by: Spacebabie

Email: LadyAndromeda@smstars.zzn.com

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Enemies

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There was nothing to eat. No sign of lush greens anywhere in the vast land of cold white snow. The trees had yet to be stripped of all its bark. The doe cautiously walked to the tree and sank it’s teeth into the surface. It heard something. Snapping up it’s gentle head it listened intently for whatever made that sound to make it again. It did! The deer leaped away before it started to run. Her sense have never failed her before. She knew something was after her. She was right. Something fierce and purple glided down towards it. The deer changed direction and continued to run. The winged beast appeared again herding the doe towards something. The thicker part of the woods wasn’t too far away. With luck it might loose it’s pursuer. It ran across something that triggered a net to fall on it.

Jeremy Houston glided down next to it. He held a spear in his hands. His arms still lean, but no longer scrawny rippled with the slight beginning of muscle tone as he plowed the sharp tip through the neck of the doe. He pushed the weapon through it’s chest a few times before he set it down.

"Mission accomplished," The former human said. "Hey ‘licia you can come out now. You still have my smokes right?"

"Ugh," a figure approached him. She wore snow pants over her thick blue jeans, a pine green colored parka, and leather gloves. "Didn’t you cry at Bambi?" Her hood was drawn so tight that it was almost impossible to see her face.

"My smokes?"

"Here." She fished into her coat pocket and pulled out a half empty pack of cigarettes. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Didn’t you cry when Bambi’s mother was shot?"

"Maybe." He pulled out a stick. "It’s been a while. Is this about me killing the deer?"

"Yes. Thailog keeps a fully stocked kitchen."

"It’s not about food." He placed the cigarette in his mouth. Using a hand as a shield for the flame he brought the lighter close to the end of his cancer stick and lit it. "Thailog want’s me to work on my hunting skills." He said after taking a drag. "You cold ‘Licia?"

"No I’m shaking cause I’m exited. Can we go now. I want to see these new recruits."

___________________________________________________________________________

His abode. It was a former YMCA that had a youth center, but now it was his. It made a perfect place to live. Different gyms to work out and train in. Bed rooms for those who can walk around during the day to sleep in. A large swimming pool, a kitchen and dining room and few rooms to long in as well as one that he had designed for himself. The one with the Jacuzzi. He was in one of the living rooms that had been upgraded. He was waiting for the people that Ms Ambrosia Leahs had sent to unpack. His patience was met when he heard a knock to the door.

"So you finally made it Mr. Leahs," Thailog greeted the young human male in his early twenties with chestnut hair and blue eyes that had a purplish tint to them. "I see you have brought your troops as well." He stared past the human and at the group of five individuals behind him. Two of them were obviously brother and sister. Their brown hair was kept in a similar style, a bit fluffed up on the top of their heads with long trails trailing between their ears and temples. They both were cyborgs. Metal plates and wires were attached to their bodies.

"Jackal and Hyena," Leahs introduced.

"He looks like Goliath," Hyena said.

"Not just look," Jackal agreed. "Sounds like him as well."

"Those from the TV show, The Pack."

"I technically brought the new pack," Reggie grinned. Behind the siblings stood a huge mutate that was spliced with wolf DNA instead of a jungle cat. "Wolf," Beyond the werewolf stood a human female with garnet hair and innocent brown eyes. She wore a tight fitting battle armor suit in the colors of red, gold and black. "Lorrie Mulligan, AKA Vixen. She has healing skills and brought plenty of medical supplies." The woman seemed too nervous to even smile. Next to her was a light green gargoyle with a spiked dinosaur like frill in a black outfit. Red elbow pads were molded to fit his double spurred elbows and he wore shoes made specially for gargoyle feet. The single digit talons of his moss green wings rested on his red shoulder pads. "And Jon Canmore, AKA the Hunter."

"Castaway?" Thailog asked. "How did this happen?"

"He was trying to kill The Demon and she pushed him down on a beaker in her lab. It broke and the glass cut through his skin," Lorrie explained. "Every night at sunset he changes." A beaker? He must have left the beaker on a table when he was getting supplies from Sevarius.

"Did you get The Demon?" Thailog stared into the ebony black eyes of Canmore.

"Mind your own business," Wolf said.

"Wolf?" Reggie’s voice was stern.

The black gargoyle lead them into the room and smiled before he took another look at what he would call his nerve center. A large screen was in the center of the computers, smaller TV’s and desks. The screen itself was framed by many silver speakers in shapes of circles and interlocking trapezoids. Fang had called it one hell of an entertainment system. Yes it could be used to watch TV and movies, but he had other purposes for it.

"I like to introduce Reginald Leahs and The Pack." A few members of his clan stirred at the mention of their name. "Jackal and Hyena are cyborgs," The two siblings grinned and posed. "Wolf is a mutate," Wolf flexed his muscles. "Vixen is pure human, but she is a healer." The red head stood closer to Canmore. "And Hunter is quite a unique creature. A being that is human by day and gargoyle at night." Jon glared at those on the other side of the room before giving Reggie a "What the hell are we doing here look."

He turned around to view his clan. Coldsteel stood by his side trying to figure everyone out. Fang relaxed with his hands behind his head next to the entrance at the other side of the room. Next to him stood Winter. Thailog forgot what the former human girl’s real name was when she joined. Unlike Fang she wanted to be mutated and selected the felinoid DNA. That of a snow leopard. Between the robot and the mutates were the rogue gargoyles from other clans. The gray middle eastern gargoyle, Momar stood patiently. The many long gray spines on his head resembled the quills of a porcupine and rattled lightly when he turned to view everyone. Vlad and Ursa, the British couple, sat in two of the chairs with their feathery wings cloaked. He was reddish in color and had the facial features of a bat. She was golden brown. Her flowing strawberry blond mane cascaded down from her bare like head. The Guatemalan female, Ocelot kept her eyes glued to the group across from them. Above her eyes were large curved horns were shaped like crescent moons. Two more smaller ones were in between those and two even smaller ones in-between them. The last one on his left side was Chi Lin of China. Light pink in color she had large deer like ears and vestigial horns above her temples. Her most distinguishing feature was the small spiral horn in the middle of her forehead.

