Stone Guardian (26 page)

“You speak of this one?” Terak grabbed Valry’s wing and flung her toward Malek who caught and bound her.

“Terak,
no
. How can you do this, when you yourself are talking to the vampire?” She struggled against Malek’s hold. “Let me go.”

“This one,” said Terak, ignoring Valry’s pleas and cries, “has betrayed her
Mennak
and kept secrets that might have placed my Clan in danger. Look at this female tonight and remember her face, Vampire, for you will never see it in the flesh again.”

Garof smiled. “I have high expectations for our future conversation, Gargoyle. I will be in contact with you.”

The vampire disappeared, teleporting away in less than a blink of time.

Valry cried as they flew back to the keep, struggling against the ropes that bound her. They landed amongst several warriors. Terak ignored the questioning gazes on him and told Malek, “Lock her away.” Malek nodded and led her to the dungeons.

Before anyone could voice their questions, a cry of “
Mennak
,” sounded through the crowd, and a warrior broke through and stood before Terak.

“What is it?” Terak asked.

“The warrior Fallon has been seen in the Wilderness with two other females entering the Oracle’s domain. The one who spotted them wasn’t certain who the other females were, but one of the females had blonde hair.”

There was no need to hear anymore. Terak leapt from the parapet, letting the rage and adrenaline that had been banked to come to the fore and fuel him.

It was time to meet Fallon.

For the first time in her life, Larissa found herself in the area known as The Wilderness. Several miles from the city, it was a mini-city in its own right, except here you could find any race, any beast, or any magic.

Too dangerous, Dad had said when he forbade her or her brothers to ever go here, with the creatures that had only become known in the last few decades mingling with the humans who didn’t feel the need to separate themselves away from everything new the realms offered.

The building they pulled in front of was a dark-brown brick box, but the line of beings outside of the building was a sight from Larissa’s wildest imaginings – neo-hippie fairies, elves in leather corsets and collars, dwarven drag queens, and even the occasional humanoid beast in a business suit.

Fallon and Aislynn rode in the front of the car, Aislynn driving. Car, what a laugh. Tank was more like it, everything thick and dark. Safe and suffocating.

From the vantage point of the middle seat, Larissa saw Fallon’s expression get progressively darker throughout the trip, until now when it was near thunderous. “Should I be scared about meeting the Oracle?” She hated that she had to ask, making her appear weaker than she already felt.

Aislynn looked back and gave a reassuring smile. “Don’t mind Fallon. She has issues with this place.”

Fallon’s lip curled. “Oh, of all the beings in that place, I’m the one with issues?”

“We’re expected,” Aislynn said, pointing toward the door.

“Fine, fine.” Fallon looked back then. “Stay with us, don’t drink anything, and roll your eyes at whatever the bitch says.”

“Fallon!”

Fallon didn’t respond to Aislynn. She got out of the car and waited until Aislynn and Larissa were in formation behind her. Once they were set Fallon walked across the street, aggression projecting from every line of her body.

At either side of the entrance were two giants. Literal giants. They had to be about nine feet tall, both bald with grey-tinged skin. They were big and blocky, and Larissa didn’t want to be anywhere near them.

Aislynn must have seen the question in her face because she leaned down. “Stone giants,” she said. “Not full-blooded though. That’s why they’re so small.”

Larissa nodded, not sure what she could add to that.

Beside the stone giants was a man. He was human unless excessive greasiness was a special characteristic of one of the new races. He was in charge of admittance – allowing entrance at his whim, denying those who seemed to have a problem with him putting his hand under their skirts. Anyone who voiced disappointment was given a look by a giant, after which they slunk away.

As they walked toward the door, something that looked like a cherub with a mustache zoomed around them. When he saw Fallon a small scream erupted from him and he headed for the door, waving chubby arms. “Boss, she’s here!”

Fallon approached, her gaze focused entirely on the greasy man. Aislynn was on lookout, constantly taking in their surroundings and the people around them.

They stopped in front of the giants, ignoring the loud complaints of those in line who they jumped in front of. Fallon said, “Seemus, nice to see you at the door today.”

