I narrow my eyes. False kindness will not sway me.
I quickly turn to take in my new cage. We’re on a large balcony a few stories up that appears to run the entire length of the house. I see some tall juniper trees near the balcony. No other homes; higher-ranking gargoyles often live separately. Part of it is because they can travel distances fast, but I think part of it is merely to rub it in our faces; that we can no longer move freely.
I know that most gargoyles have empty lower floors to their homes, often without doors, using their wings to get upstairs instead. That will pose an issue for me, but it’s not unsurmountable.
The stone arches are open to the living space inside. A hand touches my lower back and I jump away without thinking. The stone bat chuckles and I realize it’s the other militant. I study his face. His skin is very pale grey and his hair is white and tied back and small horns protrude from it. His features look chiseled, as is common for them. He’s beautiful in a cold way.
“My name is Theodore, but most call me Theo,” he smiles, his white, human-looking teeth disturbing in his face.
The lab rat clears his throat, “Our female will call us ‘Sir’ or ‘Alpha’ until we are satisfied with her training. Then, perhaps, we will grant her use of our names.” His hair is pure white and tied back in a bun.
“C’mon, Ben,” Theo practically whines.
The first, Arch, answers. “Ben is right. We will do things by protocol.” His tone brokers no argument and his long tail snaps out behind him.
I walk, unbidden, into the house, through the archway. It’s a modern home, a large kitchen, extra space for their wings between the counters and the long island, a fancy refrigerator and oven. To the right is a sunken living room, plush white couches and tall, dark shelves covered in books. My anger flares and I spin, unable to check my mouth.
“Why do you get modern appliances and electric lights? We have candles and wood stoves.” I scowl.
“Our female needs a lesson, I believe,” Arch rumbles. “But since you don’t know the rules, I will be lenient this time. Your tone is unacceptable and rude. We will not be spoken to in such a manner without consequences again. Do you understand, bride?”
I manage to keep my mouth shut and nod.
Theo grins easily, “The proper answer is ‘Yes, Sirs,’ little bride.” His tapered tail seems to reach for me but stops mid-air. He turns and rustles around in a cabinet.
I take a deep breath in through my nose.I must comply until I can escape. “Yes,Sirs,” I practically spit.
All three goyles chuckle. “Good enough for a start,” says Theo.
The one with the horns, Theo, steps towards me and I flinch backward. He holds out his free hand open and drops his wings more. “Easy, sweetling. I just want to heal those injuries.” His other hand holds a jar with some off-white salve.
I consider for a moment, but then hold out my hand for the jar. Theo snorts and steps into my space, twisting the jar open and spreading his wings around us. I’m pinned by the island behind me, so I simply stand, eyes averted, as his big handtenderly spreads the salve around my eye, on the throat and my lip. His eyes show anger, but his touch is kind.Anger that I’m wounded?As his finger lingers on my bottom lip, I glare at him. He seems to bite back a smile as he steps away to return the jar to its location.
Arch continues, “To answer your question, we are allowed advanced technology because we know how to use it properly, how to conserve, how to fix broken things instead of throwing them out to rot. Because our energy is captured passively from the sun. Because our water systems recycle water and use grey-water for our garden.” His voice has an angry edge to it.
I say nothing, surprised by his answer. I pull my shawl tighter around me, suddenly cold.
Ben steps forward and his cool hand is tracing a line up my forearm. I freeze.
“Our female is cold, her skin has pebbled,” his voice contains worry and I frown.
Arch strides into the home, holding his wings out and gliding down the four steps to the sunken living room, straight to the fireplace. He squats down, his large thighs obvious through his expensive pants. He quickly lights a match and puts it to the already stacked firewood and tinder. I watch his tail swish back and forth like a nervous cat. He stands and turns, holding out his hand to me, “Come, little one.”
My face is going to freeze in a frown at this point, but I step forward. As I take the steps, he grabs my elbow gently.
“Sit, bride,” he rumbles, directing me to a chair by the fire. I do, making sure my skirts don’t slip up, and cross my foot with the blade behind the other.If I can get to my room and hide it, that will be better.I could save it for a good time.
“Theo, Ben, go light the other fireplaces please. We will need to remember that our female is more fragile than we are.”
They disappear for a time but soon they all come into the living room and take seats near me. My heart pounds as my mind rolls through different scenarios while I stare into the fire.
After some time, Arch clears his throat. “Bride, I think it will be best if we go over your duties and expectations.”
I somehow manage to bite back a growl that rises in my throat.Duties and expectations. What fucking trash.
Arch straightens himself in his chair, though when I flick a glance to his face, it’s almost... soft. “We already covered disrespectful speech. You may—”
“Am I not allowed to disagree with you?” I snap.
