by Donna Grant
With a smile, she turned and slowly walked toward the tub. Val waited until she was immersed in the water before he turned back to the entrance and began searching for Gabriel.
* * * *
Aimery rested his elbows on the table and dropped his head into his hands. He had searched through numerous texts, and still found nothing to help him battle the evil's bond on Nicole.
"I've never seen you like this, my friend."
Aimery's head jerked up to find Theron leaning against the door. “For countless millennia we have held the greatest powers of all the realms, but never once have we tried to dominate. We've held the balance."
Theron pushed off the door and walked soundlessly across the blue and white tiled floor. “You still haven't found anything?"
"Nay,” Aimery said with a sigh.
"You've got the entire royal library at your disposal and many Fae at your call. Set them to looking."
"I have.” Aimery found himself more weary than he ever had. “There has never been a time when an evil's power was greater than ours. Equal, aye, but never greater."
"Of course an evil's power couldn't be greater. If that ever happened, the balance or power would shift and evil would reign."
Aimery leaned back in his chair. “I felt the power, Theron. I don't know how the evil one did it, but not only could I not shift Nicole to Stone Crest, I couldn't shift a Shield to Scotland."
"How are Val and Gabriel?"
"As well as can be. Val is becoming irritable. He wants a fight to end this, but without the blue stone, they must simply wait the Gryphon out."
Theron walked around the chamber silently contemplating the situation. He glanced at Aimery and said, “Have you found anything on black Gryphons?"
"Only a small section,” Aimery said as he moved books around on the table until he found a large ornate text with gold lettering. He opened the heavy tome and began shifting through pages. “Here it is,” he said and ran his fingers over the words. It's not necessarily about the Gryphon, but I thought it might help us discover how a Gryphon had turned evil."
Theron came to stand beside him and looked over the text. “Go on,” he urged.
"Documented in the Early Time was an instance where a Phoenix, one of the purest creatures ever to breath, had turned evil. Though there was no record as to how he turned it, once it was slain, the onlookers were amazed to find the Phoenix wasn't an animal at all, but a man."
"A man,” Theron repeated and slowly straightened. He looked at Aimery. “Do you think this Gryphon is really a man?"
Aimery shrugged. “I have no idea, but it is a possibility."
"Does the text say that the Phoenix was a Shape Shifter?"
"Nay."
Theron suddenly stiffened. “What realm did this occur with the Phoenix?"
"That realm is too far away for us to have felt a soul lured to the dark side of evil."
"Shouldn't we have felt it if it occurred on Earth?"
Theron nodded solemnly. “Either the Gryphon really is a Gryphon and not a man turned to the side of evil, or the evil one managed to block us from feeling the soul move to the dark side."
"I don't like either suggestion."
"Neither do I, my friend. Neither do I."
Aimery leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. He had regretted the moment he had split the Shields up when they had first arrived at Stone Crest to battle the Gargoyle. Each creature they had battled since then had grown in power and skill. Now, only two remained to battle the strongest of them all. And Aimery could do nothing but sit and watch.
"Don't even think it,” Theron said.
Aimery chuckled. “You know me too well."
"I know that look,” Theron corrected. “If we help the Shields more than we already are, we break the Code. That code is what keeps the balance."
"I know,” Aimery said and rose to his feet. “I don't need a history lesson, Theron. I need a way to help Val and Gabriel. I cannot leave them to die."
"Nay, we cannot leave them to die.” Theron scratched his jaw and walked to the door. “We need Nicole and the evil one knows it. Do you have part of your army standing guard at Stone Crest with the other Chosen?"
"I do."
"Put them on high alert, Aimery. If the evil one has the power I think he does, he may be toying with us regarding Nicole."
"So he can kill the others?"
Theron shrugged. “It's a possibility. One that we need to be prepared for."
"I have some of my best men there."
"Good. I'll search my private collection of books and see if I can find something that will help us."
Aimery gave Theron a nod as he walked from the chamber, then he slowly sank into his chair. It had been a very long time since he had worried about the fate of the Fae.
He had to find out how the evil one managed to gather as much power as he did. Only one other man had managed to wield that kind of power. It was too bad Lugus had given that power up.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Val was on his feet the moment he saw Laird speed past him out of the cave. There was only one reason for the wolfhound to act that way-Gabriel.
He walked to the edge of the cave and peered down the mountain to see Laird's gray form bounding down the mountain. He was nearly at the bottom when he stopped, his tail wagging so furiously Val thought it might fall off.
That's when he spotted Gabriel. Val kept watch on the sky in case the Gryphon attacked. Every once is a while he would glance to see Gabriel climbing the mountain with Laird at his heels.
"Good to see you,” Gabriel said with a smile as he held out his arm.
Val clasped forearms with him and returned the smile. “I thought you might return early this morning."
"It was a long night,” he said as he sat on one of the smaller boulders.
Val watched in amazement as Laird sat beside Gabriel and rested his great head on Gabriel's leg. Gabriel's hand automatically moved to the wolfhound and began to pet him.
