Dark Hearts

by P. L. Midnight

  “I hear water trickling. Is there a fountain out here?”

  Julian decided it was better that Emma couldn’t see the garden. It was weird even to him and he wasn’t human. It was creepy even knowing what Raven and his father were.

  Gargoyles, gargoyles and more gargoyles surrounded the garden area. He thought Raven said that some friend of Emma’s was finally coming over and that he’d moved the darn things. He knew they were Raven’s gargoyle brothers, but it was just plain eerie to see them all in suspended animation surrounding the area.

  He knew that Raven’s father had been trying unsuccessfully to bring them back to life. It was known among the Order that gargoyles were some of the fiercest warriors in the galaxy with their strong wings and sharp talons.

  Unfortunately, no creature no matter how fierce is infallible. A formidable wizard had cast a spell upon the fierce warriors several centuries ago. It seemed that they’d refused to work for the evil sorcerer. Instead of killing them he turned them to granite, in the hope of reanimating them later as his enthralled killing machines.

  Tragically, for the gargoyles, the wizard was murdered before he could resurrect them. He must have cast the spell on the entire race at the same time, based on the various stances of the statues. Some looked like they were fighting, while some were frozen in flight, and others were doing what appeared to be everyday activities. There was even a couple locked in a permanent lovers’ embrace.

  What made the gargoyles seem so nefarious was their sheer size. Many dwarfed his tall frame by several inches. Julian decided that it really was better that Emma couldn’t see the ferocious looking things. He couldn’t help wondering how strong a wizard would have to be to take down an entire race of powerful beings with one spell. That was even more terrifying than the gargoyles themselves. He was thankful the wizard was dead. He wondered if that was why Sebastian had been here. Perhaps he was trying to help Rafael with the reanimation of the gargoyles.

  “Julian, are you still here?”

  “Sorry, Emma, I’m here. I wouldn’t leave you. I was just looking around, taking in all the beauty out here.” Well, he wasn’t totally lying. The fountain was cool, even if it too was a gargoyle.

  “Would you mind describing what it looks like for me?”

  He had to think quick and answered the first thing that came into his head. “Well, picture all kinds of mums.” Well, there were a few surrounding the fountain that were still kind of pretty, he thought as he continued, “In shades of gold and bright yellow. There are numerous varieties of plants and brilliant autumn foliage surrounding us. Several towering maple and oak trees are alight in their fall splendor. I’m sure you can feel the golden sunlight as it warms your face. It’s beautiful out here. I wish you could see it. I know one day you will, Emma, and I will make sure to give you the tour. The fountain is a little angel, and just like you’d expect, she has water shooting out of her mouth.”

  He was so dramatic with his interpretation of the garden, I could almost smell the delicate flowers surrounding us. I smiled at his description of the fountain. It sounded like a glorious place. I was so glad he’d brought me out here. I could almost picture it. The day was one of those rare warm days of Indian summer with pleasant temperatures reminiscent of a perfect August day.

  Julian and I just sat there silently enjoying the day for a while. I so wished that I could see his face and the lovely garden. I wondered what he was thinking as we sat there.

  “Thanks for bringing me out here. I can almost imagine all the brilliant colors. It must be beautiful.”

  “It most certainly is,” he said, and I had a feeling he wasn’t talking about the garden. His voice had gotten husky and his breathing deeper as he spoke, “and now it’s perfect with you here. I’ll be right back, Emma.”

  I heard his footfalls as he walked a short distance away. He came back almost immediately. I felt him tuck something in my hair.

  “There, and now you look like the most perfect flower out here.”

  I reached my hand up to touch what felt like a flower that he’d tucked in my locks. I wondered what kind it was.

  As if in answer to my question, he said, “It’s one of the last roses of summer. It’s white and it looks perfect in your hair. Now you do look like a princess.”

  “I hardly think so, but thanks, Julian. I really am enjoying this place. It smells so lovely out here.” I didn’t mention that just beyond the fragrance of the flowers I could smell that damp, stone-mountain, earthy scent that I'd come to associate with Raven. “We’re all alone out here, right?”

