So!! Here it is! The next chapter and it didn't even take me that long! Well…not as long as it took me to get the one before this out. Now…first things first. There is a reason some of you stuck with this fic and in this chapter is your reason. There are several things I should warn you about though. One…if you are a fan of the mutates you may not want to read. BUT! If you feel Maggie did Brooklyn a horrible injustice by not even giving the guy a chance…read on. You're in for a real treat! I promise it's a one time thing and everyone is all happy and friends with each other at the end…but not right now. Second…if I missed out on some things that you feel were important like where and when an event took place…please don't kill me for my lack of knowledge. It's been a really long time since I watched Gargoyles and my memory isn't the greatest. Okay, so I think that's about it. Questions, comments…reviews…you know where to send 'em guys! Thank you all for being so supportive and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own Audri and Samantha and that's about it folks! Everything else? Not mine.
Another Spell Broken
Chapter Fourteen
It took Audri days to master control of her emotions and place behind her the past that she was reluctant to forget but eventually, with the help of her clan and loving mate, she managed to do it. Gone was the emotional wreck that would put on a happy façade so that the others would not worry. In her place was a calm female gargress with a positive outlook on her new life and a renewed self-confidence. Now Brooklyn had loved her before, there was no mistaking that but with each passing night his admiration and respect for her grew as she fought to forget the pain she had been put through so long ago. And, although he would never openly admit it, he liked the change in her. It turned out Audri loved to tease, especially when it came to him and she could charm a smile out of even Owen. It was really impressive.
And now she just happened to be using that charm on one of her favorite victims…Brooklyn.
It was a cool, quiet New York night. The wind rustled the changing leaves and whispered a promise of a brisk fall. Inside Castle Wyvern a cheerful fire had been lit in the massive stone fireplace and several of the clan members were enjoying its warmth, scattered about the living room in drowsy disarray. Hudson sat in his usual chair watching a football game with the volume turned up only enough to hear everything the announcers were saying. Beside him was his ever-faithful companion Bronx, laying with his massive puppy head nestled between his equally massive puppy paws. Angela and Broadway were sharing long, suggestive glances over a chessboard where Angela's Queen threatened to overtake Broadway's King. On the couch, enjoying the fuzzy and exciting feeling of a new relationship, Lex and Samantha were wrapped up in each other, their eyes reflecting the warm glow of the fire. And across the room, cuddled up in the deep recess of a window well were Audri and Brooklyn.
"Seems to be in a wee bit of trouble, doesn't he?" Audri asked, referring to the dashing hero in the book she and Brooklyn were reading. Their hero was currently sailing the high seas with an understaffed crew and had just been ambushed by a band of bloodthirsty pirates.
"Wouldn't know. I haven't got to that yet," Brooklyn muttered as his eyes scanned the page.
"Does that mean I'll have to wait for you to finish before we can turn the page?"
"Yup."
Audri made an interested humming noise, adjusted the blankets around them and waited. Or at least she tried to wait but the imp in her was having none of that. She shifted positions from the way she was sitting (between Brooklyn's legs and reclining back against his chest) and turned on her side, pulling the blanket up over her and laying her head on his shoulder. Knowing quite well that her body and the blankets hid their bodied from anyone's view Audri grinned, dropping her hand to Brooklyn's leg and letting it rest just above the knee.
Brooklyn made no movement or comment and continued reading, assuring Audri that he had thought nothing of the action. She often touched him like that; a hand on the shoulder or knee, a brush of her finger tips through his snowy white hair, innocent touches just to show him how much she adored him. But this was no innocent touch.
Ever so slowly she ran her hand up his leg, brushing her thumb over the softer, sensitive skin of his inner thigh. She had to press her face to his chest in order to muffle the giggle that rose up within her upon hearing his sharp intake of breath.
"What are you doing?" he whispered.
"Waiting for you to finish," she whispered back. "Keep reading."
