I folded my hands tightly together to curb my urge to show her just how close to death she was at the moment. “Yes, but I go out and live to make the most of every moment. Then after those fun filled days I like to come home and unwind in my house—where you are a guest—watching my stories. So, if you can click that button and scroll down … ”
“But the birds have it right,” Alaina talked over me. A look of longing shadowed her pretty face as she watched the televised birds flap over the rippling water and into the setting sun. “An existence in the clouds until the inevitable happens.”
Tears welled in her eyes and threatened to spill over. “But if you want to watch your show you can. I’ll just go up into Gabe’s room and get out of your way. He’ll probably be home from the football game in an hour or so. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
Confounded kids. Once more my resolve crumbled. I couldn’t leave her alone in a state like this. “On second thought, Alaina, we’ll watch your show. After all, a person can never learn too much about … birds.”
A weak smile broke through her grey cloud of emotion. “Thank you, Mrs. Garrett. I appreciate it.”
“Call me Grams, after all you live in my house … and eat my food.”
For forty-five minutes I sat with her and watched an educational program the entertainment equivalent of watching beige paint dry. Then the front door squeaked open and Gabe meandered in. “Close game, but we got a touch down the last quarter and won!”
I leapt off that chair at a speed that would’ve caused most ladies my age to break a hip and cornered by grandson in the foyer. I glanced back to make sure Alaina wasn’t listening—she was twirling the end of her auburn ponytail and staring blankly at the flat screen. In an urgent whisper I hissed, “Handle your girl. Take her and move out, slip a Benadryl in her tea, turn into a lion and make her dinner, I don’t care. Just get her off my couch.”
Gabe laughed, which I nearly clocked him for. “Don’t worry, Grams. I’m on it. Alaina’s mood won’t be a problem much longer.”
“You say it like that it sounds like you’re gonna off her.” I chuckled and adjusted my bangle bracelets.
Gabe blinked his eyes to feline topaz. His canines lengthened to fangs. “Why, Grandmother, whatever would make you think I was capable of such a sick and twisted thing?”
I knew he was kidding, yet I couldn’t help the goosebumps that sprung up on my arms or the chill that tracked down my spine. Even I heard the nervous flutter in my laughter.
Gabe’s Turn
Cloaked by shadows, I watched. The girl’s shoes sunk into the grassy turf with each tentative step. She wore her unease like a bright beacon for all to see.
“Hello?” She called out in the darkness and spun in a circle on the fifty-yard line. “Gabe? Anyone?”
My whiskers twitched as I sniffed the air. Even at this distance I could smell her fear. It only added to my excitement. I couldn’t help the low rumbling growl that leaked out of my twitching muzzle. I licked my suddenly dry lips, careful to avoid slicing myself on my fangs.
Her shoulders sagged and she dropped her arms to her sides. “Gabe, if this is a joke it isn’t funny!”
Unable to wait a moment longer, I slammed my massive paw down on the switch. Instantly the football field was flooded with bright white stadium lights. She shielded her eyes with one sweatshirt clad arm but was still able to see the twelve menacingly large figures that appeared at the far end of the field. They were dressed in blue jeans and black sweatshirts with the hoods up. They’re eyes hidden by dark glasses—a nice touch they had added themselves. All that separated them from her was 50 yards and a row of tackling dummies.
“He … hello?” Fear made her voice waver and catch in her throat. “I’m looking for Gabe Garrett. Have you seen him? He’s the football coach here.”
They knew better than to answer. Each of them had learned the painful repercussions of ignoring my wishes. Instead, in perfect unison, they started a slow jog straight toward her. Their speed quickly accelerated, until all twelve of them were barreling toward her like an unstoppable freight train. She stumbled back a few steps, expecting them to slow or stop. When they didn’t, she spun and sprinted down field. There was no way she could outrun them. I’d trained them to be fast and relentless. My muzzle curled back in the closest I could come to a smile.
She risked a glance over her shoulder in time to see them hit the row of tackling dummies. Their broad shoulders slammed into it and heaved it directly for her, closing the distance fast. She picked up her pace and pumped her legs as hard as she could. My eyes rolled back when the intoxicating scent of her adrenaline wafted my way.
The metal rod that connected the tackling dummies clipped at her heels. If she fell now it would bowl right over her. With a rush of pride I watched her give up running, time her jump and leap aboard the object pursuing her. Yet even then the “mysterious” men didn’t stop. Despite her screams and protests they pushed her the rest of the way downfield. Tears streamed down her face and she begged them to stop. Okay, that part I actually felt kind of bad for.
In the end zone they came to an abrupt halt. The sudden loss of momentum sent her flying. I winced at how hard she hit the ground. The twelve men stood upright and stared down at her from behind their shades. Only one rounded the tackling dummy and walked to her. She recoiled when he extended his hand, the smell of her fear potent enough to make my head swim. When she didn’t accept his offered hand he grabbed her wrists and yanked her to her feet. I snarled at his rough touch. He’d pay for that later.
As soon as she was on her feet, he let her go. A brief nod to his friends and they filed off the field.
They left her standing there wiping her face and looking even more confused than before. “Wait!” she called after them. “What’s happening? Where’s Gabe?”
The sound of tittering laughter was their only response.
