Page 98 of Facade

The beat of his wings grew closer. I tried to focus on them, but then another throb of pain had me on all fours. Gulping, I could scarcely catch my breath as spasm after spasm rocked through me. Beads of sweat formed all over my body, tears sliding down my cheeks as the pain grew more intense, my cries drowning out everything else. My wrists and ankles burned where the bands had been, but nothing was there.

“Evanee!” He was closer.

Close enough that his intoxicating scent shoved up my nose, making my eyes roll back in my head. I wanted to go to him, but I couldn’t move.

My skin rippled.

A beautiful monster had woken inside me.

And she was full of rage.

Without warning, my Gargoyle tore free. A ragged scream clawed free from my throat as flesh ripped away, revealing an obsidian form with white shining specks. Bones stretched and popped. Muscles burned as they changed to accommodate this form.

The sounds erupting from me became hoarse and raw. Skin ripped apart on my back—wings sliced free, shredding my tunic and corset, the remnants falling loose down my arms.

I shook free of the torn fabrics. Hair tickled my overly sensitive flesh as it fell over my exposed breasts.

My wings lay limp on either side of my body as I caught my breath. Fingers throbbing, I shoved them into the cool soil, talons slicing deep in the ground. A shudder coursed through me as I stayed frozen on all fours, letting my body adjust to the change.

It finally happened.

I’d hoped the change would bring my memories back. It didn’t. But having my Gargoyle again was enough. For now.

My back ached from the heavy, foreign weight of my wings, but no longer did that deep itch plague me. A smile stretched over new fangs, slicing my lip. But the sound of footsteps crashing through the trees had my head snapping of its own accord, in the intruder’s direction.

Ryker stopped just on the opposite side, back in his human form and barefoot. His sharp gaze met mine briefly as he took in every inch of me.

Heat licked low in my belly. Really low.

He held his hands out in front of him. “I know you probably have a lot of relief going through you right now and normal, cohesive thoughts. But it’s been three years since you’ve shifted.” He took a cautious step. My nostrils flared as his scent assaulted me again, but amplified.

“You’re going to feel it soon. The need to hunt. To fly. To be more.” Sticks snapped, making my head cock to the side as he continued slowly toward me, hands still raised.

I pushed myself up, standing shakily, eye to eye with him in this form. My body leaned back from the dead weight of my wings, but instinct had my tail instantly counterbalancing.

His gaze scanned over me again. Hair still covered my chest, and thank the moon, remnants of the leggings still covered the rest. But I might as well have been completely naked. I held my arms and talons out before me, inspecting the color.

My eyes snapped to his.

“Why does my color match yours?” My own voice startled me, coming out deeper, a husky growl. He went rigid—gaze flicking past me.

“Evanee, listen, we don’t have much time. I need you to know that you’ll be safe. No matter what happens, no harm will come to you while I’m here.”

A noise rumbled deep in my chest. Was I purring? Like a fucking cat? I can’t turn it off! Traitorous body, more so in this form.

My head involuntarily cocked to the side. All of my movements were too fast, giving me whiplash.

“Evanee,” he said softly. “Come back to the cabin with me.” He held out a hand, eyes shining as bright as I knew mine were. I took one shaky step toward him.

“Werewolves!”

Aniah burst through the trees, out of breath, panic etched across her face. Her eyes widened as she looked me over, craning her neck.

A howl pierced the air, and as if my Gargoyle had a will of her own, my legs took off running in the opposite direction of Ryker, and my wings lifted, so that only the tips dragged the ground. It hurt like a bitch. But my Gargoyle had been dormant too long. She wanted to be free.

My wings began to pump—slow at first—then faster and faster. My mind may have forgotten what I was, but my body hadn’t. Even with disuse, it felt like second nature. However, I couldn’t lift into the air. I was too weak. A cry of frustration came out in a snarl as more howls filled the air.

I kept running, dodging anything that lay in my path.