Page 37 of Mated to the Gargoyle
Myeyes opened with a jolt.Iglanced around me, spotting the old books and table, and sat upright.Imust have fallen asleep here inAdelaide’sspace.OrVictoria.Mygrandmother.
Wow.Itwas a lot to take in.Iexhaled and stood.Whattime was it?Iglanced at the time.Ionly had about two hours beforeIhad to open the library.Thatwould give me just enough time to rush home, take a shower, and change out of the clothesIwore yesterday before getting back to the library.
OnceI’ddone so and started my shift with an extra-large coffee, it was in a daze.WhocouldItalk to about whatI’dlearned?Anyone?Itcould be dangerous.
Isighed.Onlyone man.Orgargoyle, rather.Iglanced at his statue.Hewas the only one who’d understand.
WheneverIremembered howHugohad taken care of me, how considerate he was, how he looked at me with adoration and as ifIwere the most beautiful woman in the world,Iquestioned whatI’ddone.
Mate.Isighed.Insteadof doing the rational thing and trying to better understand what that meant,I’drun away—just asIhad whenI’dfirst seen him shift from stone.
Perhapsit was timeIstopped running and started acting brave.Afterall, he’d shown his courage countless times to protect me from harm.He’dtaken a bullet for me.Entereda burning house to save me.Icould learn from my courageous stone protector.
Wherewas he now?
Iglanced at the other gargoyles in the library.Asfar asIknew, these ones were simply stone.Theydidn’t have that bright, shining light within.Butthe ones mounted outside were part ofHugo’sclan.StoneSentries, he’d called them.MaybeIshould go to the rooftop after dark and try to communicate with them.
Laterthat afternoon, a man walked up to my desk, interrupting my melancholic thoughts.Hewas strikingly attractive and maybe in his late forties.Hehad broad shoulders and long blond hair draping behind him.
“CanIhelp you?”Iasked.
“Yes.”Hesmiled broadly. “I’mlooking for books on the occult.Canyou show me where to find them?”
Themuscles in my thighs tightened, a result of my unexpected discoveries as of late.Iquickly scanned him beforeIreplied, as ifIcould detect whether there was anything off about this request.
Hegazed at me with a friendly expression, one not at all menacing, as he patiently waited for me to respond.
Willyou do your job and stop assessing patrons as a threat?Iscolded myself.Thelast few days had left me anxious and on edge.
“Ofcourse,”Ireplied with a small smile. “Followme.”
AsIwalked through the nonfiction stacks,Ipointed to shelves that held our small collection of books on subjects that included astrology, modern magic, and supernatural mysteries around the world. “Hereyou are.”
Hebent forward and scanned the bindings. “Hmm.”
“Somethingwrong?”Iasked.
Heturned to me with furrowed brows. “Isthere another section where you’d store them?”
Theback of my neck prickled asIpictured the special collections. “Areyou looking for something in particular?”
Hislips spread into a slow smile. “Iheard of a special collection in this library.AndsinceI’ma lover of books,Ihad to come and see for myself.”Hiseyes twinkled as he stared at me with a devilish gleam. “Doyou happen to know where these books would be?”
Washe flirting?Thishandsome stranger intrigued me yet made me anxious. “Ifyou’re referring to any of the books in the special collections, you’d have to put in a request.”Imotioned to one of the computers available for patron access.
“Oh, too bad.”Hisvoice lowered with disappointment. “Iwas hoping you’d show me now.”Hefixed a steady gaze on me, one that left no doubt that he was coming on to me.
Somethingabout his vibe was off, and my skin prickled.
“I’mafraid that’s not possible.”Oncehe put in the request,I’dhaveRoberthandle it.Ididn’t have it in me to deal with any odd patrons right now.
Thedevilish glint returned to his eye. “Whattime do you finish your shift tonight?”
Istraightened, taken aback by his question. “Whydo you ask that?”
Hismouth spread wider into a suggestive smile. “BecauseI’dlike to take you to dinner.”
Iblinked at him with surprise. “Excuseme?”
