Chapter 31 – Darius
DARIUS
We stop flying when we reach the edge of the enchanted woods. Landing just before it, we can sense the barrier of magic that separates that world from this one. In all my time as a gargoyle, I’ve never seen anything like it.
It’s strange… Just up ahead is the tree. According to the map each person we need to bring back will require a sapling from the tree. So, three for us and two for her children. We have no doubts that this will be easy. But just a short walk from the tree is the cave, which can’t be a coincidence.
Ryker takes a step toward the magic barrier.
Lamia’s voice stops him. “This is the last thing we need.”
He turns slowly to look at her, but says nothing.
“Thank you.” Her voice is uncertain. “I know this wasn’t easy for any of you. But after this, you can return to your old lives. And I can start new with my children.”
Her words make my stomach turn. No, I can never return to my old life.
The three of us can create another one, but what will that look like?
We’ll likely search out the other gargoyles and find the sanctuary the minotaur mentioned.
But what then? Spend our lives killing monsters?
Sit around hoping for a mate we may never get?
It was everything I wanted just a short time ago, but now I don’t know how to feel. Becoming human-like again means that we can never be around Lamia again. We’re trading that life for her, and I’m not sure I like that trade.
“This isn’t over yet,” Vincent says, and I know him well enough to know he’s trying to sound happy. “We still have the tree to reach and the cave.”
Lamia looks at the ground. “About that…”
“Let’s discuss this later,” Ryker interrupts. “I don’t like being out in the open like this.”
She nods, and we follow Ryker through the magic barrier. On the other side, the air is warmer. Not uncomfortably warm, but perfectly warm. It gives me the same feeling I get from drinking hot chocolate on a cold night. The sun feels brighter too, illuminating the woods in a golden light.
We move as soundlessly as possible beneath the old trees, and even I know that these woods are filled with nymphs and magical creatures of every kind. It practically hums with it. Little sounds like those of bugs and birds, but softer and more musical.
This is a place blessed by the gods.
We walk for some time, until we come out in a clearing. Just up ahead is the Tree of Souls, without a doubt. It’s white, a pale white that shimmers like it’s coated with silver dust.
Each step I take, I scan the woods for trouble. We all do. But everything seems quiet and peaceful.
Which makes me even more nervous.
It seems to take us an eternity before we reach the base of the tree. But when we do, we’re overcome. All of us. We stand before the tree like it’s a deity meant to be worshipped.
But it’s not. It’s something else. Something more precious than that. A living thing that almost breathes with life and magic. A beautiful creation almost too perfect for this world.
“We should take our saplings and go,” Ryker whispers.
I nod. That’s the logical thing to do. Not stand here staring.
We work slowly, each of us taking a sapling. And Lamia taking two. When we’re done, the tree seems to shiver, its white leaves moving as if caught by an invisible breeze.
I inhale deeply. The air is coated with the tree’s scent. Something fresh and new, like the scent of a baby. It’s somehow delightful and unexpected all at once.
The urge to thank it for the saplings comes over me, and I whisper the words even though I don’t know why I do. It just seems like the right thing to do.
“The cave is just over the next hill, according to the map,” Ryker tells us.
We linger for another moment before turning in the direction he points and walking.
Around us, nothing feels out of place. And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that danger is everywhere.
Somewhere concealed beneath the meadows of yellow flowers or beneath the wings of butterflies.
Even if it seems crazy to be worried in a place this… magical and beautiful.
Leaving the clearing, we climb to the top of the hill. Around us, the woods stretch out in every direction. But up ahead, the path to the cave is clear, and so close I’m shocked. We’ve spent so long working to reach this place, it almost seems like a dream that we have.
In just a short time, our eyes will return to normal. We won’t thirst for blood.
We’ll be ourselves. I don’t know why I’m troubled by the thought.
Without a word, we all continue forward. One step. Two steps. Before us, huge shapes drop from the sky.
When they rise, we stare in shock at seven gargoyles.
