Gifted (Cainsville 0.6)

Gabriel let out a soft sigh.

The man laughed again. "Not as keen on that part, are you?"

"Can I skip it?"

"Nope. You find all the gargoyles, and the town gets a new one, modeled after you."

Gabriel made a face.

"Victory comes with a price," the man said. "You'll survive this one." He looked down at Gabriel. "I'm proud of you. You know that, don't you, Gabriel?"

It seemed an odd thing to say, but Gabriel only murmured, "Thank you."

"Did you get a good present at the festival?"

Gabriel held up a train set.

"Ah," the man said. "Not exactly your style, is it? How about I take that and give you something better. An exchange."

Gabriel hesitated. The gift, while unwanted, had been given with good intentions, and it seemed insulting to refuse it. Before he could answer, though, the man plucked the box from his hand.

"Happy Solstice, Gabriel," he said as he walked away, the train set tucked under one arm. "And you're welcome."

Gabriel watched him go, frowning in some confusion. Then, as he turned, he saw the gargoyle again, and he nodded. That was the gift--the hint about Solstice. Fair enough.

He tried to put his notebook into his pocket, but it wouldn't fit. Something else was in there. Gabriel reached in and felt a box. He pulled it out.

It was the cards. The Victorian tarot for Rose.

Gabriel turned back toward the man to call out his thanks. But the street was empty. He pocketed the cards, smiled and headed back to give Rose her present.

Looking for more Gabriel Walsh? He's a major character in the Cainsville series, starting with Omens. Twenty years after Gabriel's Gargoyles, he's one of Chicago's most notorious defense attorneys. He's also exactly the guy Olivia Taylor-Jones needs to help her solve the murders her parents were convicted of twenty-two years ago.

On the next page, you'll find an excerpt from Omens--the scene where Olivia first meets Gabriel.

For more details, check out my website at KelleyArmstrong.com

Excerpt from Omens

I couldn't shake that sense of something creeping along behind me. Finally I spun. There was something there--a black shape crouched on the fence of the now-distant park. A chill crept up my spine and I squinted. The shape lengthened, stretching until it became the black cat, languidly arching its back, then settling in on the fence post to watch me.

The urge to run tingled down my legs. Instead, I forced myself back toward the cat. It just sat there, watching me.

"If you're looking for handouts, this"--I waggled Grace's bag--"is not kitty food."

The cat yawned and stretched again before settling back on its perch. Something passed overhead and the cat sprang up so fast I stumbled back. It gave me a scornful glare, then looked up into the sky. I followed its gaze to see what looked like a crow, soaring high overhead.

"A little out of your reach," I said to the cat.

It ignored me, tail puffed, yellow eyes following the distant bird.

Crow, crow, get out of my sight

Or else I'll eat thy liver and lights

"Great," I muttered. "Just great." I shook my finger at the cat. "You guys really are bad luck."

The clouds overhead shifted, sunlight coming through again. As I headed back to the pathway, I glanced over my shoulder once, but the cat hadn't moved. It just kept staring at that crow, as if hoping it would come lower. If it did, the cat would be in for a surprise. The bird was probably as big as it was.