Knights of Stone: Mason (Highland Gargoyles Book 1)

by Lisa Carlisle

  Minutes pounded as she waited for the transition. At last, the fiery glow of sunset left the sky. Kayla held her breath, waiting for the change. A spike of dread drove through her. What if one night the spark of life wouldn’t light? If the magic faded and he could no longer transform? He’d be forever locked in stone. She’d never feel his wondrous lips pressed against hers again, nor the warmth of his caress.

  When his finger twitched, she exhaled with relief. The magical transformation began. His black feathered wings unfurled as he stood upright. When the stone eyes animated with light, they changed to the green color of the forest, smoldering with intensity as they searched the cheering crowd. They stopped on her and widened. The world around her faded into the background when their eyes locked. She wasn’t supposed to meet him until later in the neutral space. He waved his finger as if scolding her, but then his mouth twitched into a grin. Her insides fluttered madly in response. She beamed, smiling back. She’d made it.

  During the show, she studied him on stage. The way he strummed the guitar, the movement of muscles in his arms and torso, the sway of the tartan fabric with his movements. Her cheeks heated when she thought about running her fingers over his torso and under his kilt. Oh, the things he could do to her with that body. They exchanged glances throughout the set. After the last song, Mason winked at her before bolting into the blackened sky.

  She left the amphitheater, her thoughts consumed with Mason. Did he sleep there while perched on stage in statue form or as humans did? She pictured him asleep, eyes closed and chest rising and falling, filling her with contentment. This image conflicted with what the tree witches warned her about with the gargoyles and she once again questioned the conflict between the clans.

  She reached the edge of the forest and ventured in to the point where they’d met last night.

  “You came,” a low voice spoke from the darkness. “All the way to our show.”

  Her eyes widened as she witnessed him emerge from the shadows.

  “I did.”

  He scanned her from head to toe before taking two steps toward her. “That was risky. But I’m glad you did. I worried you’d change your mind.”

  Her cheeks flushed under his burning gaze. He was so close she sensed the air around him pulsating with energy. “Why would I change my mind?”

  Stroking her cheek, he replied, “Coming to your senses, perhaps. Listening to the admonitions of your clan on staying away from gargoyles.”

  His fingers left a fiery trail on her skin. She struggled to find her voice. “They’ve warned me about you. Said gargoyles are filled with bloodlust.”

  Mason dropped his hand. “That’s not true.” He took a step back. “You don’t believe that about me, do you?”

  When she searched his eyes, she found them filled with earnest. “No. I don’t. I haven’t seen anything to indicate that.”

  “Because that is not our way,” he said. “It is in our nature to protect, not destroy. Why do you think I escorted you last night? It wasn’t to harm you.” He shook his head. “Never.” He took her hand in his. “Come, let’s walk.”

  They passed through lush green ferns among the trees. “I’ve been forbidden from crossing over to the gargoyle land since I was a child,” Kayla revealed. “They said you were not to be trusted, that you attacked our coven, but I never understood why.”

  Mason’s expression turned grim. “The story I’ve heard from my clan is this. Our numbers dwindled over the past decades. The elders were dying out and women weren’t having new young.” He rubbed his chin before continuing. “They blamed the tree witches, thinking only they were powerful enough to conjure such magic.”

  Kayla’s mouth dropped. “That’s black magic. That’s not the way we work.” She put her hand on her hips and stared at him with both defiance and disbelief. “Why would we do such a thing?”

  “I didn’t say it,” Mason said in a reassuring tone. “I’m telling you the stories I’ve heard.”

  “And did they say why the evil tree witches would curse them this way?”

  “Aye. So the coven could take control of the entire island.”

  “What?” Her voice came out louder than she’d intended.

  “Once all the gargoyles were gone, they could spread across the land. With us out of the way, it would be easier for them to take on the wolves.”

  “Wait a minute.” She blinked while forming coherent thoughts. “You’re saying this quarrel between our clans is a dispute over land?” She threw her hands out in despair. “There’s plenty of space here for all of us to live—and spread out!”

  “No, not just land,” Mason added. “Revenge. Many gargoyles were killed. They believed the witches were trying to destroy our entire race.”

  She didn’t know what to say. If what he said was true, her ancestors attempted genocide on an entire race of the island in greed for more land. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true.

  Could it?

  Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts, the accusations tearing her apart.

  “What is it?” Mason said. “I see I’ve upset you.”

  “I need to go.” She turned and fled into the woods.

  He caught up with her. “No, stop.” He commanded, but in a softer voice added, “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I—it’s just—um…” she didn’t know how to finish her thoughts. Throwing her hands up in frustration, she said, “Do you believe it’s true? Do you think I’m so heartless and greedy I could murder your kind for land?”

  “I didn’t say you,” Mason said through a tightened jaw.

  “But you said all these terrible things about the witches. I am one.”

