Larissa opened her eyes. She was in her room. Roman sat in a rocking chair in the corner.

“Roman, what’s going on?”

“You’re awake.” His eyes gleamed. “You’ve been out for about thirteen hours.”

Thirteen hours? She was lucky to get six on a typical night. What happened?”

Memories flickered through the fog in her head. She’d been trying to help Janie by pushing through the dark energy. Roman and the demon had crashed through the hospital window. With a final thrust, she’d blasted all her energy into the darkness within Janie.

She pulled herself upright. “Where’s Janie? How is she?”

Roman raised a hand in a calming gesture. “She’s all right. Awake. They moved her to another room after the incident. She’ll be released soon.”

Larissa’s eyes widened. Her heart leapfrogged in her chest. “She’s—awake?”

“Yes, Larissa. You did it. You managed to break through the dark magic and free her.” He took her hand and kissed the palm. “You were amazing.”

She shook her head, confused. “But, why did I pass out?”

“With forcing all that energy out of you, could we expect anything else?” He arched his brows. “It took a great toll on your body. The sacrifice you made for her was monumental. I hope she appreciates how good of a friend you are.”

More images of the situation in the hospital room flashed before her. Her pulse drummed with a pounding bass that echoed in her ears. Roman had been fighting a demon. She’d been terrified for his safety. Thank God, he was safe.

But what about the others? Two other gargoyles had been fighting. And what happened to the demons? At least three of them were out there last night.

She stared out of her window. The sky was a clear blue with no clouds in it. No signs of a battle between winged beings.

“What about you?” She asked. “Are you all right? And the other sentries? What happened to the demons?”

Roman squeezed her hand. “The sentries are fine. Let’s get you some breakfast, and I’ll tell you everything.”

When he left the room, she counted to ten to control her impatience. Janie was awake. No sentries had been killed. But, he hadn’t replied about the demons, triggering her wariness. She fisted her sheet, twisting it in her hand. Why hadn’t he told her?

Roman returned several minutes later. He had a tray of food, including coffee, eggs, bacon, a banana, and an oversized blueberry muffin sprinkled with sugar.

“Whoa. That’s a lot of food.”

“You must replenish your energy. Besides, I want to take care of you, and make sure you eat, before you’re off and running.”

She fidgeted in her bed. “I’ve got to get up and see Janie.”

“I know.” He placed the bed tray over her lap. “But, first you need to eat.”

Where he’d found the bed tray was another mystery, since she never made herself breakfast in bed, but it fell away among the other countless questions. She took a sip of the coffee. The hot liquid tasted like paradise found. She then took a scoop of the eggs and followed it up with a bite of the bacon. Everything was at the perfect temperature.

“This is delicious, Roman. Thanks. But, I need to know what happened.”

Roman leaned back in the rocking chair and sighed. “I don’t know what you saw from the room, but we ended up fighting two demons out there. Two took off, and my sentries took care of them. The third—” Roman’s expression hardened. “Vanished.”

“Vanished? She echoed.

“Arto and two other sentries are chasing it. It slipped behind some buildings. When they turned the corner, it had disappeared. Gargoyles may have great strength, but demons have greater speed.”

She slumped into her pillow. “It’s still out there?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “But don’t you worry about that. I have all my sentries on watch. We’ll find it, Larissa.”

But, it might attempt to get Janie again. “We have to go to her in case it comes back for her.”

“We will, as soon as you’ve restored some of your energy. Don’t worry, Arto hasn’t left her side. I have sentries all over the hospital. They won’t get to her.”

Although, she wanted to get moving, she shoved some food in her mouth to avoid arguing with Roman. He wouldn’t agree to leave until she’d eaten.

“Shit, I need to call headquarters. They need to know what’s going on.”

Roman raised his hand. “They know. When a gargoyle and demon crash through a hospital window in a busy district with several witnesses gaping out of windows, it’s hard to keep that from being reported.”

“They saw you?”

