Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 4: The Hunt

Chapter 4: The Hunt

The cool night air whipped through Amelia's hair as she raced through the city streets, her heart pounding in her ears. Behind her, she could hear the heavy footfalls of her pursuers, their shouts echoing off the buildings. She risked a glance over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of dark figures gaining ground.

"Come on, come on," she muttered, pushing herself to run faster. The cathedral loomed ahead, its spires reaching toward the star-studded sky. If she could just make it there, she'd be safe. Gideon and the others would protect her.

A shot rang out, and Amelia felt something whiz past her ear. These weren't ordinary hunters - they were armed and dangerous. The realization sent a fresh surge of adrenaline through her body.

As she neared the cathedral, a shadow detached itself from the building's facade. Gideon swooped down, his powerful wings creating gusts of wind as he landed beside her.

"Amelia! What's happening?" he demanded, his gray eyes scanning the street behind her.

"Hunters," she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. "They found me at the library. I think... I think they know about you."

Gideon's face hardened, his stone-like features becoming even more pronounced. "Get inside. Now."

He ushered her toward the hidden entrance, standing guard as she slipped through. Just as the door closed behind them, the hunters rounded the corner, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.

Inside the cathedral, chaos reigned. Gargoyles of all shapes and sizes were mobilizing, preparing for a fight. Amelia spotted Zephyr perched on a nearby statue, his feathers ruffled in agitation.

"What's the situation?" Zephyr called down to them.

"Hunters," Gideon replied grimly. "They're armed and seem to know about us. We need to secure the perimeter."

The Elder's voice boomed through the cathedral, silencing the commotion. "To your posts, all of you. We've prepared for this day. Remember your training and protect the sanctuary at all costs."

As the gargoyles moved into position, Gideon turned to Amelia. "You need to get to the safe room. It's not safe for you here."

Amelia shook her head stubbornly. "No, I want to help. This is my fault - I led them here."

Gideon's expression softened for a moment. "This isn't your fault, Amelia. But you can help by staying safe. Please."

Before she could argue further, the sound of breaking glass echoed through the cathedral. The hunters had breached the building.

"Go!" Gideon urged, giving her a gentle push toward the hidden passage that led to the underground chambers. With a last, worried glance at him, Amelia ran.

As she descended into the depths of the cathedral, she could hear the sounds of battle above. Shouts, the clash of weapons, and an occasional inhuman roar made her shudder. She hated feeling helpless, but she knew Gideon was right. She'd only be a liability in a fight.

Amelia reached the safe room, a small chamber reinforced with ancient magic. As she closed the heavy door behind her, she felt a strange tingling sensation wash over her. The protective spells were activating.

Left alone with her thoughts, Amelia's mind raced. How had the hunters found her? She'd been so careful, always watching for anyone following her. And how did they know about the gargoyles?

As she pondered these questions, a memory surfaced - a conversation she'd overheard at the library earlier that day. Two men had been discussing local legends, mentioning something about "living statues." At the time, she'd dismissed it as idle gossip. Now, she realized her mistake.

Hours passed, the sounds of conflict above gradually dying down. Amelia paced the small room, worry gnawing at her gut. Were Gideon and the others alright? Had the hunters been driven off?

Suddenly, the door to the safe room swung open. Amelia tensed, ready to defend herself if necessary. But it was Gideon who entered, his stone skin marred with scratches and scorch marks.

"Gideon!" Amelia cried, rushing to him. "Are you alright? What happened?"

He managed a weak smile. "We're safe, for now. The hunters have been driven off, but..." He hesitated, his expression grave. "Amelia, there's something you need to know."

Gideon led her back to the main chamber, where the other gargoyles were gathered. Many bore signs of the recent battle, but their faces were etched with concern rather than triumph. The Elder stood at the center of the group, his ancient eyes fixed on Amelia as she entered.

"Amelia Matthews," The Elder intoned, his voice heavy with portent. "It seems there is more to you than we realized."

