Savior

by Lane Mason

  The gargoyle’s curiosity was piqued by the sound of a feminine voice. He was anxious for the sun to set, for darkness to allow him to emerge from his rocky prison. He would fly and explore his new surroundings. Perhaps this century he could find the key to break the curse he allowed to be placed upon himself to protect the woman he loved. The woman he thought returned his love and devotion in full measure. It had been no consolation to watch her grow old as a mortal, and be left by her rich husband for a younger lover.

  He sighed again. To human ears the sigh would sound like the creak and groan of an old house. He would protect those mortals under his charge, those foolish mortals who allowed love to cloud their judgment, and fool them into misplacing trust.

  The human condition, he loathed and yet longed for. He listened intently as humans walked the halls of the abode he had guarded for so long. The halls had been silent for too long. Now the rooms were coming to life with new energy. It appeared as if he had a young woman to protect, and another being, a shifter. With his abode being vacant for so long, boredom had almost put him into a state of hibernation. The moss on his stone face would soon disappear. The gargoyle wondered if the new occupant would be worthy of his protection. A worthy occupant in his home would be refreshing. A gargoyle was not bound to protect just anyone. A gargoyle could refuse to guard a human. To do so too often however was not advisable. There was uncertainty of the immortality of a gargoyle if his usefulness was debatable. Sometimes he had been tempted to do so and see what happened to worn out, useless gargoyles. Immortality was highly overrated. Watching over humans he developed affectionate feelings for, was difficult as they grew old and expired. It reminded him of when he had been human, and pets with short life spans died of old age under his care. Now humans were the pets under his care. He sighed and this time the sound was like a soft wind in the trees. Soft sentiments were to be avoided. He was a bodyguard that needed no distractions should he choose to protect the new occupants of his mansion.

  ...

  Erica wiped her fingers on the paper napkin. She swirled the wine in her glass and contemplated asking Jeffery about his bear being. Finally, she could do idle chit chat no more. She looked at him in earnest.

  “This bear shifting, when does it happen?” she asked.

  “It happens when the fight or flight adrenaline flows.” Jeffery answered with a rather straight face. He had made a bet with himself she would ask about his other self in less than one hour. Winning his bet with himself did bring out a small smile that was quickly erased.

  “So, it’s not a good idea to ever tell you that your cooking sucks?” Erica smiled, half joking but actually she was nervous about triggering a shift inadvertently. “Not that your cooking sucks!” she quickly added. “This is so much to wrap my head around.”

  “I can shift when I want or need to. I gained control and self-discipline earlier in my life.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “Yes, yes it hurts briefly during the changing.”

  “Do you think like a man in a bear’s body?” Erica’s neatly-shaped eyebrows were furrowed. She was as serious as a preacher at a funeral.

  Jeffery answered dryly. “Yes, I have man thoughts in the body of a bear with the strength of a bear. But don’t worry, shifters don’t mate with humans while in animal form.”

  Erica blushed. That was not the answer she was looking for, too much information. But Jeffery looked equally uncomfortable answering her silly questions.

  “I think that glass of wine will be my last for the evening.” Erica felt her inhibitions were just a little addled. She was thoroughly embarrassed. It was definitely time to excuse herself from the table and beat a hasty retreat to her new and beautiful bedroom, before the effects of the wine really messed with her mind and manners. “Thank you for a very lovely meal, and I shall refrain from asking any more questions until my brain catches up with my lips. You have been very patient with my ignorance about,” she paused, and finally blurted, “Everything!”

  “You are very welcome; it was and is my pleasure to serve you. Any pertinent questions are more than welcome, especially if they put you at ease. We want you to feel safe.” The tone of his voice was back to almost emotionless. It was in stark contrast to his earlier laugh.

