Whose texture compels me with the colour of its countries,

rendering death and forever with each breathing ~ verse 4, lines 3&4, E.E Cummings


Chapter 8 ~ Snake In The Grass

Brooklyn remained close to Goliath as they soared back towards the castle. The entire trip had elapsed with hardly a word spoken. He'd thought it best not to intrude on his Clan Leader's thoughts. The anger radiating off him was near enough palpable. Goliath didn't exactly clarify as to what Elisa Maza had done to enrage him so, and Brooklyn didn't care to ask. He didn't want the crushing disappointment in his stomach to get any worse.

The Clan Mother's words had sounded true to him, but a part of him whispered that Elisa Maza was their friend, at least. She'd seemed earnest and true, and from Goliath's descriptions of her, she was a loyal ally to their clan in this strange new world. Elisa had been his last shield against the Clan Mother's statements. But now, it turned out that she'd broken Goliath's trust. If she could do that, then didn't it prove true all the accusations against her kind?

When they arrived back at the castle, Goliath stormed off. No doubt to find Elisa or one of the others to demand what was going on. Brooklyn let him go, hunched and torn. This feeling of wretchedness, of uncertainty, like being caught out alone in unfamiliar territory for the first time and stuck with no idea where to go. It terrified him. And he hated it. He needed direction, he needed someone to show him the path forward.

So, he snuck down to the great hall. Xanatos and Mr Burnett were nowhere to be seen. In fact, Brooklyn hadn't come across anyone yet. All the better. He didn't want to be talked out of what he was about to do. The Grimorum sat on a pedestal to the side of the hall, a glass case protecting it from all who might seek to harm it. Brooklyn peered at the glass, and found the locking mechanism. He hesitated… Was this really the right idea, his mind wondered.

Before he could convince himself otherwise, Brooklyn tore through the electrical lock with one swipe of his talons. The glass case opened easily, and then the book of spells was in his grasp. Strange. It didn't feel that extraordinary. It was a heavy tome, and the scent of musty paper wafted to his nostrils. He'd expected to feel some sort of magical tingling or something… But no. It felt like an ordinary book.

He snuck out… and wondered what to do next. He'd stolen the book, like he'd been told. But now what? He could hide it, take it to the Clan Mother later? Yes, that seemed the best option. That way he could have some time to gather his thoughts and make an informed decision –

And who should he bump into as he rounded the corner?

"Clan-Mother!" Brooklyn exclaimed, almost dropping the Grimorum. He fumbled a little to hand it over – his previous plan was now obviously dashed. "I got the book, just like you asked."

The look on the red-haired gargoyle's face changed from one of cold alarm, to a victorious smile. "Ah. Brooklyn. Excellent. Just what I needed."

She snatched the book out of his talons and immediately began to flip through the pages. Brooklyn waited, but it was clear the Clan Mother had forgotten his existence. He cleared his throat. "Um, Clan-Mother? I think you were right. The human, Elisa, she's here. She thinks Xanatos has betrayed us."

The pages stopped turning. The Clan Mother's back was stiff. Slowly she turned, her brow furrowed. At length, she said, "I must admit, I have been having similar suspicious as of late. Are you truly surprised? I did tell you the humans can't be trusted."

"I know." Brooklyn nodded glumly. "Will the spell work? Will it set us free of him?"

"It should. But the spell is complex, I'll have to study it. Gather the others." When he hesitated, still lacking that conviction and direction he desperately needed, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Brooklyn. By the end of tonight, we shall all be free, and the humans will pay for what they've done."


The room was silent. The screen had gone blank minutes ago but no one had moved. Elisa stared wide eyed, but unseeing, her mind going through all the implications. A part of her was hurting, for although she didn't know Goliath's mate, she knew how much pain this revelation would cause. Lexington and Broadway stood on either side of her, staring into space, their expressions slowly falling into despair as they each came to the realisation that she had.

"I… I can't believe it…" Lexington said in a quiet, broken voice.

Broadway clenched his fists. "She couldn't have betrayed us! Why would she do that?"

Elisa turned in her chair and put a hand on their shoulders. "Look, guys, I don't know what's going on. But we'll figure this out together, I promise."

Lexington stared at her, helpless, and she was suddenly reminded that they were probably little more than teenagers. "Elisa… what do we do?"

