“Banrook didn’t name you, so no.” Truth shrugged. “I’ll walk you back to Obsidian’s place while he speaks with his mentor. It will likely put your Rasoren’s mind at ease knowing you have protection against any more of Reaver’s surprises.”
“I won’t waste your time. You must have better things to do than babysit me. I can find my own way back.”
“It’s no chore.”
Was Truth interested in Anna?
Obsidian narrowed his eyes as something dark and possessive reared its head. He knew well what it was, and he did his best to ignore it. “Anna, it would put my mind at ease if you would accept his offer this time.”
Anna merely shrugged and then bobbed her head in Truth’s direction. “Lead on. Obsidian can catch up once he’s seen to whatever his mentor wants.”
Truth’s grin stretched wider, the flash of white teeth glowing in the darkness. He held out a hand.
“Do I look like a lady to you?” Anna snorted, and her long legged-strides soon outpaced the startled gargoyle.
“Anna hates coddling.” As usual, a note of pride entered his voice when he spoke of her.
“Apparently.” Then Truth looked back at Obsidian. “I see why you’re enamored. But that very fierceness will be what makes her so hard to win.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I still don’t envy you the hunt, my friend.”
Then under the light of the three moons, they went their separate ways. Truth to chase down Anna, and Obsidian to hunt up his mentor.
Chapter 22
Anna matched Truth’s pace and cast random looks in his direction, wondering how long it would take the gargoyle to spit out what was bothering him. They were halfway back to Obsidian’s place, and Truth still hadn’t said anything. At last, she took pity on him.
“You might as well just say what’s on your mind.”
“To what are you referring?”
Mister Uptight I have you figured out. “Let’s get to the meat of the subject. You like Meadow. Meadow likes Obsidian. You’re wondering if Obsidian approached me with his suit and if I’m now going to encourage him? Sound about right?”
Truth broke stride for a step, but he recovered in the next moment. “It’s that painfully obvious?”
“Not really. I’m just good a reading people.” Like way, way, way better than I was before I took a stone nap.
“Very accurately.” Pain entered his voice. “In the last year Obsidian seemed to be warming up to Meadow’s gentle courtship, but I was uncertain if Meadow’s feelings were reciprocated or if he was just being kind to her.”
“And since you, Obsidian and Meadow are all friends, you didn’t want to cause friction,” Anna guessed.
“Goddess, yes. Meadow and Obsidian are my closest friends. I don’t want anything to jeopardize that, but I...”
“But the heart isn’t logical,” she finished for him.
He nodded, a helpless sigh of distress escaping him.
“Love sucks,” Anna said as she continued to walk along the bridge in the direction of Obsidian’s dwelling.
“You’ve managed to discover in two days something I haven’t even told Obsidian. And we share a great deal.”
When she looked sideways to meet his gaze, it was to find his eyes narrowed in thought. “Your perception is uncanny.”
Sighing, she figured Truth could be trusted. “It’s something to do with my bond with Obsidian and what the Battle Goddess’s plans set in motion. With time and training, I think I’ll be able to read and command gargoyles like a Rasoren.”
“You’re not just his second, are you? How deep is your bond with him?”
“Powerful. It’s always been powerful. I was told it would only grow stronger as he matured. I think the Battle Goddess modeled us after the Avatars. One mind. One being. Two bodies. A deadly and loyal fighting unit that would answer only her.” Anna shuddered.
After a few deep breaths, she continued. “I’m incredibly glad Shadowlight and I escaped that fate. Yet we can’t change what we are. Instead, we bury our darker natures, but some things, like the ability to read each other’s thoughts and the emotions of other gargoyles, slip beyond our control. But we don’t have to be controlled by our power or become the mated pair the Battle Goddess intended. I sure as hell don’t plan on being forced into that role.”
Truth’s dark eyes grew wide in surprise and understanding. “But you love him anyway. He’s literally your other half like the Avatars.” His sentence died off in a whisper.
“Yes!” The one word escaped her control, but it also lifted a weight off her chest. “We weren’t given a choice, but we don’t have to become what the Battle Goddess wants. I can shape how I love him. I can love him as a brother. He can be free to love elsewhere.”
Truth was silent for a while, but he wasn’t willing to give up. “Are you so sure you can control it? That Obsidian can?”
No, I’m not, Anna whispered in the private darkness of her mind. “While I can’t fill the role he wants, I will fight tooth and nail to give Obsidian the happiness he deserves. If that is with Meadow, or another dryad, I will do what I can to smooth the path for them.”
Truth’s ears perked forward, his expression entirely too happy for a fellow who knew the woman of his dreams loved another man.
“After tonight’s events Meadow will know you hold his heart, and I’ll have my chance with her.”
What the actual fuck? Was she speaking a different language?
“Hold up one minute. Your logic has one big flaw. I don’t love him in a romantic sense.”
Truth laughed. “Say that again in a year, ten, a hundred years from now. See if it’s still the truth. I’m quite certain it will be a lie that you won’t even bother to utter.”
Damned opinionated gargoyle.
“I’m going to hold you to this,” he muttered happily. “That’s a promise, Corporal Anna Mackenzie.”
