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Authors: Price,E A
When A Gargoyle Flies (Gargoyles Book 3)
When a Gargoyle Flies
E A Price
Copyright ©2016 by Elizabeth Ann Price
All rights reserved. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events and places is purely coincidental. Though if there really are gargoyles out there in the world, that would be really cool and I would totally give up my obsession with Bigfoot for a gargoyle obsession. (Sorry Bigfoot.) There probably aren’t – so you’ll probably just need to suspend belief completely (don’t expect anything resembling reality here!)
Note on the use of the word griffin – apparently you can use griffin, griffon or gryphon, so I just went the first alphabetically. They’re all acceptable. If you don’t believe that, Google it. I’m probably boring you for nothing – it only comes up for like a short couple of seconds anyway. Wait… how can seconds be short – aren’t they all the same length… I’m babbling, enjoy the book!
Contents
During King Arthur’s reign, to defeat his enemy, Morgan Le Fay and her legions of magical beasts, the King, his magician Merlin, and the leader of the dragon race sacrificed themselves to create a race of warriors. They became known as gargoyles.
After defeating Morgan, the gargoyles lived in tentative peace alongside the humans. But not all gargoyles were happy with their place. A female called Ophelia, second in command to Lucifer, a descendant of the first gargoyle, made a deal with the enemy, known as the Noir Clans, and gave them the spell used to bring the gargoyles to life. The armies of the Noir Clans rallied and in an attack, they used the spell on the gargoyles to put them into a stone sleep, that if not reversed within a thousand years would become permanent. Those who were not immediately destroyed were sheltered by the descendants of Arthur’s allies - the Blanc Clans. For years, attempts were made at waking them, but they were unsuccessful.
Almost a thousand years later, Lucifer, along with dozens of other hidden gargoyles, was being sheltered by a man called Professor Hardcastle, who lived in a town called Devil’s Hang. After his death, his heir and nephew, Andrew held a party at his house. A woman named Kylie Summers stumbled upon the gargoyle Lucifer, and while drunk, kissed the stone gargoyle and awakened him. Kylie was discovered to be a distant (very distant) relative of one of Arthur’s allies.
While Kylie and Luc fell in love, a man named Holling, a relative of one of Morgan’s allies, was attempting to revive the gargoyles to create an army. He held Kylie hostage to lure Luc to him. When Luc tried to rescue her, Ophelia was discovered to be alive, and she killed Holling. Disgusted at Luc’s relationship with Kylie, Ophelia tried to kill her. Ophelia escaped, and it was discovered that she had been working with Holling, trying to create a new clan of gargoyles.
Luc and Kylie mated and began working to decipher the locations of the other gargoyles Professor Hardcastle hid.
On learning of Holling’s death, the Council of Magic Users sent mercenaries to watch the mansion, to try and discover if the gargoyles had been reawakened and report back their findings.
One of the newly awakened gargoyles, Ric, was seen in the surroundings woods by a human called Chloe. They continued to meet in secret, and unbeknownst to Ric she was one of the mercenaries sent to watch them. While Chloe tried to seduce Ric, he fell in love with a human called Brenda.
Ric was kidnapped by the Council of Magic and taken to a medical facility, where he met Twenty-Six – a gargoyle who had been bred in the lab. The council was using gargoyle DNA to try and breed new gargoyles that stay awake in daylight.
Luc, the gargoyles and Brenda’s uncle, Chris attacked the facility and Ric and Twenty-Six were freed. Luc confronted the leader of the Council of Magic, Blackthorne, and told him that they would leave him alone if he left them alone.
The story will be continued… right now.
Humans
Kylie Summers –
Luc’s mate, and technically a witch. Her magical ability lay dormant until she stumbled upon Luc as a statue. She’d like it to be known that she doesn’t normally run around kissing statues. She isn’t a hussy for stone men, she was just very drunk.
Chris Wyatt –
Brenda’s uncle and the local chief of police. A former detective from Portland, he now runs a police force made up of three people and a dog named Bob who refuses to obey.
Brenda Halverson –
Mate of Ric and currently a high school senior. Spends her time acting as a referee between her overprotective mate and uncle.
Bea –
Kylie’s aunt, but not biologically. Also a witch, she has some healing ability. Belongs to the magical community, and is one of many guardians Kylie had while growing up.
Maggie –
Kylie’s best friend, a goth, and a lover of all things supernatural.
Currently helping to track down all the missing gargoyles.
Secretly enjoys Boggle.
Andrew Hardcastle –
The nephew of Professor Hardcastle, who hid and protected the gargoyles for many years. Owns the Hardcastle Mansion where the gargoyles are currently living. Maggie’s boyfriend and favorite Boggle victim.
