Carved

by Miki

  "First, I need you to learn to use your wings for defense. You already know how to pull them around you like a cape. Spar, you have large wings. When in need, you’ll be able to protect others by folding them around those you wish to protect. Say, for example, something was thrown at you—or maybe a short fall. Today's training will teach you how not to hurt others or yourself. Now, let's see you try an offensive move on me.”

  Mica grabs me, using a throw stance. He physically moves my wings into a proper position, encircling the area in front of me. “As you land, I need you to ‘slap-out’.” The same way I did as a human, got that. This time, my other arm/wing will continue to hold and protect the individual I’m protecting.”

  Mica and I continue my training. Hours must have gone by before he says, “It's time to stop for a break.”

  “I’m not ready to stop. I’m getting this, and enjoying every second of it.”

  Mica ends my protests with a wave. "We’re going flying in few minutes," he says. “I’m going to talk to the imps, Amber and Mason, and have them come with us for added safety."

  Glancing back, I notice we have quite a few of the Ceorfan watching the training now. Several move closer to us. A tall, blue-grey female rakes my body with her eyes. She asks me, "So, you are Mega's son? I just want you to know that while he is busy, I can keep you busy. In case you get lonely, that is."

  The others giggle.

  I’m feeling a little self-conscious because during practice, I’d removed all my clothes except a pair of heat gear exercise shorts. Like most gargoyles in Navan, I don't have need of many clothes. We aren't affected by temperature like when I was human. Even though the caves stay an even 62 degrees this far underground, I’m hot and sweaty from training.

  Another of the girls says, "No, Coral, I think he might need someone more like me to keep him company." This gargoyle has a definite sneer to her speech, but she is cut off by yet another gargoyle.

  "He might just like my team better, girls."

  "Get away, Jadite. We saw him first," Coral tells the large, muscular male monster in front of me.

  Okay, now what do I do? I don't want to piss them off. I only want Kendra. No one else will ever measure up to her in my heart. Besides, I know Mega wants me to focus on my training. I enjoy making him proud of me. My silence is stretching out.

  Thankfully, Mica takes charge. "Disperse," he tells my crowd of admirers. "The training field is for training. If you don't have business here, you need to go."

  Not one of them offer any argument. They all turn and leave.

  “Mason, Amber, will you come over and meet Spar?”

  Two small gargoyles about two feet tall come over to us. They are both solid black, shiny, smooth. They’re beautiful. The closest thing I could say they resemble is a lizard-kitten.

  "Spar this is Mason and Amber. They’re part of the Elites. Their specialty is speed and stealth. They were guarding the gates of the cemetery the night you joined the Ceorfan."

  I bend and reach out to shake hands. They both react simultaneously, each extending a paw. I chuckle, shaking Amber's clawed paw first. I hope I can tell these two apart. They’re a matched set, as far as I can tell. She asks Mica, looking at me, "We can fly. Are we going with stealth or will we be using glamors to be seen?"

  "We need to remain unseen this trip, Pebble.” He gives a knowing look, the kind longtime friends and associates share, to both.

  Mica, Mason, and Amber are taking me to the cave entrance. The whole time, they’re explaining how to fly, things to avoid and how to take direction from the stars. “I know how to navigate, guys. The Army Rangers trained me well.”

  The cave is a fantasy palace, beautiful and calm. A path leads to the mouth of this cave, unseen from the outside. It’s an easy, upward rise. I'm not paying the training much attention and look up at the night sky, taking a deep breath of the cool desert air. Clouds cover much of the sky tonight, but the stars that peek through are shining and bright. It’s nice to be out here. I spot two guards. I nod to the gargoyles on duty as we pass.

  Amber and Mason drop to the ground, rolling in the dirt, covering themselves. Mason says it’s to dull the shine of their skin as we fly. It won't last. but will be enough for this trip.

  Mica pauses, glancing at Mason and Amber, who scramble away. He explains everything that happened at the Ranger Station. He reassures me Kendra is out of danger. Still, my heart is pounding and all I want to do is go see her! Now! They have given me an added incentive to learn to fly well tonight.

