Gryphon's Glenn

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX
The King was furious. Not only had Ginger Evermore been able to land the plane safely, but the children had escaped from the explosion he'd caused as well.

"Of all of them, it was the damned empath that surprised me," he mumbled. He'd never expected Ginger to pose any sort of significant threat. How had the girl known how to operate an aircraft?

He began pacing back and forth. He needed more power, and quickly. Girard went into town, searching for the ingredients he would require... Rue, witch hazel bark, an onyx stone, several oils, a large number of glass vials, and, of course, his most important ingredient...

The clerk smiled at him pleasantly. "Thank you for visiting my humble shop, my King," she said.

"Of course, my dear," Girard replied. "Perhaps you can help me with my final ingredient."

"I would be happy to. What else do you need?" She asked.

"The blood of an innocent." He pulled out a ritual dagger and slashed her throat before she could react. He carefully collected her blood in several vials before stabbing the dead girl with one of Raven's gardening tools. He left it in her chest, knowing everyone would believe Raven had murdered the girl.

Girard headed back to the castle. In his ritual room, he began to cast a spell which would boost his power levels and grant him the ability to continue walking freely between his realm and the one the children had escaped to. He had to put an end to them before they returned to Gryphon's Glenn or things would become much more difficult for him.

His increased power would also grant him the ability to find Holly Lynn in her dreams. Even if he couldn't have her physically, he longed to see her. The girl had filled him with something he hadn't known he needed, but now that it was gone, he felt strangely empty. He had to get her back, and soon. If she saw his need, Girard knew Holly Lynn would return to him. He simply had to make her understand...

Soon, he thought. She will sleep eventually. You'll see her then.

+

It was surprisingly easy to find Jeremiah Luhain. General Jerry Jones was scheduled to host a lecture at the local university. Hiro, Jason, Jennifer, Nat, and Chris immediately headed to the school.

The General was a dignified, well-spoken man who was clearly highly educated. Hiro watched him as his memories of their previous meeting flashed through his head. General Jones had barely aged. He was handsome and charismatic, and Hiro could tell the females in the audience were immediately charmed by him. The males didn't seem to be far behind them.

After the lecture was over, Hiro and the others followed the General at a safe distance. At least, they thought it was safe. That changed when General Jones pulled out his gun and aimed it at them.

"Show yourselves," he said harshly. "Or, I promise you, I won't miss."

"Don't shoot!" Hiro said quickly, stepping out of the shadows. "We're unarmed, and we just want to talk." Jason and Nat showed themselves, too.

The General looked skeptical. "Who are you, and why are you following me?" He demanded.

"My name is Hiro... You helped me a long time ago when some thugs attacked me."

Recognition dawned in the General's eyes. "Yes... I remember you, Hiro... Who are your friends?"

"This is Jason, and that's Nat... Jennifer, Chris, come on out," Hiro encouraged them.

Chris showed himself first. The General didn't react until Jennifer stepped out of the shadows. He stared at her in surprise.

"Ginger..." He whispered.