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

“True,” I agreed with a yawn.

We took another moment to let our thoughts wash over us.

Steph cleared her throat. “We need to bring food to Glitonea, right? Might as well get that done, then to the runes, followed by going back in to learn what we can from Megha.”

“Understood,” Aerona said, and we all headed downstairs to go about it.

115

I stopped by to pass on Glitonea’s food and water by myself, figuring it would be best in case there was trouble. Moving the wall but forging some of the stone into thick glass, I saw her there, suspended in the air with the purple that sometimes acted as clothing now tied around her like a straight jacket. Her eyes seemed to glow blue, but when I looked closer I saw that it was runes flashing across her eyes in a way that reminded me of code from The Matrix.

Had what I’d done to her with the runes below the house resulted in this?

“Are you still in there?” I asked her.

I am, her voice came back. But… trapped. You’ve done well for yourself. Maybe… maybe you’ll have a chance of winning this war after all.

“One can dream.” Hesitating with the leftover chicken and glass of water, I asked. “Do you need food?”

Her thoughts seemed to laugh, but it was more like I could sense it than hear the laughter. Me? I’ve survived long without humanly needs, boy. Thank you, but be on your way and leave me to my prison. Unless you have other intentions of coming?

“I do not.”

With that, I went to meet the others below. Steph was showing Aerona what I had accomplished so far, but when I asked if they knew anything that could be of value, they all gave me blank looks.

“Sorry,” Aerona said. “Rune magic is something even Rianne wouldn’t be much help with. It’s an ancient form, one that makes sense for the likes of Glitonea to comprehend but long lost to the rest of us.”

“I see.” Considering that, I walked among the runes, noting the shapes and wondering if this would have been anything like trying to understand the Chinese language if there had been no people to help translate. Early explorers might have dealt with a similar feeling. Of course, their curiosities would have come from places of expansion, imperialism, and other reasons for wanting to understand, not to stop an evil army from breaking through into our world.

At times I found patterns, thanks to my sort-of codex that Glitonea’s body had provided. With one combination I felt a surge in my magical abilities, another that told me the house was temporarily invisible. That would raise too many questions, so I cancelled it. Without my powers of transmutation and the way I had used them to make my faux digital screens, I never would have gotten that far. With some adjustments, I wasn’t sure what happened, but was certain there had been a change. I was positive this was all here for a much larger purpose.

After a bit, though, I needed a break, so I made my way up and out to one of many balconies. Footsteps sounded and I turned to see Riland there.

“Did I make that happen?” I asked, eyeing him and seeing that he was no longer translucent. “It’s actually working?”

“Apparently,” he replied, and leaned against the railing, armor clanging on the metal.

“We’ll have to do something about your outfit.”

He chuckled. “This world… it’s different.”

“That, it is.”

“And… Ebrill, the others, they’ve changed as well.”

I looked at him, trying to work out what he was getting at. “Yeah?”

“Makes me wonder… well, first, if the woman of my eye is even still alive. Second, if she’s different.”

“She wasn’t made into a gargoyle, if that’s what you mean.”

He shook his head. “‘Different’ can take on many forms in this world, I’m learning.”

“And if she is?” I turned to face him. “If she’s… I don’t know… changed. What then?”

“Wouldn’t matter, other than me trying to figure out how best to help her.”

“The princess.” I laughed. “On one note, she wouldn’t exactly be a princess anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if her being royalty kept you apart in any way, you won’t have to worry about that. Those times are long gone.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” He smiled, nodded, and looked up at the moon. “We need to find her, but I believe Megha and the others will be the key. I need you to make this work.”

“Trust me, I’m doing my best,” I replied, stifling a yawn.

“The world where you found me.” He went to the door, opening it to reveal Ebrill waiting within. Her large form took up almost the entire hallway.

Ebrill stood straight, head nearly touching the ceiling, and eyed me to see if I was ready. I nodded, clapped Riland on the shoulder, and said, “We’ll find her soon enough.”

“Thank you,” he replied.

I followed Ebrill, who took my hand to lead me along. When we entered the bedroom, she led me to the bed and said, “I’ll help you fall asleep,” while eyeing me with excitement.

My response was a yawn, and I should have taken that as my first sign. She soon had me on the bed, hands cupping my balls, but before I could respond, sleep took me again.

Damn.

There was Megha, grabbing me by the lapels of the suit jacket I was apparently still wearing. She pulled me down on top of her and then to the side, finger to my mouth, and I was immediately reminded that she was nude.

Her eyes were close to mine, narrowed, weighing me up. “Do you have what it takes to take me from this place?”

“I think I might.”

“Because… the timing couldn’t be more important.” With that, she nodded toward the rocks to our right.

I wasn’t sure what she was doing, but when she sighed, pulled me up halfway and let me see, I got it. The army I had seen before had formed around us and