Chapter 11

Angela sighed as she closed one of her many books on charms her mother and Harry had provided for her. She just couldn't get into reading tonight.

Harry hadn't granted her request to become her mother's personal assistant. It wasn't that she couldn't, but unless she wanted the rest of the clan to know she could use magic, or she moved away from the clan, she would be unable to. The reasons he explained were simple, if she didn't roost with the clan, they would become suspicious. And if she did, at least the Xanatos and Owen would know she could become human.

She wouldn't tell the clan about using magic, everyone, especially her father, was wary of it. She had no doubts that her father would forbid her from using it, and continuing her lessons with Harry and her mother.

Add to that her romantic problems with Broadway, the large gargoyle was avoiding her, and she was stressed.

She heard her father calling for her, it was time to go on patrol. She put the book in her pouch, magically altered so that the book would fit, and made her way to the others. She still had duties after all.

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Demona was enjoying a nice dinner with Harry in her manor. He'd actually been spending a lot of his time here instead of at his own manor. His explanation was that her place was more normal, and his was slowly turning into a school. She didn't mind, in fact she preferred being at her manor, his home really did feel like school now.

After eating, she and Harry went into the den and sat in front of the fireplace.

"Demona," Harry spoke softly.

She turned to face him. "Yes."

"I know we've only known each other a few month's. But I've come to love you. I love your hair, your eyes, both of your beautiful forms. I love your spirit and passion. And I love your devotion to your daughter." Harry got of the couch and knelt in front of her. He pulled out a diamond ring. "I know it's not a custom for gargoyles, but it is for both humans and fae, which I am. But would you, Demona, agree to become my mate, my wife, and wear my ring?"

Demona smiled as she felt tears roll down her cheeks. She couldn't believe it. He wanted her. He loved her. "Yes."

Harry smiled as he slipped the ring onto her human finger. "It's enchanted so that it will adjust to fit you when you change forms."

Demona looked at the ring, and then kissed Harry. "It's perfect," she whispered against his lips.

The two began to kiss again, slowly, growing in passion...

BBRRIINNGG! BBRRIINNGG! the phone rang. Demona reluctantly pulled away and stood up. Making her way to the phone. "This had better be important," she growled to herself as her eyes began to glow red.

"Speak!"Demona growled as she answered the phone.

"Demona?"

Demona recognized that voice, it was Maza. "This had better be important Detective."

"Demona, Thailog is back," Elisa said bluntly. "He attacked the clan while they were out on patrol."

Demona's face fell. "Angela?"

"That's why I'm calling. He shot her with something, then she turned to stone in mid air. Goliath caught her, but we have no idea what Thailog hit her with."

No. Not Angela. But what would turn her to stone at night?

"Owen, assures us she's alive," Elisa continued. "But that whatever hit her was magical in origin. And we don't how to help her."

"Why not have Puck help? He's there isn't he?" she growled.

"Yes, but by Oberon's decree he can only use magic when protecting or teaching Alexander. We even tried calling Lord Black, but it appears that he isn't home."

"So you called me, Angela's mother, last!" Demona growled.

"It's not that, Goliath and the other's don't even want you to know. Me, Fox, and Anna don't agree. Not to mention that you might be able to help."

"I'll be there momentarily, just make sure the clan doesn't attack me on sight."

Demona hung up the phone and turned to Harry. "Angela's in trouble."

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The clan, minus Anna, were gathered around the stone form of Angela. Owen and the Xanatoses had left when the disguised Fey informed them that there was nothing he could do due to the restriction Oberon placed on him. Elisa and Anna had left shortly afterward to see about receiving help from Lord Black. That was several minutes ago.

Angela had been laid onto a bed, as she had been frozen mid-flight, onto her stomach.

None of the gargoyles knew what to do if Lord Black couldn't, or wouldn't help. Goliath refused to go to Demona, even if their daughters life was at stake. There was no telling what his former mate would do. And he had yelled at Fox for even suggesting it.

So when a very human Demona stormed into the room, followed closely by Lord Black, Goliath was not at all happy.

"What are you doing here?" Goliath growled, as his eyes glowed white.

Everyone was taken back to here a very gargoyle like snarl come from the human Demona's lips. "That is my daughter too Goliath! I should have been the first person you asked for help after Puck said he couldn't. In fact, if the detective hadn't called me, Harry wouldn't even be here now!"

While Demona and Goliath argued, Harry had went over to inspect his student. He pulled his wand and cast several diagnostic charms, and used his Fey magic for confirmation.

"Enough!" Harry yelled, calling everyone's attention to him. "Everyone out except Goliath and Demona."

"What makes you..." Brooklyn tried to protest, furious that this man was in Demonas company, before Harry waved his hand, silencing him.

Harry walked up to and glared at the red-skinned gargoyle. "I know exactly what is wrong with Angela, but there are several options and risk involved in curing her. Those decisions, as Angela has yet to take a mate, are for her father and mother," he cast a glare at Goliath and Demona, "to agree upon." he let his gaze drift over the others. "Everyone else, get out now or I will make you."

No one had to be told twice. Although Broadway cast on last glance at Angela before leaving the room.

"What is wrong with my daughter," Goliath demanded as soon as they were alone."

Harry sighed and looked over at her. "She was shot, with a dart that contained a potent potion called the Drought of Living Death. It is designed to put someone to sleep until the antidote is administered. Normally, it's used by healers to keep a patient asleep during painful procedures. The problem is that it was not designed for use on creatures that are not human. Your daughter is merely in stone sleep until the cure is administered."

"Then administer the cure," Goliath rumbled.

"And how do you suggest I do that!" Harry snapped at the large gargoyle. "Her body is stone. And the antidote has to get into her body somehow."

"Can't you just change her back, like you changed Hyena into a gargoyle!" Goliath roared back.

Harry sighed again, and rubbed his temple. "That is a last, and I do mean last, resort Goliath."

"He used Fey magic to change Anna into a gargoyle," Demona explained, much calmer than her former mate. "A potion is mortal magic, the two mixed can have disastrous results."

Harry nodded. "Correct. I can combine my magics, but even then, to use combined magic in healing is something even I will not do. The magic affects someone else's life, instead of an offensive or defensive spell, and is much more volatile, even deadly. It will take me two weeks to brew the antidote, as to administering it, that's the tricky part."

"What can you do?" Goliath asked, the full weight of the situation hitting him.

"First, I am going to do some research, maybe I can find a safer way to administer the antidote, but if I can't there are really only two options. One, I use fey magic to put the antidote directly in her system, as I am only moving something, it is a little less dangerous then outright changing her back to flesh and blood, but only just. The second is, changing her using full Fey magic, and that could kill her," Harry explained.

"I can help research," Demona interjected.

"As will I," Goliath agreed.

Harry shook his head. "No Goliath, you will not. You don't know what to look for, Demona does. Plus I am not comfortable having you in my home."

"And your comfortable with Demona?" he growled.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Why do you think she's here, and human? Cut it with the self-righteous attitude." He turned to Demona. "I am going to head home and begin the potion. I'll leave you to discuss what to do with Goliath."

Demona smiled and nodded her head. "I'll see you in the morning at the latest."

Harry nodded, and without a sound, he vanished, leaving Goliath and Demona alone with the stone form of their daughter.