Page 18 of A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star (Tales from the Tarot)

Chapter eighteen

Elryk

When it comes to warriors, few species can compete with the strength, power, and tenacity of a gargoyle. Their durable skin, while not impenetrable, is difficult to pierce, especially at the height of battle when their outer dermis has hardened into a natural kind of battle armor. No doubt this is where erroneous human legends of gargoyles turning to stone came from before they spun wildly out of control. Talk with your average gargoyle and they’ll have a good laugh about such myths. However, gargoyles are not to be trifled with on the battlefield. Indeed, it is far better to have a gargoyle as your friend than your foe.

—Guardians of the Line: A Hidden History , by Dr. Targan Wildethorne

A s we head outside into the cloudy afternoon light, I’m still dazed from what happened in the cellar of the castle.

After years of struggling to maintain the barrier since my grandfather’s death—and, if I’m honest, even before he passed—Noah and I were able to repair and recharge the barrier to maximum strength with the aid of his abilities.

And in thirty minutes, no less.

Now the barrier is stronger than it’s ever been in my entire lifetime, and a huge weight I’ve been carrying for far too long has been lifted.

I’d heard the tales of how magnificent Conduits are, but I’d never met one before Noah. As my mate, if he can assist me this much, what Nasser proposed to me might be feasible. I could actually pursue some of those interests I thought long out of reach.

Ordinarily, I would spend days, working to the point of exhaustion, to replenish the barrier and maintain basic protection. But in a fraction of that time, because of Noah, I was able to achieve something I’ve never been able to do on my own, nor with my grandfather.

It all brings home even more powerfully how important it will be for me to protect Noah going forward.

But at the same time, I don’t want to confine him to the castle and make him a prisoner. He’ll always be safest here, yet I still want him to be able to see more of my homeland and experience the things he longs to do.

We’ll find a balance. That’s just how it’ll have to be.

Noah will work on publishing his children’s books, and I can explore a passion of my own beyond being simply a Barrier Master to the clan.

I don’t quite know yet what I want to do, but possibilities that have felt closed off and impossible ever since I awoke to my powers are finally right in front of me, ready for the taking.

Surreptitiously, I glance at Noah, who walks at my side as we head outside to the training yard. It’s all because of this wee man. Noah may be small in stature, but he’s huge in heart, personality, and raw talent.

I don’t think he fully understands just what he’s capable of quite yet, but he’s likely to become even more amazing with time and practice as he hones his Conduit skills. I’m so proud to stand at his side and humbled that the Goddess thought me worthy of such an extraordinary man.

I’ve assembled some of the other Guardians and there are about twenty of us out in the yard, ready to get to work. Almost everyone calls out a greeting to Noah, which he enthusiastically responds to, waving to some and chatting with others.

Everyone’s taken a liking to him in a short amount of time, and I don’t blame them. I know he’s far more likable than I am, given my more taciturn nature. Although, even I will admit, Noah has already softened me too.

When it comes to my fellow clan members, it certainly helps that Noah’s my mate and a Conduit who’s essential to our continuing survival. But still, there are quite a few gargoyles who, if they didn’t like him, would be upfront about it. Instead, they’re already joking and taking the piss out of him like he’s their pal, which tells me all I need to know about how well he’ll fit in here.

We can make this work, he and I.

Returning to the task at hand, I quickly get everyone’s attention and explain what we’re going to be doing.

The dubious look Noah sends in my direction makes me want to laugh but I hold it in. My mate is too adorable.

“Noah, I know you may not realize it, but you’re still holding on to some of that energy from when you tapped into the ley line before. Now, I want you to try and share that power with as many of these men as you can.”

“You mean you want me to do a little mental-tentacle poking?” he asks, his smile full of mischief.

“Poking us with your what now?” Braewyn asks, his mouth agape.

Noah quickly explains his meeting with Nasser and coining his preferred terminology. As he concludes, he beams at Braewyn. “So that’s what happened, and now I’m tentacle bros with my buddy, Nasser!”

My best friend starts laughing his fool head off.

“Oh, my Goddess,” he gasps. “You’re the fucking best, Noah. Life’s never going to be dull in the castle ever again with you living here, I guarantee it.”

Noah puts his hands on his hips and grins. “Damn straight.”

Braewyn waggles his eyebrows at him. “And you can probe me with your mental tentacles any time.”

