Page 55 of White Little Lies

Two male gargoyles made the orders as the female took them, their periwinkle aprons looking tiny and out of place on their huge frames. They were both even bigger than Gabriel. I had a feeling the counters had been built specially to accommodate them.

“A far different crowd than the Dark District,” Elena commented, pushing close against my side.

And she was right. It was a cashmere sweater and diamond jewelry type of crowd, though mostly magical. A few humans braved the line, but not many. Even if you weren’t intimidated by the gargoyles, the rest of the crowd was a lot to take in.

Braxton’s chest bumped into my back. I didn’t see Crispin anywhere.

“We might have been better off at theCircus.” The closeness of Braxton’s voice startled me since I hadn’t realized he had leaned forward.

“You’re probably right.” But what I wasn’t saying out loud was that I was hesitant to take Elena there. I was under her dad’s protection. I really didn’t need to piss him off.

Eventually we reached the counter, and the female gargoyle flashed us the same smile she had given everyone else. I wondered if her face ever got tired, or if it was easier to hold an expression when your skin could turn to actual stone.

“I’ll take your honey and rose latte with oatmilk.” I’d had plenty of time to look at the menu while we waited.

The gargoyle shifted her smiling face to Elena.

“Citrus and tomato vine cappuccino please.” Elena beamed at the gargoyle, her earlier disappointment over visiting the coffee shop long since forgotten.

Braxton ordered a run of the mill hot chocolate, then backed up a little as planned, giving us space from the next people in line, who would probably be pissed when we didn’t immediately step aside.

I leaned forward across the counter, lowering my voice. “I’m also looking for the angelic, Lucas. I need to talk to him. It’s important.”

The gargoyle’s smile wilted. “You know we don’t all know each other just because we have wings.”

“Really?” I asked. “Because I’m pretty sure you were all talking about him just the other day.” Maybethey hadn’t been the ones working when Dawn had gotten her information, but I was guessing at least one of them had, and both male gargoyles stilled at my words.

Her dark eyes narrowed. “You know him?”

“Far too well.”

She glanced back at the two guys, one of whom was already looking at her. She nodded for him to take her place at the register, then gestured for us to walk further down the counter to where people picked up their orders.

Elena and Braxton both followed.

“Look,” the gargoyle braced her elbows on the counter, “I don’t know who you are, but you better not tell Lucas we were talking about him. Itwon’tend well for you.”

Gods, I already had half the city after me. I did not need to get on the bad side of the gargoyles. “Hey, I just want to talk to him. Point me in the right direction and I’ll never bring it up again.”

She studied my face like she was trying to decide whether or not she could believe me. When another customer stepped too close, she glared at him until he stepped away. “Fine. I don’t know where he is right this moment, but I heard he’s been going to the Dark District lately. A place called,” she furrowed her stony brow, “something about kisses. I don’t remember. The vampires always have such silly names for things.”

“Crimson Kisses?”

She snapped her fingers. “Yeah, that’s it.” The fingers she had just snapped shifted to point at me. “But you don’t tell him I told you.”

“I won’t tell him a thing.”

“Good.” She half turned as one of the male gargoyles brought our order. She took the three periwinkle cups, then set them on the counter in front of us.

“We didn’t pay yet,” I said.

“Don’t worry about it.” She smirked. “If you have dealings with Lucas, this is probably the lastblessingyou’ll ever get.” She turned away and sauntered back toward the register, giving her wings a little flick behind her.

Elena reached for the cup with her order scribbled on it. “Well she was… charming.”

I handed Braxton his cup, observing his lowered brow.

“Do I need to remind you what happened last time we went to the Dark District?”