Loki gave a menacing growl, slinking backwards to crouch at her side.
Silence descended, the splotch of water dripping echoed in the quiet. She couldn’t even pick up telltale signs of rats scurrying, which only set her further on edge.
It was like every sign of life had been eradicated.
The rattle and hiss of something moving toward them made her flight-or-fight instincts kick into overdrive. Her bladesmelted down without her calling them, and the necklace she wore twisted and spun so fast that it burned her neck.
A quick glance showed the silver gleam of a coiled snake.
Kincade caught sight of the necklace at the same time, and his eyes widened. “Gorgon! Eyes closed.”
Morgan didn’t hesitate to obey, and not a second too soon.
Soft footsteps echoed around them, and the hairs on her arm lifted when the gorgon passed too close. The thought of the woman touching her men sent rage flooding her veins, and she tightened her hold on her weapons.
“Hmmm…what a sexy bunch. I can’t wait to add you to my collection.” Husky laughter whirled around the claustrophobic room, grating against Morgan’s nerves, and she gritted her teeth. “After I’ve had time to play with you each first. It’s not like you can keep your eyes closed forever. You’ll mess up eventually, and I have all the time in the world.”
Morgan concentrated on the sound of the woman’s voice, then launched to the right and lashed out with her blade. Air whirled in front of her, just out of reach, and her blade hit stone.
Taunting laughter faded from the room, the caustic atmosphere fading as the gorgon slithered back to her den.
“It’s only a matter of time before she returns.” Ignoring the risks, Morgan cracked open her eyes, almost afraid to discover if one of her mates had been turned. “She’s right—sooner or later, we’re going to slip up. Not to mention that we don’t have time to waste, what with an army waiting at the gate. We need a plan.”
She scanned the room, trepidation making her stomach churn. When she caught sight of her men still in the flesh, she sagged in relief, placing her hands on her knees to keep from dropping to the floor.
They stood with their eyes closed, their heads tipped to catch the slightest noise.
Even Loki had his eyes scrunched adorably, his snout curled sweetly as he sniffed the air, one ear perked up, the other flopped over. When Kincade suddenly opened his eyes, she stared at himfor a heartbeat, then glared at the asshole. “Why the hell are your eyes open?”
He crossed his arms and arched a brow at her. “I could ask you the same.”
“You can’t?—”
“I’m a gargoyle.” Even as he spoke, his skin hardened, his pale green eyes darkening. “I’m already created from stone. Loki and I should be immune to the gorgon’s charms.”
“Should beisn’t good enough.” She glared at him, matching his pose, crossing her own arms. “What if she turns you into stone? I won’t risk not being able to get you back. Tell me I’m wrong. Is there a way to break the curse?”
When he didn’t answer, she glanced at the other guys.
No one responded.
She turned to face Kincade, only to find him standing directly in front of her. He cupped her face, just when she would’ve jerked away, and he held her steady. “Trust me?”
Damn him!
She felt herself caving and wanted to kick her own ass. It was completely stupid, but she did trust him. She reached up, clutching his wrists as she leaned into him, hating the desperation that threatened to crush her chest. “You better be right, or I’m going to find a way to bring you back so I can kick your ass myself.”
His husky chuckle tightened her gut, then he gave her a quick kiss before he pulled back. “Loki and I will draw the gorgon away and kill her if we can, while the rest of you find a way out.”
Before she had a chance to protest the idea of them splitting up, the raspy sound of snakes moving caught her ear. “Down!”
The guys didn’t even hesitate as they dropped to the ground. Morgan was already in action, her arm swinging forward. The blade sang in the air just as the gorgon slithered into view. The knife landed in the center of her forehead with a thump, the gorgon’s mouth opened in a silent scream. Dozens of snakesthrashed around her head, snapping and hissing, tying themselves in knots in an attempt to escape.
The skin around the blade began to crack and fade…turning to stone.
The transformation spilled down her body, the air crackling like water being poured over ice, forever freezing the gorgon in time. The snakes stilled their frantic movements, the green skin fading as the last breath of life vanished. The guys rose to their feet, none of them even ruffled, and she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Atlas strode toward the gorgon without hesitation and yanked out the knife. He turned and presented it to her, and she accepted it gratefully.
