Born of Stone

Chapter Twelve

Albain watched the human woman writhe on the cold stone floor and scowled. He had no idea what was wrong with her. The sleeping potion had worn off the other humans with no ill side effects. However, this one was obviously in great pain.

Or was she? It had crossed his mind she could be faking it in order to escape. Though he didn’t see how. The room he was using to hold the human captives was heavily warded on all sides, top and bottom. They were in the dungeon of his lavish castle, deep in the Ilstred Forest.

He was watching through his scrying bowl, keeping an eye on them lest they hurt themselves or each other. But so far there had been no commotion other than that woman. Astra? No. Astrid. He knew she meant something to Master Orestes and that was incentive enough to take her. However, her beauty had also been an enticement. He had hoped to woo her over wine, but the moment she woke, she began crying out. He hadn’t known what to do with her so had dumped her in a cell with the others.

Now the other women were around her, wiping her face with the hems of their dresses and speaking in soothing tones. It didn’t seem to help. She was still crying and holding her belly in great pain. He turned away from the sight and paced across the room. He was a floor above them in his library. It wasn’t nearly as opulent as the one the Masters boasted, but for one of the Twenty it was more than sufficient. He pulled a book from a nearby shelf and set it on his desk. It fell open to the page he needed on its own and he read the spell once again.

Once he had unlimited access to the Wizard’s Stone, he would be able to take full control of Halstrid. King Kadmos was an aging fool, one ripe for a revolution. His only heir was a woman few knew anything about. Her mother had run off with her shortly after becoming pregnant. The Twenty had been trying to track her down for nearly eighteen years. Bastien seemed to believe she had been found, but he kept his secrets well. Bastien’s only confidante, Corbin, was no better. So now Albain had to move swiftly if he wanted the throne for himself. Who better to rule over the greatest kingdom in the land than a wizard?

He chuckled over the thought and closed his spell book. With the blood of one innocent human, he would be able to cloak himself so not even another wizard could detect his presence. Slipping past the walking stone blocks who called themselves Master should be no problem. Leaving his captives unattended wasn’t ideal but he had no choice. No one knew his plans. He trusted none of the other wizards to share in his vision for Halstrid. So he walked alone and would therefore reap all the benefits.

A piercing cry broke into his thoughts and he ran back to his scrying bowl. It was the woman again, but the others were so tight around her he couldn’t see a thing. With a huff of impatience, he strode from the library to descend the stone steps leading him to the dungeon. If she planned to get the others riled up then he’d best remove her and quiet her himself.

Another pain tore through Orestes’s abdomen but he was getting better at ignoring them. Aside from the pain was the unmistakable pull centered in his chest and leading him toward Ilstred Forest. The four wizards had warned him about going into the land Albain called home, but Orestes couldn’t stop himself. Astrid was there and in pain. He would pull up every tree in the vast forest from its ancient roots to find her if need be.

Soon, in the darkness, he spotted the outline of trees. They were monstrous, great behemoths of oak, fir, pine and elm. Here were some of the oldest living things in the kingdom and they garnered respect. Orestes landed at the foot of a massive oak and waited for Bastien to slide from his back. The others landed silently around him.

The wizards immediately went to the oak and set their hands upon its ancient bark. They spoke to each other in lowered voices in a language the Masters had not been taught. Orestes waited impatiently, biting his tongue to keep from yelling his need to move on. Finally Corbin turned toward him.

“He has them in his home deep in the forest but he has set up wards. We can unravel them as we go but you must step lightly. There are many traps set and even one will alert him to our presence.”

Orestes looked up into the darkened sky. “What about flying above the trees?”

Bastien nodded. “You can, but the house isn’t visible from above. His wards will keep it hidden from your sight until you are right upon it.”

“So our best bet is on foot?” Goran asked.

All four wizards nodded.

“On foot then,” Orestes said before walking toward the nearest clearing between the trees.

Albain unlocked the heavy wooden door and shoved it open. The humans immediately fell back to the farthest corner of the cell. He smiled to see their easy obedience, then frowned at the woman crying on the floor. When he neared, the coppery scent of blood filled his nostrils and his smile returned.

“What have we here?” he asked.

She turned a tear-streaked face his way and shook her head. “I don’t know what’s happening to me. Please…please, help me.”

A glance at the others revealed them far enough away for comfort. He had demonstrated his powers as soon as they started waking and most were afraid of him. He went down to one knee and laid his hand on her stomach. It was hard like stone and slightly protruding. Her figure was hidden by her gown so he had no idea if her stomach was always like that, but from the rest of her frame, he doubted it.

“Nothing I fed you or have done would cause this,” he said.

She shook her head and more tears fell. “There is no other explanation. It must be something you’ve done.”

Whispers from the humans pulled his attention away from her. His head shot up and he glared at them.

