Chapter 3
Mypulse jolted up a notch as I listened. Was someone out there? After several seconds of silence, I reassured myself that it was nothing. It must have been one of our harmless library “ghosts” again, wandering the old building after hours. Nothing to worry about.
Icarefully shelved the book and noted its location so I would be able to find it again tomorrow. ThenI climbed down the ladder and exited the special collections room, locking it behind me. I headed up the stairs to return to my desk so I could grab my purse before I left. The sound of footsteps echoed off the tile on the lower level, alerting me that I wasn’t alone.
Withmy heartbeat echoing in my ears, I looked over my shoulder in slow motion.
Twomen advanced, both wearing all black. I locked gazes with one, and we both froze as we stared at each other in surprise.
Theshorter one demanded, “Where’s the book?” He ran up the stairs toward me with a threatening gleam in his dark eyes.
Mybrain finally jolted into action from its frozen state. Run!
Astrangled scream ripped from my throat as I bolted up the stairs. Both men chased me, their footsteps approaching as I tried to outrun them. I broke onto the upper level and turned right in the direction of my desk, not that there was any way to escape them.
“Stop!” one of them shouted.
Likehell I would. All my senses fired up, shouting run. I rushed past bookshelves and around tables, gauging if I could use anything to my advantage or to shield me.
Onewas so close his panting seemed to surround me. He grabbed me around my waist. I shrieked as I struggled to escape his hold, but he tackled me. As the hard tile floor reached up to smack me, I barely had time to put my arms before me to break my fall. I greeted the tile with a wincing kiss and enough of an impact to steal the breath from my lungs.
Myassailant pinned me down from behind.
Iscrambled to crawl away from him. “Get off me!” I screamed. “Help!”
Hecovered my mouth with his hand, and I inhaled a whiff of garlic.
“Stop it,” he seethed in a low, warning tone. “Or this will end up much worse for you.”
Everyinch of me, every sense, was on high alert for what he’d do next.
“I’m going to remove my hand from your mouth. If you cry out, I’ll break your arm.” He twisted one of my arms behind me, emphasizing his threat.
Imoaned at the sharp pain and closed my eyes.
WhenI reopened them, I blinked hard. A dark shadow moved above me. The gargoyle perched near my desk moved. It freaking moved.
Massivegray wings unfurled as the enormous creature lifted from its perch and ascended into the air.
Igaped. It couldn’t be happening. Could it?
Thegargoyle flew toward us, a dark shadow blocking out the light from overhead.
“Let her go,” the gargoyle said in a deep, seething voice iced with fury. “Now.”
Thegargoyle swooped down toward us. I winced, closing my eyes, as the man holding me down shouted in terror.
Hisweight was lifted off me. WhenI opened my eyes, the masked man was caught in the gargoyle’s talons, both rising toward the mosaic ceiling.
“What the fuck are you?” the taller man cried.
Aboom shattered around us. A gunshot. WhenI recovered from the shock, the assailant hollered as he fell to the stairwell. The gargoyle had dropped him and was heading back in my direction. The second guy had a gun aimed at the flying creature and fired again. The gargoyle’s wing recoiled, but then he swooped down and picked up the second guy in his talons.
Thegargoyle flew up toward the chandelier and murals on the ceiling. Then he crushed the second man in his claws. The man squealed in anguish before he was dropped and landed with a horrid thump. He lay still in a crumpled lump on the tile and turned silent.
Ohmy god. How was this happening? A gargoyle came to life in the library and killed two men?
Forseveral heartbeats, I remained frozen in my crouched position. The only sound was that of my rapid breath and my heart echoing in my ears.
Andthen the sound of flapping wings.
WasI next?
Asthe gargoyle soared toward me, adrenaline spurred me into action. I scrambled to my feet and hurried toward the stairs to get away from this monster. I was trapped with it inside the library, and all I wanted was to escape. WhenI descended the stairs, I almost tripped on the body of the guy who’d tackled me and had to skid around it, grasping the handrails so as not to tumble.
Myheart had never beat so fast before. WhenI reached the door handle, my hands were trembling and slick with perspiration. It took me a few excruciating seconds before they cooperated and yanked open the heavy door.
Iran outside and onto one of the paths leading away from the library through campus. The darkness enveloped me beneath the canopy of trees, even though the path was illuminated by streetlamps.
“Help!” I shouted.
Myresponse was met with an eerie silence. Nobody was visible around me. The library was tucked in a remote edge of campus. With the library closed and no other buildings nearby, it reduced the likelihood that I’d find anyone out here.
Asif anyone could help me stand a chance against a flying gargoyle.
Thesound of flapping wings slicing through the air drew clammy fear into my throat. The monster was chasing me. I was next. The memory of the men shrieking, followed by that horrible thud, jolted a new burst of adrenaline. I sprinted despite the protest of my galloping heart and aching lungs. Where should I run? To the police station? My apartment? I’d never make it to either of them in time before those sharp talons pierced me.
“Anya, stop,” a deep baritone voice commanded.
Thecreature knew my name. That momentary recognition worked through my overworked brain, but I wouldn’t dare stop running. Not with the imminent threat of claws closing in?—
“Don’t be afraid of me,” it said in a gentler tone.
Ha. Like hell I wouldn’t. I’d be the next victim to be plucked up in its claws and dropped to my death.
“Please stop running. I won’t hurt you. I’m here to protect you.”
Wait.
What?
Mybrain stuttered and I slowed the run of my life to cast a cautious glance behind me. The massive gargoyle appeared even more impressive out here with its wings spreading wide beneath the moon’s glow. Like out of a fantasy novel. It reoriented from a flying position to an upright one and continued to flap its wings as it descended.
Islowed to a stop, leaning forward to take gulping breaths to refill my aching lungs.
Asit landed, I scanned the familiar being. It resembled the stone statue that sat near me for all these months, yet appeared more pliant in its movements. It had the same hard face, curved horns, and long, swooping tail, but now looked more humanlike with long, dark hair and features. It had been shot. I’d seen the beast recoil. But where? I didn’t see any signs of blood seeping from its charcoal-gray wings or over the rest of its body.
Whilemy heartbeat slowed, my breath continued to come in rough pants. WhenI finally could use my voice, I said, “He shot you.”
Thegargoyle grimaced. “Yes.” After a deep breath, he added, “ButI’m fine.”
“How?” I began to ask before a more pressing question took over. “Are you here to-to kill me?”
“Kill you?” he repeated in a surprised tone. His expression softened. “No, of course not.”
“Then—then wh-why are you chasing me?”
Thebeast brought his wings closer to his body, as if trying not to look so imposing. “To make sure you’re safe.”
Ijerked in surprise. Edging my chin higher, I tried to project false confidence to mask my fear. “I just watched you kill two men.”
Hiseyes hardened. “They weren’t men.” He snorted. “Not fully. And that might mean they’re not dead.”
Myheart pounded faster. I crossed my arms across my chest and took a step backward. “Then what the hell are they?”
Hisnostrils flared. “Hybrids, I believe. A human mixed with a lesser demon.”
Myheart galloped into my throat. I blinked hard and glanced behind me to ensure I wasn’t being chased by any other creatures before turning back to the gargoyle. “Did you say—” I gulped. “Demon?”
“Yes.” The gargoyle replied.
Myshoulders hunched as my brain scrambled to make sense of all that had happened. “You were a statue—but now…” I tipped my head. “You’re alive?”
Henodded slowly as he watched me. “I’ve always been alive.” He took a cautious step toward me. Then his hard expression softened once more, and his gray lips spread into a half-smile. “By the way, my name’s Hugo, notPierre.”