Spoiler Alert!
It goes without saying that I don't own rights to either YuGiOh! or the animated series "Gargoyles".
Halloween 2021 FanFic Yu-Gi-Oh! X Gargoyles
When a Gargoyle Falls
Chapter 12:
Enamel (from Black Butler)
Sapphire glanced up from the paperwork as his pen came to a stop when the double doors of his office blasted open. "I wondered were you had run off to." His attention would have returned back to the papers before him if not for the feral sounding cry coming from between his lips; it was not one of sadness but one of absolute fury. "You were the one who decided to attack that shopping center in the middle of Time Square, at least tell me it was worth my while of covering the repairs-"
"My personal reasons are none of your concern!" Her claws lashed out, raking across several bookcases that were forced to spill their contents when faced with her wrath. She was not easily satisfied though. This wasn't near enough to what she had planned. "I'm going to wring that wretched sorcerer's neck!"
"The very same who taught you how to use the book you claim to be a magical tome? I highly doubt that."
Her palms met the surface of his desk so forcibly that he thought for a moment it would snap clean in half. "You don't understand! That man is not what he appears!"
He raised a hand when she dropped into an ancient dialect he could not understand. "Calm yourself, harpy, and speak English. You change languages when you're riled up."
Though she was tempted to show him exactly what she looked like when referenced as such but she stifled it with a deep inhale. The lashing of her tail that was in time with the hammering of her angered heart slowed back to a calm pace so that none of his so called priceless decorations would be harmed farther. Although it would still take someone time to clean up all the feathers she had shed already. She was one of the few in the clan who had bird like aspects; her wings weren't stretched skin but instead covered in near blade-sharp feathers that could slice through wood if she chose to, her feet with razor sharp talons longer than a man's finger, shapely legs and torso that would make any female jealous, luscious golden hair that was just a bit curly on the ends that prevented it from getting in the way of her long slender tail that ended in a bouquet of brightly colored feathers. A fine example of the perfect union between power and beauty, in her opinion.
"Better. Now tell me about this individual."
Though he sounded bored and uninterested, she was sure that even this cold stoic human would be sitting on the edge of his seat once her tale was told. "I know the perfect place to start."
. . . .
The indigo clan leader used his tail to ensure that she had a firm hold upon the domed ceiling, her still developing claws finding it difficult to pierce the stone but the support of his tail was enough to hold her steady until the possible threat passed. A growl rumbled within his throat as he caught sight of the shadow which had been following them for some time came to a halt below them.
"I know you are out there! Cease this cowardly charade and come out to face me now or else I shall strike you down!"
He waited until she had found a firm enough hold then dropped down like a boulder before the lone human man, unleashing a deep throated growl of warning as white fangs peeked out from between his lips. "You have no business here, human, leave now with your life!"
"Why would I do such a thing when we were just getting started?" The snap of his fingers caused a sea of torches to be lit, exposing not just a seemingly endless sea of soldiers but also the other gargoyles who had been with their scouting party. Mauve eyes met smokey gray as her grip slipped, causing her to fall backwards and lash out blindly when the man's hands snatched her out of the air. "What have we here? Feisty one you are, desert rose." Tears filled her eyes as his hand grabbed a fistful of her hair and used it to force her to kneel. "Tell your clan to stand down and the young one here shall walk free!" The gargoyles one by one landed heavily upon the sandstone and quickly gathered behind their leader when she gave a shrill cry; each were different in base color, ranging in different sizes and animal-like components but one who held her hostage was trembling as the indigo hued Minotaur gargoyle moved to face him. "Yes, just as I suspected, it was you monsters who were responsible for the desecration of my father's tomb!"
"No, you're wrong! It wasn't us!" She released a shrill shriek, writhing as his grip intensified while accusing her of lying and earning the snarls from several of her fellow gargoyles. "Bandits! There were bandits within the tomb and we drove them out but not before they made off with some of the treasures you had buried within it!"
"You spout nothing but false words!"
The clan leader shook the earth beneath their feet with his beastly roar, demanding silence as all who were present began to bicker. "From the mouth of the young, do not dismiss so quickly the truth!"
"Father, what are you doing?! Do not harm her!" Through the crowd of soldiers rose a voice as they parted like clouds in the sky allowing a much smaller figure to sprint through and come to a stop before her. Platinum white hair, onyx hued eyes, dark tanned skin shinning healthily in the torchlight as he placed his much smaller hands upon those that were holding her. "Release her this instant! This is not her fault and the other gargoyles are innocent! What they speak is the truth!"
