Entwined Realms Volume One(77)

Only one male mattered, the rest could go hang. “That’s lovely, though I don’t know why I deserve the sentiment. Would you have any clue why I’m suddenly so popular?”

The Oracle’s smile was smug and a touch superior. Fallon’s reactions were making more sense. “Now, now, I didn’t bring you here to talk shop. You’ll find out soon enough. Besides, your popularity has brought Terak into your life. How does it feel to be under the protection of a gargoyle? Have you become friends, or perhaps something more?”

She was the Oracle, so she probably knew everything that happened and everything that was going to happen. Fine, it was another piece of crazy Larissa needed to get used to. That didn’t mean the first time she spoke of her feelings aloud it was going to be to this woman. Instead Larissa said, “Terak is a good protector. He’s kept me safe while still trying to let me have my life.”

One of the Oracle’s female attendants rubbed oil into her bare feet. The Oracle made a little hum of pleasure, but still kept on with the conversation. “And yet he didn’t protect you from being taken by Fallon.”

“That was my fault. I was the one stupid enough to trust her,” Larissa finished, using her thumb to point over at Fallon. Fallon looked supremely unconcerned. “And I walked right into a trap.”

“Yes, Fallon is quite adept at deceptions with the right coaching, aren’t you?” Fallon might have tried to make a hand gesture at that statement, but if she did, Aislynn was able to hide it quite well.

The Oracle stood, a lithe, graceful movement. She reached out to Larissa. “Come here, I have a gift for you.”

No, Larissa really didn’t want a gift from this woman, other than the gift of telling her exactly why a bunch of undead were after her. But the way all eyes were watching her, she probably didn’t have the luxury of refusing at this moment, so she stepped forward. The Oracle took her hand, the dark skin soft and the touch delicate.

“I think,” began the Oracle, “you enjoy being with the gargoyle more than you are letting on. But I understand a woman does not like giving up her secrets, especially before she knows what’s going within the mind of a thick-headed male. You don’t need to say anymore. I wish to give you this.”

The Oracle handed her a small, leather bound booklet, about as thick as a pamphlet, and said, “You are a teacher, yes?”

It was nice of the Oracle to phrase things in the form of a question and let people feel they were imparting information. “Yes, I am.”

“Excellent. I know teachers value learning, and this book has very valuable information on gargoyles. If Terak remains part of your life, this you’ll want to know.”

Larissa weighed it in her hand. “This is a very light history.”

The Oracle arched one fine brow. “Why would I bother with that? This, my dear, is about how gargoyles mate.”

Huh. So this was what dumbfounded felt like.

“Trust me, read that book. You’ll like what you learn.” The Oracle stepped back, though she didn’t sit on the settee again. She looked at the elf. “Oh, and Aislynn? I need you to tell Fallon something.”

“Yes, Oracle?” Aislynn answered, acting like it wasn’t unusual to be receiving messages for a woman not two feet away.

The Oracle smiled, full of mischief and torment. “Tell her to get her sword ready. They’re coming through the door.”

Fallon bared her teeth even as she reached back and grabbed her sword. In a fluid movement she turned and ran, coming within a few feet of the doorway as the walls exploded.

This time the revelers were disturbed. Screams rent the air as a mass of bodies started running away from the chaos. Aislynn grabbed Larissa’s arm, and displaying more strength than such an ethereal woman should ever possess, picked her up and toward a wall in the back.

“Protect the Oracle,” came shouts from all around. The men and women, so languid moments ago, now held the same warrior postures of Fallon and Aislynn.

In the confusion, Larissa was thrown hard against a wall. Pain radiated through her back where she was hit, but it was manageable. She put down her hands against the wall to push away, only to feel a doorknob, thank gods. One turn confirmed it wasn’t locked. It opened into an alleyway. One side was blocked off, so there was only one way to go.

Once she was at the end of the alley she glanced in both directions. Several blocks down on the right was lots of traffic and wandering beings. After one last look behind her to make sure no one had followed, she took off.

After several blocks of running the sidewalks became crowded. If it weren’t for the mix of races she had never seen outside of books, it could have been any night on the town, with revelers searching for the next bar or club. She still stood out a little with her casual clothing and too quick breathing, but if ever there was a moment to celebrate being on the shorter side height wise it was now.