Page 24 of Mated to the Gargoyle
“Okay.”Iwouldn’t push her.Nottonight at least.Notafter what she’d gone through.Weflew in relative silence for several minutes whileIkept watch for danger, all the while relishing this experience of cradling her in my arms.Thisscenario was oneI’dfantasized about a thousand times while in stone, but to do so while immersed in flight made it even more magical.
Aswe flew along theSt.LawrenceRiver,Ipointed out landmarks below. “We’repassing over theVieux-Port.Youcan see theClockTowerandLaGrandeRouelit up.It’seven more beautiful at night from this vantage point.”
Sheturned her head, brushing her cheek against my chest, and then sighed.
“Whatis it?”Iasked with concern.
ANYA
Icouldn’t believeIagreed to this.Iwas in a gargoyle’s embrace as he flew me overMontreal.I’dspent most of the flight terrified and clutching his body, but dared to peek below and was stunned.Thelights, the buildings, the water all looked so magical from this perspective.
“Thecity—”Ipaused, awe capturing my voice. “It’smagnificent.”Ilifted my head to see more.
“Yes, it is,”Hugoagreed. “Flyingover the city at night is one of my favorite things.”
Ashe pointed out more landmarks,Iclung to him, but some of the tension had left my rigid body.
“Youcan barely even hear the traffic up here,”Imarveled.Thesounds of the city below were muted.
“WhenI’mup here, all my troubles don’t seem as important.”
Iconsidered that. “Ican see why.”
“Notso scary?” he asked.
“Oh, it’s terrifying.”Ichuckled. “Aslong as you don’t let me go.”
“Never,” he promised. “I’mturning to fly over the city now so we can head to thePlateau.”
“Okay.”Igripped him more tightly.
Weflew over a residential area, andHugopointed to a building ahead. “That’swhere we’re headed.”
Ifollowed where he pointed. “Thatgothic looking building with gray stone?”Ilet out a small laugh. “Ithas to be.Ithas gargoyles perched on the sides.”
Hechuckled. “That’sthe one.TheVault.”Aswe approached it, he said, “We’regoing to descend.Don’tbe alarmed.”
“I’lltry not to.”Still,Itightened in his arms.
Hepositioned us upright as we lowered to a rooftop.Severalseating areas, potted plants, and a hot tub spread across the surface.Oncehis feet touched the ground,Ifollowed, but stumbled.Hugoheld my upper arms to keep me steady.
Myhair had been tousled by the wind, andIattempted to tame it. “Wow, that was—incredible.”
Hugobeamed at me. “Youwere so brave.”
Thisentire experience was surreal.Ichewed my bottom lip, remembering the reasonIwas here. “Doyou think he’ll be able to get to me,Hugo?”
Hugo’sexpression hardened. “He’slocked up far from here, under guard by manySentries.”Thenhe fixed a determined gaze on me. “ButIpromise,I’llnever let him touch you.”
CHAPTER11
ANYA
Hugoshowed me to a simple room with little more than a bed and dresser.Heasked whatIneeded from my apartment and then took both a list and my key, saying he’d have someone retrieve them.
Heinvited me to his space for dinner.Wesat in his apartment, one that was almost as small as mine.Thedifference was the epic view of the city and the shared living space with other massive gargoyles.I’dmet three others tonight, including the commander,Dumont, who’d invited me here.NotbecauseIwas a guest, but becauseIcould be in danger.
Wonderful.
