Page 58 of Heartsong
Captain joined her, purring merrily, unbothered by her panic. She picked him up, asking, “Where’d he go, Cappy?”
But he just licked his lips, fishy breath pungent, and then licked her cheek.
Anna checked his feeding station and found the remains of his dinner decorating the bowl. And when she investigated the kitchen, she found a roast and vegetables cooling in two covered ramekins. With Captain in tow, she checked her bedroom and bathroom, then the tiny coat closet, and then her bedroom again. Nothing.
Frey was gone.
Her insides twisted, and tears stung her eyes as she stood in the middle of her apartment, unsure what to do.
How could he just be gone?
That little bubble of anticipation, of coming home to see him, burst, leaving behind the kind of hopelessness that sucked all the energy out of her.
A tear escaped her lashes, and Anna hurried to wipe it away.
She told herself to move, to do something, but she didn’t know what or how or…
Out of the corner of her eye, a dark figure swooped in the window. She turned just in time to hear the creak of the fire escape, and then one of the front windows was filled with the hulking figure of her gargoyle.
He’d unlatched the handle, pushed the window open, and gracefully extended one leg inside the apartment before Anna’s brain came back online.
She rushed to him, holding the window open wide for him. Frey slid inside easily, folding his wings neatly behind him. He brought with him some of the fog, a sharp, cool smell that reminded her of mornings and mountains.
The smile he bestowed on her was wide and toothy, and he planted his fists on his hips. He looked happy, invigorated, and Anna could only look on, another tear slipping out.
His smile faltered. “Anna…?”
She threw her arms around his middle and buried her face in his chest. “You were gone!”
A rumble vibrated from that glorious chest, at first cool from the outdoors but immediately warmed against her cheek. His arms and wings came around her, and a hand gently stroked over her hair.
“Don’t worry, my Anna. I just went for a short flight. The fog was thick and I couldn’t resist the opportunity.”
She could understand feeling cooped up—Frey had been trapped in the apartment since he’d woken up over three weeks ago. But still, she couldn’t help the frustration from spilling out of her.
“Someone could still see you, Frey! There are cameras everywhere.”
“I was careful. I’m always careful. It was only for a moment, and the fresh air does me good.”
“Always careful,” she repeated, and didn’t miss how his wings bobbed, the gargoyle equivalent ofoh shit. “You’ve gone out before?”
Frey’s gaze drifted somewhere over her head, and his response was slow and reluctant. “Sometimes. When the night is dark enough.”
“Frey!” She didn’t mean to screech but—what was he thinking?“What if someonesees you?”
“No one sees me, Anna. My kind were meant for stealth. And I’m a strong flier, I hardly make a sound.” There was that easy, confident arrogance again. It shouldn’t have worked on her. It should have worried her.
But her nerves had had enough for today, and Anna’s forehead gladly plopped back onto Frey’s chest.
“You have to be careful, okay?” she muttered into his warm muscle.
“Always,fynghân.” He resumed those soothing strokes on her hair, and Anna knew she should’ve been annoyed by how quickly it did soothe her, but she couldn’t muster the effort to be. “Supper should be cool enough. Come eat.”
She made a sound of agreement but couldn’t force herself to move from their warm bubble. Standing there with him, wrapped up in him, was almost…perfect.
When she didn’t move after another moment, she felt him bend down, putting his head closer to hers. “Are you well, my Anna?” His voice dropped to growl. “Did something happen at work?”
You bet something did.
