Tamian

by Faith Gibson

  Lucy laughed out loud, wishing she could see Tamian’s face to see if he was blushing.

  “I don’t mind sappy. And while the Gryphons don’t have fated mates, I’ve witnessed the type of bond you’re talking about. My grandparents are the same way. They would kill for and die for one another. They’ve been together almost a hundred years, and they’re fiercely in love.”

  “I have to be honest. I met your uncle Maveryck, and like I said earlier, things went well. But I have to err on the cautious side. I can’t imagine they’re going to let me waltz in and become your protector when they feel that’s their job. They don’t know me, and even though I explained how you and I are fated to be together, I’m sure they don’t understand all that encompasses or how I will not hesitate to step on toes when it comes to you. I admitted to following you, and I also explained why I was doing so, but I could tell he didn’t believe me. Gargoyles have the ability to sense how other beings are feeling. Maveryck was agreeable, but he was guarded. He doesn’t trust me, and that’s to be expected.”

  “Well, this is new territory for us. Gryphons have mated with other Gryphons as well as humans, but as far as I know, never another type of shifter. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t ever happened.”

  “I understand. My mother is human, and my father is Gargoyle. Same with my uncle and his mate. My uncle was ostracized from his Clan for taking a human mate. They traveled extensively, hiding out and putting their children up for adoption to keep them safe.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Lucy had worried about broaching the subject with Tamian, but he was so open with her she risked it. “Do you think we will be compatible as mates? I mean, with us being different species?”

  “I don’t see why not. The fates have put Goyles and humans together. Our family is proof they were meant for one another, so I don’t believe they would have chosen you for me if we weren’t going to mesh. But like I told you when we first started talking, if, once we meet, you don’t feel I’m the one for you, I will abide by your wishes.”

  “Trying to get rid of me already?”

  “No way, Sweetheart. I want to see this through, but it has to be something you want.”

  Lucy did want to see it through. She at least wanted to see if her feelings were as real as she thought they’d be. “I want to give us a shot.”

  “Then I need to work on getting you out of there. I’m going to get busy on that now. I hate that you’re alone in there, but soon, we’ll be together.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” After a few seconds of silence, Lucy decided to call it a night. “I’m going to turn in now. Goodnight, Tamian”

  “Goodnight, Sweetheart.”

  Lucy’s heart beat faster every time they spoke. She didn’t allow herself to think of actually being together. Kissing. Making love. If this was how she reacted to speaking with him silently, her body might combust when they finally got together. But what a way to go.

  Monk was pacing the room while Maveryck replayed his conversation with the Gargoyle to Ryker. Spyder had met Monk to take his turn as lookout outside the building where Lucy was being kept. Now, Mav wished he’d have made the call before the silent male came back or at least not put the phone on speaker. Monk had always been protective of Lucy, and Mav had to wonder if the other male didn’t have feelings for her. Lucy asking for Monk to be the one to watch over her at home could have given Monk the impression his feelings were reciprocated. When Mav got to the part about St. Claire vowing he and Lucy were mates, he thought Monk was going to tear the room apart.

  “Dude, chill the fuck out,” he growled. Hawke, who had been staring out the window, turned to see what had Mav raising his voice.

  “I’m chill,” Ryker responded.

  “Not you. Monk looks like he’s about two seconds away from shifting, and I am not paying for the repairs to this suite if that happens,” Mav said to his brother while glaring at the loose cannon in the room.

  “Monk, stand down,” Ryker ordered through the phone. Monk responded to his President by shoving his hands in the pockets of his worn jeans and leaning against the counter. His gaze focused somewhere beyond Maveryck, but his posture hadn’t eased in the least. “Do you trust the Gargoyle?” Ryker asked.

  “Yes and no, but if he really can speak to Lucy, and if he can get her out of that building, I’m willing to go along with his plan for now. Once that’s done, we’ll take Lucy and hide her away ourselves.”

  “Then I guess I need to send more backup.”

  “Seriously? You think four of us can’t handle one Gargoyle?”

  “Maybe, but we’ve never gone up against one, and we don’t know if he has backup of his own. I don’t want bad blood between us and them until we have all the facts. He might be telling the truth about thinking they’re mates. If they are, he’s going to be one determined Gargoyle. Imagine someone trying to take Rory away from Sutton. How would you imagine that shit going down?”

  “It’d be a fucking bloodbath.”

  “Exactly. And he mentioned fated mates. Just because our kind doesn’t have that type of bond doesn’t mean the Gargoyles don’t. If that’s the case, he’s going to protect her at all costs. Even if it means going up against her family.”

  “So you believe him?” Mav asked while pointing at a growling Monk who had returned to pacing.

  “I didn’t say that, but I’m not willing to risk a shifter war until we have more information.”

  “So, how do you suggest we get that information?”

  “We’ll set up a meet. Find out who he answers to, and I’ll sit down with them. St. Claire said it would take a few days to get his plan together. That should give me time to check out his story on this end.”

  “That means outing us to the Gargoyles.”

  “The way I see it, we’re already out. At least to St. Claire and those he’s closest to. I’ll talk it over with Sutton first, but I don’t see another way around this.”

