Page 19 of Gaga for the Gargoyle
Chapter 6 – Xander
“What do you mean? Who was it here for?”
I could be wrong. I don’t want to scare her, but there’s no denying that something wanted to get through my barrier, which has never happened before. Not until I brought a human into my home.
“You said your mother told you about supernatural beings? That there are good and bad ones?”
She nods.
“The bad ones are able to disguise themselves as humans to find their victims. We protect the city the best that we can, but sometimes evil slips through, especially during the day.”
“Why during the day?”
“Because the sun temporarily turns gargoyles to stone. We are not able to patrol, leaving our protective barriers vulnerable to an attack. Certain celestial and astronomical events also weaken our wards.”
Her eyes widen, now fully invested. “What type of astronomical events?”
“Eclipses, meteor showers, All Hallow’s Eve. The veil between worlds is thinnest during these occurrences, and it allows supernatural beings who are stronger to penetrate the shields.”
“So, what kind of supernatural beings are we talking about?”
“Demons, rogue angels, creatures from the underworld.”
She gasps. “What about vampires? Are they real? Werewolves?”
“Yes, though vampires and werewolves are not necessarily evil. Vampires can fall into bloodlust if they’re not able to find a donor in time, and werewolves lose their humanity to silver poisoning.”
“Fascinating. What about bigfoot? The Loch Ness monster?” She giggles, and I nudge the glass of water closer to her. She rolls her eyes but takes a sip.
“Bigfoot yes, but they stick to the forests. The Loch Ness monster, no one knows. I’m mostly talking abouthellhounds, banshees, harpies...any mythological creature you can think of can have ill intent. Even gargoyles can become a threat. Me and my army sense any evil, and we defeat it before they can do harm or form a resistance large enough to bring down our shields.”
“Locheran saidyouwere becoming weaker.”
I swipe my palm down my face. “He did, did he?”
“Why? Are you sick?”
My anger about Locheran spilling my secrets fades as I take in her concern. My hand finds her cheek again. I can’t help it. I love touching her. Her skin is soft and warm. I want to tell her why I’m becoming weak, but I’m worried it will scare her away. What if sheismy fated mate? If it is her destiny to be mine, she’d still have free will. She’d have to willingly accept me as her mate before we’re able to perform the bonding ritual to bind our souls. But I don’t want her to feel pressured if I tell her I could die if this does not happen.
“I’m weakening because I am approaching my thousandth year of living.”
Somewhat true, just not the entire truth. I can only hope she won’t hate me when I confess everything.
“One thousand,” she whispers and hums.
I expected her to question me about my age, but she says nothing. Instead, she reaches for my hand, taking itin hers. Such a tiny hand compared to mine. Her touch is electrifying, and I hold my breath as she traces her fingertip over my palm, then across all four of my fingers and along my nails.
“They’re so long and sharp.”
I retract them, and she gasps. Many new things she discovers about me gets that reaction.
Nothing has scared her away yet.
Will she let me exploreherbody once we get over the night’s excitement?
“I’m sorry you had to go through this tonight. Like I said, whatever tried to get through the barriers was after something. If it’s you, then I need to know why.”
“Me? But I’m just a human.”
