Daughter of Medusa

25

Gavin was way too busy to pay her much attention, even though his attention was the only one she wanted

She didn't want any of the other gatgoyles to notice her, for their stares still continued, even after a few days, and young men followed her everywhere

She was getting sick and tired of this

She whispered to Alec: Is a hybrid such a novelty?

Alec looked uncomfortable: Well, you are the only known gargoyle and gorgon hybrid so..

Avery narrowed her eyes at him: What are you not telling me

He lifted his hands in a palcating gesture

She turned towards his girlfriend: Natalie?

Natalie winced: She has a right to know

Avery: What is it?

Natalie sighed: I'm not entirely sure. We've heard snippits here and there. I think they're planning to marry you off to one of them, and the young men seem have a competition between them

Avery: What?!

Alec: Calm down.. They're looking this way

She glared at him

Mark approached her: Is everything alright?

He got a glare as answer. She announced: I need to speak to Gavin

James: But he's busy..

Avery: I don't care

James flinched

She marched off to the conference hall where she knew he was

She just barged in, he was bending on a desk covered with papers, talking with another man

Avery demanded: Is it true?

Gavin: Dear.. What is?

Avery: That you plan to marry me to the one whomever wins a stupid competition like a bloody prize mare?

She was livid

The other man grinned: She is like Annie..

She turned her sharp gaze at him. He was taken aback for a second, then he laughed: You're something alright, kid. He clapped her father on the shoulder: I'll leave you to it

Gavin started to apologize and protest, but the other man shook his head: We'll talk later

Gavin sighed and his shoulders dropped, he nodded at his friend, smiling gratefully

Just as they were alone he spoke: Was that necessary? You knew I was busy..

She scowled: Apparently you don't have time, so I'm making some. You really have the gull to give me this shit when you're the one who brought me here

He frowned: We've been through this. Had we not come for you, you might have ended up dead

Avery: Oh, so I have to be grateful you wanted a brand new prize brood mare

Gavin: Wait, what?

Avery: Don't play dumb, there are even competitions..

He sighed: I wasn't going to marry you off without your consent. That is not the reason I came for you. You're my daughter and the precious gift my Laney died protecting..

She deflated slightly: You don't act like it

He sighed again: I'm sorry. I don't know how to be a dad.. The last time I saw you, you were a toddler. This is not an excuse, but it's also very busy these days, with the conflict between pures and hybrids.. I will try to be better. I promise

She looked at him, petulant

Gavin: And about the marriage thing. Female gargoyles are very rare.. It's only natural they will vye for your attention

Her mouth hung open: This is vying for my attention? They're strutting around like peacocks, bumping heads like a pair of stags in mating season. That is not how a girl's attention is caught favorably

He laughed: They are teen-age boys. All young, hot blooded and very competitive. Maybe you should tell them that, but I've heard you've been avoiding them

Avery: Because they're acting strange. They keep staring, following me around, her thoughts flitted to James, stuttering occasionally.

The poor guy was too shy. She sighed

He Pat her shoulder: You're too much like you aunt, you'll manage. She was very popular back then too you know

Avery sighed