Page 9 of Mated to the Gargoyle
“Yes.Inaddition to being an incredible investor and patron of the arts,”Hugoexplained, “Adelaidewas a witch.”
Whoa.I’dnever heard her referred to as a witch.
“Shewas gifted with the elements and able to work with the earth’s energy.”Henodded to himself. “Quitebrilliant in many ways.”Hisvoice sounded wistful.
“Inever met her,”Iadmitted with regret.
“Ionly did so a few times,” he replied. “Andwhen we spoke, she told me that one of the most important aspects of her arrangement was that we not only protect the library and all in it, but we must also protectyou.”
Mybrain whiplashed. “Why?Ididn’t know her.Shedidn’t know me.Ihadn’t even started working here when she died.”
Hugo’slips tightened before he shrugged. “ThatIdon’t know.Butit’s said she had the gift of foresight.”
Mybrows shot upward. “Meaningshe could see the future?”
HUGO
Thefear inAnya’seyes twisted at me.I’ddo whatever it took to alleviate it, yet had to consider whatIrevealed.WhatItold her could terrify her more.
“That’showIinterpreted her gift,”Ireplied. “ThatAdelaidecould see things that others can’t.”
Shesearched my eyes. “Andyou watch over me?”
Itook a deep breath and admitted, “Yes.”
Shegasped. “Always?”
“No.”Ishook my head. “I’mnot inside your apartment or anything like that.ButIstay nearby to ensure you’re safe.”
Herlips parted and her breath came quicker. “Butwhy?Areyou like a guardian angel?”
“Notquite.I’ma gargoyle.”
Sheclosed her eyes and rubbed them, then she reopened them. “Howcan this be real?Gargoylesare stone statues.They’renot alive.Theydon’t spring to life and fly around the library and drop people.”
Istepped toward her and gently took her by the upper arm. “It’sbeen a long night.Whydon’t we go to your apartment, andI’llmake you a cup of tea so you can relax.”
Hereyes widened.Shepulled her arm back and stepped away, rubbing whereI’dtouched her. “YouthinkI’mgoing to invite a strange man, no, someone who isn’t even human, into my apartment?”
Iwinced.
“Wait, no, this isn’t real.Youcan’tbe real.”Sheraised her hand to her temples. “Imust be hallucinating.Imaginedthis entire thing.MaybeI’mdreaming.MaybeI’vebeen drugged.”
“Anya,Iknow this is difficult for you to understand, but it’s none of those things.Thisis real.”Iplaced my hand on my chest as ifIcould shield my heart from breaking with seeing her pull away from me.Thedistrust on her face sliced like a sword.
Shetook another step backward and narrowed her eyes as she stared at me. “Idon’t think so.Whathappened here today is impossible.I’mgoing home and will sleep it off and tomorrow everything will be back to normal.”
Thefringes of my heart crumbled.Iraised my hand, aching to reach out to her and get her to see, to understand, but it was no use.WhenI’dtouched her, she’d yanked out of my reach.Herreaction spelled it all out.Shewasn’t ready to accept this.
Orme.
Asshe retreated, keeping her eyes fixed on me as ifIwere a threat, her rejection lanced at me like a chisel on stone.
I’dshown her my true form, and she looked horrified.
HowcouldIever have entertained the idea that it could be any other way?Shewas human.Shecouldn’t accept whoIwas.Andthat meant that as painful as it was,Iwould have to let her go.
Onceshe was a couple of dozen feet away, she turned and ran from me.Istared at her retreating from me, the ache within gnawing at me.
