by Faith Gibson
“Good morning. Did anyone happen to bring coffee?” When they all looked at each other confused, he explained, “You all look like you walked into a morgue. This…” he indicated the room and Jasper’s body, “is temporary. Please don’t write him off yet.”
“Of course not, Trevor. My apologies. It’s a shock to see him lying there; that is all. How are you holding up? You’ve had a rough week.” Rafael placed his hand on Trevor’s arm and gave a small squeeze. The Gargoyles weren’t afraid of being touchy feely, except where their mates were concerned. Then it was hands off. Only he didn’t feel that way. Not exactly. When the others were laying their hands on Jasper and praying for him, he actually welcomed their touching him. He wasn’t religious, but if they were, and they thought their gods could intervene somehow, he was all for it.
“I’m not gonna lie; this is all a little overwhelming. My life up until a few weeks ago was simple. I worked, and I went home. I studied dead bodies, and I played video games. A lot. I had no friends and only one person I could call family. Now my life is filled with people who care about me, and it feels strange. We all know what happened on the bridge, and that bothers me. A lot. My brother was almost killed. His girlfriend was. I had to tell him the truth about Gargoyles, and on top of that, I had to tell him about what happened on the bridge. That also bothers me a lot. I never wanted him to find out about that. I never wanted him to look at me with less love in his eyes than he normally does. And now, the man I consider my very best friend in the world is lying here, helpless. I never thought I’d have someone who cared for me in a more than platonic way. I think Jasper did. I might have let the best thing that ever happened to me slip through my hands before I even grasped it. Other than that…” he shrugged. Trevor didn’t know what else to tell them.
“I’m going to get our Trevor here some coffee. I’ll be right back.” Lorenzo slipped from the room. When the door closed, Tessa said, “You hang in there, sugar. We’re not giving up. None of us are.” Her phone rang, and she frowned when she saw the caller I.D. “Excuse me,” she said as she went into the hallway for privacy. Gregor went with her. Trevor understood the way these couples worked. Jasper had said it himself. It wasn’t a matter of not trusting the other. Gregor went to watch her back. He’d already come close to losing her once. With Theron on the loose, Gregor wouldn’t take a chance on leaving her alone, even in the Stone Society lab.
Kaya made her way to where Trevor was standing. “I’m really proud of you. I know I didn’t always show you the respect you deserved, and for that I’m sorry.”
“I probably didn’t deserve your respect. You make me nervous,” he admitted.
Rafael laughed. “Hell, she makes me nervous, and I’m the King.”
Tessa and Gregor came back into the room. The phone call had shaken Tessa. “I’m sorry, Trevor, but I need to go. Gladys, my next door neighbor down in New Orleans, passed away. That was her attorney on the phone. I’m needed for the reading of the will. I promise we’ll be back as quick as possible.” She gave him a big hug, and this time Gregor didn’t growl.
The warden surprised Trevor by pulling him to his chest and holding him tight. “Hang in there, buddy,” Gregor whispered. Trevor held on just as tight. He imagined this was what it felt like to be comforted by a father. Gregor pulled away and patted his arm. “We’ll be back soon.”
No sooner had they left than Frey came in followed by Matthew and Travis. Matthew ran to the bed and draped his body over Jasper’s. The teen silently wept for the Gargoyle who had been a great friend to him. “He’s got to wake up,” he whimpered.
Travis came to Trevor and pulled him into a hug. “I’m so sorry,” he said.
“Thanks, but I’m not giving up. Matthew, you shouldn’t either. We need to stay positive.”
Matthew uncurled his body and wiped his eyes. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”
The morning was spent with Clan members coming and going. Trevor was curious to know if Urijah and Sixx had found Kallisto, but he wouldn’t ask in front of his brother. Travis already had a bad taste where the Gargoyles were concerned. It wouldn’t do for him to hear the woman had been tortured for information.