"Well," She thought for a moment. "We know that Xanatos can't be trusted, nor can the Clan-Mother. So we need to get you guys out of here and to safety, before they spring this 'trap' they were talking about."

"Oh, it's far too late fer that, darlin'."

Elisa froze halfway out of her chair. She heard her heartbeat between her ears. Broadway and Lexington spun towards the door. Curt Graham stood, smirking as he always was, arms crossed. Right behind him were four guards, all armoured and armed with what looked like small machine guns. And every single barrel was pointed at Elisa and the gargoyles.

"Who're you guys?!" Broadway demanded hotly.

Elisa slapped her hands onto their shoulders to stop them from charging. "Don't move."

"I'd listen to the girlie, beasties," said Graham. "Yer big one's mighty tough, but even he ain't bullet proof."

For emphasis, the guards flicked the safeties off their guns.

Lexington gaped. "This is the hunter from the park?"

"Leave them out of this, Graham." Elisa kept her focus entirely on Graham, even if her mind was desperately trying to think of a way to save Lexington and Broadway. They didn't need to get hurt just by associating with her. "This is between you and me."

Graham chortled. "Ya got that right, baby-Maza. Unfortunately, though, these ones are gonna have to go with these guys. Which means you and me got all the time in the world to sort out our differences."

"They aren't going anywhere."

"And yer gonna stop 'em?" Graham grinned. "Now, baby-Maza, that don't sound like you at all."

That got her riled. "You don't know anything about me!"

"Don't I?" He walked towards her, until their stood chest to chest, until she could smell the stink of his breath. "You've been taught by yer daddy 'don't trust no one' because that's what I taught 'im. I've done ma research since our escapade in the park. Yer a survivalist, like me. Ya always have been. When it comes down to it, you will choose whatever gets you out on top. 'cause more than anything – you can't fail yer poor stupid daddy."

She didn't want to hear it. "You're wrong!" She yelled, lunging for him. He grabbed her wrists, trying to hold her back. Elisa fought with all her strength. She was nothing like him, she told herself desperately, nothing!

There was a loud, animalistic growl. And then Elisa heard Broadway give a wordless shout, and then a screech of metal and hiss of sparks. The computer whirred and sputtered, and then the lights cut out. Men shouted in confusion as they were plunged into complete blackness. Even Graham seemed distracted. Elisa took the opportunity, and kneed him in the gut. He doubled over, winded, and Elisa landed a right hook to his jaw.

That was when the first gunshot went off. Elisa threw herself down on instinct. She only saw flashes after that. Snarling fangs and glowing white eyes revealed in the light bursting from the barrels of guns. The guards shouted in panic, the wet slap of solid punches and the thud of bodies hitting the ground filled Elisa's ears. She didn't want Broadway and Lexington to be without backup, but she couldn't see in this darkness and would just get in the way. Somewhere to her left, she heard Graham hiss and start to get up. But she couldn't see him, couldn't stop him!

A hand grabbed hold of her arm. Elisa immediately struggled and pulled, but then realised the grip was too large, too unyielding, and the fingers had pointed claws at the end. "Come on, Elisa!" said Broadway as he pulled her to her feet. Evidently, the Gargoyles could see in the dark.

She followed Broadway towards the door, tripping a little over the body of someone on the floor. They burst into the corridor, and Elisa had to shield her eyes, blinking in the sudden light. Lexington came from around her and he and Broadway went ahead.

Arms wrapped around her middle. A force shoved her off her feet. Elisa tried to reach for her gun, but she was already falling to the floor, that same someone on top of her. She saw stars as she crashed to the hard ground. Her gun went spinning from her grip. Broadway and Lexington yelled. Elisa tried to turn and kick her assailant off, but they were already moving up her body.

Graham pressed his forearm across her collarbone, trying to force her down. Elisa tried to push the offending arm off her before he could choke her. His other hand pulled out a knife and plunged it towards her face! Elisa had to use one arm to try and hold him back. But he was larger, heavier than her, inch by inch, the knife wobbled closer and closer to her face.

"Don't worry, Elisa!" she heard Broadway shout. "I'll save ya!"

BANG!

Blood spurted across Elisa's side and neck. Graham yelled. A lance of pain struck Elisa in the side. She screamed.

"Elisa!"