She flailed for something to say, but her mind refused to turn over, like a truck sitting in the cold for too long. Growling at him in frustration, she fought her gargoyle nature as it flared, scenting a challenge.
Truth tilted his head at her growl and gave her a toothy grin. “See? You’re already so firmly a part of him you even sound like a gargoyle.”
You don’t know the half of it, Anna thought to herself. And then added aloud, “Fine. What are the stakes of this bet?”
“Stakes?”
“Yes. In a normal wager, the winner gets something from the loser. What are the stakes if I prove you wrong?”
Truth shrugged. “The winner gets to hold the victory over the loser for however long they like?”
“Bragging rights?”
His grin grew bolder. “Yes. I like that term. Though, I think the true reward will be that both parties will have what their hearts desire.”
“Speak for yourself.” But Anna took his hand and gave it a strong pump. “I accept your wager, Truth in Shadows. Now you should know that I’ve never lost once I put my mind to something. Consider this fair warning.”
“Very well, future Kyrsu of the Legion, but you should know that no one wins all the time. And I feel the certainty in this. You will lose, you should prepare yourself.”
“What makes you so cocky?”
“Because you already love him, you just don’t know it yet.”
Anna was working up another logical denial when they arrived at Obsidian’s place and she had to focus on opening the door shield instead. She’d seen him trigger the release spell once before. The magic was a familiar pattern now. With a wave of her hand, a touch of magic, and a good deal of will power, the ward spell rolled back, exposing the door’s latch.
“I’ll see you at the training session tomorrow. Good night, Anna Mackenzie. Think about what I’ve said. The sooner you concede the wager, the less I’ll embarrass you later.”
She gave him the finger.
Truth only laughed, before turning and jumping off
the bridge.
The cowardly fucker.
Chapter 23
Obsidian returned to his quarters in what would have been an unseemly rush if anyone had noted his passage, but no one was in this section of the bridge system, and more importantly, he didn’t care if anyone saw him running back to Anna.
He’d been sensing something he couldn’t fully identify rolling off her since shortly after she started her walk back with Truth. Her shields were in place, and much stronger then they’d been even a day ago so he couldn’t hear what she and Truth were discussing without blasting through her mental barriers, which would be a gross break in etiquette, not to mention surely pissing Anna off.
Keeping a close rein on his own emotions, he rushed back, hoping to learn what was going on between her and Truth. Though he was undoubtedly the topic of conversation, and that made him more than a little uneasy.
As he raced down the last section of the bridge, his dwelling’s door opened, and Anna stepped out, forcing him to skid to a halt or run her down.
“Where’s the fire?” Her old shit-eating grin was firmly in place.
Obsidian grunted, hesitating while he thought up a good excuse to explain his haste that wasn’t a lie.
“I felt your magic flare. Was there a threat?”
“No,” Anna rolled her eyes and then turned and entered his home. “Truth and I were just talking shit and made a wager.”
“What kind of wager?” Obsidian flared his nostrils, dragging in a deep breath of her scent. There were no stress markers to indicate she was annoyed, afraid, or bothered.
“The kind that’s between him and me.”
“Was it about events tonight? Surely you can tell me that much.”
Anna sighed. “Yes, if you must know. But it’s completely innocent.”
She wasn’t lying. He’d have scented that.
“How did your meeting with Banrook go?”
That wasn’t something he really wanted to talk about with her. Besides, if she could use the ‘it’s personal’ defense, so could he.
“It’s nothing to concern yourself over. Just a conversation between my mentor and I.”
“Touché.”
Obsidian didn’t know the meaning of the word and her mind was shielding against him, so he just nodded in acknowledgment.
Their conversation apparently over, for now, Anna glanced around the main living area of his dwelling.
“Since no one’s had time to find me lodgings or set me up in a storage room someplace, where did you want me to sleep?” Anna eyed the nest doubtfully.
His eyes tracked in the same direction.
“Yeah. I’ll just grab a couple of blankets and pillows and sleep along the wall.” Anna walked towards the nest to retrieve said items.
Something shifted inside him, and he barked out a sound of humor. “Who are you and where have you put my Kyrsu? She wouldn’t be afraid to share a nest with me.”
“I’m not afraid of you. I’m just not sleeping with you. You probably snore.”
He snorted again. “I don’t.”
“How would you know?”
He shrugged, though he was still confident he didn’t snore. “If I snore, it would be just as loud over by the wall.”
“No, it wouldn’t.”
Now she was just being silly or dragging her feet for another reason.
“I know you don’t love me romantically, but this new behavior now begs a different question. Are you actually afraid of me?”
“No, of course not. I’ve known you since you were a child.”
“Afraid of me as an adult male, then?”
“Nope.”
“Is it this body, then?” His voice dropped until it was a vibration in his chest. “Do you find my new body desirable and that frightens you?”
He didn’t know what demon possessed his mouth and made him say those things, but he discovered he wanted to learn that answer. Curiosity was a dangerous and seductive emotion.
“Still nope. And as much as I freely admit to liking your scent, it doesn’t stir anything more than a little appreciation.”
