Page 17 of Fated to the Gargoyle
“Areyou done for the night?”Iasked while glancing out, witnessing the city transform into darkness as the lights twinkled from nearby buildings.Islowly ran my fingertips down my glass.
WhenIturned,Dumonthad risen and his gaze appeared to track the movements of my fingers.Hesnapped his eyes up to meet mine and exhaled with a slow whoosh.
“Notyet.Ineed to check in with the sentries.Makesure all are well and see if they noticed anything that requires further investigation.”
Witha slow nod,Imurmured, “Itmust be difficult to be responsible for so many.”
Heshrugged in a noncommittal manner as he walked closer to me. “It’spart of my duties.”
“Isee.”Howstrange.Hislifestyle was so unlike mine, and not only because we were different species.I’dbeen on my own for so long and had moved so many times thatIhad no real attachments.Justpeople who were temporarily part of my life.Ihad no one to take care of and no one who took care of me.
Whenhe reached my side, he inhaled deeply and his eyes closed for a second.Washe smelling me?Hissenses had to be more acute than mine.Heloomed over me with his massive presence and scanned the city. “I’llalso connect with headquarters to see if there are any developments we need to be aware of.”
“Headquarters?”Itipped my head. “FortheStoneSentries?”
“Yes.”
“HereinMontreal?”
“No.”Heshook his head. “They’reinParis.”
“Ah.”Inodded. “Arethere units in other cities?”
“Allover,” he agreed. “Notjust cities.Whereverour presence is needed for protection, that’s where we go—granted, if there are enough of us.”Hismouth turned grim. “Unfortunately, there often appears to be more trouble in the world than we have the numbers to handle.”
Ilet that settle in.Teamsof gargoyles stationed in pockets around the world.Mostlikely unnoticed by the humans around them.AnyaandIcould see them, but that could be due to ourgrandmother’s bloodline—which remained yet another mystery in my ever-murky background.
“Didyou grow up inMontreal?”IaskedDumont.
“No.Myclan is from a remote area inQuebec.Imoved here as my ranks grew in theStoneSentries.”
“Andnow you’re a commander.Impressive.”
Heglanced down at me. “Whatabout you?”
Itapped my fingers on the side of my leg. “Iwas born here inMontrealbut moved to upstateNewYorkwhenIwas adopted.OnceIgraduated,Imoved around—Albany,NewYorkCity,Boston, a couple of towns inVermont…”
“Andnow you’re back inMontreal.”
“Yes.”Ireleased a slow breath.WhereIbegan.Couldit be whereIended up?Thatwas unclear.I’dnever felt as ifIbelonged anywhere, and that was something thatIdesperately craved.
Hefixed a steady gaze on me and then he jerked upright. “Ibetter go check on my team.Pleaseexplore as you wish.Ican show you my apartment, if you’d like.Ithas more of the comforts of home than the guest room.Books, movies, and so on.You’rewelcome to spend time there.”
Igave him a slow smile. “Youdon’t have to worry about me,Dumont.I’llentertain myself.”Inudged him with a small wave. “Goon and protect the city.I’llbe fine.”Istepped back inside, sure he’d be overly worried ifIremained out on the terrace alone.
Hefollowed me in and closed the door, locking it tight.Aftera lingering glance, he said, “I’llbe back as soon asIcan.”Thenhe turned and disappeared down the hall.
Istared after him.Howempty the space was without his presence, not just because of his size, but…Iwasn’t sure what it was.Therewas something about him.Aninner strength.Resolve.Determination.Hewas so different from any manI’dever met and so unlike me.Whensomething rattled me,Iran.Thatwas howI’dended up moving so often.
ButDumont?Hehad that quiet reserve that promised he would never back down.Hewouldn’t run.He’dface any danger head-on.Andthat confidence about him, which was somethingIlacked, was devastatingly appealing.
Iturned to look out the window once more.Howlong would it be before he returned?
Ididn’t seeDumontuntil late the next morning.Hestopped by my room, and we spent some time together over cups of coffee and fresh croissants before he had to head out again.
Afterhe left,Iread for a while and then spent several hours withAnya.Itwas still strange getting to know someone whomIshould be closer to than anyone, considering we were twins, but knew so little about.Afterwe shared more about ourselves, we switched to the topic of magic in our family—something that was still new to us both.
“Doyou think we really have it in us?”Iasked her. “Magic?”
