Ahhh, sorry for the long wait ! I had some sort of writer's block at some point.
I was reworking a lot on the timeline and plot.
I got a question asking if the story took place after the Goliath Chronicles. And my answer is no ! It starts at the episode Protection (which will be seen in this chapter) and will go on to The Hunter's Moon.
Maybe I'll do a sequel after, but that remains to be seen ;)
The next chapter might be smaller, so probably this fanfic will get updated faster xD
Since her meeting with Goliath, Vee saw her nights with Brooklyn become more fruitful with informations. He had told her about how they turn to stone during the day, most of their adventures involving Demona, the Pack, MacBeth, doctor Sevarius, the mutates and various villains. And, finally, how they were able to break out of the Magus' spell, thanks to the infamous David Xanatos.
According to Brooklyn, Lexington and Broadway – meeting the two latter again on some occasions – the man had been the source of many of their problems and his goals were often executed for his own personal gain and desire to overthrow the gargoyles.
Vee could understand that the gargoyles would get many enemies, but for one of them to actually want to destroy them, she had difficulties to understand the motives.
For the following week she continued her studies at the library, researching the most she could about mythical creatures and such. … If stone creatures could turn to life in this world, what about all the others? Had all the fantasy tales of mankind been records of real-life events? She wanted to be prepared in any eventuality, even if it wasn't really relevant to her life.
But little did she know that her interests would bring her insecurities.
As the week went on, she felt gazes on her back and had the impression that some people were following her. Was she getting paranoid because of the gangs activities going on around? Probably. It wasn't only happening at night, but also during the day, which only amplified her fear.
She needed protection.
She needed to seek Elisa and tell her about her worries. Maybe criminals were amplifying their activities, maybe it was even those three men who harassed her on that fateful night and they were trying to get their revenge. … Of course she could ask Brooklyn to kick their asses again, but this time human laws had to take charge of things. The city was becoming unsafe for pretty much everyone around and Vee knew she couldn't wait for something to happen. She had to take a part into the action.
That night, instead of going straight to her apartment, the young woman was heading towards the police station in hopes she could find the detective. But as soon as she got near the entrance, she was harshly pushed away, a woman rapidly making her way down the few stairs leading to the doors. Vee recognized the person as Elisa. … She was puzzled for a second, but didn't wait more before going after the detective.
"Elisa, wait, I wanted to see you!"
The black haired woman hardly looked at her, still walking straight forward on the sidewalk.
"Please! I need help!" continued Vee, finally reaching her and leaving a hand on Elisa's shoulder.
The detective's reaction was quick, spinning around and blocking the musician on a nearby wall. Her face and body language screamed anger, but her voice was a whole different thing as she spoke quickly in a hushed tone: "We can't talk right now. I'm on an undercover mission. I need you out of the way."
"But-"
"I'll see you tomorrow morning, … if all goes well."
Elisa released her, pushing her slighlty out of the way.
"Now get out of my way!" she added, her voice stern and somehow intimidating.
She continued her way, not even turning back to see the other's shocked expression.
An undercover mission? Probably related to those thugs' activities.
… If she couldn't get help from Elisa, her last hope was then in Brooklyn and the others. It wasn't probably the best choice, but it was all she could think of. Maybe the gargoyles have too heard about the things going on lately on the streets.
Maybe Vee had to stay home until everything was finally over.
… No, that was a very selfish thought. She had to take action, she had to help!
As she was walking on her way home, she acknowledged the presence of a car slowly following her, finally braking when she stopped. The window from the passenger's side rolled down, revealing the presence of a man on the driver's seat. He looked rather tall and built, the seriousness of his face highly contrasting with his frame. He had blonde hair and blue eyes hidden behind large glasses.
"Miss Véronique Lavoie, I presume?" began the stranger.
Vee hesitated before answering: "… Yes, may I help you?"
"I have been asked by Mr. Xanatos himself to seek out for you and bring you before him for a meeting."