“We both need rest.” Though, was that mild disappointment he felt at her words? Yes, it was. His pride hurt more than a little. He’d worked hard designing and mastering his new form so that he could one day court Anna. “There is no reason for us not to share a sleeping area until I can make one for you.”
Anna shrugged, saying ‘fine’ in that most neutral way.
“Excellent. And if you’re not too exhausted to stay awake for a few minutes, I’ll fill you in on what Maradryn was talking about earlier.”
“As long as it isn’t a long story.”
“I’ll keep it short.”
“Still, let’s get ready for bed first, that way if I fall asleep, you can continue in the morning.”
∞∞∞
Obsidian stood before the washbasin as he shed his hybrid body for his true form, wanting his more familiar shape to ease any fears Anna might still have. At least that was his hope.
When he exited the smaller chamber, Anna was already sitting in the middle of the nest with her hands buried in her fluffy head of hair.
“The hell with this. I’m going to fall asleep before I get the first one in. You remember how to do rows? Want to help?”
Obsidian nodded. Sometimes, when he’d been a child, Anna would read to him while he did her hair. Or he’d read to her while she did his. He’d missed those times ferociously when he’d first come to Haven. “Can you do mine up in a couple braids first?”
“Sure thing.”
Grinning with happiness, he padded over to sit in front of her. She used a bit of the mane oil he’d given her earlier and finger combed that through before starting to section it into lengths. Enthralled by the steady pressure of her fingers, he fought not to purr.
“By the way, what did Maradryn want you to tell me?”
Anna’s voice dragged him back to the present. Suddenly he wished he could wait until morning, because he feared after he told her the full extent of what the healers had learned, it would destroy the fragile thing growing between them. But Anna deserved to know. It affected her as well.
“When I was younger, only my blood was powerful enough to convert another into a gargoyle.”
Anna’s fingers stilled against his scalp. “It’s not just your blood anymore, is it?”
“No. Any bodily fluid can now begin the process. Even my saliva. Though, the agent in my blood is much more potent than what’s found in my saliva.” Obsidian coughed and folded his hands across his lap.
“Go on.”
“My seed is almost as potent as my blood. The healers say it’s designed to convert and impregnate a female at the same time.”
He heard Anna’s teeth click together as she closed her mouth. After another ten seconds, she drew a deep breath. “Holy hell. That’s some badass STD.”
“STD?” He didn’t know the term from his time on Earth.
“Sexually transmitted disease.”
He wrapped his head around the term. “Yes, that describes it accurately.”
“Gargoylism is now an STD. Talk about the need for safe sex.” Anna paused then whistled. “So you’ve never been laid?”
He shook his head.
“The Council of Elders wants me to wait until they know the full extent of my abilities. Some believe I won’t come into my full power until your magic finishes maturing.” He halted and looked at her over his shoulder. “Even if the elders didn’t require it, I’d still have been cautious. I don’t ever want to steal anyone’s choice again.
“Well, that’s…er…complicated for you.” She paused again and then dropped her hands to rest on his shoulders. She gave him a squeeze.
With his back to her, he couldn’t read her expression, but he could read her scent, and her mind opened to him a small crack.
She was softening toward him, sympathizing with what he’d had to go through growing up while learning how
different he was from other gargoyles.
“Obsidian, I did choose. You seem to forget that fact. Even though you were a child, you gave me the choice of being healed by your power or ending my life to save my soul from the Riven.”
“But you didn’t know the power would tie you to me as close as it has. It might as well be enslavement.”
Anna didn’t deny his words, but she gave him another squeeze before returning to work on his mane. “I don’t regret it.”
He drew in a steady breath. “And now that I’m Obsidian instead of your beloved Shadowlight?”
She smacked him on the side of the head. “I still don’t regret it, you big idiot. You’ll always be my beloved Shadowlight.”
Obsidian sighed, a catch in his throat making it impossible to speak for a few moments. When he could, he continued. “The healers did confirm that the darkness inside me was only designed to create one Kyrsu to be my second.”
Anna chuckled. “Always knew I was one of a kind.”
After finishing his mane, she stood and then came around to sit in front of him.
“One moment.” He stood and went to the shelves running along one wall and sorted through them until he found the bowl containing gold beads and clips that he wished to work into her hair. Then after one more glance at her head, he went back and grabbed a small hand mirror.
“You can tell me if I’m doing them wrong,” he said as he handed it to her. “It’s been years, and I wasn’t very good at it back then.”
“At this point, I’d settle for pigtails if I don’t have to do it myself.” Anna yawned and rolled her shoulders.
Pigtails? He huffed with disdain. His Kyrsu would get something better than a hairstyle that was inspired by a pig’s tail.
He settled down behind her and arranged his supplies close at hand while he began to systematically map out the shape of her skull and decided what pattern would best accent her features.
“It must be like a virus.” Anna started up the conversation again. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before. I just assumed magic was this amorphous substance that could be shaped into any tool, but what you describe sounds much more like a virus. Somehow the Battle Goddess figured out how to take a virus and mutated it with magic until it was capable of doing what she needed it to do.”
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