A violet hued youngling stepped out of the shadow from the large clan leader, amethyst eyes wide. "The prince? You have been meeting with the prince of Egypt?" His gaze rose to the gargoyle when asked how he had come to know. "I was curious and followed her some time ago when she left the Rookery, leader, and found that she was meeting with the Pharaoh's son, the prince."
Anger and embarrassment filled her. How had she not noticed he had been following her?! "You little snitch! How dare you follow me when it was none of your business!"
"I was concerned about the safety of the clan," he said softy, bowing his head. "I meant no harm-"
"It was my fault, father, do not punish them for crimes they did not commit!" All eyes fell upon the prince when he fell to his knees after unsuccessfully freeing her from the hands of his father. "I came here to bid farewell to grandfather one last time and the bandits attacked me! If not for her, the rose hued gargoyle, I surely would have joined him within the nether world!"
The Pharaoh's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He too had been aware of his son's late night escapades out of the palace's protective walls but if this was the story the prince was set on telling then the truth would eventually come to light. "Female," he shook her roughly, "is what he speak true?"
Mauve met onyx, as if searching for an answer within their unreadable depths, then nodded. So the prince wanted to keep his sorcery practices a secret? It was not her place to speak of it. "I did what I could to not damage the tomb, you have my vow, but things got hectic! I apologize for the state I left it in!"
"Do you beg forgiveness from the pharaoh?"
A collective hiss rose from the gargoyles, save for the young violet and head indigo. This situation was on the road to her release so long as no one intervened or agitated the pharaoh farther. The entire clan though was familiar with the rose hued harpy-like gargoyle's temper and waited with bated breath to see what her response would be.
"I…" Her gaze never wavered from the prince's as her head lowered when his did. "…please forgive me, mighty Pharaoh, spare my life as I have spared your son's."
The platinum haired prince hurried to catch her when the hands vanished, his arms wrapping around her shoulders to prevent the man from grasping hold of her again. Onyx rose to meet the clay colored gaze of his sire. Before his lips could part to thank him, the boy found those of his father rising into a smirk as he walked around them to face the small gathering of gargoyles.
"Quite the excitement, wouldn't you agree? No harm, no foul, yes?" He came to a stop in front of the clan leader. "Instead of remaining within the dusty tombs of our dead, why not come join us within the palace? I am sure that it would be more comfortable and preferable for your elderly if they did not have to worry about crumbling cliffs." A hand rose when the Minotaur began to object. "I'm afraid I must insist. After all, your Rookery has already been relocated to the wing where the nursery of my own offspring once resided."
The bright golden gaze of the clan leader flashed in warning. Their females were extremely protective of the place where all eggs were laid, there was little chance that the human male was telling the truth, but in the off chance that he was the leader had to make certain. "That must have been some feat."
"What are you doing all the way over there?" Onyx and amethyst met. "You'll need to help her, she's too heavy for me to carry." It was only when his leader gave a curt nod did the violet gargoyle approach the pair, becoming a stiff board as the rosy female threw her arms around his neck. Those who bore witness couldn't help but chuckle at the awkward young male's display. All grew serious though when the prince suddenly took hold of the gargoyle female and pulled her away. "Never mind. I'll do it myself." One of her arms was slung over his shoulder, despite her protests that she could walk on her own, and silenced her with a pointed look as within the nearby torchlight he exposed that her right wing was growing red with agitation from being pinned by the pharaoh's hand. "You were injured by my own father's hand, this I will not ignore." His gaze rose to meet amethyst. "Coming after your precious female or are you going to remain here within the darkness?" He blinked when the young gargoyle hesitated. "Make up your mind already, Yami, I haven't got all night!" The prince's head tilted in the direction of the can leader. "What say you, Mahad?"
. . . .
"So you're saying that your clan were not the original dwellers of the palace?"
She shook her head, crossing both arms over her chest. "Of course not. Why would we waste precious clan members in building something when nature has already provided us with enough?"
Sapphire narrowed. "And yet you still remained within the palace."
"I haven't gotten to that part yet."
"Otherwise you would not have attacked me within the palace ruins." He rose to stand, leaning against the desk. "You said that you had been left behind, that the sorcerer had refused to turn you to stone as well. I want to know what you must have done to pass the time." Kaiba narrowed his gaze. The prince had named two complete strangers without knowing them yet he had left the lone female before him nameless? This brat was starting to sound suspicious already.
