“I didn’t hurt him. He’s taking a shower.” She pointed at the rock ceiling. “Somewhere up there.”
The man’s expression softened. “You’re safe. I’m a friend.”
“Not one of mine, unless you want to fly me home.”
He smiled. “I can’t do that.”
“Do you have wings?”
“Yes.”
“Then you could but you won’t. That’s what I figured, but it was worth a shot to at least ask.”
“You’ll adjust to life at the cliffs. I understand you were unaware of our kind until last evening. Aveoth is a good man who will treat you extremely well. There’s no reason for you to fear any form of abuse.”
“That’s comforting, as opposed to you warning me that I’m in for some hurt.”
His eyebrows arched.
She decided to change the subject. He wasn’t human and probably didn’t have a sense of humor. “Do you own a television?”
“Of course.”
“Your buddy doesn’t.”
“I’m certain he’ll order you one if you just ask. Aveoth will want you to be happy.”
Kelzeb studied her. “I feel badly for you, Jill. I do. This must be difficult.”
“Badly enough to take me home?” She’d take pity if it worked.
“Aveoth needs you.”
“Right. To have bat babies. No thanks.”
Shock showed on his face.
“Sorry.” She glanced at his sword. It wasn’t a good idea to piss off the muscular, weapon-carrying stranger. He probably wanted some woman to have his bat babies too and wouldn’t appreciate her calling them that. “I’m out of my element big time.”
“You’ll adjust to life here.”
She highly doubted that. “So, what do you do? Besides being Aveoth’s friend?”
“I’m his advisor and lead enforcer.”
“And that means what?”
“He looks out for me and helps me stay alive.” Aveoth walked into the room. His hair was wet and he’d changed clothes. He wore leather pants and a black short-sleeved shirt that showed off his biceps. His feet were bare. “You’ve met Jill.”
“I have.” Kelzeb turned to face his friend. “An issue has arisen. I apologize. I attempted to call you but you weren’t answering your phone. You’re needed immediately in the judging chambers.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Delbius and Paltos are having a dispute and are demanding to see you. It can’t wait. They need you to settle the matter for them.”
“Fuck. What’s the problem?”
“Delbius is starting a new training group this afternoon, and Paltos insists his son join. Delbius refused, stating the boy is too young. The father disagrees. They couldn’t come to terms so they want you to assess the boy yourself.”
“What skill is being taught?” Aveoth glanced at Jill but then regarded Kelzeb. “Do you know the boy?”
“No. The group will focus on daggers and small-blade fighting.” Kelzeb sighed. “Nothing too dangerous.”
“How old is the boy?”
“Six.”
Jill listened quietly but that got a response. “Wait. What?”
Aveoth inched closer, his gaze fixing on her. “What’s wrong?”
“If I’m following this right, some six-year-old’s dad wants this kid to learn how to use sharp weapons and the instructor is saying no, right?”
“That sums it up.” Aveoth turned away. “I’ll be right back. I need to put on my boots and change shirts.”
Jill stared at Kelzeb after he left. “This is actually an issue?”
“Aveoth will listen to both father and instructor, hear their concerns and opinions, and then make a decision.”
“It sounds like a no-brainer. The kid is six. That’s a baby. Who in their right mind would want their little boy to play with anything dangerous?”
“It’s not that simple, Jill. These are not human children and they need to learn how to fight. The point of conflict is the child’s age. That’s two years younger than normal for that training skill.”
“You people are nuts.”
Kelzeb grinned. “We’re not people. We’re GarLycans.”
He probably had a point. “Why do you need daggers and small blades anyway? Can’t this kid grow claws like Aveoth showed me last night?”
“He can, but they would only be effective on other races.”
“And in layman’s terms that means what?”
Kelzeb explained, “Claws hurt in a fight against, say, a human, Vampire, or Lycan. They don’t when we fight our own kind. Have you seen Aveoth shell his body?”
