Page 18 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

Just as I was about to start typing, my cell phone rang.

I managed to resist the urge to beat my head against a wall. It seemed the goddess was conspiring against me today and I was destined to remain unproductive.

I didn’t recognize the number on the screen, but that often happened because I often got referrals from my out-of-town clients. Thinking I might have a new client, I tried to put a smile into my voice when I answered.

“Hello, this is Allison Grant.”

There was a brief silence on the other end before a low masculine chuckle came through the line.

“Hello, Allison.”

The fine hairs on the back of my arms stood straight up at the sound of his voice. I hadn’t spoken to Edgar Sommerton often, so I wasn’t entirely certain it was him. But who else would call and speak to me like that?

“Sommerton?” I asked.

As soon as I said his name, Dax’s head came up, his dark blue eyes pinned to me.

“Yes, dear Ally, it’s me. And…” He paused, taking an audible breath as though he were deep in thought. “A friend. You might know his brother?”

What the heck was he talking about? Was he saying that whoever was with him was Talant’s brother? Did he have help from someone other than Leona?

“Why are you calling?” I tried to keep my tone calm and questioning. As though I were curious rather than trembling like a leaf.

The timbre of his voice, the way he was speaking, it wasn’t right. The dark magic that had infected him was taking hold, twisting him, and changing him in ways none of us would be able to anticipate.

There was another low laugh before he answered me. “Just checking in, Ally. That’s what witches and warlocks do when one of their own is getting ready to manifest their magic. So that we can guide you and help you find your purpose among us.” He paused. “Especially when they are going to be as powerful as you.”

I shivered at his words and the sibilant whisper that seemed to echo when he spoke, as though another voice was superimposing itself over his. Goddess, he sounded almost demonic. Could he be possessed?

“You know that it hasn’t,” I replied, fighting to keep my voice from shaking as much as my body was. “And you also know that my aunt is the one who will guide me when it does. Not you.”

“Perhaps,” he whispered back. “Or perhaps you’ll realize that you should listen to my advice and instruction. Especially since I know the god’s brother.”

Oh, shit. Thatwaswhat he meant. Whoever he was dealing with was related to Talant. A thrill of fear ran through me. Was Talant’s brother as powerful as he was?

“How do you know him?” I asked.

Another chilling laugh. “Let’s just say his power has augmented my own.”

Double shit. Dark magic tainted any warlock who used it, but this sounded much, much worse. If he was using a god’s magic, would it allow the god to possess him?

“You should let me help you, Allison,” he hissed. “It would be much easier for everyone if you did.”

“Never.”

“You say that now?—”

I didn’t hear the rest of whatever he said because the phone was plucked from my hand.

I looked up, staring at Dax in shock as he lifted it to his ear, his face set into harsh lines of anger.

He listened to whatever Sommerton said in silence before responded. But when he did, his voice was once again gravelly and rough, like stone grinding against stone.

“You should know that she can’t hear you any longer, Edgar,” he said.

Unlike Dax and Poppy, I didn’t have supernatural hearing, so I had no clue what the warlock’s reply was. Only that it succeeded in making him even angrier because his pale skin took on a grayish cast, as it had when he partially shifted into gargoyle form yesterday.

“You’ll never get to her, and you know it,” he replied. He paused, listening to Sommerton again. “Even if you managed to make it through the wards, your magic is useless against me and my sword. I’ll separate your head from your body before I allow you to harm her.”

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