Chapter 2
Marco returned a couple hours later to bring Ingrid home. He could no longer feel the chime at the base of his skull when he approached Hotel du Maurier and became confused when he saw Luc and Ingrid, hand in hand with megawatt smiles stretched across both of their faces.
"Why can I not feel your presence, brother?" Marco questioned, glancing curiously between the couple.
"Irindi graced us with a visit," Luc replied, smirking at the gargoyle.
Marco crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. "And?"
"And…"
"Luc is a human again but he is still the gargoyle elder so we are going to clean up this place and build a working relationship between the gargoyles and the Alliance!" Ingrid burst out, unable to contain her excitement. "Oh! And we're also engaged so I won't be your human anymore in a couple of weeks!"
Marco blinked as he digested all this new information. "How are you human?"
"I've fulfilled my duties and have been given a second chance from the Order," Luc grinned.
"Well, just promise not to hurt Lord Brickton when he goes after your head for not asking his permission first."
Luc's face paled.
"Don't worry," Ingrid rushed to ease his anxiety. "Gabby and I will talk to our parents tomorrow and convince them to see why this is the only way I'll be happy."
Luc nodded and forced a smile onto his still flushed face. Then he kissed Ingrid's fingers, nodded goodbye to her and Marco, and headed inside.
"We should get going," Marco announced, holding out his hand to Ingrid and taking his position as the driver.
Ingrid played with her ribbon ring the entire ride home with an excited smile. She couldn't wait to tell Gabby the news!