"Are we going to begin soon?" Leahs asked

"Soon Mr. Leahs soon," Thailog responded.

"Please call me Reginald, or Reggie if you prefer."

"Very well Reggie." He looked past the young man’s shoulders to see that the pack stood on the other side of the room. "Did you all have an easy time settling in to your new rooms?"

"No problem," Jackal responded.

"Sorry we’re late," Houston entered the room followed by Felicia. "We had to put the kill in the deep freeze." The woman pulled of her parka and gave her blue hair a toss. The purple gargoyle took his place next to Coldsteel. Felicia looked over The Pack before joining her boyfriend. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Lorrie.

"I believe now we can begin," The black gargoyle said. "I like to welcome Reginald Leahs and the Pack to our humble abode. Now we all come from different homes. We left for various reasons, but we came together for the same reason. That we believe we shouldn’t be protecting the humans. Not for free."

"Who died and made him leader?" Wolf asked.

"Hey dog face, keep that muzzle of your closed," Fang said.

"Thank you Fang," Thailog smiled. "Because we think differently from our former homes we were either shunned, or left on our own, but now we are together. From fragments we have formed a clan-"

"Clan?" Jon Canmore interrupted. "I ne’er want t’ be part of a clan of these monsters!"

"You shut up!" Ocelot pointed at him. "The leader is speaking."

"A group then," Thailog continued. "Of our own, and quite a group we have here. Our union is formed of humans," He nodded at Leahs. Felicia stuck her tongue out at Lorrie. The former nurse just rolled her eyes. She was not going to lower herself to the blue haired woman’s level. Hyena decided to do that for her and flipped her middle finger at Felicia. "Former humans," This time he nodded at Houston who smiled. Fang flexed his muscles while Wolf belched and Canmore sighed. "and of course gargoyles. This is our home, there are many rooms to train. I want everyone to pick a partner and train together."

"Bye love," Vlad said before kissing his mate on her bear like snout and following Momar.

"I want that winged Thunder Cat," Wolf said. "You got it Tooth?"

"That’s Fang," The cougar mutate said. "Your on." He paused to watch Winter lead Jackal out of the room before continuing.

"Hey Blue!" Hyena shouted. "I don’t know what your problem is but I like to square off with you."

"Sorry I’m not a fighter," Felicia said.

"Why? You too good?"

"It’s not worth it," Lorrie told her. "I’ll spar with you." Hyena gave Felicia the bird once more before following Lorrie.

"I choose Hunter," Chi Lin said. "You look so depressed. Cheer up." She grabbed one of Jon’s hands and placed her head against his chest. The scent of leather and pepper permeated into her nostrils "You smell nice." The end of her tail was divided into four small finger like appendages. They slowly crawled up his leg. Canmore felt his pulse rise when he felt the ends of her tail and looked at her. She was pretty for a monster, but still a monster.

"Get yer filthy gargoyle hands off of me," Jon pushed her off and took a step back.

"Stop acting high and mighty," Ocelot gently shoved the teary eyed female aside. "Don’t waste your time on him Chi Lin. He is a human in gargoyle clothing."

"At least ye understand what I am."

"A disgusting human. The same kind that tried to change my clan."

"I would have changed it all right. I wouldae smashed each of yer kind as soon as the sun had risen."

"Coward!" Her eyes blazed red as she pounced on him.

"Hunters are ne’er cowards!" His own eyes lit up as he struggled to kick her off. Reggie watched the two of them wrestle before turning around.

"I’m going for a beer," The male human said. "Do you two want anything?"

"Nothing cold," Felicia answered. "Thailog do we have anything like cocoa here?"

"I believe we have something in that matter," The clone answered. Reggie nodded before leaving, carefully avoiding the two fighting gargoyles.

"So what are you going to use the screen for?" Felicia asked. "Something like the Legion of Doom and plot against the Wyvern clan?"

"Not quite. We will battle against Goliath’s clan someday."

"Some night?"

"Correct you are but first we are going to need money."

"Don’t we have enough already?"

"We will need more to take down Wyvern. That is why we are going to set up protection for hire. Gargoyles at night and humans and former humans during the day."

"I wasn’t kidding when I said I wasn’t a fighter. I mean without again, and even with a gun I’m still more of a defense player."

"You don’t have to fight. Your skills as a pilot, a mechanic and with computers is more than enough for the team."

"Bitch!" Jon’s shouting reached their ears.

"Chinga tu chupapene!"

"Gain te buckey ye tarse bessie!"

"I don’t mind them fighting," Thailog said. "But the shouting has to stop." He turned towards them. "Excuse me! If you two will stop acting like hatchlings-" He was interrupted by the Hunter once again.

"I ne’er hatched."

"Neither have I, Don’t interupt me again. The point I’m making is that you both have some issues to go through. Now I think you both should wash up and take care of your wounds."

"I’m sorry leader," Ocelot apologized before leaving. She hissed at Jon on her way out.

"Don’t expect me t’ apologize." Canmore said as he retrieved a shoe that he lost in the battle.

___________________________________________________________________________

Canmore still couldn’t believe that Ms. Leahs had sent them north to be with this group. A group lead by Goliath’s clone. Her son told him that it was temporary and by the looks of how their meeting went that night it appears that it won’t last. Wolf and that winged cougar did not get along. Felicia doesn’t like Lorrie for some reason and Hyena doesn’t like her. He made it clear that he despises gargoyles.

He held his arms out in front of him. That cat demon had left a number of scratches that tore through the material. One of his shoulder pads was hanging by a thread. He looked down and noticed more scratches on is legs. He probably had some more on his wings.

