Chapter 5 – Arthur
ARTHUR
Ifeel weird still, like my skin won’t stop tingling, and there’s a headache behind my eyes. It could’ve been worse—those fucking dragons could’ve killed us all—but that’s not what bothers me. I don't trust the woman we rescued.
My thoughts turn back to her as I fly lazily over the water, letting my hand skim the surface.
She really is beautiful, so different from my type.
She's different from her. I never thought I’d be into red-heads, but her hair almost glows…
like magic. Her face has this strange mix of experience and innocence that intrigues me.
But how do I handle her?
The others will probably want to get rid of her as quickly as possible, and until they do, they’ll be watching my every move, waiting to see me fuck up.
Part of me wants to show them that I’m not the same man who threw everything away for a woman years ago, but another part of me is leaping at the idea of this woman.
I'd never say this out loud, but I’m just so sick of this gargoyle life.
I’m tired of the sanctuary. I'm tired of talking to the same people day after day.
Most of all, I'm tired of waiting around like an asshole with my cock in my hands, hoping one of the three female gargoyles chooses our Brotherhood next. Who are we kidding? We don’t have a shot.
The women have shown absolutely no interest in our Brotherhood.
That means we've pledged our chastity and have been waiting for women who will never choose us.
Which is just stupid.
I thought going hunting for monsters was just what I needed, with freedom from the sanctuary and a cause! And yet, I still don’t feel satisfied. I’m still tired of this life.
No, I’ll never throw everything away for a woman again, but I will keep searching for whatever’s missing in my life, even if my Brotherhood hates me for it.
“Lost in thought?”
I almost fall into the ocean, but catch myself before I do. Looking back, I see a smirking Clark. It’s nice to see him smiling, even if he’s laughing at me.
“I thought we were supposed to split up?”
He shrugs. “I did. And then I saw your hopeless ass and decided to swing this way.”
I grin and fly a little higher. He quickly catches up to me.
“What were you thinking about?” he asks.
I debate about lying to him. But Clark was our leader before, and he can see right through my lies. “The woman.”
He scoffs. “I thought so. Planning on going rogue again?”
My jaw aches as my teeth clench together, but I force myself to sound relaxed. “She wasn’t that beautiful.”
I refuse to ever admit to anyone what a mistake it was to throw everything away for a woman.
Sure, I had quickly learned she wasn’t the soul mate I had imagined, but I had remained by her side for her short human life because of an illness that made her helpless.
None of them could understand how honor and pride kept me caring for her until her death.
I’m sure they all thought I lived out her human life happy and in love, only returning at her death because I had nowhere else to go.
I’d rather have them thinking that than knowing how badly I fucked up.
“I thought maybe you were looking for an excuse to run again.” Clark’s tone is neutral, but I can sense the tension underneath.
“Maybe I am,” I say, shrugging.
He shakes his head. “I don’t understand your obsession with happiness and being fulfilled.
It’s something all you born gargoyles struggle with.
Life isn’t about happiness or being fulfilled.
It’s about responsibility and loyalty. Gargoyles protect what we must, because it’s our duty.
We all share the duty to protect the sanctuary, continue the population, and do as the Elites command. ”
I laugh, but it comes out more of a bark. “Sounds fun.”
He glares. “I didn’t say it was fun.”
“Well, maybe I want fun… and laughter and excitement and adventure. What’s so wrong with that?”
He shakes his head. “Because, Arthur, you’re chasing a fucking rainbow and dragging us all along with you. Our job is to find this Keto monster, capture her, and drag her back home. That should be your focus and nothing else.”
We spot the island our camp is on up ahead. It’s lush and beautiful, with a white sand beach, a thick forest, and a fresh water lake in the center. It's also uninhabited, which makes it the perfect place to live while we find our monster.
Not knowing what else to say to Clark, I fly faster and head straight for the island. He easily keeps up with me, which I find irritating, but refuse to show it.
When we land, Steven’s already there.
He’s clearly taken a dip in the fresh water. His short, blond hair drips with water, and his white T-shirt is plastered to his skin. He looks up at us with his familiar, intense gaze as we land.
“Something’s bothering me,” he says, pulling his bag onto his shoulder.
“What?” Clark asks frowning.
“I don’t know, but I plan to find out.”
Clark raises a brow. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Have you felt strange since our encounter with the woman and the dragons?”
“Horny, if that’s what you mean,” I say, grinning.
Clark gives me his, fucking shut your mouth look. “Kind of… tingly?”
Steven nods. “And when I went into the lake… I felt even stranger. Like something across the ocean was calling to me. I can’t ignore it. I need to figure out what this feeling means.”
For a second I think Clark is going to tell him we need to wait for our leader. When he was in charge, he ran things like a fucking military commander.
Instead, he nods. “I’ll go with you.”
I tense. I’m usually not the rule follower in the group. Clark is only doing this because he’s pissed Max was made our new leader over him.
Oh, hell. “Shouldn’t we make sure Max approves this before you two take off?”
Clark’s blue eyes darken, and he takes two steps closer to me, towering over me with his massive frame. “Since when do you ask for permission to do anything?”
I draw myself up taller. “Wouldn’t it be smarter to ask the woman if she knows anything?”
“Maybe, but I think I’ll go with Steven’s tingly feeling instead. Since logic is just crap and all.” Clark turns from me and climbs into our tent.
Steven moves toward me and rests a gentle hand on my shoulder, our eyes locking.
“This trip is bringing out a lot of confusing feelings for Max and Clark. It reminds them of when you left, of when we searched for you. I don’t feel the same way, my friend, but you may need to be more patient with them. ”
I don’t know why, but Steven’s kind words make me feel even worse. “You really just want to take off to pursue a feeling?”
His eyes grow sad. “I don’t want to, but I feel like I need to.”
What am I supposed to say to that?
“We should be back in a few days’ time. And while we travel, we’ll continue to look for the monster.”
I nod. “Well, good luck, I guess.”
Clark comes out, slipping his own backpack on. “Ready?”
Steven nods and the two of them take off. I watch them for a while, feeling lost. Things have been tense between all of us. I knew they weren’t completely over what happened, but since when does being a gargoyle mean being lonely?
Turning to the lake, I strip out of my clothes and sink into the warm water. I guess I have until Max and the woman get back to figure it all out.