Jason Canmore frowned. The idea didn't appeal to him in the slightest.

"I don't understand," he said, "why on earth would you want to come out of retirement?"

"I told you, I was asked to," said Elisa, "things are getting crazy in the department, what with those Stonehammers and the immigrants gang..."

"I thought now that Anne is there, our family is giving enough of itself to law enforcement."

"Anne is brilliant, Jason, but she is young, and that's the problem right now - too many young people to train, and now enough old hands to do that."

"But you have enough on your plate as it is, honey," he said in one last effort to dissuade her, "the house renovations, and your parents' health issues, and helping Rick write out his college applications..."

"It will only be temporary," promised Elisa, patting him reassuringly on the arm, and he knew the matter was closed. Once his wife set his mind on something, he had no hope of influencing her.

"When we both retired last year," he said, "I thought that now these two old people have earned the right to a quiet life. We talked of going to Baja California as soon as Rick moves out..."

"We'll do that," Elisa smiled, "soon, you'll see. We'll take a break from the cold dreary winter and fly down to see some sun."

For a minute, he didn't say a thing, and his wife began to worry that she had disappointed him more than she thought.

"All these years, Liz," he finally said in a completely different tone, soft and, it seemed to her, wistful, "have you been happy?"

She pressed his hand affectionately. "Do you really need to ask?" she said. "I can't count all the times I've told myself how glad I am you were so persistent."

Hearing this was reassuring, because just as many times he had asked himself whether he ought to have courted her as aggressively as he did, which basically left her no option for escape, especially considering the state of disappointment she was in when Demona returned to the clan - and to Goliath. Back then, Jason acted like a man focused entirely on one single goal and unprepared for the option of defeat, but later, during their engagement, he wished Elisa had taken a more active part entering into it.

But all that mattered now was that they were looking back on a lifetime of happiness: thirty years of marriage, two wonderful children, and a bond of love and friendship stronger and more wonderful than he could have imagined. He knew it would come to pass, he thought, from the moment he first saw her, slender, dark-eyed and striking, and his heart first stopped, then raced.

"Jason?" his wife's voice broke through his reverie.

"Yes?"

"I think... I think I ought to go and see them," she said quietly.

It took a second for her words to register, but once they did, he could have no doubt as to whom she meant.

"Yes," he said again, after a moment's pause, "I think you should."

... Elisa felt an upsurge of bittersweet memories threatening to flood her as she saw the stone outline of Castle Wyvern; it was here that she spent many nights with her friends, working together, talking, laughing, making plans... and Goliath, his steady, reassuring presence, was always there.

She ascended the steps quietly. All was very still and silent, and she already assumed everybody must be out, when she spotted a gargoyle with a skin of brick red, and a mane of white hair. He was altered, but not so much that she wouldn't recognize him at once.

"Brooklyn!"

He turned around, and the expression of puzzlement on his face changed into recognition and then incredulous delight, and he opened his arms in a gesture of welcome. They embraced, each clinging to the shadow of a long gone, deeply lamented past.

"Elisa! It's incredible to see you! I wondered whether," his voice faltered, "whether you have heard..."

"I found out shortly after it happened," she replied in a choked voice. "Brooklyn, it's lucky I find you alone - you are the one I most wanted to talk to. I know right now you must feel the burden more than anyone."

"Yes," he nodded gravely, "for us all, it is a terrible loss. As for Goliath..." he paused. "I know it will sound awful to you, but I'm so convinced he is better off where he is now that I'm almost sorry this didn't happen earlier. He never got used to living without her," he added slowly.

"No," whispered Elisa, "he never did."

"You know," Brooklyn said thoughtfully, "all the time she was back with us, I was always alert and wary, expecting a betrayal. But it never came. And on the night she was killed," his words came out shaky, "it was me she sheltered with her body. It all happened so quickly, I'm not sure any of the others were aware of it then."

"I was madly jealous of her," confessed Elisa, "that was why I - I couldn't bear to stay near you after she was back in the clan. I... I always wondered what you all thought of me, dropping out of touch as I did."

"You don't have to explain, Elisa," Brooklyn said gently, "I know what Goliath was to you."

"I could never have had him," Elisa smiled sadly through her tears, "after all these years, I understand it more clearly than ever before. He had always belonged to her."

"And she to him," added Brooklyn.

"I want you to know," said Elisa, reaching for his hand, "that even though I've been out of contant, I've always kept an eye on you guys. The Stonehammers have been persecuting you, and they will be punished. I came out of retirement on purpose to see to that. My daughter, Anne, is now working in the department as well, and I might get her involved in the investigation."

"Good," Brooklyn nodded with satisfaction, "and might not we do something too?" he asked. "I confess I'm itching to get my hands on those bastards."

"Maybe," Elisa said uncertainly, "but they are targeting you, so keep a low profile. We will stop the Stonehammers. You have my word."

"Now, if only I had a way to let Steelclaw know!" said Brooklyn. "He is Goliath's son - and he disappeared to look for the Stonehammers two nights ago. We haven't heard from him since."

Elisa's expression darkened. "That's bad news, Brooklyn. He might get himself into serious trouble."

"Tell me about it," Brooklyn shrugged bitterly. "My only comfort is that the lad isn't quite alone. Korian had gone with him."

"The blood brother of Demona?"

"It has been many years since I called her that," said Brooklyn, and paused, "but yes, her brother. When she was killed, he was mad with grief and rage almost as much as Goliath. I worry about Steelclaw, Elisa - imagine his father's heart and his mother's temper, combined in a body of a warrior who can, young as he is, crush me left-handed."

"I hope he returns soon," said Elisa, with a crease between her eyebrows. "There's no way he can stop them on his own, and it's better if he realizes it sooner rather than later. And I would like to see him," she added as an afterthought.

"You will," promised Brooklyn, "and tonight, you will meet everybody else."

The hour was already nearing midnight, but Elisa felt wide awake. There were times when she hunted by night and slept by day, just as these friends of hers, alien of race but kin of heart. She and Brooklyn stood side by side and waited, silent, for a rustle of leathery wings beating closer.