The Gargoyle's Bad Alibi

The cursed shackle snaps shut, binding my wrist to the lethal, stone-skinned gargoyle towering over me with a blood-red countdown ticking toward midnight. If we don’t clear his name before the clock runs out, the spell will stop my heart and shatter him into dust. He was supposed to be my bounty—a smug, framed suspect with razor-sharp claws and forbidden royal blood—yet now I’m trapped breathing his air, unable to stray more than three steps from his scorching touch. Every dangerous pulse between our chained bodies draws me deeper into his wicked protection, unearthing the dark conspiracy that stole my father years ago. When the final bell tolls, will I sacrifice the monster I’ve learned to crave, or risk my life to claim the beast who holds my heart?