Heart of Stone

21. Remembering the Past

In the next two weeks, every inch of Beeson Hall was well on the way to being either scrubbed, polished, rearranged, repainted, aired out or otherwise brightened up for company and some places were on the list for multiple assaults. In the beginning, Mary was worried that Caroline would be more accustomed to others catering to her needs, but if that was the case it didn't show. She worked alongside Mary, Maureen and the new maid, Joanna. Surprisingly enough, she always seemed upbeat about the whole thing. Even Aiden was involved, though in a more limited way. He and Colin did most of the furniture moving when it was needed. Mostly though, he thought that Mary was working too hard and worrying too much about what these others thought. He often told her so, while his large knuckles worked the knots out of her sore muscles just before she fell asleep.

Joanna turned out to be a breath of fresh air. She was a heavily built young woman and while her hips were too broad to fit the nearly-emaciated modern standard of beauty she had a ready smile and a sparkling laugh that could brighten a room or lighten a burden. It was Maureen that first suggested bringing her into their confidence about Aiden. Mary already knew that Aiden was willing to meet anyone she trusted, she just had to decide if she trusted Joanna.

She also found that she enjoyed Caroline's company in a way she hadn't thought she would. Maureen had been a motherly presence, and Mary was grateful for that. Her other friends in the village were closer to her own age, but didn't know about Aiden, and she found that she censored herself heavily when she talked to them. She also found herself lying at times when they suggested young men for her to date. All in all, those things made for weak, superficial friendships in which few real thoughts or feelings were exchanged.

“You should tell her you know.” Caroline and Mary were sitting in the newly-polished library, enjoying an afternoon without work.

“Tell who?” Mary was fairly certain that she knew, but she had learned recently that assumptions frequently caused trouble.

“Joanna.” Caroline was knitting another soft gray wool panel for a sweater she was making. “You know as well as I do that she won't tell anyone until the time is right.”

“I know she won't tell anyone intentionally or maliciously.” Mary sighed. “I just worry that the more people who know the more likely it is that someone will slip up.”

“The world is going to have to know sometime.” Caroline said. Mary knew her friend was right, but that didn't mean she liked the idea of everyone knowing about Aiden and the others.

“I know that, but I guess I want to control how they find out. And, I don't want Aiden to still be the only one when the news breaks. I don't think it would be fair to him.” She turned over her embroidery, ended one thread and started another.

“I can't argue with that logic.” Caroline said. The women fell silent when they heard the front door open.

“Hope you don't mind me coming in the front way Miss Mary.” Joanna said.

“Not at all.” Mary said. “How's your mother doing?”

“Good as one can expect. She gave her ankle quite a turn the other day.” Joanna stopped in the doorway to the library. “Callie Watts asked me the strangest question when I was at Mr. Leeson's shop though.”

“What was that?” Caroline asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Mary noticed she always took a keen interest in village gossip.

“She asked if I had ever seen the monster that lived here. Could you imagine anything sillier?” Joanna laughed a little and took the scarf off of her hair.

“A monster? Where in the world did she come up with that?” Mary smiled and shook her head slightly.

“I don't know, Miss. But the story's been floating around as long as anyone can remember.” Joanna laughed.

“What?” Mary looked up, stunned.

“Oh yes.” Joanna sat down. “Anytime someone goes missing or loses a pet or some of their livestock everyone says it's the Monster of Beeson Hall. No one really believes it I don't think, but they all say it because they've always said it. It's become one of those stories they use to scare little children into being good, I suppose.”

“What kind of monster is it?” Caroline asked. Mary was glad, she wouldn't have been able to muster such innocent curiosity.

“I don't know really.” Joanna looked as if the thought had never occurred to her. “The kind with big teeth and long claws. How many kinds of monster are there?” The maid laughed and waved dismissively with her hand. “It's only silliness anyway, Miss. Can I bring either of you anything?”

“No, thank you Joanna.” Mary said. Caroline shook her head as well.

“Dinner will be ready at the usual time then.” She got up and left the two women alone. As soon as the maid was gone, Caroline turned and looked meaningfully at Mary.

“Alright, I agree that she should know.” Mary said. “But that doesn't keep the whole village from blaming Aiden every time some old lady's cat runs off.”

“No it doesn't, but it's a start anyway.” Caroline said.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Telling Joanna was much like telling Colin and Maureen, except this time she had some support from others who knew Aiden. After the initial shock of meeting the 'monster of Beeson Hall' in the flesh, Joanna accepted him and Mary's terms of temporary silence and he accepted the maid into his extended family.

They never talked about it, but Mary knew that he missed having others to care for. Sometimes he would tell her about the role of a leader among his kind. Mary was surprised to learn that a gargoyle chieftain was more than a political figure, he was respected much like a father was, and he behaved accordingly toward others in his clan.