“What is it? What do you know?” They cowered even more until he pointed at an old man nearest the front. “You. What is being said?”

The old man bowed his head and kept his gaze lowered. He clenched a threadbare hat between his trembling hands. “Th-the Master…Orestes. He may have done something to the lady.”

The others immediately nodded in agreement and the man shrank back into the group.

“No,” Astrid said. “He would never hurt me.”

She then gasped and grabbed her stomach again, rolling into the fetal position when the pain lanced through her once more. Albain watched and slowly stood.

“Whatever it is, it isn’t my doing. You’re of no use to me like this.”

He picked her up and threw her over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes and she cried out in pain. The scent of blood grew stronger. Without another word, he strode from the cell and locked the door behind him.

“How much farther?” Orestes asked.

He knew the wizards were sick of that question but the pains were getting worse. Plus there was anxiety in his gut now too, telling him something bad was happening or about to happen. He always trusted his instincts.

They had been traveling for over an hour, the Masters carrying the wizards on their backs once more while they ran. Inhuman speed was one of their many traits, as well as the ability to see in the dark. Now the five gargoyles ran through the trees and the wizards used their powers to clear the way of magical entrapments.

“We are nearly there, Masters,” Corbin said. “It’s best if you slow down.”

They slowed and picked through the trees and underbrush more carefully. Apparently Albain had set protections, but they were haphazard at best.

“He was either in a hurry or didn’t expect us to find him,” Bastien said. “These are strong wards but nothing any one of us couldn’t remove.”

“Perhaps he didn’t expect you to help us,” Steinn said.

The others seemed to think this over but no one remarked on it. The workings of Albain’s mind were a mystery.

They made their way through the final barrier and came upon a large stone wall. It was nearly as tall as the trees but the Masters easily flew to the top. Here Albain’s strongest wards held them up for a few minutes, but the wizards worked together to take them down.

“There. The way is clear,” Bastien said.

That was all Orestes needed. He set the wizard on the ground of a small courtyard and ran to the nearest door. It was locked but no match for his Gargoyle strength. One strike of his fists and the door crashed onto the stone floor. Orestes walked over it and quickly strode inside.

A loud noise from the lower floor halted Albain in the middle of his recitation. He frowned and his eyes shot open. He looked around. They were in a large room that held only an altar he used for some of his rituals. It was a room no mortal human had ever been in until now. Astrid rocked back and forth on the stone altar while pain seemingly continued to rip through her abdomen. Albain hadn’t even needed to tie her down.

A spot of blood was visible on the back of her dress but that was all. Whatever was happening to her was taking place deep within her body. He grinned at the thought and closed his eyes again, the sound already forgotten. No one knew where they were and nothing could get through his wards. It would take many of the wizards working together and all were currently scattered to the four corners of the kingdom. His carefully planned attacks on the outlying villages had ensured his brethren wouldn’t interfere.

He began to recite under his breath again and lifted the athame above his head. The ritual knife had never drawn human blood before but it seemed to thrum with impatience at the prospect. It vibrated between his fingers like a living thing.

“Wait, Orestes. Stop!”

Orestes froze when Corbin hissed the command between clenched teeth. He had been about to break through another unmarked door. His gut and his heart told him it was the final barrier to Astrid. But just when he’d raised his fists, the wizard had come running up behind him.

“What is it?” Orestes barked.

Corbin held his hands up an inch away from the door and tightly clenched his eyes. Sweat beaded on his brow and he mumbled something under his breath.

“A ritual,” Bastien said.

Orestes looked over his shoulder to find the other wizard approaching.

“What kind of ritual?” he asked.

Bastien shrugged. “I’m not certain, but the scent of human blood is here. It’s weak but present and that is never a good thing when playing with magic.”

“As soon as I tell you, you must break down the door, then step out of my way,” Corbin said.

Bastien stepped up beside his companion and also held up his hands. Orestes simply nodded and stood to the side where he could still reach the door. He was taller than them in his gargoyle form and could easily knock the door off its hinges from over their heads.

“Ready? Now!”

Orestes punched both fists into the wood and waited for the wizards to run into the room. He stepped in behind them and roared. Astrid was writhing atop a stone altar in obvious agony while Albain held a bejeweled knife over her. The look on Albain’s face was priceless as he froze.

The other two wizards who had accompanied them arrived just when Albain launched a feeble attack on Corbin and Bastien. Together, they easily subdued him and knocked him unconscious.

Orestes ran to Astrid’s side. He wanted to lift her into his arms and hold her until she realized she was safe, but she was obviously still in pain.

“Bastien! Corbin! Help her.”

The wizards surrounded the altar and began speaking in their tongue. Orestes gently cradled her head between his palms until she finally opened her eyes.

“Orestes?”

“Yes, my star. I’m here. You’re safe now.”

Her tears began flowing in earnest and she clutched her belly.