She shook her head. “He’s got more extras? Great. What does that mean?”
“We’re mostly Gargoyle-blooded. Watch, but don’t be frightened. I’ll slightly shell my skin. Are you prepared?”
She braced herself to see whatever freaky trick he planned to perform. It couldn’t be more shocking than growing wings. “I’m ready.”
Kelzeb’s skin began to darken. The texture of it changed, seeming to harden. He started out tan and normal looking but ended up a light gray.
She managed to keep her mouth from falling open and the curse words that sprang to mind from spilling out. She hesitantly approached him. He looked like a rock mannequin someone had dressed in badass clothes and strapped a sword to the waist. She reached out, her hand trembling a little, and pressed a finger to his exposed arm. What should have felt like flesh now had transformed to a hard, almost smooth, cool marble feel.
“Wow,” she whispered.
She lifted her chin, staring at his face. His eyes were alive but the rest of his face seemed frozen, gray, and it gave her the chills. He really looked like a stony mannequin or a life-size garden statue, but with a real person trapped inside that body staring back at her. She pulled her finger away and pressed her entire hand around the curve of his arm, giving it a squeeze. He felt solid and real.
The color of him started to lighten, and she felt heat against her skin. She let him go and backed up fast. It took him only seconds to appear normal again. He shrugged.
“That’s what we call mild shelling. Claws couldn’t break my skin if I were to fight in that form. It’s why weapons training is so important.”
“How can you fight when you’re frozen in place? Do you just stand there while someone tries to hurt you until they wear themselves out and give up?”
He laughed. “That was just partial shelling. I could have moved if I’d wanted to but you already looked spooked. I didn’t want you to scream or try to flee from me.”
“I probably would have,” she admitted. “It’s like something right out of a horror movie. Do you guys impersonate statues and then scare the shit out of people just for the fun of it by moving?”
“No. It’s forbidden to allow humans to know what we are.”
“So why am I so special?”
“You now belong to Aveoth, and you’re not completely human.”
“I would point out that it’s illegal to own someone these days, but I highly doubt that would matter to people who still live in caves. I don’t have fangs, and I can’t even grow my fingernails to a decent length, so that makes me a shitty non-human, doesn’t it? I’m usually sporting acrylic ones, but it’s been a while since I could afford to have them done.”
“Acrylic?”
“Fake nails. My real ones are thin and break. In other words, I don’t have claws. Not even close.”
He glanced at her hand, then held her gaze. “What is the point of fake nails?”
“They’re pretty and makes me feel girly. Don’t judge, Stone Garden.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “Stone Garden?”
“I like to stick people with nicknames. That’s how I’m going to think of you from now on. You looked like you belonged in someone’s backyard with the other garden statues when you were gray.”
“Statues are harmless. I’m not. Do you know how youngling GarLycans learn how
to hunt?”
“Tell me.”
“We teach them a game called ‘snatch the prey’. We let an animal see us and give it a chance to run away. Then we fly high, circle around it, and swoop out of the sky to grab it off the ground. I was excellent at it as a boy, but now nothing gets away from me when I’m on the hunt.”
He was scary alright. She wasn’t going to be intimidated though. “I usually don’t tell people what name I tag them with, but I don’t give a shit right now if that upsets you. Maybe you’ll want to be rid of me, and take me home to save your friend from being subjected to me.”
“I see. What do you call Aveoth?”
“Wings.”
He chuckled. “You are entertaining, Jill.”
“I don’t mean to be.”
Aveoth returned. He’d put on a long-sleeved white shirt that looked as if he’d raided the costume wardrobe on the set of a pirate movie. It was loose fitting, the top of it split to reveal some of his chest. The boots appeared to be military, black, and he’d added a sword to his waist too. She’d have laughed at anyone else in that getup, made jokes, but Aveoth pulled it off. He would probably look sexy in anything. She resented that, too.
