He knew he should try to discover why Vargas could step onto the Harvest Fellowship property, but Rhychard couldn't get the vision of the gargoyles swarming around Renny's apartment out of his head. Why were they there? What did they want with her? Gargoyles were the hunting dogs of the Nether. Demons and dark elves used them to sniff out their victims or as frontline soldiers, easily disposable. They were the grunts of the underworld, and he needed to discover why someone put them on Renny's trail. Tryna would be pissed, but he didn't care. He promised to protect Renny and, even though she didn't want his help, he wouldn't stand idly by and watch the Void destroy her life. At least, not if he could help it. And he could help it.Rhychard revved his Suzuki GSXR1000 as he tried to balance a coffee and a mocha frappe on his tank. Traffic was light, so he didn't have to worry about too much zigzagging through the Harbor City streets as he made his way to Saunders Realty. If Renny kept to
It was as if the Destroyer had wrapped his hand around Rhychard's heart and kept it from beating. He forced himself to keep breathing. It was bound to happen. He should have expected it. Renny hadn't stayed single long between her last boyfriend and Rhychard. She loved being in a relationship. Still, hearing it hurt worse than Vargas ripping his arm open in three places. "So, I suppose breakfast after church is out." He forced a smile. "I'm happy for you. Really. Who is the lucky guy?"She shook her head. "It doesn't matter who he is. I just can't sit with you that Saturday."Rhychard's brows pressed together toward the top of his nose as he gave her a curious look. "You can't tell me who you're dating?""I won't tell you who I'm dating. It's none of your business." She grabbed her keys tighter. "Look, I have to go.""Wait, you're mad at me because I asked who you're seeing?" Rhychard stood and stepped to block her from her car door. Mistake. "That's not fair!"Renny shoved him out of
There were few places Rhychard enjoyed. He and Renny were never ones to go out clubbing, preferring quiet dinners and cuddling up on the couch to an old Cary Grant movie or attending a jazz concert in the park. However, Common Grounds was one of his sanctuaries. The other was a quiet cigar lounge called Embers that overlooked the river. It was a small place with a leather and mahogany bar, plush chairs and couches and a walk-in humidor. There were two televisions, one showing sports and the other news, and the channels rarely changed. A balcony attached to the back of the building held small tables with metal chairs for those who wanted a view of the river while enjoying the cool evening breeze.At least, that described a typical night at Embers. However, this Friday night the Florida weather dropped a deluge of rain upon the inhabitants of the East Coast. Rhychard darted in, using his jacket to try to cover his head, but barely succeeding. He bought a Rocky Patel and a Jameson before
The bar was close to downtown where they killed Jamairlo, so Rhychard followed Kree's path, minus the rooftop part. The rain ceased, leaving the city in a blanket of puddles and dripping trees. It was morbid to him that people, even gargoyles, would continue to huddle around a place of death. He understood leaving flowers and such, but to hang out on the side of the road and just stand around had too much of the macabre in it for him. He would rather celebrate life than death. Of course, the Void would use any means to gain strength from a victory over the Way.:There are only three. However, they seem more intent on watching a young lady walking the street.::What is she doing?::Vomiting.::Is she drunk?: Rhychard supposed creatures of darkness had to get their entertainment somehow. They probably didn't have cable television in the Nether, and Vargas was too cheap to spring for it in his evil lair. Did demons even have lairs? Or was that strictly a comic book thing? He still had so
Saturday morning arrived way too early as far as Rhychard was concerned. He rolled over onto his side and tried to focus on the digital clock sitting on the television tray he used as a nightstand. 12:07. All right, he thought as he flopped back onto his back, noon came way too early.He opened and shut his eyes a few times, chasing away sleep as he coaxed his body into a sitting position. From the foot of his bed, he heard the familiar mixture of air popping and jingling bells. "Rhychard, come quick!" Tryna vanished as soon as she finished speaking.Rhychard stared at the vacant spot, wondering if she would return and tell him where "here" was.:Warrior, to the park with haste!: Kree's voice sounded strained. :Gargoyles attack!:Rhychard hurled himself out of the twin bed and shoved himself into clothes. He snatched his harness of short swords along with the Guardian Sword with one hand, sliding it over his arms and strapping them onto his back. At the same time, he grabbed his brace
The girl, Latina descent now that Rhychard could see her, was crawling out of the lake on to the grassy shore. Something about her seemed familiar, but Rhychard couldn't get a good look at her. Kree stayed close to the woman, his massive frame dwarfing her huddled form. It was like looking at a baby with a lion. Tryna popped into the air below one of the gargoyles and shoved upward where the beast's genitals would be. Did gargoyles even have genitals? Regardless, it was a weak spot, and the blade sank into the creature. Both Tryna and the blade poofed out of sight again, followed shortly by the dead gargoyle.Rhychard held his swords in front of him. Two left.He stood, braced, swords pointing outward. The remaining two gargoyles forgot the girl, evidently realizing that the threat Rhychard posed was greater than their attack on the girl. One gargoyle flew up, the other down, both focused intently on Rhychard. So much so in fact that they forgot Kree's reach, and the one flying low cam
Rhychard took a long drag from his cigar, held the smoke a moment, and then exhaled slowly, sending smoke ribbons over the porch railing. It was his favorite place in the apartment and the only place not covered in left-behind fur. It was odd having a roommate who shed, but Rhychard would take that over blaring rap music any day. His last roommate had been a disaster, and he was more than pleased that nightmare had ended.When he entered his apartment, Rhychard had deposited the still unconscious girl on his bed and left her in Tryna's tiny, but capable, hands. Kree merely took over the couch, as always, head resting on one arm, feet dangling off the other. The faerie was probably the least intimidating of the three of them, even being a creature over six hundred years old.The fact that gargoyles tried to rip the girl apart and in broad daylight, a pretty bold move on their part, bothered Rhychard. Of course, creatures of the Void didn't care if humans saw them as it only enhanced the
Rhychard found he was pacing again. None of it was making sense. Guardian. Swords. Elves. He walked to the back of his apartment and stared out the window. He had gone crazy. That was all there was to it. No one would believe him. Hell, he didn't believe him. He took a few deep breaths to try to calm his nerves, but it didn't help. What was he going to tell Renny?"I understand that all of this is more than your human brain can comprehend, but we do not have time for you to ponder your fate. John Relco is in danger, and the Destroyer is trying to have him killed. We must protect him."Rhychard recognized the name from Jamairlo but didn't know who it was. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. The last time he helped someone, his world exploded. He ran his hand through his long hair. He just wanted all of this to go away."I will allow you tonight to contemplate the truth of things. Tomorrow, I will return, and we will begin your sword training as I assume you have not used one before the ot