Page 49 of Fated to the Gargoyle

“Hey. It’s Jay,” he says.

The deputy on the other end sighs, loud.

“You might want to send someone out to Creekview Apartments,” Jalen says. “I got a lead on your robberies.”

“Robberies? What robberies?” I don’t bother keeping my voice down.

Up and down my building, porch lights flip on. A man leans over the rail above us, phone already out and filming. Two women in bonnets drag their kitchen chairs out onto the walkway. Not one soul out here is minding their own business.

Soren steps right over the ghoul and comes to me. He picks me up and cradles me against him, right there in front of half the building.

I sigh into his neck. “Guess I’m not allowed to walk anywhere when you’re around, huh?”

He presses his forehead to mine and stays there long enough that I quit joking.

I rub the back of his neck. “I’m fine, Soren. All I did was walk in my own front door.”

He lifts his head. “You do not know what you mean to me.”

Sable moves around us to Jalen, who stands over the ghoul. The man has rolled onto his back, holding his arm.

Sable turns his back to the balconies. “The solution stolen from Shadow Suds carries a scent close to our Settling. I confirmed it myself at sunset.”

“Now what does Delilah want so bad with a Settling?” Jalen taps the phone against his chin.

Sable studies him. “You know this witch.”

“I’m aware of her.” Jalen shrugs. “She likes to stir up shit in Shadow Wolf Creek.”

Soren pulls me in tighter. “You used my mate to lure them out.”

Jalen loses his grin and holds Soren’s stare. “Why do you think I asked y’all to stand watch? Her ghouls quit Shadow Suds and started circling Stanley’s, and a witch got no business at a diner. Now I know what she was circling.”

Soren lowers me toward the ground, slow.

“Brother.” Sable steps in. “Calm yourself.”

“I am going to kill this dragon.” He steadies me on my feet. “And then I am going to kill the human.”

I grab his arm with both hands. “Come on, baby. Take me home.”

He grumbles, and he doesn’t pull his arm away. Instead he scoops me up and squeezes me too tight for comfort, so I hug him right back.

His wings spread, and we go up.

I guess my home is the cabin now.

I hold on tight. “It’s okay, Soren. I’m okay, baby.” He keeps flying.

I poke at his shoulder. “At least swing back and grab the treasures. And some clothes and stuff, so I can be comfortable.”

He gives me nothing. I roll my eyes where he can’t see them.

We land at the porch steps, and he still doesn’t set me down.

I lean back in his arms so he has to look at me. “Ohhh, you are a grumpy grouch when you’re angry.”

The growl drains out of his voice. “You do not know the fear that hit me when I realized I let you walk into danger.”