Gustave –
Former manservant of Professor Hardcastle. Working with Kylie and the gargoyles to find and wake the others. Does not like to be compared to Alfred from Batman.
Blackthorne –
A descendant of one of the original Noir Clans. A member of the Council of Magic made up of other descendants. Involved with creating Twenty-Six and undoubtedly has various other nefarious schemes ongoing.
Melissa Sanchez –
An FBI agent in Portland, and friend of Chris’. Assigned to the ‘weird’ cases, like UFO and Bigfoot sightings. As the only agent in her section, she has to be both Mulder and Scully. FYI, it can be quite exhausting to be both a believer and a skeptic at the same time.
Martha
– Maggie’s cousin, and unflatteringly described as a ‘braindead twinset’ by Maggie. They don’t really get on.
Gargoyles
Lucifer ‘Luc’ –
Kylie’s mate and a direct descendant of the first gargoyle created. His interests include awaking his gargoyle brothers and sisters and keeping his human mate out of trouble.
Annis –
A female with a deformed wing. Smaller and slighter than normal females, she is unable to fight, hunt or fly like gargoyles, but she makes a mean casserole.
Gracchus –
A male a few years older than Luc. Genial and easygoing, he hints at a darker past, but is accepting of their new life, particularly the invention of TV. His favorite TV show is currently Angie Tribeca, although he does not really understand the jokes.
Amalric ‘Ric’ –
A young male, recently mated to Brenda and the first gargoyle to be woken after Luc. Annoyingly cocky but Brenda manages to tease that out of him.
Dragoslava ‘Drago’ –
Otherwise known as the thing in the basement. The male
struggles to adapt to life after being asleep for so long, and on waking spent a month chained in the basement due to his uncontrolled anger. Not keen on clothes.
Twenty-Six –
The female bred in a lab who is able to sleep at any time, day or night. She was the twenty-sixth of the experiments to create a superior species of gargoyles. She is considering changing her name.
Ophelia –
Luc’s former second in command who betrayed the gargoyles and is currently on the loose, with numerous evil plots on the boil.
Ingrede –
A female, mated to Cai and mother of Wolfe. Her mating was arranged, but she has feelings for Cai, particularly as she learned he requested to be mated to her and has feelings for her too (even if he has difficulty admitting them). Discovering the joys of shampoo and hair care. Her hair has never been so glossy.
Cai –
Ingrede’s mate and father to Wolfe. Learning how to get in touch with his finer ‘female’ feelings in order to appease his mate. Has been watching reruns of The View to get inside the female mind.
Wolfe –
Cai and Ingrede’s son; insufferably cute and obsessed with a stuffed penguin
.
Tristan, Grey, Brom and Lief –
Newly awakened gargoyles.
And Bob the dog –
Of unknown parentage, he just showed up in town one day. Honorary member of the local police force.
Many, many years ago
Her wing wouldn’t work. She was too damaged. Too damaged to fly, too damaged to be a real gargoyle – too damaged to be anything other than a disappointment to her mother.
Annis crumpled to the ground, panting and shivering. She had tried to fly, over and over, but she couldn’t – probably never would.
She looked up to see her mother glaring down at her. Another disappointment for her. Annis wanted to curl into a ball and never come out. It was bad enough for her mother that Annis could not fight or hunt as well as the other gargoyle younglings. Now she was the ultimate disappointment. What was a gargoyle who could not fly? She might as well have been a human.
There were murmurings from the other gargoyles of her clan. Most of them labeling her useless, but others voiced their pity for Merris – Annis’ mother. How could such a strong warrior like Merris produce such a weakling like Annis? Easy thought Annis with bitterness. Her mother stormed into battle while pregnant, uncaring as to the damage it may cause her unborn daughter. Sure enough, she was stabbed in the stomach and Annis was born early and damaged. Merris was too busy being ashamed of her deformed daughter to consider Annis’ affliction was the consequence of her own hasty, stupid actions.
“There’s no place for her in the clan,” growled an older male.
“Ay!” agreed numerous others.
Annis looked at the ground, afraid she would cry, wrapping her useless wings around her. Although perhaps it would be better if she left. Perhaps another clan would take her in, one that was not so brutal. Perhaps she should just cut these damn, pathetic wings off her – get rid of them once and for all and at least she wouldn’t have to look at them. But no, even the thought of that made her shudder. She heard of a gargoyle being captured by humans - they tortured him, removed his wings and let him go. He leaped off a cliff, plummeting to his death. Some thought it was an accident – that he was in shock and forgot he no longer had his wings. Annis believed he did it on purpose because he could not live like that – that without his wings, he was not whole.
