25. Asher

TWENTY-FIVE

Asher

I paced the room, engulfed by anguish as dusk approached.

“Where have they taken him?” I said again and again, my sister trying to offer reassurances.

No amount of ‘he’ll be fine’ or ‘you’ll see him soon’ turned the dial down on my panic. We were dealing with Seth here, not some cute puppy.

I sensed Luke but couldn’t pinpoint his location in the tower. Yeah, they were blocking me, keeping me from my mark.

My mark. Not theirs. They didn’t get to set the agenda here.

“Pissingbollockingshit!”

“You’re making me dizzy, Cookie.” Eden jumped in front of me.

I blinked at her, wringing my hands. “I won’t stop until he’s with me again.”

“He will be. I promise.”

The waterworks kicked off again, exhaustion pulling at me like a hundred anchors.

My sister stepped closer, catching the tears pissing all over my reputation. I never cried. Ever. These were for Luke, though. A testament to how much I cared for him, wanted him.

By the gods.

“Everything will be okay,” she whispered, pulling me into a hug.

Bollocks. I broke down, clinging to her, unable to take it anymore. The helplessness and the toxic sense of failure clung to me like poison ivy.

“I wanna be better,” I whimpered into the crook of her neck.

“This isn’t on you.” She patted my back. “You’re doing the best you can. Never forget that.” She kissed the side of my head.

I failed to see the light. Things were getting out of hand, my part in this redundant. A liar and a flop, nothing more.

“I think you need to meditate,” Eden suggested.

I sniffled, never wanting to break this hug. A safe place, a warm sanctuary to curl up in and let the rest of the world swivel.

But Luke needed me. I’d marked him. Markings might be assigned randomly but falling for him was fate. We were meant to be together. So, this buttercup must suck it up and be the gargoyle he deserved.

I can be better.

I can be better.

A good mantra to have. It gave me a shot of strength in the arm, leg, soul, ass. All of it.

I stopped crying, detaching myself from my sister. Man, the magic of hugs was unmatched.

Eden held my biceps, smiling. “It will be okay.”

“Thanks, sis.” I patted her on the side. “You’re the best.”

“Let’s get you some tissues.”

“Yeah.” Tears and snot were not a good look.

A moment with the tissue led to a shower and a mug of scotch green tea. Afterwards, I sat with Eden on the floor, the pair of us focused on our mediation.

Candles surrounded us in a circle of light, the scent of lavender a balm to my senses. Clutching the rose quartz in my left hand, my mind opened, welcoming starlight and peace. Panic and rage leeched out of me, taken by the stars, repurposed into useful energy.

I can be better.

The crystal’s vitality filled me, the glow of its healing magic glistening around the edges of this starry haven. This is what separated me from the old Asher. This is what helped me help Luke.

This is what helped me help myself.

Meditation and crystals made me a better man, rising above the actions of knobheads like Seth or cheating ex-boyfriends.

Who cared about Billy being his bodyguard? Let them do their thing, let Seth be a petty manipulator. I’d come too far to let him break me again.

You will not have my feelings.

I took a deep breath, drawing in the wonderful, relaxing aroma of the lavender.

Eden took my hand. “Peace. Peace for my brother. Peace for me.”

She dabbled in this stuff, too.

I repeated her words, switching out brother for sister.

By the end of our session, I arrived in a better place. Steady Asher was back in the driving seat. I stood and drank from my second mug of tea, taking it over to the bar. Very soon, Luke would be back here making a cocktail or two. And I’d get to relish in his pleasure, his palpable passion on display again.

I perched on a stool, Eden taking the one next to me.

“So, tell me more about Luke.” She sipped her cherryade—her favorite drink.

“What do you wanna know?” I moved my fingers through the steam swirling from my tea.

“Whatever you like.”

I took a moment. “We’re more than friends. More than mark and human.”

“So I gathered. Tell me some facts.”

“Facts, eh?”

She grinned. “Nosy big sister here.”

“No. Not you.”

She punched me lightly on the arm. “Tell me.”

“Well, he’s a mixologist who loves to swim. Enjoys listening to jazz, particularly Ornette Coleman.”

“Jazz. Nice.”

“Yeah. And he salivates over these strawberry fondant things. They’re disgusting but he goes wild for them. I should go pick up some bags for him.”