Her upper lip rose in a snarl. "I bet you would but that is a secret between myself and the golden sands of my homeland. What about you? Why did you have the interest to cross the desert in search of the ancient palace?" Silence fell for a full minute as neither looked away from the other, an unspoken challenge for the other to spill a truth that neither was about to back down from. Non-verbal truce was made as they nodded in unison. "What the pharaoh spoke of was true. While the leader had been away with the search party looking for me, the Rookery had been relocated within the palace. It wasn't long until we realized why they had taken motion to move us somewhere else."
. . . .
"I can't apologize enough for my father's rude behavior," the prince sighed, carefully removing the bandages he himself had placed upon her several nights ago. "I should have expected that kind of behavior from him." Their heads snapped upward as a shriek filled the night air, his onyx eyes widening. "That was Teanna!"
She had heard him speak often about the sibling he called sister and was quick to slip free of his grasp with a feral roar. Though she was young, her instincts were just as developed as any full blooded gargoyle's; the prince had become someone close to her in the short time they had spent together and now that they were capable of seeing each other more often that bond was beginning to grow. Anyone he cared for now became important to her. It didn't take her long to find the princess in question however she was not prepared for the sight that was awaiting her.
At least five poorly dressed human males were towering over a cowering child a few years younger than the prince but it was the one who was standing between the crying girl and the enemies that made the rose hued youngling's jaw drop. A familiar violet hued gargoyle was down on all fours, fangs bared and tail lashing the air as crimson eyes dared any to come nearer. His wings were unfurled fully, casting the princess within their shadows as he arched his back when one of the males inched closer. She leapt into action when from his blind spot made to attack him, the tip of the spear catching the nearby torchlight as it began its descent towards his shoulder, and buried her fangs within the wielder's hand with a shriek. The battle that ensued was brief and both gargoyles roared with victory as the male humans whimpered like dogs as they disappeared from sight nursing their wounds.
It was then that they caught sight of the still cowering child behind them. The girl was weeping large tears, her wide azure eyes full of fear as they asked if she was alright. "M-m-monsters!"
"Sister, they are not monsters!" The prince appeared between them.
"Bakura!" She threw herself weeping into his awaiting arms, soothing her with soft spoken words for several seconds than pulling away to turn her around so she could face them. "W-what are you doing, brother?! They will tear me to shreds just like they did with those intruders!"
Her violet comrade quickly lathed onto her arm when she made to retaliate. "Do not insult us, brat, I would never harm Bakura's own sister!"
The platinum haired prince nodded. "Isn't that right, Yami? You would never lay a single claw upon my precious sister's head, yes?"
Amethyst blinked. "Of course," his head bowed deeply, "our leader has spoken to me of how we should do our upmost to protect the humans residing within the palace. Bandits have been attacking the desert tombs but they have also been targeting the royals. If we protect them, then the Pharaoh will allow us to reside here."
"This is news to me," she huffed, shrugging his hand off. "Why am I just hearing of this now?"
"Uh…well…"
Anger filled her, allowing her to forget the two royal siblings. "Is it because you have been hiding within our leader's shadow? What are you trying to do, gain favoritism? You are absolutely pathetic! As if a whimpering, timid little coward like you should be next leader! Don't make me laugh!"
"You are much too harsh." Bakura intervened, his onyx eyes locking upon amethyst. "He has proven loyal, courageous enough to face the odds stacked against him, and the ferocity of his battle skills are to be admired. You have my thanks for protecting my sister, Yami, I will be sure to inform my father of your actions."
"I wish you to not."
The prince's brows rose. "Pardon?"
"I do not wish for unwanted attention or, as my sister at arms has put it, favoritism." The violet gargoyle shook his head. "Your thanks is all that I shall accept."
"Quite humble, I see. Very well. I shall not breathe a word of this to the pharaoh." He turned his gaze to the rosy gargoyle. "What he says it true, I'm afraid, the bandits and neighboring countries have begun unleashing attacks upon our palace as of late. Our father suspects that a large scale invasion may be in the future."
Her mauve gaze rose to the ceiling as a bit of stone fell at their feet, spotting the clan leader watching them with great interest, but remained silent when he gave a slight shook of his head; he did not want the others to know that he was there. Who was she to question the mighty Minotaur gargoyle? She shifted her gaze down to the princess when she gave her comrade a scowl. "Watch yourself, your highness, you do not wish to test me." A blush filled her cheeks when the two males turned their full attention to her, their conversation fading to silence. "Don't look at me like that when she was glaring daggers at the one who saved her life!"
