Gargoyle Redemption (The Gargoyle Redemption Trilogy)

by Bria Lexor

  Bru stood and rushed to my side. “Tuffara, what happened to you?” she asked, worry in her voice.

  I shook my head, letting her know I did not want to talk about it. Brooke quickly walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet. She poured water from a pitcher that was in the fridge and brought it over to me. My hand was shaking so badly that she just placed the glass on the table in front of me.

  “Zander told you, didn’t he?” Bru asked with a look of sorrow on her face. I nodded and Abel wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly.

  “Whatever Zander told you—”

  I picked my head up, placed my hands on his cheeks and kissed him. Abel was taken aback for a moment, then he kissed me back hungrily. I suddenly remembered we were in a room full of people and I quickly broke away, breathing heavily. “That’s not my life anymore, so we need to focus on the task at hand and—”

  The wall behind us suddenly exploded and I was sent flying into a plant on the other side of the room. Alarms blared loudly in my ears as I tried to clear my head from the blast, but I blacked out and that was the last thing I remembered.

  Chapter Six

  I awoke with a pounding headache and groaned as I sat up and took in my surroundings. I was lying in a familiar room but had no recollection of how I had gotten here. Abel was by my side in an instant and he gently helped me to my feet. “Take it easy, okay?” he said to me in a soft voice, and I looked at him and nodded.

  “What happened?” I inquired.

  “We were attacked, and our hotel room exploded.” he answered. “You were knocked unconscious and Bru used a portal and sent us back to the US while the Slayers returned to their hideout so we can recover from our injuries.”

  I blinked as Abel’s words sunk in. “We’re back in the US?” I asked confused. “And who else got hurt in the blast?” I asked him.

  Abel was hesitant for a moment before answering my question. “Bru took a pretty bad hit and was placed in critical condition after she sent us back home.”

  I gasped and nearly lost my balance, but Abel sat me back down on the edge of the bed. “They have her in a secure location and Trunks has assured us she will be well taken care of there.”

  “But what about the Hunters and the rest of the Haven clan?” I asked, bewildered by our present circumstances.

  “The Hunters have moved to another location and turned Kaitlin over to the authorities for killing Camden.” Abel said with a scowl on his face.

  A thought suddenly occurred to me and I looked at Abel with a smile on my face. He groaned as he looked at me. “What are you thinking?” He asked with curiosity in his voice.

  “I’m thinking we could use some reinforcements.” I said and Abel looked confused. “We need to call in a favor from our old friends at the Lilith Prodigy Vampire Organization (L.P.V.O.)”

  For a moment, Abel was not sure about my idea, but how many allies did we really have on our side? “All right,” Abel said slowly. “But you have to get some rest while I go and visit our friends, okay?” I nodded and climbed back in bed. Abel kissed me on my forehead, and I watched him leave the room, closing the door behind him. I closed my eyes and settled into a comfortable position. I wondered if Abel would be able to get Chaos and Lyric to help us.

  That was the last thing I remember because I quickly fell asleep. It had felt like I had only been out for ten minutes when someone was violently shaking me awake. I yelp as I sat up in surprise to find Lyric smiling down at me, revealing her sharp fangs. “Damn girl, don’t do that to me!” I snapped angrily at her. Lyric had a look of surprise across her face, and I realized I had gone off on her. I sighed as I tried to calm my racing heartbeat. “I mean, it’s really good to see you Lyric.” I said, giving her a friendly smile.

  “You look... different,” Lyric said to me and Chaos cleared his throat in annoyance. This time it was her who had fumbled on her words. “I mean,” she said, thinking of something to replace what she had just said. “You look amazing girl!” She gave me a hug and I felt the cool of her skin against my back. “So, you’re a Demi-god now?”

  “Yeah.” I said, looking at her and Chaos uncomfortably. “I mean, I haven’t fought anyone in this new body yet, but—”

  “You mean Abel hasn’t trained you... Like, at all?” Lyric asked, giving me a confused look as she tilted her head to the left.

