Despite the efforts of the first responders the apartment building burned to the ground. They only managed to save six people out of the seventy five known residents. Elisa was sitting on the back of an ambulance as a medic was checking her as she bandaged her side where the rib had nearly broken through the skin.
"…An accelerant." Elisa heard the fire chief whisper part of a sentence to one of the inspectors that had come out to find out the cause of the fire.
"Someone did this on purpose!" Elisa shouted in a fury that surprised even her as she stood up slowly and brushed the medic aside as she slowly made her way up to the fire chief.
"Detective, I'm sorry but I am not at liberty to discuss this with you at this time." The fire chief said as he turned back to the inspector.
"Like hell." Elisa stated venomously. "I'm taking the lead on this investigation." Elisa said in a matter of fact tone.
"I can't allow that Detective." The inspector sighed as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before continuing. "Agent Bluestone advised us that the reason you rushed into the building was because your family lived there. I'm very sorry but you are too close to this case." The inspector said reluctantly while he kept his eyes on his clipboard.
"Agent Bluestone was kind enough to offer his services and will be taking over the investigation. I'm sorry detective, but the inspector is correct. Now, I need you to go and sit over there." He said as he gestured back towards the ambulance where the medic was waiting. Elisa gave him a scathing look as she slowly walked towards Matt.
"Who the hell do you think you are Bluestone?!" Elisa shouted as she got close to him.
"Look Liz, You're too close to this. You know that I will get to the bottom of this." Matt said in a fierce whisper as he walked her back to the ambulance. "Now, get well and please leave this to me." Matt said in an almost pleading tone.
Elisa stared at him for a long moment and then sighed. "Very well, can you at least tell me where you are going to start?" Elisa asked as frustration leaked into her voice.
"I plan to keep you informed. I plan to start by questioning the gargoyles." Matt said as he turned to walk towards his car, but suddenly stopped as Elisa grabbed his hand.
"Why would you question them about this? Did you find anything that would prove they were there?" Elisa asked in a hollow voice as she tried to process how her friends could be involved.
"No, we haven't found anything yet." Matt said patiently. "I saw a gargoyle flying away from the building as you rushed up to it." He informed her.
"That doesn't make any sense I was with the gargoyles earlier. They couldn't have done this." Elisa muttered to herself as she tried to get her mind to stop spinning.
"I'm telling you Liz, one of them was here. Now, we need to find out why." Matt said as he went to leave again.
"Go to Demona's apartment first. It had to have been her." Elisa called out after him. Matt just nodded as he got into her car and drove off.
"I will kill that bitch this time. I don't care what Goliath says." Elisa thought angrily as she watched Matt drive off in her car.
…
As Rody ran into the building he was shocked as a young blonde woman leapt out of the shadows to his left and tackled him to the ground.
"What the hell is this thing?" Rody struggled against the creature as it kept attempting to bite him as its finger nails tried to dig through his body armor.
Rody could feel the blood dripping from her fangs that landed on his face. He continued to try to keep her from biting him, just as his strength nearly ran out her head began to glow green and she screamed before her head exploded and the body slumped down on top of him.
Puck helped Rody push the body off of him and then took Rody's hand and pulled him to his feet.
"Thanks for saving me…again. How the hell did you do that?" Rody asked as he tried to catch his breath.
"It was just a simple spell. I thought I might have been too late so I took her out in the fastest way I could think of." Puck grinned as Goliath and the gargoyles joined them.
"Are there any other survivors in here?" Goliath asked as the other gargoyles and Puck began to head down the hallway. His question was answered when they heard a strangled scream come from down the hall and more gun shots.
Rody began to rush forward but Goliath grabbed his shoulder. "Head outside. We will deal with this." He said as Rody shrugged off his hand.
"I'm not leaving my men, if you want to help me then let's get going." Rody said as he started heading down the hall. When the group burst into the room at the end of the hall they were stunned to see one of the creatures standing over a pile of dead patients and cops. His body seemed to be decaying at a rapid pace in front of them.
"What the hell are these things?" Rody asked again as he raised his shotgun.
"Mother calls… We come… We seek the mother…" The creature's eyes began to glow a dark red as it bared its fangs and rushed towards the group only to fall from one shot from Rody's shotgun.
"What did it mean by the mother?" Brooklyn asked as he walked up closer to it. He bent down to turn it over to study it as its eyes popped open and it snarled as it reached for him. Brooklyn fell back and moved away from it as it began to get back up.
"Who is this mother?" Puck asked the creature. The zombie coughed up blood as he stumbled forward.
"You know…" It wasn't able to say anymore as it fell over and sighed once before it stopped breathing.
