His actions were petty—spiteful, even—and out of character, he knew. But he couldn’t help himself. This world was nothing like he’d ever experienced. His relatively short time here was not enough for him to adapt to this Realm’s...ignorance.
Evil he knew how to handle. The endless battle between good and evil was familiar to him. It gave him purpose in this strange new world and up until now had allowed him to ignore the things he secretly found distressing about this part of the Mortal Realm. There were far too many humans, far too out of balance with the natural world. Too much noise, too many bodies clustered together, too many souls in too close of quarters, too many chaotic thoughts and emotions bombarding him from all directions. The soul of the earth was bruised, he could feel her pain. And it was a great evil brought about by the humans of this Realm. Part of him wanted to restore the balance.
But he couldn’t, for it would mean the deaths of millions of humans. His Sorceress of old would have understood, would have aided him with what needed doing if they were ever ordered to complete such an unpleasant task, but Lillian was like a creature newly made—innocent, gentle, naïve. She’d already made it clear she sided with the humans, and she expected him to—if not love them—at least tolerate them.
And she was correct—these humans, even the male who had gazed upon Lillian with lustful thoughts, were not evil. In their own way, they served the Light—protecting, bringing peace when they could. What little he knew about the humans of this world he’d gathered from touching Lillian’s thoughts. He’d gleaned most of the destruction the humans caused was brought about due to ignorance, greed, and neglect more than willfully serving evil. It was a common failing with a young species.
The vast majority of humans still had potential.
He should view them with the tolerance he would grant any youngling.
But being rational was difficult when others were surrounding Lillian, keeping him from her side.
They’d only had a handful of days between when she’d first called him from his stone sleep, to when she’d had to merge with her hamadryad to heal. It wasn’t enough time. Under normal circumstances when they were reborn, they grew up side by side, studying and training until they matured into their full strength.
Until this last time when the Lady of Battles interfered. He hadn’t realized how vital childhood was to them—it gave them both a chance to adapt, to relearn how to function as two separate beings when they’d recently been one being in the Spirit Realm.
“Oh, Gregory.” Lillian’s thoughts merged fully with his. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t remember what our childhood was supposed to be like. I only knew I needed to be near my gargoyle statue, I couldn’t remember anything else.”
Gregory jerked in surprise, his wings twitching so hard he snagged one in a low hanging spruce bough, causing the whole tree to shake. He darted off to the left as three of the soldiers aimed their guns where he’d just been.
“Gregory, are you all right?”
“Yes,” he admitted a touch sheepishly. “I was distracted and gave my position away.”
“Now that I know why you’ve been distracted,” Lillian mused, “I have a better idea how to help us adapt. I may not have much magic, but I have myself. I’ll make time for us, even if I have to barricade us in the wine cellar.”
The accompanying image her words inspired gained a chuckle from him. While he’d never been fond of fermented drinks, their taste and smell too strong for a gargoyle’s heightened senses, he didn’t doubt Lillian could still entertain him even in such a dark and chilled place.
With her promise, he found he could tolerate the humans with some semblance of benevolence even if they were closer to Lillian than he’d wished. He even dropped back a few paces, so he wasn’t tempted to antagonize the nearest male. Which, he mused, was rather generous of him, since the man was the one who had entertained the offensive thoughts.
The humans’ leader made subtle gestures with his hands, which Gregory interpreted as silent orders. As the soldiers spread out, hastening to obey in a coordinated fashion, he moved out of the way of any soldier who settled too close to his position. Once the soldiers became stationary, and the forest was quiet again, he acknowledged with a touch of respect they were very good at blending in with their environment. They had arranged themselves in a loose circle, with Lillian and the pooka once again in the center. Neither one looked happy to be there. But with the soldiers’ weapons pointed out into the surrounding forest, it was the safest place for his dryad mistress.
