Page 9 of The Gargoyle and the Songbird

GRAEME

Striding into Ecco’s guest room, I take a look at where I’m going to be camping out for the next while.

The space is luxurious and impersonal. A queen-size bed sits at the center of the room, and there’s a large window framing the glittering cityscape taking up most of the far wall. A basic gray dresser and bedside table round out the space.

Simple, efficient, exactly what I need for this assignment.

I toss my duffle bag onto the bed, the zipper rasping as I yank it open. And then I freeze.

There, nestled among the pillows like a furry little landmine, is a kitten. Its fur is so white it’s practically luminescent, its eyes huge and round and innocent as it blinks up at me.

I stare at it, unmoving.

I don’t do pets. They’re illogical, unpredictable. Liabilities. But even I have to admit, this tiny scrap of fluff is… objectively adorable.

A soft purr emanates from its throat, and my resolve wavers.

Cautiously, I reach out a hand to stroke its head...

In a flash, the creature morphs. Fur shifts from white to neon green, eyes narrow to slits. Its jaw unhinges, revealing rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth as it lets out a menacing hiss.

I react on instinct, snatching it by the scruff of the neck and holding it at arm’s length as it thrashes and spits.

“Little demon,” I growl, annoyed at how fast my pulse is racing.

With my free hand, I upend my duffle bag, dumping my clothes unceremoniously onto the floor. I drop the creature inside, zipping it closed on another ear-splitting screech.

“Ms. Waverly!” My voice is sharp as I call out to her. “There’s been a threat to your safety. We need to evacuate the apartment immediately.”

Ecco appears in the doorway of the guest room, eyes wide, hands fluttering to her throat. Her gaze lands on the violently wiggling duffle bag and the ungodly yowls emanating from inside it.

Instead of fear, her expression changes to one of pure indignation.

“Unhand her, you brute!” She rushes forward, snatching the bag from my hands.

I watch in astonishment as she pulls out the monster, cradling it to her chest. Instantly, it settles, nuzzling into her chest as its fur fades back to pristine white. Ecco strokes a hand down its back, cooing softly.

“That thing is yours?” I demand, eyeing the creature with disbelief and suspicion. “Isn’t that a glowkitten? Those are highly regulated—highlydangerous—magical creatures.”

“Her name is Minx,” Ecco sniffs. “And she’s not dangerous. Glowkittens are simply misunderstood. People just fear what they don’t understand.”

I shake my head, marveling at her naivety. Does this woman have no sense of self-preservation?

“Ms. Waverly, those creatures are walking weapons. If I’m recalling correctly from my training, their teeth can shred steel,and their claws secrete neurotoxin that can drop a full-grown troll in seconds. And you keep one as a pet?”

She meets my gaze, chin lifted in defiance. In her arms, the kitten peers at me, its eyes narrowed in feline contempt.

The two look eerily similar, equal parts adorable and disdainful.

“Minx is my baby. She would never hurt anyone,” Ecco insists, her violet eyes flashing with a fierce protectiveness that catches me off guard. “Just because something is dangerous under certain circumstances doesn’t mean it can’t be gentle when handled with care!”

With that, she spins on her heel and marches out of my room, Minx peering over her shoulder to hiss softly in my direction. I run a hand over my face, exasperation washing over me.

Not only is my client willfully turning a blind eye to the dangers lurking right under her nose, but she seems to have no care for her safety. I’ve guarded princesses with more common sense.

Shaking my head, I turn back to my pile of clothes, scooping them off the floor to refold them. As I do, the muffled sound of Ecco’s voice filters through the walls. She seems to be on the phone, discussing… wedding plans?

I frown, focusing my gargoyle senses, my ears straining to pick up the details. A wedding, back in her hometown. Elderberry Falls, I think she called it. And from the sounds of it, it’s happening soon.

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