by Jamie Hawke
“You’ve just locked yourself in here with us,” Fatiha said. “Big mistake.”
“Is it?” I asked, gesturing to the fighting going on. Her numbers were dropping.
With a snarl, she charged us, only to be caught by a swirling mist that then formed into Glitonea, who slammed her to the ground.
“Wha…?” Fatiha managed to croak out, Eye of Balor surging—but only slightly before Glitonea pulled the necklace free, examined it for a moment, and then carved a quick rune into Fatiha’s chest with her fingernail. Fatiha growled at the pain, hands gripping Glitonea as she tried to absorb the woman.
“Not going to happen,” Glitonea said, eyes moving to us. “Ah, I see we have mutual friends.”
“What’s next, here?” I asked, not in the mood for small talk.
Glitonea considered, then looked down at Fatiha, lifting a hand to smash her face in.
A surprise blast came from Fatiha’s bracelet, then another that sent Glitonea flying.
Glitonea was up, and the fight continued, but now Glitonea was going against Fatiha and her army. Not exactly with us, but as I saw it, a contributing party. All of the fighting and chaos, and yet my team stuck together, looking out for each other. Megha and her various summonings—a new one each time the other was killed off—needed their room, and Yenifer was out there doing her thing, but otherwise, we were one cohesive unit.
At one point, I turned from killing a hell-beast to see Glitonea ripping the head off a Drow then eyeing me.
“You set me free,” she said, considering me. “You weren’t… horrible to me. Today, I’ll let you live.”
“Thanks for that,” I replied.
“Keep her busy, if you can. I’m going to find my sisters and come back for her. I advise you to be in hiding before that day comes.”
“Unlikely.”
“You’re aware, then?” Ebrill asked. “What happened to them, I mean?”
Glitonea’s eyes narrowed as she nodded. “We are all connected, in a sense. And maybe that will be Fatiha’s downfall.”
She turned and vanished with a flash of her hand.
Fatiha, having seen this, growled. Likely pissed that her portal plan had been foiled, she gave one last shout of frustration and turned on me. All of the light and even the air around her surged, converging on her, fueling her.
“This might hurt,” Ebrill said. “Standing by to heal.”
“It won’t,” I replied, and braced myself, analyzing the runes, seeing if there was one last way I could adjust them.
Fatiha shot at me like an explosion, but I was ready, having found the necessary adjustment to the runes. In a flash, the portal reappeared directly in front of us, only this time it was going in the opposite direction. Fatiha and all of her magical power shot into it, the sound of her shouting in frustration and anger echoing even as the portal vanished.
All of the others fell away, gone to the Dark Lands. My screen popped up, showing that I had leveled up to eleven. It now read:
Level 11 MAGE
Statistics
Strength: 35
Speed: 33
Luck: 30
Charisma: 27
Mana: 980
New Spells
Gorffwys (sleep); Frost Footing; Ice Wall; Ice Claw; Frost Bite; Flurries; Freeze; Frost Remnant; Carreg (stone skin)
New Magic Type
Access to Avalon
Rune Magic: Illusion Breaking, Cloaking
It was done. For now. I had no doubt that Fatiha would find a way out of the Dark Lands, and knew Glitonea was out there working to bring the rest of the remaining Nine back. Until either of those was an immediate threat, though, we were going to get some well-earned rest.
We looked up to see Yenifer there, climbing what I was pretty sure was one of the art museums, judging by the large posters of paintings. She stood there, crouched, looking down at us. Did she recognize us at all? Was there some part of her that knew where she belonged, but for some reason wasn’t ready?
As if in answer, she turned and took off, leaping into the night and gliding off. The barrier had gone away with the portal, so she could go.
“Yenifer!” I shouted after her, but soon she was simply a dot in the sky. Gone.
“We’ll find her,” Megha said.
“And then what?” Ebrill shook her head, staring after the gargoyle. “She’s gone. Mentally.”
Kordelia took a step as if to pursue. “We’ll see about that.”
A hand on her arm, from Megha. “She’s right, partially. But so are you—we will find her, when she’s ready.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I have a connection with her. Small, not very strong, but it’s there. Why do you think she showed up to help us? I was able to call to her, but you’re right… there’s something not there right now. We’ll find her and bring her back. But not today.”
It broke my heart to see them like this, but if Megha said so, we had to listen to her. She had the connection, she knew those Dark Lands and all of this better than I.
“And Glitonea?” I asked. “The Nine?”
“Worrisome,” Aerona chimed in.
Megha nodded. “More so than Fatiha, perhaps.”
“But only if they’re able to summon the others,” I countered. “And Fatiha, I mean, couldn’t we let them fight each other, then take on the victor?”
“If that victor was Fatiha with all of their powers in one, we would really be in trouble.”
“Then we have to stop them. Save Yenifer, stop Fatiha once and for all… and maybe go up against the remaining Nine.”
“There are one or two we might convince to join us,” Aerona pointed out. “I’d say that’s our first step.”
