by Bria Lexor
“You know I am!” Shinka replied. And with that, I leapt into the air and took flight in the wind. Wren decided to tag along as usual and I did not seem to mind, if she shut up which she totally didn’t.
Hold on guys... we are on the way to end this battle once and for all...
The Final Valor:
Book Three
Dedication:
In memory of Carmen Castruia, the most amazing mother in the world.
Chapter One
I was staring at my reflection in the mirror for over twenty minutes now. I mean, I was not ugly or anything. In fact, I am drop dead gorgeous! But the person who was staring back at me was not exactly me. You see, I was a famous pop star, and my life was hectic, to say the least. I was recording tracks for my debut album, attending high school, and to top it all off, I was doing my best to stay alive and not get killed by the Hunters. I had it all going for me, up until my soul was sucked out of my body and is now permanently stuck in another body, which I now must accept as my own. My name was Shinka Fox and now it is Tuffara Metta, I am a demi-goddess and a reincarnated gargoyle, if you can believe that. I was thrust into an ageless war raging between the Hunters who are humans trying to rid the world of the evil creatures of the night, and the Haven clan, who is the last group of gargoyles to have survived by hiding in the shadows and moving around the world to keep the Hunters at bay.
I have something called an Alarica jewel, which is a gargoyle’s heart, which means I can control that gargoyle, who happens to be the new king, Abel Lapis, aka Lapis Haven, who is a half-breed gargoyle, a human by day and gargoyle by night. He is also my boyfriend, by the way, and I let him do whatever he wants. I have never controlled him, except for one time and that was it. But it is for his own protection.
My mother, Bru Fox, is a famous artist who travels the world selling her artwork to the rich and famous. She failed to mention to me she is a Slayer and kills Greek Gods and Goddesses for a living. Anyway, we are on a private jet that is headed to Europe because half of the clan was killed in a battle and one of them was Abel’s mother, Queen Llewellyn. Abel’s twin sister’s Aura Nova and Ambrosia were captured, along with the four other survivors from the clan. We are pretty much going on a suicide mission to rescue them.
A loud banging on the door made me yelp in surprise as I was brought back to reality. I was in the bathroom on the jet, and I guess someone needed to use it. I quickly unlocked the door and stepped out to meet an anxious Abel.
“Are you... okay in there?” Abel said to me, and I nodded and forced a smile.
“I was just... fixing my hair.” I said, biting my lower lip nervously as Abel led me to a nearby seat on the jet. He squeezed my hand and gently kissed it. Night had already fallen, and it was the night of a new moon. Abel was in his human form because being a half-breed meant he lost all his powers for one night... the night of a new moon. So, tonight was the perfect time for us to travel to Europe and not make a scene by scaring other humans if they saw a creature that was flying in the sky. They would go on the hunt looking for him, which we did not need. We needed to blend in, as much as possible, with the humans. Never thought I would hear myself say that, but there is a first time for everything, right?
“Look,” Abel said, running his fingers through his hair as he looked at me. “I know this isn’t the way you envisioned your life, Shin—”
Abel cleared his throat and pressed his lips tightly together, reminding himself I was not Shinka anymore. “Tuffara,” Abel nodded as he sighed heavily. “But I—”
“Shh...” I said, pressing my index finger gently against his soft lips, stopping him from speaking. “Abel before I met you, my life was boring.” I said, smiling at him. “I mean, sure I was a celebrity’s daughter and I had everything I ever wanted, being a celebrity myself, but...” I paused, pondering my next words. “But I wasn’t fully happy with my life until I found you Abel... You’ve made me whole as a person.”
Abel nodded slowly as my words sunk in, but he still felt guilty for me not being me anymore. “I understand that, Tuffara, but—”
“Let me finish,” I said, cutting him off again. “I know my mom wanted me to have a life outside of the Slayers, but becoming a Slayer is in my blood...” I paused and Abel realized what I was saying to him.
“You want to become a Slayer, Tuffara?” Abel asked and I hesitated before answering his question.
“I want to be able to fight alongside you Abel, because I owe my life to you and the surviving Haven clan members, and—”
Abel’s lips met mine and he kissed me passionately. For a moment, I froze, confused by his sudden reaction, but then I kissed him back and my body started to relax. I broke the kiss and our eyes locked. Instinctively, my hand went to Abel’s black hair and I stroked it lightly backwards.
“I was brought back to you for a reason Abel,” I said. “And—”
Just then, Wren, our daughter sent to us from the future, came skipping into the area of the jet we were sitting in and plopped down beside Abel. Abel scowled at her for a moment, then thought better of what he was going to say and forced a smile at her.
“What do you want Wren?” Abel asked and she just yawned and stretched out her legs on Abel’s, which made him even more upset with her.
“I need a cat nap.” she replied as she closed her eyes. I smiled and patted Abel on the shoulder as I stood up.
