Larissa straightened. That was the last question she’d expect from a gargoyle shifter on guard duty. “Flowers?”
“Ah, um...” Arto stammered and ran his fingers over his sandy-brown hair. “Isn’t this what humans do when someone is in the hospital?”
With the way he reddened, she couldn’t give him a hard time about Janie. “Yes, Arto. That’s sweet.” She smiled. “I’m sure she’d be happy with whatever you find. But, it can wait until we get to her apartment. It will be one fewer thing for us to transport.”
Roman caught her eye, and they exchanged a quick glance. Had Arto developed feelings for Janie while on watch?
Janie’s door opened. A doctor and a nurse came out. Larissa greeted them and entered the room.
Janie sat on the bed with her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and her legs dangling over the side. She was out of the hospital gown and wearing a pair of black capris and a red T-shirt that her parents must have brought in. She gave Larissa a wide smile. “Am I ready to get the hell out of here or what?”
Larissa chuckled. “I’d say you’re ready.”
“I’d say let’s go to Newbury Street,” Janie suggested. “I want to sit at an outside table under the sun, order some comfort food, and people-watch while I drink a fruity sangria.” She grimaced. “But, that’s not going to happen while I have a big red demon magnet in me.”
Larissa recoiled and tried to cover it up by pushing a strand of hair off her face. A magnet might not be quite accurate, but Larissa had encountered the darkness that an incubus had planted into Janie while trying to steal her soul. The dark magic had seeped into Larissa, causing her to lash out at Roman. It had taken all her energy to overcome the demon’s claim on Janie.
Marked was a better word—although it wasn’t a better scenario.
“One day soon,” Larissa promised. “When this is all over.”
Janie quirked a brow. “Will it be? You might have some witchy powers, but I have nothing. And I’ve got the worst kind of stalker I can imagine—a supernatural one that doesn’t just want my body, but my soul.”
A sensation like centipedes crawling up her spine made Larissa squirm and then straighten. “Of course it will be. Soon, we can go back to our lives and go on like this never happened.” She forced a smile.
“True,” Janie replied. A shadowy glint haunted her eyes.
Larissa had to distract her before she headed down a path of dark memories. Janie had been trapped in a mental prison of despair for too long. Hell, Larissa could use the distraction herself. All she wanted was for them to get rid of what was hopefully the last fucking demon in Boston, so they could get back to their lives. She’d go back to the police force and continue the career path she’d always wanted, following in her father’s footsteps. She’d forget about all this magic she’d discovered in responding to all this supernatural bullshit. She’d go back to pretending to be normal and living a normal life.
As normal as she could with a gargoyle lover.
“Picture us at that cafe,” Larissa said in an upbeat tone. “All that rich, decadent comfort food. What are you going to order?”
Janie blinked and seemed to come back to the present. She tilted her head and clucked her tongue. “Hmm. Steak, for sure. I can almost taste the dripping, almost rare steak.” Her eyes flashed brighter. “With gravy-smothered mashed potatoes.”
“And a side of creamy macaroni and cheese,” Larissa added.
Janie stood. With a sweeping motion of her hands, she spread them from her chin to hips. “I have to get out of here. The first thing I’m going to do is wash the hospital off me. I can practically feel the superbugs trying to burrow into my skin.”
“Eww, yes,” Larissa said. “Come on, let’s finish up whatever paperwork we have to do to get you the hell out of here.”
And do so with stealth.
They all had to remain wary. A demon was still out there. And it had revealed its targets…
Larissa’s magic and Janie’s soul.
Chapter 2
Roman entered a waiting room with Arto down the hall from Janie. It was a corner nook with windows covering much of two walls that provided a vantage point of the city while still offering a view down the hall. If anyone—or anything—tried to approach the women, they’d be spotted. He sniffed the air, searching for signs of demon, but only smelled the strong odors of the hospital.
Arto rolled his shoulders. He couldn’t seem to stop moving.
“You’re pale as a specter, Arto.”
Arto’s eyes flickered with torment. “I’m—uh—confused about something.”
“What?”
Arto shifted from one foot to the other. He ran his fingers along the seam on one side of his black pants. “Janie.” His tone was almost breathless.
Roman cocked his head. “What about her?”
Arto rubbed his face, appearing flustered. “I’m not exactly sure. But, I’m drawn to her.”
“That’s natural,” Roman said. “You’ve been watching over her for days.”
“It’s more than that, I think.”
Janie’s door opened, capturing both their attention from down the hospital corridor. Larissa stepped out and glanced about. Roman raised his hand. When she caught his eye, she smiled.
“We’ll talk about this later,” Roman said.
“Aye, Commander.” Arto’s tormented expression vanished, replaced by a neutral one. Back to business.
“Here we go.” Roman strode down the hall and Arto fell in step beside him.
Once they were in Janie’s room, she told them she was cleared to leave. When she said, “So, we’re all going to my apartment?” he found his moment.
“Briefly,” he replied.
Larissa tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
He had to find a way to get them both to the compound to keep them safe, yet not demand it in a way that would trigger her stubborn streak, instigating a refusal.
“I think you should both go to our compound,” he declared.