“What is this?” Ryker asks, frowning.
The gargoyles glare. Which makes absolutely no sense. Since when do gargoyles glare at each other?
One steps out between huge shoulders. An older gargoyle who hums of power.
“Elite Edgar,” Ryker greets, sounding shocked.
I do a double-take. The dark-haired man is an Elite? I’ve never actually met one before.
“Ryker.” Edgar’s voice is cold. “I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”
Circumstances? They couldn’t possibly know we’re working with Lamia. Could they?
“What do you mean?”
Edgar raises a brow. “I mean that unless I’m seeing wrong, you appear to be helping a monster.”
I feel Lamia stiffen, and I instinctually move closer to her. The other gargoyles have fixed their gazes on her, and anger bubbles up inside of me. Gargoyles never fight amongst themselves, but I will fight if it’s to protect her.
“There are things you don’t understand,” Ryker tells him. “But we’ll explain everything when we’re done with our quest.”
The Elite doesn’t blink. “I’m afraid I can’t let that happen.”
“We’re gargoyles,” Ryker asserts. “Doesn’t that bring us any trust?”
“Not when you betray your own kind for our enemies.” Edgar’s voice holds an accusation.
“We haven’t betrayed anyone!” Vincent responds, outraged.
“Your words mean less than your actions.”
Vincent takes a step closer, his hands curled into fists. “We’ve heard what you think. Now, get out of here. We have something to do, and then we’ll clear this up.”
“You want to clear this up?” There’s a note I don’t like to Edgar’s voice. “Then help us kill the monster.”
“She’s not a monster.” My defense of her is instinctual.
I see the gargoyles behind the old one exchange a glance. Is there hesitation in their gazes?
“Lamia is one of the most dangerous monsters alive.” The Elite sounds like he’s trying to convince his gargoyles as much as us.
Ryker seems to stand up taller, and he levels each of the gargoyles with a glare. “If you try to hurt her, we will attack you.”
“Why?” the old gargoyle asks, and there’s a sparkle in his eye. “You don’t need her anymore.”
I open my mouth.
“Or did she not tell you?” He sounds satisfied.
We glance at Lamia. She holds herself perfectly still. Is there something she hasn’t told us?
“What are you talking about?” Vincent challenges.
Edgar smiles, and I realize I hate his smile. “The Cave of Blood is dangerous. Few have lived to enter it. But you don’t need to. Only she does. The saplings you hold are enough to return you to your former glory. She seeks to use you to achieve her own goal.”
“No,” I say, then look at Lamia.
Her face is ashen.
“It’s not true,” I repeat, my stomach turning.
She doesn’t move.
“Lamia?” I say her name, but already I know the answer.
She turns those big, beautiful emerald eyes of hers onto me. “I wanted to tell you.”
All the air is sucked out of my chest.
“There! You see!” Edgar says, and I’ve never wanted to punch anyone more in my life.
Silence descends on us. Vincent and I look to Ryker. What now? What do we do?
“This changes nothing.” Ryker’s voice holds no doubt. “Our job is protect the innocent, and by helping her, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
“She isn’t innocent!” Edgar glares.
Ryker takes a step closer to him. “Yes, she is.” His gaze moves to the other gargoyles. “What happened to her was a curse. It wasn’t in her control. And with us by her side, she’ll be safe from now on.”
“And how long do you intend to stay at her side?” Edgar challenges.
Ryker takes too long to answer.
“Just as I thought.” The old gargoyle sounds triumphant. “When this ridiculous quest of yours is done, you’ll be gone. It isn’t worth going against your own kind. She isn’t worth being banned from the sanctuary. So, get out of our way, and let us be done with this.”
Don’t back down. The thought comes and goes in an instant.
I should be angrier with Lamia for not telling us the truth.
But somehow, that seems like something we can deal with.
Losing her now is not. Besides, I know in my heart that if she didn’t tell us it was because she was afraid we wouldn’t help her save her children.