Merris said nothing. She did not defend her daughter, but at least she did not join in their cries to banish her.
“She was born of this clan, and we do not cast out clan members,” cried Calliope – the clan healer.
Calliope cast beady, yellow eyes on the other clan members and they had the sense to look away from her gaze. Clan healers were the only gargoyles capable of wielding magic and were generally feared and revered in equal measure.
The old female walked around the circle with a heavy gait. “You, Magnus, you have only one eye and yet we do not cast you out.”
The male squirmed and blinked rapidly with his one eye – the other being lost years before in a boar hunt.
“And you,” cackled Calliope – all the other gargoyles froze as they waited to see who she was setting her sights on next, “Vallia.” The other gargoyles relaxed. “You have but one arm but do we cast you out? Never. Clan is clan, no matter what. Would you have us exile our people? Would you have us be as primitive as the humans claim us to be?”
There were some louder muttering and the clan chief looked uneasy. The clan would fight against the Noir Clans when called on, but they had never been on good terms with the nearby human village. The humans believed them to be vicious and callous, and had tried to drive them away. It only added fuel to the clan’s furious fire.
Calliope smiled viciously. “No, I thought not.”
The clan chief jutted his chin at her. “You have a plan for her?”
“Yes, she will be my assistant, and when I die, she will be the next clan healer.”
There were a few gasps from the assembled gargoyles. Although gargoyles were created from magic, they could not cast spells – a failsafe to ensure that gargoyles could not become too powerful. But the first gargoyle, Demon, insisted that the gargoyles be permitted a healer, one with enough magic to heal gargoyles. Gargoyles possessed a strong healing ability, but sometimes that was not enough. The healer was chosen when the old healer died, in a ritual performed by the clan chief to ensure they inherited the healing powers. Not that there was much power – the gargoyles wouldn’t be allowed that much magic, but it was enough to create healing potions and perform some spells.
“No, the healer is chosen by the chief on a full moon after the old healer has died, and by Merlin’s grace – we do not choose the next healer in advance,” called a male.
Annis peeked up to see the clan chief giving her a hard stare. He was not a bad clan chief, but he was restricted by the years of tradition and the gargoyles in his clan who didn’t want to change. He was trying to improve their lives, to make them like one of the more modern clans, but how could he when they vehemently did not want his improvements?
“Think of it,” murmured Calliope to the chief – only to the chief. She ignored all the others around them and their objections. “The healer does not fight or hunt. Why waste a perfectly good warrior, when Annis is here and willing. I could teach her everything I know before I depart this world. She is still young and capable – she will also be available to the clan for any tasks they require.”
The chief silenced his gargoyles. Annis watched his features twitch. Choosing a new healer before the old one died went against tradition, but he knew the benefits. He would have a new healer already trained when he lost Calliope.
“Agreed,” he finally boomed, “Calliope, she is yours.”
He turned his back on the clan, walking away, signaling that the matter was over and he would not hear any arguments about it.
The other gargoyles continued with their complaints but eventually dispersed. No one considered this matter worth arguing about. At least it means they don’t have to worry about what I might get up to in battle thought Annis.
She looked up to Merris. Her mother scowled at her and turned her back.
“C’mon, girl,” snapped Calliope impatiently. “I’ve got tasks for you.”
Annis clambered to her feet. Clan healer. She supposed the outcome could have been worse. Although she wished that she had actually been given a choice in the matter. But then what other choice would she have had?
*
Years later
“Annis,” rumbled a deep, silken voice, entering the hut.
Annis promptly dropped all the vegetables she was carrying and let out a very un-gargoyle like eep.
Castor laughed and easily dropped to the ground to pick up her quarry. “My apologies, I startled you.”
“No,” she flustered. “Well, yes. A little.”
He passed her a rutabaga and raised an eyebrow. “For a potion?”
“For dinner,” she said with a blush.
Castor nodded and looked around at the shelves filled with bottles and ingredients. The healer was the only gargoyle in the clan who had a hut. Gargoyles preferred to sleep under the stars. Some clan chiefs liked having their own huts, to show that they are above the other gargoyles in their clans. Their chief didn’t; he felt that using a hut would be too ‘human’. But Calliope was allowed one to store the many ingredients she needed for her magic.
“Calliope is not here,” Annis said softly, looking at the ground. She did not imagine that Castor was there to see her. He was one of the strongest males in the clan – if not the strongest. It was widely believed that he would challenge for leadership soon. It would mean defeating the current clan leader and his three sons, but there was little doubt in Annis’ mind that he would defeat them all.
