Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
ELOISE
W here should I go?
Once I stepped outside the Vault , I searched the residential neighborhood for where to go next. I hadn’t thought this far ahead and groaned at myself. Typical Eloise ! Running before thinking things through.
I rushed away from the building before anyone caught up with me. If not Dumont or Anya , one of the gargoyle sentries who were most certainly on watch in statue form, mounted on the exterior of the building.
Eyes were everywhere. Watching . Even in the darkening skies, they were watching.
I took hurried steps away but didn’t break into a run, which would be sure to capture attention. This was a quiet residential neighborhood with several Victorian homes with wrought- iron staircases and potted plants leading to the sidewalks. Not too many people were out walking, which made me feel far too conspicuous. A whiff of marijuana wafting from out of a park had me turn in that direction. That would be the last place I’d go after sunset—into a park where anything could be swallowed by the shadows.
How different it was leaving this neighborhood compared to when I’d arrived mere days ago—days that were filled with learning more about my family and magic, and nights spent in the bed of a gargoyle commander. Both were ideas I’d never deemed possible, and yet, they’d changed me so much.
Walking on, lights from the buildings ahead drew me toward them. Yes , that’s where I’d head. It was safer in the light—at least that was the illusion. I hastened toward them. Perhaps it would be easier to hide among a crowd distracted by the vibrant nightlife.
The varying scents from countless restaurants, from Portuguese to Italian to Greek , reminded me that I hadn’t eaten, yet that was the least of my worries right now. Painted murals dotted the sides of buildings. A door opened from a jazz club to my right, and the sound of the instruments flowed out as people exited. I could slip in there to hide while I figured out my next move. No , it was better to keep moving, so I did.
A sign for the metro ahead caught my attention. Yes , that was the quickest way for me to get out of the city—plus I’d be underground, far away from beings who took to the skies. I rushed down to the subway and exhaled. Not seeing the sky left me feeling slightly less vulnerable, and there was an entire area down here where I could hide—they called it the Underground City . I glanced at the options. I’d head to Central Station and move on from there. Maybe catch a bus or train to New York City . Did it matter where I went? Not really. I’d been through this routine countless times before. Start over in a new city. Nothing new.
Only this time, I was leaving someone behind. My sister.
And Dumont .
I took in a deep breath and steeled myself with the reminder that it was better for them both if I left Montreal .
Crap . I’d need my passport and that was in my tiny studio. If I planned to leave Canada , I’d need it.
I had to go by my place first and grab it, as well as some more cash to keep me going. Once I stepped onto the metro and sat down, I heaved forward. My heart panged as I pictured Dumont . Perhaps I hadn’t thought things through. Could there have been a way to stay with him? Stay with Anya without putting her at risk?
The entire trip to my studio was plagued with more agonizing self-doubt. Once I ascended out of the underground city back to the world above, I felt utterly exposed. I’d been protected by gargoyles for days, and now I was on my own. Alone . Vulnerable .
I wandered away from the station, wrestling with indecision.
No , I was leaving for a good reason. I couldn’t let my fear and selfish motives drive me back and put those I loved in danger.
Someone grabbed me from behind, and I was off my feet. I screamed as I was hurtled into the air.
When I glanced at the hands grasping me, it wasn’t a someone at all, but a something.
A something with claws.