  “Yes, it’s nice isn’t it, to be away from all the guys and out of that stale bedroom.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m glad to be away from everyone nor would I say the bedroom was stale smelling, but it’s nice to be outside with you.”

  “Glad you like it. I do, too.” He chuckled at my defense of the bedroom.

  We sat quietly for a while. I wondered what he wasn’t telling me, but I was determined not to invade the privacy of his thoughts. The place reeked of Raven. I even smelled what could only be described as an old mountain kind of smell. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant, just strange. It didn’t fit in the garden that Julian had described to me. There was the lingering scent of an old cemetery or an antique statue. Maybe the pond needed cleaning or a new filtration system.

  “Is the pond very big? I hear the water running down the fountain and back into the pool.”

  “Yes, it’s recirculating constantly as we sit here. It’s kept quite clean. I wish you could see how clear the water is. You can see the bottom of the pond. The water is crystal clear and sparkles in the sunlight, just like your hair.”

  I smiled and colored at bit at the hair comment as he fingers entwined in one of my curls that had gotten a lot longer since the fire. I liked his touch. Just like with my other guys, the touch felt right. I felt like I finally belonged. It wasn’t just Mom and me anymore. It was more than friends. I was starting to fall in love with all six of my guys. I wasn’t sure when I’d begun thinking of them as my guys, but I had. That too sounded right.

  My mind was still wondering about the old stone smell that surrounded the place. We sat there awhile longer, Julian sharing a few more stories about his life since he’d moved from home. He answered most of my questions, but it still seemed like there was something he wasn’t sharing. I didn’t ask anything about Dark Hearts that Raven had mentioned because I knew Julian would not be comfortable about discussing it. Raven had shared only the barest of details as had Vince.

  I would find out, but I decided that I’d listen to their thoughts when the guys were all together, that way I wouldn’t be focusing on any of their personal thoughts which I found could be most embarrassing. It felt intrusive besides.

  There was something else going on with each of the guys that didn’t fit. I was positive of it. I knew something wasn’t right. You could call it intuition. I let the thought go as Julian helped me stretch my legs while we strolled around the garden.

  I was going to need to strengthen my legs if I was ever going to leave this place and find my mother. I’d had no word of her since I’d spoken to Raven. She still hadn’t been found.

  I’d been taking all the supplements Sebastian had given me, but there was still not much change with my eyesight. I’d regained my strength but my legs were still a bit weak as evidenced by my steps earlier.

  I thought I’d seen a flash of light a few times since I’d come outside with Julian. However, I kept quiet, as I felt it was the result of an overactive imagination and wishful thinking. Perhaps I’d mention it to Sebastian later.

  At my request, we walked around the garden slowly and carefully until I got tired. Julian suggested that we might wish to go back inside since it looked like rain. I didn’t smell that ozone fragrance that came before a shower, but allowed him to return me to my room.

  I guess we’d stayed out too long, but I wanted to walk more. It was good for my legs. I
heard Sebastian’s tone and it wasn’t entirely happy, as he spoke to Julian when we walked inside what I assumed was my room.

  “Let me help her back into bed. Then we’re going to have a little chat about you removing my patient without my permission.”

  “Come on Sebastian, she needed a break from this room. I asked her to walk in the garden. She’s not a prisoner, is she?”

  “You could have asked someone to call me or waited until I got back. I wasn’t gone that long, Julian. You could’ve caused her problems. What if she’d fallen?”

  “Don’t you think I can handle one small girl? Look, she’s fine, okay?” Julian grumbled.

  “Can you just please help me back into bed? I find I’m rather tired.”

  “See, I told you it was too much for her to be outside all afternoon,” Sebastian grumbled.

  “I’ve got her and I’m capable of getting her back into bed,” Julian stated as he started to help me into the bed.

  When Sebastian started to raise his voice just a notch I stopped them both from further arguing. “Please, can you stop arguing. I’m sorry, Sebastian. I wanted to go outside with Julian. This is my fault. I should’ve realized you wouldn’t be too happy about my leaving the room. Anyway, I’m the one that overdid it. I wanted to strengthen my legs so I can walk better.”

