Spirals by Kali Gargoyle

Chapter seven: Libra's stone

***

Layne stared up at the deep violet canopy of her bed. She was alone now, in every sense of the word. Eros had just left, but he'd be back, she knew that.

But Brooklyn…

Her stomach twisted as she thought of him. She recalled her last memories of him, walking away from her, the look on his face. It was killing her, thinking of him like that.

She closed her eyes and remembered what Eros had said before he left. "I'll never leave you, my Goddess," he'd whispered in her ear.

She never felt the warm tears fall down the sides of her face. Why does my life have to be so difficult? She wondered.

Suddenly, she sat straight up and got out of the bed. She re-wrapped her dress and clipped the chain belt. She walked to the window and gripped the sill.

"What are you going to do?"

Layne didn't have to look to know that Opal was standing on her shoulder, and that Ruby was on the other.

"I'm trying to make a decision. Tomorrow night, I'll either be in Brooklyn's arms, or Eros'."

"I vote Eros," Ruby chirped.

"Shut up, she's choosing Brooklyn!" Opal shot back.

Layne watched the eastern sky lighten. She stared out the window, which she knew was bolted shut, at the sunrise. She lifted her right hand and touched the glass. She scratched symbols into the transparent surface with her talons.

Her tiny advisors watched on with interest.

"What the hell?" Ruby murmured as the sun's ray poured into the room.

***

"Crystal, wait!"

The albino stopped and turned to see Eros walking towards her. "Yes, Eros?"

"I was just curious, but after you told the Goddess that her friends had left, did you speak with her again?"

Crystal shook her head slowly, unsure of what he meant. "No, but I heard that you went to see her afterwards. Has she calmed down?"

Eros smiled. "I think I managed to settle her down. Is that for her?" He pointed down to the tray Crystal was holding.

"Of course. I cannot ignore my duties, even if…" her grip tightened on the tray.

Eros reached out to steady the tray. "I'll speak to her about her taking her anger out on you. I'll see if I can't deflect some of it for you," he smiled at her.

They continued down the hall to the Goddess' room. Eros nodded to the guard and he unlocked the door. Eros went in, followed by Crystal.

Eros quickly scanned the room. "She's gone!" he cried.

The tray and bowl clattered to the ground as Crystals' hands shot up to cover her mouth.

***

Brooklyn roared as he burst free from his stone prison. He looked around, half expecting to still be in his prison cell. All he saw was the warehouse he hadn't seen in almost a week. Bronx shuffled over and scratched at one of the crates.

"Okay, boy, I'll get you something to eat. That stuff Charles gave us wasn't that good." Brooklyn climbed up the stairs to the top floor, where the office was. He opened the refrigerator, tossed a steak to Bronx, and gabbed himself a leftover drumstick.

He sat down on the old couch and stared at the phone. He should call them. Last night, he got in too late to reach the phone. Now, it was right in front of him, and he still couldn't do it. How could he tell the clan the Layne was gone? He could hardly believe it himself.

But he had to do it. As he reached for the phone there was a crash downstairs.

"Someone's breaking in," he told Bronx, who was already out the door. Brooklyn was halfway down the stairs when he saw the intruder. He stopped in his tracks.

There, propping herself up on a crate, was Layne.

"Layne!" Brooklyn leapt over the railing to the ground. He ran and gathered Layne up in his arms. "Oh, my love, I thought I'd never see you again." His voice was choked up by tears that refused to be held back.

Layne was limp in his arms. "You have no idea how much I missed being in your arms." She buried her face in his neck, her tears falling onto his skin.

Brooklyn was frightened by her lack of strength. He sat down on the floor and cradled her in his lap. "What happened? You're so weak."

"I'm fine," she smiled. "I just didn't get any sleep."

"'Didn't get any sleep'? What? How?" Layne silenced him by putting her fingers over his lips.

"I'll tell you about it later," she yawned. "Right now, I just need to rest. That spell took a lot out of me." She closed her eyes and Brooklyn soon realized that she was asleep. He picked her up and took her up to the office, so she could be more comfortable.

Brooklyn couldn't take his eyes off her, even as he reached for the telephone.