"She is right." Bakura shifted his younger sister closer to the violet gargoyle whose head tilted in confusion. "Apologize, sister, or I shall have him be your personal gargoyle bodyguard."
Possession suddenly filled her chest, causing her to instantly appear between the female child and her comrade. "Over my dead body!" A hiss rose up her throat, catching all off guard judging from the wide eyed stares she received. If he truly was supposed to be the next leader of their clan, she had to make sure that he would mature to the appropriate age. Their current leader had already discussed with her how she would be the mate of whoever took his place, at first disappointing her when the choice was not going to be her own, but she had yet to develop any sort of connection with any of the other younglings. The only one she had felt attachment for that felt stronger than those she had with the rest of her clan members was the violet one before her. And there was no way she was going to allow him to spend more time with any other female than herself.
Yami stiffened as her arm snaked around his own. Females in general made him uncomfortable, what with their near suffocating pheromones and unpredictable mood swings, but the rose hued gargoyle was one of the most temperamental of the clan. "I-I am sure they only jest."
"Even so, they should not speak as if you are some measly canine who followed its master's every order."
Onyx widened for a moment, allowing his grip upon his sister's shoulders to lesson enough that she slipped free of him to hide behind his being. "Forgive me, friend, I was not aware that you were paired with another."
"It is not as you assume!" Violet cheeks tinted dark with a burning blush as he slipped of her hold, retreating several steps so as to not be within her range in case she tried to grab hold of him again. "I am still yet too young to be paired with a mate."
"You do not have the choice?"
A glance upwards for curiosity sake confirmed that the leader was still present but she quickly made space for him as he revealed himself to stand beside the violet gargoyle. "For the good and future of the clan, many mates are chosen by the myself or those within the clan's leader position. Of course we take their opinions into consideration, but ultimately the future of the gargoyles to come must be taken into consideration. " His hand rested upon Yami's shoulder. "This one has some growth to undergo but the female here seems to be nearing the time where she will be of egg bearing age."
Her suspicions were all but confirmed as his gaze darted between herself and the violet gargoyle. As he said, it would take some time for the young male to reach maturity yet, but she would honestly prefer pairing with him than any of the other males. They often salivated after her like a piece of meat but this violet male had treated her as if she were any normal member of their clan. He was different in that aspect but he was also probably the most strategic. There had been plenty of times where she would casually watch the male gargoyles spar for sport and there were too many times to count where the young one had come out on top of those with battle experience. Even some of the elders were left in awe of his instincts and skills, which was definitely not an easy feat. Her earlier spoken words came back to haunt her ears as she regarded the violet gargoyle. Perhaps she had spoken too hastily.
"I am curious to know of which of the males your mate will be."
"As if we need anymore monsters running around!"
. . . .
Kaiba folded his hands. "Am I to assume that during the passage of time, you grew to care more for the current clan leader? How boring." He found himself pinned against the back of his chair that he had migrated to during her tale, one of her hands grasping his shoulder while the other upon the flesh of his thigh as the rest of her hovered above him.
"He grew into a being every female of our clan admired. He became stoic, brave, powerful beyond even the indigo leader before him, had even led the humans to victory against many oppressors who invaded the sands of our homeland. If not for he, the clan and the royals would have perished long before this era so you shall respect him while in my presence if you wish to see the light of tomorrow." She growled lowly, accentuating her warning with brief squeezes before retreating to perch upon the desk. "I was ecstatic to find out that we were to be mated but he was not. It was within his eyes as the clan leader announced us to the rest of our friends, the light within them growing dimmer as the night wore on. He did not want me but he was an honorable gargoyle who would fulfill his duties to the clan."
"You still have yet to answer the question of the book or the sorcerer."
Mauve darkened. "It was about that time that things were beginning to get complicated. The twisted merchant had just been thrown into the dungeons to rot when I was out patrolling that very night."
. . . .
"There you are, I have been looking all over for you." The prince impatiently gestured her closer as she landed, opening the large heavy door that led downward into the ground. "Hurry, hurry, I have someone to introduce you to!"
