aisling grimlock 03 - grim discovery (24 page)

“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this,” Braden grumbled.

“Saturday night a man approached me outside of a bar in Ferndale,” I said. “I saw him watching me in the bar and I followed him outside.”

“You’re such an idiot,” Redmond seethed.

I ignored the comment. “He was with a wraith, and they wanted me to go with them,” I continued. “When I refused, they told me they were going to take me. That’s when Griffin came looking for me and killed the wraith.

“Before all of that, though, I asked the man – who I believe was probably another rogue reaper – whether he worked for Mom,” I said. “He denied it, but … he was lying. Whether he was lying about that or something else, I don’t know. He seemed keen on answers about what happened to Fontaine and Sylvia, though. He honestly didn’t know what happened that day at the mausoleum.”

“Where is he now?” Braden asked.

“He left. We were in public and it’s not as if we could chase him without causing a scene.”

“Well, great,” Redmond said, his eyebrows lifting. “That’s a big load of nothing for us to follow up.”

“When I got home last night, two wraiths were waiting for me in front of the townhouse,” I said. “A gargoyle – his name is Bub and I’m not making him up – swooped in and helped me fight.

“I killed them both with one of Jerry’s solar lights and had a little talk with Bub,” I said. “He claims that someone is amassing an army of wraiths and gargoyles to go after me. He claims I’m some sort of … key … and someone wants to use me. He claims he has no idea why they want me.”

“Do you believe him?” Cillian asked.

“No. He’s clearly hiding something.”

Braden held up his hands. “Wait … are we just falling for this gargoyle nonsense because she says it’s true? She’s been lying to us for two weeks. Why should we believe her now?”

“You’re unbelievable,” Griffin said. “Why would she make that up?”

“Why did she lie to us?”

“I saw the gargoyle,” Aidan said. “Aisling let it into the townhouse to talk. It looked like a little, rubbery … .”

“Dog-owl,” I supplied.

“It kind of did look like a dog-owl,” Jerry interjected. “It also had a really big tail that looked like a penis.”

“Thank you, Jerry,” Dad said, rolling his eyes.

“I was trying to be helpful.”

“Well, you weren’t,” Braden snapped.

“Don’t yell at him,” Aidan said. “You’re angry with Aisling. Yell at her. She lied to everyone in this room, including her supposed best friend. I’m guessing you didn’t tell Jerry about this either. Wait … she didn’t tell you, did she?”

Jerry patted Aidan’s hand. “She didn’t tell me. Don’t worry, I haven’t been lying to you like she has.”

“Thanks,” I said, rubbing the tender spot between my eyebrows.

“I’m sorry, Bug,” Jerry said. “I … now I know why you forgot the Miss America Pageant. The good news for you is that I’m not angry with you about that anymore.”

“That’s great.”

“I am really ticked you didn’t tell me your mother was alive, though,” Jerry said, his tone serious. “I’m your best friend. You should’ve trusted me with your secret.”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you would tell Aidan,” I shot back.

“You don’t know that,” Jerry argued.

Aidan scorched Jerry with a look.

“Of course I would’ve told Aidan,” Jerry corrected, although he appeared conflicted. That whole dating-your-best-friend’s brother thing was finally coming back to bite him in the ass. “I would’ve told you, sweetie.”

Aidan shook his head. “Are you happy? You’ve upset Jerry.”

“Oh, stuff it,” Griffin said. “You’re the one making things worse with Jerry.”

“All of you stuff it,” Dad said. “Is that it, Aisling? Is that everything you have to tell me?”

Was it? I’d lost track. “I think so.”

“Not quite,” Griffin said. “We’ve been talking, and no matter how this shakes out – whether Mrs. Grimlock is alive or dead – the Grimponds lied the night of her supposed death. They didn’t reap her. There has to be a reason for them to lie.”

“Maybe they should ask Aisling why she lied and steal her reason,” Braden suggested.

“I don’t have to take this,” I said, glaring at Braden. “I lied. I did. I probably should have told you what Fontaine said the night of the mausoleum fire. I was … confused. I’m sorry. I can’t go back in time and fix it, though, so you guys have to suck it up if we want to figure this out.”

“Excuse me?” Braden was furious. “You don’t get to come in here and dictate terms after what you’ve done!”

