Missy Jane - Born of Stone

“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.”