She straightened. “What? I thought Arto was going to stay with her, and we’d have other sentries on watch.”
That statement hit Roman with a pang of frustration. He should be with Larissa to protect her, too. But, he had sentries to command and a city to protect.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” he replied. “This is a better option. A safer option.”
She glanced at Janie and then turned back to him. “Roman, can we have a word in private?”
“Of course.”
Larissa addressed Janie. “We’ll be right back.”
Janie glanced from Larissa to Roman and back again with a wary glint. She shooed with her hand and forced a smile. “No rush. I’m sure they’re going to have me sign more forms and repeat the same release instructions.”
Roman fixed his eyes on Arto as he walked to the door. Remain vigilant.
* * *
Larissa walked with Roman down the hospital corridor. The tension in Janie’s room had turned palpable. What was he keeping from her? Whatever it was, she didn’t want to discuss it in front of Janie if it would frighten her. She’d already gone through enough shit.
Roman pointed ahead. “That room was empty earlier.”
She followed him toward it. Luckily, the visiting room was still abandoned. It was designed for comfort—sofas and chairs, a TV, books, magazines, and board games covered two walls. The other two had windows that displayed the city skyline. No wonder Roman preferred this spot.
Once they entered, she turned to him. “What’s going on? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
His expression revealed nothing. “Why do you ask that?”
“Because you’ve changed the plan. Has the threat escalated and you don’t want to frighten us?
Roman’s mouth twitched. “Nothing more than what you already know. But, I thought about it last night. The compound is a safer option for you both.”
“Hmm.” She studied him. “I
’m surprised you didn’t mention it yesterday.”
Roman took a deep inhale and glanced out over the city. “It’s not conventional for us to bring humans to our compound.”
“But?” She prodded.
He pulled his eyes back to her. “You aren’t just any humans. You’re my mate.”
The warmth in his eyes and the promise in his tone warmed her like a comforting blanket.
He hardened his jaw. “And I’m commander in this region. If I want to break protocol, I’ll do it.”
Her pulse quickened. Damn, she was lucky to have him on her side.
Janie hadn’t complained when Roman had mentioned the change of plans, but she had to be disappointed.
Larissa sighed. “I feel bad for Janie, though. She was so looking forward to going home after everything that happened.”
“I wish she could.” He rolled his shoulders back with a terse expression. “But, her safety is more important right now. She’s a target.”
An image of the incubus crashing through the hospital window and reaching with its vicious claws flashed before Larissa. Goosebumps prickled her arms, and she rubbed them, resisting a full-blown shudder.
“So, you’ll agree to come to the compound?” he asked.
She nodded.
He straightened, appearing surprised. “I thought I might have to struggle to convince you.”
She grimaced. “I might not like the unexpected change, but I’ll deal with it. What’s most important to me is she’s safe.”
“A mutual goal,” he replied. “What is it? I see something bothers you.”
She resisted the urge to sigh. “This entire situation has me conflicted. One part of me says I shouldn’t leave Janie’s side. But, another part of me cringes at the idea of letting that demon run unchecked throughout the city. That I should be out there doing something to stop it.”
“I understand.” Roman rubbed the back of his neck. “But, it wants your magic. You can’t go out there alone,” he insisted.
True. She’d faced demons and their darkness had infected her soul.
Roman exhaled and sank his shoulders. “It rips into my heart to even picture you prepared to fight it.” He took a step closer, raised her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “But, it’s who you are. And it’s why I admire you.”
She gazed at him, searching his dark eyes. How did he know her so well in just over a week? “And I admire how selfless you are in protecting all of us.”
He raised an index finger. “You. Most importantly you. I won’t let you go out there unprotected.”
“I know.” She leaned up and kissed him. “Janie will be in good hands, right?”
The golden flecks in his amber eyes shimmered. “I doubt I can get Arto to leave her side before this is over.”
If she could pick anyone to guard Janie, it would be Arto. “That’s reassuring.”
Roman caressed her cheek. “Soon, this will all be behind us. And, then we can finally spend some time alone together.”
She leaned into his palm. “I hope so, Roman.”
An uncomfortable tingle rippled along the back of her head. Like insects trying to crawl into a cavity in her cranium.
No, not now.
Roman pulled his hand away. “Are you all right?”
She reached for her owl amulet, the one her grandmother had created to protect Larissa. “I’m getting one of my—feelings.”
Whenever she had these strange sensations, something terrible ensued. It was a bad sign.
“What is it telling you?”
When her head ached this way, all her instincts pushed her to force it away. If something terrible happened and she had the insight to prevent it, the discovery would torment her. God, she wished she wasn’t cursed with this ability. She wanted nothing more to do with magic. The bleak despair that almost crushed her when facing the demon’s darkness would haunt her whenever she closed her eyes.
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “It’s too faint to read anything from it.”
“I can sense your frustration,” Roman replied. “Let’s get past that. Close your eyes and inhale deeply.”
Larissa closed her eyes as she followed his instructions. She listened to the buzz of hospital activity down the corridor and the muted sounds of traffic below. Roman placed a hand on her shoulder and she relaxed at his touch. She inhaled his masculine scent. Comforting.
