Tempted by the Gargoyle (a gargoyle shifter romance): Boston Stone Sentries

by Lisa Carlisle

  Think of it as your weapon, not your hand.

  She tried again, having better control with her hand this time, but once again missed.

  Don’t shoot where he is. Remember your firearms training.

  She thought of her fingers as sights and tracked the target. On her third time, she hit him square in the chest, blasting him back. He fell as if paralyzed, hitting the ground with a thud. Seconds later, he pulled his injured body up and flew away. Beyond the dome, he disappeared—seeming to vanish into the air.

  Blinking to clear her vision, she searched for him. Where had he gone?

  Roman appeared before her, hovering as his wings kept him off the ground. The next second, he bolted down and landed beside her, surprise etched on his face. “How did you do that?”

  “I don’t exactly know.” She wiggled her fingers, which still tingled with the expulsion of energy. “I only did it for the first time earlier tonight.”

  His eyes widened with admiration. “You can harness and control your energy. That’s a rare skill.”

  She opened her mouth to brush it off, but stopped.

  “We can use it to knock these demons back.”

  “I’m not that powerful,” she protested, waving her arms to both sides. She’d sell her soul to stop those bastards, but she had nothing compared to them.

  No. That might make her like them. Scratch that—whatever she could do to help, short of selling her soul to dark forces, she’d do.

  “Larissa, don’t doubt your powers. You’ve been fighting them your whole life; I can sense you have. But it’s time to embrace what you are.” He gripped her shoulders, searching her eyes. “You’re powerful. Capable. Believe it.”

  She took a deep breath to keep the crippling fear at bay. This was intense. Too intense. But she couldn’t back away. “What can I do?”

  “Exactly what you did—when it’s time.” He scanned the distance. “They don’t live in this realm. They must have slipped through a portal.”

  “A portal?” Larissa glanced the skies, not knowing what the hell a portal would look like. The one she’d injured had vanished. She pointed in that direction. “One that I hit flew beyond the dome and disappeared.”

  Roman’s face appeared still as he thought. “I’ll be right back.”

  He flew in that direction and searched the empty space. In less than a minute, he’d returned. “I don’t see anything, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

  “How can we find out?”

  “If we had more time…” His voice trailed off. “If it’s there, we need to knock them all back through the portal.”

  Oh, that was easy. She kept the snark out of her reply. “How?”

  “We launch an assault from all directions at once.” Glancing at the increasing police presence, he said, “Can you get them to hold their fire until my command?”

  “I’ll try.”

  He nodded. “I will get all the gargoyles to project a mental blow at once. And you…” He paused, staring at her as if he’d just discovered something. “That’s it. That’s why I was drawn to you earlier.”

  “Me?” Confusion reigned above all other emotions. “What?”

  “You’re the—key.”

  She pursed her lips. “Key to what?”

  “Defeating them.”

  “Wait. I am no key, Roman.” She waved her arms in a resolute reply. “If you think that, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.”

  “No, it’s true,” he insisted. “I’m sure of it.”

  “Roman,” she repeated.

  “Humor me and listen, okay?” he said. “Besides, it’s the only plan we have.”

  “Okay. What do you want me to do?”

  “The same thing you did earlier with the demon. Except I want you to project the energy at me.”

  “Roman, no! I’ll hurt you. What if I kill you?”

  “You won’t. Not if I can channel it out.”

  Her shoulders sagged, the weight of dozens of lives depending on her. She had to make the right choice. “I don’t understand how this works.”

  “You don’t need to,” he said. “I do. Trust me.”

  She glanced at the devastation all around them. The deaths and injuries, the debris from damaged buildings. Another reminder of the Marathon. The city didn’t cower to the bastards then and they wouldn’t give up without fighting again now. She had to do whatever she could to help, no matter how futile it seemed. She had to trust him.

  “Okay.”

  Seconds pounded like hours in her ear. Roman quickly assembled a flank of gargoyles before the demons, who eyed them with curiosity as if assessing their plan.

  A lieutenant had arrived and had taken charge.

  She identified herself once again, but he stopped her. “I know who you are. What is it? Make it quick.”

  “You have to get them to hold their fire.”

  “Are you shitting me?” the lieutenant replied.

  “I spoke to the commander of the gargoyles.” She fought to keep her voice steady, show that she was calm and not some nut. “They’re the ones trying to help us. They’re going to launch a mass assault at the demons. The best chance we have is to work with them; fire when they tell us. If we use unified command, we’ll have a better chance of success.”

  He raised his hand, turning his attention to someone on the radio. Whether they’d cooperate or not, she didn’t know. Now it was time to turn her attention back to Roman.

  The cops had stopped firing, which increased the building tension. Eerie.

  Roman’s face lacked any expression as he hovered beside the other gargoyles. Whatever this mental action he spoke of was, it did something—it kept the demons from crossing to them.

  He nodded at her, giving her the command to take action.

  “Now!” she shouted.

  The lieutenant shouted, “Fire.”

  The sound of dozens of guns boomed past her, ringing in her ears.

