Gunmetal clouds appeared in a burnt orange sky with slashes of red streaking through it. Bleak, raven mountains hovered in the background. Some appeared splintery, other craggy. The most oppressive ones loomed like hungry vultures ready to devour any weak prey that fell at their feet.
Why was she seeing this? What was the vision trying to show her?
The demon flapped its wings as it flew from her. They sliced through the somber sky like knife blades. When the creature ascended, something thrashed in its hold. Something struggled.
Limbs. Human limbs. A woman with blond hair.
Janie.
“Janie! Janie!” Larissa screamed.
The demon flew with Janie toward the dismal mountain range in the horizon.
“No!” Larissa snapped her eyes open and sat up. The quick movement jarred her owl necklace against her collar bone. Her skin was clammy, covered in perspiration.
The shapes and colors of Roman’s chamber came to her. She blinked a few times to clear her vision. He sat on the bed beside her.
“What happened?” His eyes flashed as bright as police lights.
“It was—it—it’s bad.”
Fear lingered like the aftermath of a nightmare. Her heartbeat raced and her breath came quickly.
Roman placed his hand on her shoulders. “What did you see?”
The horrifying scene replayed before her. She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut to make it go away, but she couldn’t. She had to face it. “Janie. A demon had her. He flew away, carrying her.”
“Where were they?”
She pictured the scene. “It wasn’t here. There were dark clouds and fiery-colored skies. The mountains in the distance were unlike any I’ve ever seen. Craggy and desolate—reaching for the sky.”
Roman’s mouth formed a grim line. “Do you think it has already happened?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
“Think, Larissa. This is important. We have to know if it’s managed to take her out of the city, need to broaden the search.”
She pursed her lips. “I know it’s important,” she barked. “Don’t you think I’d tell you if I knew?” After hearing her bitchy tone, she caught herself. She wouldn’t lash out at him again no matter her frustration. No way would she succumb to the vicious things she’d uttered when the demon’s dark magic had tainted her. She softened her tone, “No, Roman. I’m sorry. You helped me get through that awful ordeal. I shouldn’t snap at you just because I’m terrified and exasperated.”
“I understand. I’m trying to help her, too.” He moved his hand to her back and stroked down. “I know this is difficult, but, these visions are a gift. They come to you for a reason. In this case, it will help us find Janie.”
Larissa squeezed her hands into fists and suppressed an outburst of curses. She counted to three before releasing her tight grip.
“Dear God, I’m trying. I wish I knew where they were. And that’s why this ‘gift’ torments me. Maybe if I was stronger or more patient, I’d be better at reading these visions. But, I’m impatient and discouraged—and I don’t even know if it’s past or present—or future. And if so, how to stop it!” Her voice ended with a panicked edge that reminded her she’d better get her emotions back in check.
Roman stroked her back. Although the uncertainty of what she’d seen left her restless, his touch calmed the volcanic eruption stirring within.
“But, you did so well,” he said. “You worked through the pain and saw the vision.”
That was true. She focused to slow her breaths, as ragged as the sharpness of those mountains.
“Think about what your grandmother would tell you.”
Her chest tightened. Her grandmother would never tell her anything again. But, Roman was right—and she should work with what she’d learned in a short time.
“She’d tell me to do the same thing you are—slow down and breathe.”
Larissa glanced at the dark walls. They were too constricting. She needed to get air.
She climbed out of bed, wrapping the damp sheet around her. “Not here. I need to go outside.”
“It’s raining.”
“I don’t care,” she replied. “I have to get out there.”
She grabbed her overnight bag and dressed quickly in a pair of black leggings and a White Stripes T-shirt. After she put on a pair of flats, they dashed out of his bedroom and onto the roof.
A light summer rain felt both warm and cool on her arms. She tipped her head back and let it fall on her face. The waning moon loomed overhead, partially hidden by dark clouds.
He stood next to her saying nothing, but his rock-solid presence comforted her.
Being outside helped. The claustrophobic feeling that had grabbed at her soul began to dissipate.
After a few minutes, the rain fell with more spirit, grasping hold of whatever it could drench.
“You’re going to get soaked,” he said. “Do you want to head back inside?”
“No,” she replied. “This is fine.”
She spread her arms and let the rain cover her. Soon, not a centimeter on her was dry. The water drenched through her fabric, reaching her skin. It caressed her like a gentle loving presence—like she was back with her grandmother, someone who had loved her unconditionally.
The vision she’d seen with the demon returned to her. Only the fear didn’t seize her soul this time. And she knew. “Janie’s still here in Boston,” she told Roman. “The vision hasn’t happened yet.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “You’re certain?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t know how, but I’m sure of it.”
“Shit.” All the color vanished from Roman’s face. “The incubus must be planning to take her to its realm. We have to get to the portal. Grab your weapons.”
She hurried to arm herself, slinging a sword over her shoulder and strapping a knife to her calf. Once they’d returned to the roof, Roman shielded them with magic and shifted to gargoyle form. The transition captivated her as always. His skin turned tough and gray, more like leather than human flesh. His human features distorted to pronounced caricature-like versions of themselves. And his body reshaped, shedding the drops of rain that had fallen on him. It was still rock hard and full of muscle, but more compact and crouched, with enormous wings almost doubling his size. That had to be the most impressive part about his transformation—the magnificent wings.