"We need to leave here. There could be more of them." Goliath said suddenly.
"What about my men? We can't just leave them here." Rody argued as he began to walk towards the next door.
"Their dead Lad, if we don't leave we may join them soon. We have to get back to the castle and plan our next move." Hudson said as they headed for the exit. When they got outside they saw that the mist had spread to the surrounding buildings and it seemed as if dozens of zombies were attacking everything in sight. The cops that had been left outside were doing all they can to fight them off as they all rushed to help.
One of the creatures looked directly at them. "Father" it said as it rushed directly for Goliath. Everyone looked at Goliath in shock and before any could react Goliath used his claws to tear the creatures head off.
"I don't know what promise you made Puck, but I think we need to know what is happening now." Goliath snarled as they continued to make a path through the rushing creatures.
"And since when do zombies speak?" Rody asked as he shot one that was getting close to him. As the creature fell to the ground he used the butt of his weapon to knock one of the other creatures back before it could bite him.
"It makes so much sense now." Puck exclaimed as he sliced the head off of one of the creatures and stabbed through the heart of another with his green scimitars.
"What makes sense?" Lexington asked as he leapt on top of a police car and ripped the light bar off of it as he began using it has a club and smashed it over the head of a rushing zombie.
"I don't see how any of this makes sense." Brooklyn growled as he used his claws to tear the head off of the closest creature as he turned to face the others that were rushing up to them.
Suddenly Katana did a somersault off of the building above and landed gracefully between two of the creatures with her swords spread wide. As she stood up the two zombies fell as their heads rolled off of their shoulders. The rest of the creatures scattered so the group took a moment to catch their breath.
"Puck, we need to know." Goliath said as Puck turned towards him.
"I cannot break my promise, but I can tell you that the spell required something to start the process. She must have added some of your blood with hers to finalize the spell." Puck said as Goliath's eyes narrowed and began to glow.
"To what end?" Goliath snarled.
"I don't know, I'm sorry Goliath but that's all I know." Puck said earnestly as he sighed.
"We need to get back to the castle lads, and I believe that officer Daniels needs to get back to his people and try to contain this before it goes much further." Hudson said as Lex and Brooklyn nodded in agreement.
"Wait; if Demona and I could create them can we destroy them?" Goliath asked suddenly. Everyone turned towards Puck expectantly.
"I don't know. Gods help us all…I just don't know." Puck sighed.
"We need to be getting back Goliath." Brooklyn pointed out before he turned to Katana. "How did you know to find us here?" Brooklyn asked as they began to head back.
"You were on the news dear." Katana chuckled as she pointed up to the news chopper floating overhead. They all climbed up the nearby water tower and glided off towards the castle.
…
A few hours before the next sunset…
Wh…where am I? The young woman Demona rescued thought as she slowly opened her eyes and began to look around a room she didn't recognize. She tried to stand twice before she finally succeeded in slowly rising off of the bed. What happened to my clothes? As she looked down she noticed that her t-shirt and jeans were shredded. She walked over to the closet to search for some clothes and found only a couple of dresses that were a little too small for her.
"Terrific…" She sighed as she chose a dark blue dress and stripped out of her torn clothes. After she was dressed she headed to the door and was shocked to find it locked.
"Hello?" She called out as she tried the handle a few more times and then pounded on the door. "Is anyone out there?" Not getting a response she began to study her surroundings. The room was very small and only seemed to have the bed, closet, and a dresser. On top of the dresser she noticed a sandwich that was left on a plate with a glass of water and a piece of paper folded up next to the plate.
"How considerate, my kidnapper left me a note." She thought bitterly as she grabbed the glass and the plate and sat down to eat. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she took the first bite and soon the entire sandwich was gone and she had just drank the water when she looked at the note again. Fuck it she thought as she got up to retrieve the note as she read it she slowly sat back down on the bed.
You're probably wondering where you are. I brought you to my apartment because it was the safest place I could think of. I locked the door for your own protection and I will let you out soon. You are not a prisoner, but with what is transpiring now it would be unsafe to leave. I will go into more detail when I return to let you out.
Before I forget your clothes were nearly destroyed when the ceiling collapsed. I brought a few of my dresses for you. I hope they fit. In the meantime please get some rest and all will be explained shortly.
Signed,
Dominique Destine
"Who the hell is Dominique?" She asked out loud in frustration as she balled up the note and threw it across the room. Elisa where are you? Suddenly, she heard a strange noise. It sounded like a tigress howling and the sound of several small objects falling to the ground. Then she heard footsteps coming to the door and she backed away slowly and prepared to attack whoever came through the door.
