Restraint (The Revelation Series Book 2) (32 page)

Faintly, I
’m aware of the knock at the door and we both freeze. “Asher, it’s Keegan. We need to speak, now.”

Dropping his forehead to mine, he whisper
s, “Don’t fucking move.” He peels himself off me and goes to the door. He opens it the smallest amount so Keegan can’t see I’m in the room. “This just came from a messenger,” Keegan says, handing him a note.

“What messenger?” Asher asks
.

“A Royal Gargoyle Council of Protectors messenger.” Keegan
states each word in a slow, methodic manner. I sit up at hearing Keegan’s answer.

Asher snatches the letter and reads it as I hold my breath in fear. “I’m requested to appear the day after tomorrow to stand trial for breaking my oath of protection
of Eve Collins.”

2
2
The Council

Sheer terror and panic
flow through me as I read the letter again before placing it into my bag. I know what I have to do, but the fear floating through me is stifling. I press my lips together in trepidation as I look at the clock once more, trying to keep my breathing controlled.

“All you have to do is get to the Castle
Combe Village,” I whisper to myself, trying to calm my nerves.

“What are you doing?” Asher asks from the doorway
. I startle. He watches me before coming over and giving me a soft kiss that rattles my soul.
Crap, how long has he been standing there?

I exhale
to still my anxiety and display a fraudulent smile while focusing on the calmness he brings to me through our bond. “A paper for class,” I say, hoping he doesn’t see right through my lie.

He’s quiet
when he leans against the desk and takes my hands in his. Keeping his eyes trained on them, he pulls me up to stand between his legs and wraps his arms around my waist. “Hey,” he says softly. “I don’t want you to worry about tomorrow. I can feel the worry flowing through you. It’s all going to be okay.”

I nod
and focus on his chest where the protector tattoo is located because my stress is more than just the tribunal. He dips his chin. “Your dream was not a premonition of things to come, siren.”

My voice
is just above a whisper. “What if you’re wrong?” I ask with a tight throat.

He takes my chin in his hand
, forcing my eyes to meet his. “I’ve got this. Trust me, yeah?”

I do trust him, but I will protect him. “With my life.” His eyes roam my face for any sign of hesitation. “
Good girl. I’m going to let you finish your paper. I’ll see you upstairs in a bit?” The question lingers, like he’s worried I won’t come up.
Does he know?

I
lean in, giving him my best effort at a kiss that shows how much I love him. Our lips stay fused together for a while before I pull away. Asher knits his brows as something flashes over his face, but as quickly as it was there, it is gone.

He kisses my forehead one final time before standing up and moving to the door. I hold his hands until the final moment that his fingers slip through mine. My eyes just stare at the spot that our fingers used to be joined. “See you soon, siren,” he says in a quiet voice. With those parting words
, he walks out. I look at the clock, knowing I have exactly one hour.

Somehow I manage to slip out unnoticed, which is not easy in a house
full of gargoyle protectors. I meet the cab outside the gates and have the driver get me to Castle Combe in no time. It’s a small village in Wiltshire, renowned for its tranquility and it’s where I’m meeting my ride to County Kerry, Ireland.

The cab
pulls up at the 14
th
century medieval church. I pay him and step out, scanning my surroundings for any danger. When I see none, I run into the cathedral, hoping I’m on time.

As I make my way into the sanctuary, I smile when I see the long
, flowing red hair of the ethereal being whose help I’ve summoned. Sensing my arrival, she turns to me and bows gracefully, a motion that causes her ringlets to fall over her shoulder and onto her deep emerald green Grecian dress.

I walk to her with
elation. “Lady Finella, thank you so much for your help,” I say sincerely.

“
It is truly a great honor where you are concerned, my dear,” she answers while embracing me before pulling back so she can see my face. “Did you have any difficulty using the sleeping potion I provided?” her inquiry is heavy with genuine concern.

“No. All
gargoyles and panther shifters are out for a while,” I say before grabbing my cell phone and turning it off so Asher can’t track me. I force away the guilt I’ve been feeling since lacing everyone’s water at dinner. “The hardest part was watching the clock and waiting for the brew to kick in.”

The beautiful fairy touche
s my cheek in a maternal manner. “Excellent. Well done, Eve.”

I look around at the beautiful church and then back to
the queen of the fae realm. “Are you sure Deacon can’t get in here?” I ask with nervous energy.

She stands tall, pushes back her shoulders, and places both hands over her stomach in a re
gal fashion. “Do not fear. I am most confident that the demon spawn wouldn’t dare come within a hundred foot circumference of holy ground.”

I smile. “Good. Are you ready then?” I question with a shaky voice.

Lady Finella just observes me before speaking. “Forgive me, however, I am obliged to inquire if you are without doubt prepared for this?”

I lift my chin and inhale. “This is the only way I can be certain he is safe.” I
stare at her while she considers me.

Lady
Finella drops her tone to a maternal one. “Your protector will be quite irate with your actions,” she says, waiting for my response.

I stand straight after situating my bag over my shoulder. “At least he’ll be
breathing. Angry or not, Asher will continue living in this world. That’s enough of an incentive for me to make this sacrifice.”

She studies me thoughtfully before a warm smile graces
her peach lips. “You love him.” It isn’t a question.

I look
her directly in the eyes. “With every fiber in my body, your grace.”

She
puts her hands together. “We ought to be off then. I can take you to the door, but once there, only you will be permitted to enter. After which, I will be required to return to the fae realm.”

I nod in understanding. “Thank you for helping me, your grace. I really appreciate it.
”

Lady
Finella tilts her head to the side. “It is my honor, daughter of Heaven.” The fairy holds out her hand, and I take it. “Are you prepared?”

