Right,Ineeded to keep my mind on what was more important and that was ensuring thatAnyaandIwere safe, considering the potential threat from demons that led us here. “Whathappened between you andCalix?”
AnyaandIspent the next hour talking.Shetold me about the terrifying encounter with the attractive but pushy blond sorcerer who’d shifted into a phoenix that threw fire at her.
“Hugoprotected me,”Anyasaid, her gaze again drifting out the window to the night sky. “Hewrapped his wings around me and shielded me from the fire.Hesaid thatAdelaidewas the one who gave these gargoyles magic to protect them better.It’sall quite mind-blowing, considering our parents died in that fire.Somany threads tie us together in weird ways.Hugowas the one who’d saved me from the fire that night twenty-five years ago.”Shecocked her head. “Doyou know if you were there?”
“Idon’t know,”Ireplied, my voice heavy with emotion.
“MaybeAdelaidegot you out?”Anyasuggested.
Ishrugged. “It’spossible.”Ilet out a heavy exhale.
Hereyes shone with tears. “Adelaidemust have known—or foreseen—that the gargoyles would need that magic to protect us.”Anyagestured in a circular motion. “Shemust have been a remarkable woman.Imean, not only is her library spectacular, but she could do things with magic.Realmagic.”
Awave of loss washed through me. “IwishIcould have known her.”
“Metoo.”
“Andour parents,”Icroaked out.
Shenodded, then wiped at her eyes.
Mybreath hitched. “Andyou.”
Welocked gazes. “Yes,”Anyasaid in a wistful tone.
Alump crawled into my throat, heavy with the years of loss.Iswallowed and forced a smile. “Well, we have plenty to catch up on, don’t we?”
Wedid so while we finished the wine, sharing stories about our experiences and marveling at any similarities.
Aknock sounded before the door opened.
“It’sus,”Hugoannounced and entered the apartment withDumont.
WhenIturned to him, his expression appeared gentler than the determined one earlier—possibly with a bit of longing?
“Yourroom is ready,Eloise,” he said.
Istood. “Oh.Thankyou.”
“Youshould get some rest,”Anyasaid. “Iknow it's been a long day with a lot to absorb.Yourbrain must be as exhausted as mine with all this new information.”
“Right,”Iagreed.
Whenshe stood, we stared at each other as if unsure what to do.Shegave me a sheepish glance, andIstepped closer, raising my arms tentatively, like a gracelessT-Rex.Wehugged each other with complete awkwardness.Notonly were we strangers until today, butIdon’t think either of us were used to affection from family.
Thenwe embraced—an authentic connection this time—and it felt good.Iinhaled deeply, smelling a rose fragrance in her hair.
Whenwe broke apart,Anya'seyes shone with tears. “I'mglad you found me.”
“Asidefrom bringing all this trouble into your life,”Ireplied with a self-deprecating shrug.
“No.I'mglad you came.Period,” she insisted.
Tearspricked at my eyes and that heavy lump returned to clog my throat. “Metoo.”
Aftera few seconds, she said, “I’llsee you in the morning,Eloise.”
“Okay.”