Demona sighed as she prepared for the worst as she opened the door to walk into the room. As she neared the door she saw a mirror hanging on the wall and she noticed something strange about the reflection so she walked closer.
"Really, were taking in stray humans now. We're supposed to be killing them all." A voice inside Demona's mind began to lecture her and it appeared to her that the reflection was speaking.
"I know and I will. I just need time." Demona said as she went to turn away.
"Time? Now, you sound just like that fool Goliath. You are better than this. Go in that room and kill her and then show the world what you can do." The reflection demanded.
"Not yet, I no longer turn human during the day." Demona sighed and thought for a moment. "I will have to use this woman to find out what is going on while I am asleep, but first I will need to gain her trust. Thankfully, I have watched his sickening displays with that human mate of his." Demona said in a fierce whisper and with her mind made up the reflection changed back to normal and she turned to enter the room.
"Wh…What are…you?" The woman asked as Demona walked into the room. Demona sighed as she thought of a way to explain everything.
"I am a gargoyle, and I am also the one who pulled you out of a burning apartment building. You were unconscious and I brought you here because it was the only safe place I could think of." Demona replied honestly.
"Then who is Dominique?" The woman asked as she backed up further from the gargoyle.
"That is the name I used when I was able to walk among humans…I won't be using it anymore." Demona grinned as she noticed the confused look on the woman's face. "I could become human during the daytime because of a spell that was recently removed from me." She informed her.
"What do you want from me?" The woman asked as Demona got closer to her.
"Nothing, I only brought you here, because…because…well, I'm really not sure why I did it but I have no desire to keep you here." Demona said as she began to get frustrated with the conversation.
"Perhaps we should start again. My name is Diane, Diane Maza." Diane said as she reached her hand out towards Demona. Demona's eyes opened wide in shock as she shook the offered hand. "What do we do now?"
"Maza? Are you related in any way to Elisa?" Demona's eyes narrowed as she asked her question.
"Yeah, unfortunately she's my sister." Diane laughed as she sat down in Demona's recliner. Demona grinned as she went to grab a bottle of wine from her kitchen.
"I take it that you two don't get along very well?" Demona asked off-handedly. Normally, now that the young woman was healthy she would demand that she leave, but the opportunity to have a discussion who shared her dislike for Elisa was too good for her to ignore.
"You know how it is with sisters. Don't you? I'm sorry I'm just not sure if you even have sisters." Diane said as Demona handed her a glass.
"We have sisters, but not in the way you mean. Each generation of our clans grow up together. Every hatchling in the rookery is considered to be a brother and sister to each other." Demona explained as she sat across from her with her glass.
"How do you tell which parents you have?" Diane asked as she leaned forward.
"We don't." Demona chuckled at the look Diane gave her and took a sip of her wine. "Let me explain, when our eggs hatch they belong to all of the members of the clan. So, instead of the two parent's humans typically have we have many."
"I guess that makes sense in a weird sort of way." Diane said as she finished her first glass and Demona refilled it. Just as she put the bottle down there was a loud knock at the door that caused Diane to nearly jump out of her chair.
"Demona, I know you're in there. I need to speak with you." Matt called from the other side of the door. Demona slowly got up and opened the door as Matt walked in. "I really, really hope that you had nothing to do with this, but right now you are our prime suspect." Matt began as he paced back and forth in front of Demona.
"What could I have done this time, Bluestone?" Demona growled impatiently.
"Elisa's father's apartment caught fire last night, and I am sure that I saw you fly away from there. Also, there is proof that an accelerant was used to start the fire." Matt said as he walked up to her. "Give me one good reason to believe you didn't do this." Matt said as Demona snarled at him.
"What about me, Matt? Do I count as a reason." Diane grinned as she walked up to him and gave him a hug.
"Diane, you're alive…how? Elisa will be so relieved to see you." Matt said as he hugged her tight in return.
"I'm not sure what happened. I just woke up here, but from what I know she saved me and brought me here without even knowing who I was." Diane grinned as she took a sip from her second glass of wine.
"Has fun as all of this is I really must be going." Demona advised them. "I have some business to attend to."
"Wait, has glad as I am to see Diane is here safe. I must ask why you were there and I need to know if you saw anything." Matt said as he stepped in front of the door.
"I was simply gliding by. I cannot tell you anything else because I saw nothing else." Demona said impatiently as she left the room. "Diane, you are welcome to stay if you choose to do so for now, but I expect that you will be able to find a place of your own soon."
"It was nice to see you Diane. I'll let Elisa know you're okay." Matt said as he followed Demona out of the room. "Make sure you call her. She may need the re-assurance." Matt added as an afterthought.
