by Bria Lexor
“I believe you, Shinka,” Queen Llewellyn replied. “We haven’t trusted a human in centuries. But I can tell that you have a good heart.” She paused. “And Lapis will protect you with his life.” As she said this Abel stepped over to where the other gargoyles stood and introduced them to me.
“Shinka, this is my mother Queen Llewellyn, and my twin sisters Aura Nova and Ambrosia.” He went on, “Tybrus, Dravon, Fate, Ignatius, Lazarus, Maddox, Thaddius, Vardan, and Tarek. We are the Haven Clan.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you,” I said, already forgetting their names. I was bad at remembering names, so I knew I was going to have to learn all of them again. Abel’s sisters ran over to me, very animated, and gave me a huge hug.
“I’m so pleased Lapis has finally found a companion!” Aura Nova said clapping her hands together excitedly.
“Let’s give them some time alone girls,” their mother replied, and they all flew off into the night sky and disappeared. A green gargoyle walked over to me and apologized for almost clawing my face off the night before.
“It’s okay,” I said waving my hands in front of me. “You didn’t really know who I was,” I said hoping he did not still hate me. He nodded curtly at Abel and flew off to catch up with the others.
“Uh, which one was he again?” I asked feeling a little stupid, but I had to know.
“That was Fate,” Abel replied. “He has a hard time with newcomers, but I can tell he likes you.” “I hope so,” I said as Abel went inside and returned with a black hoodie. He did not want me to be cold on our flight this time. He held me in his strong muscular arms as he jumped into the air. His large wings opened, and he glided effortlessly like a bird.
“So where exactly are we going?” I asked looking down at the lights; it was beautiful from way up here.
“To my favorite place,” Abel replied. A short while later we landed on a rooftop, and I knew exactly where we were.
“The Library?” I asked arching an eyebrow. I never thought Abel could ever like a place like this. I mean, he did not seem like the bookworm type.
“It’s a quiet place,” Abel replied. “I come here a lot to clear my head.”
Abel was right. It was quiet here. So quiet, in fact, you could hear crickets chirping in the distance. I walked towards the ledge, aware of it this time. I swung my legs over and took a deep breath of the crisp fresh air.
“Abel,” I finally asked, “Don't you ever feel lonely being so... different?” Feeling the pain in my heart, tears rolled down my face, and I wiped them away with the back of my hand.
“Yeah, but after a while, you get used to it,” Abel replied sitting next to me. “You’re the first person to cry for me.” He wiped away a tear with the back of his finger. “And since I’ve met you, I’m not so lonely anymore.”
I picked up the Alarica jewel and looked back at Abel. “I don’t want to own you, Abel; I just want to set you free,” I repeated myself just so it was crystal clear to him what my true intentions were with him.
“Shinka, you truly have a good heart,” Abel started. “But for me to be genuinely happy, all of us have to be set free, not just one of us. We’re family, and family sticks together.”
“I know,” I said, wishing I could change the rules to this strange lifestyle his clan was in. But I could not, and I felt helpless. Abel suddenly stood up and growled in the growing darkness.
“What’s wrong?” I asked feeling the fear creep up in my chest.
“A Hunter is near.” Abel glanced around, and his whole body tensed up. “Show yourself, Hunter!” Abel ordered, and a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Kaitlin. She pointed a gun at Abel’s heart and had a look of surprise on her face when she noticed I was with him.
“Shinka?” Kaitlin sounded shocked. “What are you doing here?”
Without thinking, I jumped back over and stood in front of Abel with my arms stretched open. I was angry, and I wanted Kaitlin to know it.
“Shinka, step away from him,” Kaitlin ordered.
When I did not move, it made her even angrier, but I did not care. I had to stand my ground if I wanted Kaitlin to take this situation seriously.
“NO!” I yelled at her. I could not hold back the anger I felt towards her any longer. “Shinka, I won’t ask you again.” Kaitlin raised the gun and clicked off the safety lock. “Abel hasn’t done anything to you!” I said glaring down at her.