  Erica smiled her appreciation and turned away quickly to hide her vulnerability. She was exhausted. Now that she felt safe, it seemed as if the adrenaline she had been running on for months was turned off. She wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep on that new soft bed. She rose and nodded at Jeffery. “On that note, it is time for me to go to bed. It has been a long and trying couple of days and I think hit the hay.”

  “Goodnight, Ms. Erica.”

  Sleep did not come easily, as often happened when she was over tired. As soft and comfortable as the big bed was, the tension in her body caused her to toss and turn. Erica groaned and thought about taking a sleeping pill. She hated the groggy, lingering effects upon waking. A better solution was tucked discreetly inside her overnight bag. The toy bag was brought to avoid embarrassment, for strangers would be packing up her possessions and bringing them to the mansion. What would they think if they stumbled across a vibrator among other very erotic toys to stimulate and prolong sexual pleasure? Erica climbed out of the bed and brought the vibrator back to the bed with her. Her sexual appetite was very healthy and the vibrator had been very handy when Jack was away on long trips. She thought about Jack’s lean and hard body, the way he knew what to touch and when. She remembered the way he would kiss and tease the sensitive points of her anatomy. She sank down into the inviting bed again and started to pleasure herself. She found her rhythm quickly and tried to slow it down, but her body would have none of that slow steamy building of a pleasurable tension. Her hips flexed involuntarily and within minutes her toes curled with the peak of an orgasm that was reached in record time. She sighed in relief, and thought sleeping pills are for old people. As her body cooled and her muscles relaxed she drifted into a deep dreamless sleep.

  It seemed strange to wake up early and not have to prepare for work. It was time to call into the accounting firm and let them know she was taking a leave of absence with no notice. They had offered to give her an extended leave after Jack’s death, a leave she refused, as work and routine were her saving grace. Erica pressed the speed button of her new cell phone and thought about how much information she could share with Sally, her friend and supervisor.

  “May I speak to Sally please, this is Erica.” The receptionist’s voice was unfamiliar. Erica wondered if the regular receptionist was ill.

  “Hello, Erica, what’s up?”

  “Sally, I need to take that offer for an extended leave of absence.” Erica got right to the point.

  “Not a problem, Erica, I wish you had asked for it sooner. Do you know you have worked so hard we’ve all been worried about you,” Sally said. There was genuine concern in her tone of voice.

  “Work helped me keep my sanity, but now I need some time away.” Erica was not ready to share her newest problems. Sally would suggest therapy if she talked about vampires, shifters, and werewolves.

  “Remember you get a paid leave of absence for up to three months with our insurance and benefits policy. So take all the time you have coming to you, Erica,” said Sally. “Are you going to finally spend some time away traveling?”

  “No, not yet. I am going to be away from the city for a while. I need to get my bearings and decide what to do with my life.”

  “Are you finally going to give up your apartment? I don’t see how you can live there after what happened.”

  “I am going to think about it. I know you think I am nuts to stay there, but that apartment holds some very good memories. However, you may be right that it is time for a change.” Erica felt relief. Sally had given her an easy way to explain her need for a leave of absence. She wouldn’t have to lie. Erica despised liars. Although she would probably learn to change her opinion on the subject now that sh
e had so many secrets to keep. “I am taking your advice, Sally.”

  “Well, finally you are coming to your senses, my friend. Let me know if you need anything, any help with moving, hint hint.” Sally’s voice was teasing as it tapered off.

  “I will, I promise. I will contact you after I take some time away for me. I am phoning from a new cell number. Save it, but do not share it, please. Let’s get together later this week for lunch,” Erica said.

  “Lunch sounds great. How about we meet Friday at Emilio’s?”

  “That works. I’ll see you Friday, noon at Emilio’s.” Erica hung up the phone. It would be good to see Sally. It was a relief that Sally had been so understanding. Erica might never work at the company again, but she didn’t want to burn that bridge just yet. Who knew what the future would bring.

  6

  The bedroom balcony was quickly becoming Erica’s favorite place. Since Jack’s death, she had taken up smoking again. A nasty habit, she freely admitted, but one that helped calm her nerves. The last few months had seen those nerves tested more than once.

