Page 27 of Gargoyle Sentinel

Danny turned to Emma. “Sure. But we’re in a hurry.”

She dropped her jaw. “That’s not very nice. Now I’m not so certain I want you to have it.”

“That’s okay, I understand.” His sister being cordial to him was way too disconcerting. He’d get over losing out on whatever her gift was. “We have to get going anyway.”

She playfully smacked his shoulder. “Kidding! Don’t be such a baby. Come on, you’ll love it.”

Emma tugged on his hand, but he dug in his heels. The tingling sensation he’d felt the day Gideon kidnapped him came to life, not strong, but enough to make him pause.

“You!” His father yelled, pointing to Malachi. “I need some help here.”

Malachi hesitated as if he felt the same thing, and Danny grabbed his arm. The strange sensation was now spreading down his spine like ice water. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

“Actually, we really do need to leave.”

Danny’s voice came out sharper than intended. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as Emma’s grip tightened.

“Oh, come on,” Emma cooed, her voice taking on an oddly melodic quality that made Danny’s skin crawl. “It’ll just take a second. I promise you’ll beverysurprised.”

Malachi’s green eyes suddenly blazed with amber light. “Danny, step away from her.Now.”

“What?” Emma’s laugh was too bright, too perfect. “Don’t be silly. I’m his sister.”

But as Danny tried to pull free, Emma dug her fingers into his flesh.

“Ow! Damn, Emma.” Danny twisted his arm to try and escape her punishing hold. “Let go of me!”

“Yes,” growled Malachi through gritted teeth. “Let go of him.”

“Hey!” His father’s booming voice echoed in the large room. “I said I need some help! She’s actually fainted this time.”

Emma scowled at him, her eyes blazing red. “Shut up, Father. I’ll deal with you later.”

Their father fell into a heap on the floor, and Danny almost choked on his tongue.

“Holy shit, Emma. The fuck?”

Malachi’s body exploded into his gargoyle form before Danny could take another breath. Emma shrieked, yanking Danny in front of her. From her wide-leg designer pants, she whipped out an obsidian dagger that seemed familiar, yet Danny couldn’t remember why. With an inhuman snarl, she held it tight against Danny’s throat.

“Don’t come near me or I’ll open him up.No onedenies me the jewel.”

“I’ll buy you a super bitchen one for Christmas,” Danny croaked.

“Shut up, you pathetic loser.” Her disgusting breath fanned across his cheek. “I’ve always been the special one, but now I’m more than that. I’m a creature of the underworld, and all I haveto do to get the Great Mughal diamond is hand you over to a secret society.”

“That’s no society, they are rogue demons. They have poisoned your mind!” Malachi roared. “You would sacrifice your flesh and blood for a bauble?”

“Uh, yeah.” She gave a loud snort. “A two hundred and eighty carat diamond is hardly a bauble. I’d do it for half that.”

Danny’s jaw dropped. “You wench!”

She pressed the pointy end of the dagger into his flesh. “Tell whatever that thing is you’re marrying to back the fuck off, or I'll slice into you like a Christmas ham.”

Malachi let out a low, throaty growl that would’ve scared his pants off if he were on the receiving end of it. Danny’s mind raced as the blade bit into his skin. This couldn’t be happening. His own spoiled, vapid influencer of a sister was working with the same creatures that had tried to sacrifice him a couple of days ago.

“Emma, listen to me.” He was careful to keep his voice calm and steady. “You don’t understand what you’re dealing with. These aren’t merely some rich collectors. They’re demons. They’ll kill you the second they get what they want.”

“I’m not fooled by your lies!” She pressed the blade harder, and Danny felt a warm trickle of blood trail down his throat. “The jewel will be mine tonight, no matter what. Trying to talk me out of it is useless.”

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