He gave her an odd look but obeyed her hushed demand and quickly became lost in the story. One page was turned, then another, each one going unread by Audri. She was too involved in her mischievous task to pay any attention to vicious sword fights. Once she knew Brooklyn was completely lost to her, this fact being given away by the way his lips moved with every word he read, Audri quickly slipped her hand under his loincloth.
A strangled sound escaped Brooklyn and the book fell from his hands, thumping against the stone ledge. Both noises drew the attention of the other clan members and because Audri's back was turned to them Brooklyn was on his own as far as an explanation went.
"Sorry. I…ah…uh," he stammered, groping for the words and trying to ignore the way Audri's talons were lightly caressing him. He picked up his book and hastily opened it to a random page. "Some guy just got…ahhh…run through." Audri pressed her face further into his chest, her shoulder trembling with laughter. "Really…gruesome. Lots of blood."
He quickly shoved his nose in the book although reading was the last thing on his mind. Several strange looks were cast his way and then the attention was turned away from them as the room's occupants went back to what they were doing.
"That's the best you could come up with?" Audri asked softly, her voice bubbling with amusement.
The book forgotten, Brooklyn glanced down at his mate. "With your hand where it is? Yeah…that's the best I could come up with. Audri, what…" his voice drifted off into nothingness as her hand closed around him.
"Shh." She pressed her lips to his neck. "Just relax," she murmured.
"But the others-."
"Can't see us."
Okay…so he couldn't argue with that. Not that he really wanted to. He was a slave to her ministrations and as far as he was concerned that was a very, very good thing.
When things started getting interesting as well as practically unbearable, just as Audri was whispering words in his ear while pleasuring him that made the room feel 40 degrees warmer then it actually was, Goliath walked in with Elisa trailing behind him, unzipping her leather jacket.
"Who's on patrol tonight?" he said, addressing the entire room.
Audri pulled her hand back and sat up, swallowing her laughter as Brooklyn released a muffled curse. "Angela and I are," she said, twisting around and giving the massive lavender gargoyle a bright smile.
"Yes, that's right," Angela confirmed, also turning to face her father. "We were going to bring Samantha with us…that is if she could possibly tear herself away from Lexington for more then five minutes."
Samantha's head popped up over the back of the couch, her mahogany curls bouncing. "Hey! For your information I was watching the game! Lex just happened to be here."
"Oh really?" Angela asked somewhat dryly, arching a brow ridge in interest. "So who's winning?"
The young gargoyle opened her mouth to answer, then whipped around to consult the television. All it offered her was the not entirely unpleasant view of a man dancing around in boxers to a very catchy and cheerful tune. "Aw damn," Sam muttered, her petite shoulders slouching.
Audri laughed with Angela at the girl's obvious disappointment and slid from the windowsill. "You're coming with us anyway. I don't care how involved in the show you are. Angela and I would like to talk with you."
"Oh fine," Samantha muttered, grumbling under her breath and pushing herself off the couch to join Audri and Angela.
"We should be back shortly Goliath. It seems like a relatively quiet night," Audri said. She turned to Brooklyn who was still sitting in the window…the blankets safely in place. "Did you want to come with us Brooklyn?" she asked with feigned innocence.
He shot her a dirty look. "No thanks. I think I'll stay here."
"Oh. All right then. Will you at least give me a hug before I leave?" Her lips quirked and she was in serious danger of breaking out in a fit of laughter.
His look changed from dirty to one that clearly said "I am so getting you when you get back." He shook his head slowly back and forth. "I'll stay."
Smiling sweetly she walked over to him and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
"You think you're cute, don't you?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.
"Downright adorable," she replied, taping his beak with the tip of her finger and sauntering away to join the other females. "Shall we?"
The three made their way out onto the parapets where the night awaited, the earth bathed by a haunting Harvest Moon. Samantha shivered and wrapped her arms around her, not used to the cold hitting her bare legs, stomach and arms. Since her arrival at the castle she had felt the need to fit in a little more and had traded her attire for something more traditional. A patchwork of olive greens, beige and soft browns had been sewn together by Angela after the young gargoyle had brought her several swatches of the earthy toned cloth. A skirt had been made along with a top held up by an inch thick strap over her left shoulder. Now she was thinking that the clothing didn't exactly protect her against the chill of the fall weather.
