Page 23 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
Grady’s hand on the cup spasmed.
Uzoth leaned towards him. “I had only wondered. But I do not wish you to speak of anything that causes you any unnecessary pain. I would not want that.”
“No,” Grady said hoarsely. “I want you to know.”
And Grady realised he did. Grady wanted Uzoth to know all the parts of him, including the dark painful parts that lay buried deep inside his core. It was such a large part of him. It had madehim who he was. He kept it always hidden. But he wanted Uzoth to see.
Grady dropped his gaze. “It would have been thirteen years ago. My parents needed to pick up some supplies. Dad asked me to come along and help them carry stuff.”
Grady placed the cup on the table and stared at his hands. “That morning, Mother showed me how to make a protection charm. I wore it around my wrist.” Grady lifted his hand. He tugged back his sleeve to reveal the worn woven band around his wrist. “I still wear it. Last thing she ever made for me.”
Grady’s throat tightened. He pushed on. “I asked if she and Dad wore one.” His eyes burned. “She said I could make them that night. She laughed.”
Grady’s hands shook. “We were crossing the street. There was a runaway carriage.” He let out a breath. “I was right beside them. I was right there.” The muscle below his eye twitched. “Somehow, I got knocked back. But it ran straight over them.”
Horse and human shrieks had pierced the air. Bones had crunched beneath horses’ hooves and carriage wheels. The metallic tang of blood had filled his nostrils.
Grady closed his eyes, trying to push away the sight of their mangled bodies, mutilated beyond recognition, from his mind. He’d clutched at them, holding his parents.
He’d screamed. He’d wept.
And Grady had not had a single scratch on him. Not a single fucking scratch. The only evidence of the accident had been his parents’ blood and insides covering his clothes and skin.
A choked sob escaped Grady.
And suddenly Uzoth was there, wrapping his arms around Grady. His wings unfurled and curled around them as if protecting them from the world and all the pain and hurt that had ever touched Grady.
For several seconds, Grady held himself still, body rigid. Then he sagged into the embrace.
“I am sorry.” Uzoth’s voice rumbled. “I should not have asked such an invasive question.”
Grady hugged Uzoth back, clinging onto his shoulders. “No. I want you to know.” Tears streamed down his cheeks. “I want you to know.” He rested his head on Uzoth’s chest. Tears dripped onto Uzoth’s tough skin. “I haven’t spoken of this in years.”
He’d not cried since leaving the scene of the accident. He’d never had time to process his parents’ loss. He had to look after his siblings.
But here in the protective embrace of Uzoth, he wept for his parents, for their loss. And for all he had lost with them. For the first time in his life, Grady grieved his parents.
Grady wept and wept. Time slipped past. But Uzoth didn’t move, didn’t release him; he just held Grady tight in his arms.
And Grady had never felt so safe.
CHAPTER 14
The snow fell and fell. It piled on Uzoth’s wings and legs until it slid off under its own weight. It covered his tail and talons that rested on the tiled roof. And it kept falling harder and heavier.
A snowstorm.
Uzoth kept an eye out, watching Grady and his siblings moving around throughout the day, trying to keep aware of their movements. A short while ago, he’d seen Grady head in the direction of the Christmas markets.
The man had looked up and waved at Uzoth but then continued at a brisker pace than usual. No doubt the snow worried him.
Should I have followed and made sure he was safe?
A snowstorm could mean death to a vulnerable human.
Soon after, he spotted Grady’s brothers Trent, Jasper, and Leo returning from the Christmas markets. It was not yet dark. But he supposed with all the snow, they might need to close the markets early. That was good. They would be safe in the warmth of their home.
The twins, Jasper and Leo, ran up the stairs. Trent popped his head into the bakery but then continued in the directionof Ordelia’s home. Uzoth wished to remain here and wait for Grady to see him return safely home. He often returned after the others. So there was no reason to worry yet. But he knew Grady would wish to know Trent reached Ordelia’s safely.
