“Oh. No. I was in such a hurry to leave the house after my cousins showed up that I literally forgot everything. It’s fine, I’m not bothered by the cold.”
He followed me outside, disbelief clear on his face. “We can just wait inside for them to bring you a sweatshirt if you want? I’m prepared this time. I’ll handle the intense scowls.”
“No, honestly, it’s fine. Seriously.” I pushed through the door, immediately wrapping my magic around myself. “What were you saying about the bar up the way?”
“Oh, just that—you have to be freezing! Here.” He shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
“No, really, it’s…” I sighed and let him finish. He was being a gentleman and wouldn’t understand why I didn’t need it. “Thanks.”
“That’s a really rough-and-tumble bar,” he said. “I’d be nervous if that’s where someone wanted to meet.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. My neighbor—the rock-throwing old lady?” He smiled at me. “She brought me there my first night in town, and now I know the owner. He makes sure everything is aboveboard. It’s probably the safest spot in town when he’s on duty.”
“That big, burly guy?” Ron blew out a breath, pausing by the parking lot. “That guy, safe?” He shook his head with a smile. “That guy scares the whole town.”
“That’s just how he keeps order. Don’t break the rules and he won’t bother you.”
He shivered but tried to hide it, the cold permeating his dress shirt. “Are you one of those thrill-seeking women or something?”
“No! Honestly, he’s a really cool guy. He walked me here tonight.”
“He…” He put up his hands. “Well, there you go. If he’s on your side, you’re all set.”
“Let’s hope, huh? If someone gets through him, we’re all screwed.”
“No one is getting through that guy. He’s a tank. Hey, did you want a ride?”
“No.” Cedric stepped forward from the wall down the way, utterly invisible one moment, and in plain view the next, the nearby streetlight washing down his body. “She will not get into a car with a strange man, no matter how weak he might be.”
I rounded on him, incredulous, knowing his presence meant Alek and Mr. Tom were likely lurking somewhere nearby, too, using their gargoyle magic to blend into the building. The ability could be used with any kind of stone or cement.
“Get out of here,” I yelled at him, pointing for him to retreat. “Mr. Tom, Alek, you better show yourselves if you’re hanging around, too.”
“You should not ask us to reveal ourselves, miss.” Mr. Tom clasped his hands, suddenly appearing three feet behind Ron.
“Ah!” Ron sprang up and took a few quick steps toward the parking lot, creating some space for himself. “What the— Where’d he come from?”
“You have the power to unmask us,” Mr. Tom said as Alek appeared at the far corner of the restaurant. No matter which way I might’ve gone, one of them would’ve been on my heels while the others caught up. “You have the power to feel presences. You should never be snuck up on again. We just learned this.”
“Mr. Tom,” I said through clenched teeth, “get out of here. All of you, go away!” None of these dates would ever go well if these idiots didn’t learn to give me some space.
“You summoned us here. You are now under our protection. We cannot leave you with—”
I turned to Cedric with wide, crazy eyes and balled fists.
“Go,” Mr. Tom said quickly and loudly, waving his arm through the air like he was calling off a fleet of jets. “Go!”
“I can take it.” Cedric held his ground, but I could tell he felt the magic seeping out around me, just like Mr. Tom obviously did. I could feel it too, feeding on my anger and annoyance. Just this side of controllable.
“Are you sure?” I asked in a low voice.
Cedric’s stare bored into mine, his body braced in stubborn indignation. He did not want to bend his will, and a part of me knew this was a hallmark of his species. Of my species, now. If I relented, or backed down, he wouldn’t respect me as much. Worse, he’d see it as a green light to walk all over me. Guys like him, gargoyles, needed a firm hand.
Which was probably why Mr. Tom ruled my life and got all up in my business. I’d mistaken stubbornness for weirdness. In fairness, I hadn’t been completely wrong.
“Go home. Now,” I said, brooking no argument, wondering what I’d do if he refused.
He didn’t move at first, a block of muscle facing me on the walkway like we were in a Wild West showdown. Finally, grudgingly, he nodded, shifted his weight to the right, and picked up a foot to move on.
“You too,” I called behind me. Alek didn’t need to be told twice, clearly the less dominant of the two. Their large backs draped in shadow and their wings fluttering down their legs, they headed in the direction of Ivy House. They did not look back, and they clearly were not happy about this turn of events.