"He missed you,” Val said.
Gabriel smiled down at Laird. “I missed him, too. I see his wounds are nearly healed."
"After the way he bounded down the mountain, I'd say you were correct."
Gabriel laughed and patted the wolfhound's flank. “So,” he said turning his attention to Val. “What happened while I was away?"
There was no way Val was about to tell Gabriel of the incredible night he spent with Nicole, even though he knew that's exactly what Gabriel was asking.
"It was quiet."
"Really?” Gabriel asked, his dark brows raised. He glanced to the back of the cave and whistled. “Is that a wooden tub?"
"Aye. I asked Aimery for it. I knew Nicole was bored and needed something to cheer her, even for a bit."
"Nice of you to think of a bath."
Val nearly rolled his eyes. “Don't think there's more to it than there is. I can still recall the bliss that was Rome's baths."
The sound of soft humming reached them then. Val turned toward the sound and listened.
"She hummed the night she tended to you,” Gabriel said.
Val looked at his friend. “It's a lovely tune."
"Aye. I've not heard the like before. I wonder if the song comes from her realm."
"Impossible for her to know that,” Val said. “She was just an infant when she was sent here."
Gabriel ran a finger along his bow and shrugged. “I've thought a lot about that. Why would the requirement be that the ones sent be infants?"
"Why wouldn't they? People don't turn away helpless infants."
"True, but if they're too young to remember anything of their realm, how can they know what to do to defeat the evil one? Moreover, why didn't they defeat it on their own realm if they had the power to do so?"
Val ran a hand through his hair. “I've often thought of the last one as well. If their realm truly did have the capability to end the evil one's reign, something must have happened to pre
vent them from fulfilling it."
"I couldn't possibly imagine what that could be."
"We're likely never to know."
Gabriel leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “Do you think Aimery told us everything?"
"Why would he keep something like that from us?"
"I don't think he would. I was just curious. So, nothing happened."
"I said the night was quiet, it was this morning that I came to the entrance and found the Gryphon waiting for me."
"What?” Gabriel asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Val nodded. “He stood right at the entrance."
"What did he say?"
"I think he was just here to taunt us. He said that his master, the evil one, had something special planned for Nicole and he wouldn't be denied."
"Hmmm,” Gabriel said and rubbed his chin. “I wonder what that ‘something special’ could be? What else did he say?"
"That the evil took special precautions to keep Nicole here and other Shields away."
"Curious that he allowed us in, don't you think?"
Val nodded. “Most especially. It makes no sense to have allowed us in if other Shields are kept away."
"Not unless he has special plans for us."
"That might be a possibility. When I asked the Gryphon why he didn't kill me when he had the chance, he said it was because he wanted us to know our weapons couldn't hurt him."
"Good always prevails,” Gabriel stated.
"I told the Gryphon that as well. His response was that this time, evil would win."
"This looks grim, my friend."
Val hated to agree, but it was the truth. “Tell me you discovered something during your night in the village."
Gabriel grinned. “Not exactly what we were looking for, but I did uncover some more information regarding Nicole that might help us piece everything together."
"Should we call Aimery?"
Gabriel nodded. “Most definitely."
* * * *
Nicole finished with her bath and slowly climbed out of the giant wooden tub. After such a short time she was becoming spoiled to the size of the bath, which was a luxury for her.
Her muscles had been a little sore when she woke this morning, and she knew it was due to the night of lovemaking with Val. He had been right, the bath had helped ease the ache somewhat.
She glanced at the entrance and saw that Gabriel had returned. She was happy to have him back, but was going to miss the time alone she and Val had spent together.
When she turned to reach for her gown, she found it was replaced by another one. This one was made of the softest material, much like Val and Gabriel's tunics. It was a beautiful mix between a blue and light purple.
She hastily pulled on the new chemise. Next she reached for her stockings, except they weren't hers either, nor were they the thick wool ones she was used to. However, she trusted Aimery, so she pulled on the stockings.
Finally, she was able to pull on the gown. It was unlike anything she had ever owned or thought about owning.
Once she was satisfied with the gown, she took the pins out of her hair and reached for her comb. After all the tangles had been driven from the long mass, Nicole decided to plait it to keep it out of her face.
She had just finished putting everything away when she heard something behind her and turned to find Val. “You were right about the warm water. I feel much better,” she said with a smile.
He returned her smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. “Gabriel has returned and has news."
She nodded and looked over his shoulder to see Gabriel and Aimery walking toward them. Nicole glanced at Val, hoping he would give her some idea of what this was all about. Instead, he softly shook his head, silently asking her to wait.
Her stomach tightened into a painful knot at the intense look of both Val and Aimery. Only Gabriel's face held a smile, but that was for Laird. She licked her lips and waited for the worst.
Aimery was the first to speak. “The gown looks beautiful on you, Nicole."
She wasn't able to stop the nervous laugh, nor the glance at Val, hoping he might comment as well. “Thank you,” she said to Aimery. “I appreciate the bath and most especially the gown. I've never owned anything so fine."