Someone kicked Graham off her. As he flew back down the corridor, she saw him cradling his arm; someone had shot him. And then hands were gently taking hold of her and lifting her up. Broadway and Lexington crowded around her, fussing, trying to make sure she was alright.

"Sorry!" Broadway was saying in a rush. "I'm so sorry, Elisa. I was playing with the gun – stupid of me, I know."

"Are you hurt?" asked Lex.

She passed a hand down her ribs, beneath her jacket. She felt blood, and there was pain, but otherwise she was fine. A graze – something to get check out later. "No-no, I'm fine. Really." Graham groaned. He was cradling his arm; with luck, Broadway's shot had broken a bone. But that wouldn't keep him down for long. Snatching up her gun from where Broadway had dropped it, she pushed him and Lex down the opposite end of the corridor. "Come on! Let's get out of here while we can!"

They ran. They ran as if the devil himself were hot on their heels – maybe he was. Elisa let Broadway and Lexington take the lead. They turned tight corners, leapt down staircases, raced across halls. Elisa tried to keep up, but the graze in her side was aggravated with every step she took. It was making her out of breath very fast. Finally, when they were certain they'd lost Graham by now, they stopped just outside the kitchens.

"Whatta we do now?" Broadway asked.

"We have to get everyone out of here," said Elisa. Xanatos must be on to them – none of the Gargoyles were safe. Especially not these younger ones. They reminded Elisa of Nick, kids forced to grow up too fast. She had to keep them safe as best she could. But she couldn't do it alone. "Lexington, you go find Hudson and the… dog one?"

"Bronx!" he provided.

"Yeah, go find them." With a nod and a thumbs up, Lexington galloped down the hall. Elisa hated to see him go, but he would be swift, and he knew his way around tech so hopefully he would be mindful of any cameras or detection equipment Xanatos might have. She turned to her remaining companion. "Broadway, we need to find Goliath and Brooklyn."

He nodded and led the way. As they ran, he must've noticed that Elisa was lagging. He silently slowed his pace and offered to carry her, which she agreed to. Despite her pride, speed was of the essence. They found Goliath marching through a corridor lined with tall windows overlooking a courtyard below.

"Goliath!" Broadway called to him.

The huge gargoyle looked agitated. Elisa patted Broadway's hand and he set her down. Goliath immediately grabbed hold of her shoulder, his eyes travelling over her body. Had he read something wrong in her emotions?

"Elisa?" he asked in a ragged voice. He drew his hand away from her shoulder, his fingers stained red. "What is the meaning of–?"

"It's not mine, don't worry." She said immediately.

"But you have been hurt. Broadway, what is going on?"

"It's okay, Goliath," said the young plump gargoyle. "We got away."

"We have to get you out of here!" Elisa interrupted in a hurry. "You've been betrayed–"

"Yes." Goliath growled.

"What?"

He glared down at her, and for the life of her, Elisa couldn't understand why. "I told you to wait for me. I asked you to let us take on Drakon together, and you still went without me! It is clear to me that you don't trust any of us, Elisa Maza, and that I was a fool to trust you."

"No, Goliath, it wasn't like that!" she said frantically. "I had a feeling it was a trap – I was trying to protect you."

"How so? Did you catch our hunters? No. Instead, all you've done is–"

"Will you just shut up and listen to me?!" she shouted. His eyes widened at her audacity. Broadway hid behind his wings, shocked. "Goliath, Xanatos and Drakon supposedly have been having a war, right? That's why those men attacked the castle? I had a friend of mine check – Xanatos has filed no robberies or damages or pressed any charges against Drakon at all. On a hunch, I checked Xanatos' computer. I found recordings of him discussing capturing you with Curt Graham."

At this, Goliath's temper settled and he became serious. "Are you saying that Xanatos was responsible for the attack in the park?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Drakon said that there's no war between him and Xanatos – that Xanatos has his back. And those trackers on you? Xanatos probably planted them on you himself! The videos confirm it all."

"But it was Drakon's men who attacked the castle."

Broadway shook his head. "He staged the attack, Goliath. I saw it too! He wanted to see what we were capable of."

"He used you. He's been using you from the beginning." Elisa stopped. This next part was going to hurt. "And there's more…"

"What else could there be?" Goliath asked, exasperated.

She hung her head. "It's your… mate, Goliath. She's been in league with Xanatos."