“Yes. When we’re fighting, it’s nearly impossible to remain cloaked or to communicate with others. We need to keep all our focus on our opponents.”

She drank more coffee as she contemplated what that meant. Probably more speculation and more panic. She groaned.

“Take a moment and appreciate what you’ve accomplished. You woke Janie and freed her from the demon. You saved her from them twice.”

She gaped at him. It blew her mind that she stopped an immortal.

Perhaps what Roman and her grandmother had been saying about her being more powerful than she thought had some truth to it. Oh, her grandmother. Thinking about what had happened to her swept a wave of grief through her.

“Roman, something weird happened to me last night. When I was transferring my energy into Janie, it was like my grandmother and mother were there with me. And I think their magic was in me.”

Roman eyed her with an unreadable expression. “I believe that’s true.” He pointed at her plate. “Finish up, and I’ll bring you to see Janie.”

It felt good to have him care for her, especially after the ordeal she’d faced. She smiled at him before taking a dutiful bite.

---

An hour later, they arrived at the hospital. Larissa eyed the taped-off areas where officers investigated. She headed over to them.

Roman took her arm. “Are you sure you want to do that?”

Right. A tightness thumped in her chest. She was still on forced leave.

She let out a short laugh. “You don’t think me reporting how I projected energy inside my best friend and then battled demon magic for her soul would aid in the investigation?” She raised a brow.

Roman grinned. “Let’s keep that bit to ourselves for now. They have enough witnesses who reported what happened.”

“Right. I’m not here to further screw up my career.”

After passing security, she rushed to Janie’s new room. When Larissa spotted Janie sitting up in bed with her blonde hair pulled into two side braids, and talking to Arto, Larissa gasped and covered her chest. Janie was okay.

“Janie!” Larissa ran over to her and hugged her.

“Oh my God, Larissa. I’m so happy to see you. I can’t believe all that’s happened. If it wasn’t for you...”

When they broke apart, Larissa said, “You know?”

Janie gave Arto an appreciative smile. “I saw some of it when I woke, heard plenty while in weird demon purgatory, and Arto has got me up to speed with the rest.”

Arto smiled. “She can be very persuasive.”

That she could. Larissa glanced from Janie to Arto and back. Had he told her everything? If so, Janie appeared to be taking the news rather well. She’d had an encounter with an incubus that had almost killed her. And a gargoyle had been guarding her.

“I’ll let you two catch up,” Arto said, keeping his eyes on Janie. He walked over to where Roman stood in the open doorway.

Roman said, “Good to see you again, Janie. Arto and I will be right outside.”

After they closed the door, Larissa turned to Janie. “You mean, you know—everything?”

Janie nodded. “Afraid so.” She let out a short laugh. “After you revived me, the first thing I saw was you unconscious in the arms of a creature with enormous leathery-looking wings. He then leapt out my hospital window carrying you. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but a violent shake had woken me and I was convinced I’d finally woke up.” Her eyes took on a haunted look. “I was terrified you were dead and being stolen away by a monster. When Arto returned later, I demanded he tell me what happened to you.” She tilted her head and smiled. “He’s right—I can be persuasive—even if it means getting the truth from a stoic gargoyle who said whatever he could to delay it.”

Larissa stared at Janie. She appeared to have bounced right back—acting like her vivacious self again, despite what she’d gone through.

She blinked rapidly. “I can’t believe you’re awake. It’s all been such a nightmare.”

Janie’s face turned down. “I heard about your grandmother. I’m so sorry.”

Larissa glanced at the floor. Her grandmother’s death was something she’d have to process soon and make final arrangements. Her father would help, but some decisions had to be hers. Why hadn’t she asked what her grandmother would have wanted? Well, who would? Nobody wanted to think of those things and discuss them with a loved one.

“She had cancer. She didn’t tell me until it was too late.”

Janie’s expression darkened. “Cancer fuckin’ sucks.”