The way he looked at her when Joanna and the others left pushed any thoughts of traditions and cultural roles to the back of her mind.

“Wait-” She was laughing as he pulled her into his lap so that she was straddling him.

“Why? We are alone.” He pulled her skirt out of the way. She could feel the intensity of his need as he pulled her forward, his lips possessing hers.

“They might-” His tongue invaded her mouth, one talon slid inside the front of her panties. Mary moaned as he tore through the cotton. “They might come back in.” Her voice breathless.

“Why would they?” His tail pushed inside her from behind. Mary bit back a sharp cry and slid forward a little, his swift entry bordering on painful. He held still inside her until she relaxed against him, then his tail started to tease her.

“Because they might hear me, and wonder what's going on.” Her mouth found his, logic quickly being overwhelmed by the pleasure of being in his arms. She felt him opening his belt and stopped his hands before she lost all reason.

“Colin, Maureen and Joanna have undoubtedly left already. Caroline was tired. Besides, I could demand that you comply.” He smiled slightly.

“And I will.” She kissed the side of his muscled neck softly. “Just not here.” Her grin was mischievous.

“As you wish then.” He smiled his toothy grin. Mary moved to get up, but his tail followed her, staying buried deep inside her. Mary moaned and tried another direction, only to find that he kept her achingly, deliciously, frustratingly full.

“Come on that isn't fair.” Her laugh was mixed with a moan. Mary's hands reached between them, stroking his long, thick shaft through the simple garment. He held the back of her head and growled softly.

“That is not helping your case.” His hips were moving under her. The tip of his teasing tail pressed forward, nearly bringing her over the edge. Mary buried her face against his shoulder to stifle the cry.

“Aiden, please.” Mary's voice was plaintive, but she wasn't sure what she was pleading for anymore. Her hand was working it's way inside his loincloth, her body aching for more contact with his. Without warning his tail slid out of her slick opening. She looked into his eyes, feeling as though she would shatter from the force of the need he had created in such a short time.

“Upstairs.” He kissed her softly. Mary moved awkwardly off of his lap. The simple denim skirt covered to her knees as always, but her ruined panties left her bottom and dripping sex fully exposed underneath. Her knees shook and her juices made her inner thighs slick as she trotted quickly up the stairs, his long strides easily matching her swift steps.

Aiden closed the door and undressed as he walked, the look of intensity in his eyes made Mary's hands tremble as she pushed her skirt down over her hips. His hardness bobbed in front of him as he crossed to room to her. He stopped in front of her, watching as she undressed. Mary's didn't bother with the buttons on her blouse, her fingers fumbled too much and the look in his eyes told her that he wasn't in the mood to wait. The truth was, she wasn't either. She pulled it off over her head and managed the front clasp on the bra.

He stroked her cheek softly. His voice was somewhere between a growl and a guttural moan, a small smile on his lips. The command a male gave to a female to tell her she was expected to submit immediately was the only phrase she had ever heard him speak in his own language, her stomach did flip-flops.

“Aiden-” She shook her head slightly and reached out to caress his chest. He caught her hand and repeated himself, his eyes on hers. Mary bit her lower lip and got onto the bed, letting him guide her into the position that he wanted. She knelt, her head down on the bed, bottom raised, her legs spread, her face was crimson with embarrassment. She could feel herself starting to shake. The first time he took her this way Mary wasn't as ready as she usually was and it had ended with her bruised and in tears. She forgave him of course, and accepted his gentle ministrations after, but the fear of him telling her to submit again was very real to her.

She felt him move behind her. A little whimper escaped her lips when one of his large hands stroked the side of her hip. Instead of feeling him push inside her though, his warm tongue teased her exposed slit. She groaned softly and pressed back against his mouth. Aiden held her open a little wider, his tongue pressed deep inside her, taking over where his tail left off. Mary groaned, grasping handfuls of the covers as she pressed back against his mouth.

Aiden's supple tongue worked quickly and Mary lost track of the world around her as she was buffeted by waves of deep pleasure. Before she felt connected with herself again he moved behind her, the broad head of his erection against her dripping opening. She heard her own soft pleasure whimpers as he moved slowly inside her, giving her time to adjust before moving in deeper. Finally, when her body could accept no more of him he began to move.

His hips moved slowly at first and Mary began to meet his movements. Her pleasure sounds and more insistent movements encouraged Aiden to increase his pace and before long both were crying out with every forceful movement. Mary found herself carried forward and balancing on the edge of an even more intense sensation when Aiden paused.

“Please,” She whimpered and squirmed against him. “Don't stop.”

He chuckled softly and continued, but Mary needed only one more hard thrust to take her over the edge. Her muscles clenched around him and his talons dug painfully into her hips and his roar filled the room as his release consumed hers. Mary's whole body shook as the intensity of her orgasm shook her body again in such a short space of time.

