Enticed by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 2 (Boston)

by Lisa Carlisle

  She’d already discovered enough about herself in recent days that would take an infinite number of appointments with a therapist to sort out. Shouldn’t she focus on that? She’d spent the last twenty-plus years believing she was odd, but had never questioned her bloodline. Descending from a long line of witches added a screwed-up twist to her already fucked-up cocktail.

  At seven, she gave up on sleep, brewed coffee, and turned on the news. Bad idea. It was more speculation on the demon attack. She turned off the TV and played some music instead. Queens of the Stone Age’s No One Knows came up. Right, that was on the playlist she’d created before meeting Roman—songs that strangely enough had to do with stone, right before she’d met a gargoyle who shifted from that. She smiled. Perhaps he was right, and something deeper connected them, which was tied to fate.

  No One Knows.

  After sipping two cups of coffee while listening to the Rolling Stone and Stone Temple Pilots, the caffeine energized her to brave the morning. Maybe she’d been freaking out. That often happened in the dead of night with nothing but her thoughts to torment her by repeating the same questions on a loop.

  She’d meet with Roman, soon, they’d head over to the hospital, and she’d see if she had any chance of using what she’d learned to help Janie.

  Roman called after eight. “I got a bit tied up with things, but I’ll meet you at the hospital at nine.”

  With rush hour traffic, she’d face hell getting into Longwood. She might well double her travel time—if not triple it.

  After dealing with the ruthless commute with bumper-to-bumper traffic and endless loops in the parking garage, she cursed herself for not taking public transportation. She glanced up at the hospital. It loomed over her from this angle, blocking out the sun. She silently counted to ten before taking on the task that weighed on her.

  Once she spotted Roman, she hurried over to him, and they headed up to Janie’s room. She greeted Janie, who remained unresponsive. Larissa took a few tentative steps closer. Her hands trembled. She’d never done this before. Could she screw up the attempt, and make things worse for Janie?

  Roman put a hand on her shoulder from behind her. “It’s going to be all right.”

  She let his velvety smooth voice caress her and calm her frayed nerves. She drew in deep, cleansing breaths, as her grandmother had guided her.

  Placing her hands over Janie’s torso the way she’d seen Roman do yesterday, Larissa closed her eyes and focused. Roman had detected Janie’s lifeline. Could Larissa sense it, too? She attempted to get a reading on Janie. Perhaps, some sort of vibration or a sign of energy would indicate it.

  For several seconds, Larissa focused on the quiet space within Janie. Nothing seemed to change. Breathing through the frustration, she penetrated deeper, seeking a signal indicating life.

  There. A faint pulse of energy pulsed within. Larissa’s heart pumped. Had she found it? She followed the threads. Holy shit. Yes, it was Janie’s life force. How Larissa knew that to be true, she had no clue. Had she actually found a way in? Did she have a chance at helping Janie?

  Larissa probed deeper–and hit something hard. What the fuck was it?

  It was like a concrete wall of psychic energy that blocked her. Like a shield of darkness shrouding Janie.

  Nothing like Larissa had ever encountered before.

  Dark, delicate threads pulled away from the blackness. She froze as they reached for her. She wanted to retreat and run. Yet, she couldn’t. Besides, she couldn’t leave Janie to face them alone.

  The dark threads curled around Larissa, like a wispy embrace of a specter. They were all she could see behind her closed eyes. Menacing whispers echoed in her ear. She couldn’t hear what they said at first, until the message grew louder, paralyzing her:

  You’re not strong enough to handle this.

  What happened the night of the eclipse was a fluke.

  You’re not special, no matter what the gargoyle says. You’re not even a hero. You’re just a freak who had freakish luck one night.

  If you try to help Janie with magic you don’t understand, you’ll hurt her. You’ll be locked up for murder. A disgrace to the badge. A disappointment to all who ever believed in you…

  Larissa listened, entranced, as if listening to a dark, beautiful song that pulled at her soul’s strings and dragged her into a chasm of despair.

  The dark whispers were right, slicing through her psyche. What was she doing here? She was in over her head.

  What she had to do was pull back from magic, from all things she didn’t understand. Her father had been right to keep her far from it. She should follow his path, the way she always had. Be practical, sensible. Not follow some hippie-dippie ideas of magic.

  She had to retreat down the path and rebuild her life. Separate herself from the gargoyles.

  “No!”

  Roman’s voice echoed from some faraway place, like it was underwater.

  In the next heartbeat, she was yanked away from Janie. What felt like a fishhook through her gut lurched her backwards.

  Her eyes snapped open. She was in the hospital room. Someone was holding her.

  Roman.

  “Larissa, are you all right? Can you hear me?”

  He shook her shoulders, drawing her out of her daze. Her breath came out ragged.

  Everything was so tight inside her, like her ribs had constricted like a corset over her heart and lungs. It hurt to breathe.

  “Larissa, it’s me, Roman. Look at me.”

  She pulled her eyes to his face and gazed at the man before her. She grunted. No, not a man. He wasn’t even human. Far from it. She’d been sleeping with someone who could shift to goddamn stone and some sort of strange winged creature.

