as when the heart of this flower imagines

the snow carefully everywhere descending; ~ verse 3, lines 3&4, E.E Cummings


Chapter 6 ~ Lay Your Weary Head ~

Scotland, June 23rd, 994

"Those Vikings may return at daybreak, Goliath." Said the Guard Captain. He tried to catch Goliath's eyes. The witching hour was almost upon them, and the night was stunningly beautiful and clear. The human's face was illuminated in the moon's silver light, featured determined and earnest. "I say take all your Gargoyles and make sure they're gone!"

"I agree." Declared Goliath's angel as she stepped up beside him, thumping his shoulder playfully. "Let us go out in force and put an end to these pigs once and for all."

Goliath afforded her a smile, but shook his head. "Too dangerous. I do not want to leave the castle unprotected."

"Their leader, Hakon," the Captain stressed the name with urgency, "he swore he'd be back. It's best to harry them far away now, and not take that chance."

The wisdom was there. Danger lurked from either side of the board. The Castle could not be left unguarded, it went against Goliath's very nature. But this enemy was tenacious and ruthless – Goliath had seen that for himself when they'd fought at the beginning of this very night. "Very well. But I shall do it – I can scare those cowards away without any help!"

"That's too dangerous for you." Said his mate. "Let me come along, at least."

"You and the others will stay with the castle. You are my best warrior, I leave you in command."

Normally, she would relish this opportunity. But tonight there was real fear in her eyes. "No, I cannot let you!"

"I will not go alone." That seemed to be the only assurance that would quieten her. He took hold of her talons in his and met her eyes. After a moment, she nodded and gripped his hand back. That was what he had come to love about her. For though her concern of him might lead to her disagreeing with his judgements now and then, they always stood by each other in the end. Goliath ran his talons through her fiery mane. "Remember, you and I are one. Now and…"

But like always, he couldn't bring himself to say the words. She could, her eyes always prompted him to, but the words always seemed to stick in his throat. It was unfair to her and he felt wretched for holding back for the mate he knew would never come.

He took with him the Clan elder. Though half-blind and old, he was an incredible tracker, and Goliath appreciated someone he could trust and depend on for a different point of view. They had flown south, into the forest following the tracks Hakon's Vikings had left. They'd flown for hours, mostly keeping high so as to be unseen by humans on the ground, only descending now and then so Goliath's mentor could check the tracks. They were very obvious, even if it was mentioned that the tracks were light in the ground for horses supposedly carrying armoured men.

And then, they'd found them… only… it was all wrong.

Goliath and his elder had descended with roars in their throats so loud, the horses had panicked and fled. But they were bare. Only a handful of humans accompanied the horses, leading them on tethers down the path. They were Vikings and carried Hakon's Sigel, but they ran the moment the gargoyles appeared. Goliath watched them scatter, dread swallowing him up.

He turned to his mentor in horror. "They were leading the horses to decoy us from the castle!"

They had tried to run back to the edge of the forest, to wing their way into the open sky. But they'd been gone too long. The sun came early in the summer. And as they cleared the trees, the great orb of light broke through the crust of the horizon. Goliath fought the power that sent him into his stone sleep, but not even his will or might could withstand its power. His muscles froze and stone grew over his skin. Darkness swept in and Goliath was sent into oblivion.


Scotland, June 24th, 994

It was gone… Everything destroyed. Goliath could not turn any way without being confronted by horror after sickening horror. His clan, all of them, some thirty or more members… all now little more than shattered rubble. Tears soaked his cheeks. Even his angel of the night was gone! Oh why hadn't he taken her with him, at least? The guilt threatened to drown him just as surely as the emptiness in his heart threatened to split him asunder.

In a daze, he managed to make it to the courtyard. Fire scalded his tough hide, and the smoke burned his nose. Everything was in ash and ruin. How could it have all gone wrong? Dimly, he was aware of someone approaching him, and then his mentor's voice, calm and soothing, and always ready to give him some sense of direction.

"These bowstrings are cut." He said, and showed Goliath a bow with a snapped string. In daylight, with their ranged weapons unusable, the humans of Castle Wyvern had been lambs ready for slaughter. "There was betrayal here…"

That took a moment for Goliath to process. Betrayal? Someone had done this deliberately? But who? Goliath stared at his murdered family and couldn't believe that there could be any evil in the world strong enough to bring about this.

