Myths and Gargoyles by Jamie Hawke (interesting books to read in english txt) 📕

knew them at least… we can access their hideout.”

“If we can access it and find the one behind this,” Ebrill’s eyes lit up with excitement, “we get access to Gertrude, and then restore Avalon.”

“And find the others,” Kordelia said. “Find Aerona, for one. She’s powerful, and we could use her on our side.”

“We could use them all on our side.”

Kordelia nodded. “No one’s denying the effectiveness of the rest.”

“We open the door, we find the others?” I asked.

“I’d actually bet that most are in there,” Kordelia replied. “We can speculate all day long, though, and it wouldn’t do any good. Best get on with it and go from there. So, if this girl says she can get us where we need to be, I say we listen.”

“Morning will be here soon, though,” Ebrill countered. “If we’re going to attack, we all need to attack.”

“She’s right,” Steph agreed. “We’ll need everyone to stand a chance.”

“It’s agreed, then.” I was actually relieved to not have to go on the offensive until the next night. “But… why aren’t they attacking right now?”

“I’m not complaining,” Steph said with a chuckle. “I’m famished.”

“Actually, I could eat,” I admitted, and had to take a wicked piss. After, I connected with the shisa, sending a request that the guardian keep watch on the house. The rest of us cautiously made our way to the kitchen. I paused from time to time to sense whether there was an attack or any of the enemy nearby, but we seemed to be clear.

Soon we’d each had chances to use the bathroom and our bellies weren’t empty. Ebrill looked at me thoughtfully and said, “Is it possible…?”

“What?”

“I’m just thinking out loud here. Maybe something to do with your last dream, or travel, caused them to pull back from the attack?”

“Like my helping back then caused their power to diminish now, too?” I licked some truffle mustard from my lower lip, still relishing the taste of the turkey sandwich I’d made for myself.

“It’s… maybe possible,” Steph said, but held her hand up and made a line of fire appear from her palm, tracing it around her fingers. “Although, it doesn’t seem to have affected me.”

“No need for assumptions,” Kordelia said, and then pushed her half-eaten sandwich away. Apparently, she wasn’t as into my ‘cooking’ as I was. The other two had devoured theirs. “We need to be sure of what happened. Go back and see…”

All eyes went to me.

“I’m not sure I can go back,” I admitted. “Or if it would be smart. It was getting pretty crazy in there.”

“We know,” Ebrill said. “We were turned to stone.”

“But we need to know what the enemy is up to,” Kordelia chimed in. “And this might be the best way.”

“Or be pointless.” I turned to Steph, hoping she would take my side on it, but she pursed her lips, looking to the window.

“Night will be over soon,” Steph pointed out. “We might want to take the opportunity while we have these two here to help guard, and to break you from your sleep, if needed.”

“Shit.” I held up the Liahona, frowning. “We’re sure we even want to open it?”

The stares from Ebrill and Kordelia were answer enough. I sighed, nodded, and followed them back to the bedroom.

“I just woke up,” I pointed out.

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Ebrill stepped up to my side, lowered me to the bed and then whispered, “Gorffwys.”

Only, nothing happened.

“Huh,” Steph said, scratching her arm. “Maybe he’s growing strong against it?”

“Might be my transmutation,” I admitted. “Haven’t exactly learned to master it, and before I knew it was magic, this kind of thing would happen. More with sickness and stuff, but I could see how a sleep spell might be something my subconscious pushes back against.”

“Well, shit.” Steph eyed Kordelia, who shrugged and leaned against the wall, hands on her temples.

Ebrill joined her old friend. The two spoke in lowered voices.

As they did so, Steph approached, eyeing me mischievously and licking her lips. “Not all of it was me, but… I remember a certain way that helped you sleep.”

“Yeah?” I asked, not catching on at first. When she sat next to me, pushed me back, and undid my belt, it all came back to me.

“Maybe this will help.” Steph licked her lips again, then reached down and pulled out my cock. Her hand stroked it, her eyes focused as if this were our first time and she was studying it, hoping to never forget it.

“It is, you know,” she said. “Our first time, more or less.”

“Are you reading my thoughts?” I asked.

She chuckled, eyes moving to mine as she continued her caress. “No, just guessing what you’re thinking. For me, having been under a curse before, this is kind of my first time.”

“You don’t remember any of that part of it?” Ebrill asked.

Steph blushed, as if having forgotten they were with us. Her hand went lower, caressing my balls as she leaned against me, head on my chest. “Somehow, there are… bits and pieces. Almost like I remember the sensation, the emotions, but like I was reading about them. I want,” she looked up at me again, “to experience it all.”

“And them?” I asked, eyes going to Ebrill, who eyed me, then Steph, waiting.

“You’re… with her, now?” Steph asked.

“I don’t… know. Ebrill?”

“As much as we want to be,” Ebrill answered. “And that doesn’t have to be exclusive.”

“Oh?” Steph eyed me, then Ebrill, and nodded. “Me neither, I guess.”

“Yeah?” Ebrill looked over at Kordelia, who was eyeing me uncertainly.

“I’m not ready for this,” Kordelia said, standing up and going to the door.

“Kor,” Ebrill said, going after her.

“Have fun,” Kordelia said, turning and holding up her hands. “I don’t want to get in the way of that, but… I just woke up to find the world completely changed. I can’t—not yet.”

She left, but Ebrill turned back to us. At first the look in her eyes was distant, but when they found me again, it was hungry.

Not yet. Those words stuck with me,