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you’ve
already discovered, these have been trying years for everyone. But let there be
peace between us, and let us share food and histories. There are dangers which
must be explained.”
    He didn’t miss how she glanced worriedly at
Lillian, but he didn’t question her further. There would be time for inquiries
later. For now, he was more concern about Lillian. She was so small, fragile
even, and she’d been so close to death when he’d first woke, no wonder she was
now on the edge of shock. She’d suffered much trauma in the last day. There was
also her hamadryad tree to think of, but the tree was safe for now. He’d see to
her healing tomorrow.
    “Lillian needs rest,” he said.
    “Of course.” Vivian made a sweeping gesture
with her arm. “This way.”
    He inclined his head to Vivian in thanks
before urging his lady back in the direction of the house. Lillian allowed
herself to be herded.
    Inside, Gregory followed Lillian as she
made her way through the kitchen and on into the living room. There she
collapsed into a chair and held a pillow in her lap, her eyes glazing with
recent memories. Her grandmother stood next to her and whispered words of
comfort. Right now, Vivian was the one Lillian would find safe and familiar,
while his presence would only lead to more questions and worry. So he faded,
blending into the room around him until he was once again part of the shadows.

Chapter
7
    Distracted by her grandmother, Lillian
missed when the gargoyle vanished. She leaned forward in her chair, her fingers
biting into the armrests. He’d been standing right in front of her a moment ago
and now he was gone. Nothing moved that fast. His magic must cloak him in some
way she didn’t understand. A laugh bubbled up. She suppressed it with
difficulty.
    What did she understand? Magic.
Gargoyles. Unicorns. Her entire life was a lie.
    When her mind threatened rebellion, she
took several deep breaths. Calmer, she approached the problem with a rational
mind. What was she to do? A gargoyle followed her around like a lost dog. He
must have a reason. She needed to find out his motives. But how? Question after
question whirled through her mind, but no reasonable explanations presented
themselves.
    “You’ve had enough shocks for one day,”
Gran whispered in her ear. “Come with me. The gargoyle is right. You need to
rest. Everything will seem better after a good night’s sleep. Then I’ll explain
everything I know in the morning.”
    She should be demanding answers now,
tonight…but she was so damned tired. Her body felt heavy, her limbs numb.
    “Come,” Gran whispered.
    Lillian was certain her grandmother was
weaving some kind of spell to make her sleep, but she decided she was too tired
to care.
    Gran ushered her up the stairs, pushing on
her shoulders to steer her in the right direction. After a few turns, Lillian
found herself in a room. Her grandmother handed her a bit of satin. Lillian
blinked. Her favorite indigo nightgown. And yes, that was her oversized bed. It
had never looked so good.
    When the door’s click announced her
grandmother’s departure, Lillian started shedding clothing as she crossed the
floor.
    The satin nightgown still a cold presence
against her skin, she crawled across the bed and scrambled under the covers.
Her eyes were already closed by the time her head hit the pillow. Before sleep
claimed her, a worried thought flashed across her mind.
    Where had her gargoyle gone?
    * * *
    Hearing was the first sense to awaken. A
soft, slow whooshing teased the edge of her hearing, rhythmic like the ocean,
almost a purr. The soothing noise had a steady thump as its counter beat.
Delicious warmth radiated throughout her body.
    A part of her mind wanted to embrace sleep,
but other senses were sharpening. She inhaled a deep breath. Air perfumed with
the scents of home baking filled her lungs—her grandmother’s pancakes and
sausages, if she was not mistaken. Her stomach growled, waking her further.
Still