by Faith Gibson
“Because she has red hair?”
Rafael and several others chuckled. “Among other reasons. You overheard Tessa talking to Presley. Tessa’s a fiery one, but she wasn’t wrong. Pardon me for saying so, but your sister is a piece of work.”
“She’s a piece of something, all right.”
“Anyway, we called in a favor from one of the mates who is a doctor at the hospital. Currently, your family believes you to be under quarantine. She snuck you out, and we brought you here. When both you and Malakai are well, we will sneak you back into the hospital, and your illness will be miraculously healed.”
“What if he doesn’t get well?” Josie rolled to her side and draped her body across Kai’s.
“I have every faith you will be able to reach him. Keep talking to him, but remember, Josie, he needs hope. I’m going to leave the two of you alone, but if you need anything at all, several of us will be in the living room.”
“Is Kaya here?”
There was a brief pause in the conversation, and then Kaya said softly, “I’m here, Josie. For whatever you need.”
“Are you really a Queen now?”
“I am. Someone had to corral all these alphas.”
“I heard you talking to me. At least I think I did.”
“You did. Tessa and I didn’t want you to be alone in case you woke from your fever.”
“I thought I was dying. I never want to feel that type of pain again. And I can’t bear the thought of Kai going through the same thing.”
“I promise you won’t regret being Malakai’s mate if you choose to accept the bond.”
Kai felt Josie nod against his chest. He wanted desperately to open his eyes, but he was afraid. Afraid he wouldn’t find acceptance on his mate’s face.
Chapter Nine
Josie believed what Kaya and Rafael said to be the truth. Not because of who Kaya was, but because of the way they looked at each other. Kaya didn’t look like a woman under some cult leader’s spell. She was a woman who was part of the man standing at her side. Their bond was something Josie could feel from across the room. And they had a son together. Josie wanted that. The connection. The child. She wanted to meet Tessa, who had stood up to Presley on her behalf. Tessa who said they could be friends.
She sighed, snuggling closer to the Gargoyle at her side. Yes, she believed the creatures were real. She might not understand it, but she knew in her heart it was the truth.
“I’m sorry. I know that’s not enough, but if you come back to me, I will show you I believe you. I don’t understand how all this fated mate stuff works, but I want to. Please don’t let me be too late.” Josie rested her cheek against Kai’s chest over his heart. A strong arm wrapped around her, and Josie looked up at Kai’s face. His eyes were still closed, but he was in there. If only on a subconscious level, he was there.
Josie didn’t know what else to say, so she decided to tell him about her. “Since we don’t know each other, maybe we can continue our conversation from last night. Or I’ll talk and you can listen. I think I’m done working for my family. It will make things awkward at Sunday dinner, and if that happens, I’ll invite my mom over to my place. I want you to meet her. She’s the best mom in the world. Well, maybe next to yours. Your mom has to be some kind of special to raise seven boys. I dreamed about them – your brothers.”
Kai’s heartbeat sped up under her cheek, and Josie smiled. “Not like that. I dreamed we were on a beach, and all of you were dancing to tribal drums. There was a huge bonfire, and I think I dreamt about that because of my fever. Anyway, I’d like to see you dance. I love to dance, even though it’s been years since I’ve done anything outside my kitchen, shaking my butt while I’m cooking. And yes, I cook. I don’t know if I told you that. I think I did in my ramblings. The meal you made us was delicious, by the way. I’m sad we didn’t get to dessert. If you wake up, maybe we can have it because I’m hungry. I’m sure you noticed I’m not one of those women who’s afraid to eat. I’ve always had a little extra weight, but you said my curves are sexy. I hope you meant that. It’s not that I’m lazy. I just work so many hours that by the time I get home, exercise is the last thing on my mind.