  “He’s been busy.” I said quickly. “You know his clan’s been kidnapped and others have been killed by the Hunters, so...” I drifted off as my words sunk in.

  “We will help out in whatever you need, your highness.” Chaos said to me as he knelt on one knee. For a moment, I had forgotten that I was now royalty.

  “You know you really don’t have to do that.” I said, feeling embarrassed about my new position in life.

  Chaos nodded curtly at me as he rose to his feet. “Do not be silly,” he said, smiling at me. “This is who you are now, and we Hunters are professionals who take our job seriously.”

  I forced a smile at Chaos and looked at Abel who just shrugged his shoulders. “As long as they are down to help us, I don’t care what their strange ways are.” I agreed with him on that one.

  “So, what’s the plan?” I asked, and the room fell eerily silent. “You guys don’t have a plan?” I questioned.

  “Well, I sent Wren back to the future for her own safety.” Abel said, looking me straight in the eye. “We nearly lost her in our last fight, remember?”

  “How could I forget?” I said to him with seriousness in my voice. “Wren needs to be protected at all times since she is the future. You made the right call,” I said to Abel.

  “I will have the L.P.V.O. continue to search for the missing clan members and I think Tuffara should learn to fight.”

  Abel looked hesitant as he gazed at me. I had a pleading look in my eyes. He sighed, but reluctantly agreed with Chaos. “All right.” Abel said, nodding towards me. “I think it’s about time Tuffara learned to take on the Hunters and do some serious damage to them, like they’ve done to us.”

  “When do we start?” I asked curiously. “Right now.” Abel said to me.

  Chapter Seven

  We stood in the backyard of Abel’s house and he yanked on the bottom of his cross necklace, transforming it into a sword. I did not care how many times I saw him do that; it was cool every single time! Chaos and Lyric sat underneath a tree to stay cool. Though they were vampires, they did not actually burn up in the sun. They are Stregoni Benefici who can blend in with the humans when they must. And I missed hanging out with them.

  I gave Abel a strange look as we began to circle each other. “You expect me to fight you weaponless?” I asked, which brought a smile to his face.

  “You think I would do that to you, babe?” He asked playfully with a smirk on his face.

  “You might.” I said, allowing my body to take on a defensive stance. For this being my first ever practice in this body, I sure felt comfortable, like this was natural for me. Maybe it was and I just had to remember who I used to be. Chaos tossed me his sword and I caught it without taking my eyes off Abel. “Thanks.” I said to him. Chaos nodded but said nothing as he watched us. “Let’s dance.” I said, and it was on.

  Abel made the first move, bringing his sword down and my instincts kicked in. I yelled as I blocked Abel’s sword, making them chime for a moment before I thrust my sword upwards. Abel was caught off guard and his sword was sent flying into the air. Chaos jumped up and caught it before sitting back down. I kicked Abel hard in his chest and he landed on his back. I kept my right foot planted firmly as I held my sword pointed towards his face.

  “You know, for you being out of practice for over a millennium, you haven’t lost your touch Tuffara.” Abel said, breathing heavily as I helped him to his feet.

  “I had no clue I was such a bad ass!” I said as I tossed Chaos back his sword. Lyric handed me a cold bottle of water and I quickly cracked it open, taking a drink. I welcomed the cold that
slid down my throat.

  “You were one of the best, period.” Abel said to me as he jabbed his sword into his throat making the cross necklace whole again. “There wasn’t a man or gargoyle who could match your skill level.”

  I smiled at Abel as I realized he had always spoken highly of Tuffara and now I saw why. I started to walk towards the back door and stopped, turning around to face the others. “I’m glad my skills are top notch. Hopefully, it’s enough to get the remaining clan members back.”

  “Hang on a minute. Tuffara,” Abel called to me. “I have an idea that might help us, but you have to trust me on this, okay?”