Kelzeb withdrew a cell phone from his back pocket. “I’ll see if Fray or Chaz are available to keep Jill company. They are human friendly and loyal to us.”
“No.” Aveoth walked over and snagged Jill’s hand. “I’m taking her with us.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I don’t either.” She agreed with Kelzeb, and tried to pull free of Aveoth’s larger hand.
He tightened his hold. “I’m not letting you out of my sight. Do you want to survive?”
She stopped jerking on her arm. “Yes.”
“Then stick close.” He placed her hand on his arm. “You belong at my side. Stay there.”
“Shit,” Kelzeb grunted. “You know word will spread fast. They’ll only smell the human scent on her and assume you’ve chosen her to be your breeding vessel. Then they’ll wonder why you’re allowing her out of your chambers. Some will be offended she’s not chained.”
“Breeding vessel? Did you just call me that?” Outraged, she glared at Aveoth. “Is that what I think it is? And I heard ‘chained’. Don’t even think about it, Wings.”
“It’s a term some of the older generation uses for women we choose to have our children. It was customary to chain the woman if she was human. They feared us, believing we were demons. Some women jumped to their deaths to escape giving birth to what they called our ‘spawn’. We’ll discuss this later. I must play judge.”
“That’s so insulting! And your people aren’t demons. You’re actually all outdated-thinking caveman. How would you feel being called a sperm-giver or a baby-making machine?”
“Or Stone Garden,” Kelzeb mused.
Aveoth scowled. “What does that mean?”
“I shelled a bit to show your Jill how we look. She compared me to a statue and has dubbed me with that nickname.”
Aveoth had the nerve to smile.
“Don’t do that.” It irritated Jill that Kelzeb had a point. She had called him a nickname that might have been a bit insulting, despite that not being her intention.
“You do amuse me, Jill. I don’t think of you as a breeding vessel. Some of my people are what you’d call old fashioned.” Aveoth made a small bow. “I apologize for the offensive term.”
“I can think of worse names to call your people who think that way,” she admitted.
“I’m sure you can.” Aveoth rubbed her hand resting on his arm. “We can discuss this later. You’re highly intelligent, so I’ll tell you exactly what kind of danger you’ll face.” His expression sobered and his eyes did some weird thing where the color began to change, silver and blue sparking like some electricity ball. “I’m about to expose you to my clan. They will attack us if you don’t do exactly what I say.”
She watched his eyes do that crazy thing they did, had to admit it was mesmerizing, if not freaky, and carefully considered his words. “I’m listening.”
“Act submissive to me in front of my kind. I won’t ask that of you when we’re alone, but in front of others, it would be a harshly punishable offense if you do not. I’m their lord, and we aren’t forgiving. It wouldn’t sit well with anyone if I allowed you to get away with things that I’d beat them for doing. Do you understand? It would make me appear weak if I didn’t punish you swiftly and without mercy.”
“They could turn on us,” Kelzeb warned. “We’d all die. Damn it, Aveoth. Just leave her here. We can expose her to the others once she has more of an understanding of our culture.”
“Someone might have seen her when she tried to climb from my ledge to another one.” Aveoth kept his gaze locked with Jill’s. “Rumors may already be circulating. I spotted a few flyers when I went after her.”
“She what? What the he—”
Aveoth cut Kelzeb off with a shake of his head. “She ventured outside while I slept. It’s best to take a preemptive measure by showing them I’m not trying to hide that I have a woman in my chambers. They’d wonder why I’m so secretive and possibly make dangerous assumptions.”
Kelzeb grumbled, a deep, unpleasant sound. “She isn’t dressed appropriately to make acquaintances.”
“We’ll move up our sparring session to begin right after I judge. It is a large enough space there. Our women wear pants when they train, and I’ll make it clear that I intend to teach her self-defense. It will excuse her appearance, since this was a priority matter and wasn’t scheduled.”
“I’m hearing English coming out of your mouths but I don’t understand what either of you are saying.” Jill glanced between them.
