by Faith Gibson
They had decided to excitedly talk about moving to California with all the state had to offer, like beaches and sunshine. They casually mentioned the other kids who Rain would have the chance to become friends with too. Isla thought if they let Rain get used to the idea instead of merely declaring they were moving he would better handle the situation. They had been correct.
“Now that is exciting. I need to call Sixx and have him put in the offer for us so someone doesn’t snatch it out from under us.” After Isla chose several homes in the area close to where the Pen was located, Sixx had vetted the properties then performed walkthroughs of each, and he did so with his camera showing Remy each property as he toured them. “The one you like has plenty of bedrooms. One for your mum and me. One for you. One for your little brother or sister.” Remy held his breath.
Rain nodded as he chewed. “That would be so cool. Amelia is getting a baby brother, but I’m getting a sister.”
“How do you know that?” Remy asked.
“Connor said so. He saw her in a vision.”
Remy was so happy at Rain’s acceptance of a sibling he didn’t chastise the boy for speaking around a mouthful of food. Isla’s eyes were filled with happy tears when she leaned over and hugged their son.
“What?” Rain asked his mum. “What was that for?”
“Can I not hug you because I love you?”
“I guess. When do I get my sister?” he asked, then took another bite of cheesy pepperoni goodness.
“In early September. We have plenty of time to get settled into our new home before she arrives.” Isla brushed her hand across Rain’s hair. “Would you like to help set up her room?”
“Yes. She’s going to need lots of stuffies. Babies need soft things, don’t you think?” Rain took a drink of his soda, then let out a burp. “Sorry, but that’s bubbly. Oh, can I name her? I think she should be Rain too. Is September in the summer?”
“At the end of it, yes.” Remy was pleased Rain was taking the news so well. “But do we really need two Rains? Won’t that get confusing?”
“No, Papa. I’m named after you, and that’s not confusing.”
“You’re right; it’s because we don’t call you Remington.” Isla had chosen Remington Rainier after Remy and his father. He wasn’t sure she would agree to their daughter being named Rainier as well.
“And we won’t call my sister Rain. We can call her Summer.” Rain shrugged like it was a done deal. When Remy raised his eyebrows at Isla, she nodded.
“Summer Rain. It is catchy. What do you think, Mum?” Remy asked, reaching for Isla’s hand.
Isla blinked back the tears, but they were happy ones. He could feel her joy through their bond. “I think it’s a lovely name. I also think you’re going to be the best big brother ever.”
“Can her bedroom be next to mine? If I’m going to look after her, I need to be close.”
Remy’s heart was full to bursting. “It sure can. Let’s finish eating so I can call Sixx. Then we can discuss what color you want your room painted.”
The house they’d chosen had just been completely remodeled, and the rooms all had fresh coats of paint in colors Isla adored. Still, they had agreed Rain could decorate his room however he liked. They wanted their son to be excited about moving, not dread it.
“Mum, when do we get to see Summer? Amelia has pictures and videos of Jonathan in Abbi’s tummy.”
“Well, she’s not very big. Right now, she’s about the size of a pepperoni slice. She’s going to need to grow a little before they can show us a picture.”
“Cool. Can I go with you when you see her? I need to be there.”
Isla smiled down at their son. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. Summer needs me to protect her. That’s what big brothers do.” Rain was so matter of fact, and Remy wondered what was going through his son’s mind. Did he not think Remy would protect the baby? Oh gods! He blamed Remy for what Nash did.
“Well not all big brothers. Uncle Nash didn’t protect Mum. Or me. He was a bad big brother, right, Mum?”
“You’re right. Nash wasn’t a good big brother at all.”
“Then I’m going to show him how it’s done. Summer will never have to worry about me lying to her.” Rain climbed down from his chair and bent his head over Isla’s stomach. “You hear that, Summy? I’m your big brother, Rain, and I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to protect you, just like Papa protects me and Mum.” Rain kissed Isla’s sweater, then placed a kiss on Isla’s cheek. “Love you, Mum.”