  "Okay, Spar, we’re at the top of a 500-foot drop. This is the easiest way to learn. Just run and jump off. Spread your wings. If an uplift does not catch you, start pumping your wings. I assure you they will provide all the lift you need, with minimal effort.”

  I don't wait a second. I run to the edge and jump. What can happen? I've already died once, and I must get to Kendra, I tell myself. After a slight drop I begin to pump my wings, and up I go. I love it! I straighten my legs behind me to streamline my body. It helps. The lights of Cueva Hallow are in the distance and I turn in that direction. The others are by my side now, smiling. Nothing needs to be said; we understand each other. I did it and they approve!

  I’ve lived in this area for years, so I want to lead the way to the hospital. Taking advantage of the darkness, we avoid the lights of Cueva Hallow and come in from the west. I first see the flume, then the hospital.

  Mica's instructions for landing in mind. I lower my legs, hold out my wings for stability, and slowly descend to the rooftop. I land a little rough. He pats my shoulder and with a low, quiet voice, "I'm proud of you. You did amazingly well. It’ll get easier. She’s over here. This is her window. I opened it earlier before I left. We’ll enter this way. Silent approach."

  The little ones are in first, without a sound. Next is my turn. I catch my breath as I see her. I’ve seen worse on others, but this seems much worse because it is Kendra. My anger is going to boil over. I should’ve been with her. She is mine to protect. I’ve always thought that, but now it seems greatly amplified in my mind. I reach out to touch her face. She snuggles into my hand. Drugged as she is, she stays asleep.

  Mica passes me, whispering, "You can have 15 minutes only. The Imps are checking the halls and her records. I'll be outside guarding. See you on the roof. Don't disregard the time limit.” I nod acceptance as he leaves.

  Bending, I get to my knees on the floor by her bed. I still tower over her. That's okay. I can better protect her with this body. I can't wipe the smile from my face; I’m so happy to see her. She’s so little, so frail-looking, and so beautiful. I touch her forehead with my lips and kiss her lightly. She moans. I jerk back quickly, but not fast enough, as she grabs my arm and brings it around her like normal. At the same time, she presses her face to my chest. I feel an erection begin. Thankfully that still works. I continue to hold her for a little longer. I feel better, but I must find a way to be in her life. How, is the problem.

  “I must go,” I whisper to her, kissing her softly.

  She tells me, “No, stay.”

  I smile. She always talks in her sleep.

  As quietly as I can, I step out of the window onto the roof and meet the others. How did the imps get out here? Maybe I was too busy to notice them passing me.

  Mica gives the imps orders to take me back to the Navan. He must stay and go to work as a Park Ranger. What I wouldn't give to have his gift of glamor. The ability to stay flesh, in human form, until he chooses to sleep! What a perfect gift to have.

  “Guard her well, my friend. Communicate with Mega and let me know if the slightest problem arises, okay?”

  “Of course. I’ll let you know tonight. Safe flying, Spar.”

  Eventually, the imps and I are off. In flight again.

  Flying high over the city is amazing. I love this feeling. I’m only looking around and following the little ones. The pure joy of flight is filling my attention. I’m not even sure where we are now. I’m sure
they do, so I go with their lead. They drop behind a hill, and I follow. “Wait, what happened to them?” They’re gone. I can't find them anywhere. Those little jerks. I call for them and get no response.

  Frustrated, I wait a few minutes. Looking at my tablet, it'll be light in about an hour. Great! Just great!

  Okay, calm down! I look back to the sky: the moon is in the west and Navan is south of Cueva Hallow. All I need is to travel south and I’ll start to see the hills near Navan soon. I take off, flying in that direction. After a few miles, I notice Sandy River and know I’m headed in the correct direction.

  I hear a rattling and the bleating of deer. Looking down, I see a large 10-point mule deer caught in the barbed wire fencing. “Oh, bloody hell, could it get harder tonight.” I check my tablet. I only have 40 minutes. Fine, whatever. What can happen to me way out here anyway? I'll just hide in the mesquite bushes and wait for dark if I can't make it.

  I land a little too close to the trapped deer, which sets him off, struggling. He's been here a while. I can tell because he is tiring and has several bloody scratches on his hide.