“He was born!” was all Kaitlin replied, with bitterness in her voice. The gun was shaking in her hand, and she placed her other hand over it still pointing it at me.
“Why did you betray me, Kaitlin?” I asked, feeling the tears coming once again.
“You think I wanted to, Shinka?” Kaitlin asked sounding hurt and offended by my question. “The last thing I wanted to do is hurt you. You’re my best friend.”
“It’s too late for that!” I shot back at her.
“It’s my profession to hunt and kill these freaks of nature you’re trying so hard to protect!” Kaitlin growled.
“They aren’t freaks of nature,” I said breathing heavily. “They’re my friends, and I won’t let you kill them!” I shot back.
Kaitlin lowered her weapon. “Get out of here!” she said turning away. “The next time you won’t be so lucky!” Kaitlin hissed at me. Abel wasted no time, he grabbed me by the waist and jumped off the ledge, and we were gone.
Chapter Seven
When we reached Abel’s house, he let me go before I even reached the ground. I stumbled but caught my balance at the last second. “What the hell were you thinking back there?” Abel yelled, pacing the balcony. “You could have gotten yourself killed!”
“I’m not afraid of her!” I said getting in his face.
“Well, I am!” Abel said pressing me tightly against his warm body. “Shinka, you don’t understand the dangers of being with me,” Abel said, his voice gentle. “If you die, I die.” The other gargoyles were starting to land as we were fighting. Abel shook his head and went inside, leaving me standing there feeling stunned. I had no idea we had bonded the way we had so quickly.
Shinka, you do not understand the dangers of being with me. If you die, I die.
I had not even realized instead of helping Abel I was hurting him, and I felt terrible for it. I knew Abel was angry with me, so I went inside and laid down on the sofa in the living room and cried myself to sleep.
I had nightmares all night and when I awoke, I found myself lying in Abel’s bed again. I wondered why he even had a bed when he did not use it. I mean, the guy never slept that I saw, except for that one time in class, but that was it. I got up and walked downstairs to the kitchen only to find it completely empty.
Abel had left a note on the fridge saying he was going out for coffee and would be back soon. I did not want to intrude anymore. I started to pack my belongings as Abel walked into the bedroom holding two brown paper cups in his hands.
“Why are you leaving?” Abel asked, handing me a cup of hot chocolate. I guess he figured out I did not drink coffee. It was disgusting, to say the least. Some people like it, and some people do not. I drank Pepsi to get my caffeine fix.
I forced a smile. “I don’t want to be a burden to you,” I said swinging the black backpack over my shoulders, I briskly headed for the door. But Abel blocked my path.
“Please stay, Shinka; you’re not a burden to me. Not at all,” Abel said genuinely.
“Abel, I’ve sabotaged or run away from every relationship I’ve ever been in, and I just don’t want to hurt you, too.” There. I said it. Which was the truth, I mean, I broke up with every guy first because I did not want to get dumped by them.
“Then stop running,” Abel said bluntly, sliding the backpack off my back. “I want you here with me, Shinka,” Abel said dropping the backpack to the floor. It landed with a soft thud. “And I mean that.”
I sighed inwardly; Abel was right. I did need him, and he needed me. “Okay,” I finally said sitting on the edge of his bed.
I took a sip of the cocoa, and it slightly burned my lips. I winced and put the cup in my lap as I looked down at my shoes.
“By the way,” Abel said clearing his throat. “Your car’s ready for pick up.” He was sounding more cheerful, and I felt better knowing he was alright.
“It’s about time!” I said standing up. “Think you can give me a ride to pick it up?” I asked him eagerly.
“I already picked it up for you.” Abel smiled. “It’s out in the garage parked next to mine.”