At Xanatos' mention, the young woman was already on her guards.
"Why would I follow you? I don't even know you."
"An expected answer. And for that I must insist that you come with me or you might soon regret it."
Vee waved her hand in annoyance, continuing her walk: "I am not interested. You can tell your boss I have nothing to do with him."
"Au contraire, I believe your new discovery gives you a common interest with Mr. Xanatos…"
She froze, finally getting what that man was talking about. She returned near the car, observing the stranger with a frown.
"… Only a meeting?"
"Yes."
"No secrets? No evil plans?"
"I don't think it is Mr. Xanatos' style."
Vee opened the car's door, sitting on the passenger's seat. She looked at the blonde man another time: "Not from what I've heard…. Go on, I'll meet Xanatos."
The vehicule went on its way, leaving the woman in silence and wondering if she had made the right choice.
For the first time Vee laid eyes on the eyrie building and was completely amazed by its height and structure. It was easily the tallest building in New York and at the very end of it, like a cherry on top of a sunday, was that castle Wyvern Brooklyn once told her about.
She was very excited at the idea of finally seeing the place but really not looking forward to meeting Xanatos.
She heard so many bad things about the man that she had difficulties trying to clear her thoughts and bring a blank canva before her eyes. What could he possibly want from her? How could he know about her knowing the gargoyles?
She followed the blonde man into the building, climbing in an elevator and waiting for the long ride to come to an end and finally reveal the antique look of the castle. She mouthed a silent 'wow', getting a good view of the interior. Most of the original stone walls had stayed and medieval-looking furnitures and tapisteries were decorating the rooms. Vee couldn't help but smile at the beauty of this ancient structure, somehow amazed that Xanatos could keep pretty much of its glory intact.
The duo went through some corridors, finally stopping at a door. The man gave three knocks, finally opening it.
"Mr. Xanatos, your requested guest has arrived," he said.
"Excellent, Owen, bring her in."
The assistant stepped inside, leaving space for Vee to enter. When the young woman went in, she could already sense the excentricity of that rich man, his office arranged in a way that made it look like it was right off from a movie.
A large window giving an excellent view to the city, dimmed lights accentuating the man's profile and various electronic apparels encased in a nearby wall. David Xanatos was a powerful man that knew he could obtain anything at any cost.
"Please, take a seat," he offered.
Vee was on her guards, clearly unsure about the man's intentions.
Even though she knew about his past schemes against the gargoyles, she had to confess that he had quite a good look, which probably helped him charm many people in his plans. His skin was tanned, his mysterious charm amplified with his obscure eyes. His brown hair were long and held in a low ponytail, a beard on his chin bringing out more his maturity.
"I'm sure you are wondering why I had you brought here," continued Xanatos. "I can assure you I mean no harm in this meeting. … I am simply a man who likes to be updated in many spheres of his life."
"I've heard a lot of things about you," replied Vee with a neutral tone.
"And so did I…. Some sources came to me stating that a new figure could be seen with the gargoyles. With some easy researches I was able to pinpoint who you are and I must say that I was slightly impressed and even surprised. … Didn't know the gargoyles had taste in music."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"We don't need to play games, my sources saw you multiple times with them and I have the rights to access library records; you studied them."
"I got rescued by some of them, that's all you need to know," answered Vee, still on the defensive.
"Probably. But something confuses me. Why try to befriend them?"
He got up, facing his large window.
"What are the benefits?" he continued. "Unless you reveal their existence to scientists, or even the army, I don't see what's the point in developping a friendship with them. … Maybe you're hiding something."
Vee looked concerned, but she couldn't retain her question: "Do you have many friends, Mr. Xanatos?"
The man let out a small laugh, totally not expecting this from his guest. He turned around, showing a smirk.
"Friends are a weakness in this world, dear Véronique. I do not need to be concerned about the well-being of others when I have to tend to my own. … True, I might be clueless about the concept of friendship, but I know how to make good alliances when the time comes. And this is why you're here."
