Perfect Misfits Read online

  Her tongue traced the outline of his lips, and he pulled her harder into him, kissing her with a ferocity that almost scared him. Her yelp startled him, and he pushed back to see a small trail of blood leaving her lower lip.

  He shoved himself away from her.

  Shit! What was I thinking?

  He was still in gargoyle form. His fanged canine teeth had hurt her. He quickly turned away from her shocked stare.

  “I’m sorry, Tempest. I forgot I was in this form.”

  He heard her footfalls coming closer, and then felt her fingertips trace over a portion of his wings. The beast inside him roared at her seductive touch as she traced the webbed area of his wings. He spun around, putting her an arm’s length away.

  She provocatively licked the blood from her lip. “You have sharp teeth,” she purred, rubbing her cheek on his hand, which still held her away from him.

  “Tempest, we can’t do this.”

  “Why not?” she cooed, kissing one of his long claws.

  “Because I’m far to large and dangerous like this.”

  “What if I never see you again?”

  He closed his eyes and jumped away from her again. He’d never let any female touch him physically while he was in gargoyle form. He could hurt her. She barely came up to his torso in height.

  “You will see me again. I promise.”

  “You don’t even want me. I am a misfit after all. What kind of life will I have if I ever do leave here?”

  He let out a big breath and approached her. “You are nothing but perfect.”

  She slumped to the ground and sat. “But you don’t want me.”

  The sadness in her voice sliced through him like a blade. He sank down in front of her. “I do want you.”

  She looked up at him with a weak smile, and then over to Rogue. “I wish I could have Rogue back while you’re gone.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wish the same.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’ll be okay.”

  Every little move she made drove him insane with desire. “I know you’ll be okay. I won’t be gone long. Maybe I’ll dream of you again,” he teased with a smirk.

  She swatted at him. “I hope you do.”

  He stood and reached down for her to take his hand. “I want you to stay in the cabin. And don’t leave it to go anywhere. Is that clear?”

  “Now you’re giving me orders,” she protested.

  “Only for your safety. I can place a spell to keep everything out, but I can’t keep you in.”

  “Can you keep the Vemlers out?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Ryder, can you put Rogue by the cabin so I can watch him?”

  “Yes, of course. It might be better to place his figure outside the cabin so he can keep watch. It is what gargoyles do, you know. I bet he’s keeping watch even though he’s in this state.”

  Tempest moved toward the gargdog. “Do you really think so?” She petted his stone head.

  Ryder wasn’t sure what had happened to the creature but his thoughts put a smile on her face, and that was good. “Yes, I do think he’ll be watching you.”

  She did smile. “I’ll feel better believing that thought.”

  “Let’s get you back to the cabin.” He gently bent and picked up Rogue before making his way ahead of Tempest through the trees to the sanctuary.

  Please let this protect her while I’m away.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Telling me you can’t find her is not what I want to hear,” Fedor yelled, striking out at the snow troop. “You’re all fucking morons. What did she do, just fly away?” he motioned violently, throwing his arms up in the air.

  “I want to know exactly what you found. Cash, spill it now, and don’t leave anything out.”

  The hairy beast cowered as it moved forward. Fedor felt the anger inside him bottling up like a raging storm. “Hurry up, Cash. I don’t have all day.” He tapped his foot on the ground.

  “We followed her tracks, as much as we could make out. Then we followed the gargdog. His were easier to follow. There seemed to be a scuffle in the snow. It was all trampled down, but then there was a clear path where it appears she must have slid. The creature followed, we saw his tracks. But then…there was the ledge. We can see where she went off the ledge and held on to a branch. She had to have fallen to her death.”

  Fedor saw red.

  What the hell happened? She couldn’t have fallen to her death.

  He ran to the ice cabinet and opened the doors, holding his breath. Many of the colored ice crystals had lost their sparkle, but the one he wanted was in the back. Air left his lungs. Tempest was alive—if she wasn’t, the crystal and stones would also have lost their glimmer.

  “She is not dead, you fucking idiots!” He placed the priceless icicle. Vicasha had said somebody had been watching them. Something was up, and he needed to find out what. The smaller icicle beside Tempest’s glowed blue. It was Rogue’s.

  A wicked smile formed on his face. He knew she’d follow wherever the beast went. Perhaps it was time to use a spell. He rubbed his chin, wondering if he had enough power. He had to try. Tempest would come back to him one way or another.

  He removed the icicles devoid of life and dropped the first one on the cold ice surface and watched it shatter into hundreds of shards. The small jewel at its center sparkled brightly, and then disappeared before his eyes.

  “Useless pieces of life,” he spat. “Fucked-up misfits…all of you!” He screamed into the cabinet as if they could hear. “None of you are worth shit, with the exception of one, and I will get her back.”

  He poured himself a drink and wandered to his throne. “I should kill you, Cash. What good are you to me?”

  The creature hung his head and trembled.

  “Get the hell out, before I do decide to kill you.”

  The sneer turned and awkwardly trotted away.

  Figures, if I want something done right I should have done it myself.

  He took a swallow, remembering the old days back on Levare. He’d been considered ugly, distasteful, and certainly not trustworthy. But then he’d discovered how to make some of the high-society Levarians want him.

