by Bria Lexor
When I arrived at school, I barely made it inside the building when it started to rain. I sat down in my seat, and Abel handed me a red rose. I just looked at him, not saying a word. I knew he probably felt bad for ignoring me the night before, but I was not ready to talk to him yet. Just then, a boy with short blond hair walked in, and we locked eyes instantly. He was cute, but I averted my gaze so Abel would not pulverize the poor guy for checking me out. The only empty seat was to my left, and the boy sat down and smiled at me.
“Hi,” he said extending his hand towards me in a friendly manner, “I’m Drake Montague.”
“Shinka Fox,” I said shaking Drake’s hand. “But you can call me Fox,” I said sweetly. I could see out of the corner of my eye Abel was glaring at Drake. I just shrugged it off. Maybe making a new friend was a good idea. I had not made any since Kaitlin, and Drake really seemed like a nice guy. No harm done.
Drake leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I don’t think your boyfriend likes me, very much, does he?”
I rolled my eyes at Drake’s comment. “He’ll get over it,” I replied, giving him a small smile. “Can I get your number so we can hang out sometime?” Drake asked pulling out his black iPhone 12.
“Sure,” I said, pulling out my LG Optimus G, to get his number, too.
This was going to be a crazy afternoon. As the bell rang, Abel walked slowly to the door to wait for me. I could tell he had something on his mind. I just wanted him to feel the way I had felt when he was with Tuffara. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted him to know what he was doing to me was not right either. He pulled me to the side when I met up with him.
“I don’t think you should be hanging out with that guy, Shinka,” Abel whispered towards me.
“Why not?” I asked arching an eyebrow to his question.
“Since you’re a human you can’t smell it,” Abel said, looking around as other students passed by. “But his stench is all over the place,” Abel said, wrinkling his nose at a stink I obviously could not smell. “His name’s Drake, right?” Abel asked as he walked me to my next class.
“Yeah, why?” I asked frowning.
“Drake is short for Draco from the Drakonus clan.” Abel paused. “He’s a dragon, Shinka.”
I suddenly became aware of what Abel was warning me about. Others were after me, and I was once again fearful for my life. The rest of the day I could not concentrate on any of my classes. When the bell finally rang, to go home, I walked quickly out to the parking lot and was relieved to find Abel waiting for me by my car. I smiled as I walked up to him. I knew he wanted me to get home soon, so he would know I was safe. But just as I was putting my bag into the back seat of my car, I heard a low growl behind me. I turned in time to see Abel blocking me from Drake.
Now what?...
Drake wore a cocky look on his face. I looked at Abel, knowing Drake was taunting him just because he could.
“What do you want?” Abel asked Drake rudely.
“I overheard you talking about me earlier and...” “She needs to know what you are,” Abel said coldly.
“Well now that she knows the truth, what are you going to do about it?” Drake challenged Abel in the same cold tone.
“Ha!” Abel laughed uncontrollably, obviously not fazed by Drake’s threats. “I’m going to kill you and hang your head at the top of my banister!” Abel deadpanned. Without thinking, I ran in front of Abel to block him from making any attempts to hurt Drake.
“Shinka, what are you doing?” Abel demanded, looking at me like I was doing something foolish. I was doing something foolish. Standing between a gargoyle and a dragon was not something I did every day.
“Look!” I said glaring at them both. “Do you really want people to know what you guys are?” I sighed in annoyance. “Let’s take this somewhere else, all right.”
Both Abel and Drake came to their senses and reluctantly agreed.
“I’ll meet you at your place,” Drake said. I turned around, and he was gone. “Shinka, what did I tell you about doing that sort of stuff?” Abel demanded.
“Look, he was going to make you fight in front of all these people,” I whispered to him, and suddenly he realized a small crowd had gathered around us.
