The Girl and the Gargoyle: Book Two of The Girl and the Raven Series

by Pauline Gruber

  “What does it smell like to you?” Jude asks us.

  “Bad.” I choke. “God awful.”

  Dylan’s face twists. Did he have the same flashback? “Like burning hair, but so much worse.”

  I stare at the contents of my hand, which I thrust away from my body. I don’t dump the contents. I’m not sure why, but I don’t. “Jude, what is this?”

  “A virgin lamb, most likely.”

  I fling the gritty dust from my hand as if burned. Big mistake. It becomes airborne. And in a panic, I suck in a deep breath. I drop to my knees, retching.

  “Are you okay?” Marcus is at my side in an instant.

  Back on my feet, I swipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I can’t shake the vision of an innocent little lamb brought into the woods and slaughtered.

  “What does all this ritualistic stuff mean?” Dylan asks.

  Why isn’t he as affected by the sacrificed animal as I am? Has he become immune? Or is he trying to be stoic to impress Jude? What happened to the Dylan I used to know?

  “Is this all part of him recruiting a new partner?” I ask.

  “It’s a form of soul magic,” Jude says. “Seamus must sense a supernatural in the area, someone he believes can be influenced. Likely a young female, someone to replace his daughter. Seamus summoned her and I would bet he plans to tether her magic to his, feeding off of her in order to strengthen his own power.”

  “But a human needs her soul to live,” Marcus protests.

  “If the supernatural is human, she will be dead once Seamus is done with her,” Jude says.

  Where is the anger? The remorse? Instead, Jude’s face is expressionless, his words matter of fact.

  “Seamus is gone,” Dylan says grimly. “Do you think he connected with this girl?”

  Jude’s eyes turn dark, glinty as he surveys the area. “He did.” His gaze shifts to me and I shiver. “I want you to move into my home.”

  Seamus knows where I live. Sheldon and Bernard. My knees quiver and I lock them. “If he comes to the three-flat, my uncles will be in danger. They can’t defend themselves,” I say. “There’s no way I’m leaving them.”

  “Persephone, Aiden, and I can protect your uncles,” Marcus says through clenched teeth. He jerks and trembles as he fights the change. Suddenly, he cocks his head.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “The last hiker just left the forest preserve.” Marcus glances at Jude, then strides out of the clearing. A loud THAWUNK rings out. Marcus returns moments later, shirtless, his massive wings tucked tight to his back.

  “Feel better?” I grab his shirt, which hangs from the rear waistband of his jeans and tuck it in the crook of my arm.

  “Much.”

  Dylan heaves a sarcastic sigh and rolls his eyes, then turns his attention back to Jude. “What’s our strategy?”

  “Are you familiar with a two front war?”

  Dylan nods. “I know my history. Why?”

  Jude glowers at Marcus. “In addition to taking on Seamus, we’re going to annihilate the gargoyle’s father.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  “This can’t be good.” I drop my backpack on the floor of the old library at St. Aquinas. Selima perches on the upper catwalk, clutching one of the many musty smelling books in her hands. I’m curious how she got into the building, which prides itself on having tight security. Then again, she’s got the same killer charm as her brother. Maybe all she had to do was ask someone. “Jude knows Garret’s in town.”

  Selima returns the book to its spot on the shelf. Ignoring the ladder, she steps off the ledge and drops twenty feet. I brace myself. A one-story jump is nothing for a protector, even one who hasn’t morphed, but I still fear she will twist her ankle. Instead, she lands in a deep squat, her fingers brushing the ground. It reminds me of all the times I leapt off the roof at Jude’s house during my initial demon training.

  “Demons don’t have exceptional senses like protectors, but I’m guessing Jude’s known about Garret for a while,” she says. “Demons are territorial, and they always keep track of their enemies.”

  “Jude’s going after him.”

  Selima’s almond shaped eyes lock on mine. “Rumor has it Garret’s planning an attack on Jude.”

  I swallow hard. “How many protectors?”

  “Fifteen…twenty.”

  Jude, Henry, Persephone, Aiden, Marcus, Dylan, me. Seven. With Max and his partner, that’s nine.