A door creaked. Goliath and his mentor spun towards the sound, ready for battle. But three youngsters appeared. Tears in their eyes and jaws slack as they stared at the destruction around them. Goliath remembered them. They had misbehaved just before he had left. He had sent them and the clan gargoyle-beast down into the Rookery to watch the eggs as punishment. The magic of the place must have protected them from the carnage.

That knowledge made Goliath stumble towards them, desperate for some hope that more had followed them and survived. "Were anymore down in the Rookery?"

"None…" said the biggest, the others couldn't find words. "It's only us…"

Goliath drooped to the ash-covered floor, head bowed as he allowed the grief to consume him.

"All the humans are gone." Said the Elder. "There're only few bodies. Taken prisoner most likely."

In the midst of his sorrow, pure, unrestrained rage swelled within Goliath's breast. He was a dragon ablaze with the fire around him, fuelled by the stench of ash and betrayal. There had to be some consolation, something to strive towards in the midst of all this destruction. He thought of his mate, her hair like the flames around him, and he knew what she would have wanted.

"Then we will find them. We will save the humans – and we will have our revenge!"


New York City, October 7th, 1994

From the darkness came the need to move, to stretch and break free from the stillness that had caused all of them to grow stiff in their limbs, to escape the confining nothingness. Eyes ablaze, roars in their yawns, each of the Wyvern Clan broke free of their stone casings and greeted the lovely night with their song of wakefulness. Each of them hopped down from their perches, walking the stone parapets that they'd known all their lives. Each twist and turn, each corner, each archway and staircase, they all knew like the backs of their talons. Yet it was the sight beyond their home that reminded them of the world in which they now resided. No longer the highlands of beautiful Scotland. Now, they were met with cold glittering lights and closely packed towers like sentinels warning them against encroaching on that territory which belonged to mankind.

As with the past few nights since the Clan had awoken from their stone sleep, the sprawling city, larger than they could conceive, had never daunted them. But tonight, it did. One glance upwards informed them that the massive shadow of their leader was not present with them. Goliath had not returned from his midnight meeting with that human woman, Elisa Maza. Without Goliath there, the younger members of the Clan wrestled within themselves an overflowing battle of worry and fear. Their leader's strength, the shadow of his wings, was their shield against the anxiety that this new world produced in them. They had never noticed before, for what was there to fear with Goliath to show them the way? But now, with him gone, they were made all too aware.

What was the human saying? One does not appreciate something until it's gone.

"Dunne worry lads," the Clan Elder, who now referred to himself as Hudson, reassured them. "We didn' survive a thousand years o' sleep just to lose him now."

But one of the trio, the red youngster, Brooklyn, couldn't take Hudson's words at face value. His mind was beset with guilt. He should have gone with him! Why didn't he go? Through his small outings into the city with his brothers, Brooklyn had garnered a special appreciation for the marvels this new world offered, yet he was also the best of his Rookery siblings to understand its dangers too. His talons rubbed circles on his shoulder as if he would find a mark he knew wasn't there. Even in the old world, he had been hit the worst by the fears of men. And now in this one, despite Goliath's warnings of remaining hidden, Brooklyn hadn't been able to go completely without notice in a city that supposedly never slept – and humans had already shown him that they still regarded him with trepidation.

He was the most beastly looking of his rookery siblings. It made sense. But that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

Brooklyn decided to leave the parapets and stalk to the kitchens. Maybe Goliath got caught too far from the Castle by the time dawn came, and had had hid himself safely away to await for nightfall? He would give it an hour or two, Brooklyn decided, and then he would go and look for Goliath. He didn't have the faintest notion of where to start. But even heading in the wrong direction was better than sitting on his tail and fretting himself to death.

As he rounded the corner, a shadow materialised in front of him. It took Brooklyn a moment too long to remember his manners and bow his head to Goliath's mate. "Oh, um, Clan Mother, I-I'm sorry, I didn't see you."

"It's alright… Brooklyn, isn't it?" she asked, her voice and her smile gentle. "Something troubles you?"

Brooklyn spread his talons helplessly. "What isn't troubling all of us? Goliath's been gone all day – he could be anywhere, anything could've happened! We should've gone with him!"

"Yes, Brooklyn. But you know Goliath. He would rather take the risk than us." Her gentle smile was stamped out as she turned her eyes away to glare at the shadows. "Even when that foolishness leads to nothing but doom."