"Is there something wrong with Brooklyn?" Angela asked as they leapt onto the ledge and looked out at the twinkling city, thriving with life. "He seemed rather upset."
Audri finally released the laughter she had been holding at bay, startling the other two females as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. "Oh…oh it's nothing," she finally said, gasping for breath as her laughter subsided. "I…well, I was teasing him a bit. Teasing him in a way that would make it impossible for him to stand without having some…thing noticed."
Angela gasped and beside her Samantha broke into helpless giggles. "Oh Audri you're horrible!" the older female cried, also joining in the laughter. "How would Brooklyn feel if he knew we were out here laughing at his dilemma?"
"You make a good point Angela. Let us laugh elsewhere," Audri said, leaping from the ledge and allowing her body to skim through the shifting currents until she found the updraft she wanted and spread her wings, soaring back up into the sky and leveling out. The other two followed suit and soon they were all gliding lazily along the skyline of the city.
They quickly patrolled, wanting the task done and out of the way. Angela and Audri's reasoning was that they wanted to have a heart to heart with Samantha, allow her to ask them questions that she might need answered. Samantha's reasoning was that she wanted to get back to the castle and cuddle the night away with Lex. There wasn't much to patrol anyway. The city was, as Audri had said, relatively quite tonight. It was if it were taking a break to relax and enjoy one moment's peace before civilization would claim it in its busy clutches once again, forcing it to bend to its demands.
They talked quietly amongst themselves, the two older females prying information from Samantha about how her relationship with Lexington was going and then giving her pointers on how to go about certain things, mostly how to tell when she was ready to take a mate. Not surprisingly Samantha was very open and inquisitive about it, soaking up what Audri and Angela had to tell her like a water-starved sponge.
When they came to the end of their patrolling Samantha was well aware of what was expected of her and what she should expect from Lexington. Silence fell once more and they swooped in a wide, arching circle, heading back towards Castle Wyvern. Audri's bring azure eyes scanned the tops of the buildings as she passed them and came to rest on one building in particular. A structure not as tall as the rest but complete with a set of gargoyles.
"Angela?" she called, curious because she could not for the life of her remember seeing this building before, "What is that? The building over there with the gargoyles?"
The lavender gargoyle's gaze followed in the direction Audri was pointing and a sad look passed like a shadow over her face. "That is a resting place."
"A resting place?"
Angela nodded. "Yes. I will take you there if you'd like. But I must warn you…what you see may be a little unsettling."
Samantha and Audri threw her questioning looks but remained silent as they followed Angela. They approached the building from the side where the short ledge was free for them to land on. After gracefully leaping from the ledge to the walkway that surrounded a smaller tower in the middle of the structure Audri led the way around the corner. Her eyes went wide with a mixture shock and confusion, as she took in the sight of the five sad looking gargoyles perched on the ledge. One in particular caught her attention and she felt a sick kind of horror settle heavily in her stomach. "That…looks just like Brooklyn," she managed to whisper.
Angela smiled sadly, approaching a gargoyle that resembled her own mate. "I suppose he is in a way," she murmured, running her hand over "Broadways" wing. "It was Brooklyn's blood that was used to create him."
"You mean cloning," Samantha stated, not bothering to hide her distaste for the word. She had gone to the statue replica of Lexington and was now looking it over as one would look over a painting in an art museum.
"Yes. It was cloning," Angela said.
Audri shook her head, unable to tear her gaze away from the statue that looked like her mate. "I…I don't understand. What is…cloning?"
"Scientifically engineering a copy of an already living thing like a frog or a sheep. Or in this case…a gargoyle," Samantha provided. "You have to have a sample of their DNA in order to do such a thing though. You cant just look at something and say 'hey, I want a copy of that. Let's make it!' You have to have a piece of their hair or skin…or blood."