  “It’s not that I mind, Emma. I’m glad you got some fresh air while the weather was nice. You’re right, it’s good for your legs to walk. However, I would appreciate it if the person taking you outside would let me know so I can plan accordingly. Okay, Julian?”

  “Yeah, sorry Sebastian, I should’ve let you know or at least left a note or something. I will next time.”

  “I need to know before you go out since I plan to start a physical therapy program for her. Being outside will be part of the program and if you want to take her outside, just let me know. Now, Emma, did you enjoy the garden? I know it can be a little daunting with all the gargo…”

  “She loved the garden, didn’t you, Emma? I described the entire garden to her. I think she really enjoyed the fountain with the cherub and all the flowers surrounding her.”

  If I could have seen Sebastian’s face, I would have known that Julian was lying about the garden and Sebastian was corroborating his made-up tale. Little did any of them realize the damage the lies would cause for all of us.

  “Well, since you enjoyed it so much, I’ll see that Julian takes you to the garden again tomorrow. Okay.”

  I didn’t listen to their thoughts because I really didn’t care what the garden looked like, anyway.

  “Do you mind if I have a short nap before dinner, Sebastian?”

  “Here,” he said as he handed me a glass of water and a couple of pills. “Please take these first. They are supplements to help with your healing.”

  I took them from him. Then he helped me lie flat on the bed. Shortly after Sebastian covered me, I began to doze off. I wasn’t asleep when the muted thoughts of Julian and Sebastian woke me. I feigned sleep so I could hear their thoughts when I realized they were rather bizarre and involved me.

  “Is Emma asleep already?” Julian’s soft voice asked.

  “Yes, I think so. Let me check to make sure, because we need to talk.” A pause and I could feel Sebastian’s hands checking to ensure I was asleep. I made sure to keep my breathing slow and even to feign sleep. I was drowsy, but I wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to give Julian hell, too. I was as much at fault as he was for going outside. I planned to stay awake and tell him so if necessary. However, their telepathic two-way conversation and errant thoughts silenced any comment from my lips. It also kept me awake long after Julian left the room.

  A heavy sigh from Julian and another muted apology followed Sebastian’s comment.

  “She’s asleep now. I know you’re sorry, Julian. I’m just curious why you took her out into that creepy back yard with all those fucking gargoyle effigies. What if she’d have accidentally bumped a couple of those things? I’m sure she’d have questioned why they were out there. There’s so many, I’m surprised you didn’t run into a few of them just trying to get to the garden.” His un-projected thoughts exposed his real reason for being upset. I’m crazy about Emma. She’s all I can think about and I fucking don’t want her in danger. She’s my patient and if it hadn’t been for my magic, she wouldn’t be alive at all. She’s mine, Julian, and if you’d have hurt her, I don’t know what I’d have done. I don’t mind sharing her if we have rules in place, like no one takes her without me knowing about it.

  “I was careful to avoid them. I carried her most of the time instead of letting her walk. Do you really think a strong wendigo cannot protect one small human woman?” Julian’s private thoughts were equally as disturbing as Sebastian’s were. I wanted to be with her. She’s not your property to be kept locked up in this damn mausoleum that Raven calls a house. The garden is creepy with all those gargoyles around, but at least we were alone for a while. You guys all look like you’re ready to eat her when you look at her. Well, I want her just as much as you do. I have more rights to her because Vince and I have known her longer than any of you have. I’m willing to share so she won’t have to choose.

  “She did need some fresh air. I admit that she does look better with some pink in her cheeks from the outside air. I really don’t mind you taking her outside. It’s just that this place gives me the creeps with all those damn gargoyles everywhere.”

  “I agree, but I didn’t think anything bothered a powerful warlock like you, Sebastian. They are somewhat weird, I agree, but don’t let Raven hear your thoughts. Those are his brothers and sisters, you know,” Julian replied to Sebastian’s mind.