Her muttered words were said in anger. There was spite in her tone. Brooklyn was shocked. She was Goliath's mate! The very core of his being recoiled at the idea of a soulmate being so out of touch with its destined partner, that there might be even a hint of this animosity. Ever since he had shed his last juvenile scales and been welcomed into the realm of developing adulthood, Brooklyn had longed for a mate, that special someone to make him whole. He hadn't learned everything about the process – the attack on the castle and the curse had come before his education on the subject could be completed. But it sounded so wonderful, surely even this disagreement was nothing in comparison to the joy at being made whole with the love of another?

Evidently something in his face must've shown, for their fiery haired alpha female gave him a look. "You think I'm wrong?"

"I'm pretty sure Goliath has his reasons for doing things the way he does." Brooklyn said, uncertain whether to speak truthfully or be loyal to his Clan-Leader. "He wants to protect us. It's not his fault if there're some things he can't control."

She seemed to recognise how her dissention was making him uncomfortable, and thankfully soothed her tone. "I know, Brooklyn. I'm not blaming him. But surely you must see that his placidness when it comes to the humans cannot be tolerated when it has already cost us so much."

Had it? Brooklyn's mind spun. Surely the Clan-Mother wasn't implying that Goliath's leadership was the indirect cause of their tragedy? The idea that she could feel such resentment towards her mate made Brooklyn feel wrong, as if someone had rearranged his scales inside out. But he squashed it down, because alarmingly, a small part of him was listening. Waking up to find all those he loved and cherished murdered, his home destroyed, he had needed someone to blame. He'd thought he'd found that, only to be sent a thousand years in time and the ones he could rain his grief upon long dead. Ever since, his heart had been confused. He needed to vent that anger, that depression, yet had no outlet. Suddenly, the Clan-Mother was offering him something for his mind to fix on.

"I… I'm not sure I understand." He said evasively.

"Do not be frightened." She placed a talon on his shoulder. "I want to help you, help all the Gargoyles. Brooklyn, you mentioned the other night that humans attempted to strike you. What did you do to provoke them?"

"I did nothing! They just attacked me!" He hadn't even done anything! Lex was the one who got too close when trying to look at the bike. He'd made the rider crash when he startled him. Brooklyn had only gone to help, and the human's friends had tried to beat his head in with a crowbar!

But instead of admonishing him like he expected, the Clan-Mother nodded. "Exactly. That's what humans are like."

Brooklyn wasn't prepared for the way she made him feel justified. The longer she made him think like this, the more he came to realise how unfair this all was. An image of Goliath's face came to mind, a last defence of his entire life's teachings. "But when the humans get used to us…"

"They were used to us a thousand years ago. Did that stop them from betraying and destroying our kind?"

"I… I don't know…"

Once again, she glared at the shadows of the corridor, her eyes blazing red. "You don't know the depths to which humanity can sink, my young friend. But I do."

"What do you mean?"

"Goliath isn't the only one who has gone to investigate this new world. I have seen it for myself. The soul of humanity remains as it ever was. They cannot share their own homes without fighting. They hold each other's lives completely without worth. They prey on each other with no greater reason than a difference in the pigmentation of their skin." She gave him a significant look. "Do you really think they would accept us with open arms?"

Brooklyn looked at his own talons, and then the floor beneath them. It was so polished he could see his own reflection like it were a mirror. Large beak, uncontrollable white mane of hair, red and hunched over… If humans could find fault in each other over the slightest differences, then what hope did he have? "No…"

"And this is not the worst of it. We must make Goliath see the truth: humanity will never trust or accept us. All of them are our enemies."

"But not all humans are like that." He had to have one hope. "E-Elisa is our friend."

"Brooklyn, we have only known of her three nights. That cannot be enough to judge her character. And look! On her watch Goliath is now missing." She growled furiously. She held both Brooklyn's shoulders in her talons, forcing him to look nowhere but at her. "Only we can protect each other, Brooklyn. We must be united and strong and be willing to deal with the humans as they would deal with us. Goliath thinks we can hide in their midst like mice and hope for their understanding. This is not possible. If you, or any of us, were to reveal our existence to them now, they would shoot us down like dogs."

Her venomous words stung, and Brooklyn had to take a step back to get away from the despair he felt in response. But despite his feelings, he couldn't deny the logic. It just crushed him to think that this new life, only a few nights ago promising a fresh start, now seemed so isolated and miserable.

"Do not despair, my young friend." The Clan-Mother offered him a smile, her wingtip brushing his. "You are not alone. We have each other, we have the clan. Have we any need of anything else?"


