Gargoyle's Mate

by Nia K. Foxx

  There was only a matter of time before the little hideaway she’d secured for the humans would be discovered, but with any luck by the time Lorn found his mate she would be totally convinced gargoyles were the enemy.

  ***

  “So are you going to tell me what it says?” Gordy finally asked, putting away the text he was pretending to read on ancient myths. They’d both spent their fair share of time borrowing books on the topic from the local library in the hopes of learning some new bits of information. It was proving to be a very frustrating process.

  “I’d like to go through it again, make sure my translations are correct,” she said, tearing her eyes away from the final entry. Although the text was written in an early Franco-German dialect, she was very certain her interpretation was spot on, but she just wasn’t ready to share it with Gordy yet.

  “I’d like to go to the library in the morning and see what I can find by way of foreign language dictionaries,” she fibbed.

  “Good luck.” Gordy snorted. “I think I’ll call it a night.” He stood, coming to stand in front of her. “Get me up in the morning before you leave,” he requested, before quickly swooping down to give her a familiar peck on the lips. He exited the room before she had a chance to comment.

  She sat up for several more hours re-reading the entries. It was obvious part of the journal was missing but what remained told its own story.

  Entry 72950

  The Council informed all Fledglings of a new law whereby all mating would last for a period of twenty years, after which a new mate would be assigned to Fledglings for procreation. The distress over the judgment is evident in all the faces of my sisters, although no one chose to speak out, except to confide in me. I am but one woman – what can I do to sway the Council?

  Entry 72951

  Willow was brought back to the Keep today. I was the only Fledgling present to witness her battered state. I stood in the entry when Reem carried her to their rooms. I have never seen such a pure look of fierceness on his face. He turned to show me her bruised body. “This is the fate you all will suffer if you attempt to run away.” I was sickened by the sight of her, wanting to reach out and help her, but Reem would not allow it. He said she would remain in isolation until he determined otherwise.

  Entry 72952

  Another Fledgling ran away today. She was the mate of Jare. I was almost glad to hear of her escape. They fought often since the decree. It was evident to us all that Jare has become abusive to her but none of the Protectors made an attempt to stop him. Even my Krail defended his actions by saying the transition would be stressful to us all, explaining Jare would never do anything to harm his woman. Tell that to Genevieve who wore a black eye for nearly a week after a previous argument.

  Entry 72953

  I spoke to the Council today about the plight of the Fledglings, hoping I could impress upon them our dissatisfaction over the decree. None would even listen to our pleas; even Krail turned a blind eye. What is to become of us?

  Entry 72954

  The new young Fledgling, Michelle, has cried nearly every night of her separation from her sister. Elizabeth has been in seclusion with her new mate Erik for nearly a week, and I have begun to worry for her safety. Erik lived in the harsher climates of the east, only coming to visit our Keep to participate in the Mate Choosing ceremonies. He happened to be one of the Protectors present when they intercepted the carriage en route to the convent. Krail has said Erik plans to leave in a fortnight without the little one. How could anyone be so cruel as to separate two sisters who obviously need each other?

  Entry 72955

  The body of Genevieve was discovered in a glen not far from the Keep. Some of the Fledglings are speculating that Jare murdered her as punishment for running away. I am not certain either way but I know we cannot continue to go on this way.

  Entry 72956

  Willow has come out of seclusion today. Physically she looks healed but there is nothing behind her eyes. We have tried many different ways to pull her from her silent stupor, to no avail. It saddens me to see her this way. I knew her when she first came to the Keep, so vibrant and full of life.

  Fatima skimmed several more pages of noted atrocities the Fledglings had been subjected to at the hands of the so-call Protectors.

  Entry 72975

  I have decided to embark on my journey to the gargoyles’ various holdings as an Ambassador, or so the Council believes. If I can win the support of the Fledglings in those regions I can begin to put our plan in motion.

  Fatima put the journal away, not needing to go on; she knew the plan, from her first reading. The Fledglings had plotted their own Jonestown type of mass suicide. Laurel had delivered the deadly elixir to all the known gargoyle keeps with instructions it not be used until the majority of the Protectors’ forces were called away on a mission. Apparently, her plan had succeeded; otherwise Lorn wouldn’t be looking for a new way to breed his species.

  ***

  She awoke from a fitful sleep only to be greeted by the roiling of her stomach. She scarcely made it into the bathroom before heaving the sparse contents into the toilet bowl. Fatima sat on the cold tile for several moments to make sure the retching had stopped before going through the ritual of cleaning her face and mouth.

  “Seems to only affect you in the morning,” Gordy said from the bathroom doorway where he leaned casually.

  “How long have you been there?” she asked his reflection through the mirror.

  “Long enough to see you lose the dinner you barely touched last night,” he replied.

  “The polite thing would have been for you leave and close the door behind you,” she admonished.

  “You’re probably right. So are you keeping it?”