My sister shook her head. “Can’t leave the tower right now, remember?”

“Shit. Yeah. Later, then.”

“What else?” She sipped her drink, waiting for more.

I spoke about Finn, how Luke kept his room at the lighthouse impeccable, waiting for his return. How he watched the movie Titanic all the time because of Finn’s obsession with the ill-fated liner.

“His determination is amazing,” I added. “Shame he keeps getting tripped up by bullshit.”

She drank more cherryade, her forehead creasing. “Who do you think this Ember is? It’s odd, right? And why would the king be involved with her. If he is.”

“All I know is she’s not getting her hands on Luke.”

“Crazy world.”

“For sure.” I sipped my tea. “What have you been up to?”

She flicked her hair. “Chilling. Flirting with Daniel.”

“The weaver guy from Forest Province?”

“The one and only. Hot as fuck.” She bit her bottom lip.

True that. “Have you banged him yet?”

“Almost. When I go home, it’ll happen. Mark my words.”

They were a good match. Daniel was a real sweetheart, one of those green flag guys. “Happy for you. Sorry you got dragged over here.”

“I’d rather be here with you. Especially given the circumstances.”

A glow in my inside reminded me of my dad’s lobster soup fresh from the pot, a warm blessing for the stomach.

“Glad to have you here, sis.”

“You’re cute, Cookie.”

I dusted my right shoulder. “I know.”

She cocked a brow. “With a massive head.”

“The nerve.”

“So…” She wriggled her eyebrows. “Have you gone there with Luke?”

“Yeah.” I sipped my tea, looking away at the same time.

She clapped. “Good to know.”

I just want him here right now…

Memories arose of sex with Luke. That amazing, delicious moment of being inside him. The afterglow, the feel of his body on mine.

We’ll do it again soon…

I got off the stool, heading for the balcony but stopped at the open doors.

“Talk to me, Cookie.”

“Missing him.”

“I know.”

“Feeling guilty.” We’d already discussed the thing with his brother’s protection.

“I wish I could take it away.”

I moved to the big gray sofa, taking a seat. “You’re too sweet.”

“My turn to say I know.”

I snorted.

“How do you want to move forward with that subject?”

Holding my mug, I leaned forward, elbows on my thighs. “I’ve gotta tell him. There’s no other choice.”

“Dangerous, though.”

“Totally.”

She sighed heavily, leaning back. “Sucks.”

“Big time.”

Further discussion was interrupted by a knock on the door.

We looked at each other, both wondering who it might be.

Eden answered it. “Hello, you. Good to see you back on your feet.”

“Been a while.”

I jumped to my feet at the sound of Dane’s voice, tea spilling over my hands. He entered the room with a healthy sheen on his face, restored to his old self.

We collided in the biggest of bro hugs.

“You’re alright,” I said, crushing his muscles.

He crushed me right back. “Yes, bro. All good.”

Eden nodded proudly. “I love seeing this.”

Dane ended the hug. “What’s been going on?”

I poured him a neat scotch, filling him in.

He knocked the booze back in one. “Ah. Needed that. Fuck, bro. Fuck.”

“I know.”

He poured himself another shot. “So, it’s now a waiting game?”

Man, the truth grated. “Yeah.”

Dane’s flip phone buzzed. “Hang on. It’s Tom.”

“Who’s Tom?” Eden whispered to me.

I made a gesture for her to hold for an impending update.

She nodded with understanding.

“You are? Okay. I’m coming down. Stay there. See you in a bit.” He closed the phone. “Tom’s at street level with Maren. They won’t let them in with yours and Luke’s stuff.” He rolled his shoulders. “I was supposed to help him. Fucking jellyfish.” He strode to the door. “I guess we can’t fly right now?”

“Wings clipped,” Eden answered.

He groaned and hurried into the corridor.

“I’m coming with you!” Eden and I called at the same time.

The three of us jogged down to street level, Tom and the mermaid mote spirit pleading with two gargoyle knights.

“How many times do we have to tell you no?” one of them huffed. “Go away. Tower’s closed.”

The other grunted, offering his best death glare.

“But our friends need their stuff.” Tom tried his best to implore these two brutes.

