Chapter 10
AfterI closed the library, Hugo revealed what his commander had told him about the prophecy and the book.
“It sounds like Adelaide,” I said.
“That’s what I think,” he agreed.
“But she’s dead. Why would we worry about a prophecy?”
“It’s more about preventing the demon from accessing the book. Or them.”
“You think there are others?”
“I don’t know.” His mouth tightened into a grim line. “We need to hide it in a safer spot to keep them from accessing it. There’s a place where Adelaide hid things that were important to her. Come, I’ll show you.”
Oncewe retrieved the book from special collections, Hugo extended his large, gray hand.
Istared at his hand for a couple of seconds before I took it. Something about this gesture seemed intimate. His hand engulfed mine in a warm and protective hold. He stared at me for a second with a look somewhere between gratitude and surprise.
Thenhe led us past the stairway and over to the far end of the library, opposite my reference desk.
Hestopped before one of the massive, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and reached out to pull three books forward from three different shelves.
“What on earth?” I whispered.
Thebookshelves started to move. It began to freakin’ move!
Icovered my heart with my free hand. “A moving bookcase?”
“Yes, this was her private space. We called it Adelaide’s attic.”
Igaped as it opened, revealing another room. “This is every book lover’s dream.”
“This library contains many secrets. Adelaide wove magic throughout the library, and this area is protected the most, by many wards.”
Hugoducked as he led us into the room. AlthoughI tried to keep up with him, my gaze turned from one side to the other. This room didn’t just have more ancient-looking, leather-bound books that appeared incredibly valuable, but all sorts of jars with herbs and liquids on a table that appeared as if had been used for magic spells. A worn, burgundy velvet sofa rested against one wall. My gaze cruised over items on other shelves—jars with feathers, an ancient-looking mirror on a silver stand, and bottles with liquid in various colors. I paused to examine this wondrous hidden space, but Hugo nudged me along.
“We need to hide it and then move on.”
Igave him a quizzical look. Why was he rushing? I glanced into this magical room. “Where do you think I should hide it?”
Hefixed a steady gaze on me. “In plain site has worked well for me.”
Trueindeed. How many months had he stood right beside me and I never had a clue?
“Okay.” I found a space in between two leather-bound books and squeezed it in, where it blended right in.
ThenHugo took my hands and glanced down at me with a serious expression. “We have reason to believe the demon or whoever he’s associated with may come after you.”
Igaped at him. “What?”
Hissilvery-gray eyes were gentle. “He said he knows you know where the book is and he’ll make you get it for him.” Hugo’s jaw twitched. “Don’t worry, LittleOne. I’d never let that happen. My commander thinks you’d be safer at our living quarters for the time being, to assure that you’re safe.”
Myheart pounded faster as I chewed my lower lip. “A demon is after me?”
Hugoreplied by curling up his lips.
“Do you think there are more of them?”
“That’s what we want to rule out. Please, Anya. Come with me, so we can ensure you’re safe.”
Ipictured the night of the intruders. They were terrifying enough and threatening, even when I thought they were only human. But to be part demon and have me fixed in their crosshairs? I tried to come up with reasons why this was silly, but after what I’d seen…
Iswallowed. “Okay,” I agreed.
Hugoreleased a heavy exhale. “This way.” He led me down more hidden hallways off Adelaide’s attic and then over to a doorway. When he opened it, it led to the rooftop of the library. We stepped out beneath the night sky. The moon and stars sparkled overhead, and the air on this summer night was cool but comfortable. When two massive gray gargoyles appeared before me, similar to the two other imposing ones outside the library, I squeaked.
Hugoturned to me. “It’s all right. They’reSentries who guard with me. This is Luc and Marc.”
Igulped. “I’mAnya.”
Theynodded and greeted me with deep, gravely voices like Hugo’s. They went over what happened inside and their discussion with someone named Dumont, who I assumed was their commander.
WhenHugo mentioned the book, my muscles tightened. They talked more about demons and the book and the prophecy.
“Wait, how do you see them?” Hugo asked me as he motioned to the other two gargoyles.
“What do you mean?”
“Do they look human to you?”
Isnorted. “You’re joking, right?”
Heturned to the gargoyles. “Are you shielded?”
“Yes,” both acknowledged.
“Hmm.” Hugo rubbed his jawline. “Interesting.”
“What’s interesting? And what shields? I don’t see them holding any.”
“That refers to our magic. We’re able to cloak ourselves to appear human, to blend in with them. But you don’t see them that way?”
“No.” I snorted. “They look quite like living gargoyles to me.”
Hecocked his head. “And me?”
“The same.”
Thethree gargoyle men exchanged a look, but didn’t say anything.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
“It’s just odd that you can see through our shields,” Hugo replied. “I thought that might have been a fluke with me earlier, but with them as well…” His voice trailed off and then he straightened. “We should appear no different to you than any other man you encounter every day.”
Ireplied with a doubtful sound, since these beings appeared far unlike any men I’d ever seen. DespiteHugo’s inhuman appearance, there was something entirely alluring about him. He studied me as if still stunned by my ability to see him.
Ishrugged. That might be the least surprising thing I’d encountered as of late. I shoved it to the bottom of the list of surprises. “Don’t look at me for an explanation,” I replied. “I haven’t got a clue.”
Aftera few more words in some sort of guard talk about positions and so forth, Hugo turned back to me. “I’ll take you to the Vault.”
“The what?”
“That’s what we call our base.”
“TheVault,” I repeated with a rueful laugh. “Well, since it looks like I may be locked up there for the upcoming future, I guess it’s apt.”
WhenI turned back toward the rooftop door, he stopped me. “Not that way.”
Ifaced him. “Why not?”
“It’s safer to fly.”
Mypulse jolted. “You don’t mean—? Are you saying—?” I blew out a breath and tried again. “Do you mean you’re going to fly in the air—with me?”
“Yes,” he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
Itook a giant step backward and shook my head while the three gargoyles stared at me with confusion. “No way. Absolutely not.”
Hisbrows drew closer together. “Why not?”
“Fly?” My eyes bulged. “Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Myheart pounded. “You can’t. I won’t.” WhileI tried to figure out what I was trying to say, I motioned to the sky before us. “I can’t fly.” That was simply stating the obvious, but the idea of even considering what he proposed flabbergasted me.
“I know you can’t, LittleOne,” he replied slowly, as if trying to calm an upset child. “ButI can and I’ll be holding you. You have nothing to fear.”
Askeptical sound escaped me. That was easy for him to say.
“Are you afraid?” he asked in a gentle tone.
“Of course I’m afraid,” I replied quickly. “I’ve never even been on a plane. But at least there would be something solid, something scientifically sound, surrounding me.”
Hugosnorted. “Something mechanical that can fail.”
Igrimaced. The image of a plane failing didn’t add any comfort to my fear of flying. “Not helping.”
“AllI’m saying is that you’re safer flying with me than in a metal machine.”
Istared into his eyes, searching for answers.
Hetook a step closer. “I will keep you safe.” He extended his hand. “Trust me, Anya. Come with me.”
Hugo
Anyastared at me with questioning eyes, as if assessing whether she should trust me. AsI waited with my arm outstretched, my heart thundered, sounding like the rumbling of a rising storm.
Sheswallowed and then stepped forward, taking my hand. “Don’t drop me.”
“Never.” The feel of her tiny hand in mine shot tingles up my arm. A warm fuzzy feeling spread inside, and with it grew my drive to protect her. She’d gone from gaping at me in terror earlier that evening to taking my hand in a gesture of trust. A sense of purpose stirred in me like I’d never felt before. I’d do anything to shield this tiny human from any harm.
Afterensuring my shield to camouflage me from humans was in place, I wrapped my arms around her waist as I held her from behind. “Ready?”
“No,” she cried and turned instead to face me, the top of her head barely reaching my chest. “But just do it before I change my mind.”
Iadmired how she faced her fear. ThenI took a few running steps forward before I soared off the edge of the building. A surprised sound escaped her, and she buried her head against my chest. She clung to my arms so tightly, her nails dug into my back.
AsI flapped my wings to ascend, a sob escaped her.
“It’s all right. I have you.”
“Don’t let me go.” Her voice trembled in fear.
“Never.”
AsI held her for the first time, the wind ruffled her hair. I breathed in the fragrant scent of roses. Beyond that aroma was her natural one, one that was uniquely hers. It invigorated me with an urge to care for and protect this human for all my days. I’d never been so close to her before, had her body so close to mine. The space between us burned with an electrified heat despite the coolness of the night air. Nothing had ever felt so right before. Being able to hold her, protect her against anything that came our way filled me with a pride and sense of purpose unlike anything I’d ever experienced. And although she felt so tiny and so fragile in my arms, I’d never felt more vulnerable.
Thelights danced below us, twinkling under the magic of the dark. “LittleOne, look around us,” I encouraged her. “The city is beautiful at night.”
“I—I can’t,” she stuttered. “I’m too scared.
Ididn’t blame her. She’d had one fright after another. One surprise and then one more. Yet, there was one secret I didn’t know if I could ever reveal to her. She wasn’t just a human I’d been tasked to protect. She was my mate.
Withevery second that I held her, the certainty of that grew. I’d suspected it for months, but it had never been so clear until I’d kissed her. And now as I carried her, vowing to protect her, it grew amazingly clear. I’d do anything to keep her safe. Anything to make her mine.
Butwas that a foolish fantasy? To her, I was little more than a stranger. A small gasp escaped her and she shuddered, underlying our vast differences. WhenI flew, I relaxed. The night air soothed me. But to her—this experience was terrifying.
“You have nothing to fear when you’re with me,” I assured her in a gentle tone. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Shedidn’t say anything but adjusted slightly, pressing herself even tighter against my torso. “Yes, but we’re in the air.”
“AndI’m holding you. I won’t let you go.” Ever.
Aftera few seconds, she braved her fear enough to lift her head an inch away from my chest, but lowered it almost immediately. “I can’t. It’s too far down.”
“Okay.” I wouldn’t push her. Not tonight at least. Not after what she’d gone through. We flew in relative silence for several minutes while I kept watch for danger, all the while relishing this experience of cradling her in my arms. This scenario was one I’d fantasized about a thousand times while in stone, but to do so while immersed in flight made it even more magical.
Aswe flew along the St. LawrenceRiver, I pointed out landmarks below. “We’re passing over the Vieux-Port. You can see the ClockTower and LaGrandeRoue lit up. It’s even more beautiful at night from this vantage point.”
Sheturned her head, brushing her cheek against my chest, and then sighed.
“What is it?” I asked with concern.