  He gazed at her with conflicting emotions flashing from his eyes. “I know. That’s what makes it so difficult.”

  “Difficult for what?” she said, exasperated.

  He took a step closer and cupped her cheek. “To walk away.” He tilted her head back and searched her eyes. “Because inside, I know you aren’t capable of such evil.” His eyes dropped to her lips.

  Frustration was replaced by raw need. The space between them again shimmered with a surge of energy she couldn’t quite place. But whatever it was between them was magnetic, powerful, and difficult to ignore. She’d never experienced a connection like this, one that gripped her soul with its intensity.

  “I do wonder about the power of a witch,” he said. “Because of the effect you’ve had on me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m consumed with thoughts of you. Have you bewitched me?”

  “Bewitched you?” She repeated. “As in given you a potion or cast a spell to make you fall in love with me?”

  He nodded. “Aye. That’s exactly what I’m wondering.”

  “No, Mason.” She put her hands on her hips. “Why would you accuse me that way?”

  “It’s not an accusation. Just a question.”

  “I have no need of bewitching anyone to care for me,” she turned away so he couldn’t see her eyes blazing with tears of anger. “That’s cheating,” she spewed through gritted teeth. “And I’m not a cheat.”

  “No offense was intended.” He stroked her shoulder and down her shoulder blade.

  She didn’t reply, still bothered by his words, but his touch left her breathing ragged.

  “These feelings are not ones I’m familiar with,” he added in a milder tone. “I couldn’t help but wonder where they came from.”

  His fingers traveling over her skin confused her emotions, calming the rage within and stoking her desire.

  “Well, I have no control over what you feel,” she declared. “It’s all you.”

  He whispered, “I hope it’s reciprocal.”

  The warmth of his breath on her ear made her tremble. “Reciprocal?”

  “Aye. Have you thought about me at all?”

  Every waking moment. “I have.” The words lingered on her tongue.

  He wrapped his arms around her waist. “That’s w
hat I hoped you’d say.”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. His lips curled into a smile.

  “Have you thought of me doing this?” He pressed his lips to her neck. Her already heated flesh simmered under his touch.

  “Uh huh,” she answered in a raspy tone.

  “How about this?” He turned her to face him and moved his lips along her jawline, leaving a scorching path on her skin. When he reached her mouth, he hovered before her, his warm breath driving her insane with anticipation.

  “Aye,” she said between rising pants.

  His lips covered hers, devouring them with a savage possession. He grasped the back of her head as his tongue plunged in, demanding more. Fire roiled through her veins, making her surprised she could still stand. With his other hand at her lower back, he held her close, supporting her unsteady legs, eliminating the space between them. Her body burned at each spot that touched him, lips on lips, chest to breasts, and iron-hard steel to smooth satin.

  “We shouldn’t do this,” he said. “We are forbidden.”

  His actions defied his words as one of his hands covered her breast, molding it, making her nipple tingle with awareness. He reached under her shirt and found the sensitive skin, rubbing her nipples into achingly-hard peaks. She wanted more of him. More of his lips, his hands, his cock. Kayla wanted all of him. She ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest, the taut muscles of his biceps, around his tight rounded buttocks.

  “I know. But it hasn’t stopped me from coming to you,” Kayla said through hitched breaths. “And you’re here with me.”

  He growled with an animalistic sound, and pulled up her shirt. “Are you as conflicted as I?” When his mouth covered her nipple, she sighed, arching to grant him more access.

  “Aye.” It came out almost a whimper. “But I want this.”

  He alternated between teasing and flicking each nipple and sucking each breast with slow deliberate precision until she thought she’d melt.

  A howl pierced the silent night, and they both froze. When several more howls followed, Mason stood.

  She adjusted her blouse with frustration in her lust-filled haze. “Can you tell what their different howls mean?”

  “No,” he said through gritted teeth. “I don’t like it, though.”

  “They sound urgent. Almost frantic.”

  “I know.” He faced her. “You should go home.”

  She exhaled, but didn’t argue. “All right.” She kissed him again before trekking back to the moors on heavy feet.

  He accompanied her until they reached the copse then cupped her face. “Don’t come to the show tomorrow.”

  “But—”

  “I don’t want you walking alone with the wolves sounding that way. I’ll meet you here after the show.”

  The bloody wolves were interfering with her nightly escapes. Not only would she miss the shows she loved to attend, she’d have to wait even longer to see Mason. “All right.”

  He kissed her hand. “Be safe.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Kayla slept in, waking up to her mother rousing her in the tree house.

  “You’re usually the first one up. But lately you’ve slept the latest. What’s going on?”

  “I’ve had trouble sleeping,” she lied, rubbing her eyes.

  “Have you brewed a potion to help?”

  “No. Maybe I should.” Kayla scurried from her mother’s watchful eyes. “I’m going to get some herbs to make tea.”

