Page 8 of Fated to the Gargoyle
“Ido,”Anyareplied, one side of her mouth curling up into a smile. “Gargoyleslike to fly everywhere.”
Eloiseturned pale.Sheexhaled from her nostrils. “That'snot going to happen.”Shecrossed her arms. “Ever.”
Ouch.Thatrefusal hit me with a bolt of rejection.Refusingto fly?Preposterous.
Avision of flying withEloisein my arms on a beautiful summer night over theSt.LawrenceRiverentered my mind.Herblonde hair would flutter in the breeze.I’dhold her in my arms, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine.Iblinked to snap myself out of this fantasy, especially since she’d just squashed it as something that would never happen.Whydaydream about the impossible?
Anyaturned to me and said, “We’llorder a ride and meet you there.”
AlthoughIwanted to protest and say there was nowhereEloisewould be safer than in the arms of a gargoyle—one gargoylein particular—now was not the time.Ithad already been such a challenge to convinceEloiseto come with us to theVault.Ididn’t need to add any more obstacles to keep us from getting there.
Besides,Ihad to snap back into the mindset of a leader and not fantasize like a young gargoyle with a silly crush.Theonly reason she was coming with me was for protection, not to let me woo her as my mate.
Igrunted and focused on the mission. “Let’sgo.”
CHAPTER 5
ELOISE
“T
hat’swhere we’re supposed to stay?”Ipointed at the gray stone building with gargoyles mounted outside that our rideshare pulled up to.We’dstopped by my studio whereIthrew some clothes and toiletries into an overnight bag before driving through thePlateau.We’dpassed buildings with murals painted on the sides and a variety of ethnic restaurants and bagel bakeries, before we moved into a residential area withVictoriantownhouses with wrought-iron staircases covered with potted plants.Istared at the gothic building and gulped.
“Yes.”Anyaclimbed out. “Comeon.It’snice inside.Wecan chat in private.Andthe rooftop is great.”
Ifollowed her toward the entrance and gaped at the stone stretching up to the night sky.Twowinged beings, who were barely visible as their gray blended in with the darkness ofnight, flew toward the building and disappeared.Theymust have landed on the rooftop. “Holycreature double feature,”Imuttered under my breath.
Anyapeered over her shoulder. “Didyou say something?”
“Nothing.”Iexhaled with a whoosh.Thosewinged beingsInow knew by name, and in an unexpected twist,I’dagreed to spend the night in their gothic lair. “Justwondering whatI’mgetting myself into.”
Shegave me a reassuring smile and touched my arm. “Iknow it’s a lot, but you get used to it.”
Anyashowed me down a hallway lit by bright sconces.Doorson either side led to apartments where more gargoyles lived.
Whenwe passed one in the hall, he eyed me with a surprised expression before he wiped his face neutral.Itried to control my reaction and not freak out likeIhad whenI’dfirst seenHugoandDumont.
“Hello,Lyam,”Anyaaddressed him. “Thisis my sister,Eloise.”
Henodded. “Hithere,” he said in a low baritone.
“Hello,”Iresponded with a forced cheerful tone.
Oncehe opened one of the doors and disappeared inside,Iturned to her and spoke at a low volume. “Ididn’t realize there would be so many here.ThatI’dbe walking into an entire building full of them.”
Shebumped my arm with hers. “Ihardly ever see them.They’reoften out on patrol or resting in stone or flying.”
Inarrowed my eyes at her. “You’rejoking, right?”
Shegrinned. “No.”Shecocked her head as we walked through a vast dining room. “Areyou hungry?”
ThegyroI’date had been satisfying hours ago. “Icould eat something.”
“Good, becauseI’mstarving,” she said. “Ithink we could both use some comfort food.Goodol’ mac and cheese sound okay?”
“Soundsgreat.”
Ahalf an hour later,Iwas seated at a table with a glass of prosecco inHugo’sapartment.Hisplace was fairly basic with a sofa, dining area, kitchen, and bedroom.Ifound signs ofAnyascattered around, from a dark-green cardigan that would never fit a massive gargoyle to a couple of paranormal romance books on the end tables.Sinceit seemed like she was in a relationship withHugo, it appeared as if she was living out a real-life version.He’dstopped by and she’d invited him to eat, but he declined, letting us have some time to catch up alone.He’dbent down and kissed her on the lips before he left.
