Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
ELOISE
I woke and blinked my eyes open. Sunlight drifted into the room that I recognized as Dumont’s , but I sensed he wasn’t here. He wasn’t behind me and holding me close. I didn’t even feel his weight pressing down on the mattress. When I scooted back, his side of the bed was cold.
Where was he?
A bolt of fear for his safety propelled me to sit up. On the bedside table was a note scrawled on tan paper.
Eloise
I had to run out. Should be back for dinner with Anya and Hugo . If not, I’ll be back as soon as I can.
~ D
I exhaled and ran my hands through my hair, somewhat reassured that he was all right. Without any reason to think he was in danger, I shouldn’t work myself up, fearing that was the case. He was a commander in charge of protecting a city. Having to run out without much notice could be a regular occurrence for him. If we were going to be in a relationship, that was something I needed to get used to.
Wait , there was no need to jump ahead. Neither of us had spoken about what went on between us leading to anything more. It was just a fling. Right ? It would be foolish to think it was anything otherwise, simply because we’d spent so much time together lately. That was out of necessity. He was a gargoyle who felt a call to protect others, which in this case, happened to be me.
After being up with Dumont last night, I’d slept in. I climbed out of bed and dropped my bare feet to the floor. Since I hadn’t put any clothing back on last night, I padded into the bathroom naked. Ooh , that soreness from the other night was all but gone. One thing unexpected about our fling was how sore I’d be afterward. Who was I kidding? That should be a given with a gargoyle.
Tonight , I’d be ready for him. Although last night had been phenomenal, even without intercourse, I wanted him inside me again.
I took a long, hot shower and replayed every delicious part of the night before. When I washed my breasts and torso, I remembered how he’d marked me and then so carefully cleaned me up. Wow , I could get used to being spoiled by him. No one had ever treated me with such attention.
Don’t delude yourself. You two are not Anya and Hugo . It’s just a fling.
I took extra time with my appearance and evaluated different options in my limited clothing choices with what I had here. Finally , I decided on a white sundress with daisies on it, one that I’d ordered after Dumont insisted on buying me clothes. It would show off my shoulders and neck, both areas that he appeared to enjoy touching or kissing. I wanted to look good for him.
I still had hours to kill before dinner and did so reading, playing on my phone, and watching some mindless sitcom reruns.
Finally , it was time for dinner. Oh , I hoped he’d make it back for dinner. Otherwise , the anxiety switches would be turned back on and I’d worry, all while sitting there like a third wheel as Anya and Hugo exchanged googly eyes.
It might be too breezy this early, so I grabbed a pale-pink cardigan in case we went out on the rooftop.
As I approached the dining area, the muffled sound of a man’s voice reached me. My pulse quickened. Was that Dumont ?
“ It likely means that he’s back.”
Yes , that was Dumont’s voice. I paused. Who was back? Although I shouldn't eavesdrop, something about his tone set me on edge.
“ How the hell did he manage that?” Hugo boomed.
A sigh. It must have been from Dumont .
“ Whatever dark magic he’s used to shapeshift. To wield fire. Apparently , even to regenerate.”
Silence for several heart-pounding seconds followed. I remained there, frozen. Listening . Waiting . They couldn’t be talking about Calix . He was dead.
He should stay dead.
A loud pounding that sounded like a fist on a table startled me, and I jumped.
“ Fuck .” Hugo’s voice dropped. “ I won’t let him come after Anya again. I won’t.”
A pause before Dumont said, “ I know. We won’t.” His voice rang with determination. “ He’s come after them both before. Which means he may do so again.”
No . Oh no. It couldn’t be. My blood chilled in my veins. It was Calix .
I took a step backward, fear climbing up my spine.
Calix was back.
“ I’ll put more sentries on watch here and the library,” Dumont said. “ We know he’s been after them and the book.”
Hugo groaned. “ I can’t leave her unprotected, Dumont . She’s my mate.”
Several seconds of silence followed. “ I know.” Dumont’s voice was so low I barely heard it.
Oh god. I backed down the hall, bumping my elbow on the wall. Shame slithered inside, worming its way through my gut. After all, I was the one who had started this mess by begging Anya to hide the book, putting her life in jeopardy. She was fine before I came along. She had a few happy weeks with Hugo until I came back. Was it me drawing all this danger?
Guilt steamrolled through me. I’d set this whole thing in motion, and I still could be a target. Neither Anya , Dumont , Hugo , nor any of these sentries should be putting themselves at risk for me.
I had to get away from here. Why did I agree to come? I should have left Montreal when I’d first heard about the demons.
I stepped down the hall on light feet, hoping the gargoyles were too involved in their conversation to hear me. Although I’d walked down this same hall with buoyant steps moments before, joyfully anticipating seeing Dumont again, now I rushed back along it at a frantic pace.
After grabbing a few things from my room and stuffing them into my backpack, I paused. Was I doing the right thing?
Yes . I scribbled a note in haste. It was safer for Anya if I left. It was easier for Dumont .