“On three.” He pulled her close.
It wasn’t a graceful embrace as they both had swords, shields, and other weapons to contend with. She ignored her wariness of flying and wrapped her arms around him, somewhat awkwardly.
Roman held her with a tight grip around her waist. “Three-two-one.” Then, he leapt off the roof.
She gasped as the building fell away and clung to him. His wings spread wide, slicing through the falling rain. It softened, not crashing down as it had a minute before.
She leaned her head back and let the drops fall on her face. Before her grandmother had died, she’d told Larissa to head to water when she was agitated. Witches generally had an affinity to one of the elements and Larissa’s fiery nature indicated hers at a young age. Yet, whenever her fire grew out of control, she could calm the raging flames with water.
Although she was new to magic, it made sense. Her grandmother felt connected to the earth and nourished her gardens. It fit her earthy nature. Her mother had been drawn to water and loved to immerse herself in the ocean or lakes—likely drawing comfort from it in a far different way than Larissa did. After her grandmother had been killed, Larissa headed to Walden Pond. She’d swum there, letting it wash away the last tendrils of the demon’s hold on her.
Ignoring the city lights, she closed her eyes and focused on connecting with her magic rather than the question looping in her skull—would they reach the portal in time?
We’re headed to you, Roman notified Vidal and Franco as he flew toward Boston Common. We think the demon is headed that way with Janie.
<
br /> The rain fell in a steady pattern on his gargoyle hide. Since it had been a humid summer day, it cooled off the thick heat that had hung in the air.
As they passed by buildings, he spotted some sentries mounted in stone form. Should he make the call to send all the sentries to the portal? It would leave the rest of the city unprotected. And Larissa’s vision didn’t have a clear reference as to the time and place. Since she’d recently had their dark magic within her, they could have somehow planted false leads. How, he didn’t have a goddamn clue. But, nothing about those bastards made a damn grain of sense.
A compromise was best. He’d send two more sentries to guard the portal and leave the others on watch in their locations.
Before he could open a mental link to the sentries, one from Franco came through to them all.
What is it, Franco?
We spotted an incubus here in Boston Common. It has Janie, Franco said.
Shit, shit, shit. Roman’s muscles turned taut with tension, almost as hard as his stone form. What is it doing?
It’s not clear. I’m pursuing it.
Where’s Vidal?
I’m here at the portal, Vidal said.
Stay there, Vidal. It might be trying to access the portal. Franco, track the demon. Don’t let it escape. I’m on the way. Those near the Common, move in. Now!
Aye, Commander.
After he broke the connection, he pumped his wings harder. He communicated with all the sentries and told the closest ones to head to the Common. Damn it, why didn’t he have more sentries, so he could have had an army of dozens guarding the damn portal?
Larissa stared with anxious eyes. “What is it? I know that look by now. You were talking to one of your sentries, weren’t you?”
A muscle twitched along his jawline. “Yes.”
“And?”
“The incubus is in the Common with Janie.”
“Oh fuck! We have to get there,” she implored him, wide-eyed.
“We’re on it,” he said. “Let me focus on getting there as fast as I can.”
“Okay.” Larissa remained silent for several minutes. They passed over Chinatown. They’d reach the Common shortly.
Franco broke through again. Commander, I have bad news.
Fuck. What is it?
It tricked us. Its intentions must have been to lure one of us away.
Icy prickles crept up Roman’s spine. Why do you say that?
It evaded me and then slipped back to the portal.
I engaged with it, Vidal added. But, it flung me back with a blast of dark magic that knocked me out for a few seconds. When I came to, it had opened the portal. It leaped in—with Janie.
Oh fuck. Damn it all to hell. Roman unleashed a string of curses. He’d sealed the portal with gargoyle magic, but the insidious beast must have used powerful dark magic to break through.
Don’t leave the portal, Roman commanded. I’m almost there. Don’t let anything in or out!
The verdant fringe of the Common appeared behind the black gates ahead. Gargoyles swooped in from all directions, just moments too late. How the fuck, could he have not gotten there in time?
Larissa’s hold tightened on him. She must have sensed his rising tension in his taut muscles.
They passed the taped-off sections where the demons had attacked and descended to the grass below. How was he going to tell her this? A bitter taste coated his tongue, and he swallowed. He’d failed her. Failed them both. Failed them all.
“Get ready to land.” He spotted Arto arrive a couple of dozen feet from the portal near Franco and Vidal. He held on to her until their feet touched earth, and she was steady.
“Larissa.” He pursed his lips and began again. “Larissa, the incubus used dark magic. It was able to slip past the sentries.”
Her eyes flickered with wariness. “What are you saying?”
He steepled his fingers along his lips, and then he dropped his hands to his sides. “It opened the portal.” He exchanged a glance with Arto.
“Don’t pull that gargoyle silent talk in front of me,” she snapped. “What’s going on?”
Roman faced her. When he exhaled, his shoulders slumped. “It took her through the portal.”
