Page 385 of Evil Hearts

The woman took a step back, her gaze darting to the cathedral’s entrance. Aldric tensed, ready to stop her if she tried to flee. But to his surprise, she stayed put, her curiosity seemingly outweighing her fear.

“I don’t understand,” she murmured, shaking her head. “How could I have broken the curse? Why wouldn’t you attack me? You could crush me with a single muscular arm!”

He took a cautious step towards her, his voice softening as he decided to answer her second question first. “I mean you no illwill. My sole purpose is to safeguard this cathedral and those within it. You have nothing to fear from me.”

She hesitated for a long moment, searching his face for any sign of deceit. Finally, she nodded, some of the tension easing from her shoulders.

“I believe you. I think,” she said softly. “But this is all so strange, so impossible...”

Aldric offered her a faint smile, the gesture feeling foreign on his lips. “I understand your confusion. But I assure you, this is no dream or madness. You have stumbled upon a world beyond the veil of the ordinary.”

The woman’s eyes darted back and forth, her breath coming in short gasps as she dealt with what he knew would leave her in a state of confusion. “This can’t be real. I must be losing my mind.” She pressed her palms against her temples, squeezing her eyes shut. “Wake up, wake up, wake up,” she chanted under her breath.

Aldric’s heart clenched at her distress. He couldn’t bear to see her suffering, questioning her own sanity because of him. In a swift motion, he closed the distance between them and gently grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him.

“Look at me,” he urged, his voice low and soothing. “You are not crazy. I am as real as the stone beneath your feet, and the stars above us.”

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his intense gaze. At that moment, Aldric knew there was only one way to convince her of the truth, as only such a thing would convince him if he were in her shoes. He leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss. The sensation was electric, igniting a fire within him that had lain dormant for centuries.

She stiffened at first, caught off guard by the unexpected touch. But gradually, she melted into his embrace, her lips moving tentatively against his as if unsure of how to respond.Her body trembled with a mix of nervousness and excitement as Aldric’s hand slid up to cradle the back of her head, pulling her closer. Their lips moved in a dance, their bodies pressed tightly together, igniting a fire within them both. Aldric’s longing and passion poured forth, consuming them both in that single, heated moment. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other’s arms, completely lost in the intensity of their connection.

With great reluctance, he broke away, his breathing ragged. “Do you believe me now?” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

She didn’t move, her eyes still wide, but now with wonder and a hint of desire. Aldric felt a surge of hope, a glimmer of possibility that he had never dared to imagine.

“I assure you that nothing can feel that real in your dreams. That awakening is real. All I can offer you is the chance to come again tomorrow during the day. To see that I am still here, but stone. Though now I can perch myself in a better location to watch over the people.”

“This is absolutely insane.” She muttered even as her fingers moved over her lips. “I came up because I felt I had to, and fell in love with the view and knew I needed to paint the city from this vantage point before classes resumed.” She blinked rapidly. “And now I’ve woken some fucking gargoyle from centuries ago who kisses like a god damn rockstar.” Her lips formed an “o” as if she didn’t mean to say that list part.

“I’m not certain what exactly a rockstar is, but I did not mean to upset you. I am also grateful for this and have hope you can do this for the others when you are willing.”

“Crazy. I’ve lost my mind and instead of returning to teaching, I’m going into a looney bin.”

“You are free to go,” he said softly, stepping back. “I will not keep you here against your will. But know that if you choose toreturn, I will be waiting for you, every night, in this very spot once the moonlight touches my stone prison.”

He turned away, his heart heavy with the thought of letting her go, but he knew he could not force her to stay, to accept the strange and mysterious world he inhabited.

With a graceful leap, Aldric scaled the cathedral wall, his form blending into the shadows as he climbed higher and higher. From his perch atop the turret, he watched her retreating figure, a silent prayer on his lips that she would find her way back to him.

As the night wind whispered around him, Aldric renewed his vow to protect the cathedral and all who sought refuge within its walls. He had been given a second chance, a reason to hope, and he would not squander it. If she returned he would explain why he thought she woke him.

For the first time in centuries, he felt truly alive, his heart beating with the promise of something more.

He knew one thing for certain, he was going to save the others even if it meant sacrificing this beautiful woman with her fiery red hair and vibrant green eyes so similar to his own.

Chapter Three

Three days hadpassed, yet Elena found herself drawn back to the cathedral, its towering spires piercing the moonlit sky. Her footsteps echoed against the cobblestones as she ascended the worn steps to enter, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had to know. Had it all been a dream? A figment of her overactive imagination?

Mass was actively in session and she did her best to sneak through without being noticed, moving swiftly toward the stairs.

As she reached the rooftop, her breath caught in her throat. There, silhouetted against the night, stood the man—no, the gargoyle—his form both familiar and alien. Though human in shape, he was clearly not human with his wings and the almost angular plans of his face. His skin retained the ashen hue of weathered stone, save for his eyes that were twin emeralds that glowed with an otherworldly light.

Elena’s vision blurred, the world tilting on its axis. Her knees buckled, and darkness claimed her.

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

---