"Impressive Samantha. You've been hanging around with Lex too much," Angela said, sitting down on the ledge. Audri took a seat beside her. Their mate look-a-likes flanked them on either side, staring with vacant expressions at the city below. Samantha took up a spot leaning against the wall and facing the other two.
"It's actually a very disturbing story," Angela started. "There was a man by the name of Anton Sevarius who harbored a deep hatred for our clan. During one of their…encounters…Sevarius managed to get small samples of blood from each gargoyle and from that he was able to create these." Her eyes roved over the dormant statues. "Imperfect replicas of each clan member…and a gargoyle form of Elisa. Because they were imperfect their chance of survival was minimal. To make a long story short we helped them as best we could…but it was no use. They became sick and…they died. We placed them here as an honor to them, figuring it was the thing to do."
"That's awful!" Audri cried softly, feeling a deep sorrow for these poor creatures.
"It is," Angela agreed. "And you're not the only one who thinks that. Brooklyn was…well, he was affected by it much differently then the rest of us were. We all come back from time to time to visit them and pay or respects. But…Brooklyn hasn't been back since the night we brought them here."
"He probably freaked out," Sam said, pushing off the wall and ambling down the walkway. "I know I would have."
Audri watched her for a second, then hesitantly lifted her gaze to the statue beside her. He lacked so many things that Brooklyn possessed. His proud stance, his well defined muscles…why even the hair, although covered in stone, seemed lacking. Yet there was no denying that this petrified, sickly looking creature was…or had at one point been her mate in a way. A way Audri would never understand. "They look so helpless and lost," she murmured.
"In the end they were," Angela reflected, once again touching the statue beside her. "They didn't understand what was happening to them or why. They were very simple minded."
The two females fell silent, each losing themselves in their thoughts. Thoughts that were abruptly ended moments later when Samantha's ear piercing shriek shattered the quiet evening. Angela and Audri leapt to their feet and rushed towards the corner she had disappeared around when Samantha suddenly jumped out of it and started walking backwards, her green eyes fixed on something they could not see.
For one terrifying moment Audri thought it might have been Demona and panic seized her, forcing her breath to come out in tiny, gasping pants. Then, from around the corner emerged what Audri could only assume was a gargoyle. He had a feline facial structure, black wings and fur of the same color covering his tall, sculpted body. He wore nothing but a pair of blue briefs with a black belt and his cat-like ears were pressed back against his head in an obvious display of irritation.
"Talon!" Angela exclaimed, quickly going to Samantha's side and wrapping a protective arm around the smaller gargoyle's shoulders. "I didn't expect to see you here! What a pleasant surprise!"
"Hello Angela," the new comer replied in a deep voice, his ears slowly lifting. He was just as tall as Goliath and, if possible, just as intimidating. "Is she with you?" he asked, his hard gaze flickering to Samantha.
"Yes she is," Sam replied before Angela could form the words. Now that she was over her unexpected fear she was clearly irked by the fact that she had allowed this gargoyle, who was now eyeing her as if she were little more then a child, to scare her. "And she has a name."
Talon crossed his arms over his chest in one fluid motion and arched a brow. "What is it then?"
"Samantha," she shot back with a defiant glare.
Pulling the small spitfire back, Angela offered Talon an apologetic smile. "Sam is new to our clan. Your sister is actually the one who found her."
"Leave it to Elisa," he said with a smile. "Well Samantha, it's nice to meet you. Maggie, why don't you come out and meet the new member of Goliath's clan?"
Behind Talon a tall female emerged from the shadows. Like her companion she had dark, bat-like wings, and a feline face. Her willowy frame was covered by dark gold fur and she wore an olive green body suit with a high collar and no sleeves. Her face, with its high cheekbones and fixed expression nervousness was framed by a long wavy mass of dirty dark blond hair. She went to Talons side and snaked her arm through his, regarding Samantha with mile curiosity. "Hello," she said in a raspy feminine voice.
"Hi," Sam returned kindly enough, although there was a faint edge to her voice.
