Spirals by Kali Gargoyle
Chapter six: Oh, My Goddess!
***
They were in a large room. Brooklyn and Layne sat on the floor while Bronx walked the perimeter.
"Are they going to keep us here forever? Maybe they've forgotten about us."
"I doubt it," Layne answered. "They seemed rather excited about our arrival. I don't think we're prisoners."
"You mean they seemed excited about your arrival, Goddess," Brooklyn smirked. Layne punched him in the arm and let out a small laugh.
Before she could come up with a witty remark, the door opened. A female gargoyle, one they recognized from the group who had brought them here, entered the room. She had golden colored skin and backswept horns that curved over her head, holding back her brown, gold streaked hair. Her brown, feathered wings were cloaked over her slender figure, clad in a simple white dress.
Bronx stopped and sniffed at her feet.
"My name is Sylvia. Please come with me." She waited until Brooklyn and Layne stood up before leaving. The couple followed Sylvia, with Bronx following behind them.
Sylvia opened a large wooden door, and told them to go inside. Layne and Brooklyn looked at each other before passing over the threshold.
In front of them was a large, round table, around which sat several gargoyles, all older than either Layne or Brooklyn. Two other gargoyles stood near the door, apparently guarding it. At the head of the table sat a male gargoyle, looking about Goliath's age. He had dark blue skin and long black hair. He watched them as they walked into the room.
"I am the leader of this clan, you may call me Lance. Please, sit." He gestured to the two empty seats in front of Brooklyn and Layne.
Beside Lance was an older male, bald with fading gray skin and horns that curved inward. On the other side was a female of the same age. She had tan skin with fine lines around her eyes, her graying blonde hair was pulled back in a tight braid.
Lance rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "I'm sorry if we caused you any inconvenience, but this is very important to us."
Layne nodded. Brooklyn crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm Brooklyn, second-in-command of our clan. We came here searching for a clan of gargoyles, and now that we’ve found you, we need to leave in order to contact our clan, and…"
"No, she can't leave," a purple skinned female gasped.
A blue male sitting next to her slammed his fist on the table. "She has to stay."
Everyone began speaking at once. Layne could only make out a few phrases, but what she heard, she didn't like. She grabbed Brooklyn's hand.
"We can't let them go."
"She's our Goddess, we need her."
"We've waited too long."
Lance raised his hand and the group quieted down. "Brooklyn, you and the beast may leave whenever you wish. But, the Goddess must remain with us."
Brooklyn shot to his feet, knocking his chair back. "No deal. Layne is a part of my clan. She's my mate."
Layne stood as well, but calmly. "I'm sorry Lance, but I cannot stay here with you."
"I was afraid you'd say that."
The two gargoyles that had been guarding the door grabbed Layne. Brooklyn hit the nearest one in the face and he fell to the ground, blood streaming from his nose. The other, a green male, tightened his grip of Layne. Bronx leapt up, intending to clamp onto the green arm, but he moved away, and out the door, and Bronx ended up with a mouth full of wall.
Brooklyn's eyes glowed white as he attacked. A tan fist came out of nowhere and straight into his line of sight. Brooklyn's head flew back, then he doubled over as something slammed into his stomach. Finally, his attacker hit him in the back of the neck, sending him to the floor.
"That's enough! Charles, Ryan, take Brooklyn and his beast back to their room," Lance commanded.
Ryan, the gray one Brooklyn had hit first, flung Brooklyn over his shoulder. Charles, the blue one who had slammed his fist one the table, managed to use a piece of rope tied around Bronx's neck as a leash, but it took him and two others to drag Bronx away.
"You can't keep me from her," Brooklyn mumbled as he was carried from the room.
"Amanda," Lance looked to the elderly female on his right, "Go get Crystal. She will be the Goddess' hand maiden." The tan female nodded and stood.
***
Layne opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred. She knew what had happened; it felt exactly like before. They had drugged her. She remembered now. The green male, Terrence, that's what they had called him. He had carried her from the room, she remembered screaming, then feeling a pain in her arm. She moaned and sat up.
The first thing she noticed was that she was wearing different clothes. Her shorts and halter-top were replaced by a white dress that wrapped around her and was fastened by a silver chain at her waist.
The next thing she noticed was that she was on a bed. The bed was canopied and was closed off by a set of purple curtains. She pushed them aside and stepped out.