  She was utterly surprised that he’d listened, which showed how fucked up the situation was. They’d never practiced a scenario like this, with demons and gargoyles fighting in flight.

  No time to analyze it. It was her turn to act. God, she hoped she didn’t hurt him. She’d never forgive herself. She tapped every resource she had to summon her energy, and projected it at him.

  Please don’t hurt him.

  Roman raised his hand, taking her power into his own.

  His head dropped back, her worst fears come true.

  She was about to sever the connection when she caught the glow. His body was illuminated with an unearthly radiance that magnified with each ticking second. With a giant boom, light shot from his body, zigzagging to the gargoyles before him. They each had their hands raised, and in turn projected an even greater luminescence, which shot out at the hovering demons. A flash lit the entire sky, blinding her, which was followed by a sonic boom that left her unable to hear for several moments.

  When she recovered her sight and hearing, the demons were gone. They’d done it! Roars and cheers filled the air.

  But where was Roman? He was no longer in the spot where she’d last seen him.

  She’d ask one of the gargoyles.

  With a crushing realization, she noted that they, too, were gone.

  She clutched her owl necklace, waiting for an indication of what had happened. Had they gone through the portal? Had she sent them there?

  A pang of pain hit her. Janie had picked out that necklace for her earlier. What seemed like a dozen years ago already.

  And now Roman was gone too. The losses crushed her, claiming her body with an ache that clenched her ribs and wouldn’t let go.

  Why did it hurt so much that he was gone? She’d only met him tonight. Her soul felt bruised, imprinted by the impact of his loss.

  Allowing herself only a few more echoing heartbeats of sorrow, she forced herself to move and returned to help the wounded with the other responders. More sirens blared, heading c
loser.

  Shit. How was she supposed to explain what had happened tonight? She couldn’t even form any cohesive explanation in her mind. At least she wasn’t the only witness.

  Questions about Roman returned. What had happened to him? Had he survived?

  She forced herself to push forward, to focus on the wounded, shoving her concern into that fragile place where she’d buried the impact of Janie’s loss. To be dealt with tomorrow. Or another day.

  She had a lifetime to grieve, but now she had to help the living.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Sunlight crept along the horizon as Roman and the gargoyles made their way through the Common. They’d shifted into human form so as not to attract any more attention tonight as they trekked toward the dome. Although they typically shielded themselves from humans while in gargoyle form, they had to devote all of their resources during the engagement with the demons and had been seen.

  They’d survived the night. The eclipse was over. Sirens blasted from all directions and the smoke from the explosion still hung heavy in the air.

  Larissa’s blast of power meant another thing—she was a powerful witch. Or at least she had the potential to be. Managing to harness and control that kind of energy was not a common ability.

  If she’d survived.

  He swallowed, refusing to picture it. “Everyone all right?”

  “Two down. Antonio and Milo.”

  Roman closed his eyes, the loss adding to the ache inside. He offered a silent message thanking the fallen for their service and sacrifice. “Both were fine warriors.” They’d have a ceremony to honor them and say goodbye as they passed into the next realm. But not tonight. Still much to do. “Retrieve their bodies and bring them to the compound.”

  Arto nodded and sent two of the lower sentries to carry out the task. “How did you figure out how to send the demons back?”

  He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d known, but he’d followed his gut. It had told him that Larissa would play a critical role. Once he’d figured it out himself, he’d explain. An ache to be near her hit him hard. “Not sure, exactly. I knew she was the key.”

  Manny eyed him carefully. “Is she—the one for you?”

  That was something Roman had been wrestling with since he’d first spotted Larissa on the roof. She’d captured his attention then and his fascination with her had grown from that point on. During the battle, all doubts had vanished. She was his mate. No matter how much it terrified him to put himself out there, expose himself to potential heartache, not following his heart was a more painful choice.

  “Aye. She is. But I don’t know if she’d accept it.”

  “You haven’t told her?”

  Roman stiffened, avoiding the unsettling question. Larissa might not take the news well. After all, she hadn’t reacted positively when he told her she was a witch. She likely wouldn’t respond any more favorably when a gargoyle declared he was her mate. “We still need to close the portal.”

  “If we find it,” Arto added.

  As they walked, they sought a magical marker, something to indicate where to look. Roman focused the search where Larissa had pointed to. After several minutes, Manny stopped.

  “I think it’s here.” He raised his hand, circling the area.

  Roman and a few others stepped up beside him. Roman scanned the area with his hands. The vibrations were invisible but palpable, pulsing with a current of heat.

  “Gather your strength,” he directed them. “I need you to project your magic into this area while I chant a spell to seal the portal.”

  They did what he’d asked, the warm currents of their magic passing over his skin as it flowed to the area where the dark magic pooled. He repeated a Latin chant to close the passage between the two worlds, until the air before him felt calm and cooled. He repeated it thrice more for good measure before being satisfied.

  Roman searched the clan for the young gargoyles who’d aided him with the weapons earlier. “Franco, Vidal, you served us well tonight. The weapons were critical. I need you to take care of one more task. Guard the portal until the sun fully rises.”