“Oh, back to my job. I’m going to give notice. I already have the next few months’ cases ready for my dad and sister. They can find someone else to take my place. I’m ready to have a life. I’ve given them the last eight years of it. It’s time I take it back. And if Presley gives me any grief, I’ll sic Tessa on her. I think I’m going to like Tessa. She can help me find my inner badass. I’m not sure what I’ll do for work, but I don’t want to go from one firm to another. I’m done with law. At least for now. Maybe I’ll take cello lessons for a while. Who knows? I’d also like to travel. I haven’t been on a real vacation in years. I know you’re opening your gym, but maybe we can take a short trip together. Somewhere you can surf, and I can watch you prance around in a swimsuit. Not that you prance. It was a figure of speech. No, you stalk. I know because you stalked toward me, and it was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Besides you biting your lip when I kicked your ass at pool. Not to bring up a touchy subject, but if you wake up, maybe I’ll let you win a game. Or we can play something you’re good at, and I’ll be the one biting my lip. Not that I don’t do that anyway.”
A rumble in Kai’s chest shook Josie’s cheek. “Oh, you like that idea, huh? Or did I piss you off talking about kicking your ass? I know how you macho types can be. Hating to lose to a woman. I think you mentioned Tessa shooting pool. Maybe she and I can go run the tables against some unsuspecting men and win some money. Not that I really need the money because we already talked about my portfolio. But I could use a new tattoo. Maybe another turtle to match the one I already have. Oh! Have you ever seen sea turtles while you were surfing? That would be so cool. I saw some in Hawaii when I was on vacation with my parents. That’s what started my obsession with them. I swam with them in a lagoon at the resort we stayed in. It surprises me you don’t have any ink. Not that you need any. You’re distracting enough without it. If we’re going on vacation, I need to get it done soon so it has time to heal. Or I could wait until we get back. Wow, look at me. Quitting my job. Going on vacation. Getting ink. You’d think I was having a midlife crisis. I prefer to think of it as an awakening. You did that. You woke me up, Malakai Palamo. Now you need to wake up so you can enjoy the new me.”
“I like the old you just fine.”
“Well, yeah. You only know the… Kai?”
“Hello, Sunshine.”
Kai’s heart and soul mended a little bit with each word Josie rambled. There was no deception in what she was saying. She wasn’t talking merely to get him to come back to the real world. His Sunshine spoke from the heart, with conviction.
“I’m glad you’re putting in your notice, but I like the Josie you are. I don’t want you to change. I told you already, you’re perfect.” Kai ran a hand through her sweaty hair.
“Oh, god. I need a shower. I’ve been sweating, and…” Josie sniffed the scrub top someone had dressed her in. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
Kai gingerly sat up, taking his mate with him. His body wasn’t hurt, but battling his beast had taken a toll. Settling Josie on his lap, he held her to his chest and kissed her hair. She smelled of sweat, sadness, and fear. But beneath all the bad was something else. He reached out with his shifter senses… there it was. Happiness. For all she’d been through in the last several hours, there was joy in his mate.
“I can’t wait to take you on vacation, and yes, I’ve swum with turtles. Most animals shy away from Gargoyles because they can sense the animal within, but for some reason, turtles and dolphins don’t. I love your tattoo.” Kai ran his fingers over her shirt where the ink colored her fair skin. “As for me not having any, my skin is too thick. Gargoyle skin is virtually impenetrable. We can get shot, and the bullets bounce off. We can live a thousand years or more unless someone takes our head. There are a few poison
s that can take us out, but those are rare.”
“What about the mates? How do you deal with them dying centuries before you do?”
“Most mates are also Goyle, but the human mates’ lives are extended after the bond has been completed. There’s something transferred through the bite that helps your immune system become stronger as well.”
Josie leaned back so she was looking at him. Wiping her tears, she asked, “The bite? You have to bite me?”
“Yes, but it won’t hurt. From what I hear, the bite is euphoric for both parties involved.” Malakai touched her shoulder where he would sink his fangs. “There won’t be a scar either, so nobody but us will know about it.”
“Your family out there won’t know? Won’t they hear me scream?”
Kai snuggled Josie closer. “They will only know because you and I will be a mated couple and won’t be able to keep our hands to ourselves. As for screaming, I would never make love to you when someone is around to hear us.”
