Page 48 of Protected By the Gargoyle
Arto! Her heart thumped in her chest.
She opened her eyes and turned to stare at him—her friend and now lover. His gray features were hard and determined as he carried her. His vast wings spread with wondrous beauty against the moonlit sky. She couldn’t yet speak to express her buoyant relief. Instead, she clung onto his strong gray arms, so different from that hideous monster’s.
When she could finally find words, she said, “You came for me.”
“Of course.”
She kissed his cheek. It was tougher than his softer human skin. Although relieved, she couldn’t forget the danger. The demon was still out there. She searched through the dark sky and found movement reflected beneath the glow of the full moon—red wings flapping.
She pointed behind Arto. “It’s coming back.”
He squared his jaw and cast a cool glance behind him. He continued to soar, his massive, incredible, gray wings carving like knives through the wind. As they approached the tower, the ridiculously fast demon came closer.
Larissa stood on the rooftop with her hand extended as if she was preparing to use magic. But perhaps they were too close together. If she shot one of her bolts of energy from her hands, it might knock the three of them out.
Only feet remained. Janie’s anticipation soared, desperate to feel the steady presence of something solid under her feet.
And then, they were hit by a force. She tumbled out of Arto’s arms and onto the rooftop.
Larissa rushed over to her and helped her up. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Although dazed, she was in one piece—and most importantly, out of a demon’s clutches.
When she turned, Arto was engaged with the demon. Dark red clashed with gray. Roars of fury thundered. They slashed with claws, tumbling over each other in the sky.
“Can you do something?” Janie pleaded. “Shoot your fire bolt magic from your fingers or something.”
“I’m trying—but they’re too close. I don’t want to hit Arto.”
Janie’s muscles tensed. No, that couldn’t happen, not after all this. “What can I do? I have to do something.” She fretted as she watched the battle from the rooftop.
“Go inside,” Larissa said. “Roman is coming with more sentries.”
“I can’t leave you!”
“Please,” Larissa said. “I can’t let one take you again.”
Janie searched around. The sword! There was one leaning against the perch where Arto had been mounted in stone form. She ran over to it and grabbed it.
“Arto!” She waved the sword to catch his attention.
He glanced over but was too preoccupied by the demon. When he finally broke free, she held it out for him. He soared down, but the demon followed. As Arto’s fingers brushed the sword, the demon swiped at his back.
Arto hollered, and the sword fell from his fingers, the silver soon swallowed by the darkness of night.
She stared in horror. Arto was injured but still fought. Her attempt to help him made things worse. She couldn’t be stubborn and cause more trouble to those she loved, but she couldn’t leave them to fight and possibly die either.
She headed toward the door leading inside, watching them while she tried to think. Arto engaged the demon once more, but he was injured. She could see it in his slower movements. As they clashed in the night sky, blood spattered the roof, raining down on Larissa. She bent and used her arm to shield herself.
As Janie watched two people she loved fight what terrified her most, her heart raced. She had to do something to help them. Anything.
She could get another sword but couldn’t risk distracting him again, giving the demon an advantage to strike. Arto needed to focus on his opponent.
Janie scowled. There was only one way, no matter her distaste. It was the same way she’d gotten them into the mess.
She ran down to the library and was panting by the time she entered. After pulling down the painting of the reddish seaside cliffs, she faced the safe. The panel had a number pad. Now what? She didn’t know the code.
She tried common guesses—1111, 1234, 4321, 0000. Nothing.