She was in a lavishly furnished room. While the other rooms were dull, this one had paintings and bright tapestries on every wall. There was only one door, and one window that faced east.
Layne was checking the window for a way out when the door opened. She turned, her eyes glowing slightly.
The gargoyle jumped in surprise. "I'm sorry I startled you, Goddess," she said.
Layne looked the female over. They were about the same age and height. She had white skin and hair, pulled back in a loose braid. What might have been mistaken for loose strands of hair were thin horns that fell like locks of hair down either side of her face. She wore a dark blue, high necked, sleeveless dress. She stared at Layne with pale blue eyes.
"An albino," Layne whispered.
"Excuse me, Goddess?"
"Um, who are you?"
The female put down the tray she had been carrying onto a table near the door. "My name is Crystal. I've been assigned as your handmaiden. And I can't tell you what an honor it is."
Before she could continue on, Layne held up her hand. "Thank you, Crystal. Now tell me, where are my friends?"
Crystal hesitated. "They are being held in their room in the opposite end of our home."
"I want to see them."
Crystal shrank back into the doorframe. "You can't do that."
"What!" Layne screamed at her, her eyes burning crimson. Crystal opened and closed her mouth, unable to speak, tears forming in her eyes.
"She said that you cannot do that," a male voice replied. Layne looked up and it took her a moment to recognize him as Eros, the one who had addressed them that first night, at the cliff.
"Why not?" Layne demanded, approaching him. Eros stood well over six and a half feet, with honey tan skin over rippling muscles. His dirty blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, and it had darker streaks. He wore dark brown pants, tied at the ankles. His browridges curved up at the ends, and his facial features were strong and handsome, although Layne was too angry to notice how attractive he was.
Eros calmly looked down at her. "It was necessary to separate you for the time being. You will be reunited… eventually."
By this time, Crystal had disappeared and Eros closed the door.
"I'm sure you have many questions, Goddess."
"Why does everyone keep calling me that?"
Eros looked at her in confusion. "You are our Goddess," he answered as if he thought everybody knew this.
Layne ran her hands over her face. "Look, Eros, there has been a huge misunderstanding. I'm not a goddess, well, technically, I am, but I'm not your Goddess. There has to be some mistake."
"No mistake, you are the one." He wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her over to one of the paintings on the wall.
Layne gasped.
It was her, at least it looked like her. The same skin coloring, same hair, same intense blue eyes, she even wore the same dress. Even the background of the portrait seemed to echo her personality.
"This was done almost three hundred years ago, painted by one of our clan members from records about you, which are a thousand years older."
"You've been here that long?"
"Not always here, but yes. This establishment is only a hundred and fifty years old. Our clan has traveled much longer, meeting many clans, bringing some individuals into our clan."
Layne was so transfixed by the painting she didn't notice Eros' hand move until it brushed against her wing joints, sending a tingle down her spine.
She gasped and quickly moved away, retreating to a large chair. Eros came over and knelt beside her.
"Is something the matter, my Goddess?"
"No, but I'd rather be left alone right now. Maybe I'll see what Crystal brought me."
Eros looked over his shoulder; Layne held her breath as she took in his handsome profile. "It's just soup." He looked back, his dark onyx eyes focusing on her. "Nothing that can't wait."
He leaned forward, and Layne leaned backwards in response. His face was just an inch from hers.
"I don't think you truly want to be alone, do you, my Goddess?"
Layne could feel her heart beating louder. She gripped the arms of her chair and forced herself to swallow. "Yes, Eros, I want to be alone. Please, leave."
Eros looked slightly irritated for a moment. Then he got up and went to the door. "As you wish, my Goddess. But I'll always be nearby if you charge your mind." He turned back to Layne with a smoldering look.
When the door shut, Layne exhaled her breath. She loosened her grip on the armrests and sank into the chair, closing her eyes.
"That was close," she said.
"You're telling me."
Layne sat up and open her eyes. She visually searched the room but could find no one. "Who's there?"
A small figure appeared in front of her face. Layne pulled her head back and tried to focus. The female gargoyle was no more than six inches tall, with red skin and purple-streaked black hair. She wore a black, leather bikini type outfit and boots customized to her feet. She had two short horns and split-wings with one claw.
"Who-who are you?"
The gargoyle tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I'm Ruby, and I'm here to tell you that that was a very stupid thing you did just now."
