Page 87 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
As I watch him focusing so hard to help me and our clan, I promise myself I’ll attend every damn movie night he wants me to, and I’ll do it with a smile. This man deserves everything I can give him and then some.
I’m also incredibly proud of my fellow gargoyles at this moment. They can be a rambunctious bunch, full of snarky attitudes, mutual ribbing, and cocky comebacks, but they wait patiently in silence as Noah strives to achieve yet another miracle for us.
Fifteen minutes in and Noah’s sweating, his skin turning pale. Just when I’m about to tell him to take a break and we’ll try again later, his eyes fly open. “Eureka! I found it.”
And that’s when my fellow warriors and I fall to our knees as a surge of magical energy crashes into us. Thankfully, I have a bit of an advantage, being somewhat more used to it after a couple of times. I manage to get back to my feet with a grunt.
The power is a bit less intense than it was in the cellar earlier, but it’s strong enough to give me genuine hope that we can defeat the Sluagh horde when they descend upon us.
The trick is going to be keeping Noah safe and able to continue powering
our forces in the process.
“Noah,” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth, “I want you to try and gradually release the line, and then slowly turn off the flow of energy to all of us.”
He manages to let go of the ley line, albeit faster than is ideal, but is more successful in tapering off the flow of remaining energy.
When things have settled down and the whole group has recovered, I move to Noah’s side and wrap him in my arms. “That was fantastic. You were brilliant, sweetheart.”
“Aw, shucks,” he says, grinning wide.
“One last practice activity.”
He groans.
I rub his back. “You’re like a star pupil who’s passing every test with flying colors. You’ve got this.”
Noah pretends to toss his hair and gives me a sassy look. “Of course, I am, babe. I’m awesome.”
“I completely agree,” I tell him in all earnestness, which makes him blush, much to my delight.
“For our last practice, I want you to go out a ways from us. Let’s see how much distance you can put between you and our forces before you cannae send them any energy.”
“Gotcha.” Noah gives me a jaunty little salute and jogs off, heading up a short hill.
We wait while he taps into the power again and sends it to us. Each time he moves higher up the hill until he’s reached the top.
“Hey, guys,” he calls out to us, “I think I see something over here.”
“What is it?” I yell back.
“Ahhhhh!”
Noah comes flying down the hill, running back toward us, his eyes wide with fear.
My heart stutters in my chest.
The Sluagh can’t be here yet, can they? It’s broad daylight, and being creatures of the night, they only move in the darkness. That’s why it’s taken them some time to reach us.
Noah’s arms and legs pump like mad as he races in our direction. “Run for your lives! They’re coming!”
Everyone draws their weapons and takes on fighting stances, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the Sluagh.
And that’s when we hear it.
The sound of dozens of bleatingBaaahs.
Our flock of sheep, which had been out grazing on the hills, come charging after Noah.