"What are you talking about? That's impossible."

"She was the one who told him about you and how to lift the curse."

He took a step away from her, shaking his head. "No, that cannot be true! She was under the same spell as the rest of us."

"But Goliath…" Broadway stepped towards his leader, his expression hurt, confused. "I saw it. The Clan-Mother… she sold us to him."

"No, it must be some trick!" Goliath turned his back on them. Elisa didn't possess his ability to read others, but she could see his denial was slipping, and heartache growing in its place. "She… she wouldn't…"

She couldn't bear to see him hurt like this. "Listen, Goliath… Maybe I'm wrong about her. But I know I'm not wrong about Xanatos." She reached out and took hold of his large, clawed hand. Slowly, Goliath turned to face her. "We haven't known each other very long and I know you don't have any good reason to trust humans. But you've got to trust somebody in this world… the way I've come to trust you. And besides, I'd like to think you'd be better off with me than Xanatos."

There was a moment where Goliath looked into Elisa's eyes, and she stared right back. He seemed to convey all the emotions of the world in that one glance. Elisa felt herself falling into the warm obsidian depths of his eyes, and not caring a bit. Goliath reached up and gently wiped the back of a knuckle along the line of her jaw, clearing away Graham's blood. If he was reading her to see if he could trust her, Elisa let him have it all. Eventually, he nodded.

"How touching."

They spun, startled. Xanatos stood in the doorway of an adjoining corridor. His face was a blank mask. Though he wore his usual casual attire, Elisa couldn't help but feel as if a dangerous predator had just stepped into the room with them. Goliath rumbled quietly, and stepped in front of both Elisa and Broadway, shielding them behind the protective veil of his wings. Elisa had to crane her neck and stand on her tip-toes to see over his shoulder.

"Detective Maza," Xanatos greeted pleasantly. "If you wanted to be invited up, all you had to do was ask. I would never keep you from my honoured guests."

"Guests?" Goliath echoed disdainfully. "I trusted you, Xanatos. And now it seems you have betrayed what little faith I had for you. You thought to play games with me?"

Xanatos shook his head. "You've got it all wrong. I'm the best friend you have in this world."

Elisa scoffed angrily. "What 'friend' would trick Goliath with a staged attack on his family, and then send thugs after him?!"

"If you want to be picky, we won't get anywhere." Xanatos wagged a finger. "Let's try to focus on the big picture, Goliath. I've got a research facility upstate where you and your friends could be comfortable and protected."

"Yeah, and in exchange be experimented on!" she spat. "That's what all this is about, isn't it Xanatos? You had the Cyberbiotics shipment highjacked to cut their contract with the US Military – because you wanted to strike a deal with them. That's why you brought the Gargoyles back, to sell them."

"Do you deny it?" Goliath asked hotly.

Xanatos shrugged. "No."

"What?!"

"It was nothing personal. The military would be very interested in buying research made from gargoyles. You have super strength, speed, the ability to fly, the ability to outthink the enemy – you'd make good super-soldiers. Or science could help give your gifts to humans to make them super-soldiers."

"Is that why you sent the hunters after Goliath and Elisa?" asked Broadway. "To take them out?"

"Graham is just a thug meant to challenge you, Goliath. To let me know what I was dealing with. I don't ever sell a product without knowing its full limitations." Xanatos' smile grew. "As well as extra muscle. Can't have you all getting out of control. Now. Will you take my offer and come with me upstate?"

Goliath snarled. "How dare you! You think we are your pets?! Dogs for you to order around as you wish?!"

"Doesn't seem a difficult choice to me. Stay here in the city and be hunted down like animals, or be my guests, in a safe haven. What do you say?"

"Never."

Xanatos sighed dramatically. "Such a shame."

He pressed a button in his wristwatch and stepped back through the doorway. Elisa shouted for Goliath, to tell him to watch out – but the words never had a chance to leave her lips. In the floor separating them from Xanatos lay a row of proximity mines. With that small flick of a switch from Xanatos, they all gave a little beep, and then all went off at once! Goliath, Elisa and Broadway were thrown back with the whoosh of air that slammed into them, followed by a wall of heat. Goliath's arms encircled around Elisa and pulled her against him.

She heard the shatter of glass and the whistle of wind, as she, Goliath and Broadway went through the broken windows and fell towards the courtyard below!