  “The odds aren’t good,” Selima says. “But I have an idea.”

  I can’t help but be suspicious. “You’re willing to help me, a half-demon? Garret won’t be too happy about that.”

  “Just because Garret’s my father doesn’t mean I automatically side with him. Unlike most of the others, I have a mind of my own.”

  I take a seat on the bottom stair leading to the catwalk. “Why are you so eager to betray your father? Aren’t you afraid of what he’ll do to you if he finds out?”

  “I can take care of myself. It’s you who’s in danger,” Selima says sharply. “I don’t care how powerful Jude is. It’s about the numbers. Against Garret’s team, he—and unfortunately you—don’t stand a chance.”

  Could this be a set-up? Is Selima manipulating me? Maybe that’s the real reason she’s talking to me here and not the three-flat with Marcus present. He would see through her lies. But what if she’s telling the truth? Could she really be here to help? If everything she says is true, then Jude and I are goners.

  Selima shoves her hands in the pockets of her denim jacket and glances around to make sure we’re alone. “Marcus told me Persephone and Henry are calling in favors from other demons and witches.” She scrunches her brow. “It won’t be enough.”

  She’s right. We’re all kidding ourselves. Jude may be unstoppable against Garret. I believe he would win against the protector, but not when Garret’s got a small army behind him.

  So far everything she’s saying could be discussed in front of Marcus. Persephone and Henry, too. Why the secret meeting here at my school? Something about this doesn’t feel right.

  I might as well hear her out then take the information back to Marcus and the others. “What do you suggest?”

  Selima stands close and lowers her voice. “I have an idea. It’s going to sound crazy—beyond crazy—which it is, but hear me out.”

  My entire body tingles. I’m not going to like this. “I’ll consider anything at this point.”

  Selima chews her lip for a moment. “Who’s the biggest, most powerful demon you can think of?”

  I don’t even have to think about it. “Jude.”

  Selima gives a small shake of her head. “Think bigger.”

  Bigger than Jude? Not Seamus, that’s for sure, although, he’s mastered the art of surprise. I only know one other demon and that’s Aiden. He’s small potatoes compared to Jude. So small that he has no effect on Marcus. For all I know, he’s like Dylan and only has the ability to use his fists. Then there’s Max. He’s nothing more than hired muscle, according to Aiden. “There’s no one bigger than Jude. Even Garret said so.”

  Selima’s pupils are so large her irises disappear. Fear?

  I take a step back. “Where are you going with this?”

  “You’re his namesake, Lucy,” she whispers.

  A pool of ice settles in my belly.

  Jude holds the rank of king among demons, and he is said to have been created second only to Lucifer, said the voice that came to me in the three-flat attic when Persephone and I cast the protection spell on Jude.

  “No,” I whisper. “You can’t mean…”

  Selima’s eyes burn into mine. “He’ll help you.”

  “Namesake?” I say breathlessly.

  Lucifer…Lucy…

  Selima arches an eyebrow at me. “It’s time you have a serious talk with your father.”

  * * * *

  “I want to learn more about you,” I blurt out over lunch.

  Dylan chokes on his chic
ken and immediately guzzles half his glass of water. It’s Sunday and our weekly meal together before demon training.

  Jude regards me calmly, chews his food then swallows. He dabs his lips with a blood-red cloth napkin. “What brought this on?”

  “I’ve been thinking about my name. Is it a coincidence that Lucy and Lucifer are so similar?” Dylan’s eyes nearly bug out of his head, but he stays quiet. My hands twist the napkin on my lap into a furious knot. My food sits untouched on my plate.

  Jude cuts another piece of his chicken scaloppini, chews then swallows. His eyes never leave my face. He takes a sip from his wine glass. “You came up with this all on your own?” he asks.

  “It’s not that big of a stretch.” I’m offended he thinks I’m not smart enough to figure it out.

  “Lucifer was my mentor. There is a hierarchy where I come from. I sat at his right hand, so to speak.”

  Where he comes from. “Was I named after him?”

