Chapter 25 – Edgar
EDGAR
Ihave never felt this kind of fear in my lifetime. As a gargoyle, there is little that can hurt me. And as the leader of my people, even less.
But Hades can.
The god glares down at me as I kneel in the grassy woods outside our village in the sanctuary. His well-tailored red suit has a pocket square with skulls on it. His hair is styled, and his face young and handsome, and yet, there is so much cruelty in his expression.
“You assured me that Lamia would lose in her task. That’s the only reason I gave you the book.”
I try to keep my voice steady. “She will lose.”
His eyes flash with rage. “She’s completed two of the tasks, despite the obstacles we’ve put before her.”
“There are still two left,” I say, my words almost pleading.
“And I also wasn’t aware that three gargoyles would be helping her.”
His words are soft and hold a threat. “Gargoyles? No,” I say, shaking my head. It’s impossible.
“My servants have seen them with their own eyes.”
“They aren’t any of my people,” I rush out.
“And I suspect you’re betraying me.” His eyes grow cold. “Have you made a deal with the other gods?”
“No!”
“It takes a fool to betray a god.”
“I would never!” I tell him, feeling sweat trickle down my back. “I want the female monsters destroyed. Why would I help the other side?”
He smirks. “Perhaps you don’t hate them as much as you say you do.”
“I—“
“She needs to die, Edgar. Or you do. At this point, I don’t really care, but I’ll be collecting a soul in two days time. It’s your decision which one.”
“Hades, please…”
“Tick, tock, Edgar.”
As he turns to go, he pauses. “And the gargoyles…their names are Ryker, Vincent, and Darius. You may want to keep a closer eye on those that serve you.”
In the blink of an eye, he’s gone.
Every tense muscle in my body twitches. I should be immortal. I should have a lifetime to execute my plans. To create a powerful empire of gargoyles, to destroy all monsters and phoenixes. To limit the power in this world to us and the gods.
And then to destroy them too.
I know in my heart that gargoyles were meant to rule over humanity, and I know I have the tools within my people to imprison them just as the Titans were imprisoned a long time ago.
But I can’t do that if I have creatures standing in my way.
Nor can I do that if I’m dead.
But Ryker, Vincent, and Darius. The names haunt me. Ryker was a gargoyle that was in my son’s Brotherhood. He was killed by Lamia herself. And the other two? Disappeared a long time ago. Their statues were neither destroyed nor left in their place on their lands.
How is this possible?
I think of the magical book. It came from our ancient libraries and has the ability to show whatever its bespelled to show. I had told it to display that which Lamia wanted most. And I had seen her children and learned that it was possible for them to live again.
Then it was simple. I told the book to lead her on a path to resurrect her children, knowing how impossible it was to do so.
How was I to know she’d have the help of gargoyles?
This complicated things. Now I would have to get more involved. As much as I hated to get my hands dirty, my life was now at risk.
Rising, I start back toward the village. Within a short time, my path crosses with Galena. I stiffen. She’s one of the only female Elites. Her opinion carries weight in this village.
And she has betrayed me by developing a soft spot for the female monsters.
“Edgar,” she greets me. “Are you well?”
I jerk back as the village healer tries to touch my forehead. “I’m fine.”
“You look sweaty and pale.”
“I’m fine,” I grate out.
She regards me for a minute longer. “Another of the females is pregnant.”
Every muscle in my body feels tight. “Monster or Gargoyle?”
She frowns at me. “Monster.”
My lips curls. “Fine.”
I start to walk away, but her voice stops me. “One day you need to accept that things have changed. The female gargoyles that remain struggle with their fertility. The female monsters do not. They are the future of our people.”
Whirling around, I swallow down an angry retort. “There are no monsters in our future.”
“And what happens if the children show not only their father’s ability to shift into gargoyles, but also their mother’s powers?”
I’ll have to kill them too.
I smile. “It was good talking to you, Galena.”
Turning, plans to deal with Lamia and her gargoyles unfurl in my mind. I don’t know how she was able to bring them back to life, but I sure as hell plan on killing them again.