Lorenzo returned with coffee, food, and fresh clothes. Trevor had said he wasn’t leaving until Jasper was awake, but he didn’t understand the difference in Jasper being here or at home. Later, after everyone left and they had a moment alone, Trevor asked Lorenzo, “Do you think it would be possible to move Jasper to his home? I mean, could one of you stay there with us? I don’t know that he would be more comfortable, but I would be. That probably sounds selfish, but until we know what we’re dealing with…”
“I can tell you what we’re dealing with.” Julian walked in, followed by his brother. Nikolas walked over to the desk chair, pulled it closer to the bed, and sat down. He crossed his arms over his chest, studying Jasper’s face.
“And?”
“It’s not hellebore like we suspected. It’s a mixture of wolfsbane and hemlock.”
“And?” Trevor wasn’t familiar with all the herbs of the world.
“Both poisons. Both fatal, if given the right dosage. Luckily for us, whoever mixed this concoction didn’t take into account the fact Jasper is a Gargoyle. His metabolism, even at rest, is much higher than a human’s and is slowing the effects of the poisons. There’s one other trace element I’m having trouble identifying. I need to figure out what it is, but I’ve already begun researching possible antidotes.”
“That’s good.” Trevor turned to look at Jasper. Definitely good.
“I don’t see why you shouldn’t take Jasper home. As a matter of fact, I’ll help you,” Nikolas said. Trevor looked over his shoulder at Julian who nodded. He wondered if Dante should be part of the decision, but he wasn’t there. Hadn’t been there all morning, nor had he called Trevor to check in.
Julian returned to his lab while Lorenzo and Nikolas helped Trevor take Jasper home. Once they had him settled upstairs, both Gargoyles left him alone in Jasper’s bedroom while they went outside to check the property. They had no idea if Theron was satisfied now that Jasper was paralyzed or if he was waiting to see whether or not he lived. Until they knew for certain where the bastard was, they wouldn’t let their guard down.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
In little over two hours, Tessa and Gregor arrived in New Orleans via the Stone Society jet. She felt like she’d just gotten off of it, coming home from Egypt. As much as she loved traveling in style, she hated the reasons she’d been aboard the plane. Instead of going to her home, she and Gregor drove straight to the lawyer’s office. She wanted to get the paperwork out of the way. They didn’t have to wait long before the attorney shook their hands and ushered them into his plush office.
“Miss Blackmore, I do wish we were meeting under better circumstances. Ms. Sprague was a joy to be around.” He waited until she and Gregor were seated before continuing. “I appreciate you coming so quickly. What I have is fairly simple. Gladys had no children; therefore, she left you her entire estate. Her home and her assets are all yours. Part of her will also instructed on her burial wishes. She is to be cremated, and she requested her ashes be scattered on the Mississippi River.”
“What about Toby?” Tessa asked.
“Her dog is being taken care of by the woman who lives on the other side of Gladys. Mrs. Robinson I believe is her name.”
Tessa was thankful for that. Toby hadn’t minded Tessa, but she doubted the little furball would get along with Gregor. “Here are the keys to the house as well as the safe deposit box at Tulane Bank. All of the paperwork has been drawn up listing you as her benefactor. You should have no trouble transferring the money into an account of your own or withdrawing it, whichever you prefer. Here is the deed to the house already transferred as well.”
“I thought Gladys had a heart attack. How were you able to make these transfers so fast?” Tessa asked.
“Gladys had cancer. She had been in remission, but it returned
a few weeks ago. She had the documents put into effect immediately. Her assets were yours before she passed.”
“I talked to her on the phone last week. She didn’t tell me she was sick.” Tessa’s heart was breaking for her old friend. Gregor reached out for Tessa’s hand, offering silent comfort.
“She didn’t want you to know. Said it was better this way. Do you have any questions?”
“No. Thank you for everything.” Tessa and Gregor stood, shaking the attorney’s hand again. Tessa gathered the paperwork and the keys, and they headed to her home.
“Life is so fragile,” Tessa said once they were alone. “I mean, even with the Gargoyles. I can’t believe Theron got to Jasper.”
Gregor linked their fingers and kissed her hand. “I can’t either. I pray that Julian can find some type of cure. If not, do you think Jonas could help? He is the mad scientist after all.”
