Arto pulled out a silver rope from a pouch around his waist. Larissa shook out her arms and legs, finally free. The cave air cooled the raw skin where she’d been bound. She retrieved her tossed knife.
In the next moment, the incubus roared. A dark shadowy funnel surrounded him. Roman struck into it with his sword, but it was too late. An echo of the demon’s voice lingered—"it’s not over.”
Roman growled, stalking over the area where the demon had vanished.
His eyes glowed with fury as he paced. “I have to find him. And destroy him for what he’s done to you.” He gripped his sword tight and pulled his lips into a scowl.
Shit, the ferocity in his glare made her swallow. What was wrong with him? He wasn’t looking at her, wasn’t looking at anything.
Larissa stepped over to him and put her hand on his muscular bicep. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t respond, but continued to prowl. Did this mean he was consumed by bloodlust? He’d told her how he struggled with it at times, especially when caught up in battle. But, he had to break through it. They couldn’t linger here, nor afford any mistakes. It could be fatal. It would be fatal.
She had to reach him. “Roman, we accomplished what we came for,” she declared with confidence to capture his attention. “We have Janie. Now, let’s get out of here.”
Roman fixed his stare on Larissa. His gray eyes, which appeared out of focus, widened as they focused on her. The intensity of his stare softened.
“It’s me, Roman. Larissa,” she said. “We need to get out of this cave. Now.”
A flicker of recognition sparked in his clouded gaze. “Larissa? My mate?”
She touched his shoulder and trailed her fingers over his bicep. “Yes,” she replied in a gentle tone.
Roman pulled her against his giant torso and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re alive,” he whispered.
“Yes.” She returned the embrace. She relished the sensation of his body pressed against her. Even though this gargoyle form wasn’t the one she was used to, it was still him. Still Roman. Her lover. Her beloved.
When he pulled away, he stared at her with wonder. Then he straightened and turned to Arto. “I’ll cover the front. You get the rear.”
“Aye, Commander,” Arto said.
“We must get back to the others. And get the hell out of this realm.”
Larissa smirked. “Best idea I’ve heard, yet.” She turned to Arto. “Are those my weapons?”
“Yes.”
“What a lifesaver you are. Thanks, Arto.”
“I need a sword, too,” Janie said.
They all turned to her in surprise.
Arto faced her. “Do you know how to wield one?”
“No,” she replied in a sheepish tone. Raising her chin, she said, “But I want to take these fuckers out. After what they’ve done to me—give me that.”
Arto stared at her and blinked. Then his face spread into a smile. “Commander?” He glanced at Roman.
Roman replied, “As long as you cover her.”
“With my life.” Arto pulled out a short sword from a sheath in his belt and solemnly handed it to Janie. “This one is light. If one gets close to you, don’t hesitate. Strike. Wherever you can reach. I’ll be nearby and will finish it off.”
Janie took the sword with both hands and waved it before her with an awed expression. As she grew more accustomed to handling the sword, she bounced on her toes with more feistiness. Arto watched her and his mouth stretched into a proud grin.
“Be vigilant,” Roman warned. “Have your weapon ready. We don’t know where the incubus went, or what else is out there.” After a few steps, he added, “Also, watch out for smaller creatures that look like oversized bats. They’re lesser demons and not as powerful.”
“But, their scratches hurt like hell,” Arto added.
When Larissa glanced over her shoulder, he pointed to a few of the scratches that marred his body, similar to Roman’s.
Larissa’s gaze darted in all directions of the cave as she searched for any of those red-eyed bastards.
She followed Roman back through the torch-lit passage with Janie and Arto close behind them. The strange crimson glow of the sky soon appeared through the mouth of the cave.
Once they escaped the claustrophobic confines, she gulped the cool mountain air. It wasn’t the type she’d experienced on trips to the White Mountains but, instead, bleak, thin air—unable or unwilling to support any life.
