Carved

by Miki

  I catch hold of his hand, turning into him. “Would you like to go flying with us after the reception? I’d like to spend a little time with you all. To get away for a few minutes. Stress-free.”

  “Sounds like a plan, beautiful. Get ready. I’ll see you in the Halls of History.”

  Amber makes my hair look amazing in a complicated queenly updo. She’s unpacked the dress Jamie sent and is figuring out how to get it on me. It’s more beautiful than the one from the gala. It’s a deep blood red covered with tiny crystals; most are a matching red on top fading to black. The hem is solid black, as are the wrists of the long sleeves of the jacket. I guess I can call it a jacket—it’s sleeves going across my upper back. The dress is cut low to ride under my wings. Stiff with boning to keep it up in the front. The back has keyholes, each closing with a ruby button, the last one for my tail—then the rest is solid.

  Jamie sent me the most beautiful stilettos, matching my dress perfectly. The red crystals are a little bigger on the shoes. Amber brings out a stone tray full of the most gorgeous jewelry; black onyx and diamond teardrop earrings, a matching necklace and ring. Then she places a crown on my head that any beauty queen would adore. It has a dragon shaped of onyx and ruby, lifting its wings amid a white gold crown full of diamonds and rubies. The very last thing she hands me is a pair of black silk gloves that fit like a second skin.

  “Now Kendra, if you’ll drop your wings and hold hands with your little hands—the ones on top of your wings—we call these chir, short for chiroptera. Oh, you are beautiful. See what your designer has done? Your wings look like a cape—they fade from red to black like your dress. I see your beautiful ruby buttons are showing. Finished! You can look at yourself in the mirror. Pulse of our heart seems like not enough, Your Majesty.”

  Jericho pulses me. He’s outside my door, ready to walk me to the ceremony. Going out to meet him, I smile as he offers me his arm.

  “We will meet the Consorts in the Hall along with the Ducere. Are you ready, Your Majesty?”

  “As ready as I’ve ever been.”

  Navan is silent as I make my way to the Halls of History on my mage’s arm. He stops as we come to the opening to the Halls of History, motioning me to proceed. Nodding my head slightly in his direction, I move into the room slowly. I see my handsome consorts, I so walk forward to them, stopping in front of them I turn to the crowd. My brothers stand on each side of me, as heirs to the throne.

  “General Megahir, it’s my honor to reward the Ducere’s Elite Warrior Flint tonight. Will you come forward with your warrior?”

  Mega motions to Flint, as they move down an aisle of gargoyles on each side of them.

  “Ducere Warrior Flint, you have honored your queen. I honor you in return. You and your deeds will not be forgotten as your name is etched in this city. Please come forward.”

  Flint stands in front of me. I take the stylus from the stone table. It vibrates with power. “I hereby etch you into the Halls of History.” I touch the stylus to Flint’s forehead as I had seen my grandmother do in the vision Jericho had shown me.

  What I couldn’t see in the vision, I now know. The power of the vibrations become a hologram in front of me. So real I’m there. I see Flint being born, his childhood, how he became a man, how he became a warrior. Everything he felt, I feel. The care he has for me, the loyalty of the man is amazing. Lastly, I see how he saved me. It’s a magnificent story. He’s my hero.

  I pivot on my heels. The stylus guilds me to the spot it wants to etch his name in this city. I touch it to the wall. It’s electric. The words shimmer and sparkle as they’re written. It takes just a few seconds and very little space, but is a whole biography. It smells like cake in here now. Wonderful!

  I look at Flint, and his eyes are glassy with tears. I may not be the most decorous queen when I go to him, gathering him up in a hug. “Thank you, Flint, my warrior. You are my hero.”

  Applause breaks out, and the Ducere roar! The room pulses like a heartbeat. Next thing you know, we’re all roaring and laughing. Duke Findare comes forward to make an announcement; there’s a reception in the throne room. He tells me it’s the room with the crystal podium. I see my brothers walk ahead with others. Jared needs to get back to Scotland and is taking Jose with him. Jericho had given him his own portal stone earlier. Dana says he’d see me later. He has to be up early; his crews are starting a new project.

