Fire, Water, and Sword

Liz followed Alex along the dark streets of Manhattan. She would be safe as long as she stayed with him. Alex had learned much about his Fey powers and could easily defend both of them and they could slip away without a trace. And if things got too wild, Owen would know and Puck would come rescue them.

Alex kept looking up at the sky. You never knew where Demona's gargoyles were. They could be on the rooftops or somewhere in the dark sky. Once Demona had taken over, she found the help of a few small gargoyle clans and put them into power. They searched for humans breaking curfew and any of the resistance and would take them to the castle. Liz did not wish to think of what Demona did there.

The resistence was created by humans who did not want to be controlled by Demona. There were groups of them all over the United States. Alex took control of the resistance after Peter died with the help of Brooklyn. The resistance was quickly dubbed Goliath's Clan, after the late leader. It was called that partially to spite Demona, who had no hand in Elisa and Goliath's deaths.

Liz remembered when she became a full member of Goliath's Clan. The humans had done it behind Brooklyn's back and he was madder than a hornet whose nest had been kicked when he found out. Liz had been running messages and packages to several groups all over New York since she had been ten. On her thirteenth birthday, Liz became a full member, her first mission being a trip to New Jersey on her own that same day.

"Liz," hissed Alex.

Liz snapped out of her memories and turned her undivided attention to the task at hand. Alex pointed to an apartment complex that had been abandoned for some time, but was used for storing supplies. Liz looked and saw two gargoyles entering.

"Demona's goons," whispered Liz.

Alex nodded. "Come on. Let's see what they are up to."

Liz followed Alex into the building via a back door. Inside they heard the gargoyles talking. Alex and Liz carefully ascended the stairs to the third floor.

Liz sniffed the air. "Do you smell that?"

"Yeah. Gasoline. They're going to torch the place."

"We can't let that happen," Liz said.

"We have to," said Alex.

"Can't you do something?" asked Liz, tugging Alex's sleeve.

"We are going to save what we need to save," said Alex. He turned and started down the stairs. "Follow me."

Liz followed him to the basement. Alex entered and motioned to Liz to be the lookout. Liz kept her back to the door, looking up the stairs to see if one of the gargoyles came down. She could hear Alex behind her, moving something and muttering under his breath. She could feel his magic being cast on objects in the room.

At last she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Let's go," said Alex, exiting and pulling the door closed behind him. He muttered a few more words and green magic touched the door.

Liz followed him back up the stairs.

"Resistance!" a gargoyle shouted upon seeing them.

Alex cursed and grabbed Liz's arm, pulling her down the hall. Liz easily kept up with Alex. They ran for the nearest exit, a staircase. They would have to escape from a second floor window.

The gargoyle had a weapon and shot Alex and then Liz. They both fell to the floor, stunned and unmoving. The gargoyle stood over them, about to finish them off.

"Come on," said his partner. "The fire will take care of them."

The gargoyle reluctantly turned and left the two humans.

Liz woke, coughing, something burning her throat and lungs. She couldn't see due to the thick black smoke that enveloped them. She could barely make out Alex's body beside her.

"Alex," she coughed, shaking him. Alex didn't move. "Wake up, Alex. We have to move."

Liz pulled herself to her knees and grabbed Alex's arm. Out of luck, Liz pulled him to the nearest window that happened to be boarded up. Liz got to her feet and with careful aim, kicked the board window as hard as she could. She hit the floor as fresh air fed the flames. Liz put Alex over her shoulders the best she could and jumped out of the window without looking.

More good luck came in the form of soft ground instead of concrete or asphalt. There must have been a small garden beside the apartment complex at some point. Liz, who had landed on her stomach, coughed up the dirt that got in her mouth. Alex had landed on top of her and she pushed him off so she could sit up.

Alex groaned and opened his eyes.

"Liz?"

"About time you woke up, Sleeping Beauty," said Liz.

Alex looked at the burning building behind them. He turned to Liz. "Did you . . . ?"

"Yeah," replied Liz. "Let's go before one of Demona's informants see us."

Alex and Liz went for the nearest tunnel that led to their settlement.

Back at the settlement, Owen greeted them, blue eyes concerned.

"We're fine, Owen," said Alex before the pale man could say anything. "I just want to lie down."

Liz slunk by Owen and headed for her room. In the tunnel, she found Claw, or rather Claw found her.

What happened? Claw signed.

"It's okay, Claw," said Liz. "I'm fine."

Claw took her small hands in his large ones. He looked her over for burns. He motioned for her to cough, bending down and putting an ear to her chest. Liz complied and Claw stood up.

You are lucky, he signed slowly. Fey magic protected you again. Thank Alex when you see him.

"And Puck," added Liz.

Claw nodded and left.

Liz was about to enter her room when she heard someone calling to her.

"How was patrol?" Hudson was standing in the doorway to the sitting room.

"It could have been worse," said Liz, flashing a smile though she wasn't sure if Hudson could see it.

Hudson nodded and went back inside.

Liz entered her little room. There was only enough room for a narrow bed and a place to keep what few clothes she had.