“I’m going to see how the others are doing.” I said and waved at Abel and quickly walked to the front of the jet before he could protest about his daughter screwing up his time with me. I was glad to see Wren loved her dad, even though Abel did not show his affections towards his daughter the same way she did. Nonetheless, I thought it was cute. Kaitlin Franchot was staring out the window, lost in her thoughts. I hesitated to talk to her because she was a Hunter who helped kidnap me and had taken part in the abduction of the Haven clan. I knew she felt guilty because of how her father, Zander, had sucked my soul from my body and placed it into the body I was in now.
“Hey,” Brooke Arkwright said to me as she pulled me aside. “How are you holding up?” she asked with concern in her dark brown eyes. Brooke was a beautiful brunette with long straight hair. She was also one of the Slayers on my protection detail, thanks to my mother.
“I’m good.” I said, nodding my head. “Just anxious to get the others back safely, you know?” “Yeah,” Brooke said, pressing her lips tightly together before speaking. “Look, I don’t think you should become a Slayer, Tuffara.”
I blinked and was taken aback by her bluntness. “Well... Why not?” I asked her. “I can be of some use to you guys, instead of needing to be protected all the time. I can actually fight, you know?”
“I understand,” Brooke said, choosing her words carefully. “But in the long run, you must realize that if you fight alongside us, you are allowing yourself to be placed in extreme danger and Abel won’t be able to stay focused on the task at hand unless he knows you are safe at all times. Do you understand what I’m trying to say to you?”
I nodded sadly. “I didn’t think of it that way.” I spoke. “And... my mother would know that I didn’t actually die if I became a Slayer too.”
“Exactly,” Brooke said to me. “You understand the severity of the situation better than I thought, Tuffara.” With that, Brook strolled away, and I walked to where Trunks was sitting. He was studying something on his laptop. When he saw me approaching him, he shut the lid and gave me a tired smile.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” I said as I plopped myself into the empty seat beside him.
“No, not at all Tuffara,” Trunks said, rubbing his tired eyes. “I’m afraid I haven’t been able to come up with any new leads as to where the Hunters are hiding out.” He stifled a yawn as he looked at me. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “You don’t look like yourself tonight.”
I sighed in annoyance. “Abel and Brooke don’t want me to fight.” I said to him as I stared up at the ceiling. “
I mean, I’m a Demi-goddess too, so I should be able to do something instead of sitting around doing absolutely nothing!”
Trunks chuckled to himself and I glared angrily at him. “I’m sorry,” he said, clearing his throat. “It’s just cute how you are trying to become what your mother didn’t want you to become in the first place.”
I frowned. “Guess I can’t change my destiny, now, can I?” I said with attitude in my voice. Trunks looked at me with a surprised look on his face. “I’m not trying to offend you,
Tuffara,” he said defensively. “But you aren’t cut out to be a Slayer. You're destined for something far greater than the life of a mere Slayer.”
“Yeah, like what?” I challenged him. “I already tried to be a singer and look where that got me.” I said, shaking my head sadly at him.
“You can still be a singer, Tuffara,” Trunks said to me. “I’m sure, with the right connections, Abel can get you a gig with Geffen again, just as another person this time around.”
I was silent as I pondered his words. I never thought about becoming a singer in Tuffara’s body. I mean, if I were still me, I could still sing, right? At least, I hoped I could still sing. “Maybe,” I said as I stood up to leave. “Or maybe I will choose to be reclusive and not exist to the world, right? I mean, I don’t exist as it is anyway.” The buckle your seat belt signal went off and I quickly hopped my ass back into the seat and buckled myself as the plain started to descend. I saw the clouds going higher as the plain went lower towards the ground below us. I could not help but feel nervous as we neared the airport. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
This is not your first time on an aircraft, Tuffara... You can do this...
It was a little after three in the morning when we touched down on the runway. I felt the tires bounce off the pavement as the pilot started to slow the jet down. A moment later, the jet came to a complete stop and the seat belt signal dinged again, letting us know it was safe to get off the jet. I quickly unfastened my seatbelt and leapt to my feet. I walked to the back where Abel was standing and took his hand in mine.
“Are you ready?” Abel asked me. I nodded. “Let’s do this.”
The door opened and a staircase was pushed up to the door. I started to walk down the steps and stopped dead in my tracks. Bru Fox and a group of Slayers were standing at the bottom waiting for us.
Bru smiled up at me and my heart was pounding loudly in my ears. “Welcome to Glasgow, Scotland.” she said to Abel and me. “My team will take you to your residence.”
Chapter Two
I avoided meeting Brus’ gaze as we sat in the black limousine that was waiting for us. After everyone piled in, the driver closed the door, and a moment later, I felt the car start to move. I hoped Bru did not recognize me but, yet again, I didn’t know how Tuffara acted either, so I decided to just wing it.
“I wanted to personally assist you on retrieving your remaining living clan members, King Lapis.” Bru started. “I understand the former queen was murdered and we will seek justice for her untimely death.” she added.
“Thank you for aiding us, Mrs. Fox.” Abel said to my mother. “I wasn’t aware of you coming.”
“No one ever is.” Bru replied bluntly. “I like to make my appearances under cloak and under the radar.” She sighed sadly. “I only wish Shinka had lived to see that her friends are going to be taken care of and are in good hands.”
