Page 15 of Guarded by the Gargoyle (Hidden Hollow #3)

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KAEL

I watched 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.