“It sure wouldn’t hurt to ask him. I’ll give him a call once Julian knows what we’re dealing with.”
Gregor parked the car and let it idle. “It seems like yesterday the last time I was here.”
“It wasn’t that long ago, Stone.”
“No, but look at all we’ve been through since then. Your wreck, Isabelle and Connor, Sophia and her parents. You were right, Red. Life is fragile. Let’s get in the house.” Tessa knew that look. It wasn’t often Gregor needed the softer side of sex. Now was one of those times. He needed to feel his mate, make love to her, reassure himself she was safe.
Tessa unlocked the door, not bothering to check the mail. Her heart ached knowing Gladys wouldn’t be doing that mundane task for her any longer. Tessa tossed the paperwork on the table and led Gregor to the bedroom where, for a few hours, he made sure his mate was safe.
When they finally emerged from the bedroom, Tessa was hungry. “What do you say we go to McFadden’s? I’d love to see how Fiona’s doing.”
“Sounds good to me,” Gregor said, pulling her to him for another slow, sensual kiss.
The sun was starting to set as they walked down the street, hand in hand. Tessa couldn’t remember the last time they’d done something so simple yet so together. She enjoyed her life as a watcher for the family. Traveling the world looking after her cousins had been exciting. Now that all of Jonas’s offspring had transitioned or been told about the shifter hidden inside, she should be able to kick back and enjoy life. Instead, Gregor’s uncle and cousin were hell-bent on making his family suffer. And for what? All because Alistair didn’t like humans, and Theron’s feelings were hurt when Jasper left him two hundred years ago? Petty fucking excuses.
“Hey, stop thinking so hard,” Gregor said as he tugged on her hand. She looked up into his face and said a small thank you to whomever decided they should be together. She couldn’t imagine what life would be like without this Goyle by her side. He stopped walking and kissed her before they got to the pub. “I love you, Red.”
“I love you, too, Stone.” And she did. With every fiber of her being. Love wasn’t a strong enough word for what she felt.
As soon as they walked in the door, that old familiar feeling swept over Tessa. Gods, she had missed this place. Not just the pub, but all of New Orleans. Hopefully, the Clan shit would settle down soon, and she and Gregor could come visit for a while. She wanted to spend some time with Lilly while she was there.
“Tabby!” Fiona yelled as soon as she spotted her. Tessa should probably come clean about her name. The beautiful Irish woman pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. And I see you brought your husband with you,” she said, eyebrows raised. “I was worried after you hurried out of here the last time.”
“I’m sorry about that. Jacques hasn’t been causing you trouble, has he?” Tessa could laugh now, thinking how her former lover came face to face with Gregor.
“No. As a matter of fact, he left town.”
“Is that right?” Tessa glanced at Gregor who cocked his head as if he didn’t know anything about it. They would discuss it later. Tessa grinned and asked Fiona, “So how are you? Is everything okay with the baby?”
Fiona led them to a table close to the bar. Roy was standing sentry as usual. “Roy! So good to see you. You remember my husband Gregor?” The men shook hands. Tessa did not hug Fiona’s husband as she normally would. She stayed close by her male’s side. Roy brought pints of Guinness to the table for Tessa and Gregor and water for his wife.
“Oh my goodness. Things are doubly good. We’re going to have twins!” Fiona raved. Roy looked a little green at that announcement.
“That’s wonderful. I think. I can’t imagine having two babies at the same time.” Tessa wanted kids, just not anytime soon. She wanted to spend some alone time with Gregor before they brought cute miniature wardens into their home.
“Oh, I’m thrilled. Roy, not so much.” Fiona filled Tessa in on the latest gossip as they waited on their food to arrive.
“I was so sorry to hear about Gladys. Is that why you’re in town?”
“Yes, I wouldn’t have known if her attorney hadn’t called me.”
“That’s the way she wanted it. To go quietly. I’m going to miss her spunky attitude.” While they ate, both Roy and Fiona told stories of Gladys throughout the years. Tessa hated she missed so much of it. Gregor must have felt her sadness, for he put his hand on her thigh offering silent comfort. After a delicious meal and too much beer, Tessa and Gregor said goodbye, promising to visit again soon.