  The woman and man had struggled with their child in a prominent downtown area. The boy, apparently disfigured and behaving badly, caused more attention to the couple than they wanted. They left him crying while they continued to bicker. Fedor began to notice this couple didn’t seem to be the only pair who’d ended up with a child not meeting their expectations.

  Levare had long since been known for barren women and infertile men. It didn’t seem to matter what species they were; if they remained on Levare, they would likely end up unable to procreate. If they did manage to produce an offspring, the outcome was not good. Desperate for the creation of life, many had sought the wizards and even the witch Astral. The problems had soon begun, and Fedor saw a way out for himself.

  He’d approached the man and woman staring down at the disfigured boy. The man and woman had looked at him in horror as he stared down at their own monster, but in no time, he had the couple convinced the best place for the boy would be Misfit Mountain, where a nice home would await him. The babe would never undergo the cruelty of sneering stares and bitter laughter. He would be surrounded by loving individuals who were just like him. The best part about the deal was the parents could forget they’d ever had such a problem. Money transferred hands, and Fedor dealt with their problems. None of them bothered to check to see how their progeny was doing. They swept them under the carpet like specs of dirt.

  With the help of a few others to help with his plan, Misfit Mountain had been formed—his mountain. He just needed to ensure Tempest remained under his control. It was time to get her himself. Time to try a spell.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ryder’s heart felt heavy with angst and worry as he flew through the air. Cursing, he adjusted the patch over his eye and turned his head to the right to look down
at the small patch of green loveliness.

  It’ll do me some good to be away from her. Time to clear my head is just what I need. Time to put my feelings back where they should be—gone.

  To develop feeling for her would only make things worse. He planned to find the answers, come back for her and Rogue, and his life would go back to the way it was meant to be.

  The light diminished as he flew higher. Lifting his head, he could see a small area where he knew the opening would be. The pixies appeared, following alongside him, humming and making tiny little squeaks like they were communicating with one another.

  At least they aren’t trying to stop me this time. What’s their part in this whole story?

  Increasing resistance pushed against him as he drew nearer to the barrier. He could see a veil of glimmering silver that shone and then disappeared. He halted, battling an unseen force that tried to push him away, and noticed that when the silver veil appeared, the galactic winds ceased, and when it vanished, the resistance grew.

  Ah ha!

  He held his position, watching and timing the opening and closing. The countdown was on. When the cycle was midway between open and closed, with a mighty thump of his wings and his arms out front balled into fists, Ryder thrust forward, hitting the opening with all his strength. His body slowed enveloped in an invisible force that encompassed every inch of his form like quicksand, and he struggled to be free of the entity wishing to stop his progress.

  Ryder thrashed and squirmed, twisting and turning, until his arms broke through, allowing him the ability to push the rest of his body out of the sickening cover and into the dark sky.

  I did it!

  Much to slowly for his liking, he managed to spread his wings wide, holding his position. He looked at the city in the distance.

  A pang settled in his heart causing him alarm.

  She has to be okay. I have to make this trip and get back there…back to her.

  Vision of their night together invaded his thoughts. Time seemed to stand still, but soon, he saw the other gargoyles in the distance, where they circled the city. Tall structures jutted up and into the sky. Not all of the towers and buildings were the same; some were crumbling, showing the effects of battles. He pulled the patch covering his eye up and swiped the empty socket.

  One gargoyle had singled him out and was heading his direction.

  Ashton.

  Ryder stopped hovering in the air, waiting for his approach.

  “Where have you been?” the young warrior asked.

  “You couldn’t possibly imagine.” Ryder shook his head.

  “I was beginning to worry. You haven’t been down to the Transportbar in two nights.”

  “I realize that.”

  “I thought you had fallen off a tower somewhere and perhaps met your demise.”

  A smile crept over Ryder’s face. “Wishful thinking. But I can tell you that it is possible for a gargoyle to hit the ground.”

  Ashton’s grey complexion paled to an eerie white. “That’s funny,” he stated, but waited for confirmation of what he must have been hoping was a joke.

  “It’s the truth. But don’t worry; you won’t die if it ever happens.”

  “I don’t think I’d like to find out,” Ashton shook his head.

  Still hovering in the air, Ryder pointed in the direction of the city. “Follow me.”

  He turned and dove towards the ground. Moments later, he stood on the massive roof of his home. Ashton landed beside him.

  Ryder looked over the edge to where he’d fallen not so long ago. The hole in the ground bore witness to the fact it really had happened.

  “Ashton, did you pay a visit to Astral?”

  The younger gargoyle swore beneath his breath and shook his head. “Yes, I did.”

  “And…?”

  “She spoke in riddles. I asked her about snow-covered mountains and if she’d heard of anything or seen anything like that on Levare. She wandered about like I wasn’t even there, but then got this evil smirk on her face and said, ‘Perfect is what we see in our hearts. Mountains will crumble, but the truth will remain.’ She made no sense, Ryder.”

  Ryder clenched his fist and pounded it into his other hand. “That fucking old witch knows exactly what she’s talking about.” He stepped to the edge of the roof. “I’ll strangle her if she doesn’t tell me what I need to know.”