He hunched down near the base of a great old spruce; its wide trunk offered enough cover to hide him even if he wasn’t cloaked in his own magic. He thought he understood Resnick’s reasoning. By ordering his men to dig in, they could set up a defensive perimeter, use Lillian and the pony as bait, and wait to see what came sniffing after them. It was the safest strategy until reinforcements made it to their location.
He didn’t have long to wait to confirm his theory. Silent, black shadows eased through the trees to the south. They moved with a smooth, deadly grace Gregory admired. Not as elegant as a sidhe warrior, but as close as a human could come. The newcomers merged seamlessly with the soldiers already in position.
Resnick and another officer, a female by her scent, conversed with each other in hushed tones. Gregory held his position and waited for the two soldiers to come to a decision. Calling a trickle of magic, he sent it outward, scouting the newcomers, looking for even a hint of evil. It flitted from human to human, brushing against bare skin as it passed. More than one shifted uneasily at the touch of magic, but none seemed overly suspicious. To them, it should feel like nothing more than an unusually chilly breeze gusting through the forest.
Lillian arched an eyebrow in his direction.
“Do not worry,” he reassured her. “It was only a small spell to learn their intentions.” He dropped to all fours and padded out from behind the tree. “I detect no evil on either of them.”
“Good. We’re in enough trouble as it is. We don’t need more.” Lillian narrowed her eyes. “Speaking of trouble—are you intentionally trying to find some?”
“No,” Gregory replied but didn’t deviate from his route.
“Then why are you making a beeline for me?” Her frustration and worry bled across her thoughts. “Use common sense for five minutes, or you’re going to get your ass shot off.”
“They cannot see me.” Moving silent and swift among the soldiers, he stalked Lillian as if she was his prey.
“What if they have some piece of technology which can see through your spells?”
“They would have already attempted to take me down.”
Lillian muttered a curse under her breath, but he felt when she gave into his wishes. She couldn’t stop him anyway.
Obeying another silent command, the soldiers rose to their feet. Some broke away from the group guarding Lillian, quickly replaced by the same number of newcomers. When they had sorted themselves out, he studied the newcomers’ weapons—they were of a different type.
“Those are tranquilizer guns,” Lillian said into his mind. “They fire a dart filled with a substance which puts its target to sleep. Better than bullets, I suppose, but I don’t know what effect they would have on a gargoyle. Let’s not find out.”
Gregory acknowledged her words with a nod, knowing she was the only one presently able to see him.
When the humans guarding Lillian moved out, he followed, leaving Resnick and the other soldiers to hunt for a ghost. They wouldn’t even find tracks.
Chapter 9
IT FELT LIKE THE LONGEST walk of her life. In reality, she’d only been walking in the company of the tight-lipped soldiers for less than two hours, but the worry that Gregory would get captured or have to fight his way free made it feel much, much longer.
Gran was correct. Gregory needed to take human form—she knew he could do it. He had for short times before, when he felt like it. Right now, his best non-lethal defense was to
play human. Now she’d just have to convince him, which would be no easy task. But that conversation would have to wait until later. They were nearing their destination. She could see floodlights through the trees. Her internal compass told her they would emerge from the forest at the north end of town, near the arena.
It made sense. The arena was the only space clear of trees and large enough for a field command.
They walked out of the forest and onto a paved road. She sensed when Gregory stopped at the edge of the forest, still in the shadow of the trees. On the other side of the road was the arena—though it looked vastly different than she remembered. The entire parking area had been fenced off. Within the new compound, trailers and other kinds of portable buildings took up most of the space. What was left was occupied by military vehicles. There was even a heavy-bodied helicopter off to one side.
Lillian was brought up short by the lead attached to the pooka. He’d planted all four hooves like he didn’t plan to move one step farther. Squinting against the bright floodlights, she understood the pooka’s reluctance. “Will your glamour hold up to scrutiny under their lights?”