  Erica inhaled, letting the smoke fill her lungs, then tilted her head back and blew out the smoke, watching it drift off into the evening sky. So much craziness had happened in the last year, but at least finally she knew she wasn’t crazy. It was the world around that was crazy. Vampires, shifters, who ever imagined that the movies and books weren’t just born of the imagination. She shuddered at the thought that other popular fiction might be as real as the supernatural. Horror movies and zombies came to mind as scenarios she’d much keep as fantasy.

  The balcony was at the corner of the building, under the watchful gaze of one of the four stone statues that sat at each corner of the old, Italian villa. The statues looked like an artist had tried to combine a man and a demon. The statue that overlooked her balcony was crouching on the top of the building, its bat-like wings folded behind the statue’s solid body. Its torso reminded Erica of the Adonis statues, chiseled abs and a defined chest. While she found parts of the statue beautiful, the overall effect was sinister. She shivered.

  Taking another drag on her cigarette, Erica kept looking at the gargoyle. “You are probably the ugliest statue I have ever seen,” declared Erica, as she started a one-way conversation with the Gargoyle. “I suppose that is on purpose, can’t scare off evil spirits with a smile. Although, with a face like that, I’ll bet your smile is even hideous. But, according to my new library, gargoyles are a good thing. So, I suppose we are going to have to be friends. Do you have a name?” Erica waited a moment for the gargoyle to reply. “Playing the strong silent card, are we? Okay, well I am calling you Garg. Not very original I know, but it will do.”

  Erica smiled, for some strange reason talking to her ugly over-looker was comforting. It was almost like back when Jack was alive. Jack had been an excellent listener, always letting Erica vent whenever work, or her crazy as bat shit family had her stressed out. She sighed deeply. Jack had certainly been better looking than Garg and actually had made comments to calm, soothe, and sympathize. So far Garg was failing miserably in the talking part of conversation. That was OK by her, finding a man who was a good listener was tough. And good ol’ Gargs wasn’t going anywhere. He had no choice but to listen to her rantings.

  Erica butted out her cigarette. “Well, Gargs, it has been nice chatting with you, but it is past this girl’s bedtime.” Erica closed the balcony doors behind her as she went to get ready for bed.

  ...

  My name is Dante, not Garg, thought the stone gargoyle, as he listened to the human woman babble on. Dante was mildly intrigued by the woman. She was attractive by any age’s standards, but the way she dressed was certainly different than any previous lady he had protected. In the last time frame that Dante had been awake and able to roam in human form, the close-fitting denim pants were something a man would wear, certainly not a woman. However, Dante could see how the form fitting pants with tank top shirt had a certain appeal to it. Human fashion seemed to go in waves, one after another, never satisfied with one style. It was inefficient, this constant need for change, but it came from the creativity which was one of mankind’s greatest talents. This generation in particular seemed to be moving at a much faster pace, technology, fashion everything changed so fast.

  As Erica moved out of his field of view, he couldn’t help but notice how tone and fit her body was. Watching Erica walk away was going to become one of his favorite pastimes.

  He let his mind wander back to the evolution of man. The skills an immortal had to learn to keep up with the human race were entertaining. Their weaponry was advancing, but their nature had not changed much. Human moral development was slow. At one time he thought the human codes of ethics were superior to those of the immortal beings hidden among the human population. Alas he changed his mind decades ago as it seemed the Earth was being ravaged by the humans with no thought of self-preservation.

  Even the vampires and werewolves had progressed morally, hell even the fae, notorious for their indifference towards the value of life had progressed. They did not kill indiscriminately anymore. At least the majority of supernaturals did not. They had codes of ethics in place. Certainly, there were radical groups who liked the old ways, but unlike humans most werewolves and vampires learned that if they did not disrupt the balance of nature, a certain harmony among the species could be achieved.

