Night Guardians

By M.D. Grimm

William was a soldier until an IED severely wounded and scarred his body. Now he lives a quiet life in a small village in the Black Forest and is the caretaker of the church and caregiver to the local priest.

He’s grown fond of the two stone gargoyles on the bell tower and often speaks to them, reminding himself of Quasimodo. But on his thirty-seventh birthday he learns a stunning secret—the gargoyles aren’t what they seem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.D. Grimm
• Release date: Feb 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224610662

M.D. Grimm

M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.

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Night Guardians

M.D. Grimm

Night Guardians

Originally published in Harvest Moon Anthology

M.D. Grimm

Cover Art by SelfPubBookCovers.com/nishagandhi

Copyright 2021 M.D. Grimm

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Night Guardians

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Night Guardians

I race through the forest, pursued by the mob. My leg seizes and I have to grab the nearest tree to stop the fall. Knives scrape my throat as I draw in ragged breaths. Sweat stings my eyes, soaking my clothes. The mob drew ever closer, and I had to set off again, now limping heavily, tucking my damaged arm close to my side. Despite knowing I won’t make it to the church, my sanctuary, I won’t stop. I can’t. The only ones who love me are there. The only ones who accept me.

A protruding root catches my boot as the church comes into view. I can’t stop the fall this time, and the air is knocked out of me. The mob catches up. Shouts and accusations of witchcraft bombard my ears as they roll me over. Flames blind me as the villagers hold up their torches, peering down at me with fear and disgust and hatred.

They aren’t wrong. Their accusations are true. But I’ve never done them any harm with my sorcery. I’ve never harmed a single soul. I suddenly hear the priest of the church running toward us, and he shouts for reason and mercy. A good friend. But his efforts are wasted.

I can only bare my teeth in a snarl, knowing my end is near. I turn my face away and lean back my head. I can just make out the faint outlines of the church and the perching gargoyles glaring down at those below. Tears well in my eyes as the villagers bind me. Then they drag me off, and with one last look at the gargoyles I close my eyes. I chant a spell. I need my precious ones to be the last things I ever set eyes upon.

William jerked awake, gasping and shaking as phantom pain and sorrow quickly faded like water through a strainer. He closed his eyes and shook his head. The dreams were becoming more frequent, more vivid. He felt all the pain and emotions as if he himself