“Love you too, Rainier.”
Rain then went to Remy. When he stopped in front of Remy, the boy fisted his heart and bowed his head. “On my honor, Papa.”
Remy choked back a sob, grabbed his son, and hugged him tightly. “You’re the best son in the world, and I love you more than life itself.”
“Love you too, Papa. Now can I go read?”
Remy released Rain. “Of course.” Rain took off running up the stairs, and Remy watched until Rain was out of sight. When he turned back around, he got a lap full of his mate. Isla snaked her arm around Remy’s neck and rested her head on his. No words were needed. Their son had said it all.
Epilogue
Toulouse, France
2056
Isla fixed Summer’s hair in a tight Dutch braid. Her daughter was on the go from the time she woke until she went to bed, chasing after her big brother. Summer sat still for Isla until the band was secured around the ends, then she stood and held out her hand. If they had been at their home in New Atlanta, the girl would have been off like a shot, but they were at their French vineyard for a couple weeks while the kids were out of school. Summer wasn’t familiar with the sprawling estate, thus the hand holding.
Isla escorted her daughter through the rows of grapevines as they made their way to where Remy and Rain were helping set up vats of grapes waiting to be stomped. There were several small vineyards in Georgia where she and Remy took the kids to get their “smashing” fix when they couldn’t get to France. California had been a wonderful place to live, but when the offer came for Remy to switch places with Aldredge, he took it. They had made friends on the West Coast, but the Clan in New Atlanta had become family.
Rain and Amelia were tighter than ever. Frey and Remy were keeping their eye on Rain. He was fourteen, and they expected him to transition any day now. When that happened, they would have to keep him away from Amelia until he learned to control his beast. Amelia was well aware of all things shifter, and she promised to run if Rain began phasing around her. As much as Amelia loved Rain, Summer equally loved Jonathan. The two families spent most of their free time together.
As soon as Isla and Summer broke through the rows of vines, Summer took off running. She tackled an unsuspecting Jonathan, and the two kids rolled around on the ground, trying to get the upper hand. Summer was a year younger than Jon, but she was a full-blooded Gargoyle. She was already strong, and with Frey teaching her along with the other kids in one of his many classes, Summer was grappling with the best of them.
“Shift your legs, Jon,” Frey instructed. His son did as told, and soon he had the advantage.
Abbi came to stand by Isla. “You would think they’d get enough of this at the gym.”
“Grab his wrist, Summer.” Frey didn’t play favorites when it came to teaching. He used every opportunity to coach them to be the best they could be. Things were changing in the world around them, and when the kids got older, they would be the ones leading the Clan. Frey wanted to give them every opportunity to be prepared, even if it meant impromptu wrestling at the French vineyard.
Jon was large for his age, but that wasn’t surprising considering who his papa was. He was stronger than Summer, but she gave him a run for his money. Seeing the kids were pretty evenly matched, meaning they wouldn’t stop until someone made them, Remy announced, “The vats are ready.”
Summer rolled off Jon and held out her hand. “Let’s go smash some gr
apes.” Jonathan took it, and after popping to his feet, the two kids rushed over to a free vat. They pulled off their shoes and jumped in. These particular grapes would not be used in the winemaking. They had been set up purely for entertainment.
Remy led Isla off to the side instead of to their own vat.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. Instead of speaking, Remy pulled out his phone. After tapping the screen a few times, he held it out to her. Isla had seen the drawing Connor presented Remy all those years ago, but she had forgotten about it. Until now. Isla glanced down at her clothes, then looked over at Summer. They were dressed exactly as Connor had imagined them.
Remy looked behind Isla. “Seeing the two of you walking between the vines was like déjà vu. I don’t understand his gift, but I will never doubt Connor’s abilities again.”
As she and Remy stepped into their own vat and took part in stomping the grapes, Isla thought about Connor and the recent drawings he had created. If all the teen had seen in his visions did come to fruition, life as they knew it was going to get interesting.