"Huh?" Layne stared in disbelief at the small gargoyle.
"I'm talking about Eros. He just practically threw himself at you, and you threw him out! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What was I supposed to do? Jump into bed with him?"
"Duh!"
Layne grabbed the tiny devil. "Just who in the Summerland are you, anyway?"
Ruby squirmed in Layne's grip. "I told you I'm Ruby."
Layne slapped her other hand to her face.
"You're only confusing her, Ruby."
Layne peeked through her fingers to see another gargoyle sitting on her wrist next to Ruby. This one had pale blue skin and sky blue-streaked, lavender colored hair. She had feathered wings, sky blue on top, white on the bottom. She wore a lavender dress with a silver belt around her waist.
"Oh, no," Layne moaned.
The blue one looked up at Layne with bright blue eyes. "I'm Opal, I'm your conscience."
Layne's eyes widened in realization. "My conscience? That means that she's…"
"The bad one. Yep, we're the devil and angel of your mind." Opal smiled with lavender lips.
Layne sat back in her chair. She let go of Ruby, who stood on one armrest while Opal took the other.
"I don't believe this."
"I don't believe you let that hunk out of here alive!"
"Shut up Ruby, she did the right thing! She already has a mate, and they're deeply in love, something you'd know nothing about."
"You mean Brooklyn?" Ruby burst out laughing. "They've never actually mated, Opal. It makes no difference if they're in love."
"It makes all the difference!" Opal screamed back.
Ruby put her hands on her hips. "Did you see that boy? They do not call him Eros for nothing. If it were me, I'd have thrown him to the floor and…"
"I'm not you!" Layne screamed. She slumped back into the chair. "I do not need this right now."
Opal gently touched Layne's shaking hand. "You're wrong, Jessondra, you do need us."
Layne calmed down and laughed. "Jessondra. No one's called me that in years, not since I left California."
"I'll call you Layne if you prefer," Opal said. "Layne, you need us to help you. Something caused us to be here, because usually we don't leave your inner mind."
Layne stood up and walked to the window. "No, I don't need your help. I love Brooklyn, and I need to get us all out of here before it's too late."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that. You know how you felt when Eros touched you. You liked it."
Layne felt her cheeks burned, but luckily, she was facing the window. "Makes no difference. I have to follow my heart, not your hormones."
Ruby clutched at her chest. "Good one. But think about it. I'm a part of you, and if I want Eros, that means that a part of you wants him. Wants him bad, so bad you can taste it, so bad you're ready to…"
"That's enough!" Layne snapped. "Opal, you, obviously, are my better half."
"Hey!" Ruby protested.
"What's your advice?"
"My advice, is that you follow your heart. If I know, then deep down, so do you. I'm a part of you after all."
"So is she." Layne pointed to Ruby, who was playing with the spade tip of her tail. Layne sighed, "I'm doomed."
***
Lance walked down the hallway. The clan had just awakened and there was a lot to do. A younger gargoyle entered the hallway just a few yards away, took one look at Lance, and turned back to where he came from.
"Brother, wait!"
The gargoyle stopped reluctantly and turned towards his leader. "Hey, Lance. What do ya want?"
"Kevin, is that any way to talk to your older brother, or your leader for that matter?"
Kevin scratched the side of his beak. "Look, I've got somewhere to go."
Lance sighed. "Kevin, you cannot keep avoiding this. You are the second-in-command of this clan, and I'm trying to help you gain experience for when you have to become leader."
"Well, I never asked to be your second-in-command, or your brother for that matter," Kevin snapped. He turned and hurried down the hall before his brother could say anything else.
***
Amanda met Lance just outside the meeting room.
"Will Kevin be joining us this evening?" she asked as she took her seat beside Lance.
"I'm afraid not. I tried to remind him earlier, but he dismissed my advice."
Another elder slid into his seat beside Lance. "If you ask me, you should make my son second-in-command."
Amanda frowned. "I always thought my son would make a better choice."
Lance shook his head. "No, Eros has a more important duty at the moment, and Ryan, well, he's too busy trying to impress his rookery sisters. I'll talk to my brother. Right now, we have to deal with the Goddess and her companions, especially her companions."
"I think you should kill them," the gray male suggested.
"Duran! I'm shocked. No matter who they are, we cannot just kill them."
"I agree with Amanda. We can't kill them, they're friends of the Goddess and I don't want to face her anger if she finds out." Lance scratched his ear.