  They both saluted, hand over heart. “Aye, Commander.”

  With that taken care of, he searched for Larissa amid the chaotic aftermath of the demon’s attack. Police lights continued to flash. The area was secured with police tape, the yellow Do Not Cross warning to keep people out of the crime scene. He had to find Larissa before a cop stopped him.

  Each time he spotted a dark-haired female lying on the ground, his heart stuttered, fearing the worst.

  At last he spotted her, aiding a female on a stretcher near an ambulance.

  She’d survived. And continued to help others.

  His heart swelled with a wondrous mix of relief, gratitude, and admiration. Despite all that had happened tonight, she powered on, continuing to aid others. After losing her friend, being attacked by a demon, and witnessing countless other horrors that would likely haunt her for a long time, she continued to give her all.

  The female was loaded into the ambulance and driven away. Larissa wiped her brow, sagging under the stress of the events. She inhaled and searched the area, probably for what she could do next.

  From across the expanse of debris that separated them, their eyes met. A small gasp escaped her as she dropped her hand to cover her owl necklace. Without waiting another second, he dashed to her.

  “Roman.” Her voice conveyed her relief at spotting him alive.

  “I’m here,” he assured her, slowing to a walk.

  “Oh, thank God,” she said.

  He stretched his arms open to welcome her in, and she landed against his chest with a mix of a leap and a fall. Embracing her tight, he soothed her. “It’s all right. We’re safe now.”

  “You’re okay,” she sputtered. “I didn’t know where you’d gone. If you were alive. I—I couldn’t lose you too.”

  “You haven’t.” He glanced down at her. Her face was marred by smears of dirt, which he attempted to wipe away gently with his finger.

  “I need to go see Janie. As soon as we finish here. So many people are hurt, traumatized…”

  “Where is Janie?”

  “The hospital. I—I sensed she was gone when we were at the hotel. The demon… Too many people to help here… I’ve been putting off going. I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

  Her face darkened with grief. Of course. She thought Janie was dead. Any human would.

  “It took much of her life force, Larissa, but she still had some left.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “We got there in time. Barely in time. Because of what you sensed.”

  She grabbed his forearm. “What can we do?”

  He glanced around at the devastation. The worst was over. Now the cleanup and the questions would follow. “Can you get out of here?”

  Roman stayed in the shadows while Larissa spoke to the human police. The gargoyles role tonight was done, and it was time for them to step aside to let the humans take over.

  Larissa headed his way with hastened steps, the toll of the night visible in her eyes. “Let’s go.”

  * * * * *

  Their visit to the hospital was shorter than Roman had expected. The doctors still had Janie in intensive care. After seeing the battered state of both Roman and Larissa, one doctor tried to admit them. When Larissa refused, the doctor then insisted they go home and get some rest.

  When they left the hospital, Roman put his arm around Larissa’s waist, to steady her. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

  “Will you come back to my place with me?” she asked.

  Had it only been earlier that night when she’d originally invited him to the hotel, and then had kicked him out? “Are you sure you want that?”

  Her mouth opened and closed as she appeared to struggle for the right words. “Yes. After you left, I knew I’d made a mistake. I’m not asking you for a booty call,” she said. “Or because I’m scared and want you to
protect me. I want—I want to try—with you.”

  “You don’t need to try to explain it,” he said, to relieve her distress. “Of course I will.”

  Forty-five minutes later, they reached her apartment in Jamaica Plain. They climbed up to the third floor in a triple-decker, and she unlocked her door.

  “Three locks?” He raised his eyebrows and smiled.

  “Protection,” she said. “If I don’t take precautions to protect myself, who will?”

  I will.

  Although he’d only met her tonight, he knew those feelings were true. She was the one. He was sure of it. And he’d do anything to keep her safe, do whatever he could to make her happy. It might scare her off, but after all they’d been through that night, he was willing to take a chance.

  “I will.”

  Her eyes widened, and he feared he’d done exactly what concerned him.

  “For tonight?” she asked.

  “No.” With his pledge out of his mouth, it was easier to admit. “For as long as you’ll let me.”

  Her mouth contorted again, in a way that made him think she was trying to formulate a response—or figure out her own confused feelings. Who knew? As long as she didn’t refuse him.

  “It’s been a tough night. Why don’t you take a bath and try to relax?” he said, to save her from responding. “I’ll be fine out here.”

  Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled with obvious relief. “Okay. That’s a good idea.”

  His gaze followed her as she exited the room. Then he connected with Arto.

  Any changes?

  No, Arto responded. We have many eyes out. All is calm at the moment.

  Hopefully for good.

  Where are you?

  With Larissa. We’re at her apartment.

  The witch who helped us?

  Yes. I’ll explain later.

  Understood. I’ll be in touch if anything changes.

  After a few minutes, the sound of the bathroom door opening caught his attention. Larissa peeked out, with her hair piled on top of her head, and wearing nothing but a towel.

  “I thought you might like to join me,” she said with a nervous grin with a naughty edge. “You know—you’ve had a rough night too. I’m sure you’d appreciate a bath.”