Once the door closed behind them, she ran her hands through her hair and muttered a curse. “Why the hell is it still fixating on her?”
He paused to sense if any humans were in the stairwell. Not finding any, he responded, “Unfinished business, I think. She was marked with their magic.”
“But, I broke through it,” she said. “I felt it dissipate when I passed energy to her. It was like light shattering the darkness.”
“Maybe it’s still trying to claim her. Revenge. Stealing her is a sort of victory for them over us.”
He hoisted Arto up the stairs and sweat soon trickled along Roman’s temples. Minutes later, they’d reached the roof of the hospital, the outside air cooling the perspiration that coated his skin. The hum of the exhaust vent masked the drone of traffic, and the scents of the city mingled as they rose.
Diego had already detached himself from a nearby building and waited on the rooftop in gargoyle form as Roman had commanded.
Diego stared at Arto, unconscious, with the blood-stained pillowcase covering the wound.
“Fuckin’ immortals,” Diego spat.
“Get him to the compound. I’ll cover you.”
“Aye, Commander.” Diego opened his arms.
Roman handed him Arto. Although he had gargoyle strength, carrying Arto’s dead weight up those flights of stairs had been exerting.
“Got him,” Diego said.
“Go. We’ll be right behind you.”
Once Diego soared off the rooftop with Arto, Roman turned to Larissa.
“Ready?”
She stared at him with haunted eyes, which hit him hard. Not only was her best friend taken by a demon, but she felt responsible.
“We’re going to get her back, Larissa,” he promised.
Her tormented look vanished and her expression hardened. “We have to. Let’s find her and take that fucker out.”
It wasn’t the first time Larissa had seen Roman in gargoyle form, but it still struck her with awe. The surrounding air shimmered as his body reformed. His striking features grew overlarge and distorted and masked by gray. His long black hair receded from view. His muscular body reformed to a stout gray one with wings that enabled him to fly.
Her pulse roared to a higher tempo. Roman pulled her against this hard physique and held her in a solid grip. She squeezed him more tightly.
“I’ve got you, Larissa.” Even his voice sounded deeper.
“I know,” she replied with sheepishness. “I’m still not used to flying.”
“Here we go.”
In the next heartbeat, her feet were dangling as the solid footing of the rooftop gave way. She gasped and clung to him. Although she’d flown with him a few times, the sudden weightlessness still made her squeeze her eyes shut. Flying through the air without the enclosure of an airplane wasn’t something she would adapt to anytime soon.
“Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “I won’t let you go.”
Of course. In the short time she’d known him, he’d proven himself reliable and loyal—both values she admired. Still, they had to be hundreds of feet above the ground.
“One day, I’ll get used to it.”
If she wasn’t so anxious for Janie and Arto’s well-being, she might’ve tried to find beauty from above and enjoy the breeze ruffling her hair. Instead, she searched the sky for signs of an incoming demon—one that might have Janie in its claws, or one of them as their targets.
“Pay particular attention to alleys.” He descended lower.
Right. She’d seen some nasty things go on in them.
She searched earth and sky. Where could Janie be? She’d already gone through so much.
This couldn’t be happening. Since they were kids, she felt protective towards Janie. Her precognition had helped her save Janie from numerous dangerous situations. When Larissa didn’t know how to help, she felt like she was suffocating. She had to do something.
Diego flew ahead of them with Arto dangling like dead-weight in his arms. Her throat seemed to thicken, and she swallowed, trying to clear it. Guilt gnawed at her like a determined mosquito. After all, it would have been easier to take out one gargoyle rather than two and a cop with supernatural abilities.
What exactly these powers were or how she could work with them was still as mysterious as the gargoyle shifter who held her in his arms. A gargoyle shifter—something she hadn’t known existed until the night of the eclipse, but had soon learned that they guarded humans, unseen, in cities all over the world. Stone statues she’d thought were a relic from a Gothic era could be something else entirely—protectors who watched through stone eyes.
They approached the buildings dotting the waterfront in the Seaport District. The sunlight sparkling on the Boston Harbor appeared ahead, and the tangy scent of the ocean soon tingled her nostrils.
“We’re about to land.”
She gripped him tighter and glanced at the tower below. They descended to a rooftop with a seating area and several potted plants where Diego and Arto were about to touch down.
Moments later, she and Roman followed. She lost her footing as she tried to steady herself, but he helped her regain her balance.
“Welcome to our compound, Larissa.”
She turned around the rooftop. On each corner were columns, which she guessed were perches for gargoyles in stone form. She circled around and took in the changing view, both of the city and the ocean. The late morning sunlight rose above the buildings along the skyline and illuminated the Boston Harbor with fiery sparkles that danced on the surface.
“Welcome to Stone Tower.” He smirked. “A reference to our nature.”
She raised a brow. Gargoyle humor.
Her mouth fell open as she gaped at the view of the Boston Harbor. To even afford an apartment at the top of one of these buildings would cost a fortune, let alone the top two floors.
