Page 44 of Protected By the Gargoyle
Janie dropped her head back and groaned. “Everything is happening too fast. I mean, we can’t go from being friends one day to being in a relationship the next. And not the fun, early stage of a relationship when you’re getting to know each other and have all those fluttery feelings—but one in which you already know each other so well. And then he admits he feels this incredible, overwhelming, life-bonding, surreal connection…”
Larissa laughed. “That’s one way to describe it.” Her expression turned serious. “But I know what you mean. It’s super intense. You don’t have to rush into anything. Arto has waited for you; he’ll continue to wait. If you’re his fated mate, his feelings won’t disappear. You have time to adjust.”
Janie turned her head away. “With what’s going on out there, time might be something we don’t have.”
She killedthe next few hours with Larissa. When they ate, she picked at her food, missing how she’d shared meals with Arto.
When they moved into Larissa and Roman’s space, Janie wrung her hands and paced back and forth. She stared out into the night for what seemed like every ten seconds or so. Snow flurries drifted on and off, casting a magical sparkle to the night. But she hated all those sentries out there in the cold, putting themselves in danger as they searched for a demon. Especially Arto.
Regret loomed heavy in the air, stifling her. It bloomed into something much bigger—one of danger. She’d had this pervading sense of it flickering inside her since she’d been targeted by demons, but tonight it grew oppressive, swelling in her chest.
“Are you okay?” Larissa asked in a concerned tone.
Janie chewed her lower lip. “I can’t shake this feeling that something bad is about to happen.”
Larissa grunted. “You sound like me.” She arched her brows. “Maybe you’ve been hanging out with me too much.”
Janie wiped her hand along her sides. “No, it’s not that. I can’t see anything. It doesn’t sound like one of your premonitions. It’s just a—” She gestured with her circular motion in front of her chest. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels like icicles clamping over my ribs. My lungs are constricted, making it hard to breathe.”
“That sounds terrible.” Larissa motioned to the sofa. “Sit. I’ll make you some tea.”
She shook her head. “I can’t. Not with this sense of dread churning in my gut. I get the feeling that—” She paused and tried to make sense of it. “I’m afraid that Arto is in danger.”
Larissa tipped her head and gave her a sympathetic look. “I’ll check with Roman.” Her eyes appeared slightly out of focus when she communicated with him. Then she blinked and focused on Janie. “Arto’s back here at the compound.”
Janie stood and rushed down the hall toward his room. She knocked on it with urgency. “Arto? Arto, it’s me.”
“He’s not there,” Larissa said as she caught up with her.
Janie threw her hands up in frustration. “Where is he then?”
“He’s on patrol on the roof.”
Janie turned and headed toward the stairs leading to the rooftop.
“What are you doing?” Larissa called after her.
“I need to make sure he’s safe.”
“I’ll have Roman check.”
“No.” Janie’s heart thumped wildly in her chest as she turned to Larissa. “I have to see him.” She gulped. “Not only to see that he’s okay, but…” She sighed. “I have to let him know how I really feel.”
Larissa hissed and she contorted her face in a grimace as if conflicted. “Can’t you wait for him to come inside?”
Janie shook her head and shuddered, continuing toward the stairwell. “What if he doesn’t? I can’t live with that regret. It’s already consuming me.”
Larissa replied with a somber nod. “I’m coming with you.” When Janie opened her mouth, Larissa added, “I’m not going to be eavesdropping, but I’ll be on the other side of the door. It’s my turn to watch you.”
Janie blinked at her and gaped. “Watch me?”
Larissa turned away with a sheepish expression. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t.” A sour taste coated Janie’s tongue. “I thought you were hanging out with me as my friend, not as part of your duty.”
Larissa exhaled with a whoosh. “Janie, it’s not like that. We’re all working together to deal with this—”
“This situation that I started.” Janie raised her hand palm forward. “I get it, and I don’t want to hear anymore. You’ve done enough watching over me, Larissa. I made a mistake, and I should be the one dealing with it. And I can’t stay locked up inside this tower forever with everyone trying to protect me.”