  “What are you talking about?” She looked away from his reflection, taking the cool wet towel and wiping her face.

  “The baby, or whatever it is growing inside you.”

  “There isn’t a baby or anything else inside me,” she replied a little shakily.

  “Sure… and De Nile is just a river in Egypt.”

  She whirled on him, hackles raised. “Look, I don’t have to stand here and listen to your crap.” She made to brush past him only to have her path blocked.

  “Don’t be upset with me. I’m just trying to make you face reality here. I heard you yesterday morning and have seen you just about lose it a few times before.”

  “I… I can’t be pregnant,” she said in a near whisper, unable to meet his eyes.

  “And why not?”

  At Gordy’s raised eyebrows she blathered on. “Even your succubus friend said they needed to do experiments on humans before they could breed with them.”

  “Apparently they found a loophole. I don’t know. The fact remains you, my dear, are very pregnant and need to decide what you’re going to do about it.”

  Fledglings were what Lorn’s mother called the women who could breed with gargoyles. Was it possible she was one? If so, did it mean she was something other than human too?

  She wondered as she stared down at the positive blue indicator on the narrow pregnancy strip. She was going to have a baby, a gargoyle or something in between, she thought wearily. How had she ended up in this predicament?

  “Well?” Gordy asked expectantly from his seat in the living room as she re-emerged.

  “Just goes to show you who you can trust nowadays,” she tried to joke, although she’d never felt less funny in her life.

  ***

  The small island of Catalina waited like the last vestige of hope for the somnolent gargoyle. He’d gotten word of a young black woman and white male who fit the description of Fatima and Gordy. The two were said to be residing in a bungalow on the edge of town under assumed names. The island made the perfect refuge from a gargoyle, and it therefore made complete sense the two would be there, or any island in the world for the matter. He hoped his informants were correct.

  ***

  “Thank you for dinner,” Fatima
said as they left the quaint little restaurant nestled on a narrow street. It was a favorite of the locals looking for a place to get good food without all the tourist traffic.

  “Don’t mention it. I’m trying to atone for my rude comment earlier about the baby. Have you decided about whether or not to keep it?” he inquired.

  “I still don’t know. This baby could be perfectly normal, not possessing any of the gargoyle traits of its father.” Confusion etched her voice, although a part of her, a very large part of her, was completely opposed to the possibility of an abortion.

  “Or it could possess all of them. Genetics can be very funny,” he added.

  Fatima didn’t need him to tell her that.

  “Listen, whatever you decide just know I support you a hundred and ten percent.”

  “Thanks for everything. I owe you more than I could ever repay you for all you’ve done for me.”

  “What a cozy little scene I’ve come across,” Lorn sneered as he stepped out of the shadows of a nearby alley. His mind was still absorbing the most important part of their conversation. He’d stood silently listening to every word as the couple approached his secluded hiding space. He was going to be a father. Lorn took in her revealing white mini dress and his blood boiled over the thought of her wearing it for the human’s pleasure. There was no mistaking the obvious bond between the two. His heart ached at the idea of her giving herself to another man.

  Fatima stumbled as she came to an abrupt halt, as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.

  “Leave her alone, Gargoyle,” Gordy spoke up, pushing her protectively behind him, his actions reminding Lorn there was no time for foolish emotions or self-pity. He needed to remember her betrayal.

  “So you have appointed yourself protector of my mate?”

  When she first caught sight of Lorn, Fatima thought he was nude, but the light from the street lamp caught the tan material of what appeared to be a loincloth tied around his waist. Unbound raven colored hair draped his shoulders. Primitive and dangerous was the first thought that came to mind.

  Lorn closed the distance between them slowly, each step thudding in her ears while she peered over Gordy’s shoulder at the man who had changed her life.

  “She’s not your mate, and if memory serves me she left you.”

  “Yes, she did.” He stopped in front of them, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment Fatima thought she saw something akin to pain cross his features.

  “Gordy, don’t provoke him,” she whispered, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder.

  Lorn’s gaze was immediately drawn to the comforting touch. “I believe it’s too late for warnings, mon cher.”

  “Lorn, it’s me you’re mad at, let him go and we can talk.”

  He gave a laugh sounding dangerously like a growl. “Do you think I’ve searched this long for us to talk? I assure you, my dear, the time for conversation is over.”

  “If you think you’re going to…” Gordy’s words trailed off with a loud yelp as he was hurled across the narrow road. He landed with a thud in a silent heap.

  “Gordy!” she gasped. She wanted to check to make sure he was all right but was stopped by an unseen force.

  “If you touch him again I swear I will kill him.”

  “Lorn, please just leave. I promise we won’t tell anyone about you or your kind. We’d probably be locked away if we did,” she assured him.

  “And what of my son, or are you still undecided about him?”

