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Chapter 71: Her Dilemma
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Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 72: A Safe Space
"I need to power up the office. It isn't our permanent space yet, but Tex and my brothers are on their way."Donal nodded then stepped back into the elevator. The doors closed on him. Pete swallowed hard. "Let's find those bathrooms.""I'd like to get clean."Pete led her down the most obvious hallway. He came to the first bedroom and poked in his head. There was a closet and a bathroom off this bedroom. Pete stepped into the room and opened the closet door. "There are some clothes.""I'll see if some fit."They were dancing around something, but Pete wasn't sure what it was. He would give Jenna as much space as she needed. The day had been terrible for her, and he had no idea how to soothe her. Of course, he didn't want to. His rational brain screamed at him to leave, to just go somewhere else. If Jenna was his fairy, he wanted nothing to do with her. But he couldn't leave. The part of him that had served his country, that had embraced being a soldier, couldn't leave her behind. She
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 73: What Was He?
"I'm not telling you that, Jenna. Just stop."Pete poured a cup of coffee and handed her the mug. She would let the subject drop for now, but her fingers itched to do some research. She would love to see him transform again. That would probably be asking too much. Since he wouldn't even give her a name. "I realize you don't trust me. You have no reason to. I'm sorry if I've overstepped."He let out a breath as he poured himself some coffee. "We should get downstairs."He moved near her, and she put a hand on his arm. "I'm going to ask again when you trust me more."She couldn't read the look he gave her. He was inscrutable for sure, but she had a knack for getting people to open up to her. Pete might just take longer. He shrugged and brushed past her. She followed him to the elevator, her mug of coffee in hand. It tasted like Heaven and she wondered what brand it was. She was getting this for the lab. Well, assuming she was ever going back to the lab. Her heart hurt for a moment. She
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 74: Pete's Plan
Pete didn't have a plan. He didn't want to reveal himself to Jenna, but she wouldn't stop asking. "I guess I have to show her who I am." He looked around the table. "I need your permission to let her know that you are gargoyles also."Donal let out a sardonic laugh and looked at his brothers. "Weren't we talking about this recently? Maybe it's time to out ourselves?""This could be a test case," Sean, Donal's brother, said. "She's a safe bet having already seen Pete in gargoyle form.""We have to be sure of this," Deke said. "There is no unlearning our secret."That's what Pete thought also. He could reveal himself, but Jenna would want to know if he was the only one. He'd never entertained the idea that he'd let someone else into his supernatural world. "If I can't reveal myself to her then I need to step out of this operation.""She trusts you," Donal said. "I can see how she looks at you."Pete waved his hand. "I merely saved her from a situation.""No, it's more than that," Declan
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 75: A Place To Stay
"I don't need you to take on anyone. I just need a place to stay for a bit and a lab for someone else. Someone you might be interested in talking to.""Does she know about you?"Pete laughed. "Yes. She knows I'm a gargoyle.""Wow. That's a lot of trust for you. I'll send you coordinates to get here.""I may be bringing some friends to help me get her there, but you can trust them.""Okay, Pete. I trust you and you know my story," Professor Sather said. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Pete hung up and rejoined the group who sat at a table with empty plates. He could do dishes and make himself useful. The Foley brothers and Deke answered all of Jenna's questions with aplomb. They'd probably never been asked by someone who wasn't a supernatural. Some things gargoyles take for granted."So, wait, you're Irish right?" Jenna asked Donal."We are, lass," he said, dipping into the lilt that Pete knew he'd worked to get rid of. "From Ireland and all?"Donal glanced at his broth
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 76: Grotesque
Trent eyed him then nodded. "What if everyone else is on board?""Then I may just step out. Someone can buy out my shares."Trent faced forward, seeming to digest that information. He didn't bring it up again. Pete threw himself into setting up the nightclub with his partner, and finally it was time to open. A few customers straggled in, followed by an official-looking man with a badge, who entered the main area. He smelled of goblin. This was not going to turn out well. He shouted. "I want all patrons to leave. I'm shutting this place down by order of the Philadelphia Department of Health and the Philadelphia Fire Marshall's office."They gathered around the man. "What grounds?" Trent asked, but they all knew something smelled and it wasn't just the official. "This place is a fire hazard and we're closing this up."The patrons filed out, grumbling as they went. This didn't look good, but Pete didn't know what their rights were. When the customers were gone, more goblins came in. T
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 77: Her New Lab
"It's fine. I'm on the run and accused of something I didn't do. I'm in no position to be a diva about my research," Jenna said.Pete eyed her, but he didn't say anything. He'd been quiet since they'd arrived. Having introduced them, he'd let them talk, only asking a few questions. "Guess we better get to cleaning," Pete said. Sather had brought in cleaning supplies and she snagged some of them to start in the far corner. It would allow her to think about what she wanted to do next. And maybe even a little bit about what might have led Sather to hide out in the woods so far away from everyone. He hadn't spoken much about it. He'd seemed more interested in her work. Had it been goblins? Those thoughts led her to wonder about other supernatural creatures. She'd love to study them, but that could be inhumane. Although, did that word even apply?"Jenna?" Pete said. She must have been mumbling to herself. She straightened and stretched out her back. "We're making good progress. I should
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 78: Truth
"Instead of rejoicing in the time he had with your mother, he never actually found his fairy.""What do you mean? She was the love of his life.""But you aren't half fairy. You are all gargoyle. That means your mother was a gargoyle also."Pete had never thought about that. He'd bought into the mythos that his father had found his only love in his mother when there might have been someone else out there for him. His father never looked. Pete leaned his forearms onto his thighs. His father had never looked for his fairy.Did that change anything? Even though his father had died without ever finding his fairy—or even looking for her—he still believed that Pete's mother was his only love. Still… what if Pete's fairy died? What if he built a life with Jenna, and she died in some freak accident? They lived longer than humans, but they weren't immortal. She could die in a car accident. She just couldn't die if he was with her.But knowing this didn't make leaving any easier or harder. "What
Gargoyles in Uniform Chapter 79: She's Gone
"They took her, Pete. I'm sorry."The idea that Jenna was gone robbed him of his breath for a moment. When he recovered, he said. "Are you okay?""Yes. It was goblins I'm pretty sure," Sather said. "Did you see them?""No, but they arrived by air. I never heard them until they were in the house. They got the jump on me.""You'll live?"The old man laughed. "Of course. Go find Jenna.""Any indication where they might have gone?" Pete asked. It was a long shot, but he doubted the goblins would have revealed their plans. They didn't even see Sather as a threat since they didn't kill him. That didn't mean they were stupid. Sather shook his head. "I was out when they left so I don't know what direction they flew.""You going to be okay?""Yes." Pete turned away. He would contact Donal and the rest. The idea that his father's heartache was most likely because his love wasn't his fairy had been bouncing around in his mind the whole drive. Had his father done it to himself? "Pete?" Sather
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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
