Taken by the Gargoyle

By Megan Slayer

Belle Isle came to Eerie because she needed to hide, but also to spread her late mother’s ashes. According to the will, she needs to visit Chester’s Corners within Eerie. The job seems easy until her car breaks down, stranding her on the side of the road. She’s convinced she’s at her lowest point.

Then she sees the gargoyle, and her entire world changes.

Azel wasn’t looking for love, but he knew the moment Belle set foot in Eerie. His harpy eagle, Melanie, knew there was something special about Belle, too. He refuses to let her tackle the job of spreading those ashes alone -- especially when he finds out she’s being followed by a shadow from her past who wants to ruin her future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Apr 28, 2023

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Chapter One

Belle Isle had to get to Eerie. There wasn’t another option. She drove and kept looking back, just in case Arthur was still back there. He’d been indignant. She wasn’t to go to the imaginary town. So her mother wanted her ashes spread there. So what? Her wishes didn’t matter according to Arthur. He should’ve been the one to decide what to do with Marina Isle.

He’d given Marina a new last name and married her when she’d been at her lowest, but he wasn’t a good man. Belle knew that firsthand. Her stepfather settled arguments with his fists and visited her bedroom when he thought no one else knew he’d woken in the middle of the night. She shuddered at the memory.

Arthur claimed her mother wasn’t special. He’d thought her pretty enough and smart as could be, but she didn’t have the uniqueness he desired.

What did he know?

He claimed Belle was special.

She might be, but she refused to share her gift with Arthur. He was a dirty old man. Gross, handsy and disgusting. But he’d been the father figure in her life. It didn’t make him a good man. Made him a pain in the ass and destructive.

She kept driving and headed for the town she knew wasn’t imaginary. She’d been there. The town of Eerie wasn’t what some might have expected -- it was fanciful, not fancy, and outlandish rather than stylish. That was what she liked about it. There were creatures of every type there, too. She wasn’t a freak, and her gift wouldn’t stand out. She could belong there.

She spotted the city limit sign and reached over to pat the box on the passenger seat. I might not have gotten you here before you… She hated to say the word died. It sounded too final. But I’ll get you here, Ma. You’ll be home.

As she passed the sign, smoke billowed from her engine. What the hell? She smacked the steering wheel, then coughed as the smoke filled the cabin of the car. She’d checked her levels before she’d left. Plenty of oil, gas and washer fluid. Power steering fluid was fine, and so was her brake fluid. The engine cut out and sputtered, forcing her to pull onto the shoulder. She’d have to walk, she supposed. Not great, but she had little choice. She had to get her mother’s remains to Chester’s Corners, the crossroads within Eerie where her mother had grown up.

Belle withdrew her phone. She’d stored the numbers of a few people from Eerie in her contacts. Maybe they could help. She held up the device and grimaced. No cell reception. Of course. Nothing in her life was easy.

She smacked her left hand on the steering wheel. She’d have to walk.

Belle gathered her phone, wallet and papers in her purse, then draped the zipped bag across her body. She picked up her mother’s ashes, then checked the traffic before opening the car door.

Something swooped above her head, blotting out the sunshine. She turned her head and glanced in the general direction of the object. A bird? She was close to Eerie. For all she knew, the flying thing could be avian or something cryptid. Might even be a figment of her imagination.

She closed the car door, and as she tucked the box under her arm, a gigantic eagle slammed onto her hood. She yelped and jerked away from the vehicle. The bird wasn’t dead. No, it was very much alive and staring at her. Its frill of feathers stood out like a halo, and it tipped its head before ruffling its feathers. The animal had destroyed her windshield, yet bore no visible injury.

She knew better than to offer her hand to the animal. Eagles, even if they sure resembled harpy eagles, weren’t friendly. The fact she wasn’t dead yet shocked her. Harpy eagles didn’t show up for no reason. This one had to have a handler or at least a partner. She wanted to check the ground to ensure she hadn’t accidentally hit the partner without realizing it. Maybe a collision was the reason her engine had died.

Except she didn’t remember hitting anything. She’d been careful.

What are you going to do to me? she asked, knowing damn well the thing wouldn’t answer her in words. It’d probably snap her head off.

She couldn’t run. The eagle would catch her in seconds. She trembled but held onto her mother’s ashes. What are you doing? she asked herself. Get out of here, you eagle. She forced herself to remain calm. Her gift wasn’t any help right now. Even if she did spark flames in her hand, the harpy wouldn’t care. It might force the bird to lash out faster.

At least Arthur hadn’t found her. Not yet.

The longer she stood on the edge of the road, the more she risked him catching up to her. He wanted to exploit her. To make her bend to his will and use her gift for his financial gain.

