“Hisname wasCalix.”
Anyagasped,Hugogroaned, andDumonthardened his jaw.
Mybrows drew northward. “Youknow him?”
“Yes,”Anyacried out. “Hetried to kill us!”Shesobbed. “Thankgod he’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“Eliminated,”Dumontclarified and his lips curled with distaste. “Howdid you meet him?”
“Thatgrimoire you mentioned.SoonafterIopened it, he came into my life.Isuspect it triggered him somehow.Becausehe wanted the book.”
“Whatdid he do?”Anyapressed, twisting her hands before her.
Ishuddered with the memory and tried to shake it off. “Iwas working at a restaurant in theOldPort.Hestarted to come in every night.Hewas flattering, charismatic.He’dleave large tips and try to get me to go out with him.”
Dumonthissed andIpaused.Whatwas that about?
Hetook a deep inhale and then said, “Pleasego on.”
“Iwasn’t interested, but he was persistent.Andthen one night he confronted me afterIleft the restaurant.Hesaid he knew whoIwas and demandedItake him to the spell book.Iwas terrified.Hewas so strong, gripping my wrist as we walked.Aswe headed toward my studio,Itried to come up with a way of getting away from him.AndI’mnot sure how this happened, but he yanked his hand from my wrist with a roar—as ifI’dhurt him.How?Idon’t know.Ididn’t do anything.
“OnceIwas free of his hold,Iran.Andran.Whateverhappened to him stunned him enough thatIwas able to get away.Ihid interror all night, unable to sleep.AndIknewIhad to get the book to a safe place.Inthe letter, my grandmother told me aboutAnyaand the library and that it was a safe place, guarded by gargoyles.Onthe way here, two beings chased me.Flying.I’dnever run so fast in my life.Butat some point they must have stopped chasing me, as they didn’t come inside.”
Whenthe three of them exchanged looks,Iasked, “What?”
Anyasighed. “Theyreturned that night after closing.Theytried to get the book from me.”
Myhand fluttered to my chest. “Oh,I’mso sorry!Inever meant to put you at risk.”
“Iknow,” she said. “Itwasn’t your fault.”
“Theymust have known they wouldn’t have been able to get to you,”Dumontdeclared. “Notwith gargoyles on watch.Andthat’s why they set the fire as the diversion.”
Mymouth fell open.Ididn’t know what to say.
“Wherehave you been since that night?”Anyaasked.
“Hiding.”Ifrowned. “IleftMontreal.Iwas afraid.”
Shegave me a sympathetic nod. “Iunderstand.Thatsounds terrifying.AndCalixis…was…chilling.”
Itook measured breaths asItried to shake off the memory. “Whatdid he do to you?”
Herexpression turned sour, as if she’d eaten a lemon. “Similarwith the flattery at first, and then anger at my refusal.Heaccosted me afterIleft the library.”Sheglanced atHugoand her expression softened. “Ifit wasn't forHugo…”
Hugogave her a loving glance in return and squeezed her hand.
“Calixwas a powerful sorcerer, able to shift into a phoenix and wield fire.Hewas responsible for the fires throughout the city.Buthe’s gone,”Dumontdeclared.
Iexhaled with a relieved whoosh.
Dumontgrunted. “ButI'mafraid we might not be in the clear.”
WhenIraised my gaze to meet his, he fixed concerned eyes on me.
Ibraced myself by rolling my shoulders back and tipping my chin up another inch, which didn't do much considering the significant height difference. “Whatis it?”