I knew it was time for me to go to her. To do what I came here to do. But for a moment I found myself caught up in … her. The way the lights reflected off her deep auburn waves. That porcelain skin so white it glistened. She was wearing my sweatshirt. A wave of heat coursed through me at the thought of wearing that same shirt and having her smell on me all day.
She turned in a slow circle, squinting up into the bleachers. With a resigned sigh shook her head and started toward the exit. If I let her go I may never get this opportunity again. Urgency overpowered my sense of sentimentality and I slunk out into the light.
My shoulder blades rose and fell with feline liquidity. A quiet rumble quaked past my lips to alert her of my presence.
Most women would panic when coming face to face with a lion—especially one of my size. What can I say? I’m a big kitty. But not her. A smile that brightened my entire world spread across her face when she turned my way.
“There you are!” She sighed in relief. “You would not believe the night I’ve been having! There were these big guys all in black and … are you wearing boxer shorts? Really Gabe, I think modesty in cat form is a little unnecessary. Don’t you?”
I knew what I had to do, and I only had one chance to get it right. One deep breath to prepare myself and then I stalked straight for her. My topaz gaze fixed on my target. Even in lion form I came up to her chest, which I thought would make it easy for her to see what was around my neck. Somehow she missed it. I shoved at her with my muzzle, trying to get her to notice.
“Aww, sweetie. Are you feeling cuddly tonight?” While I appreciated the scratch behind the ears—seriously that woman could find a spot that got my leg going like a Labrador—the baby talk was killing the moment. I snorted my annoyance and threw my massive head into her with enough force to make her lose her footing.
“Geez, Gabe! Easy!” she exclaimed and grabbed my neck to steady herself.
I felt the ribbon jerk against my neck and knew she’d found it. I peered up into her face, not wanting to miss a moment of her reaction.
Her brow furrowed as she h
ooked her finger around it. “What’s thi … ” Words gave way to a shocked gasp when she pulled the ribbon out and a small sparkly object slide down and bumped gently against her hand.
Never had I wished my morphing wasn’t such a gross extravagance to the senses more than in this moment. I tried to make it quick. My bones snapped, popped, and locked until I was human once more … and down on one knee.
Her hands fluttered up to cover her mouth and fresh tears formed in her eyes. “Those were your football players! And that’s why you had on undies! So you didn’t have to do this naked!”
Nervous energy made my bark of laughter loud enough to echo through the empty field. “Pants seemed mandatory for … this.”
I dipped my head down and pulled my ‘necklace’—a red silk ribbon I’d found on Celeste’s dresser—over my head. The pull of one string and the ring plopped free into my waiting palm.
“This may be the most terrifying proposal ever!” she giggled.
“I know, but terrifying seemed pretty fitting for our relationship.” I caught her hand and brought it to my lips—mostly because I needed a minute.
I swallowed hard and tried to remember the speech I prepared. Yeah, it was gone. My mind was a total blank. Now I was going to have to babble my way through the most important question I would ever ask. Fantastic. This is why I don’t talk more.
Alaina, before I met you … no that wasn’t it. Before I met her I was completely human. She aided in turning me into a lion, best not to go there. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you? What, that she was covered in feathers and might be a lunatic? Yeah, that would make her all weak in the knees. Why was this so friggin’ hard?!
“Ah, crap.” I took a deep breath and looked her right in the eyes. “I love you, Lani. Marry me?”
She didn’t answer right away and her expression gave away nothing. Each second that dragged by felt like an hour. The lingering doubt that she might say no snuck in and I had to fight the urge to wipe my suddenly sweaty palms on the sides of my shorts. I couldn’t remember ever being this scared or nervous before—and I fight demons daily. Painfully slow, before she could even utter a syllable, her answer revealed itself by the look that crept over her face …
cordial invites you to a
Garrett family wedding
as the Gryphon Series continues!
Sacrifice
By Stacey Rourke
Available now!
Presenting:
The Gryphon Series
Art Gallery
The lower half of my professor’s face split down the middle. With a sickening slurp teeth, bone, and flesh pulled away. The insides of his mouth curled back by his ears to release a long, black snake-like tongue with its own set of jagged fangs. -excerpt from Embrace
Illustrated by Robert Immings
They exchanged determined looks and resolute nods that made my eyes roll. It was Eddie that enthused, “We’re the Dark Army Glee Club!” -excerpt from Embrace
Illustrated by Robert Immings
If I were to draw an angel of wrath it would look exactly as he did in that moment. His broad and battered chest exposed. Eyes blazing. Strong jaw set. A gust of wind blowing the ebony locks back from his face. “Do these look like the badges of a star pupil?” -excerpt from Embrace
Illustrated by Crystal Ord
Caleb’s normally pale skin was chalk white. Black veins tracked just below the surface of his skin like a satanic road map. The emerald was gone from his eyes. In its place emanated the haunted black of a Seeker. -excerpt from Embrace
Illustrated by Crystal Ord
About the Author
The Gryphon Series is written by Michigan native Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects.
Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor
or on Twitter @Rourkewrites.
Read more of Stacey’s books!
The Gryphon Series:
The Conduit
Embrace
Sacrifice
Ascension
Nonfiction:
I’m Not Crazy, I’m on Lupron; A Journey Through Infertility
Embrace (The Gryphon Series Book 2) Page 21