Out of the darkness, she could see more clearly. Janie walked beside her, and the limp that had plagued her since being hit by shrapnel during the Boston Marathon bombings seemed more pronounced.
“Did it hurt your leg?” Larissa asked.
Janie raised her head with defiance. “I can move just fine. Don’t slow down because of me.”
“I’ll carry you,” Arto said.
Janie brushed the offer away with a wave of her hand. “You don’t have to do that.”
“We can all move quicker if we fly,” Larissa said.
Janie raised a brow. “Are you going to let Roman carry you?”
“Yes. I’ve done so in the past.”
Janie blanched. She wrapped her arms tight across her chest.
“What’s wrong?” Larissa asked.
“It seems—terrifying,” she admitted. “What if I fall?”
Arto stood taller and pumped out his chest. “I’d never let you go, Janie,” he declared. “Never.”
Janie bit her lip. She stared into Arto’s eyes. Larissa had to tear her gaze away. It felt like she was spying on something intimate between them.
“Promise?” Janie said to Arto.
“On my life,” Arto replied.
“Okay.” She dropped her arms and flashed him a brilliant Janie smile. “Beam me up, big guy.”
Larissa laughed. When she turned to Roman, he said, “Ready?”
After glancing around the demonic realm for signs of malice and finding none, she put the sword back into the sheath on her back, and the others stashed their weapons, as well. She stepped closer to Roman and slung her arms around his shoulders. “I am.”
He reached under her sheathed sword and held her around the lower back and waist. His wings unfurled behind them. In the next moment, her feet were off the ground.
Larissa glanced at Janie who stared up with eyes wide. How different from Janie’s excitement of flying in the dome on Boston Common during the night of the eclipse.
“It’s just like the dome, Janie. Remember how excited you were to fly?”
Janie groaned. “Bad example, but I’ll go for it, anyway.”
Eek. Janie was right. Although she’d been thrilled to dance and fly in the dome that night, eager to move beyond months of rehab, she also had almost lost her life to an incubus. The dome had been advertised as an attraction with the experience of flying, but it had been a trap set by the demons. It was the worst possible attempt to convince her to do anything considering what had occurred that night. That had been the start of her trouble with demons.
“Holy shit!” Janie shrieked. She covered her eyes as Arto carried her and flew them closer to Roman and Larissa.
“Hey,” Larissa called out. “Take a look. You’re flying.”
Janie peered between her fingers. If they weren’t in such a dire situation, Larissa would have laughed. Janie was usually fearless.
“I’m in a creepy realm, having been kidnapped by some incubus king who wanted to make freaky little demonic babies with me. And now I’m trying to escape with my life in the arms of a gargoyle shifter soaring over said creepy realm. I just want to get out of freak land.” She flashed Larissa a sly smile and faced Arto. “Thanks for coming for me.” She kissed his cheek.
Larissa would have sworn that Arto blushed under his tough gray hide. She exchanged a glance with Roman as they flew. Janie and Arto’s moment hinted at something between them. But, to even think of it was insane. They still had to find the other gargoyles. God, she hoped the
y were okay. She’d hate to be responsible for Roman losing any more sentries.
And then—movement ahead in the shadows clouding the crimson skies. Winged creatures clashed in the sky.
“Fuck,” Roman muttered.
How the hell would they pass through the demon realm to reach the portal? Three gargoyles were battling five comparable size demons in the sky. Smaller creatures swarmed around them, like a plague of locusts. Bat-like, they had to be those lesser demons Roman and Arto had faced.
More moved in. Shit. As they approached, she recognized the incubus who had taken her. He commanded the demons against the gargoyles.
She gasped. “He’s gathered a small demon army!”
“I need to put you down, Larissa, so I can fight,” Roman said.
She nodded. Damn. She wished she had wings, so she could help them. But, at least she’d have a sword and shield and would be able to help protect Janie.
He lowered her to the ground. He searched her eyes. “Don’t hesitate. If they approach, strike.” He gave her a quick kiss and then soared toward the battle in the sky.