Dark had his dreams been of late, that it was rather refreshing to merely be at peace. A warm darkness had enclosed his mind and banished away all the regrets and sorrows that had crowded round inside his head and heart. And as he came round to wake, a gentle pull was calling him back to reality. And then he was shifting beneath his stone skin with a gentle rumble, and not the roar he usually greeted the night with. He could not quite explain why he felt so remarkably at peace. His heart felt somewhat excited, as if he were a hatchling again that had been forced to sleep during the middle of a game and now he needed to return to it before his rookery brothers took advantage of the situation.

Goliath couldn't remember the last time he had slept so peacefully. And it made him suspicious as to why. He had not forgotten himself. He was not home, but in a strange environment and in possible imminent danger. Surely that should arouse a more primal reaction?

But when the last shards of stone skin were flung away and he opened his eyes, Goliath turned immediately towards Elisa. He just knew she was there, without needing to confirm beforehand, as if her mere presence were as obvious to him as the breeze. She was sprawled upon the grass, staring up at him with those wide honeyed eyes. Ah, so now she knew his secret. He'd known it was unavoidable when dawn had ensnared him, but a part of him lamented the security that secret had afforded his clan.

And now, she would bombard him with questions and accusations, he expected. Demands to know–

"Goliath!" Elisa sprang to her feet and came to his side in a flash, checking him all over. "Are you alright?"

He was so stunned by her concern that he could only answer obviously: "Of course."

"That sedative seems to have worn off…"

"Stone-Sleep rejuvenates us." And then he realised that she was here, and took a hard look at her now that she was closer and in the moonlight. The skin beneath her eyes was dark. Her fingers shook slightly. She was exhausted, as if she hadn't slept. When he'd awoken, she'd been right beside him, waiting for him… His breath caught, realisation slow to be believed. "You… You stayed with me throughout the entire day?"

Elisa put her hands in her pockets and looked at the floor with a tiny smile. Was she being bashful? "Yeah, well, someone had to make sure that bastard didn't find you."

She spoke of her enemy trivially, to make light of the situation, but Goliath could not even crack a smile. The significance of what she had done was not lost on him. She could have run, left him when he turned to stone in order to ensure her own safety. Surely, that must've seemed more logical! Instead, Elisa had stayed guard over him, forgoing sleep, even though she must've now gone well over twenty-four hours. She'd risked her life. This Curt Graham had been looking to do her harm for the mere fun of it, for his intended prey had been Goliath. The thought of the man, what Elisa had told him, what he had seen Graham do, it made something inside Goliath feel near violent with fury! And despite the threat, Elisa had still stayed by his side, to make sure Graham hadn't destroyed him when he had been at his most helpless?

"Thank you." He heard himself say quietly, reverently, meaning every word. "It is very possible that you saved my life…"

There was no "possible" about it. She had saved him. There was no reason or gain for her to do so, yet she had done it anyway. Elisa smiled and shrugged, nonchalant. Goliath felt a burst of warmth rush through his chest. Slowly, he extended his hand towards her, not quite certain what it was he offered (or wanted) but was compelled with every fibre of his being to make the gesture. He held it out in the air before her, waiting for her approval. In it he offered true friendship. This woman had impressed him with her acceptance of him and his clan, her willingness to help them when she had no need to, and now she even risked her life for his sake.

A small voice warned that the last time he had considered a human in true friendship, he had been betrayed. But the very heart of him rebelled at the idea, insisting that this was different, she was different!

Elisa hesitated at first, staring from his eyes to his outstretched talons. And then, slowly, she slid her hand into his and his talons enclosed around her. Her skin was as soft as silk, her flesh warm, so small compared to him yet she seemed to fit into his palm perfectly, as if they were cut from the same stone. Goliath could feel her heart pumping through the veins in her hand – or was that his own? Were they beating in sync? There was a glow inside him, a feeling of pride and eagerness, slight jubilation. But wait, no. That wasn't his emotions… they were hers.

"So now we're even." Elisa smiled at him, and Goliath realised belatedly that he'd held onto her hand for too long.

Quickly, he released her. But her emotions did not leave him. If anything, he could read her far more clearly now. Her emotions spoke out to him like a voice through a speaking trumpet. They were separate from his own, he could easily tell the difference between her and himself. But it confused him. Why was this happening?

"I must return," he said when he finally found his voice, "they'll be worried about me."

