Page 45 of Protected By the Gargoyle
As she rushed away, Larissa swore under her breath. Janie cursed how she couldn’t run like she had before the blast that injured her legs but moved as quickly as she could.
When she burst through the door leading to the rooftop, she was out of breath. Snowflakes cascaded down, leaving the rooftop shimmering beneath the full moon. It glowed with an eerie bluish tint. Her mouth felt dry. She didn’t like this. The moon had appeared red the night the demons had slipped in months ago, and there had been an eclipse. She’d been around supernaturals enough to have learned of lunar power.
She turned in a semi-circle, searching for Arto. Larissa followed behind her.
Movement at one of the corner pillars caught her attention. A gleaming sword was perched beside it on the rooftop. The stone gargoyle shifter dismounted from a perch and descended to the rooftop, shaking off the snow as it transformed. Arto shifted into his human form, hair wet and body glistening, looking more seductive than ever.
“Janie?” he asked with a hint of incredulity in his tone. “What are you doing here?”
She took hurried steps toward him and then slowed. “Arto, I had this terrible feeling. I just had to see that you are okay.”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “You shouldn’t be out here. It might not be safe.”
“Okay, but first—I have to tell you something.” She turned toward Larissa. “Can you give us a moment?”
“Of course.” Larissa headed back inside, and the door closed behind her.
He furrowed his brows. “What is it?”
She took a deep, shaky breath before she revealed what she had to say. “Arto.” She swallowed. “Arto, I came to tell you—”
“No!” His eyes widened in pure anguish.
He lunged for her, but she was knocked off her feet, and then airborne.
She glanced down at the red arm with sharp claws pinned around her waist. A scream crawled up her lungs as her brain caught up to what had happened.
The horror exploded out of her mouth with blood-curdling terror.
CHAPTER13
ARTO
Arto’s worst fear came to fruition as it played out before his eyes. The demon that he’d been hunting for days and nights, which had eluded him time and again, slipped in through the darkness, as if appearing out of nowhere, and grabbed Janie from the roof. How had it gotten here so fast? Diego had just reported seeing it flying toward Boston Common, but it had disappeared when he pursued.
As the demon soared from the tower, carrying her dangling from its claws, her shriek echoed in his ears.
It took her. Somehow the motherfucker had gotten by him to snatch her.
He’d failed to keep her protected. Again.
In the next heartbeat, he shifted back to gargoyle form and soared into the night sky after Janie.
He communicated to the other sentries:The demon is flying northeast from the compound. It took Janie. I’m in pursuit.
So many questions and comments came in reply, assaulting his focus. He had to shut them down to concentrate on his target. The sense of failure swelled but was quickly squashed by necessity. He didn’t have time for that bullshit now. Hehadto get to Janie.
Demons were fast, and this one was especially elusive. That was one area that demons had an advantage.
He neglected to grab something in his haste—his sword. Fuck! He’d have to fight the demon without a weapon. It would be a battle of fists and claws—if he reached him.
Arto pumped his wings as fast as he could, keeping his gaze fixed on his target. Determination fueled his veins. The clouds loomed dark and low in the sky, marking the air with an oppressive weight.
The demon swooped between and around the modern, sleek buildings along the waterfront. Janie’s legs dangled beneath her as she kicked out, and her blond hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
The chase continued as the demon swerved and evaded Arto’s approach. The distance between them greatened. His lungs beat hard, but he wouldn’t let exhaustion overtake him, not when it came to his mate.
He gritted his teeth and powered on, wings slicing with vicious speed through the air. The demon was fast—too fast.
