Page 2 of Guardian of Shadows

“I don’t know.” Mason leaned forward and turned his laptop around. “This is the female.”

Anthony scowled. Why did the crazy ones have to be the most beautiful? And what was this female playing at? Maybe she enjoyed video games or some shit. “That’s no ghost. That right there is a fucking angel. A fallen angel if she’s the culprit, but damn.” His stomach rumbled, and his breakfast threatened to come up. Maybe he should’ve paid attention to the expiration date on the frozen sausage biscuits instead of considering it a mere guideline.

“What? Who are you looking at?” Mason stood and came around the desk, pointing to the female in the middle of the screen. “She’s the frumpy looking brunette there.”

“Frumpy? Man, you need your eyes checked. She’s a babe. And her hair’s blonde, not brown.” Tony didn’t mention the pointed ears.

Mason gaped at him. “Is this like one of those internet tests where different people see different color dresses or some shit? Because that woman looks like someone’s tired mother.”

“You aren’t disrespecting Willow by saying someone is gorgeous, Mason. That female is stunning. She’s tall, lithe, and her hair looks like spun silk.”

“I know I’m not disrespecting my mate, but you and I aren’t seeing the same female. Fuck. I wish I’d shown this to Tabitha before she left to get another opinion.” When Anthony opened his mouth to protest again, Mason held up a hand. “I’m not saying you aren’t seeing what you think you are, but why is it that our versions are so vastly different?”

“Hang on.” Anthony pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts.

“Hello, Trouble. What’s up?”

“Carleigh, I’m in Mason’s office, and we’re discussing the female in the bank.”

“Ugh. Don’t get me started on this. None of us have gotten any sleep since this came across our desks.”

“What does the female look like to you?”

“Like someone’s mother who needs a wardrobe update? I mean, she doesn’t look like a mastermind, which would make her the perfect suspect, amiright? But why are you asking that? Was the file corrupted?”

“No. I see someone completely different than you and Mason.”

“Who do you see?”

“A gorgeous female with long blonde hair. She’s... what’s the word when someone looks like an angel or a fairy? Ether—”

“Ethereal?” Carleigh snorted. “Are you fucking with me right now?”

Anthony rubbed his temples. “I wish I were. Why do I not see her the way you and Mason do? Is something wrong with my brain? Do you think it’s a tumor?”

“There’s definitely something wrong with your brain, but we’ve always known that,” his cousin joked.

“Funny. Seriously, though. Why does she look like a fairy to me?”

“Hmm. Certain Gargoyles have specific abilities that none of the rest of us possess. Maybe you can see through, I don’t know, disguises or something?”

“If that were the case, wouldn’t I see Tabitha’s real face when she’s wearing a prosthetic?”

“Fuckin’ hell, T. I don’t know. I’m spit-balling ideas here. But if you see someone none of the rest of us do, then you’re the perfect one to find this woman.”

“But how? If she’s hitting different banks in different towns, where would I start?”

“Why don’t you come here so you can look at all the footage? Maybe where it seems like she’s disappearing into thin air, you’ll actually see her.”

“Yeah, I can do that.” First, he was going to stop by the pharmacy for antacids. “See you soon.” Tony disconnected the call and caught Mason’s eye. “Tell me I’m not crazy.” Mason hesitated, and Anthony threw up his hands. “Don’t you start. I get enough shit from my family.”

“Sorry, but sometimes you open the door, and it’s hard not to step through.” Mason clapped Anthony on the shoulder. “Carleigh’s right. Some of us do have special abilities, so maybe this is yours, and it’s only now coming into play. Head on over to H3 and see what you see. If it’s nothing, we’ll regroup.”

H3’s office was located in the same building as Stone, Incorporated. Since the Walnut Street Towers were only a few blocks from the Steele Securities office, Anthony walked the short distance. His stomach was no longer rolling, which had been unusual in the first place since Goyles didn’t get sick, so he didn’t bother looking for a pharmacy.

Travis exited the elevator as Tony approached. “Hey, Anthony. Were you coming to see Grace or me?”

“Nah. I’m helping the Trio with a case. One that includes a bank robber who looks like a fairy.”

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