“The Stone Sentries have been around for more generations than I can count. We’ve amassed great wealth in that time.”
It was as if he read her mind. She clucked her tongue, still amazed. “I suppose so.”
Roman addressed Diego “Take him to his chamber. I don’t want him out here alone.” He held the door open for Diego to pass through with Arto. Once he’d done so, Roman’s gargoyle form reshaped.
Larissa held her breath as Roman transformed to human form before her. His body lengthened and the muscles contoured into that of a man. The slate gray of his skin turned a shade of olive and the leathery hide appeared softer, more like human flesh. Long raven hair extended from his skull. Most striking was the animation in his eyes as they turned amber, and golden flecks sparkled within.
When he said, “Come with me,” it took her a moment to snap her mouth shut and move her feet.
They followed Diego and descended two levels. Roman pointed out features of their compound as they walked. After rushing down the hall, they headed into a seating area in a vast space with floor-to-ceiling windows, two dark brown couches, three leather chairs, and a coffee table in the center of them.
“This is where we can relax in our down time, not that there’s been much of that lately. And some rarely use it, as they prefer to be outdoors, resting in stone.”
Although the sense of urgency pressed on her, curiosity about her mysterious gargoyle lover rose. “Do you use it?”
“Not often.”
She couldn’t picture Roman sitting, reading a magazine with his feet up on the coffee table. He’d been on the move pretty much since they met. Granted, that wasn’t even a week ago and during which time they’d been dealing with the aftermath of the demon attack, but still he didn’t seem the type to lounge.
Or, maybe she was projecting. She was the one who could never sit still.
He led her down the hall. They passed several closed doors. “Each sentry has a room here.”
“How many are stationed here?”
“We had two new arrivals to replace the two we had lost, so we’re back up to thirteen.”
She smirked. “A lucky number?”
“I’d like to think so.”
“Plus, we have a family that lives on this level. Miguel and his mate, Vera. Both are sentries. They have two young children. We have another couple, both sentries—Nathaniel and Susanna. She is expecting their first child in the coming new year, but she continues to go on patrol. She often takes stone form so she can catch up on rest. Before the attack, she’d joke the baby was a demon who was sucking all her energy from her. Since encountering them, we don’t joke about them any longer.”
Larissa tried to picture the scene Roman painted. “You have gargoyle families living here?”
He shrugged. “Of course. We live in a community, like many humans. Picture it like a military outfit. The sentries are given orders to guard a certain location. Naturally, when they move, they bring their families with them.”
She blinked. The concept cemented better in her mind while at the same time raised more questions. They weren’t humans. And they lived in plain sight, hidden among them.
And she was dating one.
Or mating with one since he called her his mate.
“Are any of them here?” She peeked around, half-expected a stone gargoyle statue to move, or a winged being to fly down the hall.
“No. All are out on patrol right now. Even the children. They’ve all taken spots outside right now to watch. We’re all looking for her. We’ll find her.”
God, she hoped so. These shifters were doing so much to help her. Help everyone in the city, and likely, nobody would ever know. If she ever thought the police were underappreciated for their devotion to their jobs, she’d think again. What a mysterious world this one was.
As she walked with Roman passing vast windows that overlooked the city, she searched for any signs of Janie or the incubus. God, she hoped all of Roman’s inconspicuous watchers would find them soon. More questions about his world stirred.
“Does each unit have thirteen sentries?” she asked. “That seems like a meaningful number.”
“No, it depends on the size of the region. In other areas, there might be one large unit divided into teams. Each unit is led by a Commander and Deputy, like me and Arto, but teams would also have a leader.”
A chain of command, much like a military or police organization—which meant there must be someone at the top. “Do you report to anyone?”
“The Stone Sentry Council is in Paris. It is headed by three powerful gargoyle shifters. They’ve been in power for as long as I can remember. I remember hearing about them when I grew up in Portugal.”
The additional information reminded her of how different they were—a different species! A flicker of anxiety curled like smoke rising in her stomach. She forced the unease away with the reminder that it didn’t matter. What mattered was his character and his soul. He was the most amazing being she’d ever met, and she’d fallen for him.
And the sex was off the charts.
That reminded her of his bedroom arrangements. She glanced at the doors they passed. “Which one is your room?”
“I’m upstairs. I’ll show you later. There is also a kitchen and dining room at the end of this hall and a similar set up on the floor above us. On this floor is what we need before we head back out.”
“The arsenal?”
“Right.”
She needed an appropriate weapon. Blasting energy from her fingers had worked in the past, but without sufficient training and practice, she lacked the confidence that she could do so with any reasonable control. And since a previous encounter with magic had affected her relationship with Roman and her career, she hoped she’d never have to again.
An image of the sinister red face of the incubus with glowing eyes flashed before her. She shuddered but shook it off with a roll of her shoulders and headed to the arsenal.
She’d need a weapon that could destroy an immortal.
