Page 14 of Gargoyle Sentinel

Malachi hesitated. “You've been through a traumatic experience. I’m not sure if—”

“Are you kidding me?” Danny scoffed, wincing as he shifted his weight. “If I’m supposed to believe all this supernatural horse shit, I need to see something concrete. Don’t get all squeamish on menow. Show me the goods.”

The muscles in Malachi’s jaw ticked, a flash of amber flickering in his green eyes before it vanished. “It’s not squeamishness. The shift can be frightening for humans when they witness it for the first time.”

“Try me.” Danny lifted an eyebrow. “I've watched every season of True Blood. Twice.”

Malachi let out a long sigh. “Television doesn't quite capture the reality.”

Danny snapped his fingers repeatedly “Quit stalling, big boy. If I’m supposedly some angel-human hybrid, I think I can handle seeing whatever you really are.”

Malachi let out another sigh and stood, taking several steps back from the bed. “If time weren’t of the essence, I wouldn’t give in to you so quickly. But unfortunately, the recent traitorous actions of a fellow Slayer is forcing my hand.”

Danny pinched the bridge of his nose. “Traitorous? I can hardly wait to hear the rest of this dumpster fire I’ve tumbled into.” He waved a hand in Mal’s direction. “Carry on.”

“Don’t be afraid.” Malachi’s voice deepened an octave. “I would never harm you.”

Danny’s snarky retort died in his throat as the air around Malachi started to shimmer like heat waves rising from asphalt. His skin rippled, hardening before Danny’s eyes into what looked like stone—a deep gray with hints of green that matched his eyes. His shoulders broadened impossibly, clothing ripping away before vanishing, his spine elongating as massive wings unfurled from his back, leathery and terrifying.

His face transformed, the features becoming more angular, eyes glowing amber now rather than green. Sharp talons extended from what had been hands, and a thick, muscular tail with a spiked club at the end completed the metamorphosis.

“Holy shitballs.” Danny pressed himself against the headboard. His heart thundered, his body trembled, but strangely, he felt no fear. What filled him was awe. “You’re beautiful,” Danny breathed, the words escaping before he could stop them.

The creature, Malachi, tilted his head, clearly surprised by Danny's reaction. His amber eyes glowed with an inner light as he regarded Danny with what seemed like curiosity.

“Most humans scream.” Malachi’s deep voice resonated in this form, yet was somehow still recognizable. “Or faint.”

Danny let out another shaky laugh. “Yeah, well, I've never been accused of being predictable.” He leaned forward, fascinated. “Can I touch you?”

Malachi hesitated, then stepped closer to the bed, extending one clawed hand. Danny reached out slowly, fingers trembling as they made contact with the stone-like skin. It was warm, not cold, as he'd expected, with a faint vibration beneath the surface, like energy pulsing through living stone. The sensation sent a jolt up Danny's arm, a strange warmth spreading through his chest and deep into his core.

"Wow.” Danny traced the ridges of Malachi’s forearm with his fingertips. “You're like warm granite, but you’re alive.” He explored further, moving up to where the skin texture changed near Malachi’s elbow. “This is freaky. Unbelievable.”

He frowned, a flash of memory slamming into him. The sound of wings, a battle cry, someone lifting him from cold stone. The memory was fragmented, but unmistakable.

“You saved me,” Danny murmured, his eyes widening. “I remember your wings. You fought them to protect me.”

Malachi’s amber eyes softened. “With my fellow Slayers, yes.”

Danny gasped as a jolt of electricity sparked where his fingers met Malachi's skin. “What the fuck?”

The sensation traveled up his arm and spread through his chest, warm and tingling, like nothing he’d ever experienced. Something inside him responded, a dormant part awakening to the touch.

Malachi’s eyes widened. “You feel it too.”

Danny nodded, unable to form words as the connection between them intensified. It was as if a circuit had been completed, energy flowing freely between them. The pain in his head and side momentarily faded, replaced by a rush of heat and... He frowned again.

Belonging.

Abruptly, Malachi stepped back, his form shimmering again as he returned to his human appearance. The torn clothing reappeared intact, and those piercing green eyes studied Danny with a mixture of curiosity and what seemed suspiciously like longing.

Danny still tingled from the contact. “That was rather interesting. Shocking, but definitely interesting.”

“Our connection runs deeper than you can imagine.” Malachi’s voice turned husky. “I look forward to us exploring it together.”

“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Danny ran his hands through his hair, trying to process everything. His brain felt clearer now, the fog from earlier dissipating. “So what exactly happened when I touched you? Because it’s seriously got me all twisted up inside.”

Malachi sat on the edge of the bed, seemingly careful to maintain a small distance between them. “There's more to our bond than rescuer and rescued.”

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