The Girl and the Gargoyle: Book Two of The Girl and the Raven Series by Pauline Gruber

fingers. Jude fought hard to save me the night of homecoming. Of course, the whole mess was his fault to begin with when he conspired with Seamus’s daughter to kidnap my boyfriend from the dance, but then Seamus showed up at Jude’s house to kill me. Seamus got away that night. He’s still out there. I’m learning to use my demon skills, but I’m not powerful by any stretch. If Garret kills Jude, then who’s going to help me kill Seamus when he shows up the next time?
    The music changes. It’s less bitter. My fingers release my hair and fall onto my lap as the gentle strumming fills the space. Goose bumps break out along my skin when I hear Marcus’s rich voice. The lyrics are no less angry. They ring with accusation as they describe an act of abandonment, betrayal. This has nothing to do with Garret. It’s about his mother.
    I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around them. I rest my head against the back of the pew.
    …dating a mundane is bad enough, but a demon?
    It doesn’t make sense that gargoyles consider humans inferior. Protectors—gargoyles—help humans. Besides, Camille is human. Why would she look down on her own kind? Has Garret brainwashed her into thinking she’s one of the protectors?
    But I’m worse than human in their eyes. I’m half-demon, unworthy of their son.
    Are Garret and Camille going to come between Marcus and me? I don’t think Marcus is in a hurry to see them again, but based on how persistent Jude is with inserting himself in my life, I suspect they’re not going to give up on their son. It may not be love motivating Garret and Camille, but they’re determined to be a part of Marcus’s life, at least until they achieve what they came for.
    I sigh and lie down on the pew. I try to clear my mind of Marcus’s parents as I focus on the chords of his guitar, the sound of his voice.
    I’m not sure how much time passes, but I jolt awake as a hand squeezes my shoulder.
    “Lucy, we should go. I need to get you home.”
    Marcus sounds better than he did when we arrived. I know he’s not fine, but the music helped to get rid of a lot of his anger. For now.
    Once in the car, my head clears of sleep. I study his profile. “So…what are we going to do?”
    He glances at me briefly, his expression resolved. “I won’t help them kill Jude.”
    I breathe a sigh of relief. I needed to hear him say it. I knew he wasn’t going to join Garret and Camille, but I also know how much he despises Jude.
    “I’m tempted to tell Jude about their plan, but I know that’s not the right answer. I texted Aiden from St. Pat’s. He, Henry, and Persephone are waiting for us. We need to tell them about Garret’s plan.”
    “Let me check in with my uncles, then I’ll meet you at Persephone’s.”
    Marcus nods. He glances at me, his stern expression visible in the glow of passing headlights. “I’ll never be a fan of Jude’s, you know that.”
    “I know.”
    “Garret’s right. Demons are the natural enemy of protectors. That was never explained to me, but I knew it by instinct.” Marcus weaves his fingers through mine. “But I also know Jude didn’t kill Vera. And he’s training you to defend yourself against Seamus. If Jude’s really going to honor our truce—allow us to be together without any more attempts to take me out—then I’ll stick with my end of it. I won’t come between the two of you. And I’m not going to let Garret kill him.”
    But is Marcus any match for Garret with his huge size, sharp teeth, and dagger-like claws? I wonder the damage the older protector could do in a serious fight. I shudder and slouch against my seat, feeling very afraid for Marcus.

Chapter Fifteen

    By the time I get to Persephone’s apartment, everyone is waiting. Persephone serves tea to Henry on the green and yellow couch. Marcus paces by the window, while Aiden talks to him in a low voice.
    “Can we talk Garret out of this?” Persephone asks.
    Marcus turns and nearly knocks a sprouting