"So what brings you here?" Angela asked with forced cheefulness. She wasn't exactly a fan of Talon and his clan of mutates. They were very hard and cynical about their situation, turning down help when it was offered and refusing Goliath's invitation to join their clan. In a way that had offended Angela, even though her father has acted as if it were nothing. Now she treated them with all the benevolence she could manage but they still made her uncomfortable.
"We came to pay our respects," Maggie said, pulling her arm from Talon's and taking a step forward. "So…Samantha, it must be very difficult for you being thrown between two males who haven't had a woman in such a long time. Especially when one is so adamant about getting what he wants."
Samantha shot a confused glance in Angela's direction before saying, "I'm not really sure what you're talking about. The only one I took an interest in was Lex. I'm with him."
Maggie's mouth curved up in a sympathetic smile and she shook her head. "Poor Brooklyn. That must be so hard for him."
"Why?" Samantha asked, a defensive note creeping into her tone.
"Because he never gets the girl," Talon spoke up. "He tried for Angela and she hooked up with Broadway. You're with Lex. He tried for Maggie but she chose me, not that there was much of a choice to make."
"He tried so hard too," Maggie added, laughing softly. "I don't mean to sound rude but it was so pathetic."
Hidden from view Audri decided she had heard enough. She stepped up to the group, taking her place between Angela and Sam, her anger flaring, her cold gaze settling on Maggie. How dare this woman speak of mate like that! She should talk! She looked like some timid, half starved, gargoyle reject.
"Oh, hello," Maggie said pleasantly. Beside her Talon's jaw dropped open slightly as he gaped at the poised, elegant beauty before him. Maggie jabbed him in the side with her elbow, not having to look at him to know what he was doing. "Are you another new member to Goliath's clan?"
"Aye. My name is Audri," she smiled wickedly, taking immense satisfaction in what she was about to do. "I'm Brooklyn's mate." She spared only a moment to enjoy their shocked expressions before lashing into them with the force of a hurricane. "And I would like to know what gives you the right to speak of Brooklyn like that?" With every word her accent thickened, turned to a pure Scottish brogue by her anger. "I can only assume that you're the Maggie he tried so hard ta help when you were in trouble. So this is how ye repay him? By laughin' at him behind his back? How very kind of ye. Aye, he told me about you…once. It was all very simple and brief; mainly about how you and yer clan came to be. So don't flatter yerslef by thinkin' there was any more to it then tha." Her lips turned up in a sneer of disgust and she crossed her arms over her chest. "You must have been humans once…because a true gargoyle would never betray his own kind in such a cowardly manner. I'm going home Angela."
Turning on her heel, Audri walked to the ledge and leapt over the side.
"I'm going with her," Sam said, shooting a glare in Maggie's direction before taking after Audri.
"Well Angela," Talon remarked dryly, "that's a civil addition to your clan."
Angela's blood was boiling. It had been at a mere simmer until Maggie had made the callous remarks against Brooklyn but now…it was out of control. "Audri made a very valid point Talon. One of only several that I have wished to make before. But tonight is not the night. Audri and Samantha may not be civil by your standards but we all love them very much." She turned away to go after her new sisters and join them in their anger. But before she left she gave into the temptation and said very clearly, "And at least they happily accepted our invitation when it was offered…unlike some people."
With those parting words she left the two, hoping that they would realize how wrong they were about many things. She caught up with Samantha and Audri back at the castle, landing beside them on the parapets. "Audri," she started, unsure of what to say beyond that.
The blond gargress whirled and headed towards the castle entrance, ranting the entire way. "The nerve of that…that woman! Insulting my mate as if it were her god given right to do so! I don't know what he even saw in that! I should have-."
They each came to a screeching halt beneath the stone archway as a shrill, bloodcurdling scream echoed through the night. It took Angela not even a second to figure out whom the unnatural shriek belonged to and when she did she could have sworn the world gave out beneath her. Please not now, she thought frantically. She doesn't need this right now!
"What was that?" Samantha asked, her green eyes staring warily out into the darkness.
"An unwanted guest," Angela murmured softly. "Please, I must ask you both to stay here. I wont be long." She ran to the ledge and was in the sky before either of them could protest.
