On the ride to the Seaport, Larissa said, “Did you see howstone-facedArto got when you said we’d meet him there?”
Janie glanced ahead to make sure the driver wasn’t watching them in the rearview mirror. “You know what he’d prefer.” She pointed to the sky from behind the driver’s seat. “But I can’t. Not unless I have to.”
“I get it, and I’m sure he does too,” Larissa replied. “So, we’ll meet him at Stone Tower.”
The Stone Sentries dubbed the compound “Stone Tower,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to their statue form.
Janie tipped her head down. “You weren’t very smooth in there with your machinations, my dear. Convincing him to train me and all.”
Larissa smoothed her hands over her lap and her lips quirked into a small, satisfied smile. “I thought it went as smooth as butter sliding across a hot pan.”
Minutes later, the driver pulled up to Stone Tower, which glistened in the sky over Boston Harbor. It was surrounded by other buildings that seemed to pop up as fast as a kid could stack Legos. What was different in this tower was that the residents living on the top two floors weren’t human, and one area included a weapons arsenal. As far as Janie knew, she and Larissa were the only humans who visited those levels.
Come nightfall, many gargoyles soared from the rooftop to take their shift poised on buildings around the city or patrolling in human form on foot. If they had the night off, they might fly over the harbor. It was a strange world that Janie never would have known existed had her best friend not fallen in love with a gargoyle shifter.
Larissa met her soulmate the same night Janie had been seduced by an incubus. She pictured when its eyes had glowed an inhuman red, and she shuddered.
“You okay?” Larissa asked.
“Yeah.” Janie forced a smile. “Ready to kick ass.”
What if she’d met Arto that night instead? Then again, how would that have happened? He was on patrol elsewhere. The only reason she and Arto met was because of the demons…
It was better not to wander too far down that path of what-ifs and whys.
Larissa used her key card to grant them access to the top levels. When they stepped out of the elevator, Arto walked over to greet them. He’d pulled his brown hair into a ponytail, which showed more of his sculpted cheekbones. He’d changed into a pair of gray drawstring pants that hung low on his waist, and a black T-shirt that fit perfectly. Janie had to drag her gaze away.
“Fancy seeing you so soon.” She planted one hand on her hip. “You beat us here.”
One corner of his mouth curled into a slight smile. “No traffic in the skies to slow me down.”
Not only did his teasing voice send a bolt of awareness through her, but he smelled so good. He always did with his outdoorsy, masculine scent.
Larissa flashed a knowing look before saying, “Good luck.” She headed down the hall to the quarters she shared with Roman.
“Is what I’m wearing okay?” Motioning down the front of her body, she twirled halfway around.
He appraised her with a slow nod. “Perfect.”
The way his gaze raked down and then back up sparked heat over her skin.
“What will we start with? Some big-ass swords?” She spread her arms wide. “Kickass scythes?”
He chuckled and then his gaze warmed her. “How about the basics with defensive moves? No weapons yet.”
“Okay, fine,” she relented in a mock dramatic tone.
He led her down a hallway with closed doors on each side, which were living areas for the sentries. They entered a massive space with mirrors on one wall and medieval-looking swords and other weapons on other ones. She gaped at the interior.
“Holy cannoli.” She turned in a semi-circle. “Are we in a gladiator museum?”
“Not exactly.” He laughed. “But some of these weapons might have been used in ancient Rome.”
She scrunched her face. “I can already see that I’m in over my head by even thinking I can wield one of these. Look at that massive baby.” She pointed to a sword that stretched almost the length of her. “I wouldn’t be able to lift it.”
“You’re a quick learner. I have no doubts when it comes to you.” His hazel eyes sparkled, the moss-green in them more pronounced than usual. “I’ve seen what you can do with a sword.”
His praise warmed her, but she didn’t want to think of the incident when he’d guided her to destroy a demon.