Confusion furrowed Amelia's brow. "What do you mean?"

The Elder gestured to a figure standing off to the side - Lucas, the hunter who had shown interest in Amelia at the university. His presence here, unrestrained among the gargoyles, was shocking enough. But it was the object in his hands that made Amelia's blood run cold.

It was an old photograph, faded and creased. In it, a man stood proudly next to a younger version of The Elder. The man's face was hauntingly familiar - it was like looking at a male version of herself.

"This photo was among the hunters' belongings," Lucas explained, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "It seems they've been tracking your family for generations, Amelia. They believe you're the key to controlling the gargoyles."

Amelia's mind reeled. "I don't understand. Who is that man?"

The Elder stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and wonder. "That, child, is your great-grandfather. Ezra Matthews. He was... a friend to our kind, many years ago. And, it seems, much more than that."

Gideon placed a comforting hand on Amelia's shoulder. "The hunters had documents, Amelia. Records that suggest your family has a unique connection to gargoyle magic. It's why you were able to awaken me, why you've been able to learn our ways so quickly."

Amelia shook her head, struggling to process this information. "But... my parents never mentioned anything like this. I had no idea."

"It's likely they didn't know," The Elder said. "Ezra went to great lengths to protect his descendants from those who would exploit their abilities. But it seems the secret has finally come to light."

Lucas stepped forward, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry, Amelia. I was sent to watch you, to confirm the hunters' suspicions. But after seeing you with the gargoyles, learning about your true nature... I couldn't go through with their plans."

Amelia's head was spinning. Her entire understanding of herself, her family history, had been turned upside down in a matter of moments. But as the initial shock began to wear off, a new emotion took its place - determination.

She straightened her shoulders, looking from The Elder to Gideon to Lucas. "Alright. So I have some sort of connection to gargoyle magic. How do we use this to protect everyone? To stop the hunters for good?"

The Elder's eyes glimmered with approval. "That, young Amelia, is the question we must now answer. But first, you must fully awaken to your true nature. The powers that lie dormant within you."

Gideon squeezed her shoulder gently. "It won't be easy, Amelia. Awakening these abilities could be dangerous. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Amelia met his gaze, seeing the concern in his stone-gray eyes. She thought of the battle that had just taken place, of the danger that still loomed over them all. Then she thought of her great-grandfather, standing proudly beside The Elder in that old photograph. This was her heritage, her destiny.

"I'm sure," she said firmly. "Whatever it takes, I'm ready."

The Elder nodded solemnly. "Very well. We shall begin at dawn. For now, rest and prepare yourself. The path ahead will not be easy."

As the gargoyles dispersed, Gideon led Amelia back to her small chamber. They walked in silence, both lost in thought.

At the entrance to her room, Amelia paused. "Gideon... did you know? About my family, I mean."

Gideon shook his head. "I suspected there was something special about you, Amelia. But I had no idea of the true extent of your connection to us." He hesitated, then added softly, "It doesn't change how I feel about you."

Amelia felt a warmth spread through her chest, despite the turmoil of the night's events. She reached out, taking Gideon's hand in hers. "Thank you. For everything."

As she settled into her bed, exhaustion finally overtaking her, Amelia's mind whirled with the revelations of the night. Her family's secret history, her own hidden powers, the looming threat of the hunters - it was almost too much to process.

But as sleep began to claim her, one thought rose above the others. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she wouldn't face them alone. She had Gideon, the other gargoyles, and now, a newfound connection to a legacy she was only beginning to understand.

In the quiet hours before dawn, as the cathedral stood silent and watchful, Amelia dreamed. She saw visions of her great-grandfather, of ancient magic swirling through stone corridors. And through it all, a sense of purpose, of destiny, began to take root in her heart.

The hunt had brought danger and upheaval, but it had also unveiled a truth that would change everything. As the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows of the cathedral, Amelia Matthews stood on the threshold of a new chapter in her life - one that would test her courage, her heart, and the very limits of her newly discovered heritage.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter