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Chapter 36: Trying Hard
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Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 37: She Knew Kids
Maggie didn't want to be smug, but that's how she was feeling. These were tough kids, but kids at heart. She knew how to deal with them. Better than Kel. It might have turned into a pissing contest if she hadn't stepped in. They followed the tall boy through a side door of what was probably once a warehouse. New ones had been built elsewhere and these hadn't gone through what would eventually be gentrification. They would be turned into trendy loft apartments the size of a closet, but those right out of college would clamor to rent. These kids would be ousted out of here. She wanted to find them all homes. Why had the system failed them? Inside, boys and girls lay around in sleeping bags, both real and makeshift ones. The place stunk of body odor and weed. It all wrinkled Maggie's nose. She'd never seen such squalor. Phones lit up the place where rigged up twinkle lights didn't reach. "Someone's got some talent," Kel said. "They've connected to the grid without anyone else's help."
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 38: Save the Children
"You can't save all of them."Maggie put up her hand. "I've been hearing that my whole career. I will never stop trying."Kel rested his head onto the headrest. This wasn't a one and done. She was going to go off onto a crusade. "You think there is something we can do?""Yes," Maggie said, no trace of the sobbing she had done in her voice. She'd recovered quickly. He had to admire that. "What do you have in mind?""Well, first we'll go to the authorities? We'll try to work within the system.""Then what?"Her gaze turned to him as he lifted his head. "If that doesn't work, we'll go around the authorities."***Maggie left Kel in his truck while she trudged up the steps to her office. The sun had risen. They'd eaten breakfast and now she was ready to do battle. Well, not really. She was exhausted, but this had to be done. No time like the present. With or without Kel, she had to fight for the kids, but he didn't seem to be deserting her at the moment. Surprisingly, Chelsea was in her
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 39: Grotesque Again
Hours later as Kel loaded boxes of liquor onto the freight elevator, he couldn't stop thinking about Maggie. Not just her, but what they'd seen last night and that she'd smelled like goblin after her meeting with her boss. This was worse than he expected. "You are a million miles away," Deke said, riding up to the roof with him.Deke, Kel and several others owned a popup nightclub called Grotesque. They were all former military and all gargoyles so of course they would set up on roofs. To them that was the safest place, since their ancestors lived on the tops of buildings. Tonight was the first time they'd set up this month. Having been doing this for several years, they all knew their roles. Tonight Kel would be the bartender. Sometimes he worked the door. All of them were large men so they could all be bouncers. Kel didn't think he had the attention to do the door tonight. Messing up a drink wasn't deadly."I am.""Is this that woman?"The doors opened to the roof. It was a rare
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 40: The Things You Do
Not before Billy Malone went missing and she met Kel. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?Not that she considered herself naïve. She couldn't be, having moved ten times before the age of fourteen, with three more moves before she aged out of the system. You came to adulthood with a certain wariness when you hadn't been raised by adults you could trust. In fact, you raised yourself. She ordered a beer and it was half empty when Kel walked in the front door. He did have a presence about him and how did he get here so fast? Then again, she didn't know where he was. Maybe he had a friend in the neighborhood. Or a girlfriend? A tinge of jealousy reared its head. She had no claims on Kel, but she had to admit she liked him. As he strode through the bar, people moved out of his way. He didn't push them, but he clearly knew they would move. He was too nice a guy to get upset if they didn't, but even those not looking at him, shifted to get out of his way. She couldn't help watching him as
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 41: More Information
"Yes, that's her."Deke nodded. "Trent is over talking to the Foleys. You might want to hear their conversation. I'll keep an eye on your woman until then.""She isn't my woman."Deke just chuckled and approached her. If Deke wasn't married and his best friend, Kel might have been jealous. But Maggie wasn't his woman. He figured Maggie wasn't anyone's woman unless she chose to be.Donal, Sean and Declan sat in a corner bar height table. Trent, a man built like a fireplug, stood in front of them. The tension was obvious in his shoulders. Uh-Oh. Trent wasn't easily bothered by much. Or at least he rarely showed outward signs of it. "Foleys. Trent," Kel said when he arrived at the table. "Hey Kel. You probably should be part of this conversation," Donal said."You texted me that you might have found Billy Malone. I want to know everything," Kel said. The Foley brothers exchanged a glance. Kel often wondered if there was some communication that happened between them that no one else cou
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 42: Whitney a Fairy?
