Page 20 of Guardian of Shadows

Cruz called out that they would be landing soon, so Anthony pulled Elle down beside him. He fastened her seat belt, even though if something were to happen during the landing, Tony would keep her safe. Elle grabbed his hand when the landing gear dropped, and relaxed once they were taxiing. She was chewing her bottom lip as the jet came to a stop.

Anthony squeezed her hand. “Nervous?”

“A little. Thran knew I wasn’t helping the dark during the battle, and I’m sure he and Yari spoke about that. Still, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.” Elle unbuckled and turned to look out the window. They had made good time, but it was close to six thirty, and the sun wouldn’t be up for a couple of hours yet. Being a Goyle, Anthony could see several people waiting outside the hangar of the private airfield. There was no doubt the tall blonde was Elle’s sister. She was dressed in jeans, leather boots that came to her knees, and a hooded parka. It was her long hair and pointed ears that gave her away. Yari might have almost eight decades on Elle, but they could pass for twins.

“By the smile on Yari’s face, I’d say she’s as excited as you are.”

“You can see her?” Elle leaned closer to the window.

“Gargoyle sight. Wait. Do you have a coat? It’s cold out there.”

“Only a jacket, but I don’t want to ruin my appearance.”

“I think your sister would rather you be warm than stylish.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said with a little heat, so Anthony let it go. He stood and held out his hand. Elle’s grasp was firm as he led her to the door where Cruz had already lowered the steps. Before they reached the ground, Yari was sprinting across the tarmac.

“Elledan!” she yelled. Elle froze briefly, then released Anthony’s hand and rushed down the stairs, into her sister’s open arms.

“Oh, Yari.” Elle hugged her sister as she burst into tears.

Anthony closed the distance as Urijah, Banyan, Brent, and a pretty brunette approached from the opposite direction. If the female was a dragon princess, she didn’t scream royalty the way she was dressed down.

“Anthony, good to see ya.” Banyan, the Norse Gargoyle King, held out his hand. Anthony inclined his head in respect before shaking. Next was Urijah, who looked like the Viking he was.

When it was Brent’s turn, he placed his hand on the female’s back. “Anthony, good to see you again. I’d like to introduce my mate, Princess Cassiopa of Evyndral.”

Anthony placed a fist over his heart and bowed his head. “On my honor, Princess.”

The female giggled. “Thank you, Anthony, but please call me Cassi. And gratitude for bringing Elledan to reunite with Yari. It’s been too long since the sisters were together.”

Anthony kept Elle in his sights as he explained, “I wish our reason for visiting was merely for a reunion.”

“Yes, Travis explained the sigil. If Tovin’s body hadn’t dropped beside the portal, we would have assumed Grevolus hid himself and Elle. Queen Zarina reopened the portal, but they were nowhere to be found.”

“If she reopened it into Norway, you wouldn’t have found them. Somehow, they ended up in South Carolina in the U.S.”

“Tovin’s demise must have messed with it then. Yari has already spoken with the Queen, and she is ready to receive Elle.”

Elle and Yari approached with their arms around each other. “Anthony, this is my sister, Yaricelan. Yari, please meet Anthony Stone, my mate.”

Surprising Anthony, Yari pulled him into a fierce hug. “Thank you, Anthony. I’ve been so worried about Elledan.”

He patted her back while looking at Elle who was being hugged by Cassi. Once Yari released him, Elle took her place, wrapping her arm around his waist. Tony introduced the Gargoyles to his mate, who all fisted their hearts and vowed their honor.

“When can we see Queen Zarina?” Elle asked Yari.

“She is waiting for us, but we need to be somewhere private to open the portal.”

“Let’s head home, then,” Brent offered. He held out his hand, and Cassi took it easily. Anthony didn’t know if they’d completed the bond, but they were comfortable around Brent’s uncles. If they’d been courting for four years, they should be.

“Let me grab our bags,” Anthony offered. He jogged back to the jet, where Cruz had placed their luggage at the bottom of the steps. Banyan approached the pilot and his mate. Anthony introduced them, and Banyan vowed his honor to Celeste before holding his hand out to Cruz. “Marcie, a friend of ours who runs Brynna and Travis’s hotel, has a room set up for you. You can either borrow one of our vehicles and drive yourself, or we can take you.”

Cruz inclined his head. “If it isn’t out of the way, a ride would be appreciated. Once we get to the hotel, we’ll remain there in case Anthony needs us.”

Banyan grinned. “You won’t lack for company with Marcie and her brother, Lawrence, to keep you entertained.”

“Let me stow the plane in the hangar, then we’ll be ready.”

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