Page 24 of The Gargoyle and the Songbird

Mariah watches me shrewdly for a beat before leaning in close.

“I wassayingthat hooking up with Graeme would be pretty damn convenient, considering he’s basically your sexy shadow these days.”

She studies my expression and giggles before continuing.

“Just think—any time you’re feeling frisky, all you’d have to do is pretend you heard a spooky noise and bam!” She claps her hands together, making me jump. “Insta-booty call. No muss, no fuss.”

Despite myself, an unbidden snort of laughter escapes me.

I mean, she’s not wrong. Having my own personal love guardian at my beck and call does have a certain appeal. Could she be right?

Could we have something casual, without it getting complicated?

I shake my head again, harder this time.

No.Bad Ecco. Graeme is off-limits.

Besides, he’s made it abundantly clear that he wants nothing to do with me beyond his job description.

“Everything okay up there?” His low, gravelly rumble makes me start.

I paste on my most innocent smile as I turn to face him. “Peachy keen, jelly bean! Mariah and I are just admiring the, uh… architecture.”

He lifts one skeptical brow, those luminous eyes boring into me like he can read every filthy thought scrawled across my brain. I flush hot all over, certain that any second now I’m going to spontaneously combust.

But Graeme just grunts, giving a curt nod before returning to his usual gargoyle-y brooding.

Crisis averted, I allow myself a tiny sigh of relief. That was close. Too close. I need to get a handle on these runaway fantasies before I do something truly crazy.

I loop my arm back through Mariah’s, dragging her onward with renewed purpose.

“C’mon,” I say. “If we hurry, we can hit up the Hungry Minotaur bakery before they run out of pumpkin muffins. I’m thinking a little sugar therapy is exactly what the doctor ordered...”

We’re still gigglingabout pumpkin muffins and… other delectable treats as we round the corner of the square, headed toward the bakery. But my laughter dies in my throat as I nearly collide with a tall, willowy figure draped head to toe in flowing turquoise silk.

I skid to an abrupt halt, my heart doing a sick little lurch as I take in the familiar cut of her cheekbones, the luminous violet of her eyes.

Eyes that match my own, down to the last glimmering facet.

“Mom?” I croak, shock and dread turning my voice gruff. “What are you doing here?”

My mom, Deandra, has a tiny place in Elderberry Falls, but she barely ever stays there. She only came back for the occasional short visit after she walked out on Dad and me. And it’s not like we’re close—I’ve barely heard from her for the past few years, maybe a handful of texts, a card on my birthday if I’m lucky.

Yet here she is, smiling at me with a flash of blindingly white teeth, her arms already opening to gather me into an embrace that reeks of patchouli and self-satisfaction.

“Why, I’m here for Mariah’s wedding, my love.” Deandra’s voice drips with cloying sweetness, belying the calculation in her eyes. “I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s best friend’s big day for the world!”

What the actualfuckis my estranged mother talking about?!

10

ECCO

Slowly, I turn to Mariah, one brow arched in silent question.

At least she has the decency to look sheepish, guilt pinking her cheeks as she shrugs helplessly.

“Surprise?” Mariah offers weakly, peeking at me over my mother’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Ec. I meant to tell you, I swear. It just slipped my mind with all the planning, and I thought?—”

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