“Roman’s a shifter, and I’m human,” Larissa countered. “I’m not saying a relationship like this is easy, as there are plenty of challenges, but we’re dealing with them and making it work.”
“You’re not an ordinary human. I haven’t met humans who can spark magic from their fingertips or project a magical shield that blocks out demons.” She emphasized the motion by spreading both hands in a semi-sphere.
“True.” Larissa tapped her fingertips together. “I have a bit of witch in me.”
Janie’s gaze drifted to the window facing the street to where a small group of people passed by, their muffled conversation coming through the closed window. Were they human? She wouldn’t make that assumption about anyone who looked human anymore, especially after being seduced by an incubus who’d looked like a hot guy out at a club.
She ran her fingers through her hair, loosening her bun. “Maybe that’s part of the problem. I’m good friends with a witch and a shifter, both who have magical abilities. I’m just human, which makes me vulnerable. I have no superpowers to defend myself.” She brought her fingertips together. “That’s what I need to do.”
“Develop superpowers?”
She fixed a steady gaze on Larissa. “No, I mean self-defense.”
Larissa nodded. “I can help with what I’ve learned at the police academy. I still train with Talia when it comes to fighting supernaturals or using weapons. Do you want me to ask her if she’d work with you?”
“That’s a little too intense for me.” Janie chuckled. “You’ve told me how much she kicks your ass.”
Larissa laughed. “Yes, she’s relentless.” She gestured at Janie. “But you’re also badass. I’ve seen you take out a demon.”
“Yeah, well, I had to reclaim something.” Janie rolled one shoulder. The image of the incubus who’d tormented her flashed in her mind, and she recoiled. She’d plunged a sword into it. “Arto guided me.”
“Why don’t you ask him to train you?”
Janie scoffed, “He’s busy protecting the city and doesn’t need to deal with my nonsense.”
“He can’t be that busy with other matters,” Larissa countered. “Because before I left to fly over with Roman, Arto said he’d be over here soon.”
Janie narrowed her brows. “What? Why?” She squirmed on the sofa and glanced out the window, but only saw the street view with houses opposite hers.
“When he overheard me talking to Roman, he insisted. You know him. He’s probably here by now and scoping the area for any threats.”
A twinge of excitement curled in her core. She turned her head, heat rising in her cheeks. “Right. He’s just doing his duty to ensure I’m safe. Old habit.”
Since Arto had been assigned to guard Janie while she was in the hospital recovering from an incubus attack, they’d grown close. He continued to watch over her since then.
“I think it’s more than that.” Larissa pushed her dark braid over one shoulder.
“And what pray tell do you mean?”
Larissa’s eyes brightened with speculation. “You may say you’re just friends, but I see how he looks at you.”
As Janie pictured his steady gaze, her pulse rose. “It’s just a gargoyle thing,” she dismissed. “I’m a disaster magnet; he’s a protector.”
“Perhaps.” Her friend glanced at the front door. “Why don’t you invite him in so you can ask him?”
Janie’s heart thumped. “Ask him what?”
“To train you. Who better to show you how to protect yourself than a gargoyle fixated on keeping you safe?”
CHAPTER2
ARTO
Perched and cloaked by magic atop Janie’s roof, Arto kept watch for danger. After he’d learned of Larissa’s vision and how it had troubled Janie, he couldn’t stay away.
Janie’s front door opened. “Arto?” she called in her sweet voice.
He flew down and then shifted from gargoyle to human form. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head, with soft tendrils falling along her cheek. The familiar jolt inside his chest pounded with a thud; the way it always did when he saw her.
