A Very Levet Christmas (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy Page A

of the hill. Since the house was built with large windows overlooking the lake, it was easy to see inside to the festively decorated home that was clearly filled with various demons enjoying Salvatore’s hospitality.
    He should be among the guests, Levet silently groused, his gaze shifting to the dark shapes that patrolled the area around the house. Harley adored him. Every female adored him.
    Besides, had he not just saved the world from Armageddon?
    They should all be bowing down to him in humble gratitude.
    Instead he was . . . forbidden?
    It was outrageous.
    With a twitch of his tail, Levet turned to stomp away from the well-guarded lair. There was no point in trying to slip past the guards. Salvatore was foul-tempered under the best of circumstances. With five new pups to protect, he would be beyond crazed. Levet wasn’t entirely certain that the wolf wouldn’t kill anyone he considered an intruder on sight.
    “Uncouth animals,” he muttered. “They should be chained and muzzled.”
    His outrage lingered as he left St. Louis behind, following the banks of the Mississippi River as he traveled north.
    Once he was far away from prying eyes, however, his steps slowed and his wings began to droop.
    The holidays weren’t going precisely as he’d planned.
    In truth, they were a total bust.
    The vampires were in a frantic search for Cyn, the clan chief of Ireland, who’d recently disappeared from the mysterious land of the fairies, along with Sally’s sister, Fallon. His own family had made it clear that he needn’t bother to travel to Paris to join in their celebrations, despite his having been reinstated into the Gargoyle Guild.
    And even Yannah, the exasperating female demon who’d been the recipient of his charming attentions, had refused his invitation to spend a romantic Christmas together. From out of nowhere she’d informed him that he was incapable of a mature relationship. As if it was his fault that they were constantly squabbling. Instead she’d returned to her home in the netherworld to spend time with her excessively handsome Jinn neighbor.
    He was . . . alone.
    Completely and utterly alone.
    His wings drooped another inch, his claws already frostbitten as he trudged through the snow.
    Zut .
    He was a gargoyle who never allowed the tedious difficulties in life to dampen his spirits.
    He possessed an unshakable belief in his own greatness.
    And why not?
    He was handsome, charming, and possessed massive powers.
    And while his love life was currently in drought, he had every confidence he would soon be back in the puddle.
    No, wait. Not puddle. Piddle? Paddle? Ah . . . saddle. Back in the saddle.
    His steps faltered near a heavily wooded bluff, his snout wrinkling as a rare flare of self-doubt darkened his heart.
    Certainly he was handsome, but it was true he was far too short to earn the respect of his fellow gargoyles. And while his charm couldn’t be questioned, it did seem that there were a rare few who were clearly jealous of his ability to earn the admiration of women. And as for his powers—well, he couldn’t deny they could be . . . unpredictable.
    Lost in his brooding thoughts, Levet was startled by the sound of a high, feminine voice slicing through the chilled air.
    “Help,” the voice pleaded. “Please, help me.”
    With no hesitation, Levet scurried over the snow, entering a thick band of trees that ran along the bluff of the river. It was his duty as a card-carrying Knight in Shining Armor to answer the call of a woman in distress.
    Okay, he didn’t actually have a card, but still....
    He had just rounded a large outcrop of rocks when he caught sight of a small female standing at an awkward angle in a dazzling pool of moonlight.
    His wide gaze took in the tiny, heart-shaped face dominated by a pair of jade-green eyes and the black hair that tumbled nearly to her waist. Her skin was pale as ivory, and her ears were oddly pointed. And on her back were a pair of gossamer wings in shades