Page 66 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

I gathered up the cups and carried them into the living room while Dax opened the door. As I suspected, it was my aunt.

She rushed inside, her eyes bouncing from Dax to me and back again. When she saw that neither of us was severely injured, her posture relaxed.

I set the mugs on the coffee table as she headed toward me. I knew what was coming next.

She wrapped her arms around me, yanking me into a tight hug. “Goddess, Ally, I was so worried about you when the ward alarm woke me up.”

“I’m okay,” I whispered against her shoulder.

“Tell me what happened,” she insisted, releasing me.

I glanced over her shoulder at Dax, who was still lurking by the front door, his arms crossed over his chest and a thunderous expression on his face.

“Maybe we should sit down. It’ll take a while.”

* * *

When I was done,my aunt’s teacup was empty, and she was staring at me with wide eyes as she flopped back against the back of the sofa.

“You’re going to become a goddess?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Not if I can help it,” I answered honestly. The more I thought about it, the scarier the idea was. I didn’t want that kind of power, that kind of longevity. At least I didn’t right now. Who knew how I would feel once my power actually broke through the binding.

“Why not?”

“Because Talant said that ascension comes with a price and that it’s usually whatever we love most.” As I stared at her, I realized that I’d assumed I would lose Dax, but that she would have been another possible payment for that kind of power. “Or we must sacrifice of ourselves. I’m not prepared to do either of those things right now and probably won’t ever.”

Minerva’s silence was her only response.

Dax interrupted our quiet moment. “Minerva, after what happened when Ally dreamwalked earlier, we decided it might be best if you prevented her from dreamwalking in the?—”

It was my turn to interrupt. “There was no we, Dax.Youdecided. I told you that it was best if I don’t have that power bound. I told you that I needed Talant to train me in how to use my magic. That he is the only one who knows what I am and how my power works.”

Minerva’s gaze once again bounced between the two of us.

“Ally—” Dax’s voice was deeper and gravelly, stone grinding against stone, when he said my name.

Minerva held up a hand, which made him shut up.

Huh, I wondered if that would work for me.

“Dax, I respect you a great deal and understand that your first responsibility here is to her safety, but Ally has already made her feelings clear to you and now to me. I would never bind a witch’s power without their consent or unless they were a danger to themselves or others.”

“But she is a danger to herself if she ends up dreamwalking straight into Sommerton’s arms!” Dax roared.

I jerked back. It was the first time I’d ever heard him yell like that and it was shocking. His body swelled and his skin shifted to a grey undertone. Two lumps appeared on his forehead, probably the beginnings of his horns. His eyes morphed from dark blue to straight silver, shot through with white light. He looked more like a monster than I’d ever seen him before.

Minerva got to her feet and walked right up to him. “As I’m sure my niece has already told you, she is different. Special. I am not equipped to teach her and guide her now that she is coming into her power. Talant is. He has already promised to help her and protect her.”

Dax opened his mouth to continue to argue, revealing fangs, but Minerva shook her head and continued.

“Ally is one of the smartest people I know, Dax. She knows what’s best for her. Even if I didn’t already agree, I wouldn’t intercede against her wishes.”

Dax’s mouth closed with a snap.

“Now, with that settled, it’s nearly three a.m. I need to head home and get some rest so I can open the shop tomorrow morning,” she said, brushing her hands down her loose sleeping pants.

I got to my feet, careful to keep my distance from Dax. Minerva turned and gave me another hug.

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