"I will thanks Matt." Diane said as she closed the door behind him. As he walked back to Elisa's car he noticed three men standing around it. He recognized them immediately as part of Tony Dracon's gang. As they saw him approach they turned and the one who seemed to be the leader took a few steps forward.
"The boss has a message for your lady friend." He said as he used a baton to smash the headlight. Matt winced as he thought of how Elisa would react to this.
"She'd have one for you too if she was here." Matt grinned at them.
"You're a comedian." The second thug laughed as he walked around the car and bashed one of the tail lights. "The boss hates comedians."
"So do I." They all turned to see who spoke and Angela quickly kicked the thug closest to her in the ribs causing him to lean forward as she used the opportunity to uppercut him knocking him flat on the ground. As he fell to the ground the thug who busted the headlight drew his gun and took aim as the last remaining one drew his gun and told Matt to call off the creature.
After that everything happened so fast. Matt drew his gun and shot the thug holding the gun on him and that caused the thug holding the gun on Angela to panic and open fire. Two of the bullets struck Angela in her left leg. One bullet struck her knee cap and the other went through her shin and out the back. She fell backwards as Matt went to fire his gun at him, but when he realized it was jammed he leapt to tackle the thug and has they fought over the gun it suddenly went off.
"Matt!" Angela screamed as she tried to stand. The thug turned towards her grinning. He aimed his weapon at her and she closed her eyes knowing what was coming next. She heard the shot, but when she opened her eyes it was the thug who fell to the ground she looked towards Matt in surprise and saw him clutching his side as he put his gun down.
"Are you okay?" Matt said as he walked over to her. "Thank you." Matt said as he looked into her eyes with open admiration as he spoke.
"You risked your life to save me. It is I that should thank you." Angela smiled as she bandaged his wound while he helped her bandage the two bullet wounds in her leg.
She would never be able to explain why she did what she did next, but when Matt's face came close to hers she suddenly kissed him. Matt backed away quickly as he stared at her wide eyed for a moment.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Angela blushed and went to turn away. Matt just nodded and got up slowly and then helped her to stand. "Matt, I'm sorry but this shouldn't have happened. I have to go." She went to leave but found that she couldn't put any weight on her injured leg.
"I'm taking you to my place." Matt said authoritatively. "I will not kiss you again, you have my word, and don't worry about it sometimes when two people face a situation like this they do things they wouldn't normally do." He grinned at her as he helped her into Elisa's car. Matt drove to his apartment and then helped her up the stairs and to his room. Angela was shocked at how gentle he was with her. She felt guilty because she was beginning to really like him, but didn't know what she should do. She was still courting Broadway, but she knew he would never become the gargoyle that she wanted to be with. Matt was no gargoyle at all and showed more of what she was looking for than anyone she had ever met.
Stop it Angela, you're a gargoyle and you're meant to be with Broadway. It's time to just accept that. She thought to herself bitterly.
"Matt, I wanted you to know that I will not be a burden on you. When my leg is healed I promise that I will go home." Angela said as he sat next to her and made sure she was comfortable.
"Take all the time you need." Matt said as he began to leave the room. Angela quickly grabbed his hand.
"Please stay with me. I would like to talk." Angela smiled at him and that caused Matt's heart to begin to beat rapidly.
"Okay" He sat next to her and he held her hand while they shared stories until nearly dawn.
"Thank you for keeping me company but it is nearly dawn and you should get some rest." Angela said as she laid back in the bed and shut her eyes as she awaited the stone sleep to overtake her.
"Sleep well." Matt said as he rose from the chair he was sitting in and left the room.
"You truly are an honorable human Matt. I just wanted you to know that." He grinned as he flipped off the lights and shut the door just before she turned to stone.
…
Elisa was growing tired of waiting for Matt to come back so she called for a taxi and headed home. She picked up her cell phone and dialed out.
"Matt, I hope you found out what happened. I'm beginning to get worried so please call me back." She sighed as she hung up and then after considering her next option for a moment she began to dial again. "Demona, you evil bitch, you have done so much to hurt everyone I care about, and now you have taken my sister from me." She sighed before continuing to speak. "I am going to kill you. I promise you that. I will kill you one way or the other." When the cab stopped she got out and paid him and made her way slowly back up to her apartment.
…
Demona was gliding to her bunker. "I hope Mattie is okay." Demona thought to herself as she glided through the star lit sky. When she arrived she noticed that the lights were off which wasn't surprising since it was so late. She walked in through the front entrance and entered the main living space she had created when a light suddenly flipped on.
"We need to talk Miss Destine." Mattie was sitting in a rocking chair and grinned as she gestured towards a chair that was across from her.