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Chapter 45: A Natural
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 46: Stone Defender
Herding cats would be easier than trying to get a room of creatives organized.Beth Swanson cringed against the cacophony of the group that was full of ideas, but not as much follow through. That was her job. Her role in this acting troupe was to organize them to raise money to buy this building. Otherwise they would need to find another place to put on plays.She sighed as she raised a hand and her voice over the din. "Can we concentrate?"Several of the people eyed her. Others looked down at the floor recognizing her "nurse" voice. This was why Beth liked Intensive Care Unit for her day job. Most of the patients were quiet. They also usually listened to her because she was the voice of authority. Here, she was just another actor in the group."Go ahead, Beth," someone finally said. "Are you all ready to listen?"There were nods around the room. "You all have great ideas, but we need to hone in on a few really good ones. Otherwise, we will be stretched too thin with manpower and won'
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 47: Eviction
Trent didn't want to oust anyone of the current tenants, but there would be some renovations. This building had the best roof of all of the ones that Trent had done research on. Grotesque could use the roof and the top floor for their business. He would rent out the rest of the floors and leave the theatre how it was. If he had any say in it. His partners might want to use the space for something else. "I don't know and that isn't your problem. Their agreement does not transfer to the new owners."Still. It didn't sit well that the actors would be out once he owned the building. That was a concern for another day. He followed Chad inside which was a hub of activity. People worked on the stage while others clustered in groups among the seats. Chad didn't lead him in there, but instead to an elevator in what was probably the lobby. The redhead Trent had seen outside was standing in said lobby when they entered it. She smiled at Trent, but walked away. She was adorable. Wavy red hair f
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 48: Odd Encounter
"No.""It's how this world works baby."Beth shoved him away then ran down the hall. She was disoriented and couldn't find the stairs. She found herself outside the first room again. She paused, then poked her head around the corner. Pillar candles sat on the floor in a circle. Something odd was drawn on the concrete. That's when she noticed a person in a dark robe who began chanting. She hoped that wasn't the producer. This was too freaky. From the other side of the room two women barely dressed seemed to chant back to him. Beth decided that she would find another way to give her career a boost and ran out of the basement and the house. ***Trent pulled the door down on the truck after a successful night at Grotesque. The bar was packed up in the vehicle and he would drive it to the garage where they kept it. His bones were tired and he wished he'd spent more time convincing his partners that a brick and mortar place might be less work then unpacking and packing up this place once
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 49: Scared
Beth hadn't mentioned what she'd seen at the party, but it still creeped her out. Enough that when Trent stopped in front of her apartment building, she didn't want him to leave. It was all finally washing over her. What had been going on in that basement?She shuddered then turned to Trent who stared at her expectantly. "This is going to be an odd request.""Okay.""Would you mind coming inside with me? I know it sounds like I'm hitting on you, but it's been a strange evening."He blinked. "You're scared. I could tell that from the first moment I saw you. Do you want to talk about it?""I don't know if I'm ready to."He nodded and found a parking spot. He walked beside her, his gaze darting around the neighborhood. It was all she could afford on her own, no matter how many times her parents wanted to give her money to rent a better place. She was not interested in being dependent on her parents. If it was up to them she would have found a husband by now and be popping out children an
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 50: She Fed Him
Trent had to admit his hand did feel better. Even with using it to eat the food that Beth had finished making. Now he was just tired. It had been a long night and he wanted to crawl into bed. Instead he was babysitting Beth. She'd fed him and with his tummy full, he really could have used some sleep.He was no stranger to being awake for a full day, but it hadn't been since he'd been in the army that he'd done it the last time. His life was pretty simple these days and it mostly revolved around Grotesque. He sat at her breakfast bar because if he was in a comfortable chair he would fall asleep. She'd left to take a shower so he pulled out his phone. There was more real estate to look at for Grotesque and he still had to convince his partner that this was a good idea. He could float them a loan for the down payment. The money was not the issue. The fact that he wanted to take Grotesque in a different direction than they'd previously been going. A brick and mortar store would be more w
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 51: Siblings
"You got that look as if you are imagining it. It wasn't as good or as bad as you think.""I'm an only."Trent nodded as if he'd already figured that out. "Do you and your sisters get along?""Yes. We do." The look on his face was of a man who loved that fact, but didn't always appreciate it. "You raised them?""In some ways yes."He pressed his lips together and Beth thought the subject was done. Probably okay since he was pulling into her parents' driveway. She tried to look at it from his perspective. It wasn't a huge house, but it was clearly not small. Despite the modest home, her parents had a lot of money. Maybe because of the modest home.Both garage doors were closed and when Beth peeked in, her parents' cars weren't there. Odd for this early on a Sunday. They weren't churchgoers and if they went out for breakfast they would have taken the same car."What's wrong?"Trent stood by his truck, she guessed to give her some space. "Their cars aren't here," she said."Have they g
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 52: Where Are Her Parents?
"Yes. They got rid of their landline last year.""That means you have no idea where your mother actually was. Let's get in the truck and you can call her."Beth seemed mollified by this because she let Trent lead her to his truck. When he walked around the hood to climb into the driver's side the real estate agent was staring at them through the sidelight. Her phone was pressed to her ear. She appeared agitated.What was going on?Trent climbed into the truck. The frown on Beth's face said a lot. "Did you call your mother?""Yes. It went right to voicemail.""Your father?""Same." Her gaze went out the window. "What is going on, Trent? I don't understand."He patted her hand, wanting to do more than that to comfort her. "I have some people you can talk to. They specialize in odd occurrences.""Odd occurrences?" She snorted. "That's an understatement. I feel as if my world has turned upside down in a matter of a day, Trent." She rested her head on the back of the seat. "I don't know wha
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 53: Who Raised Me?
If someone had asked her, Beth would have said that her parents were good people, but they didn't possess the warmth that these men did. How odd to feel so connected to people she'd just met when she'd felt out of place all of her life, especially with her parents. As if their agenda had been different from hers and she didn't see it. "Hi.""Shall we go upstairs before I'm roped back into a sick kid duty? I only have a little bit of time. I think Meg is coming down with whatever the kids brought home from camp."All four men motioned for Beth to go first so she did. Donal reached around her to open the door when she reached the top. She smiled at him. At that point he was just about eye to eye with her because of his height. "Thanks."The place was an apartment and the men settled onto some chairs once Beth had picked hers. She'd never seen such chivalry. Trent sat on the arm of the chair she occupied. She appreciated his presence. Looking around she wasn't sure where to start."Why d
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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