The young woman frowned, her arms crossing before her chest.
"I will not betray the gargoyles for your benefit."
"No, of course not! You seem to be the kind and loyal type of person. … But you also look very resourceful and quite intelligent. I saw your reports from back in Canada and some people called you like some sort of prodigy. You excel in litterature, music, science and had a knack for mythology. I need someone like you for my upcoming project."
"… I'm listening," added Vee, unsure.
Xanatos got a remote out of his desk. When he clicked on a button, a world map appeared on the screen encased in the wall, small red dots soon coming into life at various places. The woman got up, looking at the picture closely. Mexico, Scotland, United Kingdom, France, those were some of the several places pinned down.
"The gargoyles woke something in me, a strange new hobby I might say," he began. "For several months I have been tracking rumors, newsfeed and any information available about strange phenomenons or … the apparition of strange creatures. Monsters of legends, to specify. I want to track them down and 'update' those legends. The old texts and books are outdated. With today's technology we could be able to achieve so much more."
"And what if those legends are only meant to stay as legends? You can't force them to come out into the light and show them to everybody."
"I never said anything about showing them to the world, but to change all the written information. I need your expertise to catalogue those monsters and regroup them in some sort of almanach."
Vee let out a soft laugh: "Mr. Xanatos, I must inform you that I prefer writing in French. If you'd want to read my notes, you wouldn't understand unless you learn my language."
"There's no problems, my assistant, Owen, will translate anything you will write."
She glanced and the blonde man.
"… Your assistant seems full of surprises," she mumbled.
"Let's just say he knows a lot of things," smiled David. "So, are you in?"
Vee slightly shook her head: "I- I can't accept. I heard such bad things about you that I don't see why I should embark in this project with a man like you."
"A man like me? Oh, dear, you're hurting my feelings," mocked Xanatos. "The gargoyles may have their opinion, but that doesn't make it yours. They are angered at me because I'm living in their home and I tried to surpass them. Fortunately for them, though, I moved on to something else. They can continue to peacefully live their life full of action and justice for all I care, they are out of my grasp. … I know it will probably take time for me to gain your trust and that's why I will propose you to work for me for some time, see who I really am."
"And for what purpose a man as rich as yourself would need someone like me? To clean your dishes?"
"For music, of course! I wouldn't want to waste your talents. I know you are rehearsing for a concert in December, but in the meantime I could ask for your services in some events, little soirées even. I heard that your singing voice can be really soothing."
Vee sighed. She couldn't say no to money, especially if it could be easily made. She knew she was getting low on her savings and that she would need to find a job one day or another. That was a fabulous opportunity, but her mind wouldn't stop making her feel guitly and bring the gargoyles up. How could she do this? How could she hide this? … Was their friendship really that valuable over her own life?
It was with small disgust that she shook hands with Xanatos, agreeing to his proposition. She had no other choices…
She was finally set free, Owen escorting her to the elevator and offering to bring her back to her apartment. Once again she couldn't refuse, knowing it would be a long walk.
She was silent for most of the ride, still wondering why she accepted the deal.
She didn't bother about opening the lights and simply sat down on her couch, letting out a long sigh. She put a hand to her face, taking her glasses out first, and rubbed her temples.
When she first came to New York, she sure expected weird things to happen, like seeing crazy hobos … but not to discover living gargoyles and be proposed to a ridiculous encyclopedia project by one of the richest man alive.
Still she couldn't believe what he had proposed to her. How could she catalog all those myths? How could she find them? Maybe Xanatos had ways, but for now she had no high expectations.
"Hey Vee!" called a muffled voice outside.
The young woman slighlty jumped, rapidly putting her glasses back on and looked straight at the window. She found Lexington there, waving at her with a smile on his face.
Getting up to the window, she opened it and greeted the small gargoyle with a soft smile.
"Lexington! Are you alone?"
