Page 100 of Stone Seduction
I clocked fifty gargoyles in the end.
Six gray stone chariots with emerald spokes on the wheels sat in a half-circle. They were imposing, not particularly attractive like most gargoyle aesthetics—Silver Shrine aside.
A weaver dressed in a crisp white robe stepped from the middle carriage, flanked by two knights. Her eyes were icy blue, her platinum blonde hair fashioned into a complicated knot, not one strand out of place.
The royal seal, made to look like a coiled gargoyle tail, hung from a steel chain around her neck.
Instantly, us three gargoyles took the knee in its presence. Our bodies were built to always respect His Majesty’s authority, taking the knee an instant reaction to him or his seal.
“Greetings from Gula,” the woman said. “I am Weaver Anita, here on behalf of his most glorious majesty, King Declan.” She dipped her head, placing a hand on her chest. “In his name. In his grace.”
We did the same.
“Arise,” Anita commanded.
I got to my feet first. “The king’s not here?”
She gently shook her head, her cold eyes reviewing the humans and the mote spirit. “He sends his best wishes along with his apologies for being unable to attend at this time.”
His absence screamed volumes.
“Where is he?” I tried.
Her eyes moved to me. “Classified information.” She delivered the line robotically. “However, he is aware of the Luke Garland situation.”
I stiffened, screwing the lid against my anger. Labeling him a ‘situation’ churned my insides.
“This town is now closed to outsiders by order of King Declan,” Anita continued. “The magic you see in the sky is curved to form a dome. This will keep Ember, her followers, and any monsters they control outside.”
Whoa.
“Unfortunately, you will have to deal with any monsters created inside the town,” she said. “The dome does not deflect the motes. But you now have better protection, and better conditions to enable training of the weapon.”
The lid cracked open. “Don’t call him that.”
No emotional response registered on her face, but she still made my hairs stand on end with one look. “Apologies. I meant no disrespect. I am here to help you, along with my team of weavers. The king wants the pressure eased and for the current conditions to change.” She looked in the direction of the tower. “He is displeased with Weaver Seth’s methods.” Eyes back to me.“It is a pleasure to meet the one who marked Luke Garland. To meet all of you. Come. Let us head to the tower. There I will deliver the king’s orders.”
I couldn’t believe what I was seeingandhearing. I turned to Eden, then Dane, the pair of them as dumbfounded as me.
“Nice to meet you,” I answered, rubbing the back of my neck.
Anita returned to her chariot. “Onward.”
A radical thought hit me. Along with the king’s orders, were we finally about to get some real answers?
Mind-blowing!
TWENTY-SIX
Luke
Seth returned in a flap. I’d never seen him so rattled before.
“Get him up!” he barked.
Two human servants released my binds, freeing my neck from the collar thingy. They opened the shackles next, relief kissing my skin.
One of the men asked me to take half a dose of potion.
