Page 51 of Gaga for the Gargoyle
“He’s your brother. He did nothing wrong. He didn’t ask to be king. He was chosen. Take it up with your Council of Elders.”
“My brother has been sharing all our secrets, I see.”
“He tells me everything. I’m his mate.”
“Yet you haven’t accepted the bond. Why?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Humans and their feelings,” he scoffs. “When I found my fated mate, we performed the bonding ritual the next night. We were married a week later. Why deny your destiny?”
“You don’t know shit about my destiny.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You see, my sister has been telling me everything I need to know. The visit with your mother. That mark on your palm. You being the one thing standing between me and my plan to rule New York City.”
Why would Elara betray Xander? I can’t think about that now. I need to keep Magnus talking. Xander is on his way, and he’s close. I canfeelhim.
“You gain control over New York City and then what? What’s your plan? Because I know you won’t keep me and Xander alive once he transfers over his royal powers.”
He chuckles and slowly paces the room.
“You’re a smart human, aren’t you? I can see why you’re my brother’s fated mate.”
He stops and looks me up and down.
“How lucky he is too. If I didn’t have my own wife, I’d consider keeping you for myself.”
Gross.
Magnus slowly walks toward me, and I back up against the wall, closing my eyes as he enters my personal space. His finger traces along my tattoos peeking out from my scrubs, creating little lightning storms of electric currents. It’s shocking him, a warning not to hurt me. If it’s painful, he doesn’t show it, because he hasn’t stopped touching me.
“My sister told me about these. They’re meant to protect you from evil, but the thing is, they’re useless against humans. Lucky for us, you have an ex-husband who’s a money-hungry, power-seeking twat. All we did was offer him his own law firm and a hefty paycheck to help us kidnap you.”
If Xander doesn’t kill Brandon, I will.
Magnus leans in and sniffs my neck. I shiver, revolted by his nearness.
“And my plan for New York City? It’s time for supernatural beings to take over.Weare at the top of the food chain.Humansare beneath us. I’m growing an army, short one. This is why that rogue vampire failed with his plan. He didn’t have the support, the numbers. The shifters, demons, orcs, and all of the other supes around this city will switch to my side once I remind them that we’re too powerful to be hiding in the shadows. It starts with New York City, then the United States, and the world.”
A giggle slips past my lips.
“What’s so funny, human?”
“Xander is going to kill you before any of that happens.”
“He can try.”
“Oh, he will.”
My mate is in the hallway. He’s already killed the handful of gargoyles and other supernatural beings that have been standing guard. At least, that’s what the vision that crossed my thoughts just showed me.
I’m not sure if it was sent by him through the fated mate bond. He’s been able to speak to me telepathically before, despite us not completing the bonding ritual.
Or maybe the vision is a power I inherited from my mother.
The door bursts open, and Xander and Locheran enter with long spear-like weapons in their hands.
“Grab her,” Magnus growls, and Brandon lunges for me, clutching me by the throat and tugging me against his body, my back to his front. The sharp tip of a blade pierces the side of my neck.