"Bakura, that leads-" Her words were cutoff by a hand grasping her own, nearly causing her to stumble from the strength he put behind his tug as they slipped down the stone staircase. How could the young child she had met all those years ago be so strong now? She had developed into a full fledged female gargoyle with a shapely figure that many a muse pursued her for in their art along with the displeasure from the other females of her clan, and the humans, who stared with green eyes jealously whenever she passed. If that wasn't enough, the pheromones that she naturally gave off were not only attracting the males of her clan but those of the humans as well. The attention was often ignores, since she had been announced as the chosen mate to the next clan leader who was the violet gargoyle, but that did not mean she didn't relish in the flattery that was given. "Tell me, where are you taking me?"
His excitement filled gaze met her own from over his shoulder. Prince Bakura had grown into a handsome human male, according to the gossip she'd overheard from the women of the palace, but perhaps of their species differently she honestly didn't understand what they saw. He would always be the young child she would secretly meet within the dark of night to satisfy the other's curiosity. "Someone who has been teaching me magic!"
Alarm filled her. "Why would you be involved with something like that? Haven't you learned enough about waging wars and the death they bring?! The magical arts are too dangerous!"
"My teacher has been wanting to meet you for a very long time," he insisted, tightening his hold when she made to break it, "please at least come introduce yourself to him." Heat dusted her cheeks as his hand rose to toy with a few strands of her golden hair. No male, including her declared mate, has ever physically touched her before so such a motion was causing her heart to hammer wildly within her chest. "Please? For me?"
She shrugged off his hand, attempting to hide the burning of her face. "F-fine, fine, just so long as I can return to my duties before someone finds out that I bailed."
"I wouldn't dream of getting you into trouble!" His arm snaked around her waist, the warmth of his skin seeping into her own the longer it lingered.
It was quickly forgotten though as they came to a stop in front of one of the largest and most hidden cells, her feathers standing upright as a pair of malicious red eyes stared at her from deep within its confines. A breath colder than death itself wafted her as the sound of chains rattling filled the air, her back step of retreat impeded by the prince's own hand as he pulled her closer to the bars. "So, we meet at last," a voice so beat-like it was difficult for her to understand the words being spoken ground against her being, "I bid you welcome."
"Master, is she not as beautiful as I claimed?"
Her gaze locked upon the prince but then returned to the hidden being as it released a sigh. "A fine specimen indeed, my young apprentice, it is clear to me now of why this female has earned your heart."
"What does he mean by that?" She snapped, moving to shoot a glare at the prince when what she could only describe as a tentacle lashed out from between the thick iron bars to wrap around her so tightly that her exclamation of alarm was cutoff by the exhale of pain that slipped up her throat.
"Such beauty within a beast," it growled, moving her closer to the cage's door then released her. "Yes, what a splendid female indeed. Your offspring are sure to be powerful, but I can make them the strongest your clan has ever seen."
Her eyes widened. If she were to birth the next generation of gargoyles and they turned out to be the best warriors that even their clan leader's time then she could possibly ensure the future of the clan single handedly! "You have been teaching the prince sorcery, correct? Is that what you are referring to?"
"Indeed."
Gargoyle pride was not easily bent, especially her own, but her head bowed lowly until it reached the stone floor. "Then I beg you take me on as your pupil as well."
"My lessons shall come at a price, female, they are not for charity."
"Then why don't' I teach you in turn of all there is to learn of my race?" She crossed her arms, smirking with victory as whatever was within the cell tossed an ancient book at her feet. Looks like the deal had been made.
It did not take long for her to catch up to the prince, only two nights in fact, but she had taken the liberty of digging farther into the book than he dared. One of the spells she had found was capable of turning humans into gargoyles and vice versa. If the royal family were turned into the same race as her clan, then perhaps their home would no longer be under threat of bandits or outsiders. However she had not been prepared for the mastery he showcased whenever he was in battle. The soldiers soon grew to fear the future keeper of the throne for his animosity rivaled that of the gargoyle clan they had come to depend on. Several years have passed, according to the calendar the humans used, yet it was with each passing day that she noticed the boy now man grow darker in personality and mind. Of course she was worried for her friend and fellow sorcerer but it was not her place to intervene in what could be his destiny.
The day that she was supposed to be finally alone with her designated mate came before she was fully prepared. Her lack of experience was making her a nervous wreck, despite the other female's assuring her that she would soon find that instinct would guide the way, the rose hued gargoyle was still not without uncertainty. It was the night before that she finally confided within her closest friend of her woes, though she had been sure he too would simply laugh and ridicule her, but so surprised was she when he instead offered his body to her.