If anyone was up to the task of protecting the world, it was all the kids of the Stone Society.
GABRIEL
Chapter One
January 2049
Isabelle studied the picture of Rebekah. If Connor was drawing Gabriel’s mate, it meant something. To her, it meant there was the possibility of finding the female and reuniting her with Gabriel. It didn’t mean a happily ever after though. Not with her brother sitting in the Pen. Gabriel was paying for his crimes, plus his mental health was still shaky. With all that had happened recently, with the threat against their clan still out there, Isabelle didn’t want to bother Henry. Julian was taking some well-deserved time off, so Isabelle had called the one other person she knew who had some computer experience.
Tessa, dressed in her usual jeans and biker boots, tapped away at a laptop. She was sitting at Isabelle’s kitchen table, her long, red hair in a braid down her back. “Take a look at this.” Tessa pointed to the screen.
Isabelle looked over her cousin’s shoulder. “That’s the same garden Connor drew.”
“It is. At first, I thought it would be in Asia, but turns out it’s in New Portland, Oregon. There’s a Japanese garden there.” Tessa had started searching for Rebekah using the female’s name, and when that didn’t garner any hits, she focused on the landscape.
“But what if she was just visiting?” Isabelle straightened and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“What if she isn’t? Belle, you know Connor’s drawings are always spot-on. They mean something, and in this case, it probably means that’s where you’ll find Rebekah.”
“What if she doesn’t want to be found?”
“And what if she does?” Tessa stood and grabbed Isabelle’s biceps. “What has you so worried?”
“She’s human. They didn’t complete the bond, so she’s aged while Gabriel hasn’t. I’m going to need to explain everything to her. What if she doesn’t believe me? What if she does? She probably moved on with her life. She could be married with kids.”
“She very well could be, or she could be pining for the love of her life. Belle, Connor saw Rebekah for a reason. Don’t you owe it to Gabriel to find out what that reason is? Maybe she’s not meant to reunite with Gabriel. Maybe she’s in trouble.”
“You’re right. But damnit, New Portland’s a big city. How am I going to find her?”
“I’ll help. Gregor and I will go with you. Between the three of us, we’ll cover more ground.”
“Four of us.” Dante strode into the kitchen and cupped Isabelle’s face. “I’m coming with you.”
“But what about the morgue? Trevor and Jasper are out of the country.”
“I’ll call in a favor. Speaking of, Tessa, since Tamian and Lucy are here, why don’t you call and see if we can borrow his jet?”
“On it.” Tessa grabbed her phone off the table and went outside to call her brother.
“Dante—”
“No, Beautiful. I’m not letting you do this alone. Simon Lowell is an old colleague of mine and happens to be in New Atlanta. He and I went to lunch yesterday. Simon is a medical examiner who currently lives on the West Coast. He’s also a Goyle, and his time is up in his current location. He is looking to relocate, and I think New Atlanta would be perfect for him.”
“Does that mean you’re really stepping down?” Dante had mentioned retiring more than once. At least from his position in New Atlanta. He had been in the city for many years, as had all his family.
“I think it’s time. With this latest threat to our family, we need to consider our next steps. But let’s worry about that later. For now, let’s go see if we can’t find Rebekah.”
Isabelle leaned her forehead against her mate’s chest. She didn’t know what she’d do without her strong Gargoyle.
Tessa was all smiles when she returned inside. “Tamian is calling Santiago. The jet will be ready whenever we are. I’ve already called Stone, so I’m going home to pack. Are you bringing Connor with us, or do you want me to drop him off with Abbi on my way home?”
“As much as I don’t want him out of my sight right now, I think he’d be better off staying here.” Things had calmed down somewhat since several of their homes had been bombed. Drago Costas was dead, but whoever had helped the male was still out there somewhere.
Dante kissed Isabelle’s temple. “You go start packing, and I’ll call Frey. Tessa, if you don’t mind dropping him off, I’d appreciate it.”
