Page 24 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Thathadn’t been my intention, but maybe being around the supernatural and learning about magic was rubbing off on me in a weird way.
“Whatwere you saying?”
Iblinked, trying to remember my question.Ohyes. “Iwas asking you whatIcould do in the library while you worked.”
Hermouth spread into a wide smile. “It’sa library.”Sheturned her hand up. “Youcan read books, magazines, newspapers.Checkout the art collection.”Thenshe brought her fingertips together and her eyes gleamed with excitement. “Actually,Ihave something there to show you.”
OnceHugohad confirmedwe were good to go withDumont,AnyaandIcrammed into an oversized car thatDumonthad ordered.Hugoclimbed in the front seat.
“Wait!” a male’s voice called out.
Itsounded likeDumont, and my heart beat faster.WhenIglanced over my shoulder, it was indeed him.
“I’mcoming too.”
Ashe slid in beside me in the backseat,Idrank in his masculine scent.Hislarge frame pressed against me, and awareness tingled along my skin at all the places his body touched mine.Istared down at our legs.Hispowerful gargoyle quads contrasted with my smaller, human ones.ThenIglanced up at the driver, who looked human.Hedidn’t show any indication that there were hulking gargoyles in his vehicle.Theirmagic that could make them appear human must have been convincing.
“Iknow you’re busy.”Iglanced over atDumont. “Youdidn’t have to come.”
“Idid,” he declared and didn’t elaborate.
Ilet out a sheepish sigh.Mylittle jaunt to the library shouldn’t pull him from whatever work he was doing, which was sure to be far more important than accompanying me on a field trip with my sister.
Whenwe reached the stone building, he walked us to the entrance and glanced up, no doubt checking in with the gargoyles mounted outside.Whata strange worldI’dstepped into.
Heturned to me and stared into my eyes. “Eloise, willIsee you tonight?”
Mypulse quickened.Ifit was anything like last night, it was sure to be magical.
“Yes.”Myvoice came out breathy.
Hekissed my cheek, then took a step backward.Ientered the library and as soon as the door closed behind me, his absence hit me with a pang.AlthoughI’dbeen excited about this fieldtrip away from theVault,Inow looked forward to returning this evening to seeDumontagain.
Imeandered through the library, taking in the stately bookshelves and artwork.Ourgrandmother had collected many paintings and sculptures in addition to books.Peoplemilled about, mostly college students judging by their age, as they searched for books or read at desks under green banker’s lamps.
Duringher shift,Anyawas so busy helping patrons that she didn’t have time to show me what she’d wanted to until closing.Ikilled time exploring the library and reading while she worked.Icouldn’t get in her way asIincreasingly felt likeIwas a burden, not only with her but with also the sentries.
Twentyminutes later,Anyafound me seated with a newspaper, flipping through recent events.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”Istood.
Anyaled me to the back of the library with bookshelves reaching to the ceiling.Shereached up and pulled a book forward but put it back.Shethen did so with another and then a third.
“Whatare you doing?”Iasked, perplexed.Whywas she having trouble deciding on a book?
“Waitone second.”Sheraised her index finger.
Thebookshelf that she stood before inched forward.
“Nofreaking way,”Iexclaimed. “Amoving bookcase.”Iclasped my hands together. “Pleasetell me it leads into a secret passageway.”
“Prettymuch,” she agreed with a smile. “Butit leads to so much more.”
Asthe bookcase inched forward with the low rumbling sound, it revealed a hidden opening.Irolled on my toes, eager to explore.Whenthe space was wide enough for us to enter,Anyastepped in and beckoned for me to follow.Behindme, the bookcase edged back into place with that low rumbling sound and then stopped.
“Waita minute,”Istopped her asIlooked over my shoulder. “Arewe going to be able to get out?”Iturned back to her, my worry likely etched onto my face.