“I would prefer not to test it.” He tugged on the lead a second time, nearly pulling her off her feet. The pooka continued his ‘spooked pony’ routine, lunging to the side and trotting a nervous circle around Lillian. Soldiers scattered out of the pooka’s path, cursing the black pony.
Only Corporal Mackenzie, a tall, muscular woman with a dark complexion and her hair done in corn rows, laughed at the pooka’s antics. The female soldier with the no-nonsense attitude had been assigned to lead Lillian back to civilization. Now she faced the pony and, much to Lillian’s surprise, cooed to him in a gentle voice, approaching him with a calm manner. She pulled a carrot from one back pocket and after glancing at Lillian for permission, offered it to the pooka.
Where the heck had the soldier pulled a carrot from, Lillian wondered?
The pooka pinned his ears and glared at the offering disdainfully.
“Oh, come on. I know you want it deep down in your little black heart,” the soldier said with a laugh.
The pooka sniffed for a moment and then snaked his head toward her. Lillian thought he was going for fingers, but he surprised her by only snapping up the carrot.
“Well,” Corporal Mackenzie chuckled, not put off by the show of bad manners, “I see your big, grey companion is the nicer of the duo.”
Lillian realized she must be talking about the unicorn—who had taken on the glamour of a dappled grey gelding. “You found my grandmother’s other escape artist?”
“Yes, he’s a sweet boy. I wondered where he came from. Your grandmother—she’s the owner of the spa?”
“Yes.” Lillian wasn’t in the most talkative mood. She was tired, dirty, bug-eaten, and hungry, but even so, she liked the woman. Anyone who liked a pooka must have a big, compassionate heart, or be a total badass, in the cool kind of way.
“I saw your grey gelding running loose at the edge of the forest near the intersection just west of here. A group of us herded him down this way where others had constructed a temporary pen to hold him. It’s just around the bend, butted up against the forest. I acquired some carrots from the market to entice my new friend into the enclosure. Thought he might be more relaxed away from all the lights and noise of HQ.”
“Thank you for the help. Really.”
“No problem. I rode as a kid. Think mom was trying to seduce me away from the military even then.” Corporal Mackenzie laughed. “My dad is military, and four of my five brothers are career military as well. It’s in my blood. Mom didn’t have a chance, not even with the aid of ponies.”
The other soldiers parted company with Lillian and Corporal Mackenzie, heading toward the main gate. Lillian, with a bit more than a mote of surprise, realized she wasn’t going to get detained for ‘trespassing’ on her own property like she’d half-expected.
“I’ll help you get your boys through the barricades and checkpoints.” Perhaps seeing Lillian’s surprise, the woman laughed openly, then clarified. “I’m not aiding and abetting. Major Resnick’s orders were to get you to civilization and then send you on your way.”
“Thanks,” Lillian said, not knowing what else to say, so stayed with the truth. “I could use the help with the horses. They belong to Gran. I just help out from time to time.”
“No problem. Come on.” She jerked her chin in the direction she wanted Lillian to go.
Lillian led the pooka down the mostly deserted road. Gregory kept pace in the forest running alongside. She was more than happy he hadn’t decided to pad down the center of the road, certain her constant staring would give him away.
They retrieved the unicorn without incident and made it through all the barricades and checkpoints. When Lillian parted company with the other woman, she released a loud sigh, not quite believing they’d made it out of enemy territory. As she continued home, leading the two horses and Gregory trailing behind, she half-expected to hear shouts of alarm and sounds of pursuit. She still didn’t relax until she walked up the long lane to the cottage. Never had its rough, stone walls looked so welcoming.
Then Lillian noticed Gran on the porch. Pacing.
“I’ve been worried sick. Why didn’t you send word?”
Dammit, Lillian cursed in the safety of her own mind.
By her grandmother’s tone, she hadn’t avoided an interrogation after all.
Chapter 10
SEVERAL BODY LENGTHS above the siren’s head, a small boat, its metal hull silhouetted against the sky, rocked gently upon the waves. A small anchor held it in place.
