Page 75 of Monsters in Love

She gives a low whistle. “Where did these come from?”

The real explanation is way too complicated. “Celeste left them for me. It’s taken me this long to go through things and find them. They’re valuable, right?”

She nods. “I’m not an expert, but I think you have close to half a million here. Plenty to cover the loan and stop the foreclosure.”

I grin. “That’s what I thought. Oh, I can’t wait for Chad Alder to discover that his plans for cheesy commercial expansion are about to go up in smoke.”

Lauriel chuckles. “Serves him right. I’m assuming you want to create an account and deposit all this, right? And then make the payment?”

“Yeah, if I can.”

“Of course. It’ll take a little while to get everything set up, especially since this we’re dealing with high value bonds and not cash. I’d recommend getting a safety deposit box and putting some of these in it.”

I nod. “I was thinking the same thing. I’ve decided for sure to turn Mabon Manor into a bed and breakfast, so I’ll need money for the renovation.”

“You’re gonna go for it? That’s great! What made you decide?”

“Well, like I said, it was initially my best plan to keep the property. The reno is going to be costly, so I needed a way for the house to sort of pay for itself. I figured a B&B in a charming town would do the job. Now it looks like I don’t actually need the income—for a while, anyway—but I do need a way to occupy my time. I think running the Mabon Manor Bed and Breakfast could be really fun. And if it turns out I hate it, I could always stop. But the truth is, I’ve missed Haven’s Hollow. I want to stick around.”

“Sounds like a solid plan to me,” Lauriel says.

“Worth giving it a shot, right? Haven gave me the name of her contractor. Once I own the house free and clear, I’ll give him a call. I have a lot of ideas for the house and the grounds.”

She smiles at me. “I’m glad you’ve decided to stay and make this place your home. I know Haven has missed you these last few years. So have I.”

“It’s really, really good to be back. I can’t believe I let that asshat Chad keep me away all this time. We should grab coffee or something when you have free time. Or! I noticed a wine bar a few blocks down. Maybe we could grab a drink? My treat, as a thanks for your help.”

“I’d like that,” Lauriel says. “I’m awfully busy with work and the babies, but my husband owes me a night off. I’ve been dying to try Wallow and Wine.”

It takes two hours to get everything squared away, but Lauriel assures me she has it handled. It will take a few business days for everything to get processed, but Mabon Manor is mine.

TWO WEEKS LATER

LUCIEN

This close to dusk, I can actually feel the sun starting to set. I can’t move yet, but there’s a sensation on my skin and in my bones, a prelude to freedom. It’s been centuries since I’ve seen another of my kind, but I remember the complaints I used to hear from other gargoyles, the chagrin at being born a creature of the night. A creature who is forever unable move about during the day. It has never truly bothered me, for I have never had much to live for.

But now, stuck up here while Annie meanders around the yard, I realize that everything is different.Iam different. She told me the other night that she changed her mind about destroying the hedge maze. According to her, we christened it and it’s special, and there’s no way in hell she’s ever tearing it down, which I appreciate. She wants to restore it and make it a feature of her bed and breakfast. I don’t think she knows much about gardening, but she’s out here now, under my gaze, puttering around pulling weeds and making notes about how to spruce up the grounds.

I feel the strongest longing to join her, to tackle these projects as a team.

She is the only human I’ve ever felt connected to, something that surprises me as much as it does her. When I met her, only weeks ago, she seemed an annoying child. Now I see her as the vibrant woman she is, the sunlight to my endless nights. I don’t even mind any more that she calls me Luc.Mon Dieu, I might even like it.

These past two weeks have been like something from a dream. Instead of going straight to the library each night, an endless dismal existence, I seek her out. We talk, we laugh, we tumble into her bed and search for new realms of pleasure. Now that I have found this new life, I never want to give it up. Never want to giveherup.

As I watch, she stands up straighter and turns toward the driveway. I hear it too, the low hum of an engine. It stops and I hear the car door slam. There’s a tension to her now that I can see from here, and I wonder who has just arrived.

A man comes around the corner; he’s slightly shorter than average, with bland features, light hair, and a navy suit.

Annie holds herself stiffly, and shifts the rake in her hand so that it’s between them. “Chad. What are you doing here?”

Ah, so this is the infamous Chad. The one who hurt her and sought to destroy my home. He’s lucky I’m unable to move, or I would forcibly eject him from the property. Maybe toss him over the bluff.

“Hey, Annie.” He leans in to hug her, but she sidesteps him, using the rake as a buffer.

“Not long enough. Stop trying to hug me like we’re old pals. And I’ve told you, my name is Anya, not Annie. Why are you here?” she asks again.

“Miller Higgins from the bank called and told me that you paid off the loan. Apparently, you own the property now.”

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