"You are truly insane, Bakura, why would you do something like this?!" She shielded her gaze from his form as he shed every last article of clothing, including his signature red and white coat.
"Pipe down already before the guards hear your screech. This will benefit the both of us, I assure you; you need to acquaint yourself with the male physiology while I need to better familiarize myself with the female anatomy if I am to bear the next in line for the throne."
Behind her closed eyes flashed the faces of her clan members each bearing an expression of hope as they wished her a happy life together with her mate as hands began to remove the fitted tunic she wore. Curiosity or dual beneficiary gains be damned, she would not betray her own mate and clan! She hissed while slipping from his hold and rose to the ceiling where she would be safe from his reach. That's what she thought at least. A shrill shriek slipped up her throat as familiar black tentacles lashed out from the cell to pin her to the stone cold floor. "Unhand me! Why are you doing this?!"
"Who better to sire the next generation of gargoyles that a fellow sorcerer?"
Panic filled her as the one she called friend stalked towards her like a predator, a hunger within his eyes that she'd never seen unless with a hunting party, and flinched as he reached for her tunic once more.
He fell back just short of reaching her though from the deafening roar that filled the dungeons, her eyes tearing with relief when the indigo clan leader appeared from around the corner. All it took was one second and the prince had been sent flying against one of the walls with such force that he was buried within rubble while claws tore the tentacles holding her. "Leave!"
"I'm sorry, leader, I never thought-"
"I said leave! That's an order!' He roared, eyes flashing brightly as the tentacles instead hurried to wrap around his own being.
Horror filled her as the mighty leader of the clan was overpowered and disappeared within the darkness of the cell with a roar that was overtaken by malicious laughter. "Finally!" Mauve shifted to lock upon onyx as Bakura appeared from the rubble without a single scratch. "At last, my wish shall be fulfilled!"
"What have you done?!" Pain seared within her face as his hand lashed out, grabbing hold of her head in a tight grip and raising her from the floor until her talons could no longer touch stone.
"I want to be the strongest being alive, my dear, but in order to be that the master required the strength of the strongest beast!"
Realization crashed over her. "You bastard, you used me?!"
Pity filled his expression as his head tilted to the side. "It sounds so devious when you say it like that. I like to think of it as a…" he paused, as if looking for a word or phrase. "Well, I guess there's no coating the truth now that you realize it."
"And now I know of your goal." Both gargoyle and prince looked towards the end of the staircase that led to the only exit, the very same passage that the indigo clan leader had come from, to find the pharaoh leaning against the wall. "My boy, did it not seem odd that you were capable of sneaking past the guards so easily or that they never pursued you?" He marched forward, easily removing her from his son's hold, and pinned the young man to the wall. "To think my own son would try to commit treason against his own father is something I never thought you were capable of!"
"You can't sit upon that throne forever, old man, and now is as good time as any for me to take over!" A mighty kick of his legs sent the ruler stumbling backwards towards the cell's entrance.
. . . .
"It was four moon cycles after that night that he cast the spell of stone slumber once Zorc, our master, had finished casting his own." She sighed, crossing her arms while staring out the window. "I begged my friend to allow me to join my clan in the stony slumber but he refused. He said he would need someone to pass the time with but I could not forgive him for the sin he committed right in front of me."
Even Kaiba's skin was crawling as he regarded the rose hued female gargoyle. "And yet you value the book."
"There could be a spell that will help me get into the good graces of my mate and be one of the clan once more if I present them the book." That wasn't the full truth but it was all that needed to be shared. Now that she knew of where the brunette girl was it would be easy to simply tell him she was hiding within the care of the very clan she led him to break the curse upon but her time spent with the blind tailor had caused something to change. The crimes and betrayal at the hands of Bakura would never be forgotten or forgiven but the wounds had lessened. Memories of the lone night she had spent with her mate were not necessarily unpleasant, as was the first egg that was result of their clumsy union, but she had grown fond of him nonetheless. Mends needed to be made.
He could see the wheels in her head turning and sighed. "Report to me at the end of every night and I may be convinced to loan you the book for an hour each."
Mauve eyes widened. "You would?"
"It's clear that you have other motives but that is also why it heavily depends on the report you give. If you cannot bring the girl to me then at least spy on her. Make sure she doesn't speak a word about my company playing house with a clan of gargoyles."
"Are you certain that this is a wise choice on your part? How are you certain that I won't simply steal the book away?"
"You would have done so already."
She chuckled. "Sharp as ever. You have yourself a deal."
See you next time!