“Nothing but a thing,” the redhead said, sitting back down at the laptop. “I’ll make hotel reservations while I wait.”
“Fancy meeting you here.”
Four words were all it took to disturb the peacefulness Rebekah relished standing on the Moon Bridge of her beloved Japanese Gardens. She had found this place soon after she moved to New Portland, and it became a much-needed haven. When she fled New Atlanta all those years ago, doing her best to escape the memories, the man, she put as much distance between them as possible. Had she not fallen in love, not completely given her heart away, the miles might have helped. It didn’t. The pain dimmed with the years, but the memories wouldn’t leave her mind, no matter how much Rebekah wished it so.
“Christopher.” Rebekah glanced over her shoulder at the man standing a few feet away. A few years older than her, Christopher Hadley was handsome. The two had met on that same bridge several months ago, and despite her many protests, he was relentless in asking her out. During a moment of weakness, she agreed to coffee. One date turned into a weekly thing, and that was all Rebekah was interested in. More than she was interested in if she were being honest. She had no room in her life for a man. Not again.
“I can never get enough of this view.” Christopher’s words might have indicated the stunning gardens over her shoulder, but his eyes were focused on her. In her younger days, Rebekah might have been called pretty, but age and other things had taken their toll. Her face was lined. Her former slim body now held a few extra pounds. She hadn’t necessarily let herself go, but she was no longer diligent in daily self-care.
Rebekah turned her head away from the man, hoping he would get the hint she wished to be alone. When his feet carried him closer, she closed her eyes briefly and sighed. It wasn’t in her nature to be rude, so she remained quiet instead of telling him to go away.
“I was hoping you’d join me for dinner. I know we have our standing coffee dates, but I have a business meeting, and the others are bringing their wives. I’d prefer to not attend alone, and there is no one else I’d rather have on my arm than you.” Christopher touched her shoulder. “Just this once, as a favor. Please.”
Rebekah considered it. Their coffee dates weren’t uncomfortable. Christopher was intelligent and a good conversationalist. He was a widower with two grown children who had long ago moved away. She could do worse for company. “When and where?”
“Friday evening at The Bowery. Dinner begins at six, so if I
pick you up at five-thirty, will that give us enough time?” As far as she knew, Christopher didn’t know where Rebekah lived. She had given her maiden name when she introduced herself. She had never mentioned the large estate her late husband left to her when he passed away, nor had she shared who her husband had been. Knowing Jacob’s name would make it easy enough to figure out where she lived.
“I’d prefer to meet you there. And Christopher? Just this once.”
The man’s shoulders settled as he nodded his acquiescence. “I can accept that. I’ll let you get back to your solitude. Until Friday.” Christopher tipped an imaginary hat before walking away.
Rebekah pulled her coat tighter before shoving her gloved hands into the slanted pockets at her thighs. She tried to regain the peacefulness she’d felt before Christopher showed up, but the moment was gone. Instead of taking up space someone else could enjoy, Rebekah made her way to the exit. She knew every inch of the Gardens and was familiar with those who worked and volunteered there. Most days, she found someone to speak to, if only to say hello. Not today. No, she got in her car and headed to the estate she called home.
When she had first come to live on the property, Rebekah wasn’t sure about being secluded, but after a while, the grounds, the fence surrounding the property, and the massive structure she shared with Jacob all became another sanctuary for her. The older man had been a colleague who befriended Rebekah. Theirs had been a relationship borne of loneliness on both their parts. His wife had passed away, and Rebekah filled the void for him, while his kindness did the same for her. After a couple years, Jacob convinced Rebekah to marry him. He had no children from his first marriage, and he wanted to provide for her. For fifteen years, the two of them lived together as friends. He never pushed her for a physical relationship, knowing her heart belonged to someone else. When Jacob passed away, he left Rebekah with an estate worth millions, but once again, her heart was shattered. She lost her best friend the day she laid Jacob to rest.