I scowl and give him a warning growl, but he just laughs.

Cheeky bastard.

Noah surveys the group. “Some things are going to change around here. For instance, I’m going to start instituting movie nights in the castle, so you all better get ready.”

Several of the men and women offer animated responses to that one.

There are several, “Hell yeahs!” One person shouts, “As long as Tal makes us popcorn, I’m there!” Anther calls out, “Can we do theme nights too?”

Noah grins. “Done and doner. Just leave it to me, folks.”

“Ahem,” I say, clearing my throat. “Let’s stay focused on our task.”

I glower at my fellow gargoyles, who just smirk back at me, amused.

With a resigned sigh, I ignore them and turn back to Noah. “Now, use your”—I cough—“mental tentacles”— Goddess, that sounds ridiculous, but there’s no turning back now —“and try to send some of that energy toward this group of eejits.”

Noah’s brow furrows. “Without physically touching them?”

“While it’s easier to do this with physical contact, especially at first, when it comes to a large-scale battle, you’re not going to be able to do that. We need to see if you can share energy at a distance.”

A glint of determination sparks in Noah’s eyes. “?Kay, I’ll give it a whirl.”

He closes his eyes and scrunches up his face in concentration. For a long minute or two, nothing happens, then a ripple of awareness passes through the group, and they jolt as if poked with a cattle prod.

Braewyn’s eyes go huge. “Bloody hell. That’s just leftover power? The charge it gave me feels like I’m riding high on about twelve Red Bulls and a pot of coffee. I think I could take on the entire Sluagh horde all by myself.”

Some of the other gargoyles laugh along, all clearly delighted by how much stronger they feel with Noah’s power coursing through them.

And I get it. I know what it’s like and just how amazing it is.

I have everyone do some of our usual training exercises while supercharged by Noah’s transmuted ley line energy, and the results are phenomenal. Everyone’s faster and stronger than I’ve ever seen them before. And as we continue, it becomes steadily easier for Noah to share that power with them.

After a time, though, Noah opens his eyes. “I think I’m running out of juice. I’ve used up whatever reserves I had left from the line.”

And that was already more than I’d expected.

“Good. Our next objective is for you to try accessing the ley line from a distance and conducting it to us.”

“I can do that?” He sounds unsure.

“Aye. As a Conduit, from what our historical accounts claim, it’s possible. Just like it’s easier to share power by touching directly, it’s also easier for you to tap the node when right on top of it, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way you can access it. If you flex your mind and extend your feelers farther, they can reach quite a distance. But it can take time to build up to this level of concentration.”

Noah nibbles on his bottom lip as he considers what I’ve told him. “But won’t the barrier keep me out if I try to tap into it from out here?”

I shake my head slowly. “No. When I was recharging it, I modified the necessary rune to allow you access.”

“How does that even work?”

“The barrier doesn’t affect me because my energy charges it. It recognizes me as its Master. At the same time, I have the ability to fine-tune the runes to allow for certain people to also be accepted by the barrier. This is commonly done for fated mates whose powers become intertwined.”

Noah’s eyes widen. “Oh, that makes sense. Otherwise I couldn’t help you.”

“Exactly.”

He smiles. “Thanks for that. I’m glad you trust me enough to do that so soon.”

“We may not have had our final bonding ceremony yet, but we’re already connected more powerfully than you may realize. I trust you with my life, my home, and my heart.”

I never thought that would happen for me with anyone. It’s remarkable how quickly things can change under the right circumstances. Noah’s only been here a few days, yet it feels like I’ve known him for years.

“Thank you,” Noah whispers. “I won’t let you down.”

He grounds himself and takes several deep breaths before closing his eyes and attempting to access the ley line from the training field.

This is much harder to achieve, and I know that. We’ve asked a lot of him in such a short amount of time, and he hasn’t uttered a single complaint.

Well, apart from the harness for flying.

Just the thought of that makes me smile.

As I watch him focusing so hard to help me and our clan, I promise myself I’ll attend every damn movie night he wants me to, and I’ll do it with a smile. This man deserves everything I can give him and then some.

I’m also incredibly proud of my fellow gargoyles at this moment. They can be a rambunctious bunch, full of snarky attitudes, mutual ribbing, and cocky comebacks, but they wait patiently in silence as Noah strives to achieve yet another miracle for us.

