the situation.”

  Zeff stared at the marble floor, considering Bawli’s words. If he was being truly honest he’d admit that it did perturb him a little that Awilda chose Junior over him. He supposed he didn’t like being in second place. Instead of spewing his feelings, however, he shook his head and shrugged, “Nah.”

&
nbsp; “How about the fact that Cooper fancies a Limrid?”

  Zeff shrugged again, “Horses for courses, mate.” He looked up to Bawli, “It was just blatant that that table wasn’t meant for us, you know? We were two singles at a couple’s retreat.” When Bawli nodded, he continued, “Kingsley and Elizabeth is a tale old as time. Alvin and Mason are inseparable; with each other and with their phones. Cooper and Tauggle think they’re a lot better at hiding their interest in one another than they really are; and we both know how vomit inducing Junior and Awilda are. Then there’s us. We didn’t belong, mate.”

  Bawli couldn’t stop himself from smiling and letting out a small chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” Zeff asked.

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” he threw another light punch at the bag. “It’s just a little odd hearing this coming from someone else for a change.”

  Zeff crooked a brow, “What do you mean?”

  Bawli shrugged, “It’s just that I’m usually the only one with the identity crisis.” When it was apparent Zeff had no idea what he was talking about, he continued, “Oh come on; you really can’t be that oblivious. I’ve been the fifth wheel to you, Cooper, Alvin and Mason for yonks.”

  Zeff shook his head with a small, patronizing grin, “Nah; we never saw you like that.”

  “It doesn’t matter how you saw it. Math is undisputable. There were five of us. Where exactly did you think I fit in?”

  “With me, of course.”

  Bawli let out a laugh, “You can’t be serious.”

  “Yeah,” Zeff didn’t reciprocate the laughter, “we were the two male shifters in the house.”

  “True, but you and Cooper went further back than you and I. And then on top of that you had your Responsibility. Face it; when it came to you,” he pointed at his self, “third wheel.”

  Zeff shook his head, “Untrue.”

  “Is it? When was the last time you invited me to come work out with you? You ask Vin before you ask me.”

  “I didn’t think you liked it. You always have your nose in your books and stay cooped up in your art studio.”

  Bawli held up his hands, “I’m not trying to blame you for anything. I’m just saying it’s odd to see someone else feel the same as me; that’s all.”

  Zeff put his hands on his hips and looked back down at the floor. If it wasn’t so covered in dirt and scuff marks he could probably see his own reflection; and he had a feeling he wouldn’t like what he saw. Bawli had been a good friend all these years and he was just now finding out that he hadn’t measured up. “I’m sorry Bawls,” his eyes lifted to look at his friend. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”

  “It’s alright…”

  “No,” Zeff cut him off, “It’s not. You don’t deserve to feel like a fifth wheel. You know we all love you; me especially. I’d probably be dead without you, you know.” He gave a crooked smile as he watched the memory flood Bawli’s mind; the memory of the night they’d met. Zeff had gotten in a rather large row with some Protectors that left him bloody and incapacitated. Thank god it was Bawli that found him. The heavy shifter stopped the bleeding and gave him a safe place to heal. Aside from a massive scar running down the right side of his face, Zeff emerged good as new; thanks to Bawli.

  Zeff watched his friend take in his words. If they didn’t have controlled body temperatures the shifter probably would have blushed, he wagered. After a moment of silence, he lifted his chin and spoke, “So what do you say; hang out with me down here tomorrow afternoon?”

  Bawli thought for a moment then shrugged, “Nah; I don’t really care for this kind of thing.”

  Zeff laughed and shook his head, “You’re a bloody bastard; you know that?”

  45

  Rue sat at her work computer, scrolling through local newsletters that originated in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. She was specifically looking for any accounts of angels or aliens. Not that she was actually looking for either.

  The last article she had read was published about a week ago. A couple of nut jobs had sworn up and down they saw a red haired angel flying over the Vegas strip. On any given day this article would have held some interest for a Finder or two; but for Rue it was so much more than an entertaining read. Because she saw it too. Like; up close and personal. She watched a man fall off of the Paris hotel. But instead of falling to his death, he soared like a bullet all the way to the Bellagio. She had never been able to find that man again, but she knew he was out there; and quite possibly holding information about her sister. So here she was; recruiting Sunders to find Annie while she spent her time trying to find her mystery flyer.