  Not fucking human!

  She balled her hands into fists.

  What the fuck was wrong with her? Why would she ever think it was okay to sleep with someone not even human? It wasn’t. It was fucking insane!

  She stepped out of his grasp. “I need to get away from here.”

  His brows drew closer as he eyed her. “What happened?”

  A dark fog settled over her, numbing her.

  “You got in, right?” the gargoyle asked. “Did the barrier stop you?”

  She stared as if seeing him for the first time. Who the hell was he really? Nothing more than a stranger who’d sauntered into her life a few days ago, fucking up her world with his talk of fantastic creatures. What the hell did he know about anything? He might be a madman, dragging her into twisted hallucinations with him. All that talk of demons and gargoyles couldn’t be real. It had to be some dark thoughts he’d implanted there dragging her into his insane delusions.

  “Who the fuck are you, really? And don’t give me the gargoyle answer. Who are you? And why have you been messing with me?”

  His eyes widened, and then narrowed as he studied her with a keen gaze. “Larissa, listen to me. This isn’t you. It’s the dark magic clouding your thoughts.”

  When he reached for her, she snatched it back. “Don’t touch me.”

  His expression turned pained. “It’s exploiting your fears. Don’t let it.”

  She raised her hands like a shield before her and stepped backwards. “No, you’re wrong.”

  “You can fight this,” he said. “I know you can.”

  “You don’t know anything about me.” She pointed at his chest. “I slept with you a few times, and you come up with crazy bullshit that we’re mates and meant to be together. That’s some twisted shit.”

  He stepped toward her, eying her like she was a caged animal. “You need to get away from here. It will help you calm down.”

  “Don’t tell me to fuckin’ calm down! And don’t take another step closer to me. What have you been lying about? Everything?” Her voice cracked.

  He raised a hand. “Larissa, don’t do this–”

  “No,” she cut him off. “I don’t want to hear another word. I don’t know how I’ve been sucked into this ma
dness, but the more I follow it, the more fucked up everything turns.” Her lips curled into a sneer. “I came here thinking I could do some voodoo magic or some shit, and it didn’t help her at all. It’s because I listened to you.” She pointed at him.

  He recoiled with a contorted expression. That weakness fueled the darkness within her.

  He wiped any emotion from his face, but she’d seen his weakness–her. Somehow, she could use it against him and make him pay for fucking up her life.

  Emotions burned through his stare. “You don’t mean this. We can fight any darkness if we take it on together. We’ve already defeated the demons together once.”

  She raised her hand. “Don’t say that. Being with you makes things worse,” she spat. “How can I be normal when I’m with someone–like you! A gargoyle. Ha! How stupid of me.” She shook her head. “I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

  “You just need some space,” he said in a low tone, as if talking to a scared animal. “Let’s get some fresh air. It will help you detach from the darkness and help you become you again.”

  “You are my darkness!” she spat, pointing square at his chest. “I was fine until you upended my life.” Rage pulsed through her veins. “Do you think I want to learn more about how fucked up I am! Don’t you think I already know it? Why would I want to exacerbate that?” She pointed at the door. “I don’t want you or your damn stone guards anywhere near her. Get your creepy bullshit out of here. It’s over, Roman. Leave us both the fuck alone.”

  Roman’s expression hardened like stone. His amber eyes glowered. “I will leave. But I’m not leaving you alone with her, Larissa. Not when you’ve been affected by them.” He motioned to the door. “If you want me out, you walk out with me.”

  Chapter 10

  Roman ignored the blazing fury in Larissa’s eyes as he gripped her by the arm and led her from the hospital room. He couldn’t leave her with Janie in that state.

  Conflicting emotions roared through him as the beast within wanted to tear at any creature that had tainted his mate with its evil. The words she’d spat at him had sluiced his gut like a demon’s claws. Yet, neither the pain nor the anger doused his urge to protect her. In fact, it made him yearn to care for her even more. She’d been tormented, affected against her will.

  How could he get her to be Larissa once again?

  She didn’t fight him as they walked down the hospital hallway. A part of her must have understood he was doing what was best for Janie – and maybe for Larissa as well.

  He chose the stairwell rather than the elevator. At least, they could avoid as many people as possible, as he guessed this wasn’t going to go smoothly. Once they started to descend the floors, she yanked her arm away.

  “You don’t have to manhandle me,” she spat.

  “Fair enough.” He motioned with his arm to the stairs below. “After you.”

  She cast him a spiteful look and powered past him, arms swinging at her sides as she pounded down the stairs. The foul magic had tainted her. He could still scent its distinct odor permeating through her, although it wasn’t as strong as it had been in Janie’s room.

  He knew that was the main reason behind her biting words, yet the rejection from his mate still stung. He’d never imagined she’d blast such hateful words at him. A string of curses directed his way, yes. She swore worse than the proverbial sailor, especially when she was stressed. It was one of the quirks he’d discovered about his mate. He’d been looking forward to discovering more as they learned about each other.

  That idea might have crashed, since she’d just cast him out of her life. His chest tightened. He clenched his fists and then released them, burying the ache to a place deep within. He shoved it down to keep the heated emotions from bursting forth before he lashed out in a blaze of rage.

