Page 15 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
I stride forward to join the rest of my clan, who appear to be seated and waiting on me.
At the end of the hall, our clan leader and the Oracle are seated in a stately fashion on a dais.
Old even by gargoyle years, the Oracle’s opaque eyes stare off into the distance, seeing nothing in the here and now. Like most born to be an oracle among our kind, the price of her divine vision is blindness in this world. Her lined face, framed by long white hair, is impossible to read.
Kelwyn, our clan leader, stands. “Thank you, my fellow Guardians of the Line. I’ve called you here this evening to hear the words of the Oracle and take heed.”
The Oracle stands and steps forward, raising her arms to the sky. “I have received three visions from the Goddess.” Her voice is captivating and almost otherworldly as she speaks. “Danger lies ahead. An ancient threat from the West moves ever closer our way. A dark horde seeks the power of the line, and we cannot let that happen.”
Anxious murmuring ripples among her audience, but Kelwyn clears his throat meaningfully and silence resumes.
“However, all hope is not lost,” the Oracle says, her lips curving in a faint hint of a smile. “A Conduit has arrived.”
I inhale sharply and my heart starts pounding in my chest. Our clan has not had a Conduit among our ranks in centuries. Such a person could be the answer to my prayers.
“The Conduit comes toward us, pulled by forces beyond their ken. They know nothing of their powers and are vulnerable to danger. Others have already felt the Conduit’s presence and hope to use them for evil. We must find this Conduit first and bring them into the fold before it’s too late.”
Fucking hell. A Conduit roaming around and unaware of their power is a recipe for disaster. We can’t afford to lose this person or let anything happen to them, rare as they are.
“Finally,” the Oracle continues, “I have foreseen the coming of new blood in our clan and new unions. It has been many years since any among us have found their fated mates, but I foresee a shift ahead. There will be several arriving in the near future. They will strengthen our clan if they accept the bonds.”
Her hands drop back down to her sides, and she bows to us all before returning to her seat.
The entire clan erupts into a cacophony of excited speculations. Not all of what she said boded well, but right now most of my clan is fixated on her last words.
An ancient threat from the West… I have an inkling as to what it could be, but I sincerely hope I’m wrong.
The best news by far was what she said about the Conduit’s appearance. By the Light, someone with that kind of ability could solve our most pressing problem with the barrier. Our top priority right now needs to be finding them and keeping them safe.
But even with all that, I’m not surprised the fated-mates business has filled everyone with the most excitement. Many of our clan members remain without partners, making our job of protecting the ley line all that much harder. A fated mate helps bolster our powers and they strengthen our overall protections. The arrival of not just one, but several, fated mates is a blessing indeed.
Although I couldn’t help but notice the Oracle had added the caveat that they would need to accept our bond, meaning there’s no guarantee the fated mates who appear will commit to their mates. I suspect it won’t be entirely smooth sailing for many of us.
However, I push the thought aside. It almost certainly won’t have anything to do with me. I gave up on finding a fated mate long ago.
Besides, I can’t imagine anyone from outside our clan being content to stay in a remote castle in the Scottish Highlands, where danger lurks in the shadows.
Hell, it’s not a life I ever wanted for myself, let alone a partner. But the Goddess saw fit to gift me with a power that our clan desperately needed to uphold our duty in protecting the ley line from those who would use and abuse its powers.
Hopes and dreams of a different life are things I abandoned after I came of age and reconciled myself to my duty and responsibility.
I can’t deny I bitterly envied my younger brother, Vashyk, who was born without magic and is thus free to pursue whatever path he wants in his life. He’s even found someone to love, and they’re apparently quite serious. He’s living a happy and fulfilling life.
For the most part, I’m genuinely pleased for him. The darker jealousy and resentment I felt in my youth has dulled with age and maturity. I’m still envious, though.
Despite the fact that I’m supposed to have a fated mate out there, I’ve spent my adulthood alone, apart from the occasional hookup when I’ve had time off and gone into the city.
While a fated mate sounds romantic, I suspect the reality is far from it. After all, I can’t imagine anyone accepting the piss-poor life I have to offer them. I’d probably encourage my mate to reject the bond for their own good.
The Great Hall starts to clear out as people talk animatedly about changes to come as they head back to their homes.
Several of the senior Guardians and I stay behind with Kelwyn and the Oracle, moving our seats into a circle around the dais and then waiting.
Once everyone else is gone and the hall doors close, Kelwyn sighs heavily. “Now, let’s get to business.” He turns a keen eye on his younger brother, Raedyn. “You’re our best tracker and scout. I want you to head west and see what you can find about this impending threat coming our way. We need more information to prepare ourselves and our defenses.”
“Aye. You can count on me, Kel.”
Kelwyn smiles and directs his dark-blue gaze on me next. “Elryk, you know better than anyone that we must find this Conduit, and fast.”