"A fairy. You know, those supposedly mythical woodland creatures."Kel didn't know what was funnier, Deke thinking Whitney was a fairy or him saying "mythical woodland creatures." "What are you talking about?"Deke sighed. "I guess our parents forgot to tell us something about being a gargoyle."Kel stopped to give him his full attention. Maybe he could move this conversation along if he did. There were kids in danger. One of whom he knew well. "Go ahead.""A long time ago, the fairies and the gargoyles made a treaty. The gargoyles would protect the fairies from goblins."Sounded like a fairy tale, but Kel was a gargoyle so he shouldn't judge. "Go on.""There were elite gargoyles assigned to one single fairy. That fairy is our mate. The person we are destined to be with," Kel said. "Mate? What does this history lesson have to do with Maggie?""Well, Whitney is my fairy. The treaty has never been revoked. It is still alive today, it's just been lost in time. Until we, as gargoyles, fin
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 43: Rendezvous
Kel drove Maggie to the rendezvous point. The streetlights flashed by like strobe lights as she stared out the window. Kel wasn't volunteering anything. "Your friends didn't tell me much."He sighed. "They want me to talk to you."She didn't know what was going on, but he had barely looked at her. As if he had something on his mind. What had Deke said to him? His body language towards her had changed when he'd joined them on the sidewalk. "Are you going to talk to me?" she asked. "I'm not going away. This is about the kids."Kel shook himself. "I know, Maggie. And we need your help.""So what's the problem?"He parked his truck near a warehouse. The lights weren't on, but the city always had a glow to it so it was never pitch black. A few random cars were strewn around, but a newer black van actually looked out of place.Kel turned to her. "We'll rendezvous with the Foleys and their tech guy. Then we'll have a plan. We're not going in until we know what we are dealing with.""And when
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 44: Take her Away
Kel longed to take Maggie away from this. Away from a world where kids were kept in a warehouse like some Amazon package waiting for one day delivery. He longed to soothe the worry he knew was etched into her face. He'd never felt about anyone the way he felt about Maggie. It surprised and shocked him how quickly she'd wormed her way into his heart.He couldn't see her, but he could feel her emotion. Was this what Deke was talking about? That they had a connection? Was she his fairy? She probably had no idea she was a fairy. She had no idea the power that she possessed. Maybe he didn't truly know either. He would have to ask his family when this was all over. What didn't they know about their heritage? He'd known from a young age that he was a gargoyle, but so much had been lost over the years. Kel would have to talk to the Foleys and see what he'd been missing. What didn't he know?That was a talk for another day. Focus on the mission. He slowed his heart rate. "You're not scared,"
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Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 103: Aftermath
Dani woke late the next morning to the scent of coffee and pancakes. It all smelled good, so she pulled on sweats and headed in the direction of aroma. Ben stood in front of the stove wearing a pair of jeans and a worn t-shirt. He wouldn't have looked any better if he'd been in a tuxedo.She paused in the doorway and watched his efficient movements. He was humming while he worked. As if a load had been taken off his shoulders. There were no reminders of his wounds from last night."Hi," he said, turning to her.She slid into his arms as if it were the most natural thing. They'd been through something together. Even if they didn't have a bond before, the events of last night would have cemented one between them. "Hey.""You okay?" he asked."I'm okay. Not sure where I go from here," she said.He had one hand on her back and the other on her hair, stroking it. As if he knew she loved it. "One foot in front of the other."Dani's phone rang. It was the college. "Let me take this." She move
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 102: She Was Here
Dani was close and that made Ben want to turn, but something was holding him back. Was there some magic in this room that kept his abilities at bay? He didn't know that could happen. He'd never heard of it and it was a disturbing new twist to a goblin's power. He'd have to ask Donal when they arrived. Which he was pretty sure they were going to do.If Dani was here, she'd been brought here by the good guys. At least he hoped. The men playing cards had left. He could feel his wounds healing, but not as quickly as they should have. Something was definitely blocking his powers. A goblin flung open the door to the room. This one's stench was as bad as the rest of them.He wore a suit in his human form, but it didn't mask his evil. Ben glanced up at him with his one unswollen eye. This wasn't going to end well for the goblins, and if he could, Ben would extract as much information from them as possible. They still thought they were winning.The good guys were going to win again. Ben had no
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 101: Saving Ben
Dani heard the words he didn't say. They could kill Ben and it hurt her heart. She flinched at the idea that he would no longer be around. "I get it. I'm sorry I'm dragging my feet."Donal put a hand on hers. "We understand, we just want to get Ben."She nodded. "So do I." She shook herself. "So, I have to be touching Ben for our power to work?""Yes, and he needs to be in gargoyle form.""There's nothing else I need to do?" she asked.She looked at each one of them. As much as she couldn't grasp it all, she wanted the whole story. All of it."Just hold onto Ben."***Dani bounced around in the front seat of the van as Tex drove it from paved streets to ones with potholes and ruts. For the taxes they paid, the roads were the worst. Of course, this was an area that had been abandoned and maybe those companies renovating the warehouses would do the same for the roads."Not too much further. Can you feel him?"She nodded. Ben was in pain. She knew that, but he hadn't given up hope. It was