He had never felt more helpless. He changed back into his human form and stroked his palms over her body, searching for anything out of place. When he reached her belly, he gently pried her hands away to investigate.

“Lift her dress, Orestes. We must have a look,” one of the wizards said.

Orestes scowled at all four of them but they remained unblinking while they waited for him to comply. Finally, he growled low in his throat to show his displeasure before gently lifting her dress.

Astrid’s once smooth abdomen was perfectly rounded as if she had swallowed a large melon whole. Orestes placed his hand on her flesh and was shocked to find it hard as stone.

“It’s hard,” he said. The wizards all frowned so he put his hand on her again. Suddenly there was a pulse against his palm. “Did you see that?”

“What?” Corbin asked.

Orestes shook his head and placed his other palm against her gently. The pulse came again with slight pressure against his palm. He immediately lifted both hands and everyone gasped at the outline of a tiny foot pressed against her flesh.

“It’s a babe,” one of the wizards said.

“Impossible,” Orestes said. “She’s been with no man save me for over a year.”

Though he said the words and believed them, a smidgen of doubt crept in. He looked Astrid in the eyes, which were wide with fear. She caught his stare and shook her head, clearly reading his thoughts. “No…I swear. Only you and no other for longer than a year.”

He nodded and accepted her words without further doubt. She had no reason to lie to him. He’d known she wasn’t untouched when he first had her. Why lie about that now?

“Then it must be yours,” Bastien said.

All eyes turned to him and Orestes’s pulse began to race. A child? His?

“Is it even possible?” he asked.

“It should be,” Corbin confirmed. “When you were made, it was with the full physiology of a human man. You have all the parts needed to procreate.”

“But we’ve been bedding women for years and this has never happened.”

“That doesn’t make it impossible.” Corbin looked down at Astrid as if assessing her for the first time. “Perhaps you just needed to find the right woman.”

“There is the strange phenomenon of you feeling her pain and knowing where to find her,” another wizard said. “Any other odd occurrences between you two we should know of?”

Orestes started to shake his head then stopped. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking of her for long since first noticing her at our table. I tried. But even leaving her at the castle was…disturbing to me.”

All the wizards nodded in understanding just as Astrid cried out and clutched her belly again.

“She’s in pain,” Orestes said. “Do something. Please.”

As if they’d only been waiting for him to ask, the wizards stepped closer to the altar and lifted their hands in unison. Three began chanting but Corbin moved to the end of the altar and clasped Astrid’s ankles. He slowly pulled her closer and bent her knees up so he had her legs spread wide. Orestes growled and had to fight the urge to beat the wizard away from what he considered for his eyes only. However, he knew if the babe was ready to be born, he didn’t have the skill or knowledge to help.

“It’s only been a matter of days. Would she be ready to deliver already?” Orestes asked.

Corbin shrugged and pushed his sleeves past his elbows. “This will be the first gargoyle baby ever to be born. Who knows what the rules are?”

The chanting of the other three wizards sped up and took on a more frantic tone. Orestes was barely aware of his brothers entering the room. They stayed near the door and out of the way but their curiosity was palpable. Orestes kept his attention on Astrid while she continued to cry and moan in pain. Finally he couldn’t take it anymore and moved to hold her head between his hands.

“My love, I’m so sorry you’re in such pain. Please, hold on a bit longer.”

She nodded with tears streaming down her face but said nothing. He placed a soft kiss on her lips and brushed her hair from her face.

“All right, Astrid,” Corbin said. “When I tell you to, push down with all your strength. Perhaps we can get this child out of you quickly.”

She gasped and nodded while Orestes moved to the head of the altar. He climbed up onto it and sat her up so she was reclining on his lap. She grasped his arms and he held on tightly.

“All right, now. Push!”

Astrid screwed up her face and bore down as hard as she could, pushing with what strength she had left. The shock of being pregnant still hadn’t sunk in past the pain. At the moment her only concern was stopping the discomfort. Once she’d exhausted her strength, she lay back against Orestes, panting for breath.

“Why is there blood?” Orestes asked.

He was trembling beneath her and she heard fear in his voice, but she refused to let it overwhelm her.

“Not to worry,” Corbin said. “This is to be expected and it isn’t too much…yet.”

She could have done without hearing that but bore down again anyway.

“Good girl. Again!”

She pushed a second time and screamed with the effort. Orestes’s grip on her arms tightened as if he was trying to lend her strength. A great searing pain shot from between her thighs and was suddenly gone before the sound of a baby’s cries filled the air.

“She is born,” Corbin announced.

The other wizards stopped chanting and let out a cheer even as the other Masters did the same. Astrid fell back against Orestes and sobbed in relief.

“A girl, Master Orestes. You have a daughter.”

His rumbling laugh echoed in her ear and she felt it shake his frame beneath her, but Astrid was too exhausted to join in. With the sounds of celebration all around her, she gave in to the darkness.