Chapter 21 – Gary
GARY
Reports are coming in from various Brotherhoods.
Monsters that were long dead are found alive.
Some are causing unimaginable chaos. But some seem to be smarter.
We hear strange reports of missing people and unexplainable deaths, but no one else would suspect it’s tied to whatever the hell had been led out of the Underworld.
“There’s so much wrong with this,” Elizabeth says beside me. “Someone had to lead those souls back out. But who? And they came at a record pace. What allowed them to travel so fast?”
The answer is simple. “There must have been creatures that weren’t dead...that were simply taken by Hades and brought to the Underworld. Not even souls, but flesh and blood creatures. And they must have had the will to lead the rest of them out, and the power to do it quickly.”
“My Gods,” Elizabeth whispers.
Charles, a rather new Elite, speaks from Elizabeth’s other side. “Gargoyles are being hurt. No one has died yet, but it’s only a matter of time. The only Brotherhood that seems to be successful across the board is Rokad’s group, but the reports of what they’re doing...they don’t make sense.”
I had heard the tales too. That damned mixed breed group is fighting like demons rather than gargoyles. They have no mercy, no honor. They simply kill and kill. I have some doubts about who is more dangerous: the monsters or that band of brothers.
Unfortunately, as much as my people have been filling my time with dealing with this shit, I have a more important task. A task that means keeping my head firmly in place.
I stand. “Well, let me know if you hear anything more.”
As I climb down the steps from the dais, Charles’s voice stops me. “If we keep fighting like this, there will be no gargoyles left.”
I look back at him, irritated. “So what? We stop being gargoyles? We stop being protectors and just let the humans die?”
“No,” he says, then draws himself up taller. “But maybe we find an ally to help us with our task.”
I instantly knew what he’s thinking. My nose wrinkles. “Not a chance in hell. Not while I rule the gargoyles.”
And then I turn and storm out of the building.
I walk through the town, where there’s an air of fear.
Wounded men stride past. Women gather together with the few children in the village.
But none of the female monsters and their men are to be seen.
I don’t know whether they’re out fighting, getting themselves killed, or if they’ve left us all behind and may be the final gargoyles on earth before this is over.
I think of my cripple son and sneer. No, not gargoyles: outcasts with their freak wives and mixed-breed children.
People try to stop me, as they have done over and over again, but this time I risk being rude or making enemies and leave them all behind.
The noise of the town grows quieter. I push between the leaves and branches of the woods of the sanctuary and start my search for Andros’s body.
It’s true that I have never actually gone to their house, but I know that with enough time, I’ll find it.
And then? Then I will remove the gargoyle’s head. Hades will be happy. And I’ll be free from the ghosts of my past.
It will be easy.
Time passes, and I begin to curse Orion and his miserable brother.
The sanctuary had been built as a peaceful place.
There is no need to hide their home, at least no reason they could’ve known.
I have other things to do. Eventually, people might notice I’m missing, and when Orion returns, I could be blamed.
I can’t just keep putting off finding the body, but I need to find it now, or start again in the morning.
I keep going, my irritation growing. I glance up at the sun and realize I’ve definitely been gone too long. Feeling angry, I start to turn to go, and I spot it. The little house nestled in the woods.
A grin spreads my lips. I call my sword to me and feel it shimmer onto my back. Reaching behind me, I grab the hilt of my weapon and step forward.
This is one secret that will stay dead.