She touched her mouth, still feeling where his tougher gargoyle lips had touched her a moment before. Strange, but yet not. It was still him. Her lover.
Arto helped Janie down and gave her the short sword and his shield. “Keep them ready.”
Shit, he’d given her his shield—one fewer thing to protect him.
“Be careful,” Janie said as he soared away.
Larissa and Janie stayed close while they monitored the scene above. The incubus king commanded his demon minions to attack and the creatures roared with unrestrained rage. The larger ones battled with swords against the gargoyles. The sounds of swords clashing rang like metal scraping concrete. Talia wielded her sword like an expert swordswoman, striking with effectiveness and grace.
The lesser demons attacked with teeth and claws like a vicious swarm. Three of the demons broke from the battle and swooped toward Larissa and Janie.
They slashed at the demonic creatures, but it was like swinging at air. Their hideous shrieks didn’t help, mocking every missed swipe. Pretty soon they’d wear her out and then strike.
A strange strangled cry escaped Janie. Larissa turned to see Janie holding a sword that she’d plunged into the chest of a bat-like creature. It lay on its back with talons up and fangs open in a hideous death mask. Like a city rat dying in the sewer, only this one had red leathery wings. Rats with wings. Larissa shuddered.
Janie had killed it. Larissa’s mouth dropped open. After all the years of taking care of Janie, she now appeared to be doing a damn good job of taking care of herself.
“Cut off its head,” Arto shouted from above.
Janie’s lips curled with revulsion. With a resolute nod, she raised the sword over her head and sliced through the demon’s throat.
Then Roman cried out with an agonizing sound. She glanced up. Blood splattered from his side, falling from the sky like rain.
“Roman!”
She had to do something. He was hurt and reeling back. The incubus king raised its talons as it surged toward Roman.
“No!” She dropped her sword and hurled her hand at it.
Bolts of energy shot from her fingertips, blasting the incubus backwards in a spin. It was the first time that she’d been able to project her magic with such force since the night at the dome.
“Holy fuck! What the hell was that?” Janie asked.
“It comes and goes,” she said, not taking her eyes off Roman. By his movements, his injury pained him.
He descended with jerky movements, not like the graceful flight she was familiar with. His wings draped like a heavy curtain. A clay-colored demon tore off from the melee and soared at Roman, alone and injured in the sky, like vulnerable prey.
“Watch out.” She pointed up. “From behind!”
Roman turned with his sword, but the incubus reached him first. With sharp talons, it tore through Roman’s wings. Roman beat them more quickly, trying to stay aloft, but he sank from the sky. The gashes in his leathery wings appeared garish, like a museum painting that had been slashed by vandals—a beautiful work of art, senselessly destroyed. He was falling.
Falling…
He would crash!
Chapter 12
Larissa ran over to where Roman descended and threw her hand up, pushing her energy out.
No sparks shot from her fingers this time, but energy moved through her. She willed it out to cushion his fall.
Roman’s disastrous drop decelerated.
What the hell? How did she do that? Her magic seemed intuitive somehow, coming from a place deep within.
He floated down like she’d slowed the playback of a video recording. Once he reached solid ground, he dropped his sword. He rolled onto his uninjured side and pulled his damaged wings in.
“Roman!” She ran to him and fell to her knees at his side.
He closed his eyes as his face contorted with pain. The gash in his side was ugly, a glaring wound with blood oozing from it. Her heart pounded, and her soul ached at his pain.
Janie ran over. “What can we do?”
Roman opened his eyes. Seeing something beyond her, they widened. He grabbed Larissa’s sword and lunged, roaring with chilling fury that sent shivers along her spine.
She turned as he plunged the blade into the demon’s chest. Its vile warm blood spattered onto her arms. It fell onto its back, dropping its weapon, which had been positioned overhead ready to strike her down. It faced the blood-red sky motionless and unblinking.