He was halfway to Lorrie’s room when he stopped by a door with a glass window. He peered inside. Chi lin was doing graceful stretches, loosening up her limbs. Ursa was next to her doing similar exercises but Jon only paid attention to the Chinese gargoyle. She stretched out her right leg and with her arms outstretched she bent forward to touch her large toes. She straightened back up and repeated the toe touch again. Her movement was smooth and flawless. It made her appear less like a demon and more like an angel. The hunter continued to watch as she repeated the toe touches with her other leg. He couldn’t stop watching and he didn’t know why. His heartbeat sped up when Chi Lin turned around and stepped on one of the long soft floor mats. She slowly bent over putting her weight on her upper half and exposing what was under her loincloth. Jon swallowed the lump in his throat when he saw her hairless sex An itoxicating fragrance wafted towards him and he felt his shaft rise. Chi Lin outstretched her legs as she stood perfectly on her hands.

"What is wrong wi’ me?" Jon asked as he forced himself to look away. "I cannae be aroused by one of them. M’ demon desires. That’s what it is. I must keep control. I love Lorrie."

"Really?" Lorrie asked. Jon spun around and saw her wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts. "Oh Jon your hurt. Come with me." She grabbed his hand and lead him to her room.

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"Take off your clothes and sit on the bed." Lorrie instructed as she opened up her medical boxes. Jon detached the chest armor and pads first.

"I’m going t’ need m’ shoulder pad fixed."

"We’ll get Jackal to do that." She reached for a few bottles of water and tensed up.

"Are ye feelin all right?" He asked as he pulled his shirt off.

"I’m just a little stiff in the neck from my work out." She grabbed an armload of supplies and sat next to him. "Now your pants." He was a bit reluctant and not because he was in her room. The night they returned from their first fight against the Demon she was so tired that she fell asleep in her armor. He carefully took it off, leaving her tank and shorts on, but he fell asleep next to her. When they woke up they fully removed their clothes and took their love to a new level. He was reluctant because his erection hadn’t fully gone down. Even though he wore his roomy blue boxers, with a hole cut out for his tail, he still could see the lump.

"Somebody scratched you up good," She said as she soaked some pieces of gauze and cotton balls with the water. "Was it a gargoyle?"

"Aye, that feline one." He tensed a bit when she cleaned his lacerations and applied antibiotic cream. "We fought each other in the main room."

"I’m surprised you didn’t get kicked out for being too loud."

"Aye we did when we insulted each other. Ye wouldnae know what Chinga tu chupapene means would ye?" By the flushing of her cheeks it was apparent that she did know.

"F word you. I don’t know what chupapene is well pene means cock and if the chupa in Chupacabre means sucker..." She stopped.

"It doesnae matter m’ pure sweet angel." He tried to relax as she applied bandages to his open wounds, trying not to let the way she touched his skin affect him. The very scent of her mixed with the way she treated him was making his male organ stand at full attention again. He tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t ignore her wincing whenever she had to stretch. When she had placed the last bandage he made her turn around and grabbed the back of her neck.

Lorrie leaned back as she felt here sore muscles being massaged. She treated him so now he was taking care of her. She loved the feeling of his thick fingers rubbing against the back of her neck turning the muscles into butter She felt her head tilt back and stretched up. Her lips brushed against the bottom of his chin. She continued pecking at him until she could no longer hold back and turned around to kiss him on his mouth. He welcomed her kisses as he wrapped his arms around her to pull her in. Lorrie embraced him, being careful not to brush her hands against his sensitive spot in his back. She pushed her tongue in and felt his in return. It was a bit strange kissing her boyfriend at night, but her tongue didn’t get cut when she brushed it against his fangs. Lorrie felt his hands rise up under her shirt. She didn’t stop him and when he unhooked her bra she pulled away only to take off her tank and remove her bra, exposing her creamy white breasts.

Jon liked where this was going. Her breasts were beautiful contrasting with the rest of her lightly tanned skin. He pulled her close and covered her neck with his kisses. Slowly he descend down her chest to one of her breast. He gently cupped the mound giving it a soft squeeze before his tongue traced around her nipple. Lorrie let out a moan as he unzipped her shorts before she pulled down his boxers. He guided her body down to the bed before he removed both her shorts and her panties. Her fine dark red curls were drenched in her desire and the scent of her arousal was making his eyes flicker. He pushed forward when her legs grabbed him by the waist. His light green sword slid quickly into her damp sheath. Lorrie squeaked when he was fully inside. She never made that sound during their love making before and he wondered if she pulled a muscle near her groin.

"Ye want me t’ stop?" He whispered. She shook her head and he pulled out a bit then thrust back in. No squeaking. Jon rocked back and forth feeling the muscles in her thighs and her ankles locked just above his tail. The whole bed was shaking and creaking with their movements. He felt her fingernails dig into his back. Their breathing was rapid and he was close to releasing. An animalistic roar escaped his throat when he popped like a champagne cork and filled her with his seed.

Lorrie squeezed her thighs more in hopes the he would go a little bit faster. She opened her eyes and looked into the glowing white orbs of his. She had wondered what his vision was like when his eyes were glowing, but she had never asked and now wasn’t the time. Her fingers digging deep into Jon’s shoulders she pulled her self up and threw her head back. She was throbbing from the need for release. Her brown eyes closed again when she felt him slowlying going backwards pulling her with him. Jon’s tail wrapped around her waist and helped push her forward and back on his shaft. She was close, very close.

"Oh my god," She gasped. "Oh my Gooood!" She felt the sensation ride through and her back arched. Her nails dug into his leather like skin. He was slowly falling backwords as their hips bucked. He didn’t want to stop and neither did she. Lorrie nearly opened her eyes again when she felt his wings wrap around her.

Jon wanted to use all of his limbs in their love making. He felt her sculpted back and soft hair that was stuck to her back through his wings. His tail felt her thin waist as he used them as well as his arms to help her ride up and down on his rig. His toes sank into the mattress tearing into the material and he felt himself again close to release. He needed it again. She was close as well. Must keep on bucking.

"Grooooooweeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" His eyes were closed this time as he let out a roar that was even louder than before, almost making the walls tremble.

__________________________________________________________________________

The work out made her forget the way he spurned her. Chi Lin was a bit cautious of going into the indoor pool but Thailog told her it was heated. She stuck a toe into the water. It was warm.

"Wait," She turned around. The male human, Leahs, stood there holding a large towel. "You forgot this." He placed the cloth on one of the pool chairs.

"Thank you," Chi Lin said.

