When a Gargoyle Lives (Gargoyles Book 2) by E A Price

away from him.”  Grandma was firmly on Chris’ side on this issue.
    “Well, that is true but…”
    “Ugh!”
    “I just don’t think he’s a good influence.  I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    “So why are you even bothering to tell me about the house now?  Why not just string me along for the whole year?”
    “Movers have had to clear out the house and all your things are being shipped to you.”
    Brenda’s bottom lip trembled.  “I can’t even come home to pick up my stuff?”
    “They needed to do it straight away, and your schooling does have to come first.”
    “Don’t you want to see me?”
    “Of course, you can visit for the holidays.”
    Brenda pouted.  “If you’re not too busy.”
    “Brenda, you know I love you.  But I’m too old to look after you.”
    “I’m a grown woman I don’t need looking after.”
    “And you don’t need to spend your time looking after me,” she said firmly.  “We’re still family, but you’re starting your own life now – you don’t need me.  And frankly, if your relationship with Kevin can survive this time apart, then it will be all the better for it.  Brenda?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I am sorry, I love you so much, but… I’m never leaving this home.”
    Grandma thought she was going to die in that pastel, and beige monstrosity, and nothing Brenda could say would change her mind.  “Community.”
    She laughed softly.  “Yes, community.  I’m not well enough.  And you do need looking after.  You’re in school, you need support, and Chris will give you that.  I’m sorry it worked out this way, but we will see each at the holidays, and we will talk on the phone.”
    “I guess.”
    “Your things should arrive in a couple of days.  I gave the movers strict instructions on how to pack your troll collection.”
    “Oh, well thank god for that.”
    Her grandma laughed again, and it made Brenda’s heart swell.  She hadn’t laughed all that much since her heart attack.  At that moment, it was the sweetest sound she could imagine.
    “I miss you, sweetheart.”
    “I miss you, too.”
    *
    Brenda allowed Chris to get into the house and take his jacket off before she pounced.
    “When did you know I wasn’t moving back to Phoenix to live with grandma?”
    Chris’ face flickered with guilt for a moment.  “Ah, she called.”
    Brenda folded her arms and glared at him.  “Yes, a little heads up would have been nice.”
    “Bren…”
    “You lied to me.  You made me think I was going to go home.”
    “This is your home now.”
    “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
    “You were unhappy, and I didn’t want to make it worse.”
    Brenda threw up her arms.  “Well, it’s worse now.”
    “Brenda…”
    “I’m going for a walk,” she snapped.
    “Brenda!”
    She stormed out of the house, dabbing at her eyes.  She was eighteen; she could leave if she wanted.  But where would she go?  She could stay with Kevin, she supposed, but she didn’t really want to upset her grandma.  She’d been through enough in the past few months.
    Ugh – great, why did she always have to be such a good girl?
    She hadn’t realized where she was walking until she found herself outside the gates.

Chapter Thirteen
    “Aww, he is adorable.”  Kylie made funny faces at the infant as he burbled and wrapped his tail around her wrist.
    Ingrede caressed his tiny wings.  Tiny compared to hers.  He was still pretty large for a baby.
    “Yes, and I am sure will be a fine warrior,” agreed his proud mother.
    “That, too.  His cheeks are so chubby.  I just want to kiss them all over!”
    Ingrede had calmed enough to the point that she would allow others to hold her child.  They were sitting in the garden.  It was a mild night and both Cai and Ingrede felt more comfortable in the open.  In truth, so did Ric.
    Gargoyles lived outdoors, and most did not feel comfortable in enclosed spaces.  Kylie had called it claustrophobia.  But Ric believed it was more to do