Swiftly feeling along the door, Anna soon found the recessed latch hidden among the carvings decorating the entrance. With a click, the latch released, and she pulled open the door.
“Hello.” She grinned at the rabble outside his door. Truth was there with Oath, Nightshade, Storm, Lark, and Meadow.
To a one, their expressions all reflected shocked surprise.
“I’m Corporal Anna Mackenzie, but I suppose my military rank is worth as much as spit here, so you can just call me Anna.”
The two dryads were more composed, bowing their heads and uttering hesitant welcomes. The four gargoyles were still speechless, but Obsidian didn’t miss how they leaned forward ever so slightly and drew in deeper breaths.
He resisted the urge to slap each of them alongside the head. Instead he marched past them, forcing them to move aside for Anna, or get run down by him.
“My Kyrsu is newly awakened and in need of clothing, boots, belts, and weapons. Why don’t you five,” he eyed Oath, Nightshade, Storm, Lark, and Meadow one at a time, “See if you can round up some of those items while we speak with the council of Elders. While you’re at it, why don’t one of you inform the healers? They’ll wish to examine Anna no doubt. And, Oath, you’re quick, run ahead and inform the council we are coming.”
The others, especially Oath, looked crestfallen until Anna spoke up. “Aren’t you going to introduce them before you go chasing them off?”
Obsidian huffed his displeasure. “You’ve just tossed open gates that were better left closed and barred. But, have it your way.”
He made quick introductions and then chased them away before they could bombard Anna with a thousand questions. After the others were gone, Truth came to pace at Obsidian’s shoulder while Anna walked a little way ahead. The other gargoyle bumped his shoulder.
“Sly bastard,” Truth said, using human words he’d learned from Obsidian while he’d dwelled on Earth. “Is she why you didn’t want to come celebrate with me last night? Not that I can blame you. After catching her scent, I’d be tempted to lock myself away with her too. I had no idea humans smelled so good.”
Obsidian cuffed Truth. “Watch your tone when you speak of my Kyrsu. Besides, she didn’t wake until just before dawn.”
“Aren’t you touchy today?”
“Do you want a second cuff?”
Anna cleared her throat. “I might not hear the words, but I know you’re doing that silent communication thing again.”
Obsidian winced. “Forgive me. It won’t happen again.”
Then he side-eyed Truth.
The other gargoyle only gave him a toothy grin in return. The look promised more trouble from that front later.
“Treehouses. I still can’t believe you live in tree houses.” Anna leaned over one of the bridge railings to study her surroundings again. “They’re even more spectacular by daylight.”
“Yes, I suppose,” Obsidian said distractedly as he shouldered past Truth to stand beside Anna.
“Getting stuff up this high must suck balls.”
Obsidian grinned, only now coming to understand how much Anna had shaped his personality.
It did ‘suck balls’ as he could attest from having to haul up items. “I’ll give you the full tour once we’ve seen the elders.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Chapter 8
Anna kept her banter light and social while she studied every little detail for unseen danger and routes of escape, just in case things went sideways. And things always went sideways, eventually.
“No one will harm you.” Obsidian’s thoughts flowed through her mind. It felt so much like Shadowlight her throat tightened again in that foolish way. Yet, it was different, too. There was a strength and discipline his younger self had lacked.
“None would dare. Not after Lord Draydrak went to so much work to save you and has made his wishes known. And even if someone is foolish enough to question Death’s judgment, they will face me first. No one hurts what is dear to me.”
A low growl accompanied his last sentence. The sound echoed through the air and Truth made a nervous questioning huff.
Obsidian’s unearthly growl was nothing like Shadowlight’s. Might as well compare a wiener dog to a wolf-hound. And while she was sure his words were meant to inspire, they didn’t.
In fact, her internal ‘shit’s going to hit the fan’ early warning system was screaming an alert. Shadowlight’s adoration had been an innocent infatuation, and she’d viewed it as sweet and harmless. Something he’d outgrow.
But he hadn’t, had he? If anything, this new Obsidian had somehow shaped that innocent adoration into something far more possessive. Bloody fuck.
“Now who’s talking mind to mind and excluding the third wheel from the conversation?” Truth asked with a wink directed at Anna.
“Third wheel?” Anna muttered and then cast a questioning glance at Obsidian.
He shrugged. “I picked up many things when I was on Earth. Apparently, others soon picked up on my odd turns of speech. And as my mentors sometimes say—it spread like a wind-driven fire through dry grass.”
“Well, something got lost in translation.”
Truth leaned forward. “How so?”
“It’s complicated.” Anna wasn’t about to waste time on explaining dates and third wheels when she had a more valuable way of using the time, like learning everything she could about Haven and its citizens.
But just then the section of the bridge they were traveling ended in a square platform.
“There are stairs and ladders for the dryads’ use,” Obsidian indicated the rope ladder, and then pointed across the way to a larger tree where wooden stairs circled the massive trunk. “The younger trees support smaller structures, but the ancient hamadryads can carry a much greater load. If you’re still not up to climbing the ladder, I can fly or carry you.”
Truth’s snort was a sound rich in unspoken innuendo.
Obsidian half turned to give his friend a small lip curl and a flash of fangs.
“Thanks, but I’ll climb. I’m feeling stronger now, and I’m sure I could use the exercise.” And there was no way she was letting him carry her around like a child—or, she glanced at Obsidian’s massive size—like a child’s favorite stuffed toy.
Booming laughter rang through the trees, telling Anna he’d been in her head for that one, too. After aiming a grin at Obsidian, she started down the ladder.
Truth just sort of hurtled himself over the side of the bridge and jumped from tree branch to tree branch, using his wings to slow his speed and his tail like a rudder. The gargoyle swiftly outpaced Anna. Glancing up, she sought Obsidian, but he wasn’t above her.
“Here.”
Anna turned toward the soft call to find him perched on a branch less than two feet away. Hell, she hadn’t even heard him move. Man, he was stealthy for a big dude. His big bulk hadn’t even shifted the branch enough to make the leaves shake.
“You will teach me how you do that.” Her statement came out a demand, not a question.
“Just as soon as you can shape-shift.”
“Damn straight.”
Obsidian’s gentle smile grew into a grin. “I have missed you very much, Anna Mackenzie.”
“I’m glad to be back, too.’
Anna reached the ground without incident, but it took longer than she thought. The tree was tall, the bridge system about two-thirds of the way up, which left a lot of ground to cover.
While she didn’t fear heights, it was nice to have her feet firmly on the ground again. The sickly swaying motion of a rope ladder was never her favorite sensation. Not that she’d admit to fear or weakness.
When Obsidian led the way, she followed. Truth brought up the rear.
They’d only made it a few hundred meters when Obsidian muttered a curse and came to a halt. Anna skirted around his wings and spotted a group ahead.
This group was a mix of three gargoyles and four dryads. One gargoyle towered over
the other members of the group. She’d bet if he stood next to Obsidian, he’d only be an inch or two shorter.
What the heck was the Lord of the Underworld feeding his gargoyles? Growth hormones? Stem cells? GMO foods? Magic potions?
Though, this new fellow wasn’t as heavily muscled as her two companions.
“Friends?” Anna asked sarcastically, knowing from Obsidian’s stiff posture that this group was anything but friendly.
Obsidian huffed again, sounding less happy than before. “Do you remember earlier when I said I was happy here? That I had mentors, friends, acquaintances, even a few rivals? Well, here comes a rival.”
“Figured as much.” Anna moved to lean against a tree trunk, cocking her leg while she waited for the newcomers to reach them.
“I see the abomination has finally awoken,” the biggest of the newcomers said.
Whoa, Mr. Sunshine. Nice to meet you too.
Obsidian rumbled low in warning, but Anna reacted faster.
“The abomination has a name.” She pushed off from the tree and circled to the left, forcing the dryad standing in her path to move or get run down.
The dryad studied Anna’s approach with hostility but moved out of the way. Anna gave the dryad a searching look but decided the Fae wasn’t a real threat. Her attention swung back to the big, belligerent fellow.
“Name’s Anna. Though I’m more curious why you hate me so much when you don’t even know me.”
“I know what you are—a human with magic, an unnatural abomination created by our enemy—that’s more than enough reason.”
Obsidian snarled.
Turning, Anna arched an eyebrow when she saw Truth holding Obsidian back—barely.
“Who’s the prick?” She jerked a thumb at the bigot.
“Reaver.” The word came out harsh and ugly. Matched the name perfectly. “If you give her so much as a bruise, I’ll break both your wings.”
Anna grimaced. She’d learned enough. A minor scuffle didn’t scare her, but for fuck’s sake, the ones standing before her were the good guys, supposedly.
“Look, Reaver, I have better things to do than stand here and take part in some pissing contest. You don’t like me. I think you’re a prick. And even the Battle Goddess’s lowest minions had better manners than you, so fuck off until you can at least match their conduct.” Anna continued to walk around him, sizing him up.
“You would compare me to one of the enemies?” Rage rolled off his words.
“You bet. You wanna know what else? I get why you don’t trust me. I wouldn’t either, coming from there, but the least you could do is treat me with enough respect to give me a chance to prove my worth before judging me and deciding I’m an enemy.”
Reaver’s expression shifted into something even less pleasant.
“Eh? That’s how it will be?”
“I’m taking you before the elders,” Reaver lunged forward.
Anna allowed him to capture her wrist. She kept her body relaxed, and when Obsidian charged forward as she knew he would, she used the distraction to twist free of Reaver’s hold.
Now, close to his side, she grabbed the outer edge of his right wing, then darting around behind him, she jerked the wing along with her. Gargoyle wings were strong and flexible, but even they could only be forced so far without breaking.
Obsidian, having guessed her strategy had taken hold of Reaver’s forearm, preventing him from spinning and freeing his wing.
Anna forced the wing more, but even then Reaver only hissed in pain.
“Now, Reaver, what do you think will happen first? Will the bone shatter? Or will the entire wing dislocate?” Anna bounced the wing gently in warning. “If you continue to be a jerk, we’ll all get to discover the answer.”
Reaver snarled, but after a moment his rage-filled eyes focused on her. “I yield.”
“Hmmm.” Anna glanced at Obsidian. “Wonder why I don’t believe him?”
“Because it’s a lie.” Obsidian’s lips curled back, exposing his impressive fangs. “He only plans to surrender for now. He’s prepared to continue this later.”
Sighing, Anna patted Reaver’s muzzle with her free hand. He didn’t bite her fingers. Smart boy. “Surrender for now, then. We can work through the root of your animosity later.”
The male snarled again. Anna glanced where Obsidian’s claws were digging into Reaver’s forearm hard enough to draw blood.
“I’d listen to her, if I were you, Reaver,” Truth said, entering the conversation for the first time.
“Someone must bring her before the elders.” Reaver’s reply was sullen and anger still shimmered in his deep tones as he stared death at Obsidian.
“Dumb fuck,” Anna smacked him alongside his muzzle to get his attention. “Where do you think Obsidian was taking me before you jumped us?”
Muttering under her breath, she released his wing and stepped back. Obsidian used the opportunity to get right in his face. “Anna is my Kyrsu. Pick a fight with her, and you pick a fight with us both.”
Finished with his dressing down, Obsidian shoved the other male away hard enough to make him stumble. Then without a word or backward glance, Obsidian started forward. Anna followed, then paused when she was even with Reaver.
“Next time you pick a fight, I won’t be so nice. And in case you think I’m an easy kill, you might want to find out what I did to a blood witch.”
Reaver wasn’t cowed though and spat ‘unnatural’ at her in passing.