Icy prickles ran along her spine. If Roman hadn’t reacted, she would have been split into two pieces. Would the incubus king have been able to claim her magic? She gulped.
Roman pulled the sword from the monster’s chest. Then he slammed it into its neck, separating head from body.
With that threat conquered, she glanced at the battle playing out above. More demons had arrived, circling the gargoyles, summoned here by that damn incubus king. The sentries were vastly outnumbered.
Roman shouted at the sentries to fall back. As they pulled away from their opponents, he turned to her.
His face revealed no emotion, although the pain from his torn, bloodied-wings had to be unbearable. “We have to combine our magic, like we did at the dome.”
That seemed like a sound plan. That night, she had projected the energy to Roman, and somehow, he’d transferred it to the gargoyles.
“All right,” she agreed. Whether it would work, she didn’t know. She’d only just managed to tap into her energy again.
Cast a circle.
“Nana?” she said on hearing her grandmother’s voice.
“What?” Roman said.
Larissa shook her head. They didn’t have time for her to explain hearing her grandmother inside her mind, directing her somehow.
“Roman, bring the sentries closer,” she said.
“What for?”
Use the elements to protect them, her grandmother’s voice guided.
“I know what I need to do,” Larissa said.
“What?”
“We need to defend, not attack.”
Roman peered at her with a quizzical expression, but then responded, “Yes. We can do that.”
“Bring them closer. When I’m ready, I’ll tell you when to project your energy.”
He nodded. Whether he understood her reasoning, she wasn’t sure. But, he commanded the gargoyles to fall back. They formed a circle around Larissa and Janie. But, the demons closed in.
Talia studied her warily, but Larissa avoided eye contact. She was taking an incredible risk. And, she might have hastened their defeat by setting them up to be surrounded. But, she had to follow her intuition and connect with her magic, since that seemed to be key.
She grounded herself into the earth, mentally casting a circle around the sentries, Janie, and herself, the way she’d watched her grandmother do in her backyard. Larissa opened her hand and took a deep inhale,
tapping into her magic within. On the exhale, she extended the energy down her arm and through her hand. A fiery orb-shape emerged.
“Yes, Larissa, keep doing that,” Roman said.
She continued to tap into that essence inside. How, she wasn’t exactly sure, but she followed her gut, projecting the energy.
The voice inside her directed: Widen it.
Without any visible sign of her grandmother nearby, it might have all been in Larissa’s head. But, she listened to it, knowing what it was telling her to do. Rather than pinpointing her magic at one demon, she could extend it over a greater distance.
She projected it in all directions, like a summer’s breeze caressing her group. The energy spread outward.
The fiery sparks stretched and thinned. The bright orange colors diminished, leaving a translucent glow as if all the colors of the rainbow were dancing on the surface of water. It was beautiful. And wondrous. Shimmering before them like an iridescent shield.
Talia gasped in wonder. “What is she creating?”
“A shield,” Roman replied.
Yes, that’s what it was. Could it protect them as they advanced?
Mesmerized by what she’d formed, Larissa wanted to move closer and examine it. Now was not the time to study the results of her magic, not when they were facing a demon horde.
She locked eyes with Roman. “I’m ready.”
He raised his hand and commanded the sentries to do the same. Facing her again, he nodded. “Now.”
She projected her magic to him, this time focusing on protection. But, nothing seemed to happen.
When the demons tried to advance on the gargoyles, something stopped them. As she peered closer, she sensed the energy shield preventing them.
The demons took to the air and repeated their attempt from above. Something still blocked them.
“Yes,” Roman cried. “It’s working.”
“Wow,” Janie’s voice was full of awe. “You’re incredible.”
Light and energy coursed through Larissa’s veins, unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Magnificent. It radiated within her whispering of magic. Insight. Perseverance.
“Back to the portal,” Roman commanded.
Captivated by the Gargoyle: Stone Sentries 3 Page 11