“Oh. Oh. You bite me during sex.”
“Well, I don’t have to, but that’s typically when it happens. Thus, the euphoria. But I don’t want you to worry about that right now. I want you to get to know me. This might sound crazy, but I don’t want you to mate with me because of what happened to us both. I don’t want you to feel pressured into something you’re not ready for.”
“But if we don’t mate, we’ll both be miserable. You’ll die, and I’m not sure what will happen to me.”
Malakai set his cheek to her hair. “You’ll get another fever like the one you had, but when I cross over, it will go away, and you can get on with your life.”
“But if I’m your fated mate, doesn’t that mean you’re mine? If we’re destined to be together, why wouldn’t I want to mate with you? I can understand why you wouldn’t choose me, but I’d be hard-pressed to find someone better than you.”
“Sunshine, I would never find someone better for me than you. In all the years I’ve been alive, I have never seen mates who weren’t completely perfect for each other. Personalities align. Hearts beat in sync. Together, the mates move about as one entity. I’m not saying we’ll constantly be joined at the hip. I’ll have my training gym, and you’ll have whatever it is you want to do to keep you busy, whether that’s a job or hobby, like learning the cello. Kaya continued in her job until she became pregnant with Sebastian. Isabelle is still a doctor. Marley works at the diner. Trevor works at the morgue and goes to school to become the next medical examiner.”
“Marley? Pretty brunette married to Dane Abbott?”
“How do you know Marley?”
“Every morning I go to the diner where she works for coffee. And last night when I got home, I wanted to talk to Kaya about all this, so I did a little searching on the internet. There is no information on Kaya after her retirement, so I thought I might speak to the new chief about her. When I searched for him, I saw a picture of him with Marley. I take it Dane is also a Gargoyle?”
Kai nodded. “Yes. He’s a half-blood like Tessa. Human mother, Goyle father.”
“You mentioned a Trevor? Is his mate a female?”
“No. He and Jasper are gay. The fates know all about who is best for each of us. Most of the female Gargoyles are older and mated. For whatever reason, they are almost extinct. It’s the only reason I can think of why we are now able to mate with humans. Then again, Dr. Montague’s mate is human, and they’ve been together hundreds of years. There are newer mates as well, and they will all take you under their wings. You mentioned you didn’t have time for friends, but from what I’ve seen, all the mates around New Atlanta become fast friends. More like family, really.”
“Is that why Tessa stood up to Presley?”
“I stood up to your sister because she’s a bitch.” Tessa came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hi, Josie. I’m Tessa.”
“Oh, my god. You’re gorgeous.”
“Why, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” Tessa winked, grinning. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, not on purpose. Shifter hearing is something you’ll get used to. I wanted to see how you are feeling and ask if you have any questions for someone besides Malakai, and to tell you he’s right. You have a whole Clan at your back now. And any time you want to go out and shoot pool, I’m your girl. I don’t suppose you ride a motorcycle, do you?”
“No, can’t say that I do, but I can totally see you on one.” Josie moved off Kai’s lap and turned so she was fully facing Tessa. “Malakai said you’re a half-blood. Does that mean you have wings too?”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t. And it’s not because I’m half-blood. It’s because I’m female. Only the males get wings, and let me just tell you, that sucks donkey balls. Not fair at all. Why the gods thought females shouldn’t get to fly is beyond me.”
Josie turned to Kai. “You can fly?”
“Sure can. I’ll show you later, if you’d like.”
“That I have to see.” Josie turned back to Tessa. “So, if you don’t have wings, what do you have? If that’s not rude to ask.”
Tessa smiled, her fangs protruding from her gums. She held up her hands and let her claws extend for a few seconds before returning to normal. “It took some getting used to. My bottom lip stayed cut for a freaking week when I transitioned. That’s what we call the first time a Gargoyle shifts. Full-bloods transition in their teens. They age more rapidly than humans, and then the process stalls out around thirty or so. Half-bloods don’t transition until they meet their mates, so some might look older. My mom, who is human, and I can almost pass for twins. I have a cousin who only recently met her mate, so she’ll look forty-seven the rest of her life.”
