by Eden Robins
Rebecca grew silent then.
Jason wasn’t sure why. “Was that the end of it?”
She didn’t answer right away. After a moment she shook her head. Her face grew cold and tight.
“No. After defeating him I walked Xander to one of the benches the hospice provides in their gardens. It was a peaceful place and I knew he would be safe there. After what he did to me I don’t know why I cared. But I just couldn’t leave him standing dazed and confused in the parking lot,” she explained.
Jason understood why Rebecca did what she did. She was a good person, a healer, and it was difficult if not impossible for her to cause harm to others. He watched his woman, feeling uncomfortable emotions swirl around inside him. She meant so much to him.
Maybe too much.
She could hurt him badly.
If he let her.
He silently waited for her to continue. He knew she had more to say.
“From that day forward Xander began to stalk me. I didn’t feel justified calling the police because it wasn’t on a consistent basis,” she explained. “But I realize now I should have. He played little mind games on me, occasionally sending me flowers, signing his name, or mailing a card to me saying ‘thinking of you’ or just ‘hello’. Other times he would call my house and leave a message telling me how much I was on his mind and how one day he and I would meet under different circumstances, some more to his liking. He must have been watching me too because he knew when to call. It was always when I was out so he could leave a message. I guess he didn’t actually want to talk directly to me. I’m not sure why.”
Rebecca frowned as she thought about this for a minute and then released a heavy sigh.
“That’s pretty much it. I probably hadn’t heard from Xander for almost three months before he and his goons attacked me.”
Jason nodded.
“So why then, Rebecca? Why did he wait almost three months to contact you again, and why did he decide to attack you? What brought things to a head?”
Rebecca shrugged.
“I really couldn’t tell you. I didn’t notice any increased hostility in him. Although he was annoying and creepy, his actions had never moved beyond what I already described. I can’t explain why he suddenly decided to take things to the next level.”
“I can.”
Neither of them had heard the door to the study open but it swung wide now as Rebecca’s grandfather walked in.
Jason said nothing as Rebecca’s grandfather walked over to her and gave her a hug. He held her tightly to him for a moment, obviously glad to have her home safe. They hadn’t had their reunion yet. It was time. He knew the man had probably fought the urge to do this earlier but had come to the conclusion that his granddaughter’s safety was of the utmost importance. He admired the guy for that, among many other things he had heard about him.
And he had heard an earful last night from Digby Riggins. The guy was a true snitch. He had something to say about everyone, including Rebecca’s family, and more importantly Xander Davis. It turned out Xander was on a quest. A quest to rule over the gargoyle people. And he wanted no interference. Jason’s mother had somehow found out about his quest and became just that, an interference. Now more than ever Jason needed to find out exactly what had happened to her. Digby only knew so much. He claimed Shaina was a target but beyond that he’d known little.
So was Rebecca’s attack in this circumstantial? Was it merely coincidental that it happened during the same period as his mother’s disappearance? Or was it more than romantic revenge on Xander’s part? The guy seemed eager to show Rebecca who was boss. Yet why send two gargoyles to attack her for him and then make sure his thugs told her who organized the whole thing?
Things were starting to come together in Jason’s mind but not enough for him to report back to Vlad. He wanted to hear what Rebecca’s grandfather would tell them first. If he knew of a connection between the two women, that might help him do a better job of finding his mother and keeping Rebecca safe.
“What do you mean, sir?” Jason asked after several minutes. He didn’t call many men sir but Rebecca’s grandfather was the type of guy who deserved it. From all he had learned about him, he had been the type of man who lived the kind of life that earned every bit of that title. He looked at Jason, nodded his head and frowned thoughtfully.
“Let’s sit down and discuss this.”
He and Rebecca sat on the couch and Jason found a side chair facing the two of them. Grandfather and granddaughter held hands as they sat together. Jason was glad to see that Rebecca was so close to her family. Family was important. No matter how out of whack his relationship with his mother they were close, and always would be.
Chapter Fourteen
Jason didn’t have long to wait.
“It seems Xander Davis is involved in some sort of quest,” Rebecca’s grandfather explained.
“A quest?” Jason repeated.
“Yes.”
“What kind of quest?” Rebecca asked.
“Oh, the usual maniacal take over the world type that egocentric, insane, powerful people often plan,” her grandfather said with a chuckle and wry smile. “He wants to be considered the most powerful dark wizard ever. He wants acknowledgement from the council that he is the strongest wizard around.”
“So all of this has to do with Xander’s ego?”
Her grandfather grinned at her.
“Well, it’s a little more than that, my dear. It seems Xander feels the only way to show his strength is by controlling others. That includes not only the Wiccan community but also the gargoyles.”
“The gargoyles?” Rebecca asked, confusion written clearly on her face.
Jason jumped in to explain.
