Page 53 of Protected By the Gargoyle
A lump wedged in Arto’s throat, and unrecognizable emotions intensified. “I’ve never felt so much... I don’t even know what to say.”
She gave him a sly smile. “Just tell me you love me.”
Happiness beamed within him. “I do love you, Janie.” He caressed her palm. “And I’ll love you always.”
She gazed at him with warmth in her blue eyes. “I love you too. It took me so long to realize it, but deep down, beneath all the excuses and defensive layers, I’ve always known you were the one.”
CHAPTER17
JANIE
“What I think is when Arto claimed me as his mate, it removed the demon’s mark,” Janie explained.
She and Larissa were having prosecco on Newbury Street, people-watching from a window as they sat inside a café. It had been a week since the incident with the demon. Larissa had recovered and was itching to get out.
“Really? How can you tell?” Larissa asked.
“Because the anxiety that has been living inside me rent-free is gone.” Janie patted her chest. “I’ve had it since I learned that demons existed; it was like this ever-present stamp of unease on my soul. They’d told me I was marked. I’ve lived in dread, fearing that one would come for me. But that terror is gone. I don’t feel like a demon magnet anymore. Arto must have severed that connection. After all, he broke through that hold dragging me to that portal or whatever that gaping nightmare was.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” Larissa nodded. “The bond between mates is powerful. Its magic is”—she gazed off as if searching for the right description—“incredible. Beyond anything I’ve encountered.”
“Even dark magic?”
“Especially that.”
They went over the craziness of the encounter with the demon once more, which had been the main topic of conversation at the compound all week. Although they might never know exactly how and where the demon came through, they were certain it was gone. The most likely case, they believed, was that the demon tried to come through the library but had trouble with all the magical protection there. Once Larissa had banished it, it had found another way through.
The book was now locked up under multiple layers of security so it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands. They’d debated destroying it, but since it contained the instructions on how to banish a summoned demon, it did have a purpose.
She picked up a menu. “Comfort food?”
“Hell yeah.” Larissa’s eyes brightened. “Creamy mac and cheese, for one. What else?” She glanced at the options listed.
“Ooh, the steak tips look good. Let’s get some of those. And the spinach dip for starters.”
Once they ordered a crap-load of food to share, Janie settled back in her chair with her prosecco. For the first time since the bombing had torn her body and life upside down, she looked forward to her future. They were all safe. The demons were gone.
And she was in love. It felt amazing.
“After all this,” Larissa began, “surely you must think you’re more than just the average human.”
Janie wiggled her fingers and laughed. “I might have a little sparkle that makes me irresistible to supernaturals.”
“Maybe you were sprinkled with fairy dust when you were a baby.”
She arched her brows. “Or maybe one of my great-great-great-grandparents banged a witch or shifter.”
Larissa’s eyes widened with surprise and then she chortled. “That would explain some things.” She nodded. “You were able to conjure magic from that book, and you can see through shifter-cloaking spells.”
“Maybe we’ll never know.” With a sly grin, Janie added, “I also seem to have captivated a gargoyle, like you, so my abilities could be part of that mystical mate connection.”
Her friend nodded with a conspiratorial smile. “It’s quite a wild ride. Fortunately, you have your best friend to help guide you through all the adjustments.”
“That worked out well.” Janie snapped her fingers.
After the server brought over their appetizer, a spinach and cheese dip with pita bread, Larissa scooped up some dip with the bread and popped it into her mouth. “Delicious. Nothing like comfort food after a rough patch.”
Janie snorted. “More like a disastrous portal to hell.” She took a bite and then moaned as the rich, warm cheese flowed over her tongue.