"I hope you don’t think we are all jerks."

"Not all of you. Most are ungrateful."

"Well that’s good." For a second she thought his eyes had a slight glow. "Well have a nice swim." The words echoed through her head after he left. She rubbed the area between her eyes before she went into the water.

A few laps around the pool and she was done. The pale pink gargoyle was in the middle of drying herself off when she realized she was not alone. She looked up to see Hunter looking at her.

"I am sorry about before," He said softly. "It’s that I’m not used to this form. I think of myself hideous and that no one would want to be with me. Your touching me earlier was a shock."

"I shouldn’t have touched you like that," Chi Lin apologized. "but your not hideous. You are very attractive."

"Really? you’re just saying that. Why would a pretty being like you want to be with a monster like me."

"You are not a monster."

"I’d kiss you for saying that."

"Then go ahead." She closed her eyes as Jon lowered his head to give her a soft gently peck on her mouth. She reached behind his head and pressed him closer. Their heads parted and they looked into each other’s eyes before kissing again with their tongues visiting each other’s mouths. The towel fell from her hands to the floor followed by their clothing.

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Felicia passed by the door to the nerve center with a red plastic mug in her hand. The steam carried the aroma of chocolate into her nostrils. The blue haired woman paused when she noticed the door was still open.

"Thailog?" She asked as she entered. The room was empty except for Reginald Leahs sitting in front of one of the smaller TV screens. "What are you watching?" She asked as she approached.

"Something interesting," Reggie answered. He sat back to let Felicia see what he was watching on the screen.

"Oh that is sick!" The female said when she saw the black and white images of Chi Lin and Thailog having sex in the pool room. "I can’t believe your watching that, and when did we install a camera there?"

"Following some of your notes Thailog and Coldsteel had cameras installed in all the rooms, except for the bathrooms and bedrooms."

"I didn’t even know Chi Lin liked Thailog. I thought she had a crush on that Scottish gargoyle."

"Well technically Jon Canmore isn’t a gargoyle. He’s not really a human anymore either."

"Let me guess human by day and gargoyle by night?"

"Exactly. He also has a girlfriend."

"That red head?"

"Right again. Her name is Lorrie, but her pack name is Vixen."

"Vixen? Oh please, but wait why is Chi Lin with Thailog?"

"She thinks he’s Jon."

"How could she get the two mixed up?"

"Think of something. Anything."

"All right."

"Brad Pitt giving you a full body massage naked next to the beach." He raised an eyebrow.

"How did you do that?"

"I can read minds. I can also send messages and images. I have worked hard on my abilities. I can now make people believe something is something else. I give them mental illusions. I could have also made Jon think he actually wanted to be with her, put the whammy on him, but I didn’t."

"So now she thinks she is screwing the Hunter when she is getting screwed herself by you and Thailog."

"Thailog asked me to do this for him. She’s in heat."

"So are the two Brits doing it as well as Ocelot and Momar?"

"No Ursa and Ocelot are not in heat just Chi Lin. Not all the clans are in sync with each other, but of course they might be having sex due to the fact that Chi Lin’s pheremones are in the air. Causes all the males to get aroused."

"Even Jon?"

"Probably."

"It’s still wrong messing with her mind."

"Let me explain a few things. When gargoyles are of a mature age they begin noticing the other gender in a new way."

"I had this discussion with my mother, and I had to watch a film during health class."

"This is a bit different. They form these bonds of affection, crushes if you will. Females crush on certain males and males crush on certain females. Then they begin their courting rituals. Which is sort of like dating but not quite. If the male the female is crushing on does not return her feelings then she must choose another male. If the female the male is crushing on does not return his feelings then he must choose another female quickly or he is S.O.L. This is due to too the fact that there are more males than females within each rookery. Sometimes they are even, and very rarely it is more females than males, but usually its mostly males. Now another fact about gargoyles is that females go into heat every twenty years. I don’t know how often it is for those who become human during the day. Chi Lin crushed on Jon. He of course did not return her feelings. She is in heat. We don’t have time for her to choose a different male. This clan needs a new generation if it wants to grow."

"I still think its wrong. Wait didn’t you said you could have convinced the Hunter to breed with her?"

"Yes I did. His girlfriend took him into her room to treat his wounds before I even got the chance to greet him." Reggie pressed a few buttons on the keyboard . The image on the screen changed to one of a hallway. "This is close to her room." He turned up the volume. Roaring could be heard coming from one of the rooms.

"Joooooon!" Lorrie’s voice shouted. "Don’t you dare stoooooop!"

"Some treatment," Felicia said. "I guess he was infected by Chi Lin’s pheremones."

"The name Vixen does seem to fit," Reggie grinned.

__________________________________________________________________________

Lorrie felt the sunlight against her face before she opened her eyes. For a second she forgot where she was and then remembered. Thailog’s place in Vermont. She lifted her head and noticed that the blanket only came up to the middle of her tummy leaving her breasts exposed. Lying back down she rolled to her side and noticed Jon was still asleep. The blanket and sheets were up to his middle as well. She always wondered where she could buy one of those L shaped covers that covered the man up to the waist and woman up to the neck they had always shown on TV and in the movies.

The woman watched as her lover breathed slowly and his eyelids twitched lightly. No more nightmares. Ever since they returned from that battle. She wasn’t sure what caused it to end, either the confrontation between Hunter and Demon or possibly... No, it couldn’t have been her. She couldn’t have cured him with her body. That time they made love when they woke up post battle was only her second time. She stretched her legs and felt a little sore around her nether regions. Last night was the first time they did it at night. Usually it was morning sex, or nooners or an afternoon romp. She glanced at his chest. Jason was right about him not having much chest hair, and well you can’t really see the body hair of those who are blond unless the light catches it, but hey she didn’t want to snuggle with a yeti either. She stroked his light hairs over his pectoral muscles.

"Morning," Jon greeted her between yawns.

"Good morning blue eyes," She said before placing a kiss on his cheek. "Sleep well?"

"Aye thanks t’ ye." He rolled over onto his back and pulled her on top of him. "I cannae believe we did that last night, and for so long. I roared didn’t I?"

