Page 33 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Asigh.Itmust have been fromDumont.
“Whateverdark magic he’s used to shapeshift.Towield fire.Apparently, even to regenerate.”
Silencefor several heart-pounding seconds followed.Iremained there, frozen.Listening.Waiting.Theycouldn’t be talking aboutCalix.Hewas dead.
Heshouldstaydead.
Aloud pounding that sounded like a fist on a table startled me, andIjumped.
“Fuck.”Hugo’svoice dropped. “Iwon’t let him come afterAnyaagain.Iwon’t.”
Apause beforeDumontsaid, “Iknow.Wewon’t.”Hisvoice rang with determination. “He’scome after them both before.Whichmeans he may do so again.”
No.Ohno.Itcouldn’t be.Myblood chilled in my veins.ItwasCalix.
Itook a step backward, fear climbing up my spine.
Calixwas back.
“I’llput more sentries on watch here and the library,”Dumontsaid. “Weknow he’s been after them and the book.”
Hugogroaned. “Ican’t leave her unprotected,Dumont.She’smy mate.”
Severalseconds of silence followed. “Iknow.”Dumont’svoice was so lowIbarely heard it.
Ohgod.Ibacked down the hall, bumping my elbow on the wall.Shameslithered inside, worming its way through my gut.Afterall,Iwas the one who had started this mess by beggingAnyato hide the book, putting her life in jeopardy.Shewas fine beforeIcame along.Shehad a few happy weeks withHugountilIcame back.Wasit me drawing all this danger?
Guiltsteamrolled through me.I’dset this whole thing in motion, andIstill could be a target.NeitherAnya,Dumont,Hugo, nor any of these sentries should be putting themselves at risk for me.
Ihad to get away from here.WhydidIagree to come?Ishould have leftMontrealwhenI’dfirst heard about the demons.
Istepped down the hall on light feet, hoping the gargoyles were too involved in their conversation to hear me.AlthoughI’dwalked down this same hall with buoyant steps moments before, joyfully anticipating seeingDumontagain, nowIrushed back along it at a frantic pace.
Aftergrabbing a few things from my room and stuffing them into my backpack,Ipaused.WasIdoing the right thing?
Yes.Iscribbled a note in haste.Itwas safer forAnyaifIleft.Itwas easier forDumont.
Dumont…
Ihated the idea of leaving him, but he was better off without me.Hehad enough going on without me being here, a burden—sucking up valuable resources that could be better used elsewhere.Yes, it was better for everyone ifIleft.
Withtrembling fingers,Iraised the note to my lips, letting it hover there beforeIthrust it onto the end table.
Ihurried out of my room and down the stairs, hopingIwouldn't pass anyone on the way.Slippingout the front door as silently as possible,Iclosed it gently behind me, then sagged against it.ThosewhoIcared about most in this world were inside.Anache full of loss already swelled within.
Focus.
ThenIsnapped my gaze around, sweeping the darkness from ground to sky, down sidewalks and in between buildings.Calixcould be out here, watching, waiting.
Ihad to leaveMontrealto get away from him and avoid putting thoseIcared about at risk.
Evenif it broke my heart in the process.
DUMONT
BeforeEloiseandAnyamet us for dinner,ItoldHugoabout the possibleCalixsighting—what had ripped me away from the softness ofEloise’sbody in the early hours of the morning.Ididn’t want either of the women to be frightened, especially after what they’d already gone through with him.Throughoutthe day,I’dbeen communicating with the sentries, assuring all were on watch for this potential threat.
Now, more than ever, we had to protectEloiseandAnya.Becauseif it was trulyCalix, he’d found a way to regenerate.Andthe last people he had hunted down to get what he wanted were the two sisters who we’d brought here.