I got up and hurried down the steps and right towards the garage. But it was not my white Volkswagen Beetle that was waiting for me. It was a brand new 2021 blue Subaru WRX. Abel must have pulled some strings to get a hold of this car. It was not even on the market yet!
“Wow!” I said stepping into the car. The smell of a new car filled my nose, and I was impressed by his gesture. I smiled at him and said, “I really don’t deserve this. “Thank you so much!” I said getting out and hugging him around his neck. I sat down again and was amazed at what a good guy I had.
I closed the door, but I just sat there. I still felt bad about what I had done to put Abel’s life in danger, as well as my own.
“Abel, I didn’t mean to scare you last night,” I said staring out the window.
Abel nodded slowly. “Just promise me you won’t be careless like that ever again,” Abel said with a serious look on his face. “I can’t lose you, Shinka.” He said grabbing my hand and squeezing it gently.
“I promise not to be so careless from now on,” I said as I turned the key, making the engine roar to life. I backed slowly out of the garage and lightly pressed on the gas. The car took off. And as surprised as I was about the sudden speed, a part of me also liked it. I guess after being with Abel in the air, speed felt fun nowadays. The song I was going to be recording today was called “Friend or Foe,” and it was dedicated to none other than Kaitlin. Since today was Monday, I had to be at the studio after school. Everyone seemed to be tripping when they saw us getting out of my new car. We walked into the building together, and I went into the classroom. As I sat down, Natalie walked up to me and started her usual trash talk.
“Awe, you don’t have Kaitlin backing you up anymore.” Natalie snickered at me, not knowing Abel stood directly behind her. He made her jump when he spoke.
“Stop harassing my girlfriend, Natalie,” Abel said calmly. “I don’t appreciate it, you know.” She gasped and threw me the dirtiest look she could muster.
“You’re going out with her?” Natalie pointed towards me. I just rolled my eyes and wondered what Abel was going to say to her next.
“Yeah, you got a problem with that?” He asked kissing me on the cheek in front of everybody. My face suddenly turned bright red from embarrassment. Natalie turned and sat down, not looking back at us anymore.
I looked up to see Kaitlin’s eyes were wide, and she was just as shocked as everyone else was, but she did not say a word to me. Our relationship was the talk of the whole Academy, and the students were obviously envious of us. I guess I was the first girl who Abel had not turned down, and Natalie hated it because Abel turned her down cold. When school finally ended for the day, I walked outside to find a crowd surrounding my car. Confused, I asked someone what was going on.
“The cops say there’s a bomb underneath this car,” a boy with brown hair said to me, just as Abel found me in the crowd.
He pulled me aside and looked around to make sure nobody was listening to our conversation. “This has to be Kaitlin’s doing,” Abel whispered. “She’s jealous I’m with you instead of her.”
“Kaitlin likes you?” I asked, not knowing why I had not seen the signs earlier.
Abel just looked at me like how it was not obvious. Just then Kain pulled up, and Abel told me he would be right back as he went to talk to him. I stood there watching as the cops and the SWAT team started pushing the crowd back to a safe distance so they could disarm the supposed bomb that was placed underneath my car. If Kaitlin really did put a real bomb there, she was so going to get her ass kicked. This was the second car I had, and I did not want this one to get messed up, too.
“Shinka,” I heard a familiar voice call out my name. I spun around to find Kaitlin with a terrified look on her face.
“I can’t believe you would do something like this to me!” I whispered trying not to attract unwanted attention.
“Shinka, I swear on my life I had nothing to do with this!” Kaitlin said waving her hands at me in a defensive motion.
“Then who did?” I asked balling my hands into fists getting ready to punch her face in.
“This is Catalina’s handiwork,” Kaitlin said scoping the crowd, looking for her fellow Huntress. “I have something for you.” she said extending her hand out to me.
“Well, I don’t want it!” I said crossing my arms. I looked around, trying to find Abel so we could leave, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Oh, I think you do,” Kaitlin replied as she opened my palm; she placed two beautiful jewels in my hand.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked questioning her motives.