"Well yeah you did."

"With ye I wouldae made those sounds durin the day."

"Your wings wrapped around me. Our skin touching, it was the best night of my life, even though I’m still a rookie at this.

"Yer so beautiful." He stroked her cheek. "I want t’ be wi’ ye ferever."

"Me too."

"Wait right here." He rolled out from under her and out of bed. She landed on a small bunch of bandages that fell of when his wings retracted into his back. Jon quickly slipped his boxers on before leaving the room. He returned a few minutes later. "I was going t’ give this t’ ye last night, but." He bent down in front of her bed on one knee and pulled out a small velvet box.

Lorrie recognized the ring when she saw it. She remembered both her grandfathers explaining to her about her roots and their ancestry and faintly remembered her Irish Great grandmother telling her about the ring as well. She could not mistake it for anything else. Pure silver crown shone at the top. A shimmering pearl was set in the heart framed by two hands.

"A claudaugh," She breathed.

"Aye I coudnae afford the normal ring at the time."

"Normal ring?" He looked a bit nervous.

"Lorrie Mulligan will ye marry me?" She crawled out of bed and kneeled next to him.

"I have been trying to think of the best way to answer that question. I wanted it to be romantic and spellbinding, but all I can think of is yes. Yes, I will marry you."

"The words ye jest said were the most beautiful words that were e’er said t’ me."

__________________________________________________________________________

Lorrie skipped her way towards the kitchen. Her movement was due to two reasons. One was that she was a little sore in the groin. The second reason was of course Jon’s proposal. She couldn’t believe he asked her.

"My we are happy this morning," Hyena caught up with her and walked beside her. "Where is Hunter?"

"Taking a shower and the door is locked so you can’t peek."

"I wasn’t thinking that."

"Oh sure."

"Really, where are you going?"

"To the kitchen to fix breakfast."

"You can cook?"

"I can bake."

"Can I ask you something? What’s it like boinking a gargoyle?" Lorrie’s cheeks flushed a bright pink.

"What? I don’t know what you are talking about."

"Oh come on I past your room last night. Unless that was you roaring."

"Well to quote Inspector Gadget. ‘Wowsers!’"

"Inspector Gadget now that is a man I would like to know better."

"He’s a cartoon character."

"So?"

"The sex isn’t why I’m so happy." She held out her hand.

"What is that?"

"A Claudaugh ring. Jon knows I’m of Irish descent and he gave me this as an engagment ring."

"You mean he proposed?"

"Yeah."

"One more question. Does he get bigger at night?"

"What?" Lorrie’s blush had spread to her neck.

"Does the Hunter’s weapon get bigger at night?"

"I-I wouldn’t know."

"He’s a guy he has measured it."

"I don’t think he measured it at night."

"Well you felt it." Lorrie remembered the part of her that had yet to be explored, get filled. He probably did grow a few more inches.

"I have to fix breakfast." She felt flushed all over as she ran ahead.

___________________________________________________________________________

The sounds of sizzling and chopping greeted Lorrie’s ears when she entered the kitchen. Winter was cutting a variety of peppers. A golden buttery substance was bubbling in the frying pan.

"Good morning," Lorrie greeted. She did not know what the female mutate thought of her.

"Morning," Winter’s voice was soft. "Do you like peppers in your omelet?"

"Bell peppers?"

"Mostly, just a few jalapenas."

"I’m not a spice wimp." She opened the freezer and pulled out a can of cinnamon roles. "How about we mix some sweet spice with the hot spice."

"That sounds good."

"Can I ask you something?" She waited for the snow leopard mutate to nod. "How did you get to be like this?"

"I asked to be mutated." She noticed Lorrie’s shocked expression. "What you can’t believe someone wants to be covered with fur, have wings and shoot electricity?"

"No it’s not that. I heard about the other mutates. They were tricked."

"Fang told me," She placed some of the peppers into the skillet. "He had recently been fired from the electronics store he worked at and he needed a job. He answered an add in the paper. Next thing he knew he was being injected with the DNA cocktail and locked up in a cage." She poured in the egg mixture.

"It usually is someone being tricked, or an accident." Lorrie found a flat pan and sprayed it with cooking spray. "Jon fell on a beaker that contained something. I don’t what it was, but it caused him to change into a gargoyle whenever the sun sets."

"Oh," Winter flipped the omelet and sprinkled on cheese. With a spatula she carefully folded it and slid it into a plate. "One down eight to go. What has he against gargoyles?"

"He once thought that not all gargoyles are bad, just the one they called The Demon. Then something happened and he accidentally shot his brother. Jason is alive, but he is now in a wheelchair."

"How did Jon shoot his brother?"

"Jason claims Jon gun fired at the one called Goliath and He jumped in front of the gargoyle to take the shot. Jon claims Goliath pulled him in front of him."

"What do you believe?"

"I think Jason was right, but Jon needs a lot of healing."

"Your trying to do that?"

"I can’t help it. I’ve always been a healer. I get it from my mom’s side of the family. She’s a veterinarian. Her father is a pediatrician. His mom was a nurse as well. She helped treat American soldiers in the first World War, and from what Grandpa told me her mother was a healer as well."

___________________________________________________________________________

"All right people listen up!" Felicia clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. "Thailog and I discussed some plans to take on the Wyvern clan."

"I want Goliath," Wolf said.

"Nae," Jon said. "He is mine."

"You get the Demon. I want Goliath."

"We’ll share Goliath."

"Maybe you should focus on getting that female," Fang said. "Before you try taking on the leader. Houston and I gave you the weapons. Couldn’t even do that right." Jon’s eyes narrowed and his hands clenched.

"Jon don’t," Lorrie stepped in front of him.

"Fang," Winter’s voice had a nagging tone.

"Okay sorry my bad," Fang said. "Are you happy?"

"Not really," Lorrie said. "If I was still working there I could have told them where to stick the repair bill."

"I believe we should all be quiet," Coldsteel said.

"Thank you Coldsteel," Felicia spoke again. "We are going to need more resources. We will offer protection for a price."

"Muscle for hire?" Jackal asked.

"Sort of like that."