  He nods finally. “You were.”

  “Do you two keep in touch?”

  Jude’s eyes narrow. Dylan kicks me under the table, but I push on.

  “You’re my father. Can’t I ask questions about you?”

  He takes another drink from his wine glass, watching me over the rim. “You have a right to know. I’m just curious why you’re asking now. Are you up to something, Lucy?”

  I force a laugh. “I guess I was too afraid to ask before. You’re not all that approachable.”

  I can tell by his expression he wishes I still felt that way.

  “We haven’t communicated in a long time.”

  “Because Lucifer lives in hell?”

  Dylan spits water a good foot across the table. “I’m sorry,” he gasps.

  Jude looks at him, appalled. Dylan jumps up from his chair and moves dishes around, so he can mop up the mess.

  Jude returns his attention to me. His face looks drawn all of a sudden. “We’ll call it that, for the sake of discussion.”

  “Is it possible to visit?”

  Jude tosses his napkin at Dylan, who uses it to clean up the rest of his mess. He scrapes his chair back, and I can tell I’ve reached the end of his patience. “Where are you headed with this, Lucy?”

  “I know nothing about you and where you come from. I know all about Momma. I’m curious is all. You have this huge, successful business…enterprise, whatever you call it. Did Lucifer teach you all of that? Was he your father figure? A mentor? Does he run businesses in hell? What does he do? It’s not like he can retire, right? Because your kind, you’re immortal.”

  “My kind,” Jude mutters. He crosses one leg over the other. “He’s the head of a very complex political structure, societal faction. It involves business, but not like you know it here.”

  “So…he’s important.”

  “You could say that,” Jude says dryly.

  “Will he be in that position forever or does it get handed down to you at some point?”

  “Will you shut up already?” Dylan hisses.

  Jude’s expression pinches. “Is this some kind of homework assignment? A family tree or something?”

  “Family tree.” Dylan snorts. Jude shoots him a dark look, and Dylan returns to wiping the table.

  “No, it’s just me trying to understand my family.” I’m unable to stop the frustration from creeping into my voice. “And I’m trying to—”

  “There is some pressure for him to step down from his responsibilities, to finally designate a successor.”

  I lean forward. “Would that be you?”

  Jude’s face scrunches distastefully. “If I was interested, which I’m not.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t want the responsibility. I don’t like all the positioning. And I live here. Are we done?” His tone makes it clear that we are, in fact, done.

  “I thought you’d like me taking an interest,” I grumble.

  Jude rises from the table and beckons for Dylan and me to follow him. It’s time to train.

  * * * *

  Later that night, I meet Marcus and Selima on the roof.

  “How did it go with Jude today?” Selima asks. She plops down and crosses her legs in front of her. I catch a glint as light reflects off the tiny gemstone piercing in her nose.

  Marcus looks from Selima to me, eyebrows raised. I take a seat across from her and Marcus joins me. “How did what go with Jude?” he asks.

  “I played the role of the curious daughter, asking questions about you know who and their relationship. Jude didn’t like it. He finally asked if I was working on a family tree for school.”

  Selima throws her head back and laughs.

  Marcus peers at me then his sister, his brows pulled together tight. “What are you two up to?”

  “He didn’t pick up on the real reason for your questions?” Selima asks, ignoring Marcus.

  Marcus’s gaze burns into me. I focus on Selima.

  “No, and I’m determined to figure out a way…”

  Marcus shakes his head as if to clear the cobwebs. “Figure out what? A way to what?”

  We both turn to him. Selima’s eyes dance with excitement.

  “Figure out a way to get Jude to go below ground,” I tell him.

  “If he can’t be found, then he can’t be killed,” Selima says. “And then we only have Lucy to protect.”

  “We?” Marcus blinks at his sister.

  She smiles at him. “Yes, we.”

  I roll my eyes. As if she cares one iota about me.

  Marcus’s gaze bounces between the two of us. “But…Garret. He’ll be furious with you for getting involved.”

  She sighs. “I work for demons—remember? I’m already in the doghouse with my father.”

