Page 17 of Gargoyle Defender

Ronen reached across the table and squeezed Tanner’s hand. To his relief, Tanner didn’t pull away.

“It’ll be all right, Tanner. I’ll protect you.”

Tanner tilted his head. “About that. Why do you care so much? You barely know me.” He fiddled with his fork, pushing more bits of chicken around, and gave a half-shrug. “Is it only because I can give you guys information about my employers?”

Ronen paused. Cassiel had told him to hold back, and anyway, the middle of the restaurant wasn’t the appropriate place to drop that supernatural bomb. But it killed him that Tanner might believe he was merely a source of information and nothing else.

“I care about you, Tanner,” Ronen said. “There’s more I need to tell you, but this isn’t the right place.” He squeezed Tanner’s hand again, the warmth of his skin against his own like a balm. “Can you trust me a little longer?”

Tanner studied him, his eyes searching Ronen’s face with an intensity that made his heart pound harder. For a moment, he thought Tanner might pull away. Instead, he turned his hand over and returned the pressure of Ronen’s grip.

“Okay,” Tanner said at last. “But I expect the full story once we meet your colleagues.”

Relief washed over Ronen. “I promise.”

The server dropped off their bill, and after a brief squabble where Tanner tried to pay because he’d invited Ronen, Ronen won out, and they made their way to the park. Once they arrived, Ronen noted that there weren’t many people around.

The evening was pleasant, the warm December air not something Ronen had expected. Most of his time as a Slayer had been spent in the Northeast. He hadn’t realized how pointless his favorite leather jacket was until he’d landed in the open-air sauna that was Florida.

Ronen surveyed the area, searching for a place to sit. “Hey, there’s an empty bench over there by the fountain. Would you like to—” Ronen gasped when he turned around. “Tanner! What’s wrong?”

Tanner’s eyes had rolled back, and he was violently shaking. Ronen lunged forward, catching him before he hit the ground. His mate’s body convulsed in his arms, limbs thrashing with unnatural force. Panic surged through Ronen as he cradled Tanner against his chest, desperately trying to protect his head.

“Tanner! Can you hear me?”

No response came except for the violent tremors wracking Tanner’s body. Foam bubbled at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes remained rolled back, showing only whites. The seizure was violent, unlike anything Ronen had ever witnessed. This was no ordinary human ailment.

A dark, oily sensation prickled across Ronen’s skin, the unmistakable creeping darkness of demonic energy. It was faint but growing stronger, like a distant storm rolling in. The cloaking spell was fighting back, battling to sever whatever connection was forming between them.

“Tanner!” Ronen shouted again, the cry tearing from his throat.

His instincts took over, overriding any concern about human witnesses. Gathering Tanner's heaving body against his chest, Ronen sprinted toward the shadows at the edge of the park. The weight in his arms felt both precious and terrifyingly fragile as Tanner continued to seize, his breathing becoming more labored with each passing second.

Ronen glanced around quickly, ensuring no humans were watching too closely. A couple walking their dog had stopped several yards away, the woman already pulling out her phone—likely to call for help. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Medical professionals would only complicate matters, and Tanner needed something no hospital could provide.

Ronen clutched Tanner tighter and tucked his mate’s head against his shoulder. He sprinted away, searching for a more concealed area as the couple called after him. His gargoyle strength propelled him forward, easily outpacing the concerned humans.

“Cassiel,” he projected urgently as he ran. “Emergency. Tanner’s been struck by a brutal seizure. I’m bringing him to the lair now.”

Her response came immediately, laced with alarm. “What?”

“Demonic energy. I can feel it. Meet me there.”

“On my way. I’ll put in a call to Zeke. You just focus on your mate right now.”

“Thanks, Cass.”

Ronen ducked behind a large banyan tree, its sprawling roots providing momentary cover. The park had grown quieter, but he could hear distant voices calling out. The couple with the dog must’ve alerted others. There was no time to waste.

He shifted Tanner in his arms, the young man’s convulsions beginning to slow, but his breathing was becoming more labored. Sweat beaded on Tanner’s forehead, his skin burning with unnatural heat. Ronen pressed his lips to Tanner’s temple, willing his strength into his mate’s failing body.

“Hold on, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice rough with fear. “I’ve got you. Just hang on.”

With a final glance around to ensure no witnesses, Ronen unfurled his wings. The massive, leathery appendages stretched ten feet across, casting shadows in the moonlight. The transformation rippled through the rest of his body, his skin hardening to stone, muscles expanding with preternatural strength. A quick thrust sent them airborne, Tanner secure in his embrace as they shot upward into the night sky.

The Miami skyline glittered below as Ronen flew at frantic speed toward the lair. The wind whipped past them as he pushed himself harder, his wings beating with desperate power through the night air. Every instinct screamed at him to move faster, to get Tanner to safety before it was too late.

He couldn’t lose Tanner. Not when he’d finally discovered the power of the mate bond.