Liz looked at herself in the mirror. "I need a bath," she said, nodding at her reflection.

She picked up a towel and headed to the bathroom. The bathroom was mostly just for cleaning. There was an old subway station nearby if you needed to use the toilet. Liz walked down to the bathroom and entered the women's side. She heard someone else inside. Liz put her towel on the shelf and saw a pile of discarded clothes. On the other side of the screen in the large pool of hot water was a cinnamon colored gargoyle with long white hair.

"Hey, Delilah," Liz called softly.

The gargoyle whipped around. She quickly made move to get out.

"It's okay," said Liz. "I need to shower off before I get in."

Liz took off her sooty clothes and let her hair down. She went back farther to where the showers were and hosed off. When she returned to the tub, Delilah was gone. Liz wouldn't have minded sharing the tub with her gargoyle aunt; they were family after all.

As she sat in the tub of hot water, Liz inspected the singed locks of hair. She sighed. She would have to give up her long hair. Liz loved having her hair long because she thought it made her look like Elisa. Elisa was her idol, someone she wanted to mirror herself after.

"I heard about ye're adventure this evening."

Liz reflexively dipped lower into the water to keep from being seen though she already knew Hudson could not see her.

"What are you doing in here?" asked Liz.

"Alexander told me what happened," said Hudson, coming to the side of the tub. "Ye were very brave."

"He would have done the same for me," Liz said with a shrug.

Hudson's nose twitched as he sniffed the air, smelling Liz's singed hair. "Come out of the tub, lass," he said.

Though he could not see, Hudson looked away until Liz had her towel securely wrapped around her torso. Hudson found a stool off to the side of the pool and told Liz to sit down. He ran his talons through her dark hair. After a minute, Hudson drew his sword.

He chuckled when he heard Liz's gasp. "I won't hurt ye," he told her.

"Not intentionally, I'm sure," said Liz, eyeing the sharp blade nervously.

"Keep yer chin up and stay still and I won't hurt ye at all," said Hudson.

Liz sat up straight, lifted her head, and held perfectly still. Hudson used his sword to cut away the damaged hair. After a half hour, he made sure the ends were even. He brushed Liz's shoulders clean.

"Go see," he told her.

Liz went to a mirror. For someone who could not see well, Hudson did a beautiful job. Now that her hair was drying and it was not weighed down from long locks, it was becoming wavy. Hudson had cut it just passed her shoulders and it made her chocolate eyes look twice their size.

"Well?"

Liz turned to Hudson. "I like it a lot," she said.

"Come here," Hudson said, holding his hands out to her.

Liz took his hands and let him pull her closer. He cupped her face in his hands. After a moment of squinting, Hudson smiled.

"Ye look so much like her," said Hudson.

Liz nodded. "Like my mom."

"Nay. Like Elisa."

Liz's mouth opened in surprised. "Like Elisa?" she repeated.

Hudson nodded. "Elisa and Beth looked a lot alike. It was all a matter of hair style and makeup. If no one was close to them, they could switch places."

Liz smiled. "Thank you, Hudson."

"Go get yer supper," said Hudson. "Broadway and Angela found some good food. Ye've earned a good meal."

Liz went back to her room and changed her clothes, putting her soiled ones in the laundry basket. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black tank top, tucking it in her waistband. She then went to the kitchen.

Broadway was standing over one of the stoves and Angela was chopping vegetables. Angela turned around and looked up at Liz. She screamed and jumped back, almost bumping into Broadway.

"What?" Broadway yelled, turning around, holding a large spoon like a weapon. He stared at Liz. Liz quickly realized that she could have knocked them over with just a flick of her fingers. "My God, you look like Elisa."

"What's going on in here?" barked Brooklyn. He froze in his tracks when Liz turned to face him. "Lizzie?"

Liz nodded.

Shock turned to anger. "I heard what happened! Are you crazy? What were you thinking going on patrol with Alex?"

"Brooklyn," Angela said gently.

"Shut up!"

Angela cringed, but stayed silent.

Brooklyn turned back to Liz. "What was going through your head?"

Liz lowered her head. "I wanted you to see that I can take care of myself."

"You almost got yourselves killed!" yelled Brooklyn.

Liz jerked her head up, fury that could rival Brooklyn's masking her face. "If it wasn't for me, Alex would have died!" she shouted. "I'm not going to sit back while everyone else fights. I want a part in this. This is my home, too!"

"You're seventeen!" snapped Brooklyn.

"So? Alex was thirteen when he took over!" Liz shot back. "Is this because I'm a girl? Do you have something against me because I'm female?"

Brooklyn's eyes were glowing white. Liz figured she had crossed a line, but held her ground, staring down Brooklyn.

Brooklyn turned and stormed out of the room.

"Liz." Angela handed Liz a small bowl of stew that Broadway just finished preparing. "Eat up."

Liz nodded and sat down in the corner.

Lexington came in to get his supper and saw Liz sitting in the corner. He stared at her for a long moment before approaching her.

"Liz? Diane wants to see you," he told her.

"Okay," said Liz.

Liz quickly finished her supper and put the bowl by the sink. She hurried off to her grandmother's chambers.