  “How…”

  “If you think I would leave my child with you and the succubus slave for one more second you have another think coming." He closed in on her, folding her in his steely embrace. Fatima felt more than saw the transformation into his gargoyle form. In a matter of seconds they were airborne, putting distance between them and the city of Avalon in record time. Fatima sent up a silent prayer for Gordy and another for herself because from the look Lorn had given her, she would need all the divine intervention she could get.

  ***

  Their landing was softer than she’d anticipated in his current state, but she was grateful for small favors. She’d just gotten her bearings when he escorted her into a sprawling log cabin nestled between dense redwoods.

  “It’s good to see your trip was successful, brother,” Jean greeted him. “Hello, little sister.” He smiled warmly at her.

  “Hello,” Fatima managed before she was nearly dragged behind the loincloth clad Lorn. He took the stairs up to the second floor two at a time while she stumbled behind him.

  When he finally relinquished his hold on her arm she was grateful it remained attached. She took several steps into the bedroom they’d entered to put distance between them. Fatima watched in awe as the bedroom door closed behind him without so much as a backwards glance from Lorn. Fear crept up her spine as she realized the full extent of his powers was still unknown to her.

  “What are you going to do with me?” she asked nervously.

  “Whatever I want,” came his harsh reply. “Remove your clothes.”

  “You can’t be… serious.”

  “I am not interested in debating the issue. Either you take them off or I will.”

  Seeing the seriousness in his stare she complied, kicking off the strappy heeled sandals. The white halter dress she wore tied at the neck, allowing for a one tug release. His already smoldering gaze turned to an inferno as the dress slid easily off her body, revealing dark firm breasts and upturned nipples puckering in the chilly room. Silk bikini briefs hugged her rounded hips.

  “Did you wear those for him?” he rasped.

  “No.” her voice came out in a barely audible squeak.

  “Don’t lie to me,” he barked. “I smell his scent on you. Your body reeks of him.” He advanced on her so quickly his form blurred in front of her eyes. She froze when the thin fabric of her panties was ripped from her body, leaving her completely bare.

  Lorn scooped her up into his arms then made for the connecting bathroom. He settled her in the shower before adjusting the temperature of the harsh spray. His loincloth was discarded quickly before he joined her in the small space.

  “No,” she protested as he began to vigorously scrub her from head to toe. “We didn’t do anything,” she cried, her skin feeling raw from every place he touched.

  After, she stood like a child while he dried her with as much energy as he expended in the cleaning process. She held back the tears threatening to fall at his harsh treatment.

  “Put this on.” He grabbed some garments from a nearby wardrobe and tossed them on the bed.

  She grabbed up the familiar items, pulling them on with vigor.

  “We will be returning to France in the morning after breakfast,” he informed her. “Sleep now – my son needs the rest,” were his parting words.

  ***

  “Brother, you know she did not sleep with the human,” Jean said to the brooding man next to him after thirty minutes of silence.

  “I know,” Lorn replied. He’d known from the moment he had her alone, but felt the need to remove the faint scent from her daily contact with the male.

  “Perhaps you should talk to her. I’m sure there are reasons why she left with him.”

  “Save your sage advice for someone else, little brother. I thank you for your help in the search and for the use of your home, but how I choose to handle my mate is no one’s concern,” he said quietly, before leaving the room.

  For a brief moment Lorn contemplated returning to the bedroom where his mate slept but thought better of it. In his current state there was no telling how he would react to being so close to her. For the sake of her and their unborn child it was better if he kept his distance for now.

  ***

  “Fatima!” Gordy came to with a start, looking around the familiar room of their bungalow with questioning eyes.

  “Where is she?” he asked the woman snuggled up at his side.

  “Her gargoyle has come for her, don’t you remember?” the succubus offer
ed softly.

  He fell back against the plush pillows. He did remember. The creature, in human form, had come out of an alley and attacked him before he had a chance to get one punch off.

  “Yes, I remember. We have to get her back.”

  “Impossible. The gargoyle is aware of my assistance and will make sure he takes all necessary precautions to prevent any such happenstance in the future.”

  “You can’t think I will just leave her to him.”

  “What other choice do you have, unless you have a death wish?” She began a slow massage on his chest and belly. “Does this woman really mean so much to you?”

  “Yes,” he answered after a slow intake of breath. She held his cock firmly in her hands, massaging him until he grew rigid.

  “Then you shall have her,” she said.

  He would have questioned her statement but was silenced as she transformed into the object of his obsession. He blinked rapidly as the dark woman straddled his waist.

  “Is this what you want?” she asked.

  He nodded slowly. Even her voice sounded like Fatima’s

  “What would you have me do, Gordy?”

  “Take my cock into your warm pussy, baby,” he murmured, licking his lips in anticipation. She hovered over him, rubbing his flesh vigorously until he moaned aloud.

  “Like this.” She eased down onto his length, her sheath swallowing the hardness inside of her.

  “Oh, yes.” He arched into her while she rode him gently at first, her rhythm seeming to gain momentum from his lustful moans.