“The Wiccan community has used gargoyles to do their bidding in the past. It’s not unusual for this to occur. There are even some who postulate that the origins of my people stem from witches. Some tell that it was a witch who created the very first gargoyle. The relationship between witches and gargoyles goes back a very long time.”
“I see,” Rebecca said.
Jason was surprised Rebecca didn’t know this but he was learning as he got to know her better that her family had sheltered her quite a bit from other paranormals. This was unexpected, especially in light of how strong her family’s powers were as well as the fact that they had such a strong influence on the local community.
“Jason’s correct. However in this case I think Xander’s goal is more complex. He has a grand scheme put together. He doesn’t just want to control some gargoyles. He wants to rule over all of them, as well as the Wiccan community, I fear,” Rebecca’s grandfather explained, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “That’s where your mother comes into play, Jason.”
“What does this have to do with my mother?” Jason asked. This was what he’d been waiting for. Now he would learn what was really going on, and perhaps the location of his mother would become clear.
“Although it’s just a rumor, some have said that Xander is holding her somewhere. We’re not sure where, but we do know he is responsible for her disappearance.”
“Is she alive?” Jason asked. He already knew the answer to that. He hadn’t felt his mother’s death. She was alive. It was just a matter of finding out where she was. But he wanted to hear just how much the witches knew about what was happening.
“We don’t know that for sure, Jason.”
“What does kidnapping my mother have to do with his plans for domination?”
“Jason’s mother has been kidnapped?” Rebecca interrupted, looking at Jason in shock.
“Yes, dear. Listen and you’ll understand,” Rebecca’s grandfather said patiently, patting her hand before continuing.
“Your mother found out what Xander was planning, Jason. She was trying to uncover proof that the dark wizard was using illegal means to influence both Wiccan and gargoyle to pledge allegiance to him.”
“That’s why he kidnapped her?”
Rebecca’s grandfather nodded.
Jason knew it was time to share what information he had. Maybe between the two of them they could piece this puzzle together.
“I think it was more than that, sir. Your daughter’s attack wasn’t just a sidenote or added bonus to Xander’s quest for power either. I’ve been asking around and what I’ve learned adds another layer to these events. A layer that brings your granddaughter’s attack into play.”
“How so?”
“Have you ever heard of the Stone of Chandra?”
“Of course. Most witches and wizards hear that story while growing up. Parents use it as a lesson for their children to learn,” Rebecca’s grandfather explained. “The legend says that by using self-control and discipline the holder of the stone will have ultimate power. One of the very first witches, Chandra, was purported to have stolen the magical stone from the Fairy realm. Some argue the stone wasn’t stolen, that the Fae wanted Chandra to have it so that all Wiccans could learn to use their craft responsibly. So she brought the stone back to this realm and used it to the world’s benefit. She grew in power until she was known to be the strongest witch of her time. The moral of the story for Wiccan children, of course, is to use their power wisely and responsibly.”
Jason nodded.
“But what does this have to do with my granddaughter and your mother?” Rebecca’s grandfather asked.
“You didn’t mention one significant part of the story,” Jason explained. “Chandra was taken to that realm, interestingly enough, by one of her loyal servants, a gargoyle from the same spirit clan as my mother’s, the Shimara Clan. As you know, members of this clan can easily travel between realms. The legend says that the gargoyles of the Shimara clan would remain forever the guardians of that stone, to hold it in safekeeping when necessary and share its location when the right time—or right witch or wizard—came along. The one who would become the next Chandra.”
Rebecca’s grandfather listened intently until he finished.
“So you think Xander is the chosen wizard?”
Jason shook his head. “No, sir, I don’t.”
“You don’t? Then who—?”
Jason saw the minute the light went on in the old wizard’s head. He turned to look at his granddaughter then swung back to look at Jason. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open in surprise and shock for several moments, until he recovered.
“Rebecca? My Rebecca might be the one? But how—?”
“I don’t know everything for sure, sir. What I do know is that between what I’ve discovered on my own and what you’re telling me now there’s too much of a similarity to the legend for me to ignore. That, combined with additional information I’ve gathered, leads me to question Xander’s real motive for attacking Rebecca. He might be determined to control her because he thinks she’s the destined one. And if she is, she would be an obstacle to him reaching what he perceives as his rightful place.”
Rebecca’s grandfather nodded. “I see your point.”
Rebecca’d had enough.
Jason and her grandfather were talking about her as if she weren’t even there. She felt like a fly on the wall, like she was invisible while the ongoing discussion revolved around her.
“It’s not true,” she said quietly.
Both men turned and looked at her in surprise, as if they had either forgotten she was there or were surprised she had spoken.
Jason reacted first.
“How do you know that, Rebecca?”
Rebecca glared at Jason.
“I know me. I’m no Chandra. Don’t the two of you realize how ridiculous this sounds? Don’t you think I would know if I held that kind of power?”