Samantha perched her hands on her hips, watching Angela as she disappeared around the castle and up to one of the higher towers. "Well, this has been a weird night," she muttered, releasing an audible sigh.
With a short lived snicker devoid of any humor; Audri ran her talons through her long, silken hair. "Aye, that it has Sam."
Samantha came to her side and wrapped an arm around Audri's waist, resting her head against the older gargoyle's side. Audri, in turn, draped her arm around Samantha's shoulders. They stood like that for a while, not needing to speak, content to stare out at the silent night with searching gazes.
"You know…she's got nothing on you Audri," Sam said after a while. "And she would have never made Brooklyn as happy as you do. She's just a bitter female."
Audri smiled and dropped a light kiss on top of Samantha's head. "Thank you darling."
Another inhuman scream tore through the air, causing the fine hairs on the back of Audri's nape to stand on end. This time a chorus of angry shouts and the sound of an explosion followed it. Bits of stone rained down onto the ledge before them, bouncing from it with hollow clacks and disappearing over the side.
Samantha cocked her head to the side, curiously studying the bits of debris that lay scattered across the ledge. "So we're going up there right?"
"Wild horses couldn't stop me," Audri replied. "We'll go to the other side though and sneak around."
"I like the way you think."
Together they flew up to the opposite side of the tower that the noise had erupted from. As they hid behind the stone wall of yet another tower with darkened windows is struck Audri just how massive the castle really was. There could be several battles being fought at the same time and the parties involved would never know there was one taking place on the other side of the castle. Let us hope there is only this one, she thought.
They could hear the voices of their clan members clearly now joined by Xanatos and his wife Fox.
"Can you see anything?" Sam asked, dancing on the balls of her feet.
Audri hushed her and leaned forward, peering around the corner. The scene that greeted her eyes was not a pleasing one…not at all. In a wide courtyard the trio, Goliath and Hudson were all spread out in a circle, their bodies tense. Completing the circle on the opposite side was Elisa, Xanatos and Fox. All three of them were armed and had their weapons trained on something Audri couldn't see.
"Angela, give it up already!" Brooklyn suddenly demanded. From the tone of his voice Audri could tell he was angry, far angrier then she had ever seen him before. And as Broadway shifted to the side she realized why. A hushed "Oh dear God" escaped her suddenly dry lips and her heart skipped one agonizingly slow beat. She felt hot and cold at the same time, paralyzed with overwhelming fear. Standing in the middle of the human/gargoyle circle, more then likely the cause of the chaos and tension was the devil herself. Demona.
"Mother please," Angela pleaded, appearing in front of the red haired demon gargoyle. "Just leave. Look…it's almost sun rise."
"I am not leaving until I get what I came for daughter," she sneered, making the word "daughter" sound like an insult.
Xanatos chose that moment to step forward, setting his weapon to rest on his shoulder and striking an arrogant pose. "What you're looking for is not in my possession. Not yet anyway, so I suggest you take you leave now. The last thing I want to start my day with is the sound of your hideous screeching."
"Burn in Hell Xanatos."
"Only after you Demona."
"Enough!" Angela screamed in frustration. She turned pleading eyes on her mother, clasping her hands together to add to the effect. "Please just go. Now is not the time to be starting battles mother."
Demona stared at her daughter for a moment. "Fine. But I will be back. I know you are lying Xanatos. You don't know how to speak the truth." She spun away, walking with angry purposeful strides to the end of the balcony. Bronx growled at her as she passed him, his hackles rising as his eyes blazed white. "Out of my way mutt!" Demona ruthlessly planted her foot in the dogs side, drawn forth a pained yelp from the beast as fell.
"BRONX!" Samantha cried, rushing forward.
Audri reached for her but was far too late. "Samantha, no!" she cried, feeling an even deeper horror ooze within her. The girl was long gone and there was nothing she could do about it but watch.
Pushing through Broadway and Brooklyn like a tiny bulldozer, Samantha went to her knees at Bronx's side and pulled his head into her lap. "Poor Bronx," she whispered, stroking his head. She jerked her gaze up to Demona and her eyes glowed an eerie green. "You BITCH!" she cried, lunging at the larger female without a second thought.
