I startle, pain radiating up my arm. I glance at the red welt forming, where Dylan just pinched me. Hard.
“Hold it together,” he whispers. “Do it for him.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
I press my face to Marcus’s chest, my arms wrapped around him. Our legs are intertwined as we lay on my bed. It’s been three days since the battle at St. Aquinas, and Marcus can finally lie on his back. My uncles won’t be home for three more days. I have my soul mate all to myself. I feel as happy as a cat as he strokes my hair.
“He’s really gone?” Marcus asks.
My feelings of bliss are immediately squashed by guilt. Jude.
“Dylan and I searched his house. Aiden, too. Jude’s car is in the driveway, but he’s nowhere to be found. He’s not answering his cell, either.”
My father always answered my calls. “Garret’s dead. Lucifer shouldn’t have taken Jude.”
Marcus’s body tenses. I’m about to ask him if he’s in pain, but restrain myself. I don’t want to get the stink eye from him again.
“Do you think Jude hates me, wherever he is?” I ask. “For conjuring Lucifer?”
“Garret’s team of junkie protectors were going to kill him.” Marcus tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “You saved him. And as far as what’s-his-face, let’s not address him by name.”
I chuckle uneasily. “Why not?”
Marcus clears his throat. “We assume he’s in hell with Jude, but we have no way of knowing. Just in case, I don’t want him to think you’re beckoning him.”
“I can’t believe Aiden performed a second conjuring with Max and Warrick.”
“They were only trying to help,” Marcus says.
“I know.” I peek up at him. “What happens now with Camille?”
He sighs. “She has to answer to a higher authority. I doubt she can rule the clan as a human, and they know about the blood drinking. Laws were broken.”
I prop myself up on my elbow. “I spoke with Selima yesterday. She said Camille’s in custody.”
Marcus hesitates then nods, his expression pinched.
“What is it?”
He shrugs. “I can’t help but wonder what life would’ve been like if Garret hadn’t been driven crazy by his habit…if Camille hadn’t been an addict.” He glances at me then away. “Maybe I would’ve joined the clan—been part of something. Or maybe not.”
I killed Garret. He left out that part. Would life with the clan been better for Marcus? He could’ve surrounded himself with people who understand and accept him. He could’ve finally dispelled his belief that he’s a freak. He could’ve had a family.
I can’t bear his pained expression any longer. “It’s not like you’re barred from the clan. Selima’s talking to other protectors, trying to get a sense of things.” I snuggle against his chest to hide my worry.
Marcus sighs as he slides out from beneath me. “I have to go.”
It would be so easy to spend the night together, except that my boyfriend needs his time on the roof. Now more than ever.
After Marcus leaves, I slide under the covers and curl up in a ball. My brave face sags. For the past three days, my thoughts have been filled with snapshots of Garret’s face as I killed him. Flynn’s screams still haunt my dreams. And Jude is being held somewhere against his will. It’s all my fault.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
“Was it the right thing to do?” I run my fingers over Marcus’s wing as the moonlight casts shadows over his stone form.
“Lucifer saved Jude. And you.” Aiden’s voice is equally quiet. “According to Selima, there were two dozen gargoyles outside the school, ready to fight.”
A chill passes through me, and I pull my sweatshirt tightly around my body. A chorus of cicadas fills the night air. I scoot closer to Marcus and feel the chill of the rock seep into me.
“Demetrius called today,” Aiden says. “The counsel wants to meet with Marcus.”
It’s happening.
Aiden raises his gaze to mine. “Marcus has good instincts. And he’s got good people like Persephone and Henry to help advise him.”
Marcus is going to leave me.
“And you,” I tell him, averting my gaze as my heart breaks.
“Selima will be with him, if he decides to go.”
It’s Marcus’s chance to be among others like him, to learn the ways of protectors. “He needs to go.” I force the words from my burning throat.
“He needs to hear that from you.”
What will my life be like without Marcus? The thought is too painful, so I push it away.
A breeze passes over us, raising goose bumps on my skin. Aiden’s brow furrows, his eyes darting as if he’s searching for someone.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” I ask.
“I don’t think he’s gone.”
This isn’t about Marcus. I lean forward. “But you said…”
“Jude would never leave you. Ever,” Aiden says. “The only way Lucifer was going to get him below ground was to personally escort him. But…”
“But what?”
“Everything’s felt different since he arrived that night.”
“And it still feels different?” I ask.
Aiden nods.
“Is Marcus in danger now that Lucifer’s here? Am I?”
“Lucifer won’t harm you. You’re his namesake, which is the equivalent of his being your godfather, but on steroids. Demons take it very seriously.”
