Page 35 of Fated to the Gargoyle
CHAPTER 13
ELOISE
WhereshouldIgo?
OnceIstepped outside theVault,Isearched the residential neighborhood for where to go next.Ihadn’t thought this far ahead and groaned at myself.TypicalEloise!Runningbefore thinking things through.
Irushed away from the building before anyone caught up with me.IfnotDumontorAnya, one of the gargoyle sentries who were most certainly on watch in statue form, mounted on the exterior of the building.
Eyeswere everywhere.Watching.Evenin the darkening skies, they were watching.
Itook hurried steps away but didn’t break into a run, which would be sure to capture attention.Thiswas a quiet residential neighborhood with severalVictorianhomes with wrought-iron staircases and potted plants leading to the sidewalks.Nottoo many people were out walking, which made me feel far too conspicuous.Awhiff of marijuana wafting from out of a park had me turn in that direction.Thatwould be the last placeI’dgo after sunset—into a park where anything could be swallowed by the shadows.
Howdifferent it was leaving this neighborhood compared to whenI’darrived mere days ago—days that were filled with learning more about my family and magic, and nights spent in the bed of a gargoyle commander.Bothwere ideasI’dnever deemed possible, and yet, they’d changed me so much.
Walkingon, lights from the buildings ahead drew me toward them.Yes, that’s whereI’dhead.Itwas safer in the light—at least that was the illusion.Ihastened toward them.Perhapsit would be easier to hide among a crowd distracted by the vibrant nightlife.
Thevarying scents from countless restaurants, fromPortuguesetoItaliantoGreek, reminded me thatIhadn’t eaten, yet that was the least of my worries right now.Paintedmurals dotted the sides of buildings.Adoor opened from a jazz club to my right, and the sound of the instruments flowed out as people exited.Icould slip in there to hide whileIfigured out my next move.No, it was better to keep moving, soIdid.
Asign for the metro ahead caught my attention.Yes, that was the quickest way for me to get out of the city—plusI’dbe underground, far away from beings who took to the skies.Irushed down to the subway and exhaled.Notseeing the sky left me feeling slightly less vulnerable, and there was an entire area down here whereIcould hide—they called it theUndergroundCity.Iglanced at the options.I’dhead toCentralStationand move on from there.Maybecatch a bus or train toNewYorkCity.Didit matter whereIwent?Notreally.I’dbeen through this routine countless times before.Startover in a new city.Nothingnew.
Onlythis time,Iwas leaving someone behind.Mysister.
AndDumont.
Itook in a deep breath and steeled myself with the reminder that it was better for them both ifIleftMontreal.
Crap.I’dneed my passport and that was in my tiny studio.IfIplanned to leaveCanada,I’dneed it.
Ihad to go by my place first and grab it, as well as some more cash to keep me going.OnceIstepped onto the metro and sat down,Iheaved forward.Myheart panged asIpicturedDumont.PerhapsIhadn’t thought things through.Couldthere have been a way to stay with him?StaywithAnyawithout putting her at risk?
Theentire trip to my studio was plagued with more agonizing self-doubt.OnceIascended out of the underground city back to the world above,Ifelt utterly exposed.I’dbeen protected by gargoyles for days, and nowIwas on my own.Alone.Vulnerable.
Iwandered away from the station, wrestling with indecision.
No,Iwas leaving for a good reason.Icouldn’t let my fear and selfish motives drive me back and put thoseIloved in danger.
Someonegrabbed me from behind, andIwas off my feet.Iscreamed asIwas hurtled into the air.
WhenIglanced at the hands grasping me, it wasn’t asomeoneat all, but a something.
Asomething with claws.
CHAPTER 14
DUMONT
Dumont,Lyaminterrupted me asIsprinted to the front door of theVault.
What?Ibarked.Ididn’t have time for interruptions.
It’sEloise.Shejust went down into a metro station.Shelooked distressed and uncertain where to go.IthoughtIshould let you know.
Fuuuuccck!
Iraised my hand, ready to pound my fist into the front door.Butlashing out wouldn’t help me find her.Itook in a long, deep breath to clear my head soIcould think more rationally.
Tellme everything.