It was a bad idea and she should have known that but the thought only surfaced once Demona's hand wrapped around the back of her neck and the tips of her talons dug into the soft flesh. She whimpered in pain but still glared at the red haired gargoyle; ever defiant when it came to protecting those she cared about.
"And who is this?" Demona asked, acid dripping from her voice.
Lex made a move to help Samantha but was held back by Brooklyn. "Now's not a good time Lex. Just hang on okay?"
"But…" Lex stared at the girl he had fallen so hard for, feeling far more helpless then he'd ever felt in his life.
Demona saw this and latched onto it. She wasn't leaving empty handed. She would get exactly what she came for, even if it meant killing one of her own kind in the process. "Oh, Lexington…this wouldn't happen to be your mate, now would it?" she asked. "You? Honestly?!" Throwing her head back she released a cackle of laughter. Then, just as quickly as it had started it stopped and her eyes burned red, her grip around Samantha's neck tightened, forcing the small gargoyle to cry out in pain.
"Leave her alone!" Lex cried, trying once more to break free of his rookery brother's hold.
"Not until I get what I came for! No more lies Xanatos. Bring me the book now!"
"Put her down!" A new voice demanded, startling not only Demona but the entire clan as well.
Demona whipped around in the direction of the voice, her eyes narrowing as they settled upon a dusty pink female gargoyle with long blonde hair and burning blue eyes. Her olive green skirts and pale hair whipped around her as a strong gust of wind blew through the courtyard. "I said put her down."
"Why should I?" Demona asked, her grip already slackening around the girl's neck.
"Because if you don't," Audri stated, forcing all of her effort into keeping her voice and body calm, "I will kill you. And this time I'll make sure you're dead."
Samantha was dropped the second realization struck her, hitting home with a deadly force. Demona took a menacing step in Audri's direction. "You…" she growled as the hate from long ago filled her once more; Hatred for a human loving clan that should have never existed and a daughter who was allowed everything by her trusting foolish parents.
"Aye Demona. It is. And you and I have unfinished business it would appear." Audri was trembling on the inside. Her fear was so intense that she could taste it upon her tongue, feel it with every fiber of her being. But she would never…never let Demona see that. "I owe you death," she whispered.
Demona laughed softly. "You owe me? Oh, but it is you who will be the one dying dear. I will kill you the same way I killed your mother and father."
Pain sluiced though her but she ignored it, refusing to back down from Demona's challenge. Someone came to her side and she knew right away that it was Brooklyn. She straightened further, drawing from him what he was more then willing to give, his presence giving her the strength she so dearly needed. "Care to test me witch?" she asked, forcing a note of amused interest into her voice.
Three audible clicks sounded and the group of humans and gargoyles moved in on Demona. The demon looked around, her eyes slowly traveling over the group with distain and loathing. Finally she backed down, slowly taking backwards steps to the ledge. "I'll be back for you," she hissed at Audri, pinning her with a violent glare before disappearing over the ledge.
Seconds passed, ticking by in silence. No one said a word. They were all waiting to see what Audri would do. She stood rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on where Demona had last been standing. Her fear was still there…and so very real. It allowed her nothing. No words, not movement…nothing. It was only when Brooklyn's hand came down on her shoulder that she was able to move once more, his touch breaking the fragile thread of self-control. She turned and collapsed in his arms, trembling violently, sobs wracking her body as past visions washed over her.
"It's okay hun," Brooklyn whispered, holding her close. "You're okay."
His words ended the tense spell and every one moved at once. Weapons were put down, Elisa went to Goliath, Samantha threw herself into Lex's arms with a joyful sob and Angela and Broadway, holding each other close, went to join Audri and Brooklyn.
"You were very brave Audri," Brooklyn was saying as they neared. He offered them a silent hello with a nod of his head, inviting them to help Audri in any way they could. "I'm really proud of you."