"We are already on PrometheoTech’s bankroll."

"We I guess we shall let Mr. Leahs decided for you."

"Reggie or Reginald," Leahs said. "We are still at the wait and see mode. Don’t forget we have yet to officially join." ________________________________________________________________________

A few more hours until sunset. She had to wait just a few more minutes till she can greet Jeremy. Felicia didn’t want him to know that she cried when she first found him as a statue. She had asked both Coldsteel and Fang not to tell them. Coldsteel agreed and both of them forced Fang.

Because of the one called the Hunter the gargoyles had to stay in one room that locks from the inside to keep them safe while they slept.

Exactly two more hours. She pinned up her blue tresses as she headed to the bathroom with the Jacuzzi sized bath tub. She nearly bumped into Canmore.

"Uh," She let out.

"Aye?" he gave her a look over.

"I just realized my hair matches your eyes."

"They do."

"Why do you hate gargoyles?" She asked.

"They are evil."

"Not all of them."

"I once thought that way, then I had seen the light."

"Something bad happen, that I know, something very bad has happened to make you think that way. Jeremy is not evil."

"Ye love him?"

"Yes."

"Traitor t’ yer own species."

"Jeremy used to be human. Don’t you remember? He broke you out of Elumore and gave you the weapons to hunt down the one you called The Demon."

"Maybe it wouldae been better if I ne’er was sprung."

He wanted to be like you except the transfusion went wrong. He is not a complete gargoyle. His tail is two inches shorter than the others, has five fingers and his eyes don’t light up."

"He chose to be like that?" Jon was disgusted.

"No more like you. Human by day, gargoyle by night. You understand having the strength, the ability to glide and not turn to stone at dawn. Thailog is right you have issues to get through. I hope that garnet haired Barbie doll of yours will help you get through them."

"What do ye have against Lorrie?"

"I like to be unique. For a while I was the only human girl. Now she is here."

"Yet ye don’t feel threatened by Reggie or m’self."

"I said human girl. Leahs is a human male and I hate to burst your bubble but you are not human."

"I am human."

"I understand if you feel human, but you are not anymore. This is just your human form."

"Jest because I turn into a gargoyle at night does not make me any less a human."

"Yes it does. You need to accept what you are and maybe you can understand that gargoyles are not monsters."

"They are evil demons."

"You better tie yourself down then before you turn into an evil demon." Felicia heard the beating of rapid footsteps before she felt pushed into the wall from behind.

"What did you call him?" Lorrie asked.

"I guess you do make a good Vixen," Felicia said and Lorrie shoved her again. "I just informed him that he was about to turn into an evil demon." She felt the toe of Lorrie’s shoe strike against her knee. She slapped the red head across the face.

"He is not a freak. He is not a demon!" Lorrie dug her nails deep into the other woman’s shoulder and scratched. Her southern accent dominated her speech.

"You want to play little girl? You got a deal." She tackled the red head to the ground. Lorrie grabbed her hair and punched her under her chin. Felicia punched her under one of her brown eyes.

"What the hell?" Fang asked. The others came running up to them.

"That’s it Lorrie kick her ass!" Hyena cheered.

"Help m’ separate them," Jon said and wrapped his arms around his fiancee’s middle. Winter grabbed Felicia and pulled.

"Ahm going to rip out your blue hair ya white trash bitch!" Lorrie shouted as Jon carried her away.

"Least I admit I dye my hair redneck!"

"Stuck up punk!"

"Primadonna!"

"Winter hold her still so I can shut her up," Hyena grinned.

"Save it sis," Jackal told her.

_________________________________________________________________________

"I can’t believe I did that," Lorrie said as Hyena handed her a baggy of ice wrapped in a wash cloth. "Thanks," She held it under her eye. "I never was violent. I know you have heard that southern girls with four brothers grow up strong but not me. I guess mom wanted to make sure I did girlie stuff."

"Never got into fights at school?" Hyena asked.

"Nope."

"She must have really pissed you off."

"She said something about Jon becoming a demon."

"He must have voiced his opinion of gargoyles. Where is he?"

"In his room. Jon doesn’t want anyone to be with him when he goes through his transformation."

"Still not comfortable with himself."

"He still believes there is a cure."

"Is there?"

"I don’t know. The Demon said there wasn’t, but there is a high chance that she was lying."

__________________________________________________________________________

"That was interesting," Fang said. He and Coldsteel were waiting outside of the gargoyle room. "The cat fight." He continued when the robot didn’t respond.

"Cat fight?" Coldsteel asked. "I did not see two cats fighting." Fang slapped a paw to his own face.

"That was an expression. Cat fight means two girls fighting."

"They don’t like each other."

"I don’t really care for the pack. Well the chicks are hot but I don’t really like Wolf or Jackal. As for The Hunter, well Jeremy and I did spring him out of the booby hatch, but I didn’t expect him to end up the way he is now."

"They have awaken." Fang nodded he could hear their yawns. A few seconds later the door unlocked and Thailog exited the room followed by Jeremy and the others.

"Good evening," Fang greeted.

"How did everyone fare today?" Thailog asked.

"I think Wolf is shedding, We talked about the protection for hire and Felicia and Lorrie got into a fight.

"Felicia is not hurt is she?" Jeremy asked.

"Naw, she’s going to be fine." They continued their way towards the nerve center when Thailog stopped. He turned around and noticed Chi Lin eyes were downcast and she was sighing.

"Is something the matter?" He asked.

"I thought he would be here," Chi Lin answered.

"Who?" Ursa asked.

"My mate."

"And that is?"

"Hunter."

"He is in his room," Thailog answered. "His change causes him a lot of pain. You will see him in the meeting room."

"Uh Thailog?" Fang ran up to his side and lowered his voice. "How could she have been with him when he was with Lorrie? I know because her bedroom is right next to mine and I needed earmuffs to block out the sounds they made."

"I shall explain later."

_________________________________________________________________________

Thailog took his place in front of the large screen. He turned around and smiled.

"Those who can walk in the daytime have already discussed it, but I am making it official. We need money. We are going to hire ourselves out to humans who need protection. Of course we shall continue to train. Tonight we will take to the air."