And if she thought that, then it’s because we failed to show her just how important she is to us.
“She is worth it,” I say. “She’s worth our loyalty and more. But a gargoyle who wants to kill an innocent woman? You have no value to us.”
I look to the gargoyles that stand behind him. “And you guys are so busy defending him just because he’s your leader, when you should be siding with us.”
One of the gargoyles frowns. “Without loyalty, we gargoyles are nothing.”
“And by blindly following a corrupt man, you might as well be mindless tools.”
The gargoyle narrows his eyes. “Our Elite is not corrupt.”
“Then how did he know we were here?” The truth hits me like a blow. “You’re working with the gods!”
Edgar’s eyes widen. “Lies!”
But I can see the truth on his face. “For such a disloyal bastard, you’re not a very good liar.”
“Gargoyles!” Edgar shouts.
The six gargoyles behind him hesitate, but then draw their swords, and we draw ours. Even though it goes against everything within us to fight our brothers. We will for Lamia.
“Attack!” the old gargoyle shouts.
We rush forward. They rush forward, and Edgar drops back. As our swords clang, the old gargoyle shoots into the sky.
“Lamia, head for the cave!” Ryker yells, then jumps out of the way, pulls the bag off his back, and throws it to her.
She catches it and puts it on her back, looking uncertain.
“Go!” I tell her.
Her soft body is no match for gargoyle sword and stone flesh. Not when she can’t take them by surprise.
I feel immensely relieved when she rushes away.
But then, I can’t watch her. I have to focus.
Two gargoyles surround me. I parry their attacks, careful of the sapling in my hand.
I jump to avoid a blow, and slowly realize that gargoyle versus gargoyle is nearly impossible.
We’ll tire each other out. But no one seems to be winning or losing.
“Now!” one of the gargoyles says.
We stiffen in confusion, and then the gargoyles change their tactic. They leap at us as one and jab out their blades in blows that couldn’t possibly harm us.
A second later, the sapling I hold is sliced in half.
My heart stops. Fuck, I’ll have to get another one!
I look to my brothers. Their saplings have been destroyed too.
The enemy gargoyles move away from us, looking triumphant.
Don’t they realize there’s plenty more?
And then I smell the fire.
I turn around as if caught in a nightmare. Edgar flies just above the Tree of Souls, looking like something dark and terrible in the light from the flames.
“No!” Ryker shouts.
We race toward the tree, flap our wings, and launch into the air. Looking back, I see the other gargoyles aren’t following us. In fact, they turn and take off into the sky, as if their mission has been completed. Which perhaps it has.
If their mission was to ruin us.
When we reach the tree, we know in an instant that nothing of it can be saved. Not even the smallest sapling. Everything is charred to black, and billowing smoke hangs above it all like a curtain.
Edgar flies above us. “You only have one choice now.”
I shout curses up at him as he laughs, but he turns and flies away.
We stand for a time, staring at the flames.
“Now what?” I ask, feeling numb.
We’ll be these things forever.
We’ll crave blood.
We’ll be dangerous to humanity.
We’ll be…monsters.
“Is there another way?” Vincent’s question is hollow.
Ryker takes too long to answer. “The only way we can be what we were before is with the saplings, and there are only two left.”
“So we can use them,” I say. “And choose two of us to have our lives again, or Lamia can keep them for her children.”
“Is there even a question about who they should go to?” Vincent asks, an edge to his voice.
There isn’t.
I crumble to my knees before the fire. We can’t take the chance at life away from children. Nothing in us is cold enough or cruel enough to do that. But that means all of this was for nothing. We can never go back. We can never be what we were before.
“We need to find Lamia,” Ryker says. “The cave is dangerous, and we need to protect her.”
Neither Vincent or I respond. There isn’t anything more to say and nothing more to do in this place, with our hope going up in smoke. I look at the fire one last time before we take to the sky.
He’s right that Lamia needs us. And yet, I can’t imagine that this is really the end.