“Shinka, I don’t want to hunt you because you’re the first real friend I’ve had in a long time,” Kaitlin said with sincerity. As soon as she said this, Abel walked up to me and stared Kaitlin down with a look of pure hatred, and she did not know why.
“You two make a great couple,” Kaitlin paused. “Just watch your backs,” she said. Putting on a pair of dark sunglasses, she turned and walked away.
“Oh, we will,” Abel shot back to her as she disappeared into the crowd. “Kain said someone broke into the studio last night and trashed all the equipment,” Abel said looking at me.
Great! So much for taking out some frustration today.
Kain dropped me and Abel off at Abel’s house and drove off before I could ask him how long it would take to get the studio back up and running again.
Could today get any worse?
Just as we walked inside there was a knock at the door. Abel opened it, and my mother spoke, “I need to speak with my daughter alone, please.”
Chapter Eight
Abel led my mother to the couch, and I sat next to her, knowing I was in deep trouble if she was here. My guess was Kain probably told her what was going on, and she caught the first flight she could come check up on me. But that was my mother; she would give up her kidney for me if I needed it. She was the coolest mother anyone could ever ask for.
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath before asking the big question. “Mom, I thought you were in Europe?” I asked trying to dance around my being in trouble, but instead, my mother surprised me with a huge hug and a warm smile.
“Shinka, I was worried sick about you,” she said as she pushed a loose strand of hair away from my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine mom,” I smiled and looked at my shoes. “I’ve been staying here with my friend Abel ...”
My mother cut me off. “That boy’s not trying to...” “We’re dating mom,” I said finishing the sentence for her.
“I see,” she said. I thought she was going to be disappointed, but she seemed to be happy about it.
“It looks like you’re in pretty good hands,” my mother said. “So, I’ll be taking the next flight back to Europe.” She stood and headed for the door. “He’s a good-looking boy; I’d keep my eye on this one.” She winked at me then disappeared out the door. That was the weirdest visit ever, I thought as Abel came back into the room again.
“She’s already gone?” Abel asked scoping out the empty room. “Yeah,” I said biting my lower lip.
“I have to leave for a bit,” Abel said as he stopped at my side. “Are you going to be all right for a while?” he asked, with concern in his beautiful eyes.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I assured him.
Abel left, locking the door behind him, and I looked out the window to see his car leave. I was alone. I sighed inwardly as I walked upstairs and stopped at
Abel’s door. I heard someone rummaging through his dressers. Strange, I was sure I was the only one here, wasn’t I? I crept to the door and peeked through a crack to find a dark black gargoyle looking for something. He must have known I was there because, without turning, he spoke.
“You must be the girl who’s been giving us a hard time,” he said. He turned around as I pushed open the door. He was tall and looked like Abel but different at the same time.
“Who are you?” I asked, keeping my distance from him. I did not want him to hurt me, so I looked around for a weapon. I found nothing right off the bat I could use, so I figured if I kept him talking long enough, maybe it would buy me some time before Abel came back home.
“Erasmus!” a familiar voice said from behind me, and I knew Abel was back. Before I could make a move, Erasmus grabbed me by the hair and yanked my head back hard, holding his claws to my throat. My head was pounding as he pulled my hair even harder making me wince a little.
“Let her go, Erasmus,” Abel said taking a step towards us. “Shinka has nothing to do with this!” Abel growled, taking a few more steps forward.
I felt Erasmus’s sharp claws on the skin of my throat. They felt like sharp knives waiting to cut into the soft flesh of my smooth skin. I made sure to stand still so he would not cut me.
“The full moon is coming, Lapis.” Erasmus taunted. “And then you will be powerless against me, brother.”
Brother? Abel has a brother.
Abel wore a silver necklace with a cross around his neck, He pulled on the cross, and it transformed it into a sword. I had no idea he carried such a weapon. Especially something as awesome as a sword.