The oily man’s lips compressed together, his eyes giving a slow rake over Fallon’s body in an obvious and distasteful show of dominance. It might have worked if he wasn’t noticeably shorter than the swordswoman. “You’ve been summoned, I assume?”

“Would I be here otherwise?”

“You have to leave the sword,” Seemus said, taking a step back to situate himself between the two stone giants, getting out of Fallon’s reach while allowing the giants a clear path to her.

Fallon eyed the two giants and snorted. They did not like this probably rare display of fearlessness, for both brought themselves to their full height in preparation for a fight. Fallon took a step closer. “Tenro goes where I go, and as I’ve been summoned, I’m going inside.”

Seemus made a small motion with his hand and stepped back even further inside the doorway. “I’m afraid my orders are very specific. No weapons ever. You need to go now, and tell Wulver to send someone more respectful.”

“Which means you are denying me?” Fallon asked, and smiled. Larissa had seen rabid dogs snarl with more warmth. “After the day I’ve had, that is excellent news.”

The stone giants took a step forward.

Inside the club, the silvery curtains that separated the front doorway from the club entrance billowed inward as Seemus flew between them. He landed on the edge of the dance floor, out cold. The two nearest fey didn’t stop their dancing.

Fallon came through the door, stepping on Seemus’ body as she entered. Aislynn was a little gentler, stepping over the unconscious man and directing Larissa to do the same.

Aislynn kept a hand on her elbow, but that pressure was nothing in comparison to all the other stimuli butting against her senses. Breathing wasn’t the best idea here, as thick smoke and the earthy, sharp smells of herbs and spices – even money most were of a narcotic nature – clogged her sinuses. The lights went from too bright to deepest dark and back again in mere seconds, not letting eyes adjust. Underneath the too loud music were snippets of conversation in dozens of languages, with most of them not a human variation.

Fallon led the way, her gate steady and sure as she made a path toward the back of the club, her head never turning to take in any of the sights, though how she could be immune to the sight of the tall elf in a tuxedo dancing with the short, bearded dwarf in a wedding dress was a mystery.

What kind of place was this?

Better question, what kind of woman was this Oracle?

Fallon reached the back and flung aside a set of dark silk curtains to show a door. Without knocking, Fallon opened it and stepped inside

It was
1001 Nights
in live action. Everyone here wore body-baring, jewel-toned outfits right out of a harem scene.

Their actions belonged in a harem, people all around engaging in acts of hedonism that would make the most jaded courtesan blush.

Dear gods, I never knew a man could do that. I need to find another cuss out when some guy makes me really mad…

“So
why the hell
did we need to come here to you?”

Fallon’s pissed off voice knocked through Larissa’s shock at the acts she was witnessing. It took a few moments to focus on the swordswoman, standing a few feet away from a teal blue settee that adorned the middle of the room. The settee was surrounded by men and women, all of them tall and lithe and so beautiful Larissa had to check the urge to start smoothing her hair and clothes in their presence. The way Fallon stood blocked the person she was talking to.

A few steps closer, and the face of the Oracle came into view.

She looked human to Larissa eyes – and it wasn’t as if she was wearing a lot of clothing to hide any parts that might not be – but her coloring could best be described as
dipped in gold
. Velvety brown skin, thick dark hair, near black eyes, but all held a deep golden sheen that was as beautiful as it was unusual. The woman was beyond stunning.

The Oracle said nothing at Fallon’s outburst. The men and women surrounding her paid no attention to the swordswoman. They kept massaging the Oracle, the oil they used sickly-sweet against Larissa’s overworked nasal passages. When the Oracle tilted her head back, a man took the opportunity to lean in and press his lips the hollow of her throat.

After long moments which had Fallon growing more agitated by the second, the Oracle finally said. “Oh, Fallon, you’re here.”

It looked like Fallon was tensing to attack the woman, but before Fallon could jump on the Oracle, Aislynn sidled alongside her and grabbed her upper shoulder. “Let me take over now,” she said to the redhead. Fallon’s eyes still blazed, but she nodded, taking a step back and motioning Aislynn to move forward.