Both he and Maren carried a couple of bags.

Dane stepped in first, pushing through the knights to join Luke’s besties.

“What’s happening here?” he inquired.

I vaulted over the side of the stationary stone escalator, passing through the sheen of green energy, landing on the street. Eden followed me to stand behind the human and the mote spirit, Dane between them.

The gargoyle with the talking stick huffed again. “What’s this?”

“Why can’t they come in?” Dane asked, throwing his arm around Tom.

“Weaver Seth’s orders.”

“But they’re here with my stuff as well as Luke’s,” I chimed in.

Both knights looked me up and down with spiteful eyes. “Too bad. Seth’s word is final. He doesn’t want anyone seeing the Garland guy. And you’re supposed to be in your suite.”

Garland guy? Really? I folded my arms. “Nah. It’s too drab for my delicate peepers.”

“Get back inside,” the other guy warned. “Stop messing about in the street.”

“Messing about how?” Eden queried. “By standing here? If anything, we’re bringing class to your weary eyes. Glamming up the sidewalk.”

Neither knight humored her, the more vocal one reiterating Seth’s orders.

“If you try flying them in, we’ll fuck you up,” the other one threatened.

Ha! I could take him and all his ancestors in a fight across the ages. Scrawny shit.

“Then fuck you,” Dane said. “We’re out of here.”

“We are?’ Tom asked, looking up at him.

“For now.”

Maren swam forward. “I demand to see my friend.”

Both knights yawned in her face.

She flicked her tail in warning. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. We love Luke deeply and won’t allow these ridiculous restrictions to continue.”

A double helping of yawning followed.

The mermaid smirked. “Have you ever experienced the brunt of a fishy tail to the face?”

Vocal Guy pointed his sword at her. “Try it, bitch, and you’ll be sushi.”

“I am impervious to your threats, gargoyle. I think I’d like to try it .”

“Sod off back to the sea.”

From what Luke told me, Maren hated the water.

She levitated, shimmering with menace. Her red hair billowed behind her, that green tail capable of inflicting serious damage. “No one gets to control our friend. Stand aside or suffer my ire.”

No matter how much bravado she mustered, they’d make sushi out of her for sure. Not kill her but send her packing.

I stepped in. “It’s not worth it, Maren. We’ll find another way.”

She glowered at me, not moving, not speaking.

“My brother’s right,” Eden said.

Maren’s expression softened, her body lowering. “Brother? You are siblings?”

“Yes. I’m Eden.”

The mermaid frowned, introducing herself without much feeling.

Vocal Guy huffed. “Take it somewhere else. None of you are getting back in now. And you knights should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Surprisingly, his words failed to piss me off. He really wasn’t worth it.

For now.

“Luke…” Tom breathed.

“He’ll be okay,” Dane reassured, giving him a squeeze. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”

The air carried a sharper bite. A blend of pink and lavender painted the sky, dusk in its full splendor.

We left the knights to wallow in their knobheadedness, aiming for the bandstand opposite the tower and taking seats on the benches. Christmas lights glittered around the blue canopy, sparkling in the closed shop windows. Every lamppost boasted either a snowflake or a star, twinkling away, failing to bring the festive spirit to the locked-down town.

Tom shivered, shuffling closer to Dane, my bestie’s hand firmly around him. “What are we going to do?” He summoned a cupcake to his palm—white frosting, a ruby-like cherry on top. He took a bite, looking so defeated as he chewed.

Eden’s jaw hit the floor.

I snorted. “Yeah, sis. He really did magic a cupcake from thin air.”

She managed to smack her lips. “Goodness.”

Tom swallowed, icing on his lips. “Sorry. Cupcakes help me think. Want one?”

“Can I?”

“Sure. What do you fancy?”

“Chocolate, please. If you can.”

Tom smiled, a fresh chocolate cupcake appearing in his hand. He leaned forward, handing it over.

Dane beamed with pride for his…whatever their status was.

Eden moaned with pleasure as she took her first bite. “This is incredible.”

“Thanks,” Tom answered sadly, licking some of his icing.

“We’ll figure this out,” Dane said.

“Yeah,” I added. “But we’d better get somewhere warm soon. Shame that burger place is closed. Pissing lockdown.”