“I like them, Tabby,” Gregor said once they were outside.
“I thought about telling them some story about why I used an alias, but it would be a lie, so what’s the difference in a new lie and the old one?”
“I understand. I like the name Tabitha.”
“Me, too. It’s why I chose it. Say, do you mind going down by the square? I’d like to see if Lilly’s there.”
“Not at all. Maybe she’ll be with Dominic.”
“Dominic?”
“Dubois. The leader of the Clan here.”
“And just why would she be with him?”
“He thinks she is his mate.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Tessa stopped walking and put her fists on her hips.
Gregor laughed, “You and I had a few other things going on at the time, Red. Besides, it could have been wishful thinking on his part.”
“You were watching us when we came out of her art studio, weren’t you?”
Gregor grabbed her hands and wrapped them around his waist. She tipped her face up to his, grinning. She wasn’t really mad; she just loved giving him attitude.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe my ass.”
“There’s no maybe about that ass. It’s a definite,” he declared right before he took her mouth in a hard kiss. Their lips were still locked together when the trolley stopped to pick them up. They had the streetcar mostly to themselves. The other riders faded away as Gregor picked back up where they left off. Neither one of them could care less if others had a problem with their PDA.
When the streetcar reached their stop, they exited and walked down St. Peter Street toward the area where the street vendors set up. Lilly’s paintings weren’t hanging along the fence, so Tessa stopped to visit John, the tarot reader. He was closing up shop for the night, but when he saw Tessa, he smiled.
“Tabitha, how are you?”
“I’m good, John.”
He looked at her and Gregor’s linked hands and said, “I see you took my advice.”
“That I did. Listen, is Lilly around?”
“You’ll have to come by early if you want to catch her. Since she’s been hanging out with her pirate friend, she only works half days.”
“Pirate?” Tessa looked up at Gregor.
“Dominic.”
“Yes, that’s the name she called him.”
“Thank you, John. We’ll come back in the morning.”
“See you then.”
“What advice did he give you, Red?” Gregor asked a
s they turned back toward the river.
“He said to follow my heart.”
“Indeed,” Gregor said on a smile. “It’s early. Instead of waiting until morning, how about I call and find out what the happy couple’s doing tonight?”
“I’d like that. I want to meet this pirate. Arrrrr,” Tessa growled.
Gregor laughed at her right before he rolled his eyes. “You’re a mess.”
“I’m your mess.”
He smiled at her and nodded in agreement as he waited for Dominic to answer. Since she was a half-blood, she had no trouble hearing the conversation.
“Salut.”
“Dominic, Gregor Stone.”
“Gregor, what can I do for you? Are you in town?”
“As a matter of fact, we are.”
“Ah, you finally wore the feisty redhead down, aye?”
Tessa huffed, and Gregor laughed. “Something like that. We’re at the square and wondered if Lilly was with you.”
“Aye, I wore my fair-haired witch down as well. Oh, come now, lass. Don’t be pointing your wand at my nether regions.”
Gregor placed a hand over his crotch and frowned. There was some wrestling and kissing on the other end of the line. Tessa put her hand over her mouth to conceal her laughter.
“Sorry about that. The feistiness must run in the family. We are at my home, if you’d like to stop by for a bit. I live in the Garden District not too far from your Tabitha’s home. I’ll text you the address.”
“Sounds good. Just make sure the wand is put away before we get there. I wouldn’t want my nether regions zapped off either.”
Dominic laughed. “Aye, will do. We will see you both soon.”
Tessa stopped laughing and asked, “Does he have an eye patch? A parrot sitting on his shoulder?”
Gregor grabbed her around the neck, and they started toward the streetcar. “No eye patch. I have no idea about the parrot. Is Lilly really a witch?”
Tessa shrugged the shoulder that wasn’t underneath Gregor’s arm. “I don’t know. It wouldn’t surprise me, though. She does have that earthy quality about her.”