“What about my uncles? My friends? Marcus?”
“Lucifer is known to be possessive.” Aiden pauses, deep lines creasing his forehead. “Jude wasn’t keen on sharing you, but…this will be worse.”
Sheldon and Bernard. Marcus.
I tuck my trembling hands into my sweatshirt pockets. “When we conjured him, you said we had to leave the door to the other dimension open in order to send him back. So, let’s send him back. Now.”
Aiden gives a small shake of his head. “He tricked us. Lucifer knew the timeline, and he intentionally blew it.” His lips pull into a humorless smile. “It’s been a long time since he’s tasted freedom. And now he’s got you. He has a successor with Jude—albeit an unwilling one. There’s no way he’s going back.”
“You know a lot about him.”
It takes a long time for Aiden to respond. When he does, his expression and his shoulders sag. “I should. He’s my grandfather.”
Chapter Sixty
“Welcome home!” We all cry in unison as my uncles walk through the front door.
I throw my arms around Sheldon and Bernard, laughing at their surprised expressions.
“We’ve missed you, Luce,” Bernard says, planting a kiss on my cheek.
“Wait ’til you see the souvenirs we brought for you,” Sheldon adds excitedly.
“She definitely deserves them after helping Persephone,” Henry says, his eyes void of their normal twinkle.
“Why don’t you boys unload the limo,” Persephone instructs Marcus and Dylan while she delivers glasses of wine to my uncles.
“No problems while we were gone?” Sheldon asks, eyeballing the apartment. Does he think I threw a party?
“Fine.” Persephone waves him off. “Lucy gets an A plus for her hard work over the past two weeks. My projects are caught up, she stayed on top of her homework, and her job with the Douglas kids.”
And I killed Marcus’s father trying to save Jude. Not only did I lose my father in the process, I’m going to lose my boyfriend, too.
Henry’s eyes land on me and narrow. I force a big smile and he relaxes. I’ll have to be more careful with my thoughts, since apparently I wear them on my face.
Sheldon wraps his arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “I’m proud of you. You truly are like your Gram.”
“Not that we doubted you,” Bernard adds with a wink.
My smile falters. How would they react if they knew what really went down in their absence?
Henry holds the door fo
r Aiden who’s carrying three large, delicious-smelling pizzas.
My stomach growls.
“What did we miss?” Bernard asks as Marcus and Dylan plunk down their luggage and shopping bags next to the couch.
I take a deep breath and force another smile. “Marcus has a sister. She couldn’t be here today, but you’ll meet her soon.”
Sheldon nods at Marcus. “If she’s anything like your mother, I’m sure she’s delightful.”
“Camille is her stepmother,” Marcus clarifies.
Dylan flashes his pearly whites. “Selima’s pretty awesome.”
“Hmmm…” Sheldon elbows Bernard, his eyebrows bouncing. “Seems we missed plenty.”
“Pizza’s getting cold,” Aiden calls from the kitchen.
As I dole out pizza and napkins and refill wine glasses, Marcus smirks. “You can’t help mothering people.”
“I don’t mind,” Dylan says with a mouthful. “Especially if she gets me a Coke.”
I deliver sodas to Dylan and Marcus, popping one open for myself. Doesn’t Marcus understand? Growing up I had to mother Momma. Now it’s what I do with the people I love.
My uncles entertain us with stories of sunbathing iguanas, Capuchin monkeys, visits to volcanoes, white-sand beaches, and their quest to spot as many different birds as possible.
Aiden glances at Marcus at least every five minutes. Seems I’m not the only mother hen in the group.
Dylan pulls his phone from his pocket when he thinks no one is looking.
“She’ll call you when she gets home,” Marcus tells him for the third time.
Dylan puts his phone away. “I wanted to help move her from the dorm.”
Selima turned out to be good after all.
“Seems we’re both cursed with stubborn, independent girls,” Marcus tells him.
A wave of jealousy washes over me. Will Dylan hang out with Selima and forget about me? Is this the end of our friendship?
Marcus lifts my chin until our eyes meet. Setting his plate on the table, he takes hold of my hand and tugs me close. “I love you. Everything’s going to be okay.”
His touch calms me, and for the moment, I almost believe him. “I love you, too.”
“I’d like to make a toast,” Bernard announces, dabbing at his eyes. “You’re all very special to Sheldon and me. You’re more than neighbors. More than friends even. And we’re grateful that you helped take care of Lucy and the three-flat while we were gone.”
“Doesn’t sound like much of a toast to me,” Aiden teases.
“What he’s trying to say is…you’re more like family,” Sheldon says.
“Here! Here!” the group cheers in unison as we clank glasses and pop cans.