“You’re right,” Abel said walking towards his car, which was parked next to mine. “I was foolish; I apologize, Shinka. Thank you for bringing me back to my senses.” Abel got into his car and took off. I was left alone to wonder what Drake’s real reason for coming to this academy was all about. Night had fallen when Drake finally decided to show himself. Just like Abel and the rest of the gargoyles, Drake was in his true form as well. He stood on two feet; his tail was long and thin with tiny white spikes at the tips. His skin color was white, like the snow I missed back in Colorado. He had beautiful baby blue eyes, and his scales gleamed in the moonlight. The gargoyles stepped aside for the queen.
“What is your business here, dragon?” Queen Llewellyn asked with force in her voice.
“I was sent to protect Miss. Shinka Fox, Your Majesty,” Drake said, bowing on one knee as he spoke.
“Shinka is already under the protection of the Haven Clan,” Queen Llewellyn growled. “Yes. I know,” Drake replied bluntly.
“Then why are you here?” Queen Llewellyn growled again, becoming very impatient.
“I’m here because Shinka is in more danger than you realize, and you need help to protect her.” Drake looked at me and continued. “I was sent by Shinka’s mother to give her more protection.” I was stunned by this unexpected news, as were the other gargoyles.
“From what?” Queen Llewellyn asked Drake curiously. “From the Slayers, Your Majesty...”
Chapter Fourteen
“Why would the Slayers be after Shinka?” Tybrus asked, pacing back and forth on the rooftop.
“Because the Slayers think Shinka is the Chosen One from the prophecy,” Drake replied.
“I don’t care what they think!” Abel shouted. “You’d better tell those Slayers to back off!” Abel said clenching his fists so tightly they were shaking uncontrollably.
“Look, I can’t do that, Lapis...” Drake said.
“Then I’ll do it!” Abel growled angrily, slamming his tail on the roof making the cement crack.
Before I could step in, Tuffara beat me to Abel’s side. How had I forgotten she was here? “Hold on, Lapis!” Tuffara said putting her hands on his bare chest. “The Slayers would kill Shinka if she stood up to them.”
“She’s right,” Drake said. “And that’s exactly why I came here to help you...”
“No!” Abel growled. “I want to know about this prophecy of yours. What does it have to do with Shinka?”
Drake sighed. “Shinka’s the only one who can help us,” he said looking towards me. “Tell me ... please?” I asked Drake, and he nodded his head and began his tale.
“According to the Elder, the prophecy states in the New Millennium a female will emerge and befriend a clan of gargoyles. She will be the first human to do so in centuries.” Drake paused to look at Abel, who was glaring at him as he continued.
“It’s said this female will have the choice to either remain a human or to become the first female dragon in centuries to save our race from extinction.”
“Hold on a minute!” Abel said, quickly standing by my side. I was trying to take in everything Drake had just said, but it left my head spinning. “What if Shinka wants to become a gargoyle instead?”
Drake just laughed, shaking his head at the thought of me becoming a gargoyle. “That can’t happen, Lapis,” Drake replied, looking towards me again.
“Why not?” Abel asked, stepping up to Drake.
“Because it’s Shinka’s choice on whether she wants to become a dragon or stay human, and besides,” Drake looked at Abel cautiously, “gargoyles were never part of the prophecy.”
“HA!” Abel laughed. “I see what your plan is,” Abel said growling down at Drake. Drake was tall, but Abel was so much taller than him in his
gargoyle state. “You just want Shinka to become a dragon so you can have her all to yourself!”
“What?” Drake said, shoving Abel roughly away from me. “I just want our race to survive.” Drake glanced quickly at Tuffara. “At least I’m not two-timing on the poor girl!”
I just blinked. I could not believe what was happening right in front of me.
“That’s enough!” Queen Llewellyn ordered slamming her staff onto the concrete with a loud thud. “I will not have you harassing my son in my presence. Do you understand me?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty.” Drake knelt again. “I have forgotten my place.”
