Page 29 of Gargoyle Sentinel

Emma’s eyes flashed red again, confirming she was no longer just his shallow sister but something corrupted. “You’re nothing. Nothing! I’m special, unlike most of the losers on this planet. All I needed was a little push in the right direction.”

Danny tried to pull away from Mal to get to Emma. “I’ll give you a push in the right direction. Ever visit the Grand Canyon?”

Malachi held onto Danny, fighting against his mate’s strength as pointless as Emma struggling with Cassiel. “Don’t, Danny. Her fate is sealed, and her judgment awaits. Cassiel will take her to the peak where she will pay for her crimes.”

Danny buried his face against Malachi’s chest, his sister’s unholy cries like more daggers threatening to pierce his skin. As the other Slayers worked on clearing away all the ash, Malachi held him gently and rubbed his back, whispering soft words of comfort.

Danny allowed his emotions to break free, to weep for the loss of his old life, to accept that they never loved him, and would gladly discard him like trash. Even in his angriest moments, he hadn’t wished for them to be harmed.

Danny sniffed, opening his eyes. He caught sight of his parents lying unconscious on the floor, his mother sprawled across the settee with his father crumpled nearby.

“Are they...” Danny couldn’t finish the question.

“Just unconscious.” Malachi shifted back to his human form. “We’ll make sure all the evidence of the shadows is removed. It will appear that they were vandalized and attacked by mysterious intruders. However, it’s possible that they’ll recall we were here and blame you for everything.”

Danny tensed. “Henderson will for sure remember we were here. What happens if the police come looking for us?”

“Even if they did, we’ll be in the Rockies lair where no human can touch us.” Malachi gave him a jostle. “Don’t worry about Henderson or the rest of the staff. They saw the Slayers in their human forms approaching the mansion as they ran. They’ll likely blame the attack on a bunch of ruffians when the investigators interview them.”

“Speak for yourself.” Ronen brushed his palms together as he approached them. “You’re the only ruffian I see here.”

Malachi ignored the dig. “Are you done?”

Ronen chuckled. “I think we’re good to go. Michael will want a full report at the safe house.”

Malachi gave a sharp nod. “We’ll drive back. I have to get the SUV out of here.”

As they left Danny’s now mutilated childhood home, he glanced over his shoulder to look at his parents one last time.

Danny shook his head in awe at the unbelievable aftermath of the battle. “Man. It’s a good thing the other Slayers showed up when they did.” He halted abruptly. “Wait. How did they know we needed them?”

Malachi opened the passenger door of the truck and held out his hand. “I sent a telepathic call of distress.”

“Of course you did.”

Danny accepted Malachi’s offer, his mate helping him into the seat of the tall vehicle. He could only imagine what else he was still clueless about when it came to his new world. As they traveled back to downtown Aspen, they passed police cars with sirens racing toward the estate. Danny hunched down in his seat.

“They have no idea we were involved, baby. I promise you.”

“Sorry. I think I’m getting paranoid after everything that’s happened.”

Malachi laid his hand on Danny’s thigh. “It breaks my heart that you’ve had to endure so much these past few days. But I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“Aww, you’re the best.” He really was. Danny pressed a hand to his stomach. “I could use some ice cream, though.” He licked his lips. “With lots of fudge and whipped cream.” Danny arched his eyebrows. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had anything as carby as that, but suddenly, it was all he couldthink about. “Do you think there’s ice cream back at the safe house?”

“If there isn’t, I’ll make sure you have some before the night is over.”

“Thanks, Mal.”

Danny relaxed in the cushy leather seat, finally letting go of some of the crippling tension from the attack. His anxiety came back as his thoughts drifted to his sister. He didn’t know how to feel about her betrayal other than really sad. Even if they never liked each other, she was willing to resort to sacrificing him? Brutal.

“Soooo… Emma’s judgment. What’s that going to be exactly? Clearly, you guys aren’t turning her over to the authorities.”

Malachi paused, as if weighing what he should say. “No. Not the human authorities. But in extreme situations like this, she’ll be getting a personal escort from Lucifer himself.”

Danny’s eyes went wide, and he let out a low whistle. “Do they have social media in hell?”

Malachi’s brow creased. “Not that I’m aware of.”

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