Chapter 11: Reconciliation

*Later the same night, back at the Clock tower*

Roaring yawns and the tell-tale crackle of breaking stone erupted through the crisp night air. As Brooklyn joined the rest of his Clan in the tower room, he glanced up in disappointment at Shira's empty perch. When she had joined the Clan a few nights back, she had oddly chosen not to perch with them on the precipices of the clock tower, a typical practice of all gargoyles.

*Flashback to five nights ago*

"I'm just… an unusual gargoyle, Brooklyn. I've always slept in caves, harder to spot a huge stone statue when it's hidden" she said rather apprehensively. Deciding not to pry, he left her alone and joined his Clan mates, just as the sun peaked over the horizon. Glancing overhead, she found a perfect iron banister close to the entrance, where the sun's light leaked in, enveloping her in a cozy blanket of warmth. Hanging upside down, she looked at the stone statues of the Clan, puzzling over how uncomfortable it must be to be frozen for the next 12 hours in suck gawky poses. "It's no wonder, they wake up with cramps in their limbs", she muttered to herself before succumbing to sleep.

*Back to present time*

"She still isn't back yet", said Broadway, as he bent down, patting Bronx's whining head.

"Where could she be? I would've thought she'd be back by now." asked Angela, nervously biting her thumb claw.

Brooklyn gave a weary sigh, his shoulders slouching. "With the way we treated her last night, I wouldn't bother coming back either" he moped.

"I never said anything to her!" replied Lexington, sounding like a wrongly accused child. A sharp elbow jab from Broadway quickly shut him up. Outside on the veranda, Goliath overheard the worries of the younger members and he couldn't quell the knot in his stomach. If he hadn't been so hard on her the night of the heist, then she would still be here. Shaking off his guilt, he turned and walked into the clock tower. The rest of the Clan members quieted down as their straight faced leader entered, curious eyes watched him as he made his way to Lexington's computer.

"Ugh, Goliath?" asked Broadway, rising up from his knelt position by Bronx.

"Lexington, do you believe you can still track Shira with this contraption?" asked Goliath, placing an earpiece in his ear.

"Uh, yeah, I think so, that is if Shira hasn't removed her ear piece yet" said Lexington, stepping forward. As he began to tinker with the computer, the rest of the Clan came around, watching intently over his shoulder. The screen lit up with a grid showing the entire city of New York. As he continued to scan the area, there was no sign of the indicator of Shira's tracker anywhere on the screen. Until, Lexington broadened the search engine, a small red dot appeared on the screen, way out of the city limits.

"It looks like she's somewhere in forests outside the city. It's going to be a bit difficult to lock in on her location from that distance, but not impossible. Here, take this tracking monitor. It works like my computer and should be of better help out there than I could be here." he said, handing Goliath a handheld device that resembled a walkie-talkie only with a screen.

"Very well, I'll need you, Angela to come with me." Brooklyn was about to protest, but Goliath raised a hand to silence him. "Let me explain, Brooklyn. I understand you're eager to come with me. However Angela is the only other female of our clan, and I feel that she may be able to reach out to her better." As both lavender gargoyles, were about to take off, Angela glanced back over her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Brooklyn we'll bring back your girlfriend soon" she said, giggling as his red face, brightened in embarrassment.

*Shira's POV*

As the moon shone brightly in the black-blue sky, Shira sat on the ledge her secret cave, softly stroking the fur of her new friend.

"Well, little guy, if you're going to be stuck with me then we'd better head back, huh?" The little mink squeaked in response. As she stood up, to spread her wings, her ears perked at hearing her name being called from overhead. Looking up, she saw that both Goliath and Angela soared overhead, both with elated expressions on their faces.

"Shira! There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you", exclaimed Angela as she and her father landed next to her.

Shira suddenly felt at odds around them. A sudden nervousness overtook her, as she glanced away from their faces.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We were worried when you didn't come back last night." replied Goliath.

Shira's expression changed into surprise at the huge leader's words. They were worried...about me? "But I ruined the mission, all because of I couldn't control my anger. You all saw what happened"

"Shira, we came to bring you back home. You're a part of the Clan, no matter what happens."

"Yes, Angela is right. You made a mistake and that is a part of learning. I admit was wrong to act the way I did." added Goliath. "I couldn't call myself an honest gargoyle if I were to say that I never made wrong judgments when provoked by anger."

Shira looked at their faces and saw only sincerity. She was about to speak when the little mink wiggled out of her arms, climbed to the top of her head, leaned into Goliath's face, sniffing curiously. Goliath was a little taken back by the little brown face that was inches away from his.

"Uh, I see you've made a friend" he said, taking a step back

"Yeah, I saved him from a hunter's trap this morning and now I guess he's stuck with me."

"He's so adorable" said Angela, giving the small creature a few scratches under its chin, grinning as it purred in pleasure

"So do you wish to return home with us?" asked Goliath, stepping forward

Shira picked the mink from off her head, and contemplated her answer. Sure, I can go back, finish the 'mission' off, and who knows…perhaps I could come back to them' "All right, I'll return with you" she finally responded, grinning at Angela elated face.

"Everyone's going to be pretty excited to see you back home… especially Brooklyn" teased Angela in a sing-song voice, as they took off in the cool night air.

*Demona's POV, in her study*

"What do you mean you were attacked!?" she hissed angrily into the receiver of the telephone.

The muffled responses from the caller only enraged her further causing her eyes to glow red. She testily paced around her desk, tailing twitching in irritation.

"A what, a demon? Listen, you incompetent swine, I don't care if she breathed skin-disolving acid, I needed those supplies here by yesterday." The panicked voice of her caller gave her a little surge of satisfaction. "I don't care about Verin! As far as I'm concerned, that idiot is as useless to me as you are! Get me what I asked for or I will make this the last run you ever do!" she threatened, menacingly.

Slamming the phone on the jack, she growled angrily, glaring at the light of the moon. "Shira, what are you up to?" she whispered, her voice dripping with icy venom.