Page 42 of The Gargoyle and the Maiden (Nightfall Guardians #1)

“The goblin hordes attacking the human settlements were mostly younglings,” he said finally.

“They were starving children, not warriors. I sent two scouts to Meravenna to report it. Kerec and Tomin, brothers from the northern cliffs. But I never heard back from them, and I couldn’t spare any more messengers. I assume they were killed.”

“Weeks later, we received orders to continue as planned. Drive back the hordes.” He met her eyes.

“Someone in leadership ordered us to slaughter children. So we did. At least until the mounted companies began their attacks, and we had to turn away from the hordes to pursue them. Now the masons are trying to make me forget it all happened.”

She was quiet for a long moment, claws tapping against her chair’s arm in that pattern that meant she was thinking. “Do you know who gave the order?”

“No. Could have been sky command at Meravenna. Someone here in Solvantis. Could have been the Zenith himself. But whoever it is has the head healer in his claws.”

Ghantal stood, moving to her desk where she kept her carefully cultivated ledgers. “I have connections. Many gargoyles who owe me favors. Let me ask discreet questions of those I trust and send moths to those I don’t.”

He tensed at the thought of her poking around and unwittingly exposing herself to unknown enemies. “Be very careful. If the ones responsible are willing to alter memories, they have few scruples.”

“Leave it to me. I know which stones to turn and which to leave untouched.” She leafed through a ledger, pausing to scan the records, already absorbed in the task.

She was so matter-of-fact about it, as though she’d expected it. As though she’d kept these ledgers for that very purpose.

“Why are you so eager to help me with something that will likely end in us being banished from the Tower? We’ll be lucky to have a roost in the rookery by the time they’re done with us.”

Her shoulders sagged so the tips of her wings scraped the floor. “Because you’re my son. Because I failed you once by keeping secrets that should have been aired. Because—” She paused, vulnerability cracking through her composed facade. “Because I want to earn the right to be in your life again.”

“If you do this,” Brandt said slowly, “it doesn’t mean I forgive everything. I can’t promise it will erase the slate.”

“I know it won’t be that simple.” She sighed heavily. “I love you, you know. You are the pride of my heart. If I’ve wronged you, I will right it, even if it takes me the rest of my life.”

He jerked a nod, his throat too thick to speak. “I love you, too.”

Her expression eased. “Give me three days, and I’ll have answers.”

He turned to leave, then paused. “The head mason will file a report tomorrow. The gaolers may come for me. Take care of Idabel and Lo?c if they do. Make sure they’re safe, even if it means leaving the city.”

“Then we’d better work quickly.” Ghantal was already reaching for her ink and fresh parchment.

He left her to her moths and letters, returning to his own eyrie where Idabel waited in his nest, Lo?c asleep in her arms. Her hair was undone, and she had dark smudges under her eyes when her sooty lashes opened. She’d already worked a full day when his was just beginning.

“You shouldn’t have waited up. You aren’t sleeping enough.” It was hypocritical of him to say it, since he was so often responsible for keeping her awake.

“Are you all right? I felt your unease,” she said quietly, ignoring his admonishment. “How is Rikard?”

“Broken. Permanently. He’ll never fly again.” He settled beside them, wing coming around his small family. “It could have been me. I was just lucky that my roost was protected that day. That’s why you felt trouble in the bond.”

She leaned into him cautiously, careful not to wake Lo?c. “He was lucky you were there to carry him home.”

“I doubt he’d call that lucky. I’m sure he’d prefer to do the carrying. But he lives, and I can’t be sorry for that.”

She hummed her agreement. “Did the masons pressure you for more treatments?”

“A little. I refused, of course, but Aalis seemed eager to have me gaoled to force it on me. I overheard her say she’s going to file a report about my ‘aggression.’”

She sucked in a horrified breath. “What can we do to stop it?”

“Whatever I can. I have to uncover whatever corruption drove this to happen.” His claws traced gentle patterns on her shoulder over his claiming bite as he watched their son sleep.

Lo?c looked even younger when his eyes were closed and his face was still.

“Sending an army to kill children of any species can’t be brushed away like inconvenient dust. Whoever is responsible will come to justice. ”

Idabel worried her lip with her teeth. “How do we know who to trust? I doubt anyone will confide in you. You’ve been away so long, and you’re mated to a traitor—”

He made a harsh, dismissive noise, cutting her off. “I asked my mother to use her political contacts.”

His mate relaxed in his arms. “Oh, good. Ghantal will find answers, if anyone can.”

“Or they’ll silence her, too. It won’t be hard to discredit a cliffborn,” he said bitterly.

“Then we’ll find another way.” Her determination blazed through the bond. “We’ll figure it out together.”

He pulled them closer, breathing in the combined scent of his family. Whatever came next, whatever truths Ghantal uncovered, he would protect them.

Even if it meant facing down the entire Tower hierarchy.

Even if it meant becoming the danger they already claimed he was.