Stone Hearts: Crescent City Sentries, #1

By Diana Marie DuBois

Jasper Lafavre, a thirteen centuries old gargoyle in hiding from his brother and a tragedy he can’t seem to get over, heads to New Orleans with hopes he can start fresh. Walking along the city streets, he stumbles upon an antique shop. Inspired by an object in the window and the women who owns the store, he realizes a destiny foretold ages ago may come true.

Daphne Lavain lives in the illustrious city of New Orleans and owns a quaint antique shop on Magazine Street. After her husband Niko’s death, her life crashes down around her. Three years later, she picks up the pieces and rebuilds her life. But when her friend Ava convinces her to seek out the Loa Goddess of Love, everything changes.

Will Jasper and Daphne realize their destiny or will a lone gargoyle on a building destroy it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana Marie DuBois
• Release date: Feb 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781516306367

Book preview

Prologue

For as long as I could remember, my brother Victor and I had been perched on the façade of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens. It was our duty to protect those who entered the cathedral from evil. For millennia one royal family—my family—had protected the cities of France. In the day, we held our stone form and watched over the city, but when the sky darkened, we looked human, descending to protect the inhabitants of our fair city from death, murder, and destruction.

One evening as I sat atop, I noticed a beautiful woman. She walked up the steps, stopped, looked up to the sky, and glanced in my direction. The instant our eyes met, I knew. Though forbidden to love her, I had to be with her.

Our affair was short lived.

Before our wedding took place, she returned up those same steps in order to prepare for her special day. I watched her from atop my perch, and that is when evil made its move and took my fiancee’s life before my eyes. At the time, I didn’t know the culprit was someone close to me.

Chapter One

1265

Jasper

As dusk began to cover the sky I sat perched on top of one of the oldest cathedrals in France. Carefully I kept a protective eye on all that went through the doors.  My eye caught a young woman, followed by an elderly one, walking up the steps, and instantly something electrical coursed inside me. That young woman...I had to have her, make her mine. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, and I ached to run my fingers through the long curls.

Anticipation leapt through me as I waited for the sky to turn dark. The second night fell and covered the dirt-covered streets, I swooped down off the church. My wings disappeared and I pressed my hands down my tunic. The woman had not yet exited, so I was hoping I would get a chance to meet her. I paced back and forth and finally tired of waiting.

As I pulled on the heavy door, she came walking out. Uh, excuse me, sir. Her smile made my heart stop.

I could not find the words for a second and held my breath. Finally, I spoke. Hello, mademoiselle. I held the door open for her, stepping aside.

She nodded at me. Thank you, sir. Her prioress followed her and glared at me as I stared after her.

As they descended the steps, I ran after them, quickly stopping a few steps up.  Ma’am...?

She turned around and looked at me, her eyes full of curiosity. Yes?

For a few seconds I could not breathe. I just looked at the way her mouth formed that one word.  I wanted my lips on hers. I quickly shook my head and smiled at her.

Sir, what would you like with the lady? The older woman stepped between us, blocking my view somewhat.

I...um, I would like to know if I could accompany her on a walk?

She looked around and harrumphed. Not at this late hour, sire. If you want to take her on a walk, you must call on her father and ask permission, as any man of your status would do. She looked at me from head to toe. The young lady’s face turned a slight pink hue.

I bowed. Yes, I shall do that. Where may I find him?

The young woman peeked around her chaperone, then stepped around the woman and walked up the steps to me, where she whispered her address. At her close proximity to me I sniffed, and her scent flowed through my nostrils at an almost alarming speed. I sighed and breathed her in more. When she pulled back, her breasts heaved and I wanted even more to be with her, to make her mine.

Sorry. Forgive my behavior...I meant nothing by it. I was struck by her infinite beauty. I spoke to the other woman, who looked at me and nodded.

You will remember your manners when in the company of a lady now, won’t you?

Yes, madame.

I smiled back at the woman I would make mine, and she returned my gesture. As she turned to leave I said, May I ask your name?

She turned and smiled. Eloise.

It is nice to meet you, Eloise. I am Jasper Lafavre.

I glanced over and saw that the elderly woman was keeping a watchful eye on us. Come, Eloise, it’s getting late.

Coming. She ran down the steps, and once at the bottom, she looked over her shoulder at me. The last thing I saw was the smile of an angel.

****

The next night I knocked on the door at the address Eloise had given me. A servant answered the door. Yes sir, how may I help you?

I would like to speak to the Lady Eloise’s father, please.

He nodded. Come in, sir, and wait. I’ll go get him. May I take your coat and hat?

