Free Sorceress Hunting (A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale Book 3) by Lisa Blackwood Page B

could decimate
other worlds. In so doing, you sacrificed your mortal body to call upon the
full force of your Avatar magic. I don’t like to remember the times I lost you
first. So, my little dryad, feel free to make me forget those unpleasant
thoughts.”
    “I’m a gargoyle, at the moment, not a dryad if you
couldn’t tell.”
    Gregory laughed with genuine humor. “Like I could
forget it with you wrapped around me like a towel.”
    Lillian pretended insult and tried to extract herself.
The slight flaring of her wings stirred the air and brought a fresh wave of
blood scent to her nostrils, reminding her Gregory was still bleeding.
    “If you are so invincible, why the hell are you
dripping blood on the road? Eh?”
    Gregory snorted and then waved a hand at the few drops
of blood. They shimmered for a moment and then misted away.
    “You were able to do that without an order.” It was
more question than statement.
    “It is part of my defensive magic. Your earlier order
is still in effect.”
    Lillian sighed, and nuzzled him. Then another unhappy
thought caused her stomach to tighten. “But how much blood did you leave in
that field. They will scour every blade of grass for evidence.”
    Gregory stretched out his injured wing to show it had
stopped bleeding and was already healing. “And they will find nothing of
interest. I ordered my magic to eradicate any drops left behind, no matter how
far away.”
    Not surprising. Her gargoyle beloved always seemed to
have every contingency covered.
    Lillian broke away from Gregory’s warmth.
    “Come, we’re not far from the saw mill where the Wild
Hunt gathers. We can rest there for a short time before we make a run for home.
    Gregory agreed distractedly, his faraway look saying
he was already thinking up further contingency plans.
    Lillian’s right hand drifted to her belly for a moment
before she dropped to all fours and broke into a trot, following Gregory into
the forest.
    There was one event, should it come to pass, which
even Gregory might not know how to handle. She hoped she never had to find out.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Commander Gryton watched the unfolding spectacle with
what might have been a spark of humor, had he possessed such a weakness. His
lips compressing, he unfolded his arms and pushed off from the brick wall at
his back. He’d watched the Avatars, both in fully gargoyle forms, lead the
soldiers of the human army on a merry chase.
    Clearly, the female half of the pair was not yet
familiar with her gargoyle body. He was certain what he’d just witnessed was
her first attempt at flight.
    The Avatars were not what he was…expecting. He knew
their reputations, the past feats which would give even the most powerful of
beings pause. Yet, he saw little of the awe-inspiring personality apparent.
    He’d known the Sorceress when she’d been a child.
She’d been a somber little thing. Obedient to her dryad mother and the Battle
Goddess’ edicts. At the time, she’d been too young to be able to tap into her
powers as the Mother’s Sorceress, and the Battle Goddess had falsely assumed
the demon seed sufficient to keep her docile. The obedience proved an illusion.
She’d only been biding her time until her protector matured and rescued her.
    Gryton had had reason to avoid the child Sorceress as
much as possible. His continued survival hinged upon the Avatars’ ignorance.
Yet, many times, he’d wondered almost hopefully if the female half would
recognize him for what he was.
    Of course, she never did.
    What the Divine Ones deemed a violation of their rules
was dealt with swiftly and with no compassion. Even their Avatars were not
immune to their judgment. So it wasn’t a surprise the Avatars did not know him.
    The Divine Ones had stripped that knowledge—a whole
lifetime—from their Avatars.
    Lillian and Gregory didn’t remember one moment of
their last incarnation. Certainly not the one fatal moment of weakness which
nearly cost them everything. A mistake