Page 91 of Stake It or Leave It
I close the curtains, open the double door and slip out into the lobby, where it is significantly cooler and I’m able to breathe once again.
What on earth possessed me to give everything up in England and enroll on a Masters course at Budapest University for a year? As I shiver a little with the change of temperature, I soon remember. We all have things we’re running from and I do too.
I decide I may as well take my exit as an opportunity to use the loo and, mindful of Lucy telling me not to get lost in Dominik’s vast abode, filled with hungry vampires, I take a moment to get my bearings and then set off to find the bathroom.
As I take a couple of turns, I realize I’ve got it wrong and curse under my breath. A cool wind blows down the corridor towards me, making me shiver even more. This was most definitely a mistake.
So I turn around to retrace my steps as somewhere in the building a door slams and there’s a noise like a stone being dropped from a great height. I increase my pace and as I round the corner which I’m hoping will take me back to the lobby, I very nearly run directly into him.
“Oh!” The noise comes out of me completely involuntarily.
The massive gargoyle is leaning heavily against the wall, looking for all the world like he’s asleep. I recognize him as the head of security for my friend Grace’s werewolf husband, but his name completely escapes me.
“Pardon me.” I say.
His eyes flicker, his tail twitching. Up close, he has the most incredible skin, almost as if he’s covered in glitter. He’s dressed in a suit which clings to his every muscle and has to be at least twice the amount of material for any other male, mostly because he has to be eight feet tall and nearly as wide.
“You are pardoned.” He rumbles in a deep accented voice.
I go to edge past him but a hand comes out and I’m swept up against the wall. His eyes are fully open now, but they’re clouded, staring at me but not quite seeing me.
This gargoyle is drunk! How on earth does that happen? How much does he have to drink to get into this state.
“My…my friends are waiting for me.” I say quickly, squirming against his grip which isn’t painful but is almost exactly like stone.
“Have you ever…” He slurs his words, but drops his hand away. “Have you ever thought about your future?”
“All the time.”I respond.
Now I’m released, I should just get past him and back to the hall, but something stops me. Something makes me stay.
“I am old and I am tired.” He sighs.
“You don’t look old.”
“I am. I should have thought about my future a long time ago.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad.” I respond.
“If I have nothing to leave behind, it is bad.” He says.
“Nothing?” I query, cocking my head on one side.
“I should have looked for a mate long ago. I have left it too late.” He says, straightening up. “To carry on my line.”
He blinks and it seems like I come into focus. His eyes trail over me, making me heat up a little, even though I’m one hundred percent sworn off men for the foreseeable.
“My apologies, little one.” He rasps. “I should not burden you with my inner thoughts.”
“It’s fine.” I edge past him now there’s more room. “And I’m sure you’ll find someone soon.”
I practically run the second I think I’m clear of him.
“Yes,” I hear him say, “I think perhaps I will.”
The next turn brings me back to the lobby and I nearly bowl Sophia over.
“There you are!” She exclaims. “Lucy’s about to give her first address as queen, what have you been doing?”
“Oh, nothing, just meeting the locals.”
“You’re going to have plenty of time to do that next week.” She takes my hand and starts towing me back into the ballroom. “When you start at the university.”
“Yes.” I look over my shoulder as if I might catch a glimpse of a great stone gargoyle who made my stomach dip in a way I haven’t ever felt before. “I suppose I will.”
