Page 49 of The Protective Gryphen

Ian smiled.

“We can go to the town?” he asked.

He nodded.

“Yeah, Ian, we can go to the town. I think it’ll be fun to do it.”

He did too.

Together, they moved back up the hill and toward the castle. As they reached the stable, Gryphen saw it.

There was a third set of footprints.

He stopped Ian and lowered his voice to barely an audible whisper.

“We’re not alone,” he warned.

At the words, Ian’s heart began pounding in his chest. It was racing, and he couldn’t help but think one thing.

WILL.

That was always his boogeyman.

Always.

“I need you to stay behind me,” Gryphen said. “If I tell you to run, you do it.”

He nodded.

Moving back toward the stables, Gryphen opened the door, and peeked inside. When he did, there was nothing in there.

It was empty.

Well, there were animals, but nothing out of place.

“Anyone?”

“No.”

Gryphen glanced over at the gate, and the extra footprints went back in that direction.

So, he followed.

The whole time, the Marine said nothing, but instead put his body in front of Ian as they moved back toward the castle and the courtyard.

Once inside the gate, Gryphen followed the footsteps, and they led to the door.

He didn’t like this.

Someone had been inside the castle, and they’d not thought to lock the doors because…well, it was a freaking castle. Who was breaking into one?

The unknown tended to make him twitchy, and no one liked that. Well, no one that anxiety was pointed at.

Through the garage they moved, and they went to the kitchen door. Behind it, there was noise coming from inside.

“Be safe,” he whispered to Ian. “Protect yourself if I can’t.”

Ian nodded.

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