I bit my lower lip nervously and looked at the ground. It pained me to know my mother was mourning my fake death, but it’s not like I could just come out and say “Hey mom, funny story... I’m alive and I’m Tuffara now.” That did not seem right.
“So how does it feel to be alive and walking amongst us again, Tuffara?” Bru asked me. I looked up at her and blinked in surprise. What would I say to her? I had to lie and that alone was eating at me, but it had to be done for her to not know I was still alive.
“It feels... different.” I said slowly as all eyes were on me. “I mean, being in this new body is something I need to adjust to, but I’m grateful for another chance at life.” I said, giving her a small smile.
Bru nodded curtly at me. “Understandable.” she said. “I would imagine that, after thousands of years, everything around you is new and a lot has changed since you were last alive, but I’m sure you will adjust quite well to your new surroundings. Tuffara.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” I said in a small voice. I was glad when Bru focused her attention back on the mission and I sighed in relief. Maybe it was not a good idea for me to fight, especially if Bru was here. It would not be a smart idea to get caught up in the war looking like... Well, me. The limo came to a stop and I looked up to see a private residence that stood in front of us. It was a large castle like house with two stories to it.
“All of you will be staying with me and my team while you are here.” Bru said to us as we all got out and grabbed our luggage. “That way you will all be under protection. Now that you are the new king, you are an easy target, Lapis, and we need to ensure your safety.” She paused and glanced at me. “As well as your fiancé, your highness.”
Fiancé?
“This will do nicely,” Abel said to her. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“You are most welcome.” Bru said, allowing us to pass through the gates and into the large courtyard.
“It’s beautiful.” I whispered to him.
Abel smiled as he glanced at me. “I thought you were used to this sort of thing?” he asked me.
“I am.” I spoke. “It’s just... different somehow.”
“Tuffara,” Bru called to me. “May I speak to you for a moment?” A member of her team came and took my bags and rushed inside before I could say anything. I walked to where Bru stood and waited to hear what she had to say. “In past lifetimes, you have been a gargoyle, as well as a human,” she started. “Now you are a Demi-goddess, something that I used to—”
“I don’t want to fight.” I said, quickly cutting her off.
“I don’t expect you to.” Bru said, arching her eyebrow at me in surprise. “I was just stating the fact you are something different this time around and Abel is going to make you his queen.”
“You keep saying that, but I don’t think that is going to happen.” I spoke.
Bru grabbed my face and moved my head back and forth a few times before releasing me. “Your attitude reminds me of my daughter.” she said, and I had to play it off.
If you only knew how right you are, Mother...
“This time around, we want to make sure you are completely always protected, because you are the future queen and you have already died twice. A third time might be the end of you.” I nodded but said nothing. “You are very fortunate to be given another chance at life, Tuffara.”
“Yes, I am, ma’am,” I said, and I meant it because I easily could have died.
“Let’s get you inside.” Bru said, ushering me back through the gate and into the yard. “Your daughter loved you, you know?” I said suddenly, making Bru stop dead in her tracks.
“I know she did.” Bru said sadly. “I wish I could see her one more time and tell her how proud I was to have her for a daughter.”
A small smile played across my lips and I forced it away as we entered the house. “Here,” I said to Bru, removing a necklace. I handed it to her, and she had a look of surprise on her face as she looked at me. “She would want you to have this.”
“Thank you, Tuffara,” Bru said, putting it around her neck. “I will wear it always.”
I nodded and wandered the house looking for Abel. I was drawn into the beauty of the house; it was made of bricks and probably ghosts. Plus had a lot of history to it.
“Hey,” Abel said, sneaking up behind me. I turned around and smiled up at him. “We should probably get some sleep and start fresh in the morning.”
“Yeah,” I replied, stifling a yawn. “I am pretty tired.”
I followed Abel up the flight of stairs and into on
e of the bedrooms we were borrowing on our short stay here in the UK. I pulled off my tennis shoes and walked to the bed. I was so tired I did not even want to change into my pajamas. I pulled back the thick red comforter and laid in the bed, falling asleep easily. When I awoke. I looked around for Abel, but he was gone. I threw the blanket off me and stood up. I was about to head out the door when Abel’s Alarica jewel started to glow a bright bluish color. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at it. The next thing I knew. Abel rushed into the room and stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at me.
“What do you think it means?” I asked without taking my eyes off the jewel.
“My clan is in trouble and we have to find them... before it’s too late.” Abel replied and the jewel stopped glowing and went back to normal. “Bru has just found her contact here and we’re getting ready to meet him in a pub soon.”
“I’ll get dressed.” I said, finally able to move my legs.
“I’ll see you downstairs when you’re ready.” Abel said as he left the room.
I picked up one of my suitcases and unzipped it. I closed the door and quickly changed into the fresh clothes. I put my shoes on and ran a brush through my long hair. Yup, it was going to take me a while to get used to this new body. I needed a haircut because Tuffara’s hair was so long that it hung past my butt. Frustrated, I just threw it up into a ponytail and called it a day. I put on a little bit of eyeliner and light pink eye shadow and some clear lip gloss and I was ready. I walked quickly down the staircase and met everyone in the living room.