Motes drifted past, all of us tensing. They didn’t stop to leave a monstrous gift, moving on harmlessly.

Thank the stone gods.

Maren swam forward a few feet, her eyes on the tower entrance. The knights watched us, which clearly pissed the mermaid off to no end.

“What a pair of idiots,” she fumed. “Too big for their ugly boots. I should swim over there and smack them around for their impertinence. “

“We agreed to leave it,” I answered.

“Agreed? I simply changed my mind for the greater good of this group.”

Right. Of course she did.

“It’s not worth the hassle,” Tom chimed in.

She spun, her hair swishing as if underwater. “And leave him in there?”

There was a faded print of a skull and crossbones on her black crop top. I’d not noticed it before.

“I didn’t say that,” Tom returned. “But we’re mice going up against an army of cats.”

Maren didn’t enjoy the analogy. “Be careful who you call a mouse.”

Tom glared at her. “You know what I mean.”

Within a few seconds, Maren’s fury was defused. “Poor Luke. He needs his friends with him.”

Yeah, he did. Big time. Who the piss did Seth think he was? He’d gone power mad, thinking himself a king when he only ran things in His Majesty’s stead.

I got to my feet, arms folded tightly across my chest. “Mice can be sneaky. We’ve gotta be sneaky.”

A patrol flew overhead, followed by a second flying around the tower in a spiral.

“Agreed,” my sister said, her hand perched on my shoulder. “Remember when we used to break into Blood Moon Citadel to be close to the Silver Shrine?”

I smiled, the memory a warm one. The Silver Shrine to the stone gods was a huge, ornate place of worship only opened once a month. Highly polished, forever gleaming, diamonds fixed into the eyes of each god. Special. You couldn’t just rock up and enjoy the prettiness. Each month, the citadel weavers allowed a select few inside to enjoy it, the system all about taking it in turns. Which meant we had long stretches of waiting before we feasted our eyes upon it again.

Not me and my sis. We found a loophole on the ocean side of the citadel, getting our trespass on whenever we wanted.

“Let’s get somewhere warm to plan,” I suggested.

“My house,” Tom replied, shaking his brown curls.

Leaving Luke’s vicinity withered my insides, but the sooner we came up with a plan, the better.

“Follow me.” Tom moved into point with Dane beside him. My buddy took the bags off him.

Maren held onto hers, refusing my offer of help.

“I like this better than sitting in there,” Eden said, jutting a thumb at the bandstand. “Being proactive is good for the soul.”

“You’ve got chocolate around your mouth.”

“Oh crumbs.” She soon cleared the mess.

“Enjoy that, did you?”

“Immensely. What a gift to have. I’ll definitely be making him my bestie.”

“Good luck getting through Dane.” I kept my voice low.

She chuckled. “I gathered.”

Tom led us past Aubergine Road. I made a mental note to take my sister there later to experience the place where everything was purple. She’d love it.

As we crossed a wide square close to Midas Cherry, a green shimmer bled across the sky.

I stopped, looking up. “What’s this?”

The green brightened, smothering the dusky colors.

“Is that gargoyle magic?” Tom asked.

Every gargoyle present said yes, feeling it in our bones, a gentle crackle of knowledge racing across our skin.

A rumble sounded up ahead, getting closer.

I braced for battle, always prepared for a shit storm. Eden matched my stance, Dane falling into his own.

“Stay behind me,” he told the human.

Maren swam up to her friend’s side. “Stay back.”

Tom’s wide, frightened eyes met mine. “What’s going on?” His body glimmered green. I quickly used my second vision to check everyone’s protection. It was much brighter than before, strengthened by the magic in the sky.

Dane turned his head in response to Tom. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Absolutely,” Maren agreed.

The rumbling became a familiar sound, one I often heard in Gula. The thunderous roll of chariot wheels on royal birthdays, the king’s guard showing off their ceremonial prowess in the streets of the royal city of Gleamstone during the week-long celebrations.

Royal gargoyle chariots in Brinecrest? Whoa. Were we about to receive a visit from the king?

The first chariot rolled into view, a knight in full silver armor, green plumes puffing out of their helmet. Six more followed, fanning out around the square, a whole load of other royal knights flying above them.

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 seeing and hearing. 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!