Still, nothing came to her. “It’s too vague. I can’t get any sense of it.”
“Try to focus on what it’s trying to tell you,” Roman prodded with gentle insistence. “Is it Janie? The demons?”
“No.” She raised her hands to her temples. “I can’t.”
The throbbing in her head intensified. Shit. What she’d been learning was that the more intense the pain, the more imminent the situation. She dropped her head into her hands.
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?”
Sounds of banging echoed in her skull. Were they noises surrounding them in the hospital or ones related to her pain?
“Yes.” Her voice came out small, almost like a child’s.
“What is it telling you? Focus on your breathing,” he directed. “Count with each inhale. And then on the exhale.”
It took several shallow breaths before she was able to take a deeper one and breathe through the pain.
An image formed through the static, like clouds drifting away to reveal a clear sky. Janie had a horrified expression—one of pure terror. She retreated from whatever she was staring at. What was it?
And then Larissa’s viewpoint shifted. Arto was motionless on the ground.
“They’re in trouble.” She pointed down the hall.
Roman held her arm as they rushed to Janie’s room. The door was closed. He tore it open, practically yanking it off the hinges.
After she stepped in, she gasped. Arto lay sprawled across the floor with a gash on the back of his head. Drops of blood spread across the off-white tile like a garish painting.
“Arto!” Roman rushed over and crouched down to examine him. He put his fingers to his neck.
Please say he’s okay. She held her breath.
“He’s alive. Someone hit him.”
She exhaled and covered her heart. “Oh, thank God. Is he going to be okay?”
“I hope so.”
She glanced around the room. Where was Janie? The sheets on the bed dragged onto the floor. The bathroom door was closed. Larissa knocked on the door. “Janie, are you in there?”
No reply. She opened the door.
No Janie.
Her pulse spiked and her gut churned.
When she faced Roman, his expression was grave. “I can smell its stench.”
Larissa’s breath quickened. She closed her eyes, trying to force away the truth crashing into her. It was no use.
She reopened them. “It took her, didn’t it? The fuckin’ incubus attacked Arto and took Janie.”
Roman’s eyes burned with ferocity. “Yes.”
“What the fuck?” She paced before the window. “What do we do now?”
Roman’s jawline hardened with determination. “Track them down.”
Chapter 3
Roman crouched over Arto on the cool tile floor. The demon bastard had gotten to his deputy. He sniffed the area, but its scent disappeared. Roman pulled the pillowcase off the pillow and covered the wound to slow the bleeding.
He opened a communication link with his team. Everyone be on high alert, especially those in Longwood. The incubus attacked Arto and took Janie. Search for them. Arto is hurt. I need someone over here to bring him to the compound.
I’m on it, Diego said. Since he was stationed nearby, he was a solid choice. Roman told Erik to move in to Diego’s position.
It took Janie. Have you seen any suspicious activity near the hospital?
After hearing negative replies, Roman continued. It must have masked them with dark magic. Search for them both.
Outside the window, stone
gargoyle statues detached themselves from the walls and soared over the city. Humans wouldn’t see any of this as they were cloaked.
The logical location was the portal. The demons had entered Boston through a portal in the Boston Common. Roman had sealed it with gargoyle magic and two Stone Sentries guarded it, but that didn’t mean demons wouldn’t try to reopen it.
Franco and Vidal, stay at your position and be vigilant, Roman added.
Aye, Commander, they each replied.
Everyone near the Common, be ready to move in if the incubus shows up, Roman added. I’ll head over there as soon as we get Arto to the compound.
Roman stood and faced Larissa. “All my sentries are on watch. One is coming for Arto.”
Her brows drew together with a worried furrow. “Arto needs medical attention.”
“Shifter healing will help him recover. He’ll rest at the compound.”
“What can I do to help?” Her bottom lip trembled. “I feel responsible. If I hadn’t asked you to talk in private, it might not have gotten to them.”
Her eyes had that vulnerable glint, one he sensed she rarely showed anyone. But, he’d seen it. She’d slowly been letting him into her private space.
“Never blame yourself for what those soulless monsters do. We don’t know what it had planned. It could’ve been waiting for us to leave. Or, it intended to take us out, as well. They seek souls and power. And they do so with carnage and without conscience.”
She nodded and searched his eyes. “What should we do?”
“We get Arto to the compound, and we search for Janie. All my sentries are already on the hunt and will notify me of any sight of them. While we’re there, we’ll get more weapons.”
“Are there any I can use?”
Her gun was useless against an immortal. But, if they could find a weapon that she could learn to use quickly, she’d be better able to defend herself.
“Yes. We have an arsenal and it is well-stocked.”
Her eyes widened with speculation.
Roman hoisted Arto and cloaked them both with gargoyle magic.
Larissa opened the door, and they slipped down the hall. She trekked ahead to open the next door to the stairwell. He took care to keep Arto’s head from hitting any objects as he slipped in. It wasn’t easy squeezing two oversized gargoyles through a passageway, but he had to move quickly before anyone noticed her holding the door open for what appeared to be no one.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 2