She smiled, but he sensed that a small part of her was disappointed. "I understand…"

Damn him, why did he feel the urge to do anything to make her not so despondent? Despite the fact that he actually did need to get back in order to not put his poor clan through any more worry, he lingered. "Will you be alright?"

"Hmm?" she mumbled. "Oh, yeah. My car's… somewhere. Don't worry about me, it'll only be a short drive to my apartment. Don't know about you, but I could definitely do with some rest."

Again, she tried to make light of the situation, as if she were unsure of how to deal with his concern. But Goliath could feel how tired she was, her exhaustion bleeding through into him and sucking him of all the rest he thought he'd earned. And she would need to operate one of those vehicles to get herself home. It looked to him as if she could barely keep herself awake whilst standing, let alone drive!

"Come," he steered her arm with his talons so that she would walk in step beside him. "I will take you home."

"What?" Elisa's brows shot almost to her hairline. "Goliath, honestly, that's not necessary! I'll be fine–"

"Please." Was all he said. Elisa didn't put up much of a fight after that.

They made their way towards a structure called Belvedere Castle. It was a shell of a castle built atop a rock formation overlooking a small lake. Yet though it were hollow, Goliath couldn't help but remark that it felt like he was stepping back inside his own world again. Even Elisa smiled and admitted that it was her favourite place in the park. Without even needing to remind himself, Goliath automatically memorised that fact.

The roof of Belvedere Castle provided enough elevation in order to get the pair of them into the air. From there Goliath climbed the updrafts until he was at a comfortable altitude to go as he pleased. He held Elisa in his arms in a manner that seemed almost natural now. Her arms around his neck, his talons cupping her back and under her knees. Elisa didn't even fidget anymore; actually, she began to lean her head on his shoulder as they flew, so at ease her eyes began to droop. Goliath was loath to keep her from rest, but he needed her to direct him towards her home.

It turns out that Elisa's apartment was in a part of the city she called 'Soho', only a short four-mile flight from the park. In fact, they went right past the Eyrie Building on their journey. Goliath felt the urge to turn in, to declare to his clan that he was safe. But he had promised to take Elisa home first. It took everything in him to convince himself that the clan could wait. Ten minutes, that would be all this was.

Elisa's home was right at the very top of an apartment building, conveniently with a large glass window that could open onto the roof. Goliath gently set Elisa down as he landed, and she opened the balcony doors. He could sense her apprehension as she awkwardly gestured for him to enter her home. "Won't you come in?"

Goliath hesitated, once again the call of the clan urging him to flee. But his manners forbade him from refusing such an invitation. He folded his wings tightly around his chest and stepped through. Her home was warm and spacious, the lounge and kitchen area open to each other with no dividing walls. There were only two rooms closed off, the bathroom and Goliath presumed Elisa's personal bed chambers. Her walls were painted a gentle forest green, and she even had a book shelf on one side. Portraits hung on the walls (Goliath had to remind himself they were called FO-TOE-GRAFFS), of the people he assumed were Elisa's family.

"Want something to eat?" her soft voice behind him almost caused him to startle. "I know you said you had to go home, but I don't want no nasty side effects from that sedative."

It would be redundant to inform her again that stone-sleep healed a gargoyle of whatever ailments troubled them the night before. Only the worst of wounds or severe sickness would persist. Elisa didn't need to be told again, she had heard him the first time. She was trying to set aside her own worries whilst also showing him her hospitality as a friend.

Whilst she prepared the food, Goliath browsed her bookshelf. There weren't many titles, the only one of note being a book of poems. Mostly, the shelves were used for storage space. Goliath shook his head; since awakening from his enchanted slumber he had missed the opportunity to read. He moved on to analyse the fo-toe-graffs. One man instantly caught his attention: Derek Maza, Elisa's brother. There was one picture of he and Elisa with three other people in a silver frame. By the process of elimination, Goliath could guess that the older couple were their parents. Elisa had striking similarities to her father, though his hair was mostly grey with age. Her mother was much darker of skin, similar to Derek; a plumper woman with a smile that seemed to hold all the affection of the world. The third figure in the image was younger than both Derek and Elisa, with more of an equal blend of the features of the parents. A younger sister.

"That was taken nearly two months ago." Goliath turned, Elisa stood behind him, two plates in hand. She nodded her head to the frame on the wall. "We were celebrating. Beth, my sister, she got accepted into college."

"You all look very happy."

