stone bridge. They don’t look dangerous at all. In fact, aside from the cloak, they look downright human. I sigh into his nicotine infused fingers at his overreaction.
Frustrated at my lack of understanding, he bends closer so his mouth is against my ear.
“The she-monsters are using glamour.” He speaks so low I almost miss the statement.
“Are gorgons trolls?” I question matching his quiet tone.
Gage shakes his head slowly back and forth and removes his hand from my mouth.
“Trolls?” he repeats, clearly amused. “That’s what glamour makes you think of? Trolls?”
I throw a pointed look his way. “It’s a fair question. We’re under a bridge, in a wooded part of the park,” I whisper shout. “Isn’t that where trolls tend to live?”
“This isn’t a fairytale, love,” he chides. Oh right. Duh, I mean come on, Eve. Trolls?
“Are they nymphs then?” I dig further.
Gage gives me a don’t-be-stupid-Eve look before his grey wings snap from his back. “Trolls only live in the Eternal Forest and supernatural realms. Don’t get me started on nymphs. Do you have your daggers?” he asks, changing the topic.
I nod. “Of course. Wait.” I grab his arm. “Are you going to tell me what they are?”
“It’s best if you don’t know, given your aversion,” he says obscurely.
The protector silently motions that he’s going to the top of the archway. I hadn’t even taken a full breath before he vanishes, leaving me standing under the bridge. I use my enhanced hearing to listen for any sign of struggle. There’s none. It’s too quiet.
“What are you doing all alone, pretty girl?” An alluring female voice startles me.
At the intrusion, I spin around and withdraw my daggers. As trained, I morph into a warrior pose and stand tall, trying to appear unaffected by the cloaked figure watching me.
“Who are you?” I ask.
She tsks at my rude tone and lowers her hood. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I try not to flinch. Or pee my pants at what I’m seeing. Given my irrational fear of snakes, both might be difficult.
“I do believe, I am your worst nightmare, daughter of Heaven,” she says as the snakes on her head hiss at me. At the sound, my knees demand to buckle. I look away and focus on a spot behind her head, hoping that will keep me grounded and prevent me from throwing up.
I swallow. “What is it with you, demons and snakes?”
“They are revered in the underworld,” she purrs and then pets her hair. Shit. “A symbol of power and chaos. My sisters and I wear them proudly instead of fearing them. As. You. Should,” she snips.
Fire instantly appears, blocking both openings and caging us in. Crap. My eyes scan for an alternate escape route. There’s none. Looks like snake demon and I are game on.
“See.” She motions to the flames. “Power and chaos.”
“If this is your way of introducing yourself, it needs work,” I cleverly remark.
She releases a humorless, lifeless laugh. “Didn’t your protectors warn you of gorgons?”
“Sorry, you weren’t on the syllabus this semester,” I throw back.
“Then let us get acquainted, daughter of Heaven. I am Euryale. My sister, Stheno, is currently turning your gargoyle to stone, ironic really.” Euryale takes a step toward me.
I’d like to retreat but there’s no place to go unless I want to burn in the flames.
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I’m not really a fan of snakes,” I retort.
The gorgon’s elegant hand lifts a piece of my hair and she inhales my scent. “You’ll make such a lovely addition to my collection of stone statues.” She lets out a sound of pleasure.
I yank my hair out of her grip. “I’m not a gargoyle and therefore can’t be turned to stone.”
“Your aroma says differently, pretty girl,” she purrs.
“You’re mistaken. I’m human.” I stand taller.
She shrugs as if she’s bored. “Gorgons have the ability to turn any being into stone…with only one seductive look.” Fucking
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