For several blissful minutes he lay buried inside her, his body folded over hers, arms around her, wings spread over both of them. She heard his breathing and the soft, contented growling sounds he made close to her ear, but the world beyond his body was unimportant.

Slowly, he moved back and away from her, his softening shaft leaving her body almost reluctantly. She felt their combined juices start to trickle down her thighs.

“Stay where you are.” She felt his weight shift as he got up. Mary moved to lay on her side, but he held her in place. “Be still.” He said softly. His hand stroked her back and Mary forced herself to stay in position. She heard water running and he returned with a warm, wet cloth. Mary shivered a little while he cleaned her. After what seemed like an eternity of being exposed, he lay down and pulled her into his arms. Mary immediately hid her face against his chest, and Aiden cradled her while she recovered.

“Why?” She asked, her voice barely audible.

“Because I could not leave you with only a painful memory.” He murmured, his talons tracing patterns on her back, making Mary shiver pleasantly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

By the time the everything was finished, everyone was exhausted but pleased with how it had turned out. There were no major changes in the overall look of the Hall, but the few cosmetic changes definitely made it more presentable in Mary's estimation. The date had been pushed back two weeks to accommodate an engagement of Nigel's, but that just gave Mary more time to get things settled as she wanted them.

It also gave her more time to worry about what could go wrong. By the time people started arriving, Mary was used to the undercurrent of nausea that had been clinging to her for more than two weeks. She was glad she had stuck to a less formal plan for the gathering and the meal. She wasn't certain that she would have been able to stomach the complex flavors of a meal similar to Robbie's. After dinner, Veronica and Ramona were the first to join her on the lighted outdoor terrace. A path defined by lights led off into the garden beyond.

“Are you feeling alright, Mary?” Ramona looked concerned. “You look a bit tired.”

“Getting the Hall in order took more energy than I thought it would.” She smiled a little and sipped her coffee. They heard a leathery flapping and Aiden walked out of the shadows.

“It's good to see you again.” Veronica said. Aiden bent down to accept her kiss on the cheek.

“Nice to see you as well.” He smiled but hid the most fearsome of his teeth.

“Has Mary told you what we're doing this evening?” Ramona kissed his cheek lightly as well.

“No. But she has been studying until all hours.” Aiden smiled at her.

“That didn't help much.” Mary tried to force a little laugh. “There are so many techniques and all the books really said was that it's up to the aggregator how the power of the others is focused and used. The test itself I got from one of Ambrose's journals.”

“The important thing is not to let the others intimidate you.” Veronica said.

“Why would she do that?” Quentin asked as he joined the others. “Aiden, I was wondering if you would be around this evening.” He shook Aiden's offered hand.

“Of course. As you were eating your dinner I was getting mine as well.” He smiled and soft laughter rippled through the small group. Mary stood back and watched as the group gathered and made small talk with Aiden and each other.

“Are you ready?” Robbie asked. Mary hadn't seen him come out, much less stand next to her.

“Ready as I'll ever be I guess.” She smiled a bit.

“You know, if you aren't well, this may not go as planned. Your abilities won't function quite the same.” He looked concerned.

“Thanks, but I'm just a little tired and overwrought.” Her smile was more genuine this time. “Best to get on with it.”

“You'll do fine.” He smiled in his fatherly way and Mary took a deep breath. She moved to the edge of the stone terrace and turned to face the group.

“If I could have everyone's attention.” She pulled the shawl she was wearing closer around herself as the rest quieted down. “I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight, I know it required some creative scheduling for some of you. If you would just follow the lighted path to the large boulder, it's a short walk and some of you have been there before.”

“Ambrose's practice stone?” Nigel asked.

“Yes. I thought since it worked for him, it would be a good place to start.” Mary said.

“A good idea.” Gordon agreed. He offered Veronica his arm. Mary walked at the back of group with Aiden. He stroked her back softly as they walked and she smiled up at him.

When they turned the corner the group had already arranged themselves around the large, white boulder that reminded Mary of a slumbering elephant. She noticed that they were standing so that their pairs faced each other, except for Ron and Alex, they stood next to each other, facing the place left for Mary. She took a deep breath and walked into her place.

“We'll begin with the words.” Andy said.

“How we begin is for Mary to say.” Gordon disagreed. It was a strange feeling for Mary, hearing voices coming out of the darkness when she couldn't always see the speakers.

“If we don't have words, we can't focus.” Ron added.

“Not everyone works the same way.” Ramona countered. “You know as well as I do that the aggregator-”

“She doesn't even know what she's doing!” Stuart sounded exasperated. The breeze, which had been gentle and pleasant all evening, picked up to a full-scale gust of wind. Aiden moved closer behind Mary, sheltering her as much as he could.