  “Hey Rue.”

  Rue looked up to see Corey peering his head into the office space. “Yeah?” she responded in a hushed tone.

  “I just wanted to say again that I had a really good time on our date.”

  Rue’s eyes widened and her body stiffened; hoping Corey would read her signals and shut the hell up. She didn’t really want anyone to know they were going out. But of course; sending signals to Corey was like trying to explain quantum physics to a two year old.

  “Have you given any thought about what you want to do this weekend?” Corey asked.

  “Um,” Rue tightened her lips and tried to think of a nice way to say this, “Now’s not a good time. We can talk later, ‘k?”

  Corey looked around like he just realized she was at work, “Oh, alright. Well, I’m off for the day so just give me a ring when you can.”

  “Will do,” she said flatly as Corey left for the elevators.

  Rue looked back at her computer and couldn’t help but notice Jerry staring at her. She turned her head to see him grinning from ear to ear like an idiot. She rolled her eyes, “Shut up Jerry.”

  Roderick entered the office and looked around. “Has anyone seen the Protector, Chase?” he asked no one in particular. Jerry, Rue and Savannah all shook their heads in response.

  Rod looked down at Rue, “I wanted to give him the status report on the investigation.”

  Rue furrowed her brow as her eyes darted from left to right in confusion, “So?”

  “So,” Rod said indignantly, “can you give it to him?” He held out a red folder that looked like it contained only a single sheet of paper.

  “I just said I have no idea where he is.”

  “Then find him,” he said, trying to throw his weight around a little.

  “Where?” Rue wouldn’t budge. She hated when people tried to tell her what to do. Really, she was a terrible subordinate.

  “I don’t know. You were a Protector once. You think like they do.” He still held out the red folder; suspending it in the tension between them.

  Finally, Rue exhaled, grabbed the folder and stood from her chair before leaving to hunt down a Protector.

  Rue silently cursed Roderick as she stepped into the elevator and pushed the button to the seventh floor. He was a nice guy overall, but sometimes he had a tendency to be a real dick.

  The doors opened and she stepped out of the elevators. As she pushed her way into the gym she couldn’t believe Rod would assume that just because she used to be a Protector she would somehow have this weird connection to Chase; that she would know exactly where to find him without any trouble.

  The moment Rue stepped into the gym Chase’s voice echoed from the locker room. She stopped short, hung her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. Damn it. She’d found him within two minutes. She considered finding something to occupy herself with for a little while just so Rod wouldn’t have the satisfaction of being right.

  She took a deep breath, lifted her head and crossed the gym. Her eyes observed her surroundings; focusing on a few things that were out of place. There were sweat towels still draped over the free weights. Puddles of sweat were still pooled on some of the equipment; and a suspended punching bag in the corner was mid swing; trying to slow to a stop. She squint her eyes in suspicion. This gym was in full use not a moment earlier. Something was going on, and she wonde
red if Chase was at the center of it.

  She softened her steps as she closed in on the locker room and the sea of grumbling. She reached the back wall and leaned against it before peering around the corner and through the threshold. The locker room was filled with Protectors; all of them with their backs to her except one – Chase. He addressed the group like he was their leader.

  “It’s happening tonight,” he spoke in his Irish accent. “And we’re going to be ready.”

  “But what if it’s nothing?” An Italian Protector named Ramon asked. “Do we really think Harper found them again?”

  Rue concealed her surprise. What did this have to do with Sunders?

  Chase shrugged, “We can’t know for sure. But just in case, we all need to be on the same page. Because as we have learned in the past; Harper isn’t.”

  One of the Protectors moved forward and Rue recognized him immediately as Wade, Chase’s partner. He approached the leader with his broken arm and douchey faux hawk flopping limply to one side. “What if Harper gets in our way again?” He asked.

  “Then we take him out of the equation.”

  Wade crooked a brow, “How?”

  Chase smiled, “By any means necessary.”

  Rue’s heart jumped into her throat. As quickly and quietly as she could she backed away before turning and rushing out of the gym.

  Rue walked onto the fourth floor and hurried down the main hall toward Sunders’ office. She knocked on his door but he didn’t answer. Impatient, she grabbed the knob and tried to open the door; locked.

  “Sonny went home for the day,” Madge said as she approached.

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” Rue forced a casual smile. “I was just going to, um,” she looked down at the folder in her hands, “give him the status report of our investigation.”