Page 23 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Whenshe trailed off,Iadded, “ThatDumontandIwould be a couple after a few days?Thatyou andIcould double-date gargoyles?”
Shechuckled and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Whenyou say it out loud, it sounds ridiculous.”
“Becauseit is.”Andeven ifImight have wondered about that odd fantasy myself, it would be foolish to do so.Dumonthad made his priorities clear with his role as commander.Imight have merely been a pleasant diversion last night, especially after he’d spent so much time protecting me.
Perhapsthat wasn’t an accurate assessment, but what else shouldIthink?Iwas only here temporarily.Dideveryone find me a burden?I’dpassed a few sentries in the halls sinceI’darrived, and although they looked at me more with curiosity rather than any sort of animosity,Iwas still a stranger inhabiting their space.Andtheir commander had told them to protect me.
DumontandIdidn’t have that soul-deep connection thatAnyahad tried to describe to me.She’dgiven me books to help me understand, andI’dread a wolf shifter one so far.Iagreed with her that the concept of mates sounded like whatIthought of as a soul mate—except with a distinct, primal sense of smell of knowing who was “the one.”
“Whereis he now?”Anyaasked.
“Outworking, doing whatever gargoyle-y things that gargoyles do.”
Sheclucked her tongue and then grinned. “That’sstill a mystery to me as well.Theycould be jammed up on the exterior of the building, being inconspicuous and unobserved as they watch the city below.Orthey could be smack dab in the middle of someplace like a library, such as howHugostood nearby for months beforeIknew there was any life to the stone.”
“Creepy,”Imuttered.
Sheshrugged. “MaybeIthought that way at first.Butnow, having him nearby is assuring.Knowinghe’s there makes me feel safe.Andcared for.”
Toobad that wasn’t an option forDumontand me.Feelingsafe and secure wasn’t somethingI’dever experienced for long, and damn, that sounded ideal.Themoment something rattled me,Iran.
“You’reright,”Isaid. “Thatdoes sound kind of nice.”Tochange the subject from whatIlacked,Isaid, “Whatare you going to do today?”
Anyastraightened and gave me a warm smile. “I’mgoing to work at the library.Toomany responsibilities await thatIcan’t ignore.”
“Yousound likeDumont,”Iteased.
Shebrought her fingertips together. “Howso?”
“He’smentioned his duties and responsibilities more than once.”
“Ah, that makes sense with him being the commander here.”
Right.Hehad a lot on his plate.Andwith me here?DidImake things more difficult for him?
“Youhaven’t had any problems going there, considering—”Ididn’t elaborate on the reason why it could be dangerous, especially sinceI’dbeen the one to draw the threat to the library.
“No.It’sbeen quiet.Hugogoes with me and other gargoyles track us to ensure we get to the library safely.Withothers on watch there, we’re protected by gargoyles just as we are here at theVault.”
Iacknowledged that with a slow nod and lifted my teacup.AsIraised the warm mug,Iinhaled the scent of the tea, savoring the fragrance of bergamot and lavender beforeItook a sip.AfterIput it down,Igazed out the window.Itseemed like it had been days sinceI’dbeen outside, aside from being on the rooftop or terraces here on the building.Althoughit didn’t necessarily feel likeIwas trapped sinceDumonthad a way of occupying many of my thoughts, it would be nice to get out again—as long as it was safe.
“Wantto come?”
Isnapped my head up and grinned atAnya. “What, are you reading my mind?”
Asurprised-sounding chuckle escaped her. “NotthatIknow.”Sheturned her hand palm up. “Well, we are twins…Don’tthey have some sort of mind connection?”
Ishrugged and turned my hands palms up. “Maybe.”Whynot test it?Ifocused hard and attempted to send her a message through my mind.
Sheleaned back. “Whatare you doing?”
“Whatdo you mean?”
“You’restaring at me with a weird expression.”
Witha self-conscious laugh,Ishook my head. “Iwas attempting to communicate with you through my mind.”
“Oh…”Shenodded slowly. “Likehow gargoyles communicate.”