What a guy.

Before she could come up with any plan for escape, her feet were no longer on the ground. Something grasped her under her arms and tucked her against something else hard. Like stone. The ground sank beneath her, and within seconds, she looked over the skyline of Eerie. Something had her in its clutches. The harpy’s partner? She didn’t feel claws on her arms. More like hands.

When she struggled, she couldn’t move much.

Put me down, she managed. Hey. She kicked, but whatever held her had her tight in its grasp.

She struggled again but noticed the tower of the Eerie Hotel coming into view. She’d stared at pictures of the hotel so many times and wished she had towers and turrets in her house like those in the hotel. Maybe then she could’ve hidden away in those high places. Maybe then Arthur wouldn’t have found her. Or he’d have locked her up there and done even more dastardly things to her.

She didn’t want to think about her past.

Just as quickly as she’d been lifted into the air, the thing that had her placed her on her feet at the top of the tower. She collapsed next to the crenelated top and thanked the Goddess she still had her mother’s ashes in her hand. She fought to catch her breath. What are you?

The being who had lifted her from the ground settled on the stones before her and folded its wings, giving her a better view. This being wasn’t an eagle. No, it was a man. She stared at him, not realizing what she was looking at. He wasn’t a regular man -- no, he had wings and his skin was tinged gray, like stone. He folded his arms, and his muscles bulged. He spread his feet, and the loincloth he wore barely contained his manhood. He reminded her of a statue, and his imposing shadow practically blotted out the sun.

She’d seen someone like him before. The only being she knew who seemed to be grayish in color and had the feeling of stone were the ancient gargoyles. But they lived at the top of buildings and provided security. They weren’t known to fly off or snatch people.

The harpy eagle came into view, then settled on the top of the crenelation. The animal folded up its wings and plucked at its chest feathers, cleaning itself.

Had the gargoyles remained? Or was this the grandson of the originals? She’d heard stories of the gargoyles keeping company with the eagles and other birds because of their proximity to the sky.

Are you… She shielded her eyes with her free hand. Her fear of the being outweighed her curiosity. Why did you take me? Do you want money? To kill me? She trembled. I’m scared of you.

The being said nothing, but instead stared at her.

His intense gaze unnerved her even more. She held up the box. I’m here to spread my mother’s ashes. You might have heard of her. Marina Isle? She was a gifted being. She was blabbering. She came from here, and she used to do magic. She grew up on Chester’s Corners. Had a little shop when she was younger. Said she loved it here. She brought me here when I was a little girl, and we’d sell flowers. She really had to stop talking.

He continued to stare at her and stayed quiet.

What are you? Her curiosity won out. The gargoyles died out, didn’t they? You were all banished to the buildings, forced to redirect the water and are there to provide security. Or are you not really a gargoyle? She slid her gaze over him again, and she practically drooled. He was built like her dream man should be -- strong, muscled, and having an overall aura of intimidation. She’d always had a thing for superheroes, and he was as close as she’d ever come to such men. Gargoyles weren’t heroes, though. They’d been known to kill and destroy in order to protect. Still, the determination in his eyes confused her.

He dropped to one knee before her and met her gaze. Ashes?

At least he could talk. Yes. Ashes. She clutched the box. My mother.

In there.

Yes. She tucked into herself and sat on the stones. Her fear increased again. The quieter he was, the more he freaked her out. What are you going to do to me?

He tipped his head but didn’t speak.

So they were back to the silence on his part. Great. I’m scared of you. Was it smart to tell him the truth? Probably not, but she wasn’t always good under pressure. What are you going to do to me? she repeated.

Save you.

His simple reply stunned her. Save me? From what? She continued to hold tight to the box as if her mother could give her support. I’m scared of you, but I want answers.

He rested his right arm on his knee and flattened his left hand on his leg, like a statue. You’re a witch.

She’d called it a gift, but if he wanted to be specific… Yeah. She picked at the carving on the box. So?

We don’t have many witches in Eerie, he said. You’re important.

I am? Her stomach churned. She didn’t feel important at all. Right. So you saved me from the eagle? She hadn’t even asked him his name. Probably should.

She’s my eagle. He nodded over his shoulder. That’s Melanie. She’s a good girl. She found you before he did.

He? She damn near choked. Who… who is he?

That man following you. He produced what resembled a ball of water in his hand. He held the ball out to her. Look here. He’s come to Eerie. Can’t get in, but he’s here.

She shifted her gaze from his face to the ball, then back to his face before finally looking at the image in the ball. Sure enough, a car that looked an awful lot like Arthur’s pulled up behind hers.

"I’m sorry Melanie landed on your windshield.