My heart swells so big it actually hurts. When I was nursing Momma with a hangover in the trailer park, I would never have guessed I could feel so loved. Now that I have everything I want, who’s going to come and try to take it away?
You know who, the little voice in my head says. Garret’s gone, but Seamus is still out there. And what about Marcus? Will he stay or will he go? I shiver, my body breaking out in a cold sweat. I close my eyes, feeling lightheaded, and teeter against Marcus.
“What’s wrong? You’re pale,” he murmurs in my ear.
I grasp his hand. “Nothing. Don’t let go.”
He brushes his lips against my hair. “I’ve got you.”
– THE END –
To All My Reader Friends
I hope you enjoyed reading The Girl and the Gargoyle. I received so many comments from readers of The Girl and the Raven, asking what’s next for Lucy, Marcus, and Dylan. I’m so excited to give you the latest installment.
Do you want to share the love? The best way to help other readers find this book is to leave a review. Please consider leaving your feedback on Amazon.com and Goodreads.
I love to hear from readers. You can contact me at [email protected] or visit my website: paulinegruber.com, where you can connect with me through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr.
Thank you for reading The Girl and the Gargoyle.
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Purchase The Girl and the Raven
Haven’t read The Girl and the Raven? You can purchase it on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1JxLIz7
Book Three: The Girl and the Demon
Lucy, Marcus, and Dylan’s story continues.
Release date to be announced at paulinegruber.com
Acknowledgements
My sincere gratitude to the following:
Dennis – For your unwavering support and for being my rock.
Dale –The greatest sister ever. Thank you for always being there for me and loving Lucy, Marcus, and Dylan as much as I do.
Lynn Johnston – In addition to being a fantastic development and content editor, you’re a profound mentor and human being. Thank you.
Andrea Dickinson – Thank you for being a great copy editor. It’s such a pleasure to work with you.
Kayle Allen – I couldn’t ask for a better critique partner. You understand the voices and personalities of my characters, and you know just the right amount of trouble to heap on them. Thank you.
Chuck, Phil, Royelle, and the rest of my Katten family for your support.
To my incredible team of beta readers: Royelle Kashiwahara, Marissa Gracia, Lisa Whalen, Bonnie Gill, and Nicole Floress—thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!!!
Nicole Floress for helping me create an AWESOME soundtrack for The Girl and the Raven. Here is the playlist:
Everlong (acoustic version), by Foo Fighters
Hero/Heroine, by Boys Like Girls
Take Me (As You Found Me), by Anberlin
Your Guardian Angel, by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Little Death, by +44
Running Up That Hill, by Placebo
Tomorrow Comes Today, by Gorillaz
Franklin, by Paramore
Velvet, by The Big Pink
Walking With A Ghost, by Tegan and Sara
Magic, by Coldplay
Electric Feel, by MGMT
Want to listen? Check it out here: http://spoti.fi/1MgR53k
A special thank you to the winners of the Facebook Character Naming Contest:
I’m very excited to list the winners of the Facebook name contest. Originally, I was looking for help naming two new supernatural male characters for the sequel to The Girl and the Raven. However, there were so many fantastic suggestions that I took FIVE names for The Girl and the Gargoyle. Thank you so much to everyone who participated. The winning names are as follows:
• Flynn, a gargoyle (suggested by Gerald Kelel)
• Grayson, ex-clan leader of the protectors/gargoyles (deceased) (suggested by Mary Miller-Rademaker, Pam Noles and Peggy Burt)
• Ronan, a gargoyle (suggested by Angela Neff)
• Warrick, a demon (suggested by Nick Parrish)
• Zeke, a demon (suggested by both Colette Cocokios and Amanda Lynn Matheson) ***During final revisions, Zeke’s name changed to Max. A couple of my beta readers found the similarity between Zeke and Uncle Zack confusing. I still love the name and hope it use “Zeke” in a future series.
About the Author
Pauline Gruber is a self-professed music junkie, cat wrangler and travel nut. She went to Paris in the 90’s where she discovered a love of three things: croissants, old cathedrals, and gargoyles. Deciding that the paranormal world could use a new kind of hero, Pauline translated her fascination with the protective gargoyle into a suspenseful love story. She is the author of the series: The Girl and the Raven, The Girl and the Gargoyle, and the forthcoming novel, The Girl and the Demon. By day, Pauline is a legal assistant for a Chicago law firm where she steals identities and incorporates them into her books. If you tell anyone, she’ll deny, deny, deny.
Pauline lives outside o
f Chicago with her precocious black cats.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
The Girl and the Gargoyle: Book Two of The Girl and the Raven Series Page 32