Chapter 4
Roman escorted Larissa into a room at the opposite end of the hall. When he opened the door, and she scanned the interior, her dark blue eyes widened. He didn’t blame her—the weapons glimmered with magnificent shine, some carved with exquisite details centuries ago.
“Whoa.” She walked before shields hanging on the wall, admiring the ornate engravings and jewels. “It’s like I’ve stepped into a military history museum. Some of these weapons look so old—and priceless. They’re incredible.”
“And functional.” He stepped beside her. “Sharp as a raven’s talon, able to slice through an enemy’s flesh.”
She circled the arsenal. “No firearms?”
“No.”
“I figured maybe you’d have one with silver bullets to take out werewolves or something.”
He shook his head. “No. But, we have silver in other weapons.”
She raised her hand before a sword as if about to pick it up, but then lowered it. Leaning closer, she studied it with an incredulous look. “I’m out of my league here.”
“Can you use a knife?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll strap one to your lower leg.”
He pictured the negative possibilities, and his muscles turned taut.
“We’ll get you a sword, as well.”
“I’d never let any of those vile creatures get within spitting distance of you. But I’m also not a fool. If something happens to me, strike at any that tries to reach you.”
Her eyes flickered with fear, among other emotions. She raised her chin with a dogged expression. “Okay.”
He beamed at his courageous mate. “You need one light enough that you can wield it quickly, but effectively so you can strike to kill.” He glanced at the rows of swords and picked out one with a long straight blade, but was thin and lighter weight. “Try this one.”
She took it and swung it with two hands in the air before her. “Am I doing this right?”
“Aim higher. You’ll want to strike at their throats, if possible. That is their most vulnerable area. Don’t be afraid to be vicious. Put all you have into the blow. Use magic to help you thrust harder.”
She lowered the weapon. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“My magic is unpredictable. And since I lost my grandmother, I have no one to train me on how to use it effectively.” Her voice trailed off. She took a deep breath and straightened. “So, I’m better off sticking to something tangible I can work with.”
His gut tightened. The pain in her voice was like a hatchet to his organs. By murdering her grandmother, the demon had destroyed Larissa’s mentor.
Larissa was more powerful than she realized, yet recent events had terrorized her. She likely hadn’t even accepted that her grandmother was gone, let alone begun the grieving process. Whenever he caught sight of her haunted look, it tore at his soul and stirred a violent lust to destroy what caused her grief.
And, with Janie missing, the outlook was grim. The simmering of bloodlust agitated his veins.
She caught his eyes. “What are you thinking about?”
He didn’t want to tell her. But, he wouldn’t lie to her, either. She wasn’t naïve and had likely considered the terrible possibility already.
“That I hope we’re not too late to save her.”
Her expression turned tormented. Why did he have to open his mouth? She knew what the incubus had done to Janie in the hotel. It was trying to steal her soul.
Larissa put the sword back in its scabbard. She rubbed her face and then dropped her hands, and her entire body seemed to sag with added weight. “I understand the implications, but I don’t want to give up. Not yet.”
She was so brave, yet that inner vulnerability called to him. It made him want to be with her and protect her for the rest of his life.
Janie had been marked by a demon. Perhaps, it was bad luck. Perhaps not. Without Larissa in her life, Janie might have died a long time ago. Roman wasn’t about to debate fate and chance because what did he know? He’d questioned
the concept of mates until he’d found his—and then it all became so clear. Certain things in the universe were unexplainable to him, and he’d go crazy if he tried to unravel the mysterious threads.
Larissa lowered herself to the ground and then crossed her legs. She dropped her head forward.
He knelt next to her, rubbed her back, and whispered, “It’s going to be all right.”
With her face pressed against his chest, she said, “If we don’t find her, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Envisioning the loss of Janie had to be too devastating to consider, especially after the death of her grandmother—her mother figure. How much grief could one person have shoveled on them? She had been saving Janie for years and had developed a guardian mindset—much like the gargoyles. If she lost her, Larissa would lose part of her identity as well as her best friend.
“You’re brave, Larissa. You’re strong. And so is Janie. We don’t need to worry about a worst-case scenario now—we just need to focus on finding her.”
What an idiot he was to have brought it up. All he wanted was to hold her for the rest of the day and assure her that he’d make things better. But he couldn’t do that. Not yet. Not with the bloody demon still out there terrorizing them all.
And, if the demon killed Janie, it could come after Larissa next.
He gritted his teeth, blaming himself again for failing to destroy the demon two nights ago. A hot, blinding rage swelled within him. He pictured the sweet satisfaction of spilling its blood and decapitating it, severing its lifeline.
Roman would hunt the demon for as long as it took. He’d find the monster and destroy it into a thousand tiny pieces spreading it to the corners of the universe.
Visions of plunging his sword into demons, raining their blood over the earth blinded him. He pictured its destruction with a mighty blow of his sword through its neck.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 3