Page 35 of The Last Gargoyle's Christmas Wish
“Well, it is a way to keep us entertained through the long, cold winter nights.” Briar pushed his glasses up his nose. “And although no one is certain, some believe we tell ghost stories to remind us of how lucky we are to be within the home, sitting by a blazing fire, protected from the elements and the dangers that lurk in the dark outside,” Briar explained. “And that contrast makes us feel all cosy and warm.”
“Did you read all that in a book?” Wulfric smiled at his mate.
“Of course,” Briar laughed and leaned over to kiss Wulfric on the cheek.
Uzoth’s gaze took in the room, the sparkling Christmas tree, glowing candles, coloured paper stars, garlands of dried oranges and lemons, and wooden figures decorating the mantel. Those decorations, combined with the heat of the fire, and the people gathered, made it truly feel like a cosy space. A magical space.
Grady rose and went to the bookshelf. He selected a thin tome. “All right, who wants to read first?”
“You’re holding the book,” Jasper pointed out.
Grady took his seat. “All right, then.” Grady opened it. “The Wails of the Banshee,” he began. “There was once a banshee…”
Uzoth listened to Grady’s voice as he read. The tale told of the banshee’s curse and the poor soul Lizabeth who got caught up in it. Despite trying to get away, the curse caused her to go mad and fling herself from a cliff. It was not a pleasant story. And it did not have anything to do with Christmas.
But it did make Uzoth appreciate his warm and cosy surroundings.
After half an hour, Grady closed the book. “Well, that was bloody terrifying.”
“I’m definitely going to avoid cliffs overlooking the ocean for a while.” Lachlan shivered.
“What are you talking about? We don’t live anywhere near the ocean,” Leo said. “I’ve never even been to the seaside. Have you?”
“No! And now I definitely don’t plan to.” Lachlan smiled.
Laughter filled the room.
Grady reached out and picked up a spiced cookie. He took a bite. “This is really good, Kit and Lachlan. You guys really work magic in the kitchen together.”
The two smiled at the compliment. “Thank you,” Kit said softly. “I enjoy working in the bakery with Lachlan.” He touched his witch’s leg.
Grady picked up the plate and passed it around.
“Let’s have another story!” Jasper snagged two cookies. “The one about the wili and the arsehole who betrayed her!”
“Yes! I like that story,” Cas said. “Do you?” Cas turned to face Graal.
“I don’t think I know it,” Graal said. “I don’t know many ghost stories.”
Grady flicked through the book. Then he turned to Uzoth. “Would you like to read?”
Uzoth stared at the book Grady held open towards him.
“You don’t have to.” Grady rushed out.
Uzoth took the book. “I do not mind reading.” At the top of the page was a picture of a woman’s wispy figure dancing with a man beneath the moon.
“The Wili’s Revenge,” Uzoth read the title. “There was once a young woman, beautiful and innocent, who lived in a small village at the edge of the forest.”
The tale was that of a man who travelled to the village and seduced the young woman, promising her marriage and love. She became hopelessly enamoured before he left her, breaking her heart. She died and became one of the wilis, creatures betrayed by their lovers and fuelled by the need to seek revenge.
“One night, beneath the moon in the field where they’d met, the man came upon the wili, the woman he’d abandoned,” Uzoth read. “He began to speak to her. But she did not listen. She lifted her hands above her head and began to dance, hips swaying from side to side. She tempted him to dance, like he had tempted her.”
No one in the room spoke, just listening to Uzoth read.
“The man grew tired after hours of dancing. But he could not stop, no matter how he tried. His limbs ached. Sweat drenched his body. His feet bled within his shoes. He shook with exhaustion.
“‘Just one more dance,’ she pleaded.