  Kino is beside me, offering me an arm. “You are gorgeous beloved. The crown suits you.”

  Mica and Spar are behind us as we casually walk to the reception. Mica says, “We’ll see you in at the reception. We forgot to get something.” It sounds like they made a deal so Kino and I can have a stolen moment together.

  As soon as they’re gone, Kino guides me to a little pool in an enclave on the trail. He bends down and shines a light on the pool; it’s full of little white fish. Wonderful, oh so beautiful. Does the light bother them? No, they’ve adapted to the dark. They’re albino and blind. It doesn’t seem to hurt them—they get around fine without sight.

  He stands. I know his heartbeat speeds up. Mine does too. He curls a finger at me to follow him into the dark. I hold his hand tight. He stops after only a few yards. We come to a bench in the wall; he sits and invites me to sit with him. There’s not much room. I crawl into his lap, hoping to surprise him. One corner of his mouth lifts. “Kendra, may I kiss you?”

  “If you don’t, I’ll have to kiss you.”

  He presses a soft kiss to my lips. He smells wonderful. His wings go around us. I keep mine down. He traces my face with a finger then pushes up on my chin. I look into his eyes. He tells me, “Kendra, you are more than I could ever hope to dream. You make me very happy. If you ever, at any time, have enough of me, tell me and I will leave you alone. I will pine my life away far from here, as I could never give up wanting you. You make me feel desire in every cell of my body. When you teased me with your claws, I wanted to make you mine right then and there. Show you pleasure until your body screamed for release.

  “You are mine. I am not letting you go. I don’t want to lose a minute with you.” He crushes me to him in a hard kiss, his tongue moving deep into my mouth. I crawl up him. We make out until my lips chap. I pull my dress up to press my over-heated body against his hard manliness. My body has a mind of its own and I’m getting carried away. His hands on my breasts are driving me wild. He holds me close with his wings.

  He puts a clawed hand into my panties. With a deft slice he cuts them off. With the back of a claw, he presses into my clit. kneading it. I’m so ready. I don’t even care if he accidentally cuts me. He knows what he’s doing and maneuvers me without a scratch. He slides a finger inside me, still rubbing my clit, and in seconds I cum on his big hand. Leaning on his chest, I catch my breath. Wondering how to return the favor in this dress. He must read my mind.

  He tells me, “We have all the time in the world. I will wait. We can enjoy the chase. They are probably missing us at the reception. Let us go, so we might leave all the sooner. Shall we?”

  Holding his hand in mine, I look to see how he managed to get a finger inside me. I hold his hand up. One finger has a perfectly rounded-off, smooth nub of a claw. I smile and tell him thank you. For me?”

  “After I sharpened yours, I did mine.” My singer gives me a wicked grin.

  When we get to the throne room with my slightly rumpled dress, we talk to the entire Guild, it feels like. I give eye signals to my guygoyles. They get the hint and off we go. I’m glad they know the way to the entrance, given it’s changed places.

  Thirty

  Caught

  Kendra

  “Where do you want to fly tonight?” I ask.

  “You’re the queen—you decide. We’ll follow,” Spar tells me.

  “Let’s check out the Ranger post. It isn’t that far away. I want to do a trial run in my dress, so let’s go a short way then rest a bit, talk, then head home.”

  After we start, I call out to them, lau
ghing, “So I guess I’m flying high enough no one can see anything, right?” I’m not telling the others I’m commando. That’s for me and Kino alone; we share a conspiratorial grin.

  Mica immediately flies under me and says he can’t, no matter how hard he tries. Laughing, he tips my tail up and causes me to plummet. I laugh as I fall. I know one of them will catch me, I hope… Spar catches me, steadies me while I get my wings again. Turnabout is fair play, Mica. You just wait.

  We’re at the Ranger post now. Without making a sound, I set down on the roof. I sit to look over the installation. Mica sits behind me, with his big legs on either side of mine. Kino sits on my right, and Spar lies on my left, with his head on my leg. Could life be any better? I don’t think so!