Queen Llewellyn looked at the two boys sternly. “Since you both want to fight over Shinka, I see it fit for you both to protect her from here on out. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Your Majesty/Mother,” Abel and Drake said in unison. I could tell neither one of them liked the idea of teaming up, but they really did not have a choice.
“I’ll help you, Drake,” I said stepping toward them.
“Shinka, you don’t have to do this,” Abel whispered to me, with deep concern in his eyes. “I know,” I said, looking at both. “But I want both of your races to survive. So, I’ll do it.”
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, I awoke early to find Abel pacing back and forth outside on the balcony, worried about something. He glanced at me and smiled.
“Are you feeling okay?” He asked hugging me.
I nodded, letting him know I was fine. “I’m just really surprised by what Drake said, is all,” I said, not wanting to anger Abel by bringing up Drake, but I had to. He was part of my protection detail, so things were going to get even more hectic than they already were.
“I know,” Abel said gently. “Tonight’s the night of the full moon, remember?”
I bit my lower lip dreading this night for a while now. “Do you think the Hunters have something planned for us tonight?” I asked hoping I was wrong.
“You never can tell with them,” was all Abel said. We walked downstairs to chill, watching TV. The day went by uneventfully. I tried calming my nerves, by telling myself tonight we were going to be okay. That is when there was a knock on the door, and Abel opened it to find Drake standing there.
“What do you want?” Abel asked, not caring to hide the annoyance of seeing Drake again so soon.
“I just wanted to let you know the Hunters are here,” Abel quickly ran up to the balcony and alerted the other gargoyles. Drake and I waited for Abel to return. A few moments later, Abel raced back down the stairs towards us, and he directed me out of the house and toward his car.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Drake demanded as I got into the passenger’s seat of Abel’s car.
Abel ignored him as he started the engine. Drake jumped into the back seat, and we were off.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
Abel did not answer, which was unusual. I just sat there wondering what was wrong with him. Suddenly, the car came to a stop next to a huge, abandoned building with broken windows. It sat in a very creepy area that was desperately in need of lighting. It only had one light that worked, and it was dim.
“Are the others going to meet us here?” I asked, and again there was no answer.
“Abel, what’s wrong with you?” I demanded, unable to hide the fear creeping into my voice. Abel just pulled his sword out of his necklace as I heard footsteps approaching us in the
distance. The Hunters were standing directly across from us. And so was Erasmus, who smiled evilly at me. Abel stood in front of me, and Drake stood behind me making sure I was safe.
“Are you ready to die tonight, brother?” Erasmus asked Abel. “HA!” Abel scoffed. “Are you?”
“I didn’t know Kaitlin was a Hunter?” Drake said as Kaitlin looked toward us. She smiled at Drake.
“Hi, Drake, what are you doing here?” she asked innocently.
“Just hanging out with a couple of friends tonight,” Drake replied.
“Awe, how sweet.” Kaitlin’s smile turned into a scowl. “You’re not a gargoyle. So, what are you really doing here?”
Erasmus sniffed the air and scoffed. “He’s a dragon.” “Guess my secret’s out,” Drake replied, with a cocky smile.
“What’s wrong, Lapis?” Kaitlin asked. “You needed extra protection tonight?” Kaitlin mocked.
“Shut up, Kaitlin!” Abel growled. “You know I’m not afraid of any of you!”
“Perhaps you should be,” Zander replied, holding up a heavy silver chain, he had attached around Tuffara’s neck. Tuffara had flown off earlier, and I guess she was captured during that time. I could see Abel explode with rage now, and I understood why he was silent with me on the way over here. Abel could not hold back his anger any longer and rushed towards the Hunters.
They all rushed him. Suddenly, it was a free for all, and Drake transformed into his dragon self. He began fighting the Hunters as well. Erasmus was fighting with Abel and Drake was fighting the others. I looked over towards Tuffara and Zander as they watched the fight. I silently crept into the shadows and found a cinder block nearby. I quietly snuck up behind Zander holding it over my head, and brought it down as hard as I could, smashing it over Zander’s head. He fell to the ground unconscious.