“I’m not dictating terms,” I argued. “I’m trying to … get us back on task.”

“Dad, tell her that she’s done playing mistress of the house,” Braden ordered.

“Dad, tell him that he’s a jerkwad,” I countered.

“Dad, tell them both to shut up because they’re giving me a headache,” Aidan interjected.

“He’s right,” Dad said hollowly.

“Who is right?”

“Braden is right,” Dad said. “Aisling, I don’t know what you thought this little display would garner you, but you’re officially done here this evening.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

“I can’t look at you right now,” Dad said. “It’s too much … and I need to think.”

“So, what … are you saying I’m kicked out of the family?”

“Of course not,” Dad said. “I’m saying that … perhaps taking a break from the family for a few days would do us all some good.”

His words were like a punch in the stomach. “I see.”

“You can’t do that,” Griffin argued. “You can’t just cut her out. She’s been working on this nonstop.”

“And now she’s done,” Dad said. “Aisling, I think it would be better for everyone if you left us to talk about this tonight. I … I’m sorry that you’re upset, but I can’t have you around here right now.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, turning away from him so he couldn’t see the threatening tears. “I’m leaving.”

“Wait a second,” Griffin said. “You can’t just kick her out.”

“I think we just did,” Braden said.

Twenty-Three

“Aisling, wait!”

Griffin followed me out of Grimlock Manor, his sympathetic eyes searching my face as I fumbled for my keys.

“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ll meet you back at the townhouse.”

“Baby, we both knew that was going to get ugly,” Griffin said. “They need a night to be angry and then they’ll get over it. You can’t take this personally.”

“How should I take it?” I asked, licking my lips as I tried to rein in my emotions. “They’re right. I betrayed them. I’m getting exactly what I deserve.”

“Okay, let’s not go the martyr route,” Griffin suggested, reaching for my shoulders. “In a few days they’ll see that you had their best interests at heart when you decided to keep this to yourself.

“Do you remember when you realized that there was a possibility that your mother was still alive? It threw you and you’re still adjusting to it,” he said. “They haven’t had time to adjust to it yet. Just … give them some time.”

“It’s fine,” I said, anger bubbling up. “I’m out of the family. It’s fine.”

“You know darned well that’s not what your father said,” Griffin countered. “He’s upset.”

“Maybe I’m upset.”

“He had four other children and a date in there,” Griffin pointed out. “I … I’m not saying what he did was right. I think he was at a loss for what else to do given those circumstances.”

“Well, great! That explains everything.”

Griffin ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he regarded me. “You’re going to be a pain all night, aren’t you?”

“Perhaps you should cut me out of your life, too,” I suggested. “That would negate that problem.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” Griffin snapped. “I can’t deal with you when you get like this. I don’t know what to say to you.”

“Maybe you should give me some space tonight, too,” I suggested, deflating. “The last thing I want is to lash out at you. I’m … sorry. I just … .” My voice cracked.

“I’m not leaving you alone tonight,” Griffin said, pulling me toward him and wrapping his arms around me. “The last thing that you need is to be alone tonight.” He swayed back and forth, almost rocking me.

“What about what you need?”

“Well, truth be told, I wouldn’t get any sleep away from you,” Griffin admitted, rubbing my back. “I think I might be addicted to you. It’s a little sad, really.”

He was going for levity. I appreciated the effort. I wasn’t sure I could engage in playful banter, though. “I’m tired.”

“I know you are,” Griffin said. “My whole body is tired, too. I think there’s a good chance Aidan and Jerry will spend the night here, so we can have your place to ourselves. How about we pick up some greasy food on the way home, get comfortable and watch whatever horrible movie you want to watch? How does that sound?”

“I think that’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”

Griffin pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “It really is going to be okay,” he said, his voice low. “Just give them time. I … what is that noise?”

I lifted my head, surprised by the conversational shift. “I don’t hear anything. I … wait … .” He was right. There was something there. It almost sounded like the soft keening of a bird, or more aptly a flock of them. I shifted so I could scan the horizon.

The setting sun caused me to narrow my eyes and it took me a moment to adjust to what I saw. It looked as if a flock of birds was moving in our direction. Instinctively, I knew they weren’t birds.

“Run!” I pushed Griffin’s chest.