  Certainly, in his opinion, some humans deserved to be harvested. He thought for a second longer. Actually, some humans, like degenerates of other species, deserved to be culled. Harvest implied worth. Culled was a better term. Like demons that travelled to the human realm, almost without exception demons needed to be culled. To be fair, all species had such specimens, only there were vastly more humans than any of the paranormal races.

  Dante turned his thoughts back to the woman and her remarks. Once upon a time, Dante would’ve been offended by remarks about his ugly face, but in reality, after several centuries of listening to remarks, her comments were mild compared to some he had listened to in the past. He took pride in the fact that his features could instill fear in the superstitious, as well as the blissfully ignorant people unaware that the face they remarked upon heard every word. People’s comments did not bother him half as much as bird shit. Dante sat frozen in time, waiting for something to dare attack a human under his watch. Now that Erica resided in his old home, she was his to protect. He looked forward to an event that would unlock the restriction of his powers. Fully activated meant being able to take human form at will and as needed. It would be good to walk as a man in daylight. Flying at night with his grotesque body was getting very old. Dormancy was not half as exciting as being fully activated.

  7

  Emilio’s little bar and grill on the east side, was a popular hangout for the business crowd. Having a reservation was almost a must, if one didn’t want to wait an hour at the bar. Erica was a little curious as to the table the waiter chose for them. The table was a little large for two, but Sally had made the reservation, and Erica was just glad to be there, waiting for Sally. While her new home was beautiful and safe, it was lonely at times. Jeffery was the only one around for the majority of the time and his conversation level was hardly much better than that of Garg, her stone balcony smoking buddy. Sally, on the other hand would talk one’s ear off if given the chance. Erica would be able to get a week’s worth of socialization in with one visit with the gregarious and bubbly woman.

  Erica watched Sally walk into the room, spot Erica, and head her way.

  “There you are. Sorry, traffic was a bitch,” said Sally, as she sat down in the chair beside Erica.

  Erica noted the curious decision to sit beside her, instead of in front of her. Erica took a closer inspection of Sally, cute little black dress, string of pearls, hair done up and a scent of vanilla and rose perfume. “You are awfully dolled up for little old me,” stated Erica, as she watched Sally with suspicion.

  “Well, funny you mention that,” s
tarted Sally. “I happened to run into Todd, that cute lawyer from the third floor yesterday, and he asked me out. I might have told him that he could show up with Frank, the really cute new guy.”

  Erica looked incredulously at Sally. “You turned our lunch into a double date?”

  Sally nodded.

  “You bitch!” declared Erica.

  “Don’t be mad,” pleaded Sally, “You know how long I have been flirting with Todd, and I do have to go upstate to see my mother this weekend, so it was the only way I could think of to keep our lunch date and still get to have lunch with Todd. Besides, Frank is really cute and nice. You should be happy I bring you hunks.”

  Erica wanted to be mad, but knowing Sally it was not in her to be mean spirited. She was just the type that would think of it as killing two birds with one stone and a logical thing to set up. Sally was also much better at asking forgiveness than she was permission. Erica sighed. She supposed lunch with a couple cute young lawyers wasn’t the end of the world. But she wouldn’t admit that to Sally. “I am going to get you back for this. Watch your back!” declared Erica.

  Sally laughed. She knew Erica’s threat was empty. Erica didn’t have it in her to hold a grudge and Sally knew it. “Oh whatever. It will be fun. Besides, you know the last time I had a real date. You better be a good wing man for me today.”

  Finally, Erica laughed. “OK. I’ll be nice but don’t expect miracles.”

  When Todd and Frank walked in, Erica recognized the tall blond lawyer from the third floor of their building. He was attractive and nice, as far as she knew. She would be happy for Sally, if things went past the double date. Frank, Todd’s friend was slender, dark haired and had classic features highlighted by his light green eyes. Sally had not been lying. Frank was cute.