Page 42 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Heblinked at me. “How?”
Perhapshe either didn’t hear or comprehend my question, yet he appeared to be all right, aside from the shock of whatI’djust done.Icouldn’t even begin to process what had happened, which was far beyond anythingIcould have ever imagined.
Tolighten the gravity of the situation,Ipointed to the library and gave a small smile.
“Maybethe answers are in there.”
Dumontstared at me with an astonished expression, then turned around.
“Where’sCalix?”
Gone, a voice said.Mygrandmother.
Iinhaled. “He’sgone.”HowIknew it for certain,Ididn’t have a clue. “He’sgone for good.”
Istumbled, unsteady on my feet.Allthat power surging through me took its toll, and exhaustion swept in.Icouldn’t stand and my knees buckled.
“Eloise!”Dumontrushed toward me, but all went dark.
CHAPTER 16
DUMONT
Calixwas gone and this time it appeared to be for good.Yet, a victory never felt so empty.
Eloisewas alive but still hadn’t woken.Isat beside her as she lie in my bed, a pale angel statue with golden hair covering my pillow.Herchest rose and fell with small but steady, reassuring movements.
Ithad been three days since that bewildering, terrifying moment whenCalixhad thrown the fire at her, enough so that it could have burned her alive, yet it hadn’t.Somehow, she’d managed to take it inside her.Andthen unleashed that massive wave of magic onCalixand his demon minions.
Someextremely fucking powerful magic.
Anyahad stopped by often, insisting that she needed some time with her sister and thatIneeded to go do something else.Thatwasn’t easy, not when all my instincts urged me to come back to my mate.
Iremained on watch for any signs of her waking.Asthe days passed, hope dwindled that she’d ever wake.No.Ihad to remain positive.Shewas alive.Iinhaled her scent, and it comforted me amid all the distress.
“Comeback to me, my love.”Itouched her cheek, the softest of satin beneath my fingertips. “Mymate.”
Hereyelids twitched.DidIsee that or hadIimagined it from wanting it so much?
Istared at her face, my pulse racing with hope, exquisite hope.Andthen, my beauty’s eyes opened halfway.
“Eloise!”Icried with joy and clasped her hand within both of mine.
Sheblinked a few times and gaped at me from those stunning green orbs.
“Dumont?” she croaked, as if her throat was parched.
“Here.”Igrabbed a glass of water and handed it to her.
Shepropped herself up to take a few sips. “AmIawake?”Hereyes were full of wonder.
“Yes,”Ideclared, buoyant with relief. “You’vebeen asleep for three days.Howdo you feel?”Icouldn’t keep from touching her asIfretted over her.
“LikeIcould pee a river,” she said in a deadpan voice.
Ichuckled. “Letme help you to the bathroom.”Igently scooped her in my arms and carried her toward it.
“You’renotgoing to stay in there with me.Pleaseput me down.”