Yes. I handed them to him and watched him leave.

I walked into a room and glanced around. A booming voice jerked my attention to a man standing in the doorway. Young man, how may I be of help to you?

My name is Jasper Lafavre, and I would like your permission to accompany your daughter Eloise on a walk.

He eyed me, walked over, and poured two drinks. Is that so? Our prioress informed me that a gentleman would be calling on my daughter.

Yes sir.

He laughed. She said you were a little forthcoming.

I was, and for that I am sorry.

It is quite all right. Eloise said it was because you were taken with her beauty. He walked over and handed me the glass. Brandy?

Thank you, sir.

So what do you want with my daughter?

Sir, if I may, I would just like to get to know her.

Well, is that all? He laughed. I know of the Lafavre’s...you come from a good family.

Yes sir.

Where had you planned on taking her? He relaxed into a chair and I followed suit.

On a walk...with her prioress, of course. I winked.

He swirled the brandy around in his glass. Instead of a walk, why don’t you join her mother and I for dinner tonight at eight sharp?

Thank you, sir. I would love to. I stood and left the house, full of excitement.

****

I arrived at the house at eight, and before I could knock on the door the butler swung it open and smiled. Nice to see you again, Master Jasper.

Thank you.

He must have sensed my nerves, because he immediately spoke again. They are in the sitting room. Then he took my coat and hat.

I heard voices in the distance and made my way to them. When I walked around the corner, I saw her. Her beauty astounded me once again, and her laughter coursed through me.

Ahem....

She turned her head and her smile lit up the entire room. Hello, Jasper. She dropped her head bashfully.

I entered the room, keeping a close eye on her.

Good eve, Jasper. I am glad to see you made it, her father said, handing me a glass.

I would not miss this for the world, sir.

Dinner is ready.

Our conversation ended as a beautiful woman, who I deduced was Eloise’s mother, walked into the room and over to me. So you must be Jasper. I have heard so much about you from my daughter. I caught the embarrassed look from Eloise and silently chuckled. The woman leaned into me. She regaled me with nonstop talk about you. She must find you intriguing.

I whispered to her. I find your daughter equally intriguing.

A servant interrupted us. Please, come sit, everyone.

At the table, I pulled the chair out for Eloise before sitting beside her. I stole quick glances at her throughout the entire dinner. The curve of her lips as they lined her mouth tantalized me...it was a mouth I wanted to kiss. She reached for a glass on the table and brushed her hand against mine. At the touch, I felt a current pass through my body.

Sorry, Jasper.

Do not be sorry, Eloise, I leaned in and whispered to her.

So what type of work do you do? Eloise’s mother asked.

I am in the family business; we protect the innocent.

Her brow lifted in a questioning manner.

Isobelle, do not worry; he comes from a good family. Eloise’s father patted her mother’s hand.

I know, dear. But don’t you think we should ask all the pertinent questions? She smiled over at her daughter.

****

After dinner with Eloise and her family, I stopped at home. The servants bustled around the house.

Alphonse met me at the door. Make I take your coat, sire?

Yes, Alphonse. Do you know where my father is? I said, shoving off my coat as fast as possible.

Master Jasper, he may be in his study.

I walked through the house headed for the study, and found him there drinking his evening brandy.

Father, may I speak with you?

Yes son; what’s on your mind?

Father, I’ve met a woman.

He picked his head up and looked at me. Have you, son? What is she? Who’s her family?

My heart sank at his instant questions. Well, to be honest, she’s a human.

Absolutely not! he bellowed.

But Father, listen to me. I know it’s forbidden to marry humans, but something in my gut is telling me she is the one.

He leaned back in his chair, holding a brandy glass in hand. Sit, son; let’s talk.

I sat and leaned forward. Father, I love her...she’s different.

Son, how do you know she is different? His voice betrayed his anger with me.

She just is.

No, son, she’s a human. We don’t marry humans; nevertheless, we do protect them from harm. He rang a little bell and one of the servants scurried over to him. He held out his glass and they poured him another drink.

What’s going on here? My brother Victor walked in, interrupting our conversation, and sneered in my direction.

My father turned to him. Your brother seems to have fallen in love with a human. Please explain to him that we don’t marry humans.

Oh, Jasper. Father is correct.

I glowered at my brother. What the hell do you know? You’ve never known love.

He laughed. What, and you do because you’ve fallen in love with a human?

I stood, knocking my chair to the floor, where it clattered and slid sideways against the wall. Do not make fun of me, or love, for that matter. To love someone is the greatest journey, no matter who they are, I spat. Victor glared at