by Faith Gibson
As badly as he wanted to park the car and get the initial meeting over with, Sixx turned toward New Malibu and headed home. Four more days. He would stick to the plan, and in four days, he would knock on the door to her cottage. She would receive a different gift for the next three days, then on Friday, he would deliver the last present to her himself. The surfboard he bought for her birthday all those years ago would finally be presented to her. Whether she accepted him into her life or not, at least she would have the board intended for her. The one she wanted. Once he hit the freeway, Sixx turned the music back up and enjoyed the salty California air as best he could.
When he arrived home, Sixx took to the swimming pool, hoping to wear his body down enough to get a good night’s sleep. As a Gargoyle, he could go days without needing to sleep; he just liked it. After spending a couple of hours swimming laps, he showered and retired under the soft covers of his massive bed.
When Sixx woke, the late morning sun coated his skin, and Sixx blinked his eyes open. He knew he had slept much later than normal, but the combination of the warmer temperature and the soft noises floating through the open windows had blanketed him like a cocoon. The only thing missing was the feel of a soft body next to him. Sixx wanted to be the cocoon for Rae, shielding her body, wrapping her in his warmth. He rolled over to his side and pulled the spare pillow to his chest, wishing it was her he was hugging.
This time next week it could very well be happening. He could be lying in his bed with his mate snuggled in close to his body. Or spread out on top of him, with her long brown hair falling over her shoulders, tickling his chest. Sixx’s cock came to life as he envisioned his mate sliding her thin frame down his body, encasing his erection in her sassy mouth. He pushed the covers down past his waist and fisted his length. He rubbed his thumb through the creamy liquid leaking from the tip. Normally he ignored his morning wood, but this was something more than his waking hard-on. This was his body reacting to the thought of his mate satisfying him. Giving herself over to his needs. He closed his eyes and stroked roughly, not even trying to make it last.
Sixx dug his heels into the bed, thrusting his dick faster into his fist. With the other hand he grabbed his balls, squeezing almost painfully. Bright green eyes flashed in his mind, looking up at him from between his legs. Rae loved to suck his dick, and he was ready to have her remind him how good at it she was. A couple more hard tugs and Sixx was shooting his load onto his stomach and chest, grunting his way through each shockwave. His orgasms were never as powerful as when he was with Rae or thinking about her.
Sixx stretched out like a dog having its belly rubbed. His cock was sated for the moment, and his body was ready for another swim. Once all the tingles abated, he rose from the bed and rinsed off in the shower before pulling on a pair of swim trunks. He stopped in the kitchen and popped a pod of coffee into the fancy machine Finley had purchased not too long ago. It was nice having both the one-cup brewer as well as the full-sized pot. Sixx was thankful to have someone he trusted fully to look after his home in his absence. He often thought about renting the spacious villa out but always seemed to change his mind before putting it on the market. He had never lived in this particular home, but there was something about it that called to him, letting him know it was, indeed, home. He’d felt it the few times he’d visited.
When the coffee finished brewing, Sixx took his mug out to the patio and sat down in the sunshine. He sipped his coffee while enjoying just being in the moment. The various plants and flowers that grew naturally around the property had taken on a life of their own, and Sixx made a mental note to call a professional to trim them back. He enjoyed the bright colors that invited hummingbirds to visit. Those little creatures amazed him while offering entertainment with their quick wings and territorial dive-bombing. They obviously had no trouble with him being a Gargoyle. The little birds never hesitated to come close enough for a drink of nectar when he was around. He had transplanted many of the flowering plants from his home in California to his place in New Atlanta when he saw the way they attracted the hummingbirds. He could sit for hours watching them flit around.
Until he noticed a bright tattoo on Rae’s arm, Sixx had never paid much attention to the little birds. He never paid attention to a lot of things until the little pixie-like female either pointed something out or had something she loved inked on her body. After he met Desirae, Sixx’s eyes were opened to so many things. Now, he wanted to open her eyes to the possibility of a life filled with love and a home together. One that would last through the ages.
