Page 34 of Stone Heart
Chapter 12
“Ishouldn’t be gone long,” Rhodack assured her as they made their way to the rooftop.
She knew he was going hunting with his gargoyles. She was excited to watch them take off for the hunt. She had yet to see him in his gargoyle form and couldn’t wait to see it.
The elevator opened, and they stepped out. Murmurs and growls sounded from the gargoyles on the roof. Their power brimmed in the air.
“Don’t worry about me,” she murmured.
His hand tightened on hers, and he glanced back at her. “Don’t leave the protection of the lair.” He stopped and turned toward her.
She felt the eyes of his gargoyles on them. She smiled, moved toward him, then cupped his cheek in her hand.
“I wouldn’t think of it,” she said.
Doubt swirled in his eyes but slowly disappeared as she stared into his eyes. He studied her before turning away from her. Something in her eyes must have made him believe her.
She held back a smirk, knowing she wasn’t just going to sit still and hide while he went after the thing that had tried to snatch her.
No.
She had plans, and that included going to her apartment. She was sure her roommate and friend was frantic, looking for her. It wasn’t like them to go days without speaking. She didn’t know how she was going to explain her disappearance to Chelsey.
“Gargoyles,” he said.
Silence filled the air, and their attention turned to their leader. He let her hand go as an intense power hit her. She took a small step back and watched his gargoyle come forward. Her breath caught in her throat with the appearance of leathery wings on his back.
The human Rhodack slowly disappeared, and his gargoyle fully emerged. His body seemed to increase in size as his beast came alive. He turned to face her, and she still sensed Rhodack there in his eyes, but before her stood one powerful gargoyle. His smooth skin was dark slate in color. Ridges highlighted his abdominal muscles. She moved forward, taking in his other side.
She reached out a hand, and his powers radiated from him. Her fingertips met the smoothness of his skin. It was thick, and she knew it was impenetrable. His intense eyes homed in on her, and she soaked up his new appearance.
He was a warrior.
A protector.
She pitied the being that he would be hunting. She knew it wouldn’t have a chance against Rhodack.
“Go get him,” she murmured, stepping back.
“We hunt,” he stated.
Growls echoed through the air, and gargoyles dove off the side of the building. She watched him run to the edge and dive off. The air was filled with the winged warriors taking off into the sky.
Her gaze followed Rhodack as he flew away. She walked to the edge and waited for them to disappear from sight. She’d assured him she wouldn’t leave, but there was no way she’d be keeping that promise.
“You’re going to leave, aren’t you?” a voice sounded behind her.
She turned sharply and found a female standing there. Her eyes narrowed on Rina. Hatred burned from them as she measured Rina up.
“You must be Avalena,” Rina stated, unafraid.
The woman was the complete opposite of Rina. Everything that was light on Rina was dark on the other female. Without the fierce scowl on her face, she might be pretty, but right now her eyes were staring daggers at Rina.
“Rhodack has spoken of me?” Avalena raised her eyebrow. She shifted her body, placing her hand on her hip.
Rina wasn’t impressed at all by her. This was the head female in Rhodack’s harem, and Rina knew the woman was threatened by Rina.
“Nope. Not a word.” Rina released a slight chuckle as the emotions crossed Avalena’s face.