Dumont …
I hated the idea of leaving him, but he was better off without me. He had enough going on without me being here, a burden—sucking up valuable resources that could be better used elsewhere. Yes , it was better for everyone if I left.
With trembling fingers, I raised the note to my lips, letting it hover there before I thrust it onto the end table.
I hurried out of my room and down the stairs, hoping I wouldn't pass anyone on the way. Slipping out the front door as silently as possible, I closed it gently behind me, then sagged against it. Those who I cared about most in this world were inside. An ache full of loss already swelled within.
Focus .
Then I snapped my gaze around, sweeping the darkness from ground to sky, down sidewalks and in between buildings. Calix could be out here, watching, waiting.
I had to leave Montreal to get away from him and avoid putting those I cared about at risk.
Even if it broke my heart in the process.
DUMONT
Before Eloise and Anya met us for dinner, I told Hugo about the possible Calix sighting—what had ripped me away from the softness of Eloise’s body in the early hours of the morning. I didn’t want either of the women to be frightened, especially after what they’d already gone through with him. Throughout the day, I’d been communicating with the sentries, assuring all were on watch for this potential threat.
Now , more than ever, we had to protect Eloise and Anya . Because if it was truly Calix , he’d found a way to regenerate. And the last people he had hunted down to get what he wanted were the two sisters who we’d brought here.
Our mates.
That wasn’t something I’d shared with Eloise yet. I’d almost told her last night, and on some level, I regretted not doing so. Knowing what a serious declaration that was, I feared how she might take it. I also hadn’t told her about the demons or Calix . The last thing I wanted to do was frighten her. What good would it do to have her worry? It wouldn’t change the situation, only add to her distress, and all I wanted was to make her happy.
When Anya entered the dining area and greeted Hugo with a kiss on the cheek, a pang of longing hit me. I yearned for the same from Eloise . To have her here with me every day, where we’d share meals, share a bed. I had to summon the courage to tell her. I wanted more from her. Something long lasting. A relationship. A commitment.
And I hoped like hell she wouldn’t reject me.
I sipped my ruby wine and picked at a warm piece of baguette while I waited for Eloise to arrive. After several more minutes, I finally voiced my concern. “ Eloise said she was joining us, right?”
“ Yes .” Anya nodded. “ I wonder what's taking her so long.”
I did as well, especially with the recent developments, but I tried not to let those feelings escalate. Eloise was coming to dinner, and I didn't want to hurry her along. Something must've detained her. I took a long, slow breath and told myself to be patient.
Hugo and Anya spoke, but I couldn't pay attention. I doubt I took in a word. All my thoughts coiled on Eloise .
I had to see her again soon. The urge to go to her grew stronger. Just having her near me soothed my soul in a way I never thought possible. I yearned to be close to her again.
Several minutes passed. I finished the glass of wine and resisted pouring another while I waited for her to show up. My leg bounced beneath the table.
Anya stood, jarring my attention. “ I'll go check on her.” She gave us a small smile and walked out of the room, Hugo’s gaze trailing after her.
He turned to me and tried to keep up a light conversation while we waited.
“ I’m sure it’s nothing,” he said. “ Women and their rituals with hair and makeup elude me.” He let out a small chuckle.
I knew he was trying to calm my nerves, but it didn't help. The sense that something was wrong unsettled me. I straightened in my chair.
“ Something doesn't feel right.”
The smile he’d plastered on his face vanished.
“ What do you think it is?”
I grunted. “ That , I don’t know.” I stood and paced the dining room, rubbing the back of my neck as I wrestled with what to tell him. I was his commander and didn't need to confide in him about my personal affairs, but with the rising tension swirling in my veins, I had to do something other than sit there and wait.
Unable to rein it in any longer, I began. “ Hugo , there's something I'm going to tell you, but keep it to yourself for now.”
“ Of course, Commander .” He gave me a solemn nod.
“ Eloise …” I took a deep breath and slowly released it. “ Eloise is my…mate,” I admitted.
He stared at me with widened eyes before he blinked. “ Truly ?” His expression brightened. “ That's wonderful, Dumont .”
“ Is it?” I replied with doubt. “ Because it seems to make this mission one thousand times harder.”
“ How so?” He furrowed his thick brows.
I ran a hand through my hair and then pounded on the hardwood of the table in frustration.
“ My duty,” I confessed. “ I’m conflicted by the desire to rush to her and keep her safe while tormented by the knowledge that I shouldn’t allow myself to be distracted by anything. I took a vow to keep this city and all who are in it safe. And with the increasing threats…”
“ Don’t forget that finding your mate is a gift, Dumont ,” Hugo said in a near wistful tone. “ One that not all gargoyles are lucky enough to experience.”
I groaned. “ Perhaps for good reason. If they have other responsibilities to tend to, they should focus on those.”
Footsteps hastened down the hall before Anya appeared in the doorway, breathing hard. She held up a note.
“ It's Eloise ,” she said between heavy breaths. “ She's gone.”