Page 7 of Fated to the Gargoyle
Yes.Thatwas whatIwanted more than anything—to connect with family.Butnot like this.
Dumonttipped his head forward. “Imade a vow to your grandmother to keep you safe.Iintend to honor that promise.”
Whatin all the mysteries of the world was going on?Minutesago,Iwas running from this gargoyle, asIthought he was a threat.Nowhe was vowing to protect me?
Themassive gargoyle turned his hand toward me, palm up. “Eloise, will you come with us?”
CHAPTER 4
DUMONT
Eloisestared at me with wide, perplexed eyes behind her glasses.Theirises were a pale green so mesmerizingIcouldn’t look away.Herblonde hair fluttered in the night breeze, and she appeared almost ethereal beneath the moonlight.
Howcould we have gone from being strangers, to me inviting her to theVaultin only minutes?
HowcouldIhave gone from considering her a tiny, running human to the one whom some part of me recognized was my mate after just one life-changing inhalation of her scent?Ibreathed it in once more, that ocean-fresh fragrance that turned my world upside-down.
I’dheard that was the way it happened for some gargoyles.Onemoment in their mate’s presence and theyknew.Forothers, it took longer to understand the connection and accept it.Therealization was mind-boggling andIdidn’t know how to accept it, even though it hit me with the impact of lightning crashing with fiery brightness illuminating the darkest of nights.
Allmy instincts flared to protect this tiny human who regarded me with either fear or suspicion.Howwas this possible?Therational side of me knew it was ridiculous.Wehadn't met before.HowcouldIknow the first time we met?Absolutelyludicrous.
Besides, she was human.Maybenot so vulnerable as typical humans.ShewasAdelaide’sgranddaughter, after all, andAdelaidewas a powerful witch.Eloisehad somehow managed to escapeCalix’shold, and the way she’d done so sounded like she had some magic within her—even if she didn’t understand it.
Eloiseexhaled with a resigned sounding sigh. “Doyou really think it's necessary to go with you?”
Witha somber nod,Ireplied, "Yes."
Shedropped her head backward a few inches. “Whydo they even want this book so badly?Surelythere are other grimoires in the world.”Sheraised her hands to her temples and shook her head. “Imean,Ilooked inside it.It’sjust a bunch of spells.Youprobably can find others on the shelves.”Shemotioned backward toward the library. “Dowe even know if any of these spells work?”
“Yes,”Anyareplied slowly. “Onesaved my life.”
Eloiseturned to her sister, her expression torn.Althoughthey had different coloring, their profiles appeared similar, making it easy to see they were related.
“Oh.”Hervoice came out in a near whisper.
“Wehave a lot to talk about,Eloise,”Anyasaid. “Yearsto catch up on.Andif the gargoyles think we’re in danger, we should listen.I’vebeen stubborn about this before, reluctant to believe whatIdidn’t understand.UntilIdid…”
Eloisedropped her gaze to the grass. “Gowhere?”
Myheart panged with the slight hope that she was coming around. “Ourhome in thePlateau.”
Anyaleaned closer toEloiseand whispered, “Theycall it theVault.”
Eloisefaced her sister with arched brows. “Itsounds like a prison.Whatare they going to do with us there?Lockus up?”
Anyagiggled, a surprising sound in the midst of all this seriousness. “No.Andat least we’ll have time together to catch up.”
Eloise’sface spread into a smile. “That’swhyIcame here.SoIsupposeIshouldn’t be stubborn about getting whatIwant—albeit with a mighty peculiar twist.”Asthe sisters glanced at each other, they broke out into laughter.Althoughthey had a similar tone,Eloise’sstruck me with a strange bolt of joy.Tosee her smile for the first time, watch her laugh, it was absolutely luminous.
Itdid strange things to me.AlthoughIwas relieved thatEloisewas coming around to my suggestion, the mystery of her being my mate unnerved me in a way thatIdidn’t know how to address.Iwas a commander of a team of gargoyles.Ihad a duty to protect the city.Responsibilityto care for those on my team.Apromise to guard the library andAdelaide’sgranddaughters.
Oneof whom was my…
Ididn’t have space in my life for a mate, let alone one who was both human and eyed me with distrust.Yet, the urge to keep her safe had grown paramount, even in just a short time.Istraightened and cleared my throat. “It’ssettled then.Let’sgo to theVaultat once.”
Anyaraised her hand, palm forward. “Beforeeither of you suggest it and freak anyone out any further,I'mgoing to cut that off right now.Wewillnotbe going there via your preferred means of transportation.”
Eloiseturned slowly towardAnyawith an incredulous look. "Youdon't mean…”