  Marcus shakes his head and exhales with frustration. “You’re naïve. They’re using you.”

  Selima arches an eyebrow. “No one uses me, little brother.”

  “What do you do for them?” Marcus asks with a huff.

  “I work as part of the kitchen staff, which is sort of a ruse. My real job is to guard them. There are other demons—the nasty kind—who are a threat.”

  “Do you fight for them?” Marcus asks, an edge to his voice.

  “No. When I sense trouble, I sound the alarm.” She nods her head toward me. “Now can we get back to the problem at hand?”

  Marcus nods reluctantly.

  “The point is to get Jude underground,” she says. “Then to help protect Lucy, who’s done nothing wrong. She’s an innocent. It’s my role as a protector to keep her safe.”

  “According to Garret, it’s your role as a protector to kill Lucy because she’s half-demon.”

  “She’s also half-witch,” Selima counters.

  Marcus looks unconvinced. “Garret doesn’t see it that way. Besides, Jude isn’t going to leave Lucy.”

  This is the part that scares the bejesus out of me. Am I crazy to go along with Selima on this? What’s in it for her?

  “We’re going to enlist some assistance,” Selima says. She rests her hand on my leg, her eyes never leaving my face. She’s going to help me with Jude. Maybe she’s not a spy for her father. A sense of calm spreads through me.

  Marcus narrows his eyes at Selima and plucks her hand from my leg. The sense of calm slips away. “I don’t like this,” he says.

  What happens if we tick off the granddaddy of all demons? Fire…death…mass destruction? Images of Sheldon and Bernard flash through my head. Ethan and Brandi, too. What if I fail to keep them safe? My chest tightens.

  Focus, Lucy. Get Jude below ground. Then worry about the others.

  Selima snaps her fingers, and it’s enough to pull me from my grim thoughts. “We need to talk to Persephone and Henry. We’re going to need their help,” she says.

  “Lucy?” Marcus turns to me. He cups my head and leans in close. “Tell me what you’re planning, please.”

  Doubt tugs at me. Are we going about this all wrong? But what else can we do? W
hat else can I do? Garret and his team are not going to rest until Jude is dead. We’re outnumbered. I have no choice. I have to do this.

  “We’re going to summon Lucifer.”

  Chapter Forty

  “It’s irresponsible.” Henry flushes, his voice a mix of panic and disappointment.

  Selima perches calmly on Persephone’s couch. Aiden studies me with a thoughtful expression.

  “Not an option!” Persephone huffs. “It’s too dangerous.”

  I knew this was going to be difficult. Maybe even impossible. Marcus leans against the wall, his arms wrapped tightly over his chest.

  “It’s a stupid idea,” he grounds out.

  “It’s the best idea so far to ensure Jude’s safety and mine,” I counter.

  “We have a plan, Lucy.” Henry pulls at his tie. “We’ve got other resources. Max is on board, and he brought a trusted partner. These are reasonable demons.” He nods at Persephone. “What about Mirabelle?

  Persephone frowns. “She’s in South America. I can’t track her down.”

  “Regardless, we only work with supernaturals we can trust.”

  Selima snorts and every pair of eyes land on her. She shakes her head, her lips twisted in a smirk. “I’m sorry. Two demons and your group? That’s…what?” She counts on her fingers to make a point. “Seven of you. Eight when you include Jude. Nine when you include me.” She chuckles. “Your few supernaturals, no matter how powerful, will be overrun by Garret’s team of fifteen to twenty. Jude will be destroyed. Lucy will die.”

  Henry pushes his glasses up his nose, his expression pinched. “But…Lucifer?”

  “Jude’s not going to listen to anyone else,” I tell them. “This is the only way to put him outside of Garret’s reach.”

  “Lucy, you don’t conjure a demon without consequences. And one as powerful as Lucifer…you’re taking your life in your hands,” Persephone says, her head twitching with every word. Her dark curls bounce, and I’m reminded of the jerky movements of Serenity and Lola, her and Gram’s ravens, when they’re agitated. “You’re likely to anger him—in a colossal way. We can’t allow you to face off with the most powerful demon in existence.”