“Does anyone ever meet their mate when they’re really young?”
Kai was glad Tessa had interrupted. She was able to answer Josie’s questions better than he could.
“Yes. The latest couple to bond is Slade and Matthew. Matt was only seventeen when Slade figured out Matt was his mate, so Slade waited until Matt turned eighteen to tell him about their bond. Until then, he hung out with Matt as friends and his guardian.”
“Guardian? Like a parental figure?”
“No, like a bodyguard. Shit’s been going down for a while now. Crazy fucking Greeks. But that’s a story for later because it’s a doozy. Maybe you and I can grab a beer once you and Kai get your situation worked out. My mate, Gregor, is the warden at the penitentiary, so I have a little free time on my hands, and I’d love to talk more. Hang out, shoot pool. Whatever you want to do, as long as it doesn’t involve hours of shopping. That shit gives me the hives. I’d rather sit and listen to you practice the cello.”
“But I can’t play the cello.”
“Exactly.” Tessa grinned, and Josie laughed at the other woman. “But seriously, if you need anything, you give me a call. One thing you need to remember is you’re supposed to be at the hospital under quarantine. At some point, sooner rather than later, we need to get you back there so you can make your miraculous recovery. Kai, just give Gregor or Frey a call, and we’ll make that happen.”
“Thanks, Tessa,” Kai said.
Josie added, “Yes, thank you. Especially for standing up to Presley. I’d love to have seen her face.”
Tessa rolled her eyes again. “She wasn’t happy. How’d you turn out so nice when she’s… the way she is?”
Josie shrugged. “I take after our mother.”
“I can see that. Your mom is a peach. And she’s worried shitless about you right now, so don’t wait too long to get back to the hospital. We’re all gonna get out of here now so the two of you can have some alone time without having to worry about what you say. I’ll see you soon.”
When Tessa stood, Kai said, “Tell Frey I’m sorry about not showing up for work. I’ll be there in the morning for my regular shift.”
Tessa cocked her head to the side, looking at Kai. From the other room, Frey said, “Don’t worry about it. Lorenzo is covering for the next few days. You do wha
t you need to do. We’ve got your back.”
Kai smiled, happy to be part of such a loving Clan. “Thanks, Frey.” Josie’s eyes narrowed, and Kai explained, “Shifter hearing.”
Josie moved back against the headboard so she was sitting next to him. She threaded her fingers through his. “I’m really sorry, Kai. I wanted to return as soon as I left, but the logical part of my brain wouldn’t let me.”
“And what’s your brain telling you now?”
“That I was a dumbass.” Kai squeezed her hand, but she wasn’t letting herself off so easily. “No, really. I should have stayed and let you prove you were telling the truth. I broke down. Like ugly crying. I can’t remember the last time I cried. I think I was about six and saw a dog get hit by a car. I wanted so bad to get in your Jeep and come back to you. I really like your Jeep. And my sister knows. About us. She is not happy, but I really don’t care. Oh, god. I’m sorry. She’s going to give you so much grief the next time you have class with her.”
“Sunshine?”
“Yeah?”
“Breathe, Baby. I’m not worried about your sister. I’ll handle her.”
“I don’t want you handling anyone but me.”
Kai both approved and disliked her jealousy. He moved Josie so she was straddling his lap. “Look at me,” he demanded.
“I’m looking,” she whispered, rubbing her hands up his chest.
“Do you have any questions about what Rafael or Tessa told you?”
“Hmm. Let’s see. Am I really going to look thirty the rest of my life?”
“Yes. Does that bother you? Because I have to tell you, I’m looking forward to seeing this face the rest of my life.” Kai ran a finger down her cheek.
Josie smiled, but then she was frowning. Kai knew Josie’s emotions were all over the place. He could feel them as if they were his own, and they hadn’t yet completed the bond. “What about my mom? She’s going to eventually notice I’m not aging.”