"Ha!" Fang pointed at The Pack. "Only one of you has wings. The rest of you are grounded."

"Think before you speak," Jackal said. "The girls and I have rocket thrusters."

"So you fly like me?" Coldsteel asked.

"Pretty much," Hyena said. "You know you’re kind of cute."

"Felicia, Wolf and Reggie shall watch from the ground," Thailog said "Now let us get up to the roof."

"I cannae do this," Jon said. "I try na t’ use m’...wings."

"You have to try," Lorrie told him. "I need more practice with my rocket pack and if something goes wrong who will catch me?"

"I will always be there to catch ye."

"That is a good idea," Thailog said. "A gargoyle with those who need rockets to be in the sky. Hunter shall be with Vixen. Vlad you’re with Jackal. Ursa with Hyena. Coldsteel you shall be with me."

"Don’t worry mate I don’t bite," Vlad said to the male cyborg. Jackal gave the bat faced gargoyle a weak smile.

"Good, cause I’m out of garlic." As they left Lorrie felt the burning energy of eyes drilling into her back. She glanced at Felicia who was talking with Reginald. Her eyes wandered over the gargoyles and noticed Chi Lin’s eyes were blazing red.

___________________________________________________________________________

"We better get on the roof first," Jackal said. "I suggest everyone stand back unless you want to become toast." He waited for the gargoyles, mutates, and humans to stand back. The rockets on his back fired up carrying his body up towards the top of the compound. Hyena landed nearly at the same time as he did. Coldsteel landed a few feet from them followed by Vixen.

"Uh oh," The human woman said.

"What is wrong?" Coldsteel asked.

"I just realized Jon is going to have a little trouble getting up here."

"Why is that."

"Cause he is still rejecting his night form," Jackal answered and peered over the side.
Momar and the couple were already climbing up towards them. They saw Hunter standing a few feet back.

"Tooth give me a hand here," Wolf said.

"That’s Fang and with what?"

"This." He grabbed Canmore and lifted him up.

"Put me down!" Jon shouted. Fang grabbed the weregoyle from his other side and supported half the weight.

"Now what?" The cougar mutate asked trying to ignore Canmore’s struggling.

"Well we take him here." They stepped closer to the building. "Now on three. One"

"Two," Fang knew what Wolf had in mind.

"Three." The both said as they threw Canmore high up against the building. The light green gargoyle’s upper talons sank into the structure while his feet kept slipping and sliding.

"Estupido just take them off," Ocelot climbed up next to him and pulled off his shoes. Jon’s clawed toes dug into the walls.

"He’s just going to hang there," Fang frowned. He glanced at his fur covered hand. A small bolt of electricity cracked across his palm. A low chuckle formed in the mutate’s throat as he aimed and fired a bolt underneath The Hunter. The glowing light hit the wall underneath him causeing him too loose control of his tail. The appendage unwrapped from his waist and tore through his pants.

"Fang?" Winter asked

"Not what I had in mind." Fang fired another bolt , this time getting the result that he wanted. Jon scrambled up the building.

"You dumb shit you’re going to set the building on fire," Wolf aimed his fist at him. Fang leaped backwards with his wings flapping. He wasn’t going to fly but the flapping helped him leap farther back.

"Sorry dog face," Fang chuckled before he climbed up the building. The second he made it to the top he felt eight strong fingers wrap around his throat. Canmore pulled him closer to his own face.

"How dare ye try t’ make m’ behave like one of them monsters," His voice had a trace of a growl.

"Hunter let go of him," Thailog ordered. Jon’s glowing eyes shifted to the black gargoyle briefly before focusing back on Fang.

"Do it for me," Chi Lin placed her hand on Jon’s shoulder. The weregoyle sighed before letting go. "Thank you."

"I dinae do it fer ye," Jon said. "I did it fer m’self."

"Man," Fang found his voice again. "I forgot he doesn’t even know his own strenght." He stood back up in time for Lorrie to smack him upside his head. "Jeez what was that for?" He rubbed the sore area on his head.

"You could have hurt him."

_________________________________________________________________________

"This is our first exorcise," Thailog said when they were all in the air. "A werewolf is chasing a human couple. Two at a time we shall dive down and tag Wolf and then we glide up."

"How is tagging going to stop a werewolf?" Momar asked.

"This is so we can practice our pursuit of prey and diving. No guns," Thailog nodded at Coldsteel and pointed at the cyborgs. "No lightening." He pointed at the mutates. "Cold steel and I shall go first." The group glided to where Wolf was running on all fours and chasing after Reggie and Felicia. Goliath’s clone and Coldsteel dove down towards the lupine mutate. Wolf changed course just as they were about to touch him. Thailog shifted his wings to glide up while the robot kept chasing him.

"Chase the monster away from the humans," Houston said. "And give them time to escape. Is everyone paying attention?"

"Are you going to remind teacher to give us homework?" Jackal asked.

"Clever one chap, but I do wonder what happens after we take care of the beast," Vlad said.

"We go to their place and collect the cash," Fang said.

"Correct," Houston nodded. Thailog dove again. Wolf sidestepped the gargoyle and was nearly tagged from behind. He bounded away from the two of them. Thailog glided a little higher and circled around. Wolf spun around again but was too late. Thailog glided back up to the group. Coldsteel made his tag when the mutate stumbled.

"Momar you and Ocelot are next," The black gargoyle ordered. Two by two the group took their turns chasing and tagging Wolf. Jackal wondered if they were going to give Wolf some time to rest, but Thailog said no.

"Hunter, Vixen you two are last," Thailog commanded The suited woman and weregoyle dove down. Lorrie glanced at her fiancee. His wings were not in the best shape for this kind of exorcise. The muscles were near the state of atrophy due to his lack of gliding Of course the muscles could have healed during the day since the scratches that were there are now gone, but still. No wonder Thailog didn’t give Wolf a chance to rest.

"Don’t over do it," Vixen said. "I don’t want you to get a muscle spasm."