Castor towered over her own slight frame. He nearly took up every inch of space in the small hut. He certainly took up every inch in Annis’ mind. She could not think when he was around. Unfamiliar feelings stirred in her loins when he was near. Where she found other males vicious and the thought of any of them taking a carnal interest in her body terrifying, tingling warmth inside her told her she would welcome Castor’s interest. Perhaps she was more like the other female gargoyles than she thought. It was natural for her kind to want to seek out the strongest males – those who would bear them the strongest offspring and be able to protect them.
He waved a huge hand. “I have a cut and just wanted something to ease it.”
“Oh! Yes, I can help with that.” Annis dropped the vegetables again and flew to the shelves, selecting a salve for him. “Where is the cut? I will apply it.”
Castor’s lips twitched for a second before he nodded and dropped his loincloth. Annis froze, staring at his chest.
“The cut is lower than that,” he whispered.
“I… ah…” Her tongue did not appear to be working.
He reached out and took the jar from her hand. “I shall apply it myself,” Castor said kindly.
Annis nodded and turned around, ignoring his soft chuckles. “I am sorry,” she said.
“No, I am sorry for taunting you.”
“No, no…”
She felt a large hand on her shoulder and caustically allowed him to turn her to face him. Thankfully, he had donned his loincloth again. He thought she was shy and naïve about the male form. He was wrong – as Calliope’s assistant, she had seen more nude males up close than she ever wanted. She was just concerned about what the sight of him would do to her. Her womanhood ached at seeing him covered. Uncovered, she worried about her reaction.
“Thank you, Annis.”
“You are welcome, of course,” she murmured.
Castor peered down on her. “There is no shame in being innocent, or of saving yourself for your mate. I find it admirable.”
Annis inhaled as she met his gaze. Castor smiled, heat in his expression and wordlessly left the hut.
Did that mean… Warmth spread through her body. She had always believed in the idea of gargoyles having fated mates – even when her mother tried to beat such ‘whimsical nonsense’ out of her. But she could not deny the way Castor made her feel. It started when she was younger, and he showed her kindness while the others made fun of her. Her affection grew and grew as they grew older.
He admired her – he was proud of her innocence. Surely he was trying to tell her that he wanted her for his mate. For the first time in her life, hope soared within her.
*
A few months later
Castor the chief. All hail the new chief! The old chief decided to step down and Castor challenged for leadership. He beat seven other males, including all the old chief’s sons, and he was their new chief. He could have banished the other males he beat, but he chose not to, he chose to let them stay. He will be a good leader thought Annis fondly.
She gathered along with the other gargoyles, unable to hide her excited smile for Castor. He stood before them, a towering, powerful gargoyle.
Castor held up a hand for silence. Gargoyles weren’t known for their rousing speeches; they preferred grunting and growling. But Castor told them how proud he was to be their new leader.
“My first act will be to take a mate.”
Annis gasped. He hadn’t said a word. Would he really… no, a small, sad voice told her he wouldn’t.
“Danya has agreed to be my mate,” declared Castor.
There were roars of satisfaction and approval as the lithe female stepped forward, a smirk on her face. She was the daughter of the last chief – the chief Castor had just replaced. It was a smart move; he was in some way appeasing the defeated sons of the old chief, while finding a way to keep them in line. They would be unlikely to try and challenge Castor for leadership again if their sister was his mate. Through her, they would have a high rank in the clan.
Annis stepped away from the group. She had been wrong. All the years of Castor’s kindness had meant nothing. The time he gave her the flower after she failed on her first hunting trip – how could that mean nothing?
She managed to accost Castor after the meeting. He smiled at her benignly, as if he hadn’t just broken her heart.
“Castor, I thought…” Her words tumbled out of her, not all coherently. “I thought that you and I… that we… but you and Danya.”
Castor looked at her as if she were mad. “You did not believe that I would mate you?”
Annis looked at the ground, ashamed of herself.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and her treacherous body still ignited in heat. “Annis, I bear you no ill will. But the idea of us mating is ridiculous. I must have younglings who can fight. My bloodline must produce warriors. I could not risk that any children would be tainted by your deformities.”
Annis stilled. It shouldn’t have hurt. How many times had her fellow clan mates, had her mother, told her she was deformed. It was a word she heard repeatedly, and yet it had never hurt so much until now.
“I thought you did not care about such things,” she mumbled. “I thought you cared... about me.”
Castor placed a claw under her chin and raised it, forcing her to look at him. His expression was not unkind, but it had taken on a harder gleam, more predatory.
“For the good of the clan, I must mate with Danya, and she must bear my young. But that does not mean that we cannot enjoy each other’s company.” He ran a claw over her cheek almost tenderly.