  The wind is calm, the air is clear, and the day is perfect. We perk up when a couple of guards walk around the corner of the building we’re facing. I watch and I stifle a giggle. It’s like when my brothers and I would pretend stalk our parents. We were so sneaky most of the time that they never knew we were there. It gave us a rush because it was fun. That’s what this feels like, kids sneaking up on an adult. I need to ask Amber and Mason how they sneak so well without laughing.

  Is that John? No, I can tell now it isn’t John, the shithead who shot Mica. What’s he doing since we decimated the Jessup Cartel? Speak of the devil… He walks out a door and is talking to one of the guards. They have a short discussion about a shipment of cocaine coming through, then he leaves.

  “Did you guys hear that?” I ask the most handsome guys I have ever known. They acknowledge they heard him, whispering in case someone hears us.

  I motion for the guys to follow me. We lift off and stay low and out of sight, following the terrain of the small canyon we used to get to the station earlier. On the way back to Navan we make plans.

  The most important step is to gather as much evidence against Shithead John and his cohorts as possible. Mica and I will bring them to justice in the ‘real’ world with real-world consequences. Mica will begin by calling work tomorrow to get reinstated from his leave of absence.

  Next, I’ll visit Arden and skip Dr. Vargas, so he can release me for work. No questions asked. Nope, on second thought—Dr. Vargas is the norm, but I can give him Arden’s results. This will keep us busy until we find the Horde, unless TASS finds them first.

  When we make it back to Navan, Spar stays with me in my room.

  Mica and Kino go to their own cave rooms, giving us some privacy. It’s only minutes, it feels like, when Spar gets up and tells me, “Wings up beautiful,” as he hardens to stone.

  I need to get with Mega to find out about his final test. I also want to know what they mean by integrating him into the Guild. Neither my brothers or I have had to do that. Why? What’s the difference? Is it a warrior thing? I should ask Jericho while everyone sleeps.

  I’ve slept as much as I can, so I call Dr. Vargas office. The receptionist tells me the office schedule is full. They can’t see me until next week. “The flu has covered this town, Kendra,” the nurse tells me. “Is 10:00 next Thursday alright with you?”

  I tell her it is, making a notation with an alarm on my tablet. Then I write Mica a note, telling him I will not be going back to work for at least another week.

  I call Murphy and check in. His relief is evident in his voice when I tell him I’ll be back next week. Happy I accomplished something, I head off to see if I can find Jericho.

  Jericho has a laboratory and an apartment in a cave room in the lower part of Navan. I walk the whole way, making sure to stop and window shop on the way. It’s quiet and calm in the city, like Cueva Hallow in the middle of night. When I get to Jericho’s lab, he’s focusing on his work.

  I clear my throat. “Jericho, I hope you don’t mind me coming to see you now. It seems like a good time, with everyone else asleep.”

  He tells me, “It is always a good time to visit me. I’m happy to have your distraction. You have brought so much joy back to the Ceorfan, I often do not know what to say. Today is especially good for you to come by. I’m working on an invention. This is something to help the bats in our caves, though, not the Ceorfan. Did you want company, Kendra, or is there another reason for your visit?”

  “I came because I want more information about Spar’s testing. Can you tell me what ‘integrating’ means? I heard Mega say it. He said, ‘Spar will integrate into the Ceorfan Guild when he finishes his test.’ I haven’t remembered to ask what it means. Will I need to do anything as queen for this event, or whatever it is?”

  “Yes, easy question. It is not like etching. It is important though. When we select a warrior for the Elite Guard, he must prove his character. We must know his intentions toward gargoyles, humans, animals, and the Earth. In the old times, there were more gargoyles. They didn’t have only one city. In fact, gargoyles didn’t have a city. They were safe in the world. They worked with men but tended to be loaners. They lived in parks and buildings. Many stayed in the hills when they were sleeping as stone. It was normal to see them asleep as stone. People respected them, watched their beauty, but did not try to destroy or mark them. They were like everyone else: neighbors. Gargoyles had no reason to mistrust. They were loyal to each other. Crime was not something they were ever part of. They are tight-knit, and they flourish when they are able to care for and protect others.

