Page 120 of Stone Temptation

Maren rolled her eyes. “You are already the talk of the town.”

“Who is?”

“You both are. Whispers everywhere of the human and his gargoyle protector.”

“Word travels fast,” Asher said.

“You are hardly inconspicuous.” Maren cracked open a tub of cream cheese. “Anyway, come sit and enjoy.”

“Got the purple bagels,” Tom said.

That was all Asher needed to hear, licking his lips.

We gathered around the table, Maren offering her seat to the gargoyle.

“I’ll stand,” Asher tried.

“No, no. These chairs are hideous on my tail. I will be happier on something softer.” She swam over to settle down on the couch with her bagel of smoked salmon and cream cheese—more fish than cheese.

I told the full story to Tom as we sliced the purple breads, leaving out the king part again. He slumped back in his chair at the end of it.

“Think I need a beer.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I might have a couple in the fridge.”

He shook his head, sitting upright. “What happens now?”

Asher spread cream cheese onto his second bagel, avoiding the salmon. “Keep looking for answers.”

“And this burned woman,” Tom said. “That’s weird. Do you think she’s the threat?”

“I’m leaning that way,” I answered.

“A dangerous place to live, beside lava,” Maren chimed in. “Are you sure she isn’t a monster?”

“No idea,” I replied. “I hope not.”

After finishing a bite, Asher spoke. “Whatever she is, I’ll snap her in half before she puts a hand on our boy here.”

Silence. My friends’ eyes on me. One of those stunned pauses.

Maren broke it. “Amen, Mr. Gargoyle. Amen.”

I don’t know why her saying that sent us into fits of giggles, but it worked. The ultimate icebreaker shifting the mood to something better.

Tom sniffed, dabbing his eyes with a tissue. “Okay. I have a serious question to ask you, Asher.”

“Go for it, Bagel Man.”

“Never been called that before.”

“First time getting new names for both of us, eh? Seriously, though. Thanks for these.”

Tom grinned. “Anytime.” He held out a hand, manifesting a chocolate cupcake into his palm. “Dessert?”

“Whoa!” Asher bellowed.

Tom did the same with the other hand, making another with white frosting. “Or would you prefer vanilla with a strawberry jam filling?”

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