Into that stillness, I heard Slate roar. He was mid-swing. I don't know if his momentum couldn't be stopped or if he simply hadn't realized that the Troll beneath him was asleep, but his claws raked across the Troll's throat and blood sprayed in an arc that foretold death.
Everyone else was still. The other Gargoyles had heard my song and knew what to expect. They had stood down as soon as they were able. But their leader now stood over a dead Troll; blood on his hands and face and body. Blood everywhere.
My song sputtered to a stop.
Slate panted viciously, shoulders hunched and wings trembling. He swung his head to meet my gaze and the silver of his eyes glowed against the veil of blood that coated his face. Slate bared his teeth and his entire body shook. He looked menacing and more than a bit insane. I stepped forward, unsure what I would do but certain that something had to be done.
“Kyanite!” I hissed.
I've got you, my love.
The Reggae beat of No Doubt and Lady Saw's “Underneath it All” started to fill the war-torn street with its mellow grind. My magic, still settling after our last performance, came roaring back to life. I started to sing gently about a woman wronged. The lyrics hinted at dark acts that made her wish for another lover, but she clung to her man because she believed that beneath the monster laid a hero. I saw that monster now but unlike the woman in the song, who was likely clinging to a man she shouldn't, I knew that Slate truly was a good man beneath all this madness. I knew that if he could just see himself now, he'd snap out of it. So, I would be his mirror.
I called to the real Slate with my music, begged him to push aside this monstrosity and step forth. Showed him with my eyes and words and magic what he was doing; who he was becoming. I filled my voice with more than my magic; I filled it with my truth. I offered Slate my trust. Bared my loyalty and love. Told him I'd stand here beside him until he remembered who he was; the man I loved. We'd conquer this monster together.
I held my hands out to Slate as I sang, pushing the power into him as well as my strength. It didn't take long, though it was longer than I'd expected. I felt the magic shiver between us and the madness slowly withdrew from his face.
Slate blinked, refocused on me, then looked down at himself as if he didn't know where all the blood had come from. He shifted back to human but the expression didn't change. He looked lost.
I let go of the music and my magic. Sunlight faded back to moonlight and Slate was left in the spotlight of a streetlamp.
“Slate?” I called to him.
He blinked and shook his head as if to clear it. His gaze met mine and he gave me a grateful nod. Then he took control.
“Get those Trolls chained and into jail cells!” Slate yelled at his men who were watching us with wide, shocked eyes.
The Gargoyles sprung into action as Slate turned and stalked to the Jeep. Aaro and Binx followed grimly, exchanging worried looks. Slate didn't climb in the back but took the driver's seat. Naked. Aaro and Binx took the backseat without protest, and I got into the front passenger's seat with a concerned look at the Zone Lord.
“I know, and thank you for your help,” Slate said under his breath. “But please don't say anything. I can't take it right now, sweetheart.”
I nodded, and Slate started the car.
Chapter Fourteen
My contact charm rang seconds after we exited a shop we'd stopped at to get the men some new clothes. I slipped it into my ear and answered.
“We're here,” Torin's voice came through. “Where are you?”
“Getting in the Jeep,” I said as we did just that. “Can you meet us at the spot where Gargo was buried?”
“Yes.” A pause. “Elaria, are you well? Safe?”
“I'm fine. I'll see you soon.” I pulled out the charm and glanced at Slate.
“I'm fine too.” Slate glanced at me and then in the rearview mirror at his brothers. “I... had a moment of... frustration.” He shook his head and let out a shaky breath. “Part of me knew it was over, that the Troll was asleep, but another part...”
“It's okay.” I put my hand on Slate's thigh and squeezed. “It's been stressful. You were shifted and in the middle of battle. Bloodlust got the better of you. It happens.”
Slate swallowed roughly and nodded but didn't say anymore.
“I told the men to prepare the body for any relatives who might claim it,” Aaro said tonelessly.
Slate remained silent. He navigated the roads swiftly but without Binx's recklessness. We were soon driving past the city limits and onto bare dirt. The Zone had been carved out of stone but a layer of soil had been imported to coat most of it, giving the underground sanctuary a surface feel as well as the ability to support plant life. The soil in this area had been packed hard by the pound of feet and the roll of tires but a section of it had been flattened by machines... after the Gargoyles had filled it in and plugged the hole that Poseidon's army used to infiltrate the Zone.
Filling that hole had been a process. First, the underground river of seawater had to be blocked. Slate hired an Ice Witch to freeze the water. I might have been able to help him with a song, but my other magics are Fire and Light so ice is more difficult for me, and Slate didn't want to stress my magic when the RS was so unstable. After the ice formed a frozen dam, the Gargoyles chipped most of it away and replaced it with cement. Then