“Oh for heaven sake, no one does the first time.” Quentin shouted to be heard over the roar.

“Would you all just STOP!” Mary was surprised to hear herself shout, but it did end the bickering, and surprisingly the wind. Aiden waited and then stepped back.

“Quite right.” Robbie said. “Just tell us what you need us to do.” Mary was glad he was standing next to her, he smiled reassuringly. Mary took a deep breath.

“I want everyone to close their eyes and picture the place in your bodies where your will resides.” Mary glanced around and saw that at least everyone's eyes were closed. She closed her own eyes and continued in an even tone. “Picture that spot swelling with your will, growing like berry grows from a blossom until the whole space is filled.” All Mary heard was the sound of rhythmic breathing.

“When that place is full, let your will begin to migrate to your hands. Feel it almost like a physical sensation of warmth, moving from your shoulders, down your arms to your palms. Let the movement of will be a constant, feel it collect in your palms until it feels as though it will spill from your fingertips.” She heard the breathing of the others deepen, almost as if they were asleep. She kept her voice even. “When you feel the need, place your palm against the person's next to you, letting the will flow between you.”

Mary opened her eyes but remained silent. One by one she saw each member of the group raise their hands to shoulder height, palms facing out. When each one was ready, they touched the person next to them. When the only break in the circle was her, Mary touched Robbie and David and took a deep breath when she felt the surge of will. She drew it into herself, adding it to her own.

“Keep concentrating on moving your will to your hands, but open your eyes.” She waited until every pair of eyes she could see was on her. “No matter what, stay focused on your will flowing into your hands.”

Mary took a deep breath and focused the collection of will on the rock, tracking it with her eyes as it lifted slowly from its bed in the ground until it was just over their heads. She was so focused that the world had gone silent and still around her, except for her own heartbeat. Slowly, she let the boulder roll in the air before setting back in the ground again. She felt the vibration through her feet as it settled in its bed again. Mary separated her own will from the will of the others and lowered her hands. The others followed suit around the circle. Veronica was the first to speak.

“Mary, that was-” Mary didn't hear the rest of what Veronica was saying though. The world spun around her and then went black.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mary woke inside, but it took her a moment to realize she was in the sitting room. There was a cool cloth on her head and she could hear soft voices in the room with her, when she looked over she wasn't surprised to see Maureen and Aiden, but she was surprised to see Nigel.

“What happened?” She took the cloth off of her head as she sat up.

“You fainted.” Maureen took the cloth from her. “Mr. Aiden carried you back inside.” She looked at Aiden and saw how worried he was.

“Could I have some water, please.” She asked.

“Of course, Miss.” Maureen hurried out and Mary could hear a soft murmur of conversation as the door opened. Nigel sat next to her and grasped her wrist, feeling her pulse. Mary looked at him strangely, he laughed softly.

“We don't tend to discuss our professions at these gatherings, but I'm a doctor.” He smiled slightly.

“Sorry.” Mary murmured.

“Quite alright.” He let go of her wrist and moved his finger in front of her eyes. Mary obediently followed it. “I know you didn't hit your head when you fell because Aiden caught you. Have you had these spells before?”

“No, I think I might have just been too worked up earlier.” She smiled a little. Maureen returned with a glass of ice water, and bits of conversation leaked in again. “Thank you.” Mary sipped it and started feeling a little better.

“That would certainly be understandable, aggregation can be a shock to the system, especially the first time.” He smiled and got up. “You see the local doctor when you're ill?”

“Yes.” Mary took another sip of the water. Dr. Carlyle was not her favorite person in the village. He usually managed to tell her more gossip in the fifteen or twenty minutes she spent with him than anyone else could in an hour. She could only imagine what he said about her. “I really think that all I need is a little rest though.”

“You're probably right.” He smiled and got up. “All the same though, if you're still feeling ill next week you should go see him.”

“I will, thanks.” She smiled.

“I'll give your goodnights to the others, I think if you could get a bit of sleep it would do you good.” Nigel left with Maureen. As soon as the door was closed Aiden picked her up and held her in his lap. Mary curled up against him and closed her eyes, feeling even more tired than she did before.

“Mary, if this makes you so ill-”

“No.” She said firmly before he could finish the thought. Her eyes on his. “I just wasn't prepared this time.” She put her head down again. “I'm very glad you were there though.”

“It was quite an amazing sight, child.” She could feel him smiling. Mary couldn't help but smile a little herself.

“It was something, wasn't it?” Mary couldn't help but be proud of her accomplishment. Ambrose's journal said that he and his group had managed to lift the boulder only to the height of his knees and they had counted that a great success. She relaxed against Aiden's chest, waiting for the all clear to go up to bed.