"I could tell you something that would make you even more proud of her," Angela said, hoping that she could take Audri's mind off of Demona. "Your mate told a certain female off today…and did a wonderful job of it."
Brooklyn looked up at Angela in perplexity and Audri lifted her head from his shoulder, sniffling…but looking a little better. A tiny, indulgent smile even managed to force its way to her lips.
"We had a run in with Talon and Maggie tonight. Some things were said and a certain gargoyle leapt to her mates defense, putting Maggie right in her place."
A smile tugged at Brooklyn's lips as he glanced down at the top of Audri's head. "You…told Maggie off?"
Pulling away from him only enough to the point where she could look at him, Audri nodded sheepishly and swiped at the tears clinging stubbornly to her cheeks with the back of her hand. "She deserved every word of it," she muttered.
Brooklyn laughed and pulled her back to him, shocked at what he had just heard. This incredible female had stuck up for him. It never failed to amaze him just how much she really loved him. She was like a dream come true. A female that he could have only imagined and yet here she was, standing in his arms with tears on her face and a tiny smile. "You're one hell of a female, you know that?" he murmured appreciatively.
"Aye," she whispered with a smile, moving closer to him, her eyes sparkling the way they did when she wanted to kiss him. "You tell me all the time. How could I not?" She pressed her lips to his, demanding that he erase the lingering fear in the best way he knew how and was usually more then happy to do.
Goliath, followed by Elisa, Xanatos and the remaining clan members, joined the small group a moment later, grateful to see that the confrontation tonight had not affected Audri as much as they feared it would. She was shaken, that much was obvious, but the tears were gone and she was speaking normally, a smile gracing her face every now and then.
"I trust you're alright then?" Goliath asked when he got a chance to speak to her.
Audri thought for a moment, her brow furrowing. "Aye. Well enough Goliath but-."
"But?"
"I need you to tell me about this spell that was put on Demona and that man…Macbeth. Please."
Goliath gathered his thoughts and told the story to the best of his knowledge, leaving out no minor detail. When he was finished Audri nodded and placed a finger to her lip, tapping it thoughtfully. "A spell to bind them," she murmured. "And you say this spell was preformed by the Weird Sisters?"
"That is what I have heard."
"Alright then." Audri moved away from Goliath, leaving him to deal with his bewilderment as she went straight to Xanatos who was standing off to the side, speaking to his assistant Owen and instructing him to double the security around the castle, both physically and electronically. "Xanatos, might I ask a favor of you?" she said, deciding to cut right to the chase and not mince words.
Xanatos turned the full power of her charming smile on her. "Anything for a woman."
Unable to stop herself, Audri returned the smile. He could always manage to pull one from her now that they had settled their differences. "I trust you know of a man by the name of Macbeth?"
"Of course. You would have to spending as much time with these guys as I do."
"Good. Can you get him to side with us? I need his assistance if I'm going to rid myself and everyone else of that horrid Demona."
Xanatos' smile widened at the sound of the challenge. "I think I can swing something. I'll offer him a business proposition he'd be a fool to turn down."
"Thank you Xanatos. Your help would be much appreciated," Audri said, meaning every word.
She turned and went back to her awaiting clan. Brooklyn immediately wrapped his arm around her and placed a kiss on her temple, slowing his steps so they could fall a safe distance behind the others. "You don't mind me asking what you're up to, do you?"
She shook her head and breathed in a deep, refreshing breath of cool early morning air as they stepped out onto the parapets. Below them the city was just starting to wake up. Cars honked nosily in the streets, music could be heard blaring from an apartment building a block away. Audri leapt onto the ledge and surveyed the large expanse of metropolis. "I don't mind at all my love," she said softly.
Brooklyn took his place next to her and pulled her into his arms, holding her fast. She relaxed against him. Her arms came up and circled his waist as he rubbed her back with his knuckles. "So what are you up to then?" he asked.
She smiled against his chest, pulled back, gave him a long lingering kiss and then turned her gaze out over the land where the first rays of sunlight were penetrating the sky, turning it to a dusky purple. "I'm going to undo a spell."