I exhale a deep breath
, hoping I’m doing the right thing. “Yes.” At that one word, the queen flickers us out of the church, and in an instant, we materialize on a stone entryway in front of a pair of large, stained glass doors.

Lady
Finella keeps my hand clasped in hers. “Welcome to Domus Gurgulio Castle,” she says, motioning to the elegant doors. “It’s Latin for House of Gargoyles.” Her eyes shift to mine, and the side of her mouth tilts as she leans in to whisper in a conspiratorial way. “Gargoyles are not the most creative supernatural group. We tend to leave that to the vampires.” She winks as I release a soft laugh.

The doors open and a large man stands there. His inky black hair falls midway to his neck and a bit over his
slate colored eyes. He’s in all black, which makes him look very intimidating, especially with his dark brown gargoyle wings revealed. The gargoyle’s eyes widen when he sees Lady Finella. “Your highness,” he says, bowing to her. “To what do we owe this immense distinction?”

As a mark of respect, Lady
Finella dips her head in a slight motion. “Rulf,” she acknowledges the gargoyle. “Eve Collins, daughter of Heaven, requests an audience with Lord Falk. I entrust you will be considerate and accommodate her appeal. It is also my hope you’ll offer her protection and benevolence as she is to be considered a most revered guest while under your care,” she says with an air of authority that’s not meant to be questioned.

He bows again. “Of course, my lady.”
Rulf turns to me and bends at the waist. “Daughter of Heaven, it is with enormous privilege I welcome you to Domus Gurgulio. If you’d be gracious enough to follow me, I’ll take you to Lord Falk at once.” He motions me into the castle.

I smile at him. “Thank you
,” I say before turning to Lady Finella. “I’m so grateful to you for all your help this evening, your grace.”

She embraces me one final time while whispering in my ear. “Good luck. I will reflect most excellent wishes to you and hope for the safety of your protector. I must take my leave now. You shall be in safe hands with
Rulf.” With those parting words, she shimmers, leaving behind a wave of gold dust in the air.

I turn back to
Rulf. He’s waiting patiently for me to follow him. I square my shoulders and walk steadily into the castle to meet with Lord Falk, the head council member of the Royal Gargoyle Council of Protectors, prepared to plead with him for Asher’s well-being.

As soon as I step into the stone building, I notice I’m in a large entryway. There are four hallways
which all veer off in different directions. Not sure which one to walk through, I wait for the rather threatening dark haired creature to guide me.

“Come this way, please.” The twenty-something
-year-old gargoyle motions toward a long stone hallway to the right of the entry doors. I follow him blindly. As I gaze around, I notice the walls and floors are intricate stonework. The high-vaulted, arched ceilings are composed of a dark wood. There are rich scarlet and gold carpets on the floors and marble and granite tables decorate each hallway.
It’s really beautiful in this castle.

“So you’re the
dark prince’s charge?” Rulf says as we walk down a long corridor.

I don’t trust him, so I keep my answers short. “
Yes.”

He
snickers. “You’re friends with the queen of the fae realm?” he asks, perhaps to get to know more about me or make small talk. Either way, I’m not interested in conversing.

I exhale
a nervous breath. “I am.”

Rulf
stops and turns to me, a crooked smile on his amused face. “I know you don’t know or trust me, but as a sworn protector of all humans, I feel obligated to warn you that whatever you did to get here without a protector is going to royally piss off Asher.” He stands there looking at me. “I’m assuming the queen of the fairies assisted your dodge?”

I roll my eyes
, and let out a short laugh having been caught red handed. “Have you ever tried sneaking out of a house full of gargoyle protectors? Security is tighter than a prison. So, yes, assistance in my escape from a fairy might have been in order,” I respond, not making eye contact.

The gargoyle makes a face like he’s really considering what I said. “Touché,” he says in amusement. “Lord Falk awaits
,” he says as he falls in step next to me instead of ahead of me, leading us through mazes of hallways.

I give him a sideways glance. “Can I ask you a question,
Rulf?”

He scans me. “Sure, Eve,” he answers
, testing my name.

I hesitate before I ask. “What are the council mem
bers like?” I inquire. “I mean, is there anything I should be prepared for?” I watch his response carefully.

He stops and touches my arm lightly. “If you’ve survived
this long with Asher St. Michael as your protector, the rest of the council members will look like pussy cats.” A smile forms on his lips before he motions to the last corridor on the left.

I inhale sharply when we enter this hallway. It’s the same one from my dream with Asher. The alcoves
are filled with gargoyle statues on the left, the arched windows highlight the inky night on the right and two gargoyle statues balance fire filled urns on their head, all leading to the two carved doors in front of me.

I push back my shoulders and face the wooden entry. “Are you all right?”
Rulf asks.

I
chew the inside of my cheek and nod, not trusting my voice. “Please wait here. I’ll inform the council and Lord Falk that you’re here.”

Rulf
walks through the doors of my vision as I begin to fidget and wonder if I made the right decision by coming here. “They’re ready for you,” he says near my ear. I didn’t even hear him approach me.

I turn and follow him through the doors
and into the dark, stone chamber that matches my recollection from my dream in perfect detail. I follow my escort down the aisle lined by urns filled with fire. We approach the raised stage where the council sits. They’re all dressed in black, five are to the left of a throne and four are to the right. Asher’s seat is empty. The silver-haired, tall elder stands in his black robe with his dark brown wings extended. He looks unapproachable as he waits to greet me.

Rulf
takes a knee and bends his head. “Lord Falk, I present Eve Collins, escorted by Lady Finella. She has requested haven for the daughter of Heaven, as well as an audience with you.”