  “It's okay,” I tell him, “I'm here to help." Knowing he can’t understand me, I try to make my voice soothing. Having a little experience with trapped deer, I grab his horns so he can't hurt me. “Awesome! This isn't hard at all.”

  I’m stronger than he is, I discover. I hold him still with my left arm while I cut the barbed wire with the claws of my right hand. It parts, and the wire snaps back and... yes, of course, it slices my bicep.

  “Damn it! That stings.” It looks okay, ugly, but okay. At least my arm now matches my hands. It shocked me when the razor on the wire caught me. My thoughts drift from holding the deer and I relax my grip. My new friend notices and jerks his head up, nailing me right in the forehead with one of his antler points!

  “Son of a bitch, that was dumb!” Shaking my head, I clench tighter to hold him steady, not letting him move until I have the wire cut. “There, you’re almost free, big guy!”

  Now, I have him free of the wires holding him in place. But I still have to unwind the separated wire still entwined in his antlers. “In for a penny...,” I say to myself. “Boy, you got this wound up there.”

  He calms, as much because I outmatch him physically as because he’s worn out, as I cut the last strand free. Now, one of the hardest parts—setting him free. I’ve been lucky. I’ve never been kicked or charged when I freed a deer in the past. “Be careful,” I tell myself. I set my stance, point his antlers away from me, and let go.

  He jumps straight up, kicking out with his back legs, pegging me right in the gut. It propels me backward as he takes off. “Yeah! Back at ya, buddy. See if I do you any more favors," I shout to the racing deer's butt. Well, we’ll both be fine.

  Getting up, I scope my surroundings, sure someone must have been recording the episode. It’d get lots of laughs on the internet. “Like there could possibly be someone out here in the boondocks who saw my little show,” I say to the bugs and rabbits in the area.

  Looking at my tablet, I have about two minutes to make a 20-minute trip. Let's see, what can I do? I’m going to have to stay out here for my change. How do I stay safe? How do I keep the Ceorfan a secret? There’s a rock shelf about a hundred yards away, which should help conceal me.

  I fly over to the rocks. How many times have I said a rock, or a mountain, or a cloud looks like an angel or animal? Well, that's my plan. I land. Yes, nailed it! I’m getting better at them. This landing didn't jar me at all. Taking a deep breath of the dusty desert air, I see the orange rim of the hills surrounding me, and I pose. “I hope this is right,” I think as the first rays of morning touch my skin.

  “Arrghh!” I roar! My skin now stone, I sleep.

  Several hours later I feel a little rabbit walk right over my feet? I think I might scare it when I wake in a few minutes. Naw. That would only be funny if it was those two imps from hell who left me on my own. I'm kinda glad, though. It’s nice to have some time not training. I feel the change coming. Waking up doesn't hurt like going to sleep. It tingles like a numb limb that went to sleep. I stretch.

  And there’s the two imps from hell, right in front of me, waiting.

  "Hey, you two, where have you been?" I shout, letting go of my anger as I lift my wings to fly. Yeah, taking off is easier too. Those little pests follow me up into the sky. Speaking together, they tell me, excitedly, the second test is almost complete.

  “What?”

  Twenty some minutes later, we stop at the cave entrance as two Elites stop us for verification. Again, I get back to our cave room before Mega leaves.

  My father has just enough time to tell me he wants to give me a briefing at lunch. I nod once and smile saying, “Okay, Dad, I'll meet you in the lunchroom at midnight. Ha, I’m getting it.”

  "Oh, and Spar, good job on passing your second test. I will give information to the High Guild today. I am proud of you, son. The test was, amid finding your way, would you help the defenseless? This is part of who we are. How we change the world. The small things matter.

  “You kept in mind the safety of the Ceorfan, which was also a big part of the test. You posed and changed in the rocks.

  “Good idea, son. In doing so, you help keep our secrets from others. Mason and Amber were watching the entire time. They reported you were able to navigate by the position of the stars and moon before you saw the deer. Knowing you might not make it in time to change, you freed a mule deer from where it had been trapped in wire. Not worrying about extra tools, you used your strength and claws to free the animal. You were never lost and have made it home without help. When you made it home, you showed no stress or anger to the sentries—or even to the imps. I am happy with the results."