"No, Brooklyn is on the rooftop. Do you want to join us?"
"Yeah, sure, I could use some fresh air… I'm coming in a minute."
She closed the window, the creature climbing back to the top of the building.
She would have a hard time trying to act normal after such an event, but knew she could really use the distraction right now.
Putting her coat once again, she climbed the stairs of the building to get to its rooftop. When she opened the door, a gust of wind greeted her, trying to wash her thoughts away. She couldn't help but smile at the current, her ageless friend.
"You came home late tonight," broke Brooklyn's voice.
Vee came near the two gargoyles, her smile still on: "I had some things to attend to, it's nothing important. … Broadway's not with you guys?"
"No," answered Lexington. "He and Goliath flew off earlier tonight. They seemed to be following Elisa for some reason. Maybe a meeting?"
The young woman remembered the detective's behavior when she tried to ask for her help.
"I met her before she left the police station," added the human. "She seemed tensed and angry. She also said she was on an undercover mission … I think it's related to the street gangs activities going on lately."
"Do you think we should find her? Maybe she needs help," said the red gargoyle.
"No, personally I don't want to get mixed up in police affairs and thugs are not really the kind of people I want to see right now…"
"Someone's giving you trouble?"
Vee was surprised by Brooklyn's tone, like he was already willing to protect the woman from anyone pestering her. She was strangely glad for having such a friend.
"I just felt followed for a couple of days but I'm fine now."
"Things do began to tense lately with street gangs," said Lexington thoughtfully. "Since we met you a lot of small shops were robbed and more people got harrassed on the streets. Maybe there's a fight for power of something."
Vee rubbed her arms, feeling somehow uneasy. Oh how she loved cities…
"I really hope Elisa is onto something. I just wish this hell would end once and for all. This city is a nightmare."
"Are we part of the nightmare?" teased Brooklyn.
"Yes, I mean, no! Because, you know, you live in this city and- … ah forget it" mumbled Vee. "I'm not used to this kind of place. I used to live in a peaceful and small city where everyone knew eachothers. Sure there was some problems from time to time, but it could be stopped fast. I've seen cities like this one, but still less savage than here. … It's hard for me to say this, but I miss my home, I miss my country."
The red gargoyle left a hand on her shoulder.
"… Don't worry, we know how you feel," he said with compassion in his voice. "We miss our home, our time and our people. If possible I would get out of this shithole, but it's easier said than done."
"Brooklyn, watch your tongue!" scolded the green one.
"Oh, sorry if I harmed your pure little ears," replied Brooklyn with sarcasm.
The woman let out a small laugh, always amused by the gargoyles witty banters.
"I'm glad you're here guys though, it always makes me feel less alone in this jungle."
"It's always fun to know you have friends you can count on!"
Lexington's cheerful tone pinched Vee's heart. She kept thinking about her meeting with Xanatos and that did nothing else but make her feel unworthy of their trust. Her hands fell again on her arms., shivering not only because of the cold wind, but also from the stress building inside her.
"Is everything alright?" asked the white haired one. "You seem kind of distant tonight."
"I just had a rough day, forgive me," Vee answered with a false smile. "… I should probably go back into my apartment and get some sleep, I have a lot of things to do tomorrow too."
"Glad we could talk though! Are you free tomorrow night?"
The human arched an eyebrow, looking at Brooklyn.
"Like any other nights. Why?"
"Ah, surprise," he replied with a mischievous look.
"Are you sure she's the right one?"
"Yes sir, I didn't need to stay for long at her side to feel the rush of the spirit. It is dormant for now, I guess distressful events could bring it to light, though it is only a hypothesis for now."
"Excellent."
Xanatos was facing his large window once more, clearly satisfied of his new discovery.
"… Imagine all of what could be accomplished with a being such as hers."
"I'd have to warn you, Mr. Xanatos, her kind is not easy to control," added Owen.
"Don't worry Owen … I know how to be patient."