  “Yeah, okay. I’ll get a name and call you back.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” The call disconnected, and Maveryck scratched at his beard. When Monk growled, Mav turned his attention to the other male.

  Monk’s hands shook as he typed out a message on his phone. After several seconds, he threw the phone across the room where it dented the wall. Mav knew what was coming, so he gave Monk his undivided attention. “I don’t like this,” Monk signed. Rarely did the male use his hands to speak, but his attempt at texting had failed.

  “I don’t like it either, but I’m not the boss.”

  “How are we going to play this?” Hawke asked.

  Mav sighed and rolled his shoulders. “I don’t know yet, but I’ll think of something.” Turning his attention to Monk, he asked, “You wanna tell me why you’re so upset?”

  Monk shook his head and walked to one of the bedrooms, slamming the door. When Maveryck set out after him, Hawke caught him by the arm. “Leave him be. He’s had a thing for Lucy ever since she showed up, but with her being the Pres’s family, he felt like she was off limits.”

  “That’s fuck all we need right now. St. Claire is an unknown. I don’t need another wild card tossed into the mix from our end.”

  “He’ll come around. I hope.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tamian didn’t sleep. He’d spent all night going over the information Julian sent him. The only thing left to do was observe Lucy’s boss so Tamian could impersonate the human and make the employees at the lab believe they were seeing the real Phil Ramey. Tamian had portrayed others before, but Tessa was the expert, so she was going with him to the man’s home. They were getting ready to leave when Tamian’s phone rang. Having already saved the Gryphon’s number, he knew it was Maveryck calling.

  “Hello?”

  “Tamian, this is Maveryck.”

  Tamian could feel the Gryphon’s hesitancy through the phone. “What can I do for you?” The male had yet to give him the coordinates of the building where Lucy was being kep
t.

  “I have a favor to ask.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The leader of our family would like to meet with yours. Since you and Lucy are most likely going to be together in the near future, he thought it would be a good time for him to introduce himself to whoever you answer to. You know, to talk about how our different species are going to handle things going forward.”

  “What do you mean ‘handle things’?”

  “The Gryphons have hidden our identity since the beginning of time, and we’d like it to stay that way. We have no desire to make the existence of either species known to humans. At least those who aren’t already aware. We want to make sure we’re of the same accord.”

  “I can understand that. I spoke to my father – he’s the King of the Italian Gargoyles – and according to him, the presence of another species was rumored many years ago, but never confirmed.”

  “Your father is King? So, you’re a Prince?”

  Tamian almost smiled at the insinuation, but when he thought about it, he could claim the title if he so chose. “Yes, but please don’t worry. I’m not going to move Lucy off to Italy when it’s my time to rule. My father lives in the States, and as long as that is Lucy’s wish, it is where we will remain as well.”

  “Getting a little ahead of things, aren’t you?” Maveryck growled into the phone.

  “More like wishful thinking. For now, we need to focus on her retrieval and setting up this meeting.”

  Maveryck’s tone was more even when he asked, “So, should I tell my brother he’ll be meeting with your father then?”

  “Before I give you a name, I’d like to speak with the King of the Americas. Since I live under his rule, he would probably be the one your brother would need to talk to. Let me make a couple of calls, and I’ll get back to you within the hour.”

  “That sounds like a plan. I look forward to your return call.”

  After they said their goodbyes, Tamian waited for Tessa to come out of her bedroom. She was dressed in all black with her hair braided down her back. “What was all that about? I only heard your side of the conversation, my Prince,” she said, bowing.

  Tamian picked up one of the pillows off the sofa and tossed it at his sister’s head. “I thought you only heard my side?”

  “Okay, I may have caught a bit of what the Gryphon was saying. Man, I still can’t get used to that. I’d love to see one of them shift into a lion. That’s almost as cool as you having wings.”

  “What do you think? Should I call Rafael and give him a heads-up, or should I have Dad handle this?”

  “Rafael already knows. Gregor told him about the Gryphons last night at the hospital. I think it would be better for him to meet with the brother since he is King of the Americas. You know Dad doesn’t like to get involved unless it has to do with Italy. Why don’t you call Rafe while I put our stuff in the car?”

  Maybe the conversation wouldn’t be as hard as he initially feared considering Tessa had already paved the way by telling Gregor. Five minutes later, Tamian had filled Rafael in on some of the things Tessa had yet to share with her mate, and in turn, Rafael had updated him on Jonathan and what was going on with the Unholy. Rafael mentioned trying to get Gregor to come help, and Tamian told him it wasn’t necessary, but thanked him for the offer.

  Tessa had returned and was standing in the doorway, ready to go. Tamian held up his phone. “Let me call Maveryck and give him Rafael’s information. He’s more than willing to meet with the Gryphons.”