  I gave Abel a strange look. “What do you have in mind?” Abel gave me a smirk and I knew his idea was, in fact, crazy.

  An hour later, we were back in the car and headed for Geffen Records. Abel had called my former manager for a favor. Abel told Kain I was Shinka’s cousin, and she had promised me she would get me signed to Geffen as soon as her tour was over. But that was all a lie. Abel needed Kain to set up Shinka’s ’cousin’ for a house show performance at one of the local bars to bring the Hunters out from hiding. Kain had eagerly agreed to meet with me because he was still grieving over the death of Shinka.

  “I don’t know about this whole meeting thing, Abel.” I said, feeling the nerves start to get the best of me. “You don’t know what I had to do to get to the level that I was at.”

  “Well, that’s because you were all secretive about everything.” Abel replied without taking his eyes off the road.

  I sighed as we came to a stop light. “That’s because I was sworn to secrecy.” I said quietly. “I don’t know if I can do all that again, Abel.”

  Abel arched his eyebrow at me curiously. “What did they make you do?” he asked me.

  I shook my head, not wanting to tell him about any of it yet. Just because he would not want to go through with his plan if he knew the truth. “Another time.” I said, forcing a smile at him. “Right now, we have to convince Kain I’m Shinka’s grieving cousin and I need a break in the music industry.”

  Abel nodded as he looked straight ahead. We continued the rest of the drive-in silence as I pondered what I was going to say to Kain. I really had not thought I would see Kain again so soon, but we had to draw the Hunters out somehow, right?

  “We’re here.” Abel said to me, making me snap out of my thoughts. I waited for the car to stop and I opened the door and stepped out. “Just relax and act casual.” Abel said to me as we headed into the building. I smiled politely at the receptionist and watched Abel talk to her about our meeting with Kain.

  “Have a seat Miss. Meta, Mr. Colebank will be with you shortly.” she replied to me as she picked up her phone to call someone.

  Abel and I sat down, and I heard the elevator, and then saw Kain exit and walk towards us. “Stay levelheaded.” Abel whispered to me.

  “Abel, it’s so good to see you!” Kain said to him shaking his hand.

  “It’s good to see you again, Kain.” Abel said, giving him his winning smile. “You remember Shinka’s cousin Tuffara, don’t you?” Abel shifted his gaze towards me, and I forced a smile at Kain.

  “Yes, I recall seeing her at Shinka’s funeral last month.” Kain said to us.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Colebank.” I said, extending my hand out towards him. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss.?” Kain paused as he waited to hear my last name. “Meta,” I said, shaking his hand. “Tuffara Meta, Sir.”

  “Well, Miss. Meta, please follow me and I will get you set up in the studio and take a listen to what you have to offer us here at Geffen Records!” Kain said, ushering us towards the elevators. He pressed the up button and the light glowed orange. “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your auntie, Miss. Metta.” Kain said, giving me a sympathetic look. “It must have broken her heart when Shinka passed away... My condolences to you and your family.”

  “Thank you.” I said, unable to hide the shocked look on my face as I wondered how Kain had heard of my mother’s death. But he probably heard about it from his boss. The bell dinged and the silver doors slid open. We stepped inside and Kain pushed the number four button, making it light up. The doors slid closed, and we started to rise. “You know Shinka always spoke so highly of you and your beautiful voice, Tuffara.” Kain said to me.

  “She did?” I said, giving him a strange look. “That was nice of her.”

  The bell dinged and the doors slid open. We stepped out of the elevator and followed Kain down the long hallway towards the recording room. I felt my nerves start to get the better of me as I neared the room. Kain opened the door and allowed us to enter the room first. “This will be the beginning of your new career, Miss. Meta.”

  I looked at the recording booth and gave Kain a nervous smile. “Let’s do it.” I said and Kain pushed a button, making the studio come to life.