***

Lex sat at his computer, trying to find anything useful on the recent Quarrymen activity. His hour-long search came up fruitless.

The phone beside him rang, and he picked it up. "Hello."

Lexington nearly dropped the phone. "Brooklyn? Brook, is that you? Where've you been?"

"No, he's over at Elisa's. We haven't heard from you in a week! What happened to you?"

"Yeah, I'll patch you through, but I expect the whole story when you get home. Hold on." Lex pushed a couple buttons on the phone set.

"Xanatos, it's Lex. Brooklyn's on line two."

"Thank you." David pushed the flashing button. "Brooklyn?"

"Of course, immediately. Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Are you all right?"

Brooklyn looked over at Layne, who was still sleeping. "I will be. How soon can you get us out of here?"

"Thanks, Xanatos."

"Right, bye." Brooklyn hung up the phone. He looked at Bronx, who had returned to his meal sometime during the conversation, then at Layne. He wondered what had happened to her, and how exactly she had escaped.

Layne stirred and turned her head towards him. "How long was I out?"

"Only about fifteen, twenty minutes." As Layne sat up, Brooklyn walked over and sat beside her. "Where'd you get the dress?"

Layne looked down at her dress, now tattered and stained. "Aww, and I really liked this one, too. I guess I'll have to change," she said, smiling at her beloved. He began to help her out of the dress.

"I called the castle, and Xanatos is going to send Fox to pick us up as soon as she can get away. Of course, it's going to take a few hours."

Layne slid into his lap and kissed him passionately. Bronx lifted his head up, took one look at the couple on the couch, picked up his steak and left the room. Layne giggled as she watched him go.

"Now what do ya think got into him?" Layne joked.

"I'll tell you… as soon as I catch… my breath," Brooklyn replied. Layne chuckled as Brooklyn pulled her closer.

***

The helicopter set down on the warehouse roof. Fox stepped out under the slowing blades and looked around. "Where are they?" She went downstairs to the office. Bronx met her halfway.

"Hey, boy. Where are the others? Are they ready?"

The beast looked towards the office door and whined. Fox shrugged and went to knock. The door opened and Fox peeked in.

"Oh, hey, Fox," Layne greeted as she caught sight of the redhead. She put a silver chain into one of the pockets of her bag. She was dressed in a black skirt, cut to mid-thigh, and a violet shirt tied in front, with loose sleeves cuffed at the wrist. Her hair was pulled back with a black hair band.

"Hey, yourself. I like the new look. Where's Brook?"

Layne pointed to the couch behind Fox. Brooklyn was sleeping, his wings wrapped around himself.

Fox chuckled. "Looks like he had a good time."

"We both did," Layne answered, smirking. "I almost don't have the heart to wake him. He looks so innocent."

"As opposed to an hour ago," Fox grinned.

Layne burst out laughing. Mostly because Fox's statement was true!

Brooklyn twisted in his sleep. "Mind keeping it down, Layne."

Layne walked over and kissed him on the forehead. "Our ride's here."

"What!" Brooklyn jumped up, and ended up falling off the couch. He got tangled up in his wings, and the two women doubled over with laughter.

Layne picked up Brooklyn's clothing and tossed it to him. "We'll be outside, Grace," she chuckled. She grabbed her bag and headed out with Fox.

***

Bronx wagged his tail and barked as Brooklyn approached the aircraft. He had his bag flung over his shoulder. "Okay, let's go."

Fox clicked her tongue. "Anxious to get back? I thought you two would want an extended honeymoon."

"Let's just say that we didn't get to spend as much time together as we wanted. I want to get out of here as soon as possible, before anything else happens."

Fox looked at Layne for clarity. She shook her head. "We'll tell you along with everyone else."

Fox shrugged and got into her seat. "Buckle up, here we go!"

The helicopter lifted off the ground. As they passed over the Pine Barrens, Brooklyn squeezed Layne's hand. She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed.

***

"There they are!" Lexington pointed at the approaching silhouette. They stayed at a safe distance until the doors opened. Bronx jumped out and bowled into Lex. He slobbered all over the small gargoyle before jumping up on Hudson.