"I’ll be careful," Jon said. "Now I think I do this." His wings pulled back and flattened a bit and he dove headfirst towards Wolf who was barely trotting. Vixen flew down in front of the mutate. Wolf reared up and backed up just enough for Jon to smack him on the head.

"Time out!" Wolf shouted and made a "T" symbol with his fingers. Vixen landed next to him.

"Tag your it," She giggled after gently poking him.

"I said time out." Hunter landed next to his fiancee. The others landed in a circle around him.

"Why did we land?" Momar asked.

"Wolf called time out," Vixen said and flipped up her face mask.

"Why did you call time out?" Thailog asked.

"You said tag," Wolf answered. "You didn’t say hit. Candyass here struck me on the top of my head."

"That was fer throwing me," Jon answered.

"Well how else were you going to get up to the top?"

"I would have come back down and carried him," Vixen said.

"He needs to learn to use his gargoyle form," Thailog said.

"I am not a gargoyle," Hunter frowned.

"Wolf shall rest for a bit before we begin our next activity."

"I’m not going to be the target again," The lupine said. "Chase either Blue or the boss’s son."

"I don’t have any children," Thailog said.

"Ms. Leahs is still our boss," Jackal said.

"I don’t want to be chased," Felicia spoke up.

"Leahs is your paying boss," The black gargoyle agreed. "But I am your clan leader."

"Hey we didn’t officially join forces yet," Jackal informed.

"Hunter has already committed," Chi Lin said before approaching Canmore. "Am I right my love?"

"What?" Jon asked. Vixen marched right up to her.

"Sorry lady. I don’t know how they do things in China but here its rude to seduce an engaged man." The woman in red armor poked the pink gargoyle in the chest. Chi Lin’s eyes lit up as she growled. The Hunter pulled his fiancee closer to him and wrapped his arms around her.

"Don’t ye touch her." He warned.

"But...my love..." Tears were forming in her eyes. "We made love last night. I’m carrying your hatchling." A confused murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Was he covered in scratches?" Ocelot asked. "It wasn’t him." She answered when Chi Lin shook her head.

"He didn’t have his accent either, he sounded more American. Who was I with?"

"Tell them," Felicia said. "Tell them Reggie."

"Chi Lin I am your mate," Thailog answered. "I asked Mr. Leahs to create a mental illusion so that you would see me as Hunter."

"You can do that?" Hyena asked.

"I can also read minds," Reginald said. "and make people think they want something or want to do something when they don’t."

"Cool."

"That isn’t cool," Vixen said. "That is wrong."

"Well Red and I agree on something," Felicia said.

"Chi Lin’s clan is going through their mating season," Thailog explained. "Someone had to breed with her or else she would have to wait for twenty more years."

"Why didn’t you ask?" Winter asked.

"I was in love with Hunter," Chi Lin said. "I wanted him for a mate, but I see now that he had already chosen."

"I agree it is wrong sister," Momar rested a hand on her shoulder. "but for him to choose a human over you is also wrong. Mating with a human?" His face scrunched up in disgust.

"I am human!" Hunter shouted.

"Hey," Jeremy ran up to him. "What the hell is wrong with that?" He pulled Felicia closer. "You see the two of us? We are in love. Some of you keep forgetting the nutjob and I were born, not hatched. I’m almost twenty two and he is-" He paused to look at Jon. "What year were you born in?"

"Nineteen seventy two," Canmore answered.

"He is twenty seven."

"Not until August."

"Okay twenty six then. Do we look like gargoyles that are twenty two and twenty six."

"They have human hearts," Ursa realized.

"We should return home and get our heads together," Thailog said before getting down on all fours and racing off. Ocelot, Momar, Ursa, and Vlad followed.

"Are you going to be okay?" Vixen asked Chi Lin.

"I’m sorry about before," The Chinese gargoyle apologized.

"You don’t have too. What Thailog did was wrong and sick."

"He is the leader. I should be honored to be carrying his child."

"No, don’t think that. Human males do that to females by placing Ruthenol into their drinks. It’s called the date rape drug, and in a way that is what Thailog did to you after Reginald slipped you the mental ruthie."

"Hunter does deserve someone like you. Your like an angel."

"I just do and say what I feel is right."

"Help him not be depressed and be a good mate for him."

"I will." The pink female raced after her clan along with Fang and Winter.

"You going to join them?" Felicia asked Jeremy.

"I want to make sure you get home safe," The purple gargoyle said.

"Go run," Coldsteel picked up the blue haired woman. Jeremy got down on all fours after The robot blasted off.

"Well Pack I guess it’s just us," Reggie said.

"I want to go home," Vixen said. "Now."

"I want to get back to the city as well," Jackal said.

"Okay we’ll pack up and leave tonight. Mom knows of this nice bed and breakfast in New Hampshire we can stay at for a while."

"Why a while?" Wolf asked.

"So Jon and Lorrie can get married."

"You running with me?" Wolf asked Jon.

"Like an animal?" Jon was in shock.

"He’s not ready," Lorrie said. "I’ll carry him. Jackal can carry Reggie." Wolf ran off while Jackal and Vixen wrapped their arms around the waists of Reggie and Hunter before blasting off. Hyena paused before joining them.

"On second thought it isn’t cool," She said. "I don’t want to think I was doing it with Robocop when I was really with Tom Servo."

___________________________________________________________________________

Hyena applied the flesh colored make up to the brass metal curves on her chin. She wore a long sleeved dress that ended at her ankles. She glanced at her brother who also was dressed formal with cloths that concealed everything. He placed a pair of sunglasses on.

"We’ll tell you how it went," Jackal spoke to the door to the room he shared with Wolf.

"Bring me back some chicken," Wolf’s voice came from the other end.

"What kind?"

"Kentucky Fried."

"Is everyone ready?" Reginald asked. He was wearing a slate blue suit.

"Thanks fer purchasing the rings fer us," Jon said. He was already wearing his tuxedo.

"She said she was going to change at the church," Hyena said as she picked up the white dress in its plastic dry cleaner bag. "So she should be ready. Don’t know what she is doing in the bathroom."

"Sorry," Lorrie exited the room she and Hyena shared. "I was feeling a little queasy this morning."