“Yes,” Obsidian agreed, suddenly back at her shoulder, his blade-tipped tail pressing against Reaver’s throat hard enough to draw blood. “We are unnatural. We are also a very formidable team. If you choose not to respect that, then I won’t be held responsible for your death.”
The fierce, proud tone when he said the word ‘team’ reminded Anna of Shadowlight’s ferocious loyalty.
As if sensing her emotions—and he likely was—he bumped his muzzle against her cheek and then turned and marched off again. Though this time his tail had curled behind her back to assure she followed.
Once they were well out of earshot, Truth bent double laughing. “Goddess, seeing Reaver get trounced by the tiny human—” More chuckling disrupted his sentence. “Best thing I’ve seen in half a year.”
“Watch it, or Anna will come for you next.” Obsidian’s gruff tone was at odds with the glint of humor in his eyes.
Truth chuckled louder but glanced at her and issued a hasty apology for calling her tiny. “I’m sorry. Truly. It’s just that Obsidian normally lets the verbal barbs slide off without so much as a flinch or flick of an ear.”
“Eh? Well, if people are dicks, they better be ready for the consequences. I’m not as nice as Obsidian.”
Obsidian’s tail twitched, tightening a fraction around her waist before relaxing again. “I may ignore insults aimed at me, but no one challenges my Kyrsu without consequences.”
Anna glanced up at him “That goes both ways. If someone is stupid enough to pick a fight with my little brother, then they deal with me too. It’s the Mackenzie way.”
“Little brother?” Truth rolled the words around as if he found a secret delight in them.
Anna shrugged. “I may have just slept thirteen years away, but Obsidian is still only twenty-one to my twenty-four. He’s still younger than me. So ‘little brother’ is still officially correct.”
Her glower dared anyone to claim differently at their peril.
Truth nodded and grinned, a great flash of white teeth. Then he leaned closer and sniffed at Anna. She doubted she’d ever get used to the utter bloody rudeness of gargoyles. They were touchy-feely and had absolutely no concept of personal space, or that it was impolite to sniff at a person.
“Truth,” Obsidian warned, his earlier humor absent from his deep timber. “Know ‘little brother’ will bust the horns off any male who goes sniffing around Anna uninvited.”
Truth choked on more laughter but took a couple steps back in a show of obedienc
e. Eventually Obsidian had his fill of glowering at his friend and turned his attention back to her.
“As much as Reaver annoys, don’t challenge him unless I’m near. He is dangerous.”
“I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I’m confronted by pricks. But I’ll try to behave.”
“Thank you. Reaver tests the patience of even Banrook, and he’s the easiest going of the mentors. Reaver’s personality is likely why he hasn’t yet been called to take his Adepts Trial.”
“And that burns his tail,” Truth interjected from behind. “He’s three times as old as me—I’m almost thirty-nine. In fact, you never had a chance of Reaver liking you. You’re Obsidian’s Kyrsu, guilty by association. This great lout,” he patted Obsidian’s shoulder, “has outstripped all of us. It’s likely that he’ll make Adept before his twenty-second name day. Reaver is one hundred and eighteen and still a journeyman.”
Anna only half listened to Truth’s words, still stuck on Reaver’s age. She’d thought him Obsidian’s peer, but he was old enough to be their great-great grandfather.
Beside her Obsidian snorted.
“What?” Truth’s brows folded down.
“Anna mentioned Reaver’s old enough to be our grandfather if he’d been human. I was just thinking that a dryad would actually have to take an interest in him first.”
The other male’s eyes widened in surprise and then turned thoughtful. “Honestly? A grandfather? Humans breed so swiftly?”
“Shorter lives,” Anna clarified for him. “If we live to a hundred, it’s considered extremely old.”
“Ah.” Truth seemed intrigued but continued with his earlier explanation why Reaver hated Obsidian so much. “So, when you and Obsidian—mere novices—nearly defeated a blood witch...”
Was that a mix of awe and fear in Truth’s voice?
“Well, we were lucky. The witch and the other captains underestimated us. We wouldn’t be as lucky a second time.”
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