  Lashed out at what? He couldn’t unleash his anger on the demons that were at the core of her outburst. Not when he didn’t bloody well know where any of them were, nor if they even remained in the city. The scent had led nowhere. They’d vanished, as well as any sign that a demon remained in this realm, leading the gargoyles to pursue a threat that might not even exist. How much time had they spent last night chasing the scent of trails that might have been days old?

  As Roman followed Larissa down the stairwell, negative energy wafted up and wrapped around him like a cloak. The demon’s strike that kept them apart was the deepest cut of all.

  He had to get them both outside, away from the source of the demon’s magic. The air might help it dissipate.

  Larissa must’ve progressed further with Janie than Roman had. The barrier had prevented him from doing much, yet, she’d found a way in. She had to be more powerful than she believed. Unfortunately, that strength backfired on her.

  When she reached the main floor, she pushed through the steel door and burst into the lobby. He rushed to her side and linked his arm with hers. She groaned and flashed him a look of disgust, but didn’t pull away.

  They garnered glances from those in the hospital, as they rushed toward the exit. He smiled as they passed, attempting to make it look like they were a couple in a hurry, rather than on the verge of an epic fight.

  And then, a security guard looked them up and down.

  “Good day,” Roman said with a smile and a nod, not breaking his stride.

  The revolving door was ahead, and he forced himself into the same compartment as her, although it was tight.

  “What’s wrong with you, Roman? Why are you creeping into my space?”

  After they exited onto the sidewalk, he said, “Because you’re affected by dark magic. You probably never encountered something so destructive, and I don’t know how it’s going to affect you.”

  She pulled her face into a scowl. “You think you know so much about everything. All this weird ass shit that I never had to deal with until I met you. Well, it’s over. I’m walking away from this.” She waved her hands at her side and thrust her chest forward aggressively. “All of it.”

  Gods, he hated what the demons had done this to her—twisting her up inside. What snaking strands of hate slithered through her mind, lying to her? All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and shield her from the darkness, but it had already claimed a hold on her.

  Still, he had to try. “Come here, Larissa.” He stepped toward her with arms open. “Let me help you.”

  She recoiled. “What the fuck, Roman? You don’t get it, do you? I don’t want anything to do with you any longer. Stay the hell away from me.”

  The frost in her tone sliced through him as if she’d picked up and ice pick and plunged it into his chest, dragging it in a zigzag pattern to cause the most pain. He had to think rationally and not let the darkness tear him apart, too. He had to be strong for them both.

  “Get some air, Larissa. It might help.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do. I’ve taken care of myself for a long time.”

  She turned and strode across the pavement in front of the hospital. Roman watched her, ignoring the gnawing inside as she walked away. Where would she go? What could he do to help her?

  An unsettling sensation rocked him. What if the demon tainting her made her dangerous? He couldn’t let her loose on the city.

  He contacted his sentries. We have a problem.

  After summarizing what had happened when Larissa had tried to revive Janie, Arto asked, What should we do?

  I don’t know what this means for Janie. Larissa could try to get back to her. Or a demon. But I don’t like it. Come here and guard Janie.

  Will do, Roman.

  She needs to be watched closely, Roman added. Arto, the others will continue their watch from outside. You need to be inside the hospital. In her room, if you can manage it.

  I’ll find a way, Arto replied.

  Stay on guard. The demon’s darkness is in her. I saw what it did to Larissa. It can’t happen to anyone else. Roman rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe the incubus that we’d foun
d with Janie cursed her.

  Or, it’s a mark so he can return, Arto added.

  Fuck. That was an unfortunate possibility. Arto was sharp, seeing different angles. I’d destroyed that demon, but you’re right, Arto, she could be marked. All of you must be on high alert.

  After the gargoyles acknowledged Roman’s order, he said, Larissa might be dangerous–or in danger. I have to follow her to ensure she isn’t a threat.

  Larissa stormed down to her car in the nearby lot. Who the fuck did Roman think he was anyway? Some hot shit with wings who could tell her what to do? Ha. Screw him and his stone-faced comrades. She was Janie’s best friend. She knew what was best for her.

  Darkness slithered in her brain, whispering to her. She didn’t need him in her life. She’d been getting on fine without him. She was foolish to think about taking on some crazy ass lover who fixed himself like a stone magnet to a goddamn building and watched everyone below like some peeping Tom.

  The way he’d stared at her the first night had unnerved her. She should have walked away then and avoided all these problems. He was no good for her.

  Where should she go? Drive west? The only person she could talk to about all this supernatural shit going on in her fucked up life was her grandmother.

  Larissa’s limbs were stiff, muscles tense. Her entire body tingled with an uneasy sensitivity. Never had she felt so on the edge, so fraught with rage and frustration and despair. It was like all her emotions jumbled inside a blender, and she hovered nearby helplessly, hoping someone didn’t press puree.

  After climbing into her car, she paid the murderous fee to get out of the parking lot. Then she had to deal with the wrath of the city’s traffic. Shit, as if she wasn’t already on the brink, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.