It sure the hell did. Janie had lost an aunt to breast cancer, two years ago.

Larissa shook off the despair with a roll of her shoulders. Grief would return, and she’d deal with it then. She focused on Janie. “You know what Roman and Arto are?”

“Damn right, I do. Gargoyle shifters. Who would have thought? And you’re hooking up with one.” Janie grinned. “Full of surprises, aren’t you?”

Hooking up with a gargoyle was a funny way of putting it, especially since Roman had declared them as mates. Still, the bigger question was how much Janie knew about it. Larissa bit her lip. “What do you mean?”

Janie gave her a come-on look. “I know. Your whole witch side.”

Larissa’s pulse pole-vaulted. She tore her gaze to the abstract pattern on the floor. Janie knew. Hearing her say it reverberated with an uncomfortable echo. Larissa’s secret was exposed. The truth was out for her to be examined and judged.

“Oh.” Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

“Why are you looking all sheepish all of a sudden? You saved me—again. I owe you my life. Again. Thank you.”

With the weight of rejection off her back, she exhaled and then shrugged. “I thought you might think it—weird.”

Janie raised her brows. “After what I went through, it’s the most normal part of it. Besides, I like having a best friend with some witchy mojo to offset my appalling sense of bad luck.”

Larissa’s mouth curled into a one-sided smile. “Ms. Mojo Rising.”

Janie laughed at the Jim Morrison reference. “We sure know how to party, eh?” She stared at the ceiling and let out a laugh of disbelief. “The first time we go out in months, and it ends up being the night demons invade Boston.” She raised her fists and smiled. “Awesome.”

Larissa laughed. “Your sense of humor in the craziest of times is one of the reasons I love you.”

Janie sighed. “I’ve had people take things from me in the past. If I don’t find a way to move forward, then I’m letting them continue to take from me.”

Shit, that was true. Larissa gulped. Janie knew this more than anyone.

“Right now, I’m just happy to be free from that prison and be me again,” Janie added. “To see the world. Chat with my best friend. And you know what—maybe eat a shit-load of brownies and ice cream.”

“Oh, hell yeah. I’m happy to run out and pick some up.”

“Raincheck,” Janie said. “I’m still full from breakfast. I ate like I hadn’t had a bite in days.”

“Because you haven’t.”

“Right.” Janie winked. She then eyed Larissa with a curious expression.

“What?” Larissa asked. “Why are you looking at me like you’re Hercule Poirot?”

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

“How you must be a better judge of character. I mean, you pick up a good guy, at least—and me?” She pointed to her chest. “I pick a freaking incubus that wants to suck out my soul. Hot freakin’ damn. If I haven’t already had so many close calls, I’d probably be losing my mind right about now.” Janie’s mouth twitched with a wry grin, but a spark of terror glimmered in her eyes.

“But, you’re not.” Larissa squeezed her arm. “And we’re safe. Roman has guards surrounding the hospital, and I don’t think Arto has left.”

“He’s a good guy,” Janie said with a wistful smile. She shrugged. “Gargoyle. Whatever. And hot as fuck.”

Hot? Larissa had never considered Arto that way before. Then again, she and Janie never went for the same guys, which was a plus. He was lighter than Roman, from his build to the color of his sandy-brown hair, skin tone, and green eyes. He was still muscular, which seemed a given with all the gargoyle shifters she’d seen, but leaner. “Yeah, he has that rugged, masculine appeal.”

“I’m not even going any further with that.” Janie raised her hands, palms forward. “It was simply an observation. I was in a coma, not dead. But, since the last guy who touched me tried to steal my soul, I’m all set with men for quite some time.”

Janie picked up the TV remote and spun it on the bed. “Who knows—maybe I’ll have a delayed reaction. Like I’m in some sort of weird shock right now, just going with the flow. And then tomorrow, I’ll wake up and freak out, screaming, What the ever-loving fuck is going on in the universe?”

Larissa laughed. “I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been suspended in that state for days.”