When his coffee cup was empty, Sixx strode to the water’s edge and continued walking until it was deep enough for him to submerge himself. He swam underwater, back and forth, from end to end of the pool, letting the cool water wash over him. While he pulled his arms and kicked his legs, he relaxed his mind. Gargoyles couldn’t die from lack of oxygen, but they could eventually pass out. When he felt the burn in his lungs from being underwater for quite a while, he kicked his way to the surface, finding Urijah sitting at the patio table watching him.
Chapter Five
Alistair stood on the balcony that overlooked the garden. A yellow wagtail pecked at the freshly turned dirt searching for worms. If Theron had died a hero, Alistair would probably give two shits that a bird was looking to feed its young from his son’s grave. Since Theron had allowed a lesser Gargoyle to beat him, one who not only preferred the company of men, but one who was mated to a human boy, Alistair couldn’t find it in him to worry over a bird. Theron was Alistair’s only heir, and now that he was gone, Alistair would need to find a strong male to carry on in his footsteps. Not that he planned on going anywhere anytime soon.
His nephew thought he would be persuaded to let this feud die down now that Kallisto was being held prisoner and being trussed up like a whore for the taking. Rafael severely underestimated him. Alistair’s feelings for his adopted daughter stemmed from his feelings for her mother. Alistair’s need for revenge was so much greater than mere feelings. His hatred for those lesser than his station, those pure bloods who cheapened the species by mating with humans and daring to produce offspring with them, had long fueled his need to see them all punished. Yes, he had taken a human lover, but not as a mate. Never as one to procreate with. Alistair had wanted the woman. He never needed her. She was a scratch to his itch. Nothing more. Now, his need to avenge his son, however weak he might have been, was surpassing his hatred for Jonas and his offspring and spilled over to his nephews and their Clan.
Alistair had to be careful in choosing someone to name as his successor. He would do it in such a way that whomever he chose wasn’t aware. He didn’t want anyone to get any ideas that Alistair was ready to step down or that he wasn’t fit to lead the Greeks. This was him being proactive, just in case. He had thought Carter would have made a good second-in-command, but the Goyle disappeared when Dante rescued Isabelle. Security footage had been erased, so Alistair didn’t know if Carter left of his own volition or if he’d been caught in the crossfire during that fiasco.
Movement at the far end of the property caught Alistair’s eye. Sergei, Kallisto’s lapdog, was moping around. He should send the human away, but Kallisto had found him useful. When the male was within earshot, Alistair called out, “Sergei, I would like to see you in my office.” The human nodded and turned toward the pathway leading inside the villa. By the time Sergei made his way inside, Alistair was sipping on a glass of brandy. “Have a seat.”
Ever since Sergei delivered Theron’s body to Alistair along with the message from Rafael, he hadn’t dared to look Alistair in the eye. He kept his chin down and his eyes averted. Smart human. “I have a job for you. I want you to travel back to the States and get Kallisto out of the Pen.”
Sergei’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. “I... I’m sorry, Sir, but how do you propose I do that? The penitentiary is guarded heavily by the Stone Society.”
“I want you to tell my nephew that I accept his truce. I will write the let
ter myself and affix my official seal to it. You will deliver the message to Rafael and demand Kallisto’s release.”
“Yes... yes, Sir. I can do that.” Sergei’s eyes lowered once again.
“You may take one guard with you. Please tell me who that will be so that I may call upon them for you.”
“Drago, Sir.”
“If I may ask, why would you choose him over any other Gargoyle to accompany you?”
“He is loyal to Kallisto and quite fond of her.”
“Is he loyal to me as well?”
Sergei lifted his eyes to meet Alistair’s. “Absolutely. It is the reason he is loyal to your daughter.”
“Very well. I will call him immediately. Pack your things. The jet will be ready within the hour.”
“Yes, Sir.” Sergei bowed his head to Alistair and took his leave.