She eyed it. Debating whether she should drag the boat out into deeper water or risk capturing the humans this close to shore. The pod still circled, watching to see what she would do. They’d led her to this spot, a little alcove frequented by curious humans. From what she’d gathered from the dolphin’s minds, these humans were researchers, and as such cared for the oceans and what went on in them.
If it was true, how could they stand by and do nothing to prevent an abomination like the metal Not-Island from coming into existence in the first place?
Perhaps these humans were little more than peasants, unable to dictate change to the ruling nobility. The dolphins couldn’t give her insight into this—such a rigid structure wasn’t the dolphin way, and they did not understand the ultimate rule of a king.
Frowning up at the boat hull, she saw shadows moving as the humans went about their mysterious purpose. With a flurry of activity, a large cage was dropped over the side. Other objects were dropped in next, things suspended on long lines.
The dolphins had positioned themselves a short distance away at the first sign of activity, but with a series of questioning chirps, the young male was back at her side. Reaching out, she brushed a hand along his side, and he calmed, floating contentedly at her side.
Something splashed against the surface. Blood scent coiled through the water as bright red clouds trailed along the ocean surface, carried away by the current. Fish blood. Fish bodies. The smell reminded the siren it had been a few hours since she’d last fed. Magic sustained her throughout her long sleep, but upon waking, she needed to feed often for the first few days. Though dead fish didn’t tempt her, she preferred hers fresh.
The dolphin matriarch rejoined her and said, “Fish slurry for sharks.”
“The humans want to bring a predator to them? Whatever for?” she asked in genuine confusion. “To hunt the shark? With their nets and boats, the humans could easily hunt other, less dangerous prey.”
“Not to hunt. Study.” The young dolphin’s excited clicks intensified.
“You have seen this behavior before?”
“Yes. They study and protect. Track numbers and movement.”
A very passive form of protection, the siren decided. Another splash at the surface regained her attention. A human had plunged into the open top of the cage. While she watched, a second human joined the first. They
wore sleek, black, second skins, and each had a large cylinder strapped to their backs. She studied them while they were organizing supplies.
The strange objects strapped to their backs supplied them with air. Whatever was held in their mouths issued a small storm of bubbles every other heartbeat.
Hmm, the land-bound ones had found a way to live within her domain, at least for short expanses of time.
She narrowed her eyes.
A very short time.
Chapter 11
LILLIAN RINSED OFF the last plate and placed it in the dishwasher. The mundane routine of after dinner chores helped dispel the residual nervous energy from earlier. Gran had drilled her for every little detail during her exchange with Major Resnick. Gregory hadn’t escaped Gran’s tongue lashing either. She’d merely finished with him sooner and then sent him up to have Jason show him the inner workings of human clothing. Looking mildly contrite, Gregory had slunk off in the general direction Gran had indicated. Lillian had only stood and watched, utterly gobsmacked. That had been half an hour ago. Now all she wanted was to do a face-plant in her bed.
“Would you like some chamomile tea? It’s good for the nerves.” Gran gestured at the big, battered old pot sitting in the middle of the table.
“Thanks, but I’d probably fall asleep and—”
A loud crash echoed from the floor above followed by a window-shaking roar. “On second thought...” Lillian scooped up a cup, poured herself some, and took a sip.
“Told you so.” Gran smiled into her cup. “Better hurry before Gregory kills your brother. I know he can be a brat, but I still love my grandson.”
“I’ll send Jason down for a cup once I find which wall Gregory just put him through.”
Lillian made her way from the kitchen and into the living room as she sipped from her cup. Before she reached the stairs, there was another loud thump. Moments later, she heard Jason cursing, which was a good sign. At least he was conscious, she mused as she took the stairs two at a time. She turned right at the top of the stairs and headed down the hall leading to her room.
The Complete Gargoyle and Sorceress Boxset (Books 1-9) Page 33