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 100: You're a Fairy
Dani's thoughts immediately went to her friend with cancer. That was the biggest incident. It wasn't the only one. A few more flooded her brain. "Yes.""Well, those are your fairy powers. You can wish something for someone else and it comes true. Something good of course. You are unable to use your powers for bad things."Powers? She had powers? "Can I wish Ben back here?""It's not that simple," Sean said, taking up the explanation. "Because goblin magic is strong, you can't overcome it. Well, not alone."She sat straighter. "So, how can I?""With your gargoyle."She looked around the table again. "Ben?""Yes. Ben's your gargoyle," Sean said.Okay. She needed a little more. "Can you give me some background?""Back before humans—or we think humans with goblins' help—ruled the world, there was magic. Gargoyle and fairies formed an alliance against goblins. A few elite families of gargoyles were assigned to protect a specific fairy. That is still true, but most fairies have no idea they
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 99: Ben Gone
If Dani went downstairs to Foley Security, she might miss Ben.She should wait.She poured water into a mug and tucked it into the microwave for tea. Something was bothering her. Something in her soul told her that Ben was in trouble. She hit cancel on the microwave and took the steps one floor down.Foley Security was buzzing, but it was probably normal activity. The spouses had gone home. Ben and Dani knew when their interviews were. Donal had taken care of security for the ones they would have to do in person. The rest would be done remotely via Zoom in the office Tex had set up for them.Dani looked around, then finally asked the receptionist, "Where's Donal?""He's out meeting a new client.""Declan?""He's in his office. He might be on the phone," she said."Can I go back? I need to talk to him."She nodded as the phone rang. Dani slipped past her and down the hall, in search of any of the Foley brothers.Sean walked out into the hallway. Dani stopped. "I need to talk to you. Ben
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 98: Suspended
"Give them to me, and I'll not have you escorted off campus by security."The woman was a goblin. How hadn't Ben noticed that from the other end of the lecture hall? Maybe they were getting good at covering up their stench. "Let's go, Dani.""I'm not going to be run off campus that easily.""It's better if we go now."The dean shot him a glowering look. She knew what Ben was, and he didn't want an altercation in case any of the students were still lingering. Dani frowned then packed up her briefcase. "This isn't over.""Yes, it is."Wyatt was waiting outside. "Professor Walsh? What's going on?""I guess I'm suspended. Do me a favor? Keep questioning things," Dani said to him.Ben put a hand on her lower back. "It was worth a try, Dani. This place is crawling with goblins, so I guess they have infiltrated here also.""Let's talk when we get to the car," she said.Ben had to agree. He couldn't get them out of there fast enough.***Ben received the notice from YouTube the next day. They
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 97: Reunion
Meg hugged Dani. "You look as if you are carrying the weight of the world. You aren't alone anymore, Dani. We're all here."The idea warmed her. She hadn't had a tribe since college. Many of her friends had moved away to find jobs in other cities. She'd stayed put, thinking this was her home. It was, even if she had no family here. Instead of fostering new friendships, she'd launched herself into her career. Speaking engagements had followed, but her life was a little empty."That's nice to know, Meg. Thanks.""Ben might be done by now. He'll be looking for you.""Me?"She wasn't sure if he would be or not. She didn't know where she stood with Ben. Or exactly why it mattered to her. Before their event, she'd been happy to go through life alone. Sort of happy about it. Maybe she'd only been reconciled to the idea."Of course," Meg said."Why?"Meg just laughed, the sound a sweet melody for some reason. "Let's go find him. I'm starved and I hope my husband is back with breakfast."Dani's
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 96: Confession
"How much do you know?" Ben asked."Well, I know that goblins invaded the venue. We have several videos of that. And now that you put out that video of you changing to a gargoyle my boss has told me to step up our investigation of the goblins.""You've known about what is going on?" Ben said.He shifted in the chair he'd chosen. Dalton nodded. "They've been on our radar for a while. With you exposing them we suspect they will get more violent.""I certainly hadn't expected that reaction.""Don't feel guilty. You did what you thought was right. I get it. I'm sure it was cathartic to come into the light about who you are."Ben nodded. Dalton had said that wistfully. "You a supe?""Gargoyle, like you, except I'm of French ancestry not Irish. My family has been in the United States for years.""I had a buddy in the service whose family was from France. Paris. He was the first generation born here. Frenchie, we called him. He'd swear at us in French so we'd have no idea what he was saying."
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 95: Revealing
Ben would do everything in his power to protect his children, if he had them. Tex shrugged. "I think that you're doing the right thing. It is the only way to win this battle with the goblins."He shook Tex's hand. "Thanks. And Aileen?""My wife is on board with defeating goblins.""Good to know. Now let me think about what I'm going to say."Ben walked back in front of the camera."You haven't been planning this?""I have, Tex, but I never thought about what I'd say.""Say what is in your heart," Dani said from the doorway.Ben nodded. "I guess that's the best advice I'm going to get."Tex climbed up onto the table and sat behind the camera. "Well said.""You should go up, Dani," Ben said.She shook her head. "I've spent my whole life studying history. I want to be part of it now.""No pressure," Ben said, laughing."None meant, but this is huge, Ben," she said.He nodded. "Okay let's begin. I think I know what I want to say now."Dani cleared her throat. "I'll be right outside."Ben w