  “I’m not projecting my thoughts to him. Just to you, Julian. Yeah, Julian, I know they’re his people, but they are freaking everywhere. It’s like they’re watching you or something. The fucking things dwarf me and I’m pretty damn tall.”

  “Yeah, they are big for sure. I’m just damn glad they’re frozen in time for now. There’s probably over one-hundred of them in the backyard alone, and who knows how many of the damn things are inside the house and basement. I know what you mean about creepy though. I’m a wendigo and the things freak me out, too.”

  I wondered what a wendigo was and planned to find out as soon as possible. What I heard next really freaked me out. Raven was a gargoyle. I didn’t even know those things existed. I thought they were stories you told your children to get them to behave.

  They continued communicating brain-to-brain without speaking a word. It was darn unexpected, but interesting to know that they could share without speaking. They seemed to have the power to communicate by telepathic means, which I now had no trouble hearing. If they were directing to only each other, I wondered how I could hear their thoughts. It was as if they were speaking aloud.

  “I know what you mean about this place though. I’m a warlock and was leader of the most powerful coven in Europe and yet this place freaks me out, too. Have you seen Raven turn into a gargoyle yet?” Sebastian’s thoughts continued to transfer almost effortlessly to Julian’s mind as I listened intently to everything they projected.

  It was hard to fake being asleep, hearing that last comment. Perhaps they weren’t human if they could communicate like that, I thought. However, I could hear them and I was human.

  “No I haven’t, but I know Alex has seen him turn into one of those big bastards. Alex’s a sun seraph and with the war going on up there, he’s seen many of them. I guess the gargoyles helped the sun seraphim before they were turned to stone several centuries ago by that evil warlock. I don’t know if he’s seen Raven personally transform, but he says the gargoyles are some of the fiercest looking beings in the universe.” Julian silently said, continuing their soundless conversation.

  “I guess the gargoyles were the good guys, too, but who knows what they’ll be like when they’re finally awakened.”

  “Yeah, being surrounded by them, even in statue form, in the garden was pr
etty intimidating. I couldn’t imagine them being alive. Hell, most of them are over seven feet tall, even the females. Some of their wings are even bigger than Alex’s.”

  I must have made a small sound at that last comment, because they came back over to stand near me. Sebastian checked again to make sure I was still asleep. I almost blew it that time. It still hadn’t registered fully. Their thoughts seemed like some kind of bizarre horror story. Weren’t any of the guys human? I had to focus again as they started their noiseless conversation again. This time the conversation turned to me.

  “She is so lovely. It’s no wonder we all want to date her.”

  “Oh, Sebastian, I believe we all want to do more than date her.”

  “Yes, I guess it’s no secret that Raven’s had to keep Vince away from Alex. Alex apparently made some rather crude comments about having sex with Emma and Vince got pretty pissed. However, we all know that both of them want more than just sex. Hell, we all feel this bond with her for some reason.”

  “Vince is possessive about her, but I know he wants her underneath him as much as we all do. He’s just wanted her in his bed a bit longer than the rest of us. I can’t figure out what it is about her. I’ve never felt this attraction to a human female before. I can hardly keep my hands off her.” Sebastian thoughts projected clearly.

  “She is pretty and was undoubtedly brave when she thought her mother was in danger, but what the hell is it about her? I’m glad she hasn’t been able to see the raging hard-on I’m usually sporting around her. I don’t want her to think I’m crude, but I can’t help it. I want more than just sex, too. I want to protect her and love her as my mate for eternity. The weird part is I want her with all of us. Normally wendigos don’t share their mates.”

  “I’ve had the same problem, but I don’t just want sex with her. I want to keep her with me forever. I just keep thinking she’s mine, but I think she’s ours. I don’t think any of us could bear to lose her at this point.” I read Sebastian’s amorous thoughts as he thought about adjusting himself yet again. I could hear him move and knew that was exactly what he was doing. Wow, their thoughts were absolutely unexpected and somewhat strange. I wanted all of them, too. Normally I wouldn’t even think like that. I wondered what the hell was wrong with all of us.