Page 25 of The Maestro's Mates
But Pavel could.
In a blink, he was stone, and one of the gargoyle’s muscled stone-gray arms wrapped around Sebastian’s waist. Sebastian let out a little yelp in surprise. He looked over, and Pavel had grabbed Justin with his other arm. Justin’s mouth was open, although he didn’t make a sound.
They were both trapped in the prison of Pavel’s arms, and they weren’t going anywhere. With a roar like a mix of lion and alligator, Pavel shot up. His horns hit the ceiling first, which was no longer protected by the strengthening spell, and punched through it with a frightening force.
As they emerged in the dark elevator shaft, Pavel’s flight swerved slightly as they burst through the wind barrier Sebastian’s sister had erected. It didn’t stand a chance against Pavel’s strength and speed. Sebastian thought the gargoyle might exit at the next floor, but he continued, flapping his wide wings as he shot to the very top floor. And he didn’t stop there. He burst through an emergency hatch to the roof, taking flight over the city.
“Pavel!” Justin cried out, his knuckles white as he gripped tightly to Pavel’s stone arms. “You have to stop! Someone will see us!”
The gargoyle didn’t answer. Sebastian stared into the demonic face of the stone creature. It was still recognizably Pavel, handsome and strong, but now the color of rock, and with the addition of large horns and terrifyingly sharp teeth.
How was it the man was even hotter in his gargoyle form?
Justin continued to protest, but Pavel didn’t register his complaints. They soared over the tops of skyscrapers, littlebits of green peeking out among the city blocks below, the miniature people going about their day like the tiniest reality show. The sun glinting on the glass and steel of the high rises turned Manhattan into a glittering, gold treasure.
Yes, they were hundreds of feet above the earth, and yes, they might be seen by any number of people, but instead of worrying, Sebastian was going to enjoy the view.
Wasn’t that the whole point of having a mate that could fly?
Chapter 11
Justin
Justin was impervious to most weather, but a chill had settled into even his supernatural bones by the time Pavel landed them on the roof of the Grosvenor covenhouse. The wind had whipped around them violently on their journey, and Justin wondered if Sebastian’s sister had been trying to blow them off course.
Sebastian stumbled as his feet hit the cement roof, and Pavel’s strong gargoyle arms loosened their grip. Justin landed more gracefully and instinctively reached out to steady Sebastian. When they touched, a shiver ran down Justin’s spine.
Sebastian nearly ending up on his ass made him even cuter. Much of the time, the witch projected an air of elegant mischief, but Justin found this gangly clumsiness even more endearing. He held Sebastian’s hand for a few moments longer than he needed to, reluctant to let go.
The man was dangerous.
He and Sebastian turned back to Pavel, who was still inhis stone form. His eyes were black, and he was moving slowly, like he was wading through cement.
“Pavel?” Justin asked.
The gargoyle’s jaw moved slowly, struggle showing in his eyes. Justin’s chest exploded with nervous anxiety. What was wrong with him?
“Go in. I have…to go dormant…a few hours…”
Staring at the gargoyle, Justin fought to understand what he was saying. Sebastian nodded and smiled gently, then put his arm around Justin.
“We’ll be waiting,” Sebastian said, and led him away.
After a few texts back and forth with Lillian, Justin located the roof access to the covenhouse. The building was quiet, and by the time they reached the large common room, weariness bore down on him. It had been a long day.
Justin sank into a sofa as Sebastian pulled out his phone and made a call, the witch biting his lip with worry. He nearly jumped when the person on the other end of the line picked up.
“Mother! Are you okay?”
Sebastian listened for a long moment, his eyes narrowing as his concern transformed into something colder. After a long while, he spoke again.
“Hold down the fort, then. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Slipping his phone into his pocket, Sebastian relaxed into a nearby armchair. His normal puckish demeanor was gone, and although Justin wouldn’t say the man wasserious, there was a new anger bubbling underneath.
“What happened?” Justin asked.
“My sister attacked the Circle. Her own cadre of witches has grown. They couldn’t get through my mother’s defenses, but it was close. She was shaken up. I’ve neverheard her like that before, she’s usually pretty unflappable.”
