Page 12 of Guarded By the Gargoyle

I couldn’t believe he wanted me to try again after such a disastrous conclusion to my last Channeling. But I didn’t get a chance to answer him because whatever was attached to the glowing eyes started growling.

And then something big and black and shadowylungedat me.

“Run, Willow my love!”I heard my Pop-pop shout in my ear.

He didn’t have to tell me twice. I bolted up from the table and was out of the Spirit Room in no time flat. I rushed pastNicky Valentino’s guards, both of whom were wearing worried expressions.

“Hey—come back!” one of them shouted, but neither of them followed me—they were clearly too anxious to check on their boss.

I wasn’t going to go back for anyone. They might not be able to see the thing—or things—that were chasing me, butIcould. I could hear the growling and snarling and when I threw a glance over my shoulder, I saw the roiling mass of black smoke which was vaguely dog-shaped, was right on my heels.

I ran through the shop, through my tiny apartment, and managed to get the back door open. I thought about slamming it behind me, but I doubted any regular Earthly door was going to stop the beast that was after me. And I didn’t dare to take the time to close it anyway.

Instead, I left the door wide open as I ran into the night, dodging and ducking through dark streets and alleys…

Until I came to the glowing doorframe and heard my Pop-pop telling me to use the key.

I fumbled for the keys in my hand—which would work? The huge iron one as long as my hand or the tiny golden one that was smaller than my pinky?

It was the larger key that came to my fingers first, so I jammed it into the glowing keyhole, which was spilling golden light onto the dirty pavement at my feet.

To my relief and surprise, the key worked. It turned smoothly in the lock and I was able to push the door open.

I ran though it…and into a whole different world.

5

WILLOW

Iwas panting with terror as I turned to slam the door shut behind me. But to my surprise, it slammed itself shut. And not a moment too soon—I could see the slavering jaws of the three-headed, six-eyed thing just starting to cross the threshold. Then the heavy oak door clapped closed in its monstrous faces…and then quietly disappeared as though it had never been there in the first place.

My heart was still thundering in my ears and for a moment, all I could do was press a hand to my chest and try to breathe. I had no idea where I was—only that I was safe. At least for the moment.

Slowly, I began to take stock of my surroundings. I seemed to be standing in the middle of a street that ran through a small town. I saw shops and business—all closed—lining the road. Where was I?

Well, it must be someplace on Earth because nothing really looked alien or strange and also I could breathe, so that was good, I thought. It was nighttime—just as it had been back in New Orleans—but the air felt different. Back in my hometown, it was already getting hot and sticky, even though it was only the middle of April. But here, the air was cool and crisp andI smelled scents I associated with Autumn—the smell of dried leaves and the scent of smoke. There was also a hint of what might be snow on the air, though it wouldn’t be here anytime soon…

“My dear, are you quite all right?”

I gasped and my heart started galloping in my chest again as I whirled around to see who was talking.

It was someone standing on the front porch of the huge old Victorian structure across the street from me. It looked like a house that had somehow overgrown its boundaries and turned into a hotel of some kind. Its faded white exterior seemed to glow softly like a ghost ship floating in the shadows.

“Who…what…?” was all I could get out.

The person who was talking to me came out into the moonlight which was streaming down and I saw it was an older woman with curly gray hair piled on top of her head. She was wearing a long robe with flowing sleeves trimmed in ostrich feathers that floated elegantly around her wrists.

“I’m sorry if I frightened you,” she said, coming down the front steps of the Victorian structure, her heels clacking on the wood. “I was just out here because I couldn’t sleep—I have simplydreadfulinsomnia, you know—and I saw you come to town.”

“Come to town?” I repeated stupidly. Wasthatall she had to say about the way I had run right through a magic door and found myself in this strange place?

“Why yes—I saw the Portal appear and then you came through it,” she said patiently. “And you lookedsodistressed. I assumed that you came here from necessity rather than choice. Though I notice youdohave a key with you.”

She nodded at the iron key which I was still clutching in my fist. I was still holding the tiny golden key as well, and the silver chain I always wore them on.

“Oh, uh…” I stared stupidly at the key in my hand. “My Pop-pop gave it to me,” I muttered.

“YourPop-pop?”She raised her eyebrows delicately, the brilliant moonlight winking off the gold rims of her spectacles.

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