Page 55 of Gaga for the Gargoyle
I bring my best friend and commander into a hug, something I vow to do more. All my life, he was a better brother than Magnus. Locheran’s unsure what to do at first before his body relaxes, and he accepts the embrace.
“I owe you, brother.”
Locheran clears his throat. “I’ll take you up on that someday,” he says, and we part.
The moment he leaves, I pick Evangeline up to carry her into the bedroom.
“How many apartments do you own in this building?”
“I own all the units on the two floors below the penthouse,” I explain while stripping her out of her bloodied scrubs. “A few of my soldiers stay in some of them to be near me. I always keep a few apartments vacant in case of emergencies like tonight. Your mother will be staying in one.”
“It’ll be safe, right?”
“I have no doubt your mother will add her own wards, but yes, it will be safe.”
I lead her to the bathroom where I wash her body and hair then dry her off with a towel. I dress her in a pair of her pajamas and lead her back into the bedroom where I tuck her in.
Birdie jumps on the bed and curls up by her side.
“My kitten and her cat,” I say.
Evangeline hums. “Thank you for bringing me back to life. Dying wasn’t fun. It was like I was stuck in a dark room, yelling loud enough that I lost my voice. No one could hear me. Then I saw a light, and I heard your voice.”
I settle in behind her, draping my arm over her stomach and kissing her neck.
“Xander?”
“Yes, Kitten?”
“You also own my heart,” she says.
“I do?”
“Always,” she whispers and just before she falls asleep, she adds, “I love you.”
Chapter 15 – Evangeline
Istand on the rooftop of Xander’s building. Evil gargoyles soar over the skyline of Manhattan, reminding me of that scene fromThe Wizard of Ozwhen the Wicked Witch of the West sends the flying monkeys to kidnap Dorothy.
Two gargoyles swoop down, grabbing me by the arms and holding me in place. Magnus lands in front of me and stabs me in the heart.
I jerk awake, gasping for air.
It was just a dream.
I glance over at Xander, but his snores are as loud as ever. How I’m able to sleep through the sawing of logs, I’llnever know.
I pick up my phone to check the time. Two more hours until sunset. There’s no way I’ll be able to fall back asleep. My heart rate is still high from the nightmare.
I get out of bed and use the restroom, then head to the kitchen to start up a pot of coffee. While making myself a bowl of cereal, Birdie jumps on the counter and chirps until I give her some wet food.
I finish my coffee and cereal before Xander wakes so I brush my teeth and return to bed.
I’mready.
I straddle Xander, and his eyes pop open.
“Good morning, my king,” I say with a smile.
