“Hey, Leeann. What’s up?”
“Just checking in to see how last night went. I know you were nervous about it.”
Tori filled her in. Leeann had been her best friend since pre-school and knew all the intricacies of the St. Cyr family. She had even dated Roger for a short time before their brother fled the family that he considered crazy.
Leeann let out a low whistle. “That’s some heavy shit right there. Any idea how to fix it?”
“I can’t fix something when I don’t know what happened.”
“What are you going to do?”
Tori plopped down on a stool. “Poke around in Mom’s grimoires. Do more research.”
“It’s a damn good thing that Felicia doesn’t have access to your mom’s room. Imagine the trouble she could get in with proper tools.”
“Tell me about it.” The room was actually a huge walk-in closet that had been converted into a witch’s chamber. Edward had installed a steel door with a heavy-duty lock to prevent curiosity from those who didn’t need access to the room. While he held strong disapproval of his wife’s inclinations with the dark arts, his love for her was stronger, so he was willing to compromise.
“If you need me, just say the word. I have to work this afternoon, but I can come over afterwards.”
“I’m off the next couple of days, so at least I don’t have to worry about that. And thanks, Lee. I’ll let you know.”
La Petite, the group home for foster children, required their administrators to take time off after a long stretch of work hours. As their lead adoption specialist, Tori spent countless hours working with the children to find them homes. She cherished her time off to recharge her batteries.
Tori rested her head against the counter after she ended the call. I don’t need to start in Mom’s chamber. I need to go back out to that field. She banged her head lightly against the marble. But I really don’t want to.
Chapter Four
Tori waited until early the following morning before she drove out to the forest again. The area around the field that contained the two halves of the gargoyle usually appealed to her at that time. She loved hiking and exploring in the woods while communing with nature, and she knew every inch of the massive acreage. A long river fed into a large lake, a place where she had spent countless hours of her youth, both with her mother and alone.
Today she dreaded every step. The closer she got to the broken statue, the harder it was to breathe.
I should have asked Leeann to meet me here. Coming alone was not the smartest idea she’d ever had.
Both halves were in the same place. A lizard ducked around the back side of one of the pieces when she approached. The normalcy helped calm her beating heart.
“Hello, Mr. Lizard. Obviously, you’re not afraid of a broken piece of stone.”
She held her breath as she stretched out with her foot and kicked the chunk over. She glanced around, feeling like a total idiot.
“What exactly did I expect to happen?”
Something’s not right. She felt it. Well, she felt... something. She strolled around the area but found nothing.
Her attention kept getting drawn to the lake. No matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t see anything out of place. But her senses steered her toward the shore even as her brain told her to go home.
That noise last night. You know it wasn’t anything that belonged.
Shut up and leave me alone.
You know you’re going over there. Just get on with it.
The woods thickened the closer she got to the edge of the lake. Never had the trees seemed threatening; today they seemed dark and ominous. She watched for movement with every step, not sure what she was expecting but knowing she was searching for something. Her breaths were rapid and shallow as the landscape seemed to bear down on her and block access to any air.
She was almost to the water when a slight motion caught her peripheral vision. She turned to get a better view. For a moment, nothing else happened. Then another movement came from behind a palmetto bush.
Her feet carried her across the distance before she even thought about moving. As she drew closer, she could see someone lying on the ground.
Leave. Now.
What if it’s someone who needs help?
You know who it is.
She rushed forward to find a man curled in a fetal position. She dropped to her knees and reached for his shoulder, but stopped before she made contact.
Fear.
But what am I afraid of?
Him. You should have run.
Here’s your missing statue.
He moaned and rolled over. Tori fell backwards onto her butt to avoid any touch. His eyes opened and burned into hers.
She gasped. She felt his stare all the way deep into her soul.
“You freed me.”
She shook her head. Nausea rolled in her belly. His confirmation that she was right made her gag. The gargoyle is free.
Buck up, chick. It wasn’t your fault.
“Technically, I had nothing to do with it.”
“You were present.”
She noted that he hadn’t asked a question, just stated a fact. She scooted back a little farther as he sat up. “Not exactly.”
His clothes made him look like he was an actor from a Dickens’ movie. The white ruffled shirt had dirt smudged on it. His hair was thick and longer, but not long, and curled on the ends. His more than handsome face was dusted with scruff. His blue eyes continued to scorch hers; such a deep blue that they were almost a grayish-purple.
Her breath hitched as she took him all in as he stretched. Besides the dark hair and brooding eyes, he had amazing lips. Over six-foot tall, he had a sculpted chest that strained against the material, with just the right amount of hair poking out. Her jaw dropped. He’s gorgeous. And I’m a crazy bitch for even thinking that.
“I don’t understand what ‘not exactly’ means.” His voice was deep and gravely.
He hasn’t used it for how long? What did you expect?
She tried to ignore the fact that it sent tingles straight to her core.
“I was watching from across the field. Not participating.”
“Who freed me?”
She didn’t want to answer. She already knew why he asked her. And that frightened her more than talking to a centuries-old gargoyle.
He rubbed his jaw. “This time period must be different because I’m accustomed to receiving an answer when I ask a question.”
“You mean harm to those that freed you.”
His brow lifted. “You know of such things?”
“I do my research.”
“Then you know I shall find out regardless of your refusal to answer.”
She shrugged. “My sister and her friends.”
“Ah.” The corner of his eye twitched. “I understand your refusal to enlighten me.”
“What’s your name?”
“Malik. Malik Ambrose.” He chuckled. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve spoken that name.”
“I can only imagine.”
“And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
“Tori.” She swallowed hard. “My name’s Tori.”
“Tori? How is it that you came by that moniker? It seems inadequate.”
“It’s short for Victorianna, but my father is the only one who ever calls me that and even then, only when I’m in trouble for something.”