123
In the hours that followed the saving of D.C., and quite possibly the world, we had a lot to deal with. Somewhere out there, Yenifer was flying around or hiding in dark comers. She had, it seemed, been sleeping all these years. Now awake but confused and for some reason not recognizing her friends, she needed our help. Megha was with us, at least, but our enemy was damn strong and threatening to get stronger.
Our first step was to get off the streets since people were congregating. We still had a couple of hours of night left, I figured, but couldn’t move out in the open until the crowd died away. While we tried to figure out a plan, we ducked into a small bar with barely anyone inside.
Ebrill cast an illusion over herself and the other gargoyles, and the ladies took a booth while Shisa, Riland, and I went to order drinks for everyone. We got our beers and a couple of margaritas for them, but the ladies were all laughing and loving their company with each other, hardly noticing us.
Kordelia took a drink, then spat it out and shouted, “What is this shit? Bring me mead!”
I laughed, and quickly went back to see what we could do. To my relief, the bar had mead! Who knew? The other ladies quickly replaced their sugar-shit margaritas with mead, and I was taught a valuable lesson about badass women and their drinking habits.
I had a Guinness. Taking it with Riland, we moved back to a table in the middle of the bar. I took a gulp of beer and foam, closing my eyes to savor the moment. Fucking A, Guinness could not be matched in my book.
He was watching me, not drinking yet, and I realized maybe he was waiting for a toast or cheers.
“Thank you,” I said, and held out my glass to him.
He clanked his glass against mine, then nodded.
“You’re… doing okay?” I asked.
“I’ll find her. My princess. But, for now…” He took a swig of his beer.
“Whatever I can do to help, name it.”
“When the time comes, I will.” He eyed my group. “Not that you need any help in that department.”
“No, I don’t suppose I do.”
We cheered with our glasses, shared a look with the ladies at their table in the corner, then laughed.
“If I wasn’t so stricken…” he said.
; “What, you’d go for one of them?”
He considered it, then shook his head. “No, not likely. Steph is clearly smitten with you, as are the others, really. Additionally, they are like sisters to me. As attractive as they are, I can’t see myself doing it.”
I nodded, then said, “Wait, not all the others. Only Ebrill, and maybe Kordelia.”
He cocked his head. “You really believe that?”
“I just met Megha, and—”
“It doesn’t matter. You’ll see.”
I excused myself for the bathroom. I’d had just finished and opened the door to leave when Steph pushed her way in. She grinned, shoved me back inside, and locked the door behind her.
“What’s up?” I asked her.
She grinned and pressed herself against me, lips to mine, tongue tasting my mouth. “I fucking want you.”
“Here?” I asked, pulling away to look at the dirty bathroom.
Her eyes roamed over the place, too, and she laughed. “It’s not optimal, but… how about I just let you have some fun?”
“In wha—” I started, but she turned me around so that I faced the mirror and she stood behind me, pulling out my cock. A moment later, her lips pressed to my neck, eyes on me, she stroked me off over the sink.
“Is this what it would feel like if I had a cock?” she whispered. “If I was jacking myself off?”
I didn’t know what to say, just reached behind me, hand down her pants, and felt the soft tissue of her folds. Finding the firm clit there, I massaged it, bringing her to climax a moment before my cum shot out into the sink. In an odd way, it was hot.
She turned me around for a deep, passionate kiss, then said, “Let’s get back out there to join the others. And on that note… I think Aerona is interested. Maybe she’s not ready yet. But… soon.”
With a bite of her lip, she left me with that thought, going out first, me a moment later.
I washed my hands, ran water on my face, and cleaned off my dick with paper towels. Joining the others, I couldn’t help but wonder about our situation. Our main ally with the Order was dead. Well, main living ally.
But we weren’t done with the Order, as I was reminded when the interns found us at the bar. They extended an invitation to the house, reminding me that Galahad was still around.
We went, because… well, we weren’t sure what else to do. Morning was coming fast, and we didn’t have time to get back to Gertrude’s place.
Galahad stood in the doorway, holding it open and waiting for us to enter. To my surprise, there were at least a dozen others gathered within, all with that gold, glowing symbol on their necks. Men and women of the Order.
“What is this?” I asked.
Galahad walked over to the others, standing in their midst, and then went to one knee. “We are ready to serve.”
I frowned, eyeing the others as they did the same.
“I don’t follow,” I admitted.
Galahad rose, and so the others did, too. “Senator Funai left distinct orders that this was to be done. He named these men and women as the only ones from the Order he could be one hundred percent certain with his trust, and said he hoped you would continue with his legacy.
“How?” I truly wasn’t following.
“I think he meant,” this time, Galahad stepped close, lowering his voice, “to become him. Only from time to time, naturally.”
For a moment I still wasn’t following, then turned to him and frowned, then back to my team. “Can I do that?”
Ebrill frowned, shrugged.
“Probably?” Megha said but looked to Aerona.
“The key will be really harnessing your transmutation power and holding it in place. We can work on that… together.”