  · · · · ·

  Ryder landed not far from the witch’s den. Disgusted, he looked at the surrounding muck and filth. He strode forward, but realized he’d need a transformation to fit into her hellish home.

  Moments later, he stood to full height. “Astral, get out here,” he yelled.

  Silence ensued.

  “Fuck.”

  He pushed aside the vines cascading down the front of the entrance and entered. The smell of rotting flesh sent Vomit rushing to his throat.

  What the hell is she doing in here?

  Part of him didn’t want to know the answer to that question.

  Ducking as he went, he followed a glimmer of light down the tunnel to a large room. A fire burned in the centre of the room. A gurgle from off to his blind side caused him to turn to where Astral lay on a blanket on the ground.

  He moved closer. “Astral, what’s wrong with you?”

  She turned her head slightly to glance up at him. The stench coming from her was almost overpowering. She coughed, spitting up green-and-red mucus. She extended her hand up toward him. “Help me up,” she murmured.

  He did not want to touch her, but couldn’t deny her request.

  She refused to let go his hand, and poked the scar in the center of his palm with her gnarled fingers, gurgling between broken-up laughter. “Perfect is as perfect was.”

  Ryder snatched his hand away. “I’m not here for riddles, Astral. Tell me what you know about Misfit Mountain.”

  The rag of a shirt she worn fell from her boney shoulder, revealing the oozing scabs.

  “Not for me to tell,” she replied.

  Anger boiled in his veins as he tried to control his temper. “Astral, tell me what I need to know. How do those poor souls leave that demon’s pit?”

  Struggling to stay sitting, she pulled at the sack behind her. Her hand dug in, and she pulled out a limb of sorts.

  Ryder turned his head with disgust.

  How the hell am I going to get the answers I need out of her?

  Her fingers let go, and the limb floated through the air and into the fire.

  Well, she still has powers.

  Smoke swirled, and the flesh singed. She pointed to the grey, twirled clouds of smoke, tilting her head back and forth. “No!” she yelled, grabbing another limb from the bag and throwing it into the fire.

  Ryder stepped back.

  Astral pushed herself up off the floor and stood hunched over. It was as though she didn’t even notice or care he was there. She limped slowly to the cave wall with scribbling all over it. Using her knuckles, she began rubbing them across the rock. Blood dripped down the stone, but she kept going. Raw and devoid of skin, she spun to stare at the fire and then up at him.

  Her eyes were wide. “It’s the same each time. The darkness is coming.”

  He shook his head.

  It was a mistake to come.

  Violently, she nodded her head up and down. “They come for me.”

  Ryder crossed his arms over this chest. “Astral, you’ve brought this all on yourself.”

  She laughed wickedly. “You know nothing about what you speak.”

  “Just tell me how to save them, Astral. Don’t take them to the grave with you.”

  Her harsh laughter brought him standing toe-to-toe with her. He grabbed her by the neck.

  “I’m dying, anyway. Killing me sooner would help,” she said, struggling for air.

  Frustrated, he pushed her back away from him. “Fuck, Astral, do something good for just once in your miserable life.”

  Again she laughed, leaning up against the roc
k wall. “I did that for many years; you just didn’t see it.”

  “The only thing you’ve ever done is to make Levarians despise you.”

  “Gargoyle, you do not see. Perhaps you hide behind that missing eye of yours. Are you so blind?”

  “Who is Fedor, Astral?”

  Her smile faded. “Where do you think they come from, Mr. Big man? Do you think I just plucked them out of Levare myself? Fedor brought those sorry souls to me.”

  He listened.

  “We facilitated what Levarian’s couldn’t do themselves. Fedor collected payment, and I assisted with the plan to get rid of them.”

  “What gave you the right to get rid of anyone or anything?”

  “What gives you the right to fight and kill the way you do?” she countered. “We disposed of what Levarians didn’t want. Just like getting rid of the trash. Besides, they weren’t normal, anyway.”

  Revulsion caused his stomach to roil. “You mean not normal like yourself.”

  “There are many things about our planet that you are unaware of. Some of us are more powerful than others, so yes, I suppose I’m unusual. You are one of us.”

  “Enough, Astral. Tell me how to free Tempest,” he spat.

  A large smile formed on her lips. “Ahh. I see. I knew this time would come.” Then her smile faded. “I shouldn’t have listened to Fedor—him and that greedy Vicasha.”

  He reflected on the haggard woman Fedor had met with back on the mountain. “You’re speaking in riddles again.”

  “I like you, Ryder. I always have. You’re strong, like I once was.” She paused and sat on a stump beside the fire. “This Tempest is an unusual case. Perhaps the biggest mistake we all made. I underestimated you. I didn’t think you’d figure it out. I thought that key would be safe.”

  He sighed heavily, desperate to gather control of his emotions. “She doesn’t deserve to be there. None of them do.”

  “That’s a matter of opinion, I suppose. I’m curious as to how you discovered her and our hidden realm, but nevertheless, I knew the time would come.” She went into a massive coughing spell and doubled over, vomiting nothing but blood.