Larissa shook her head as if unwilling to accept it. She blinked, appearing stunned. “That can’t be right.”
Roman stared at her but said nothing. Arto appeared pale, stricken.
“I’m afraid it is,” Roman said, hating himself for gutting her with those words.
“It took her?” Larissa covered her mouth. “Where?”
She knew. She had to know after her vision, but couldn’t accept it. Every word he said was like carving himself with a dagger in his gut. What wretched ineptitude. He hadn’t protected his mate from pain.
He resisted the urge to bow his head in shame and instead, swallowed. “The incubus took Janie to the demon’s realm.”
Chapter 8
A chill left goosebumps crawling across Larissa’s flesh. She rubbed her arms and stepped back. “Another realm?” Her voice dripped with disbelief. She shook her head. “No, this can’t be how it ends for Janie. It can’t be.”
“I’m sorry, Larissa,” Roman said.
Her vision turned out to be even more devastating than she’d thought possible. It was one fucked-up thing after another. Janie couldn’t catch a goddamn break. And why couldn’t Larissa have deciphered the vision sooner? Her so-called gift hadn’t done shit to help Janie but heaped more torment on Larissa once again.
Well, fuck that. She wasn’t going to quit trying to save Janie. “After all we’ve been through, I’m not about to give up on her now.”
“What are you saying?” Roman’s expression tightened with wariness.
She raised her chin and swallowed all the hesitation clogging up her throat. “I have to find a way to go after her.”
Roman’s expression clouded with surprise. “You want to venture into a different realm to search for Janie?”
Hearing Roman echo the idea she’d just uttered, warned her of the insanity of her suggestion. But what could she do? Leave Janie to face some horrid end alone in a strange place with even more terrifying monsters?
Although the idea filled her with as much dread as her images, she had to face her fears for Janie. “I have to,” she added in a barely audible voice.
Roman replied, “Too many factors are unknown.”
She tilted her head. “Meaning?”
“We don’t know what we’ll find in their realm—and I doubt anything would welcome us.”
Her idea sounded even more ludicrous. “Fair point.” She dropped her arms to her sides. “What would you do if you were in my shoes?”
Roman searched her eyes. “I can’t answer that with any certainty. You and Janie have a close relationship that’s been shaped by unique experiences over many years. For me to even try to put myself in your situation and make that decision is almost impossible.”
She gave him a small nod. At least, he hadn’t replied with a certain declaration of what he would or would not do. For that she was grateful. He was right—he didn’t know her relationship with Janie. Larissa had felt responsible for her well-being since they were young. It wasn’t something she could turn off now.
“You’re not going to try to talk me out of it, right?” she asked.
“No. But, let me make sure I understand. You’re willing to leave this world with everything you know and love to venture into an unknown realm to look for Janie?”
Shit, her idea was insane. But, it didn’t change things. “Yes.”
“And, you know that even if you make it there, there’s no guarantee we can find our way back?”
She groaned. He was being sensible, she understood, but the more he reminded her of the uncertainties, the more her determination wavered.
After closing her eyes, she solidified her resolve. She reopened them. “Yes.”
Roman stepped up to her. He took her hand and rubbed it. “That is
one of the many things I admire about you, Larissa. Your courage and your loyalty to the people you care about.”
Her heart beat quicker now as the reality of the journey ahead clamped around her like an unforgiving corset. “Thanks.”
“You’re not going alone,” he said. “Of course, I’m going with you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Can you leave here? Isn’t this your area to command?”
“It is. One way of looking at it, is that I still am—but in a different way. We have to stop these bastards. They can’t enter our world to kill and steal souls. And if it means heading into their world, so be it.”
Hope circled through the mounting bleakness inside. “So, it’s settled? We’re going after Janie?”
Roman stared at her and winked. “Hell, if there’s anyone I’d want to travel to another realm with on a suicidal mission, it’s you.”
Suicidal was right—that might be one way to describe their plan. She covered her heart. “The feeling is mutual.”
His expression hardened with determination. “I need to organize this exercise with my team.”
“What do you need to cover?”
He squared his jawline. “We’ll have to bring other sentries with us. And, then I need to have a plan set for what happens if we don’t return.”
She gulped. The odds of that happening were high.
* * *
Several minutes later, Roman strode before a group of sentries he’d called to the portal. Not all of his team. He’d commanded several to stay at their posts since it was too dangerous to pull too many eyes from the city.
“To reiterate why I called you here,” Roman began, “The demon we’ve been tracking through the city has escaped, slipping through the portal. That would be welcome news—except, he took a human with him.”
Several groaned in disbelief and muttered swears followed. All the sentries had been aware of the search for Janie. Unfortunately, the area to search had now taken on a much more dangerous arena.
Larissa grimaced, but then wiped her expression. It was strange to have her there. A strange twinge of jealousy rushed through him. He wouldn’t want any of his sentries looking too closely at her. She was beautiful, courageous — and his mate. Nobody else could touch her. Not that he expected any of them to intrude in his personal life. Such an offense would be unforgiveable. It was foolish to worry about that now. Hardly the time.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 7