A rhythmic thrumming interrupted them. Goliath looked down to find a black cat rubbing against his ankle. She purred in great satisfaction, looking up at the gargoyle with large slanted eyes. Uncertain of what to do, Goliath attempted to gently move his foot away. The cat stopped purring immediately and shot him an icy glare. She deliberately followed him and began stroking her cheek on his ankle-spur again.

Elisa chuckled, and Goliath smirked. "It would appear I am held hostage."

"Cagney never likes strangers. You've definitely got some magic about you if you can win her over that quick." Elisa said, passing him a plate of food.

"Or perhaps your cat is a good judge of character."

They sat on the couch and ate in comfortable silence. Goliath could feel the content inside of Elisa and had to admit that he did feel at peace as well. When was the last time he had just sat down and enjoyed a simple meal? Bacon, eggs and toasted bread. Elisa also fetched a small fruit bowl. Goliath had a portion almost three times the size of hers, as if she had guessed of the ferocious appetite of gargoyles.

"Hope you liked the food," Elisa said when they were almost finished. "You ate me nearly out of house and home."

The gargoyle-warrior nearly dropped his fork in his effort to amend such an offence. "Elisa, I am sorry! You shouldn't have–" He saw her biting her lip to hide a smile at the same time as he felt her amusement, and his alarm died. "You shouldn't have gone through the trouble just for me," he said.

"It's alright. I needed to see my grocer tomorrow anyway. Check up on him, you know."

Goliath quirked a brow. "Do you see it as your obligation to protect everyone you meet?"

"That's my responsibility," Elisa gave him a level look, and just like under the bridge in the park, Goliath felt this resonance between them, this shared duty speaking across all differences between them. "To defend my community."

"You feel worried for him. Why?"

"He's been robbed three times in the past month." She muttered bitterly, her fork playing with her food. "He's a small shop and too far from any authority to offer much protection. The vultures are relentless."

"Then why does this man keep his shop open?" Goliath was genuinely confused. Surely self-preservation, or the safety of this man's family was more important than whatever wealth could be garnered from a shop? "He could be robbed again. Why does he not just leave?"

Elisa's smile was tired and sad. "This is a dying neighbourhood, Goliath. Big markets won't even come here. If he closes his store, people will have no place to buy food. That's more important to him than hiding in his own little castle."

"His… community needs him." Slowly, the man's actions didn't seem so selfish. A greater picture, a greater understanding of the word 'community' was making itself known to him.

Elisa nodded. "To survive."

Cagney jumped onto the couch to lay down and stretch out between them. Elisa automatically stroked the cat's dark fur. As she did, a yawn grew and then slowly overtook her. Goliath could feel the ache in her bones, the heavy weight upon her energy. He gently leaned across to take her plate from her and set on the side table. "You need rest, Elisa."

"Hmmm?" She could barely keep her eyes open. "No-no, I'm okay. Just give me a minute. We've gotta go get Dracon. Remember?"

Yes. That had been their plan the previous evening before it had been waylaid by the fiend, Graham. In all honesty, considering the connection between Graham and this Tony Drakon, and how both men had caused Elisa personal misery, even in some indirect form, Goliath had to admit to feeling anxious over letting them get near her. They had only known each other a short while, and yet he couldn't bare the thought of seeing her come to harm. The memory of seeing Elisa on the ground, beaten and with a gun pressed to her head… Something icy held on to Goliath's soul, every fibre of his being screaming at him to 'save her, save her now!' Yet Goliath also knew that it would be a great injustice to her to try and keep her from this.

"We will do, Elisa," Goliath said. "But you need rest, and I must speak with my clan. Do not worry, I will come for you, and we will go together. As partners."

With a sigh, Elisa nodded. There was no point in delaying any longer. There was business to attend to, and Goliath had managed to keep himself away from the tower for almost an hour! He stood and swiftly made for the balcony door.

"Hey, Goliath." He stood with one foot in and one already out. The shadows of the night sky calling to submerge him into the darkness just as easily as it was new for her living room filled with warmth and light to beckon him back in. Elisa was reclined on her couch, and though her smile was easy, neutral, Goliath could feel her tentative excitement. "See you tomorrow night?"

He left her with a smile and a nod. "I wouldn't miss it."

