Page 49 of Gaga for the Gargoyle
The walk to the hospital isn’t the same.
I stop at the cathedral, expecting to feel that strange tug in my chest, but it’s not there. It had to have been Xander all those times. He’d mentioned that he stands guard on the church’s roof nearly every night. It’s somewhat of a headquarters for him.
Is that why I was so drawn to the location?
While there was no tug at my heart tonight—only the unease of not having Xander by my side—I do sense that something is watching me. I almost call Xander in a panic until I remember he has two of his human assistants following me.
They could at least introduce themselves so I can stopfreaking out.
I make it to work with five minutes to spare and clock in for my shift. I meet with the day nurse I’m replacing for reports on patients. By the time that’s done, the sun is set, and a gorgeous gargoyle enters through the emergency room doors.
My eyes widen because I always forget no one else can see them like this. Then my cheeks redden because I’ve only met Elara once, and I was as flustered then as I am now.
She’s tall, at least six feet, and curvy with black hair, a light shade of purple skin, and silver eyes like Xander.
“Hello, human,” she says as she approaches me.
“Hello, gargoyle,” I counter.
“Cute.”
“I know I am.”
She snorts, a small smile trying to break through her grumpy fanged face. She’s quick to put that tough mask back up.
Her phone rings, and she rolls her eyes before answering.
“Yeah.” Pause. “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, Your Majesty?” Pause. “Fine.”
She stuffs the phone back in her tight jeans and sighs.
“There’s unusual activity near the hospital, and I’ve been ordered to take you into hiding until the threat has been cleared.”
“Oh. Okay, but wouldn’t I be safest here in the hospital?”
She shrugs. “I don’t question my brother’s orders.”
I take out my phone to text Xander, but Elara snatches it from my hand.
“No phones. They could be tracking you.”
She tosses it in the trash, and I almost punch her in the face, but she has more muscles than me, so I resist the urge.
Xander is not going to be happy that I’m without a phone, especially when he can’t get a hold of me. Plus, who is this “they” she’s talking about, and how would they be able to track me?
Something’s not adding up, but what the hell do I know about gargoyle protection and evil threats against New York City?
I ask a coworker to cover for me, then Elara leads me down a less busy hallway until we reach an exit door. She opens it and waves her hand toward the dark trash area behind the hospital.
“We probably shouldn’t leave.”
Not to mention, my gut is telling me something is wrong. My heart pounds against my chest, almost painfully. My fight or flight is preparing to kick in.
“My brother is out there waitingfor you,” she says.
I expect the words to taste sour like the day Locheran lied to me, but all I taste is the coffee I had for breakfast, so I have to believe she’s telling the truth that Xander is really out there.
Besides, this is his sister. Why would she lie to me?
