“We’re not going to start a fight. We’re going to create a little animosity so that when all the gargoyles train together, they’ll make it personal and force Jessie to put them in their place. They’ll respect her more for it. It’s the gargoyle way, the stubborn donkeys.”
Sebastian wilted as he followed her down the hall. Dang it, she was right, and it was a great idea. Ulric echoed his thoughts as he said, “Too true. Great idea.”
“Yeah,” Jasper said.
“Why does it have to be me, though?” Sebastian whined. Nessa jogged to catch up, wearing a big smile. “Why can’t Nessa or one of the shifters do it? Or Fred. Fred is always down for one of your crazy ideas.”
“Nessa has a way of charming people,” Niamh said. “So does Fred. They’ll make a cape seem normal. You do not have that gift. You’ll make the cape seem awkward.”
“Everyonewould make a cape seem awkward,” Sebastian grumbled as they pushed through the exit and walked down the stone path. He sent out magic to “see” the gargoyles standing by the stone, invisible. “Why do they do the invisibility thing when gargoyles can still see them?”
“It’s customary for a guardian,” Jasper said. “We can see them, but their appearance is slightly different when blending in than when they aren’t. They are essentially denoting their rank when they do it.”
“They’re showing off that they are Guardians,” Niamh said. “Don’t bother looking at them. It’ll rankle them that we don’t care.”
“Yes, it will,” Ulric murmured with a grin.
“I cannotwaitto fly with them all,” Jasper whispered, keeping his voice low. “We have a new flight strategy now, so Gerard’s gargoyles won’t specifically know it, but we developed good aerial communication with his cairn. They’ll catch on quickly. The others will feel totally out of place.”
“They’ll feel like novices,” Ulric murmured. “And then add in how we work with Jessie and Cyra swooping and Hollace acting as an anchor—it’ll be like their first day as Guardians. It’ll punch holes in their egos.”
“Which will make them lash out, especially with the animosity we’re about to create.” Niamh nodded. “Very predictable, gargoyles.”
“You say that about shifters,” Ulric said.
“Yeah, they are, too.” Niamh pointed to the right, around a corner. “That way.”
“Is there anyone you don’t find predictable?” Jasper asked.
“Momar.” They traveled the sidewalk, sometimes nearly brushing up against the lurkers at the side, but not glancing their way. Cars and SUVs traveled slowly along the street, their occupants staring out the windows at Sebastian and his crew. Their gazes didn’t miss the ill-fitting capes that Edgar and Sebastian wore.
Around a few more corners they found the bar in question. No one loitered outside for a smoke or a chat. Inside the dingy interior, however, the bar was half-filled with large gargoyles swilling beer and talking loudly. Pool balls clattered farther in the back and someone barked laughter.
At the very end of the bar, tucked in the corner where they could see the door and most of the room, sat Aurora and John.
“Oh. Look.” Sebastian pointed at them and headed that way immediately.
Niamh slapped his hand out of the air and jostled him toward the end of the bar nearest the door.
“But—“ he said.
“Leave them to it,” Niamh murmured, nearly under her breath. “Let them come to us.”
Sebastian frowned as Aurora noticed them. He gave her a lame wave. She didn’t move. Her expression stayed blank. John glanced up, and noticing him, said something to Aurora that elicited the barest of shrugs. He was probably asking about this stupid cape, Sebastian mused darkly.
“I look like an idiot,” he groused.
“Nonsense.” Niamh sat him down on a barstool and patted his shoulder. “You’re grand.”
“I think I look good.” Edgar sat next to him and leaned too close. “Wings fit me.”
The clasp of Edgar’s cape pulled way to the right, draping loosely over one shoulder and leaving the other mostly bare. It didn’t fit even a little.
Jasper and Ulric wandered down Aurora’s way, all smiles and easy friendliness.
“Why do they get to go down there?” Sebastian once again whined. He felt like a child every time Niamh took him drinking.
Nessa leaned against the bar next to Edgar, not at all worried about the vampire’s proximity, as Niamh sat down next to Sebastian.