Her eyes moved away and then back to me, a slight smile at the edge of her lips. She seemed to be interested in working on more than just that, but not be totally committed.
We would have to get to the bottom of that, but for now, needed to address the issue at hand.
“He knew there was a possibility he might die…” I said, the words leaving my mouth like a cloud over water.
“He knew he would die,” Galahad corrected me.
I frowned, blinked, then looked to my team for confirmation. All gave me nods or smiles of affirmation.
“I’ll do it,” I said. “I think. Most of this is still a bit unclear, but… if it’s good for the right side of the Order, if it’s good for the universe. Yes.”
“You’ll need to continue your education, when not being the senator,” Galahad said.
“What? How?”
“During the day. We’ve seen to it that you’re still good to go for Johns Hopkins, and in fact they will make scheduling easy for you. Transportation and all that. When needed as the senator, you play the role. When not otherwise occupied, ensure you’re learning. Studying up on politics and economics, everything you will need to know to play the part.”
“It’s a bit much, I’m sure,” Megha said, stepping up to us, eyes moving to the stairs. “But on another note, sunrise is almost upon us.”
“Ah, right.” Galahad nodded to one of the women with the Order. “Silvia will show those of you who sleep during the day to the rooftop.”
“A more secluded room will be fine.”
“I assure you, magical defenses are in place.” He held her gaze, then nodded. “If you prefer.”
Silvia nodded, gesturing them to the back staircase.
“We’ll see you tonight,” Ebrill said as she and the other two gargoyles followed Silvia. Kordelia and Aerona smiled my way, the former blowing a kiss and laughing.
“Stay safe,” I replied, then turned to Riland, Megha, and Steph. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m beat.”
“This way,” Galahad said, gesturing me to another staircase. “Your quarters.”
“Oh. We have our own house.”
“Now you have two.” Galahad grinned, leaning in. “You wouldn’t prefer to stay under the same roof as the gargoyles? In case there’s trouble, I mean.”
Shisa rubbed against my leg, giving me his answer. And who was I to argue with that?
“Sold,” I said.
“Actually, I don’t think I need sleep quite yet,” Riland said. “Mind if I stay here and get to know the rest of the team?”
“Smart idea,” I replied, wishing I had the energy for it.
One glance at Steph told me she was as drained as I was, so we followed Galahad, my mind swimming with the implications of what we were taking on. I wasn’t sure I fully comprehended it yet.
124
The next day was nothing but relaxing and recuperating. D.C. was in turmoil, the news station saying it had been a terrorist attack. The Order, led by Galahad—who apparently never needed rest—would watch the senator’s place, or what was now our place, while we explored. Riland had been buddying up with the man and a couple ladies, and when we found them, they were sitting in a reception room around a white couch-thing, the ladies laughing, one with a hand on Riland’s leg.
I nodded to him, and he came over to where Megha and Steph stood with me.
“What’s the deal?” I asked.
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Seeing if we can trust them. I think we can.”
“And the lady?” Megha asked, eyebrow raised.
Riland glanced back and chuckled. “Let’s be honest, the princess and me? Never was going to happen.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Go on, enjoy your day.” Riland indicated the door. “I’ll be here.”
I raised an eyebrow, but said, “I could use a coffee. Maybe a scone?”
“Sounds great to me,” Steph replied, and Megha nodded enthusiastically. Shisa moseyed out and looked up at us, then kept going. Apparently, he was fine with staying with Riland, which was best anyway since he would draw attention out there.
Speaking of drawing attention. I licked my lips, eyes going to Megha. Her black ‘dress’ was damn revealing. Maybe n
ot too much for somewhere like California, but in D.C. it was bound to stick out.
“Maybe one of the ladies has something you could wear?” I offered.
Her eyes narrowed, but she shrugged, then pulled off her dress and tossed it at me before turning to the ladies nearby. “Excuse me, but do you have anything more D.C.-appropriate for me to wear?”
“I’ll get right on it,” the one who had been touching Riland’s leg said and bounded up to go off and find something. Riland shot me a glare, but then his eyes joined the rest of ours, staring at Megha’s nude form.
She wasn’t bad to look at, that was for damn sure. Small in stature, but with a round ass and wide hips. The curve of her breasts pulled my attention, driving me to want to stand behind her and run my hands along the edges, cupping them, pinching those cute, perky nipples between my thumb and forefinger.
Her eyes met mine, a half-smile on her lips, and then she waited. The lady returned with a purple skirt and white blouse. Very not Megha, but the outfit would do for walking around outside.
When she was ready, the three of us headed out. Nowhere in mind, exactly, but we meandered around, and found a sunny spot with outdoor seating at a park. While Steph went to the bathroom, Megha had me get a couple of popsicles.
“Back in the old days of Avalon, I always felt like an outsider,” Megha admitted, eyeing her popsicle and then giving it a very lovely, seductive lick. “It was a different time. A time when the type of actions you and the others are so open with was… frowned upon.”
“It still is, by some,” I admitted.
“Let’s not meet them.”
