Read Online Born of Magic: Gargoyle Masters, Book 2 by Missy Jane - Free Book Online
Authors: Missy Jane
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he chose. He simply had to decide how he wanted this part of the drama to play out.
A sound many miles distant alerted him to change in the air. He lifted his chin and sniffed, easily catching the scent of horse and man. No, not any man, a gargoyle in the flesh. He bared his teeth at the thought of encountering one of the great follies of the Twenty. Those damned gargoyles had kept him from taking the throne. But now with the Princess at his side he might have another chance. He considered waking her to move further away from the road, but then thought better of it. The gargoyles were intimidating creatures even as men. Seeing one might only help Theda trust him more.
Theda woke at the sound of a horse’s hooves on packed dirt. Her eyes shot open and she reached for her dagger. Their campsite was cold and dark but she could make out a dark shape huddled against a nearby tree. She squinted to get a better view and Albain turned his pale face toward her before lifting one finger to his lips. She nodded before quietly making her way toward him.
They sat behind a large oak that stood well off the traveler’s road. The moon was dropping and sunlight was barely peeking over the horizon. The gloom hid many things but the sound of someone on the road echoed through the trees. There was no light to mark the stranger’s passage.
His shape was what she noticed first. Shoulders broader than anything she’d ever seen fit the man’s unnatural height. He’d tower over anyone she’d ever met and the size of his arms and chest told of his inhuman strength. He walked along beside a large black stallion that looked like a normal horse, though large. But how it could carry such a man was a mystery to her. They moved slowly, leisurely along the road. Even at the distance and in the dark she could see they walked with a purpose, just not in a hurry.
Man and horse were directly in front of the tree when a scurrying creature ran up to them. The man glanced down and chuckled before saying something she couldn’t hear. A pet? That seemed unlikely for such an intimidating person, but it appeared to be true when the small creature fell into step beside him. Darkness hid the features of his face other than a short beard, and his shaggy hair didn’t move with the breeze. It was dark but not black. It almost appeared to be gray. She watched in fascination as they continued on past her hiding spot without so much as a hitch in their step.
Albain waited until they were well out of sight before speaking. “That was one of the Masters.”
“Masters?”
“The Gargoyle Masters of Halstrid. Protectors of the realm and faithful servants to King Kadmos. They are a dangerous breed.”
She peered at the road again as if she could still see the fascinating man and his four-legged companions. A gargoyle. She’d thought they were myths made up by bored mothers in the fishing village.
“He’s far from home,” Albain said. “I wonder why.”
“Are they friendly?”
“Oh aye, very friendly until you do something they don’t like. Then they turn deadly in the blink of an eye. It’s best to steer clear of those creatures. You never know what one’s thinking.”
She shivered, remembering the size of the man, and quietly made her way back to where she’d slept. The night wasn’t cold but the campfire had been soothing and had given her a sense of security the darkness quickly stole. What if the gargoyle came back?
Albain moved closer and appeared to be gathering his things. Her pulse leapt at the idea of being left alone. “Are you leaving?”
He paused and looked at her, though the dim light hid his expression. “Yes. Where a Gargoyle is, I’d rather not be. He’s far from home which spells trouble. I’ve had enough trouble in my life.” Then he went back to gathering his few belongings.
He didn’t rush but she panicked anyway and jumped to her feet. Her few things were on her body or in her small pack. She shouldered it quickly
A sound many miles distant alerted him to change in the air. He lifted his chin and sniffed, easily catching the scent of horse and man. No, not any man, a gargoyle in the flesh. He bared his teeth at the thought of encountering one of the great follies of the Twenty. Those damned gargoyles had kept him from taking the throne. But now with the Princess at his side he might have another chance. He considered waking her to move further away from the road, but then thought better of it. The gargoyles were intimidating creatures even as men. Seeing one might only help Theda trust him more.
Theda woke at the sound of a horse’s hooves on packed dirt. Her eyes shot open and she reached for her dagger. Their campsite was cold and dark but she could make out a dark shape huddled against a nearby tree. She squinted to get a better view and Albain turned his pale face toward her before lifting one finger to his lips. She nodded before quietly making her way toward him.
They sat behind a large oak that stood well off the traveler’s road. The moon was dropping and sunlight was barely peeking over the horizon. The gloom hid many things but the sound of someone on the road echoed through the trees. There was no light to mark the stranger’s passage.
His shape was what she noticed first. Shoulders broader than anything she’d ever seen fit the man’s unnatural height. He’d tower over anyone she’d ever met and the size of his arms and chest told of his inhuman strength. He walked along beside a large black stallion that looked like a normal horse, though large. But how it could carry such a man was a mystery to her. They moved slowly, leisurely along the road. Even at the distance and in the dark she could see they walked with a purpose, just not in a hurry.
Man and horse were directly in front of the tree when a scurrying creature ran up to them. The man glanced down and chuckled before saying something she couldn’t hear. A pet? That seemed unlikely for such an intimidating person, but it appeared to be true when the small creature fell into step beside him. Darkness hid the features of his face other than a short beard, and his shaggy hair didn’t move with the breeze. It was dark but not black. It almost appeared to be gray. She watched in fascination as they continued on past her hiding spot without so much as a hitch in their step.
Albain waited until they were well out of sight before speaking. “That was one of the Masters.”
“Masters?”
“The Gargoyle Masters of Halstrid. Protectors of the realm and faithful servants to King Kadmos. They are a dangerous breed.”
She peered at the road again as if she could still see the fascinating man and his four-legged companions. A gargoyle. She’d thought they were myths made up by bored mothers in the fishing village.
“He’s far from home,” Albain said. “I wonder why.”
“Are they friendly?”
“Oh aye, very friendly until you do something they don’t like. Then they turn deadly in the blink of an eye. It’s best to steer clear of those creatures. You never know what one’s thinking.”
She shivered, remembering the size of the man, and quietly made her way back to where she’d slept. The night wasn’t cold but the campfire had been soothing and had given her a sense of security the darkness quickly stole. What if the gargoyle came back?
Albain moved closer and appeared to be gathering his things. Her pulse leapt at the idea of being left alone. “Are you leaving?”
He paused and looked at her, though the dim light hid his expression. “Yes. Where a Gargoyle is, I’d rather not be. He’s far from home which spells trouble. I’ve had enough trouble in my life.” Then he went back to gathering his few belongings.
He didn’t rush but she panicked anyway and jumped to her feet. Her few things were on her body or in her small pack. She shouldered it quickly
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