“Not necessarily,” Jason said, getting to his feet, walking to where she sat and squatting down in front of her.
“The power you possess could be latent,” he said gently, taking her hand in his. “The stone could bring it out in you.”
Rebecca looked down to where he held her hand then back up to meet his gaze. The comfort he gave was just what she needed in that moment. But the possibility that she was more than what she perceived herself to be scared her.
She shook her head.
“No, that’s not possible. No witch or wizard has latent powers. We are born with certain powers and that’s that. All Wiccan know that.”
Her grandfather gave her other hand a squeeze.
“Listen to me, granddaughter. I know this frightens you. And I know why but this is different. You are not your parents. Your fate is not the same as theirs.”
His words cut her deeply. She flinched as if she had been struck. Just the thought of her parents opened up the hole in her heart that was always there. She would never be like them.
“What does this have to do with Rebecca’s parents?” Jason asked.
Rebecca stared deeply into her grandfather’s eyes for a moment. He nodded his head. He understood.
“That’s something Rebecca will have to share with you,” her grandfather said, patting her hand reassuringly and giving her a peck on the cheek before getting to his feet.
“In the meantime, I have things I need to do. I have some people I’d like to speak with. Maybe they’ll be able to shed light not only on Rebecca’s situation but also on your mother’s whereabouts, Jason. I’ll leave the two of you alone to sort through the rest of this conversation,” he explained before questioning Jason. “I take it you’ll be staying the night to watch over Rebecca?”
Jason nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll be here until right before sunrise. Then a replacement will come in for the daylight hours. And don’t worry, they’ll know to be on their guard. Especially after the stunt Rebecca pulled earlier,” he reassured her grandfather while giving her a disapproving stare.
Rebecca chose to ignore the look as her grandfather started to leave.
“Rest, sweet pea. You need it. And listen to what this young man has to say. I think he’s on to something. The sooner we figure this whole mess out the sooner you’ll be safe.”
“Good night, Grandfather,” Rebecca said, giving him a hug without making any promises.
After he closed the door Rebecca faced Jason. She didn’t want to discuss her parents with him.
Not yet.
It still hurt too much.
First she needed to find out the truth about him. Raising her chin arrogantly, she met his eyes stare for stare.
“Okay, I’ve shared my story, now you share yours. Who are you?” she asked.
Jason smiled. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”
“Thanks, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“That’s right, I didn’t.”
Rebecca waited.
Nothing.
She started to simmer.
Still nothing.
“Well?” she finally asked, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
“Well, what?”
Growling low in her throat, she counted to ten before speaking. “Who are you?”
“A gargoyle.”
“I think we’ve already established that, Jason,” she said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “I know you’re a gargoyle. But you’re a gargoyle personal security specialist watching over me. Why?”
He smiled then.
It was a rueful smile. The kind that spoke of sadness and self-deprecation. The type that made a woman want to discover what it was all about and make it better.
The urge to comfort Jason filled her. Her empathic powers started to rise. She felt the energy fill her.
No!
She reined the power in, bringing it back where it belonged. She would not go there with Jason. This wasn’t about making him better. This was about telling the truth and getting to the bottom of things.
She wanted to know why he smiled like that.
What was his story?
“Why?” she repeated the question.
Her patience was growing thin.
Jason grew serious suddenly and Rebe
cca knew. She knew in that instant that he was about to tell her the truth, and that she was about to hear what all of this was really about.
She held perfectly still.
She held her breath.
She held on to her patience, barely.
He finally spoke.
“I’m gargoyle. My father’s clan is Jutaka and my mother’s is Shimara. My Chailo, or life quest, is as a protector. To fulfill that quest I work for Sundown Security as a specialist,” he explained. “Your grandfather contacted our agency and hired me to watch over you while you regained your memory.”
“Why were you chosen?”
Jason shrugged.
“Vlad, the owner of the agency, has a sense about these things. He looks at the available information and chooses who will do the best job on each case. Usually he’s right-on with his choices. In your case, I think that’s an understatement.”
“That’s true,” Rebecca agreed. “But what I don’t understand is the tie between our people. I never knew there was such a link between us.”
“What do you know about our kind, Rebecca?”
Rebecca glanced away, embarrassed.
“Not enough,” she admitted. “I never took the time to learn much about other preternaturals. I just didn’t think it was important. Growing up I was too concerned with my own family and my own powers,” she explained. “I had parents who were gone quite a bit, traveling all over the globe, trying to save the world.”
“Your parents were healers?”
“Yes, both doctors and Wiccan healers. They were strong, very strong. And they felt obligated to use their power to help others. Unfortunately that didn’t give us too much time together. I learned about being a witch from my grandparents, but because they were and still are very private people, due to their status in the community our family’s witchcraft was kept virtually a secret.”
