“Let’sgo out to eat when you’re done here.”Hisbrows raised slightly. “Wecan talk—books.”Theway he said that word oozed with innuendo, one reinforced by his unabashed gaze raking down my body.
“Umm,Idon’t go out to dinner with strangers,”Ireplied.
Hesmiled. “I’mCalix.”
Ipursed my lips.Thatdidn’t change my response.
Whatwas going on?Wasthis handsome guy really asking me out in the book stacks?Althoughthat was a book lover’s fantasy, this didn’t feel right.Hewas ridiculously attractive and way out of my league.Whywould he be interested in me?
Iexhaled from heavy lungs, and my heart sagged. “I’mflattered, but no thank you,”Ireplied.Thelast thingIwas interested in right now was a date, especially afterIwas still reeling from the aftermath of how things had developed and devolved so quickly withHugo.Witha gesture toward the books,Iadded, “Perhapsyou’ll find something you like here.Ifnot, please fill out the form requesting what you’d like.”ThenIturned to walk away.
“Oh, there’s something hereIlike all right,” he added, leaving no mistake about the innuendo.
Iturned over my shoulder.Hestill had that suggestive expression as his gaze cruised down my body.Inarrowed my eyes and then pressed my lips together.Howunusual.ThenIwalked away from him and headed back to my desk.
Therest of my shift dragged on as my thoughts often circled back toHugo.Wherewas he?Washe okay?Didhe hate me now?Nowthat the shock of his admission about us being mates and the revelation about him saving my life had settled,I’dcome around to wanting to explore our connection more.PerhapsIshould try to find him so we could talk.
AfterIlocked up the library,Iwalked over toHugo’sstatue. “Areyou in there?”Iasked.
Nothing.Nomovement.Nosign of life.
“Ifound a letter.Itwas fromAdelaide.She—she was my grandmother.”Myvoice trembled asIrevealed that last part.I’dgrown up without family.Herletter comforted me yet filled me with new loss.Wecould’ve had a relationship.Weshould have.ButIunderstand why she’d kept her distance—to keep me safe.
JustasHugohad been attempted to do, butIblew it with him and ran away.
“AndIhad a sister.”Wherewas she?Wasshe alive?
Ididn’t want to spend any more time in the library that day exploring and discovering anything else.Mybrain was ready to explode, and my heart was so heavy.
OnceIleft the building,Istrolled across the campus path, back toward the parking lot, my steps weighted with regret.Footstepssounded behind me, andIjerked around.Theblond man,Calix, from the stacks earlier, stepped out from the shadows.
Myhand flew to my chest. “Ohmy god, you startled me.”
Hestepped closer. “Theinvitation for dinner still stands.Joinme.”Heextended his hand.
Inarrowed my gaze.Didhe not accept my answer earlier? “No,Idon’t go out with strangers.AndI’mafraidIhave plans.”
Thefriendly gleam that had been in his eyes earlier was replaced by a harder one.Hestepped forward and grabbed my wrist. “AndI’mafraid no is not an option.”Hemimicked my tone and seethed with wrath.
“Whatare you doing?Letgo of me!”Iattempted to twist out of his grasp.
“Tellyou what,” he said, tightening his grip and wrenching me toward him so that we were only an inch apart. “We’regoing back into the library, and you’re going to bring me into the special collections area thatIpolitely asked you about earlier.Thistime,Iwon’t be so kind.You’renot going to lie to me or play games.”Hisvoice turned to pure ice.
“Ow, you’re hurting me,”Iwailed.Tearsstung my eyes.
Adark shadow passed overhead, edging out the illumination from the lampposts.Weboth turned to look up.Massivegray wings spread above us, blocking out the light of the moon.ItwasHugoin full gargoyle form—awe-inspiring wings, carved muscles, curved horns, stone-gray skin, and massive tail.Apiercing, deadly glint shined in his hard, silver-gray eyes.
Myheart jolted in relief. “Hugo,”Iwhispered.
“Lether go,”Hugosaid in a steel-edged tone that seethed with fury as he descended toward us.
Calixshoved me away from him so hardIfell onto the ground with a painful thud, despite the cushion from the grass.
Hugohad come to protect me.Myheart beamed with relief.Calixwould surely run away in terror, possibly pissing himself as he did.
Butthat’s not what happened.Instead, he stared atHugoand then chuckled—an eerie, humorless tone that made my skin prickle with anxiety.Hisbody began to grow and reshape before my eyes.Igaped in shock as he shifted into a birdlike form.Giganticwings unfurled from behind him, and then he ascended into the sky.Washe also a gargoyle?
Whenfire rippled along his wings, my throat clogged.Whatthe unbelievable monsters from hell was he?Heflew atHugo.