Brooklyn and Layne brought their bags out with them and gestured for the others to wait until they were out from under the spinning blades. Broadway and Lex enthusiastically greeted Brooklyn, while Angela hugged Layne.

"We missed you so much!" Angela smiled. "What's with the new clothes?"

Layne gave her a tired smile. "It's a long story."

"It's good to have you back," Goliath said.

"Aye," Hudson agreed. "Come now, Broadway's prepared a meal in honor of your return. Ye can tell us your story over dinner."

***

Broadway had really out done himself this time. The table was full of delicious foods. He must have started cooking when he first heard they were coming home. The entire clan sat around the table. David and Fox, and even Owen join them, and Elisa and Matt, who'd just gotten off duty.

"Well," Elisa started, "Tell us about your trip."

"Yeah," Lex chimed in. "Did you meet any other gargoyles?"

Brooklyn looked up from his half-eaten helping and glanced at Layne. She set down her spoon. "For the first four days, we went through the Barrens, finding nothing, as you know. Then they found us."

They went on to tell about the hunting party that had found them, and the clan who believed Layne was their Goddess in corporeal form. They talked about being separated, about being held against their will, and finally, their escape. Brooklyn complained about the lousy food and Layne neglected to mention Eros.

"Then they let me go. I thought I'd never see Layne again."

"I knew they would never let me leave, so I cast a spell that helped me escape. It kept me awake after the sun came up, and another got me outside," she lied. She hoped no one realized, and everyone seemed to buy the story.

Owen looked surprised. "That's a very difficult spell, and one I haven't taught you yet."

Layne blushed and shrugged. "I improvised. You tend to do that a lot in Witchcraft, so I just applied what I had learned. Anyway, I don't suggest opening communication with this clan. It could be…awkward."

Goliath nodded. "I agree, it's better to leave them be, and just be content with the fact they survived."

***

Lance called the Council for an emergency meeting. He came in, dragging Kevin by the ear and deposited his little brother in an empty seat. Eros and Crystal, although they were not members of council, were also present.

"First of all, I want to know how she got out!"

"She's a divine being," Amanda said. "We were fools to think we could hold her!"

"Then why didn't she leave earlier?" Duran argued. "Or allow herself to be captured in the first place?"

"Perhaps because of her friends," Crystal said softly. Suddenly, all eyes were on her and her cheeks flushed pink.

"What about her friends? Didn't we appease her by letting them go?" Lance asked.

"Well, um, she always seemed concerned about them. And she did leave right after they were released."

"She's got a point," Charles said.

Lance continued to stare at Crystal. "Crystal, you know the Goddess well, don't you?"

"Um, no, not really."

"But you know her better than the rest of us. You were her handmaiden. I want you to bring her back."

Crystal opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Eros spoke up. "I also spent a great deal of time with the Goddess, as you know, Leader. I'd like to be the one to go."

Lance thought this over. They were both dedicated, but Crystal seemed too meek, and Eros obviously had ulterior motives. "Kevin, you go with them."

"What!" All three young gargoyles exclaimed.

***

Layne placed her books back with the others. She picked up her bag and was about to put it in the closet when something metal fell out and hit the floor. She absently tossed the bag into the corner and picked up the delicate silver chain.

She had been staring at it silently for close to five minutes when Brooklyn put his hand on her shoulder. "A souvenir?"

"Yeah, I mean, it seemed a waste to leave it behind." She walked over and placed it in her jewelry chest. She pulled out a necklace, a silver pentacle on a black cord. She pulled it over her head and turned back to Brooklyn.

"What do ya think?"

He took hold of the pentacle. "It suits you. You know, I don’t think I've seen you wear one of those. Except for the tattoo."

Layne laughed. "I'm surprised that thing made it through my transformation. But I always wore a necklace, it was just under my shirt."

"Well, that explains it, I never got that far until tonight." He let go of the necklace and took hold of her hands. "Why did you stop painting your nails?"

"When I realized that climbing up walls ruins my manicure. Why all the questions all the sudden?"

Brooklyn smiled. "All the sudden, I'm seeing you in a whole new light. I came very close to losing you, and I had never felt so lost in my life."

"Brooklyn, I love you, and I always will. Never doubt that."

***

Chapter Eight

Spirals index