  After that was taken care of, Tamian followed his sister out the door. Within thirty minutes, they were sitting in their rental down the street from Ramey’s in front of a home where the occupants were on vacation. Tessa had spent the better part of the previous night canvasing the neighborhood and getting Julian to check home security systems. They had arrived while it was dark to wait for Phil Ramey to leave for work since they didn’t yet know his schedule. Getting the prosthetic and voice modulator were the easy part of impersonating someone. It was the mannerisms and attitude that required more time and attention. That was where Tessa came in. She was going to install cameras around the man’s home so Tamian could observe from the hotel suite. Once that was done, they were going to the federal building where Ramey’s office was in the hopes he’d lead them to Lucy.

  The Hounds hadn’t given Tamian the coordinates. He promised he would let them be part of the rescue, but Lucy was his priority. If he got to her without their intel, so be it. He’d cross that bridge then. Julian had sent Ramey’s photo to Jonas, and since he wasn’t able to help Jonathan other than keeping him comfortable, he was getting the prosthetic ready and shipping it so it would arrive the next day. It would be hard not to barge right in when he found Lucy’s location, but Tamian wanted her rescue to go as smoothly as possible. Plus, she needed time to gather all the information.

  Ramey’s home was a large, two-story house surrounded by other, just as impressive ones. The lots were large, which would aid in them being able to get inside undetected. At least that was the plan. When the iron gate opened, what rolled out wasn’t what they had been expecting. Instead of a standard-issue government sedan, a shiny Mercedes eased out of the driveway and down the street.

  “That’s a mighty fine car for a deputy director. I didn’t realize the government paid so well.” Tessa turned over the ignition and followed. “Call it a hunch, but I don’t believe he’s headed to the office. Not in that vehicle.” Tamian had been around Tessa enough to know her hunches were rarely wrong. She had traveled the world as watcher for their family, so she had plenty of experience with zeroing in on her target’s actions.

  “This reminds me of when Gordon created the Unholy. Why can’t rich people use their money for good?” Tessa asked.

  “If he has a private project going to create super soldiers, he could have investors bankrolling the venture.”

  “In either case, he’s going to be hell-bent on keeping that facility as secure as possible. The Hounds need to figure out how many people are coming and going on a daily basis as well as what type of security is in place.”

  “After Maveryck’s request for Rafael’s number, I think they’re waiting until the meeting before they trust us to go after Lucy. I can’t blame them; they know nothing about me other than what I told them, and I very well could have been lying.”

  “Another reason I’m following Ramey. If he can lead us to the lab, we’ll do our own recon.”

  “True, but Maveryck admitted one of the Hounds is sitting on the building at all times. If we go out there, they’ll know it.”

  “Then we’ll just have to be on the watch. Do you want me to call for backup? I know we agreed we could do this one on our own, but another set of eyes and claws might not hurt.”

  Tamian had almost said yes when Rafael offered to send Gregor, but his earlier conversation with Tessa regarding her not getting pregnant had given him pause. Still, she had to be missing her mate. “I wouldn’t object to help, but there’s a lot going on regarding the Unholy, so it might be better to take Dad up on his offer of sending someone. Then again, if you want Gregor here with you, I’d understand that. Your call.”

  Tessa was quiet for a bit as she continued to follow Ramey. “We should probably let Gregor stay home so he can help out there. With the Unholy mess and everyone wanting to visit Jonathan, they’re probably all needed, so maybe Dad could send Vitto.”

  “Okay, I’ll call him later.” Tamian hated for Tessa to be so stressed that she didn’t immediately want Gregor with her. But that was her business. For now.

  Tessa turned the radio on. It was already tuned to a rock station, and she sang quietly with every song that was played. After driving for over an hour, she said, “Damn. I’m glad I filled the tank last night. Where the hell is he going?” They soon found out when Ramey took an exit off the freeway and drove to an elementary school. “Did Julian’s information say anything about the agent having kids?” Tessa asked as she drove pa
st the school before finding a place to turn around so they could observe without being seen.

  “No. According to what he sent, there’s no wife, no kids. He’s been an agent since the GIA first formed and worked his way up the ranks. Before that he was in the army. He’s an only child, so there are no nieces or nephews.”

  “Look,” Tessa said, pointing. A delivery van pulled around from behind the school. The driver stopped, got out, and stepped up to the back of the Mercedes. The trunk lid opened, the driver retrieved a cooler, then got back in his truck. Ramey drove out of the parking lot, turning left, and the truck went in the opposite direction. “What do you suppose was in the cooler?”

  “If I had to guess, I’d say the serum Lucy mentioned. That, or body parts.”

  Tessa cursed under her breath and pulled back onto the street, once again following the agent. “If either is true, that means he isn’t working alone. When Lucy mentioned torsos, I didn’t think Ramey would be doing the deed himself. Of course, he’s going to have lackeys working for him. I want to know how they go about finding these humans with special abilities.”

  “We both know it takes more than one moving part to make something run, and this man didn’t get where he was with the agency by being careless. He is going to have others doing the dirty work, plus he’s also going to make sure they’re the ones implicated if they ever get caught.”

  “Like Lucy and her uncle. Lucius was a willing participant, but he’s dead.”

  “That doesn’t mean there isn’t something in Lucy’s house to tie Ramey back to the experiments. If he gets wind of someone trying to bring him down, he’ll destroy all evidence at the lab. We need to get her out of there.”