  Again, there’s something about my relationship with Mega. His praise builds even more confidence in my belonging to this community. I’m keenly aware I’ve left the human world and the world of the Ceorfan is now my world. I feel like an adolescent speaking with their sports idol. I don’t know what or how to speak my mind. So I respond, "Thanks. See you at lunch. I've got to go find Mica.”

  Eight

  History

  Kendra

  I wake up early. The nurses taking blood and monitoring vitals woke me. I had the best dreams last night. I was certain David was with me, holding my hand. My body tingles with the memory.

  Dr. Vargas enters my hospital room with a chart in his small hands. Scanning the paperwork, he asks to examine my sutures. He pronounces them healing nicely. “Kendra, I have never seen someone recover from a wound like this as fast as you have. How do you feel?”

  "I'm sore, but ready to go home."

  He grumbles, “Might be possible, if you can meet a few goals. First, in the next 24 hours, you must have no fever. Your sutures must remain in place with no abnormal fluid discharge. Finally, you must be ambulatory. If you can do this, I might consider letting you go home tomorrow, as long as you have someone who will stay with you.” He also adds, “Again, Kendra, you heal quickly. I’m impressed.”

  I got out of bed to practice walking, went to the bathroom with the help of my nurse. The walk energized me. However, not wanting to get worn out, I lie back down.

  Mica, good to his word, strolls into my hospital room at 6:30 am sharp. The delicious aroma of a Tastee Drive burger he carries in a paper sack is a boon to my hungry stomach. Ahhh, I take a big whiff and lean back with a grin.

  “You’re my friend for life.” Stretching my stitches, a bit. I ignored the pain, not wanting to let my new partner know I hurt myself.

  "Good thing the diner is open 24/7 so I could get this. I wouldn’t want to disappoint a lady. Well, what's the news from the doctors? It must be good—your brothers aren't here. I can’t imagine them leaving otherwise."

  "You would be correct, Mr. Brainiac. Visiting hours just started and they aren’t here yet. The doctor said they’ll be letting me go in the morning. I’m not in any danger if I don't over exert
myself. I need to be careful not to tear my stitches. Now, give me my cheeseburger before I have to break the law."

  "Well, we can't have that, your highness." His gorgeous smile makes him not look so tough. Approachable even. No, I can't even imagine who’d brave walking up to him just to shoot the breeze—without knowing him first, anyway.

  I don't have to wait for my burger. Mica brings it to me. He even gets it out putting it on the rolling tray where my water cup was sitting. I dig into my food. Not minding my manners, I blurt out, "Mica, are they finding information on the dirtbag who infiltrated the station and shot me? Are they telling you anything?"

  "Yeah, I know a little.” He pulls a chair close to my bed. “I'm going to say one thing first, partner. I’ll be open and honest with you at all times, but I need to know you’ll do the same for me.”

  I nod my head up and down, keeping my mouth shut so he can continue.

  “Said dirtbag has a name. It's Jerry Drinker. He is a known hitman for the Jessup cartel. His rap sheet is filled with weapons violations, gang activity, domestic violence, theft… Need I go on?” he asks rhetorically. “He's been a suspect in several murders. He was acquitted every time. And princess, he didn't make it to the hospital. The shot you fired was on target and did its job."

  "Okay, I can deal with that. I don't want to sound uncaring, but it makes me feel better knowing he isn't out there, loose to finish whatever it was he started."

  “Actually, he was after you from the start,” Mica continues.

  Air whooshes out of my lungs. I’m puzzled and shocked.

  He continues, “Captain Murphy and I had just walked into his office. Drinker was already there, waiting. He clocked Murphy before we even saw him and threatened to kill him if I tried anything. He was yelling at me to call for you so he could take you out. I had a plan to storm him to control the situation right as you walked in, all pretty as you please.

  “Kendra, I have even more information. It's highly classified. I don't know how to prepare you for it. It’s strange and unbelievable. You might not want to have me for a partner, or you may want to have me committed to an insane asylum when you hear it. Can you eat your burger and think about it today? I don’t have time to tell you right now—I've got to get to work. I'll see you tomorrow morning, even take you home if you want me to. Then, if you want me to tell you what I know, I will.” He punches me lightly on the shoulder, turns his broad back on me, and walks out of my room.