Aveoth leaned forward a little, drawing her full attention. “Just be silent and stay by my side as if our lives depend on it.”
She swallowed. “You said you’re their lord. What kind of place do you run?”
Kelzeb answered before Aveoth could. “You asked about television. Did you ever see a show or movie about a leader of a state or country being betrayed and assassinated by his own people?”
She peered at him and got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “I hate those.”
“Welcome to the cliffs.”
“What’s their issue?” She stared at Aveoth.
“We must go.” Aveoth stepped forward, tugging on her. “I’m not a full-blooded Gargoyle. Some would be happier if my father still ruled. He was pure.”
“Where’s he?” She walked with him, not really happy about it, but he had her hand trapped between his side and his arm.
“Dead.”
“Did they kill him?”
Aveoth gave a negative shake of his head. “We’ll speak of history later. Just be silent and pretend to be submissive. I apologize but I’d rather live out the day. Wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.”
* * * * *
Jill remained very quiet, but Aveoth’s repeated quick glances at her told him she was having a difficult time taking in her surroundings as they strode down stairs and through inner tunnels to where they needed to go. He tried to imagine what her thoughts might be. She probably hadn’t spent much time inside a mountain. He doubted many humans had.
Delbius waited outside the double doors leading to the judging chambers. A small boy and Paltos stood a few feet away. He spotted their surprised expressions before each man masked them. The boy was another matter. He gasped. Paltos reached over and slapped his hand on his son’s shoulder to silence him.
Kelzeb unlocked the doors and threw them open. Aveoth paused, had Jill halt next to him, and indicated the other men enter first with a motion of his hand. He wasn’t about to expose his back to either GarLycan. They weren’t ones he explicitly trusted. He noted how Paltos used his body to shield his son from the trainer and Kelzeb. It meant he cared about the boy’s safety.
Jill looked up at him and he met her gaze, shaking his head. Her mouth tensed but s
he said nothing. He hoped her compliance lasted until business concluded.
He entered and led Jill to his throne. He positioned her to stand at his side and took a seat, keeping hold of her by reaching out to wrap his fingers around her leg just above the back of her knee. She shot him a slightly irritated look but didn’t try to shake off his touch. Kelzeb sealed the doors and blocked them with his back, nodding at him to proceed, now that they had privacy.
“Lord Aveoth.” Paltos bowed, adjusted his sword more to his back and then clasped his hands together at his waist, locking his fingers together in a show of non-aggression.
“My Lord.” Delbius bowed as well, but kept his hands at his side and the sword hilt strapped to his waist within easy grasp.
Aveoth wasn’t alarmed. Delbius was a weapons trainer. His sword had become a part of him. It wasn’t meant as a threat or an offense. He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I was about to spar with Kelzeb and show this one some defensive movements. Let’s skip the formalities, shall we?”
Both men glanced at Jill and inclined their heads. He could see their curiosity but neither were rude enough to ask about her. Aveoth relaxed.
“I’ve been given the highlights of the issue. Paltos, why do you feel your son should start training with weapons? He should still be focusing on flight drills at his age.”
“He excels, my lord.” Paltos’s tone exposed his pride. “Hawk raved that Jobi is the best he’s taught. His dives and rolls are superb. Even the scouts were impressed. They take my son out some nights. Yesnor said he’d vouch for Jobi if you want references.”
“That’s true,” Delbius conceded. “I conferred with Hawk. It’s the boy’s size I object to. None of my students are close to his weight and height. They would have an unfair advantage over him.”
“I see.” Aveoth could understand the problem. Children two-plus years ahead of the boy would be taller and stronger. “Jobi? Let me see you better.”
The kid hesitated, glanced at his father, but Paltos nodded. Aveoth felt a bit sorry for the boy. He knew his reputation made the younglings terrified of him. Jobi jutted his chin out and stepped away from his father to come forward. Aveoth hid a smile and used his free hand to motion him to get within five feet of him.