Fifteen minutes in and Noah’s sweating, his skin turning pale. Just when I’m about to tell him to take a break and we’ll try again later, his eyes fly open. “Eureka! I found it.”

And that’s when my fellow warriors and I fall to our knees as a surge of magical energy crashes into us. Thankfully, I have a bit of an advantage, being somewhat more used to it after a couple of times. I manage to get back to my feet with a grunt.

The power is a bit less intense than it was in the cellar earlier, but it’s strong enough to give me genuine hope that we can defeat the Sluagh horde when they descend upon us.

The trick is going to be keeping Noah safe and able to continue powering

our forces in the process.

“Noah,” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth, “I want you to try and gradually release the line, and then slowly turn off the flow of energy to all of us.”

He manages to let go of the ley line, albeit faster than is ideal, but is more successful in tapering off the flow of remaining energy.

When things have settled down and the whole group has recovered, I move to Noah’s side and wrap him in my arms. “That was fantastic. You were brilliant, sweetheart.”

“Aw, shucks,” he says, grinning wide.

“One last practice activity.”

He groans.

I rub his back. “You’re like a star pupil who’s passing every test with flying colors. You’ve got this.”

Noah pretends to toss his hair and gives me a sassy look. “Of course, I am, babe. I’m awesome.”

“I completely agree,” I tell him in all earnestness, which makes him blush, much to my delight.

“For our last practice, I want you to go out a ways from us. Let’s see how much distance you can put between you and our forces before you cannae send them any energy.”

“Gotcha.” Noah gives me a jaunty little salute and jogs off, heading up a short hill.

We wait while he taps into the power again and sends it to us. Each time he moves higher up the hill until he’s reached the top.

“Hey, guys,” he calls out to us, “I think I see something over here.”

“What is it?” I yell back.

“Ahhhhh!”

Noah comes flying down the hill, running back toward us, his eyes wide with fear.

My heart stutters in my chest.

The Sluagh can’t be here yet, can they? It’s broad daylight, and being creatures of the night, they only move in the darkness. That’s why it’s taken them some time to reach us.

Noah’s arms and legs pump like mad as he races in our direction. “Run for your lives! They’re coming!”

Everyone draws their weapons and takes on fighting stances, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the Sluagh.

And that’s when we hear it.

The sound of dozens of bleating Baaah s.

Our flock of sheep, which had been out grazing on the hills, come charging after Noah.

“It’s Sheepmaggedon!” Noah cries, as he gets closer.

We all gape at him and the agitated sheep in hot pursuit.

“Why didn’t you tell me there were killer sheep here?” he cries as he flings himself into my outstretched arms. “They’re out to eat me!”

Indeed, the sheep do appear to be following him specifically, but I suspect I know why.

By now, my useless best friend has collapsed on the ground, laughing so hard he’s crying.

Noah looks like he wants to kick him every time he howls with laughter at Noah’s expense.

As the sheep start to crowd around, Noah jumps up into my arms. “Save me!”

I extend my wings, flapping them with enough force to lift us into the air while the sheep begin to mill around in obvious confusion, their bleating cries echoing in the air.

“What the hell is going on with those man-eating sheep?” Noah demands now that he’s safe above the fluffy creatures.

I have to bite my lip to hold back my laughter. “They’re not man-eating sheep, my love.”

He juts out his chin. “Could have fooled me. They were out for blood. I could see it in their beady little eyes.”

I cough to conceal a laugh. “You’re maybe a fraction right. I forgot to tell you—”

The withering look he gives me the second I utter those words makes me shift awkwardly, but I bravely continue. “The animals on our estate are a bit different from others. They’re used to foraging off the land here, which is saturated with magic from the ley line. It tends to make them rather fond of magically enhanced things. So, when you tapped into that power out here and sent it to my men, you basically sent out a huge beacon to our flock of sheep that there was a tasty magical meal over here.”

Noah gawks at me. “And I was the main dish?”

I chuckle. “Not exactly. Sheep are herbivores. They wouldn’t have actually tried to eat you, but they may have tried to nibble on your clothes a wee bit.”

He shudders. “Whatever. I saw that movie with the zombie sheep. I don’t trust ’em. We should go back to the castle now.” He narrows his eyes as he looks down at the sheep. “And I’ll ask Tal if we’re having mutton for lunch.”