Roman roared when Larissa collapsed in the hospital room. He recovered from crashing through the window and leapt in front of the demon before it reached her. No way would he ever let it touch her.

She’d been so brave to help Janie, returning down a path that few would ever dare to go. The dark magic had terrified her, yet she’d faced her fears. She’d closed her eyes, appearing to sink into a trance as she helped Janie. But, something had gone wrong, as she now lay unconscious on the floor.

After losing the sword when they smashed through the window, he lacked a weapon. Still, he had gargoyle strength to counter the demon’s speed. He pounded at the demon–landing blows on its head and chest as he forced it back. Arto had jumped into the fight, as well, and managed to stab the demon on its other side. The demon tried to fight them both, but couldn’t keep his attention in both directions, and endured relentless blows from either flank.

Roman howled as he reared back with ferocity, preparing to launch the demon out of the room. It ducked. Then turned back and leapt out of the gaping hole left in the window.

Roman would destroy them all.

Shred them to pieces and scatter their body parts from one end of the city to another, so they’d never be able to rejoin.

A crimson hue tinted his vision as he located the demon below. The bloodlust clouded his sight, urging him to obliterate the enemy.

Arto caught Roman’s eye, piercing cool sensibility amid the rising fury. It reminded Roman of who he was—a commander, not a bloodthirsty monster as hell-bent on revenge as the demons.

And the eagerness in Arto’s eyes made it clear he itched for the order to follow the demon.

“Commander, shall I chase it?”

Roman struggled to find cool battle logic that would help them win the battle, not all die in a rage of violence.

He glanced at Larissa and his heart slammed into his ribs. He couldn’t let her suffer. Perhaps die—if she wasn’t gone already.

No. He’d know if his mate was gone. Just as he’d known when she was in pain earlier.

He wouldn’t leave her alone. Not when she was unconscious and unable to speak for herself.

“Go!” Roman commanded, releasing Arto from his duty in the room.

He launched into the night sky. The potent adrenaline of battle fuel propelled Roman to fight, but he struggled to keep a level head. Arto had the demon covered. Someone had to guard Larissa and Janie.

After rushing over to her, he nudged her shoulder. “Wake up, Larissa.” She was unresponsive.

He pulled her onto his lap, rocking back and forth while he tried to wake her. She was too pale.

Had the demon’s magic taken hold of her, too? Or had she lost too much energy?

He breathed in her scent. It wrapped around him like nurturing arms and calmed the raging beast within.

“Open up!” A woman’s voice from outside the hospital room shouted. She tried to open the door, but Arto had reinforced it well.

A human was the least of Roman’s concern. Most of all was Larissa’s safety.

Where the hell were the other gargoyles anyway? Arto had called for backup when Roman had run up to the roof. Why were they taking so long to reach this part of the city with the goddamn weapons? Or perhaps it hadn’t been that long, and his heightened senses from battle had done that, twisting his sense of time and space.

He sent a silent command to nearby Stone Sentries and told them to assist Arto, Manny, and Diego in their pursuit of demons.

And, I need someone nearby to protect Janie. Her hospital window is open and the humans are pushing in. Stay outside and make sure nothing gets to her.

Erik responded, I’ll be right there.

A moment later, Manny reported, The two demons we chased are down. They tried to slip past by Franco and Vidal at the portal. We got them.

Roman exhaled. Thank the gods. The head, he insisted. Sever their necks.

Aye, Commander. It’s been done.

Sirens sounded from below. Shit. How would he explain the situation in the hospital room?

Male voices added to the woman’s from outside the room. “Open this door now. Or we’ll break it down.”

Bah, Roman couldn’t deal with this human nonsense, not when so much more was going on than they could ever comprehend. Look at those fools punishing Larissa when she’d been a key factor in saving them. He stood and carefully lifted Larissa into his arms. Her head fell against his chest. He cradled her close, his protective instincts soaring higher than flight had ever taken him.

She was his mate, and he’d do anything to protect her. He outstretched his wings and soared into the night sky cradling her in his arms.

A woman’s gasp made him turn back. Janie sat upright in bed. Her eyes were wide with terror. She covered her chest with both hands.

When she spotted Roman in his gargoyle form flying with an unresponsive Larissa dangling in his arms, Janie screamed.