Aislynn kneeled in front of the Oracle. “Great Oracle, we have come as requested.”

The Oracle’s attention was still on Fallon. She smiled, a little lift of her lips designed to irritate. “You see Fallon, this is how I should be approached. Watch and learn.”

Fallon ground her teeth together and bent forward, her sword hand giving a little jerk.

Without turning, Aislynn lifted her hand and motioned Fallon to stay back. This scene or some variation thereof must be a popular one.

The Oracle turned her attention to the elf and graced her with a blinding smile. The Oracle was a beautiful woman, but when she smiled she transformed into otherworldly. “Dearest Aislynn, it is so good to see you.”

“It is always an honor to be in your presence,” Aislynn replied. The words were said with the perfect balance of sincerity and warmth, and what should have sounded forced and phony became a lovely sentiment.

That dark-gold gaze turned toward Larissa. “Larissa Miller,” the Oracle said. She had a rich, cultured voice, and Larissa straightened at the sound of it, half-remembered lessons in manners taking over. The Oracle smiled, and damned if it didn’t look like she heard Larissa’s thoughts. “It is lovely to meet you. You wouldn’t believe how many people have you in the center of their minds right now.”

Only one male mattered, the rest could go hang. “That’s lovely, though I don’t know why I deserve the sentiment. Would you have any clue why I’m suddenly so popular?”

The Oracle’s smile was smug and a touch superior. Fallon’s reactions were making more sense. “Now, now, I didn’t bring you here to talk shop. You’ll find out soon enough. Besides, your popularity has brought Terak into your life. How does it feel to be under the protection of a Gargoyle? Have you become friends, or perhaps something more?”

She was the Oracle, so she probably knew everything that happened and everything that was going to happen. Fine, it was another piece of crazy Larissa needed to get used to. That didn’t mean the first time she spoke of her feelings aloud it was going to be to this woman. Instead Larissa said, “Terak is a good protector. He’s kept me safe while still trying to let me have my life.”

One of the Oracle’s female attendants rubbed oil into her bare feet. The Oracle made a little hum of pleasure, but still kept on with the conversation. “And yet he didn’t protect you from being taken by Fallon.”

“That was my fault. I was the one stupid enough to trust
her
,” Larissa finished, using her thumb to point over at Fallon. Fallon looked supremely unconcerned at the charge. “And I walked right into a trap.”

“Yes, Fallon is quite adept at deceptions with the right coaching,
aren’t you
?” Fallon might have tried to make a hand gesture at that statement, but if she did Aislynn was able to hide it quite well.

The Oracle stood then, a lithe, graceful movement. She reached her hand out to Larissa. “Come here, I have a gift for you.”

No, Larissa really didn’t want a gift from this woman, other than the gift of telling her exactly why a bunch of undead were after her. But the way all eyes were watching her, she probably didn’t have the luxury of refusing at this moment, so she stepped forward. The Oracle took her hand, the dark skin soft and the touch delicate.

“I think,” began the Oracle, “You enjoy being with the Gargoyle more than you are letting on. But I understand a woman does not like giving up her secrets, especially before she knows what’s going within the mind of a thick-headed male. You don’t need to say anymore. I wish to give you this.”

The Oracle handed her a small, leather bound booklet, about as thick as a pamphlet, and said, “You are a teacher, yes?”

It was nice of the Oracle to phrase things in the form of a question and let people feel they were imparting information. “Yes, I am.”

“Excellent. I know teachers value learning, and this book has very valuable information on Gargoyles. If Terak remains part of your life, this you’ll want to know.”

Larissa weighed it in her hand. “This is a very light history.”

The Oracle arched one fine brow. “Why would I bother with that? This, my dear, is about how Gargoyles mate.”

Huh.
So this was what dumbfounded felt like.

“Trust me, read that book. You’ll like what you learn.” The Oracle stepped back, though she didn’t sit on the settee again. She now looked at the elf. “Oh, and Aislynn? I need you to tell Fallon something.”

“Yes, Oracle?” Aislynn answered, acting like it wasn’t unusual to be receiving messages for a woman not two feet away.