Alistair picked up an old-fashioned quill pen and dipped it into a bottle of ink. He touched the nib to a sheet of vellum and put his plan into motion.
“Good morning, Brother. Have a good night?” Sixx asked, pulling himself up to sit on the edge of the pool as he took in Urijah’s mood.
“Yes, actually. I kicked Finley’s ass at video games for several hours.”
Sixx laughed knowing how competitive the Goyles could be. Family day at the manor had turned into game day marathons on more than one occasion. He preferred darts or billiards over the loud and fast-paced video games some of the Clan immersed themselves in. “I’m surprised you’re not bruised. Fin can be brutal.”
“Tell me about it. At one point, I put the sofa cushion between us when I got tired of his elbow hitting my ribs.” Urijah’s smile was indication that he really didn’t mind his best friend getting physical. “Are you ready for training, or do you have plans for today?”
“I wouldn’t mind getting a little sparring in. I am biding my time until Friday when I go see Rae. Until then...”
“Why Friday?” Urijah stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing his bare feet.
Sixx twisted his body around so he could stand. He made his way to where Urijah was sitting and began drying off. “Friday is her birthday. I’m delivering the surfboard to her as not only a present but an icebreaker of sorts. I’m hoping she’ll be so excited about finally getting her dream board that she’ll let me in the door without calling the police.”
“Do you really think she’d call the authorities?”
“I have no idea what she’ll do. She was always feisty. I can’t imagine that would have changed.” Sixx wrapped the towel around his waist. “How long until training? Do I have enough time for a shower and some lunch?”
“A couple of hours, so yes. I want to stop by the armory and check on Banyan before I head to the field.”
“I was going to ask you about him last night, but you abandoned me for Finley. What’s up with the two of you?”
“I already told you, we’re just friends.”
“No, I mean you and Banyan. He watched you like a hawk at the gathering. Do you two have a past? He’s recently relocated from New Orleans and you lived there. I thought maybe you... I don’t know.” Sixx didn’t know what to think.
Urijah bristled at the comment, but kept his face blank. “We ran in the same circles some years ago in the French Quarter. Nothing more.”
Sixx let it go. It was obvious Uri didn’t want to elaborate. “Are you hungry? I’m going to make myself a sandwich.”
“How about I make lunch while you shower?” Uri offered.
“Sounds good. I’ll have one of whatever you make for yourself.” Sixx made it easy on Uri as far as what he fixed. He wasn’t picky when it came to food. He left Uri sitting on the patio and retreated to his shower. Sixx couldn’t help but wonder what Uri and Banyan had gotten up to in their past lives together. It didn’t matter now if they had been friends or lovers, because Sixx was pretty sure his surly housemate and Fin were mates whether Uri wanted to admit it or not. That was going to be something if they were. Something for the ages.
After sharing a quiet lunch, Sixx hopped in the passenger seat of an SUV Uri had borrowed from Finley. When Sixx asked him about it, Uri explained he needed the larger vehicle to transport their weapons. Yeah, a bunch of swords wouldn’t fit in the Bugatti. Neither would a longboard. He appreciated Sinclair’s thoughtfulness, but Sixx was going to have to see about another mode of transportation while he was there. When he lived in California before, he’d driven a Jeep. A Jeep that Rae more often than not ended up “borrowing” for one reason or another. With thoughts of his mate riding down the beach with the top off, wind blowing through her hair, Sixx knew he would be heading to the Jeep dealership later that day. But first, the armory.
The building that would soon house the Stone Society’s armory on the West Coast was undergoing major renovations so Uri could forge weapons without having to transport them across the country. With the possibility of a war, Rafael wanted to ensure every Gargoyle had the best weapon possible at their disposal, and Urijah was the Goyle to provide such a sword. He forged each one separately, not using mass production to make the process go quicker. When their lives were on the line, Urijah would not cut corners.
Sixx followed Urijah into the belly of the building. Banyan was talking with the work crew. When he finished whatever instructions he was giving, he walked over and held out his hand.