The moment he left her side, was truly alone with nothing but the sky for company, Goliath felt an old and familiar ache rear up again inside him. That emptiness he couldn't be rid of slammed into him with such force that he almost felt bereaved. He hadn't even known it was gone until it came back to him all at once. He did not know what power the human commanded over him in order to make him forget himself and his problems for just a short while. Was it a result of her easy company? Or did have something to do with his ability to sense her? Was it because all of his focus was so much on her, he didn't give his own situation much thought?

Speaking of his ability to feel her, Goliath was quite alarmed to realise that he could still sense Elisa's emotions. Even as the distance between them grew, he was still aware of her exhaustion, her happiness at their developed friendship. It wasn't as prominent like when in her presence, it was now background noise in his mind he could ignore if he so chose. But the fact that it was there at all startled Goliath greatly.

So focused was he on this conundrum, that as he approached the Eyrie Building, Goliath failed to notice that he was being watched.

A sting of metal around his ankle, a hard tug, and then Goliath felt himself be jerked out of the sky. With a cry, he tried to right himself, his wings straining to catch the wind and try to keep him in the air. He looked down, and found a thick cable lassoed onto his ankle the end attached to a large vehicle that was trying to pull him down. Behind it was a trailer, the roof of it open, the inside gleaming with shackles awaiting their prey. Out of the side of the car, a human leaned out. Male, dark hair hinting at grey, square jaw with a distinct crooked jaw.

Curt Graham.

Goliath's eyes blazed white. "You!"

"Thought you could run huh, big boy?" he taunted loudly. "Now that's rude! You got an appointment to keep, and I say it's time to get you gone!" In the car, Graham flicked a switch, and the cable that was hooked onto the front of his vehicle began to wind in, dragging Goliath down like a fish on a line.

Goliath immediately reached for the cable, taking it in his talons to wrench it apart. Before he could do so, Graham reached for a gun at his belt and aimed. Folding his wings, Goliath dived, barely managing to avoid the darts that came whizzing past him. Unfortunately, with no resistance, the cable ate up the slack and reeled him in closer to the truck.

"Got no baby-Maza to save you now!" Graham crowed. "Fine by me, that bitch is rough."

Pulling against the cabal with all his strength, Goliath heaved until the car began to move towards him. Graham grit his teeth and pressed a foot on a pedal, making the tires spin as it fought against the gargoyle. It was a battle of wills. Goliath strained so hard the engine made dreadful noises. And then, all at once, he launched himself straight at the vehicle. Propelled by his own power and the pull of the cabal, Goliath's shoulder collided with the front of the vehicle so hard the metal crumpled around him as if it were made of nothing but parchment. Glass shattered, a horrendous stench of fumes assaulted Goliath's nose. The engine whirred and then died.

Slowly, Goliath straightened, teeth grit against the ache in his shoulder from the collision. He searched for his prey. Graham had been thrown from the vehicle in the crash, and now he lay sprawled on the road, dazed. His gun lay directly between them.

Graham seemed to realise it the same moment Goliath did. The human scrambled to snatch up his weapon, but the gargoyle was quicker. A huge clawed foot stamped onto the gun, metal and plastic grinding into broken pieces in the asphalt. Graham slowly looked up at Goliath, who loomed over him, fangs bared and eyes glowing white.

"Never speak of Elisa in that way again." He growled. He stretched his talons towards the man's neck and –

"Goliath!"

He looked up. Two figures were descending from the sky. Hudson and Broadway. They landed on either side of him, their faces contorted with worry. "Where ye bin, lad?" asked the older gargoyle. "When ye dinnae come home last night…"

"I was kept away by this–" Goliath gestured to Graham, but the human had vanished.

"What?" Broadway asked, eyes wide and peering into the darkness to try and spot what his leader seemed fixated on. "What is it, Goliath?"

Goliath's answer was low and rumbling. "It appears we have enemies."


He gathered the whole clan at the top of his tower. Once there, he explained to them all what he and Elisa had found so far and what had happened to keep him away for so long until now. It was disheartening. After a thousand years they were still not safe. Goliath could feel his mate bristling with anger at his side. He put his talons on her shoulder, to still her as well as to be comforted by her presence. However, he found himself ill at ease.

"So, what are we to do now, lad?" Hudson asked when the story was done. He leant against the parapet, stroking his talons through his beard in thought.

Goliath's fiery haired mate scoffed. "To do? Isn't it obvious? The humans persecute us, even when we have done them no wrong."

"I agree." Brooklyn murmured. "The way they treat us isn't right, Goliath."