  Chapter Eight

  I put on the headphones and waited for the music to hit. Luckily for me, Abel had an instrumental to one of the newest songs I had written before I had supposedly died. I was standing alone in the recording booth, staring through the glass, as both Abel and Kain stared back at me.

  You can do this Tuffara... Do not hold back and let Kain hear what you have to offer them at Geffen!

  A moment later, the music hit, and I let the intro play before I started singing the first verse. “I can’t change who I used to be... But I know that what you get is what you see... You can have the best of me... If only you could open up your heart to me...”

  I started to get into the song and my nerves went away. I was comfortable in my old surroundings and it was easy to get this part of the plan done for Abel. It was time for the chorus, and I put my heart and soul into singing it, so it sounded legit.

  “Can you forgive me?... For how I used to be?... I tried to please you... But you hated all of me... Why can’t you love me?... The way that I love you?... Our lives are changing... Will you love me too?...”

  Kain stopped the music, and I came out of my zone and looked at him through the window. “Girl, you have a talent in you that I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  I smiled as I took off the headphones and stepped out of the recording booth. “Did you like it?” I asked Kain nervously.

  “I loved it!” Kain said, growing excited. “Let’s go to my office so I can sign you to a contract, Miss. Meta!”

  My smile fell and I looked at Abel with pure terror in my eyes. He gave me a strange look, not understanding why I was acting so strangely. “Are you sure I have to sign a contract... right now?” I asked Kain. “Can’t I sign it later or something?”

  Kain gave me a strange look. “Why don’t you want to sign the contract?” he asked me. “Did you already sign a contract with somebody else?”

  “Er... No.” I said hesitantly.

  “Then you should sign with Geffen, just like Shinka did.”

  I was about to protest when Abel jumped in. “Of course, Tuffara wants to sign the contract,” Abel said to Kain. “She’s just nervous, right Tuffara?”

  Abel had no idea what kind of torment I had went through when I was at Geffen, but I was about to blow our plan if I did not cooperate. So, I reluctantly agreed. “You're right.” I said to Kain with a small smile. “I was letting my nerves get the better of me. I’m ready to sign the contract.”

  Kain smiled triumphantly at me. “Welcome to Geffen Records, Tuffara.”

  Chapter Nine

  After I signed my new contract with Geffen Records, Abel and I left. Kain had assured us he would be giving me a call very soon to set up my show. I was not happy about selling my soul to the devil again, but now that I thought about it, my soul wasn’t really human anymore, now was it?

  After Abel shut his door, he started the engine and we pulled out of the parking space, headed back towards his house. “So, you want to tell me about what that little stunt you pulled back there was all about?”

  I shrugged. “You're going to be able t
o pull me out of that contract, right?” I asked, Abel arching an eyebrow at him.

  “I suppose so, but why—”

  “I have enough demons screwing with my life at the moment and I don’t need any more interfering with it.”

  Abel looked confused as he kept his eyes on the road. “What demons would be interfering in your life besides us gargoyles?”

  “You don’t want to know,” was all I told him.

  Abel abruptly pulled over and turned the car off. He sighed and looked at me. “Tuffara, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what those people did to you. Do you understand that?”

  I inhaled slowly and knew Abel was right. He had to know the truth, even if I did not want him to. “Abel, when you sign a contract with the music industry, you sell your soul to the devil.”

  “I thought that was just a rumor they had spread over the years?” Abel said to me.

  I shook my head no. “I wish it were.” I said sadly. “In my former life, I had raised rose through the ranks pretty quickly because I had to do things for them to become famous.”

  “I’m gonna have Brooke sneak into Geffen and burn that contract.” Abel said to me. “They shouldn’t have to hold that over your head anymore.”

  I gave Abel a sad smile. “I wanted to tell you about everything back in the hotel, but we didn’t get the chance to talk.”

  “Well, I’m glad you told me about it.” Abel said, kissing my hand. “You aren’t human anymore, so they won’t need your soul.”

  “I hope you're right.” I said to him.