Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 354(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“That’s all right my dear,” Goody Albright said, smiling. “This is my treat. You and Kael just run along home now. But remember, you can draw a new doorway and come back to Hidden Hollow anytime. As someone with a magical gift, you have a standing invitation. And I do wish you’d consider moving here. We’d love to have you.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said awkwardly. “But I’m going home by myself,” I added, as Kael rose from his side of the booth.
He frowned.
“I don’t think that would be wise, Mistress. The fact that the key would not turn in my lock indicates you are still in danger.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said stubbornly. “I have to face things on my own—I’m an adult. I can solve my own problems.”
Goody Albright looked like she wanted to object, but she only shook her head.
“Very well, dear. If you get into trouble, just draw another door and come back,” she told me.
I reached into my pocket and grasped the lion-head key Pop-pop had left me.
“Yes, I’ll do that,” I promised. I nodded at Kael. “Goodbye. Um…” I had been going to say I hoped he had a happy life or something like that, but it occurred to me that it might sound callous. So instead I just nodded at him. “Goodbye, Kael,” I said, trying to push the memory of kissing him out of my head.
“Call for me when you need me, Mistress and I’ll be there,” he rumbled and his silver eyes were half-lidded. “For anything you need.”
“Okay, uh, thanks,” I said lamely. The way he was looking at me made my heart flutter. His eyes seemed to say that he was remembering our kiss too…and that he wanted to kiss me again and do more—much more.
Which was something I definitely couldn’t allow.
The silence between us was getting awkward. I was either going to have to say something else or leave the diner.
I left the diner.
I had no idea the mess I was going to be walking into or how soon it would be before I would wish I’d agreed to let the big gargoyle come back home with me.
13
KAEL
Iwatched my Mistress go with deep misgivings in my heart. Clearly she wasn’t out of danger yet. If she was perfectly safe and secure, only then would the key she wore turn in the lock around my neck and set me free of my endless servitude.
Goody Albright frowned at me.
“Well? Aren’t you going after her?”
“I cannot unless I know she’s in immediate danger or she calls for me,” I said. “Please don’t worry—I can hear her call from anywhere. That’s part of being bound to my key-holder.”
“I still don’t like her going off alone.” She sighed and shook her head. “I feel responsible for her—her grandfather was a friend of mine and from what she’s told me, she definitely needs protection. She’s got an abusive ex, a Mob boss, and a Hell Hound all after her at the same time!”
“I didn’t know she had so many threats against her.” I felt my concern growing as Goody Albright listed the many dangers my Mistress was facing. I shouldn’t have let her go alone. But it was almost impossible for me to go against the wishes of my key-holder—especially if she gave me a direct order.
“Yes, she really should have taken you with her.” Goody Albright shook her head. “Such a stubborn girl!”
“I believe she’s simply frightened of me because I’m male,” I said quietly. “I know from what little she told me that her former husband was cruel to her and abused her. It will take time for me to prove to her I would never hurt her and that I only wish to keep her safe.”
“Time is what she doesn’t have.”
Goody Albright shook her head again and I couldn’t help thinking that she was probably right.
I just hoped that my Mistress called for me soon—I wanted desperately to be by her side so I could shield her from any impending danger.
But for now, all I could do was wait and listen for her voice.
14
WILLOW
The sun was up and the back door of my shop was still wide open when I stepped out of the magical doorway I had drawn to get me from Hidden Hollow back to The French Quarter. I approached the dark opening warily, knowing that anyone or anything could have found their way in while I was gone. New Orleans isn’t exactly the safest city in the world.
I hesitated in the doorway to my shop. Should I give Kael a call and ask him to come in with me? But how did I even call him? Did I just shout his name or what? Maybe I should have asked before going off and leaving him in Hidden Hollow. Should I—?
Just at that moment, Miss Sassy came out of the door. She meowed loudly at me and then began purring and rubbing against my legs.