“Tuffara, run!” I screamed at her and she flew off into the night sky. She was weak from being captured by the Hunters so her escaping with the chain still around her neck and her holding the other end was the best chance we had at getting Abel to fight without being distracted by her.
I ran towards Abel as Kaitlin froze in shock by what I had just done to her father. Kaitlin instructed Erasmus to kill Abel. I saw Drake head towards Kaitlin again. Erasmus saw this as well and before heading towards Kaitlin, he snapped Abel’s sword in two. I ran to Abel’s side and saw he was in terrible pain.
“Abel what’s wrong?” I asked, cradling his head in my lap as he continued to scream.
Before I knew it, Abel was transforming. Not into his gargoyle form, but into a beast-like creature. I quickly clambered away from him, but it was too late. Abel was headed towards me growling and on the hunt. I looked at him as he continued to slowly walk towards me. My mind raced as I tried to figure out if I should run or get attacked. I could see he was trying to fight off this new feeling that overcame him.
“Shinka!” Abel struggled to get the words out. “Get away from me! I can’t control it!”
I stood there, choosing not to run away from him. He needed my help, and I was his mistress after all. So, I took a chance and stood my ground, no matter how terrified I was by his sudden transformation. Abel looked almost like Hell Boy but with horns. He grabbed me by the throat and picked me up off the ground. “Shinka ... I’m so-sorry!” Abel said, looking down at me.
“Abel, fight it!” I said, looking into his eyes. “I know you don’t want to hurt me!” I felt his hand began to tighten around my throat, and the air was getting thinner and harder to breathe, but I kept on. “A-Abel I know you’re not evil.”
“Shinka, he’s going to kill you!” Drake screamed to me from across the lot, still fighting.
Erasmus and Kaitlin. I had enough strength to slap Abel as hard as I could across his face. He looked surprised by my sudden movement.
“Abel... fly!” I shouted.
The next thing I knew, Abel was flying at a brick wall and he smashed into it, lying in a pile of rubble. He was not moving. I fell to the ground the instant he released me and caught my breath. I looked over toward Abel, and he was back to his human form. I smiled and I passed out. When I awoke the next morning, I was lying in Abel’s bed. But this time, Abel was asleep next to me. This was the first time I’d seen him lying in his own bed, and it surprised me. I do not know why, but it did. I heard hammering on metal out on the balcony. I quietly got up to see who was making all the racket. Drake was holding Abel’s sword and was blowing fire from his mouth, hammering it back together.
“
How’s he doing?” Drake asked me without turning around. I forgot they could smell my scent a mile away. I walked outside to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.
“He’s still asleep,” I said standing next to him to examine his handiwork. It was rather good. I could not even tell where the crack was anymore.
“You’ve both been out since late last night.”
“You brought us back here?” I asked, surprised by Drake’s act of kindness. He really was trying to show Abel he wanted to be his ally. I was seeing him doing this out of friendship, and I thought it was cool of him.
“Yeah, I heard about the half-breed transformations,” Drake said shaking his head. “But this was the first time I actually witnessed one.”
“Really?” I had no idea Drake knew about half-breeds. But he was a dragon, so they probably knew about all the mysterious beings in the world.
“Yeah, you’re pretty lucky,” Drake said. “No one has ever survived an attack from a half-breed in their transformed state.” Drake paused looking over at me. “It’s said when a half-breed loses their weapon or their weapon is damaged in any way, they transform into a beast-like creature and have the urge to kill anyone and anything they come into contact with.”
So why didn’t Abel kill me?
I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see Abel, half leaning on the doorway, looking exhausted and catching his breath.
“So, you told her?” Abel asked, walking towards us, stopping to lean against a chair to my left that was behind Drake.
“Yup,” Drake replied. “Shinka has to know everything about us whether we want her to or not, and you know I’m right.”