"Yes, Brooklyn, I know that," Goliath said evenly. "And we will defend ourselves and our home as is necessary–"

"I say we strike first." Goliath whirled on the female at his side. What was she doing? They had to be a united front. That was the reason for having a Clan-Leader and a Clan-Mother. They couldn't divide the clan! But his mate ignored him, flaring her wings in eagerness as she turned to each of the others one by one. "We find our enemies where they nest and purge them from our lives."

"But…" Lexington hesitated when his Clan-Mother turned her cold gaze on him. "Um, we don't know where they are. We could kill people who've done nothing to us."

"There is no such thing as an innocent human, young one. Best you learn that now." The Clan-Mother patted Lexington's head. He, being hunched on the floor, barely reached the height of her hip. She knew that, and hummed critically. "Even a human could overpower one as meek as you. You need to strike first, or you won't strike at all."

Lexington flinched back from her as if her words had been a physical blow. Broadway took a step closer to his rookery brother, torn between his need to comfort and protect, and his instinct to not interfere with the authority of the Clan-Mother. Brooklyn as well looked as if he wanted to step in, but refrained.

Goliath had had enough. He took hold of his mate's arm and led her a few steps away from the others. His great black wings stretched to form a barrier between them and the clan, for some semblance of privacy. In a whispered hiss, Goliath said, "What are you doing? Why do you goad them like this?"

"I'm teaching them to find their resolve." She said. "If we are successful, then our hunters won't cause us more trouble later."

"No!" Goliath shook his head, aghast. "To kill in the heat of battle is one thing. But we will not resort to murder."

His mate narrowed her eyes at him, and for a striking moment, Goliath barely recognised her. It were as if she were condemning him through ancient eyes. "The centuries have made you weak, Goliath."

She turned from him, shoving aside his wing and storming to the other side of the tower. It was a declaration, a power play. Publicly showing her disapproval of his leadership. Goliath was left adrift and uncertain of which direction to make for shore. Since when were they ever so far removed from each other that they would abandon this bond between them?

"So, Goliath," Broadway's soft voice brought him back to focus. "What do we do now? How're we gonna keep ourselves safe? We don't even know who these guys are."

"Elisa and I are on their trail. And when we find these men that hunt us, we shall stand together, as a clan," he made a pointed look at his angel of the night, "and defeat our enemy together."

"But Goliath," said Brooklyn, "what do we do in the meantime?"

"Perhaps your human friend can help you decide that, Goliath." Sneered the Clan-Mother.

"Is there a problem, my angel?" never before had he said the words so frostily.

All at once she abandoned her place and moved across the tower to him, her eyes filled with agitated concern. "We do not know this human. You fail to return to us by dawn, and when you do come back, you bring tales of the dangers you have encountered thanks to her."

"Elisa Maza is a friend." Goliath tried to sooth, taking hold of her talons in his.

But she shook him off. "Aside from Xanatos, we have no human friends. Nor should we. Humanity is our enemy, Goliath. I thought you learned that a millennium ago."

"I cannot make war upon an entire world! Doesn't the likes of Xanatos and Elisa prove that there are good humans as well as bad?"

"Can you forgive the humans for what they did to our kind?" she pressed, fangs bared.

Goliath could hear great pain in her voice, and so tried to gently explain. "The ones responsible for that have been dead for a thousand years."

"Then their descendants shall pay!" she exclaimed, wings spread wide, talons clenched into fists. "I will have blood for blood!"

He stood there, silenced by her hate. This was not what he had been expecting when he had reunited with her. They were meant to stand by each other, dispel the other's loneliness and help each other, not quarrel like this. "You said the centuries have changed me… they've changed you too. You've become hard, unforgiving." And the truth hurt him. "You're not as I remember you."

She was unable to respond at first. With some effort, she calmed, and tried to reach for him. "Goliath, forgive me. A thousand years filled with nightmares of that night… I only want to protect us–"

"As do I." It was his turn to brush her aside. "I do not want to hear any more of the subject."

He stalked away towards the tower steps, declaring the meeting adjourned. The library called to him. A good book would help him to lose his anxieties, help him to clear his head. Almost as if it sought out the calmest refuge in this storm, his mind immediately went to his link to Elisa. Her calm serenity flowed into him, immediately setting him at ease. She was asleep, peaceful; Goliath let her emotions feed into him and felt the world set itself to rights again.

Behind him, he almost didn't hear his mate sigh resignedly under her breath. "So be it."