  “What Eltira did is such a shame to the Count. I’m sure he is wondering how to make it up to you. In fact, that he is in Navan is a testament to his character. Most would become nomads, hide in shame, or even find a way to destroy themselves. I’m getting sidetracked—I am sorry.

  Kendra, during the Viking wars in the 10th century, there was such treachery. Several warriors betrayed their fellow gargoyles to evil mages. Those mages used them for terrible and shameful purposes. They put evil crooks on the thrones of men for their own gain. Many of these mages gained world renown, working for enthusiastic nobility. Some of the horrors the gargoyles faced were so bad, they never say what happened.

  “The High Guild petitioned the Dragon Queen for help deciding who the Guild would trust. She instituted the tests for warriors. This made it so gargoyles could trust who was protecting them. Spar is caught between a rock and a hard place. Oooh, pardon the pun,” he chortled. “Instead of the High Guild taking his case, to discover his character they want to stick to the ancient way. Their poor choices hurt them before, and they no longer trust themselves. They put the strictest restrictions on the Carved. Those strictures remain, even though we are not in the same situation.

  “Spar has passed all his tests except the last. The last test is for strength. The High Guild will select several opponents for him to fight in the arena or a similar challenge. We have not had a queen in a long time, or it would have been you to set the date for this test. Additionally, you have been away. We have had much to do and not enough time to do everything. Given your relationship with Spar, the High Guild thought it would be best if they conducted them.

  “If you would like, we can convene them tonight, learn their timetable, and settle your authority. You are the queen. Some of them need to remember that fact. You need to assert your position and show them the leader you are, my dear. I urge you to get to know them, make friends of them, know their needs. You need to do this to lead well.”

  “You’re so right, Jericho. Is it possible for the queen to have a personal assistant?” I laugh telling him, “I haven’t a clue most of the time how to be a queen. Especially of a people I only recently discovered existed.”

  “I will help you as much as you need, Your Majesty. Which brings me to another subject. When we are all settled, I need to figure out how to get your ancestry into your memory. I know that blank look by now, Kendra. It will take a while for you to figure out this new life. It will get easier, but the ancient dragons had a private ceremony for new rulers. It didn’t happen often, as a dragon lives as long as any of the Ceorfan. When there was a new queen the old queen would take the young one on
a short trek. When they came home, the young knew everything she needed to rule without question. You could find a reference in the Halls of History.”

  “I’ll do that, Jericho. How do I read the etched word without the stylus?”

  “I’m giving you too much information at a time and am not remembering everything. Thank you for the questions. Never be afraid to ask me, please. To access the Histories, you do use the stylus you used before. It is yours. You touch it to the cave and ask what you need. It will lead you to the information.

  “You know, we have been at this discussion for a while, and I have been remiss in my duties as a host. Would you like anything to break your fast or anything to drink? Walk with me, Kendra. Let’s go to the lunch room. I want to make you lunch, if you will let me.”

  “Of course. I’ll be glad to, thank you.”

  We spend several hours together before I start to tire. I excuse myself from him. “It was a wonderful day, Jericho. I have the strangest sleep schedule now and need my naps.”

  “That is the way it is with dragons. Get some rest. I will see you tonight when I convene the High Guild.”

  I dreamed.

  I should be getting to know the Ceorfan better. I should lead them to ease their lives. This is my priority and John and the drugs he is selling is a part of helping my Guild. I should have the Ceorfan assist. It’ll give them purpose.

  Waking up and remembering my dream, I know I made a great plan in my sleep. I often use dreams to solve problems. When I face a difficulty, my subconscious tackles it, and many times, I wake with an answer. I pick up my tablet and write myself a note, so I don’t forget.

  My blood is resonating, building excitement. It’s time for gargoyles to wake. Do gargoyles dream? I need to ask one of my consorts. I know how important training is, but I want my consorts with me in the High Guild meeting. My support system. My tablet notifications beep. I read a note from Jared, 'TASS has some leads, nothing much yet. Soon, with hope. I’ll let you know. P.S. I love Scotland.' I'll bet it has something to do with that little red headed actress?