"It matches your eyes."
Her gaze jerked to Val. A slow smile pulled at her lips. “Do you think so?"
He nodded and she beamed. When she looked at Aimery and Gabriel it was to find them watching Val intently.
"I gather Gabriel discovered something important,” she said, unable to wait a moment longer.
Gabriel nodded. “We might want to sit. This is going to take awhile."
He began by telling them of meeting the barmaid at the pub and how she offered to take him to the castle. “Now, once inside, I didn't think the servants would want to speak to me."
"But you were wrong,” Val said.
"Very,” Gabriel admitted. “The barmaid's sister showed me around the lower floors of the castle. Apparently, the old lord doesn't leave his chambers."
"What keeps him in them?” Val asked. “Is he ill?"
"Nay,” Aimery said. His eyes were shut as if he were deep in thought. His eyes snapped open and he turned to Gabriel.
"What did you see?” Gabriel asked.
"Finish and I will tell you."
Gabriel nodded. “The castle had been stripped of everything valuable on the lower floors. Only a handful of servants run the castle."
"A castle that size?” Val asked. “They should have a couple of dozen servants."
"My thoughts as well, but it seems the old lord is a bit eccentric and will only allow six women in the castle."
Nicole frowned. “Women. Why just women?"
"That was my question. Seems the old man doesn't trust men."
"I wonder why that is."
"Because it was men who made the pact with the great evil,” Aimery said.
A chill raced down Nicole's spine. “Laird MacNamara wasn't part of it?"
Aimery shook his head. “He was against it and was punished for his actions."
"Punished how?"
"I will tell you all once Gabriel is finished,” Aimery said.
All eyes turned to Gabriel. He took a quick drink of water from the water skin and continued.
"I can tell you the lord doesn't have the blue stone,” Gabriel said. “But the stories the servants told me and what I saw in the castle made me think he might be connected to the great evil in some way."
Val leaned forward. “What stories did you hear?"
"The old lord screaming in the middle of the night for someone to save him. He told the servants he is tormented nightly."
"By what?” Nicole asked and then regretted it immediately.
Gabriel shrugged. “They didn't know, nor would the lord tell them. He just asks that they stay in the castle and never allow strangers in."
"Yet they let you."
He smiled. “It's my charm."
Nicole rolled her eyes and joined in the laughter. Once they quieted down, they looked to Aimery.
"The laird isn't jesting. He is being tormented nightly by beings you don't wish to know about. The great evil cursed him when the laird tried to dissuade the villagers from accepting his bribe."
Val sighed and shifted his weight from one hip to the other. “What kind of bribe?"
"The great evil arrived with a baby—Nicole to be exact. He asked that she be kept alive and separate from others. And in exchange, he would bless the village. When it came time for him to come for her, he would make sure their village prospered forever."
Nicole felt as if she had been kicked by a horse. “Why me?"
One side of Aimery's mouth lifted. “I think he came across you by accident but realized immediately who and what you were. He knew in order for him to continue with his plans, he needed to keep you away from the other Chosen."
"You mean until it was time for him to kill her,” Val said
then turned to look at Nicole.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Gryphon's sharp eyes surveyed the darkened chamber. Not even the many candelabras could dispel the gloom that surrounded the place.
It was just a flutter of the air around him that alerted him that the evil one had arrived. Only dimly could he recall his master's true form. For many years he was able to focus his powers and take on the form of a human, but it only lasted a few hours.
"Well?” the evil one said as his life essence swept by him.
The Gryphon swiveled his head as he followed the sound of the voice. “Val will take the bait when presented to him. A fierce battle rages within him."
"Ah, good,” the evil one said and laughed. “I thought the return of his nightmares might push him into doing the unthinkable-leaving Nicole unprotected."
"He hasn't given in to the temptation yet."
"He will. He just needs to be pushed a little more."
The Gryphon swished his tail. “How do you plan to do that? We cannot enter the cave."
His master laughed again, this time it was filled with malice. “Aimery gave me the perfect solution. No man battling such self-doubt as Val does over his sisters’ deaths will be strong enough to withstand the temptation I shall give him."
"Even though he and Nicole have shared their bodies?"
"That makes no difference,” he hissed.
The Gryphon stiffened an instant before the impact of his master's ire hit him. He only stumbled back a few paces and then hastily righted himself.
"You planted the seed of doubt,” his master continued, his voice now edged with anger. “See to it that you continue to taunt him. Our plan will not fail this time."
He didn't wait for his master to finish, but stood and left the chamber. He walked along the long tunnel slowly climbing until he saw the sunlight.
With a soft sigh, he closed his eyes and remembered a time when he used to dance in the sunlight, his mother's laughter floating around him. Those had been happy times. But happy times had faded to darkness, and darkness to evil.
He wondered how long it would have taken for him to recall his memories if he hadn't seen Nicole. But wonderings of those kind never did anyone any good.