Sixx shook it and said, “Banyan, good to see you again.”
Urijah left the two of them alone to speak to the workers himself.
“And you as well. Did Uri bring you as a buffer?” he asked, a slight smirk highlighting his rough good looks. For such a large Goyle, he spoke softly. His speech wasn’t rushed, more like he worked hard to keep it slow, enunciating each word.
“Does he need one?” Sixx asked, tilting his head.
“Maybe a mediator would be more like it. He does not trust me with this project.”
Knowing Uri like he did, Sixx could see the Goyle not wanting to hand over the reins to anyone where the armory was concerned. “No offense, but he is going to be the one using the equipment. I can’t imagine I would trust anyone else with such an important job, either.”
“He is not the only swordsmith in the world. Our fathers were of the same clan, and they learned the trade together.”
“Yes, but some are more naturally skilled than others,” Urijah spoke up from behind. Banyan snapped his head around so fast, it pained Sixx. Until recently, he had never known Uri to be hateful. Competitive, yes. Mean spirited? No. Something else was going on between these two. “Sixx, if you’re ready, I feel the need to spar.” Urijah was speaking to Sixx but his eyes were on Banyan, whose eyes never left Urijah. Definitely something else.
“I’m ready. Banyan, if you’re free one night this week, I’d like to have you over for dinner,” Sixx invited.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
Sixx pulled his phone out of his pocket. “If you’ll give me your number, I’ll text you the address.”
“You can have my number to confirm the date and time, but I know where you live. I stopped by there with Finley a couple of times when he was checking on things.”
Sixx thought Urijah was going to lose his shit right then and there. The anger rolling off him was tangible. “I’ll wait outside,” he seethed.
Banyan chuckled then rattled off his phone number. “He really needs to get laid.”
“Are you offering?” Sixx asked, purely joking.
“I value my dick too much,” Banyan said, placing a hand over the mentioned area.
Sixx felt as though he’d stepped into some page out of a history book – one where Urijah and Banyan played major parts. After exchanging phone numbers, Sixx shook hands with the Goyle and took his leave. He had a feeling whoever sparred with Uri was going to have their ass handed to them, and he hoped it wasn’t him. Sixx had trained with Uri on a good day. While Sixx was no slouch, Urijah was one of the best with a sword he had ever seen.
In
stead of being in the driver’s seat as Sixx expected, Urijah was sitting on the passenger’s side. Sixx slid into the SUV and turned toward his friend. “You okay?”
“Fine. But it’s probably better if you drive. I need to calm down.”
“I take it you’re not fond of Banyan.” It was a statement even though the question was implied. Sixx didn’t ask what he really wanted to know. It was obvious there was a past that went way beyond what Urijah had mentioned. We ran in the same circles. That didn’t explain much. As a matter of fact, it didn’t explain anything at all.
“You might say that. We have a past – one that’s best left there.”
“I won’t bring it up again.” Sixx didn’t want for Urijah to distance himself. He enjoyed being around the male, even if he was surly at times. They arrived at the private property where they could train without the public taking notice. Unlike the homes of the Clan in New Atlanta, none of the Goyles in Cali had property conducive to training, therefore Sixx had purchased several acres that were open yet secluded where they could train. Thane Sommers was the West Coast’s version of Julian and had installed the security system Julian designed. Now that it was in place, Thane was responsible for monitoring all activity, as he did with their homes.
Sixx helped Uri unload the weapons he’d brought from the East Coast, and after introductions were made, they got down to business. Sixx was glad to see Uri had put Banyan out of his mind for the few hours they sparred. Urijah was an excellent teacher. The Clan members knew how to wield a sword. It was something they were taught as soon as they transitioned for the first time. But Uri was an expert and was able to teach them moves and techniques they’d never been shown.
A small building had been erected on the grounds. It contained a kitchen, a large bathroom that included several showers, and storage area for the swords. Once the weapons were put away, Sixx said, “I need to go to the Jeep dealership. Do you mind dropping me off?”