"Then what do we do?" Duran asked.
Lance remained silent as the rest of the council members entered the room and took their seats.
***
Brooklyn pulled at the door again. It was locked, still. It had been locked since they had been thrown in here the other night. He was going crazy in here. He needed to get out, to find out what they had done to Layne.
Bronx sat in the corner and watched as Brooklyn paced. His ears perked up. Soon, Brooklyn heard footsteps approaching. They heard keys, and the sound of the lock. The door was pushed open and the two gargoyles that had brought them here stood in the entrance.
Charles had blue skin and short golden colored hair. He was built like Brooklyn, but taller. He had very human looking features, and five small horns above his forehead.
Ryan had gray skin and two horns that curved back over his long black hair. He was shorter, but much more muscular that Charles.
"What do you want?" Brooklyn asked.
Charles tossed him an olive colored duffel bag. "This should be enough to get you back to your home."
"You…you're letting us go?"
"Yes," Ryan answered. "We're going to escort you to the edge of our property, then you two will have to find your own way."
"You two? What about Layne? We aren't leaving without her."
"You have no choice. It's been decided by the council. Don't make us force you."
Brooklyn remembered his last encounter with them and decided to cooperate. For the time being.
"Come on, Bronx." He tossed the bag over his shoulder as Bronx stretched and walked to his side.
"Let's go home."
***
Layne stood at her window. She was worried about Brooklyn and Bronx. She hadn't seen them since they were separated, and none of the others would tell her anything.
"Goddess?"
Layne looked over her shoulder at Crystal. "Yes, what is it?"
Crystal swallowed. She was nervous, and that meant bad news. "Your companions have been released."
Layne smiled, and grabbed Crystal by the shoulders. "That's wonderful. When can I see them?"
There was another swallow. "They've been sent home. They're being escorted away from the compound."
Layne let her go and turned back to the window.
"They were sent with food and supplies. It was the council's decision that…"
"Shut up!" Layne spun around and snapped at her handmaiden. She grabbed Crystal's arm and threw her out of the room.
***
Brooklyn and Bronx reluctantly followed their two guides. Brooklyn tried to remember the path, so he could return. And he would return, for Layne. He'd be damned if he let them keep him away from her.
For some reason, he turned around. From the outside, the place he had just left looked like nothing more than an old log cabin next to a large tree.
He was surprised to see Layne watching him from one of the windows in the cabin. She stared down at him, but he couldn't make out the emotions on her face.
A dark figure appeared behind her and the curtains fell over the window.
Brooklyn turned back, slightly depressed and hurt. Bronx nudged his hand and Brooklyn scratched behind his ear.
***
Layne was still standing at her window when they brought Brooklyn out. She watched her love walk away from her. He looked like he was going to his own execution.
"Oh, Brooklyn."
As if he had heard her, he turned around and looked right back at her.
"Nothing is going to keep us apart, beloved. I swear, I'll find a way back to you," she whispered.
The room darkened as the curtains blocked her view. She turned around and found herself in the strong embrace of two powerful arms.
"My Goddess, is something wrong?" Eros' smooth voice made her look up at his face. He saw the tears streaming down her face.
"Why are they leaving? You know that I'll follow them. You can't keep me here, especially now that my friends are gone."
Eros touched her cheek, pushing her hair to the side. "We won't let you go, I won't let you go." He tilted her head upward.
"Eros, I'm not in the mood to reject you right now. Can you come back later so I can do it properly?"
Eros narrowed his eyes. "Why do you deny us?"
"Because there is no us! I love Brooklyn!" As hard as she tried, Layne could not break free of his grip. She threw her head back and it slammed against the wall.
The next thing she knew, she was lying in her bed, with Eros sitting next to her.
"What happened?"
Eros was holding her hands. "I never meant to hurt you. Are you alright?"
Layne sat up. "My head is killing me." She was silent for several seconds. "They're really gone, aren't they?"
"They've reached the edge of the Barrens by now. Charles and Ryan already returned. There's nothing you can do, so why don't you just forget them. Forget him."
"I can't."
Eros pressed his forehead to hers. Startled, Layne looked up into his eyes. The look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. It burned her very core.
"Let me help you."
For once, Layne did not pull away. She didn't pull away when his lips touched hers. She didn't pull away when he pulled her closer. And she didn't pull away when he laid her back down.
***