Griffin was instantly alert. “What is it?” He followed my gaze, slitting his eyes as he tried to focus on the growing shapes as they swooped nearer. “Are those … ?”

“Gargoyles,” I finished. “Run!”

Griffin started moving back toward the house, his hand brushing against mine and missing when he tried to clamp onto it.

Something whipped past my face, sharp talons lashing out and digging into my flesh as it flew by. I cried out, grabbing my cheek as I spun. When I pulled my fingers back they were covered with blood.

Well, this was just great. Not only was I kicked out of the family, now I had a big cut on my face. Someone was definitely going to pay for this.

Griffin made it to the front alcove before realizing I wasn’t with him. He immediately turned to come back, his eyes dark when he saw me crouched low to the ground next to his truck.

“Go inside,” I ordered, wiping the blood from my cheek as I tried to cover my face. “You’re not safe out here.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Griffin yelled, his eyes busy. There had to be at least ten gargoyles descending on the property, and half of them now soared through the air between us.

“Go inside,” I repeated. “They’re after me.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Griffin snapped. “Stop thinking I’m going to leave you here and shut your mouth for two seconds. I … .” Griffin was at a loss. He had no idea what to do. That made two of us.

One of the gargoyles swooped low enough to catch my arm, razor-sharp talons sinking in. “Ouch!” I grabbed the beast – which wasn’t large compared to some of the others – around the neck and slammed it into the side of Griffin’s truck, stunning it. When it hit the ground, its charcoal eyes were unfocused and it scrambled under the truck to get away from me. This one really did look like a mutant dog-owl.

I jolted when I heard a gun go off, swiveling quickly and finding a lifeless gargoyle only a foot in front of me. Inky black liquid oozed to the pavement beneath it. I glanced up and saw that Griffin had his gun drawn, his face grim as he scanned the sky.

“Aisling, I need you to run to me,” Griffin instructed. “Don’t look around. Don’t look behind you. I’ll cover you. Run to me.”

“I … .” I wasn’t sure I could make my legs work fast enough to do what he asked.

“Aisling, do what I say!”

The door behind Griffin opened and the look on my father’s face when he stepped onto the front porch was murderous. “What the … ?”

“We don’t have time for this,” Griffin snapped. “I need her to run to me and you need to … shut the hell up!”

If Dad was taken aback by Griffin’s tone, he didn’t show it. His eyes found mine through the descending dark. “Come on, Aisling,” he ordered. “Do what he says. Move your butt over here.”

I sucked in a breath, tugging on my courage as I geared up to do what they asked.

“Run!” Dad roared.

I didn’t waste another second. I planted my hands on the cement to give myself a push and then raced toward them. Griffin fired two more shots, but I didn’t turn around to see whether he hit anything. He caught me mid-air as I jumped, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me through the open door.

Dad slammed the door shut, his hands shaking as he focused on Griffin and me. “I take it those were the gargoyles you were talking about.”

Griffin nodded, holstering his weapon and running his hands over me. “You’re okay,” he whispered.

“What’s going on?”

The ruckus was enough to draw everyone else in the house to the front foyer. I didn’t have the energy to focus on them, though.

“There’s a pack of gargoyles out there,” Dad explained. “They attacked Aisling. Griffin killed at least two of them. I … .”

“I want to go home,” I muttered.

“Baby, we can’t leave right now,” Griffin said, employing a soothing tone. “It’s not safe.”

“We can’t stay here.”

“Everyone is staying here,” Dad said. “We need to put our heads together on this. It’s not safe to go outside … and it’s not as though we can call the police and report a gargoyle attack. I have no idea what will happen if someone reports Griffin’s shots. Hopefully the neighbors will think the Montgomery family is shooting skeet again.” His eyes filled with concern when he saw the wound on my arm. “Let me look at that.”

I jerked away from him. “I’m fine.” My voice cracked, and that’s when I realized I was crying. “I don’t need your help.”

Dad was conflicted. “Aisling, that looks bad. I … .”

“I’ve got her,” Griffin said, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me so he could carry me toward the grand marble staircase. “We’re going to bed.”

“Don’t you think we should talk about the gargoyles?” Dad asked, dumbfounded by Griffin’s reaction. “They attacked you, after all.”