  The hours until evening dragged. She spent the afternoon in the gardens. Red and blue dragonflies skittered through the herbs as she pulled weeds. She went for a swim in the heat of midday to cool off and kill time.

  Night finally arrived and she waited for Mason in the copse. When he strode over, her skin tingled with anticipation. He was coming to meet her.

  They walked hand-in-hand across the moors before he put an arm out, stopping her. “Wolves.”

  She turned north. A trio of gray and black wolves watched them, but remained still.

  “I saw one here yesterday. On the way to see you.”

  He nodded, keeping his eyes on the wolves. They scampered away. Her uneasiness dissipated as Mason rubbed her hand with his thumb, continuing their walk. They both stole glances to where the wolves had been.

  Several minutes later, Kayla stopped. “Wait, there’s a man coming.”

  A bare-chested man who wore a red kilt approached. He had gray streaks in his black hair.

  “I’m Ian.” He bent his head in greeting. “The alpha from the Caledonia wolves.”

  Mason stepped in front of her in a protective manner. “Mason.” He nodded his head.

  “A gargoyle and a tree witch. When did the barriers break down between your clans?”

  “They haven’t,” Mason said.

  “Yet you meet?” Ian’s eyes gauged them both.

  “We see no reason to live in separate territories,” Kayla explained, stepping next to Mason. “I’m Kayla.”

  Ian bowed slightly. “That’s why I’m here. The divisions are devastating to us all.”

  “How so?” Mason asked.

  “There’s been increasing problems with us not joining magic. Not only have we lost the cloak on the island, but it’s affecting us in drastic ways.”

  “In what ways?” Kayla asked.

  “We’re shifters and we can switch from man to wolf at will, but the pull of the moon affects us. The cloak helped reduce its impact. And in the past, tree witches from your coven have given us potions to help us maintain self-control so we can continue living as we have. Since the division and the dissipation of the cloak, the moon’s effect on us has increased. The younger wolves are affected the most. Their self-control is being challenged, stretched to a point we fear may be too far.”

  “What will happen if they lose control?” Kayla nervously fiddled with a protective amulet her mother had given her as her anxiety rose.

  “They may attack others. A predatory drive takes over and they become more animal than human.”

  “Why are you telling us this?” Mason asked. “You have no reason to trust us with your vulnerabilities.”

  “Because we need your help. We’ve watched you two meet. Since you’ve both taken a step to breach the divisions, we decided to approach you.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “Convince your clans to come together. We need to join our magic to restore the cloak.” He turned to Kayla. “See if you can get your coven to make the potion so we can give it to our youngest and most vulnerable wolves.”

  Kayla glanced at Mason and then nodded. “We’ll see what we can do.”

  *

  “What are we going to do about this?” Kayla asked once they were alone in the moors.

  “It’s up to us to do something,” he said, his face stoic. “We’ve been presented with this issue and it’s up to us to make it right.”

  His expression hardened, jaw jutted out, reflected his steely resolve. She admired his bravery and sense of justice. How could he be the horrible creature the tree witches had described?

  “Let’s get away. We need to be able to think.”

  “Where will we go?” She searched the island. “Only so many places to hide on an island with divided territories.”

  “Exactly what I mean. Let’s leave the isle.”

  Her eyes widened. “Leave the island? I’ve spent my whole life here.”

  “And when we first spoke, you were fascinated with the places I’d been. Let me take you to them.”

  Her body hummed with the thrill, her brain with the uncertainty. “But where?” She rubbed her temple. “And how?”

  “We’ll fly.”

  “There’s only one problem. I can’t fly.”

  “So you’re going to hold on tight.”

  “Where will we go?”

  He searched across the moors. “The Highlands. Where my clan originated. They’ve returned there after humans came to the island. Only I and my brot
hers remain.”

  “The Highlands?” Her mouth dropped. “On the mainland.”

  “It’s a beautiful land. One place I find peace. Strange, considering all the blood that’s been shed there over the centuries.”

  “I imagine it comforts you knowing it’s where your ancestors lived.”

  He nodded slowly. “Perhaps.” Extending an arm to her, he asked, “Will you come?”

  As much as she fantasized about visiting other lands, she never thought she’d do so flying in a gargoyle’s arms. After a moment of trepidation, she took his arm and smiled. “Don’t let me go.”

  “Never,” he promised.

  He wrapped both arms around her and she squeezed around his waist. When her feet lifted off the ground, she gripped him more tightly.

  He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

  Her entire body tensed as they shot several feet in the air. “It’s kind of scary,” she admitted. I’ve never flown before.”

  “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll take care of flying. You enjoy the view.”

  She closed her eyes and forced herself to breath more slowly. When she reopened them, terror welled at first when she glanced down. Then the aerial image of the island from above distracted her from her fear.

  The Isle of Stone appeared so different from this vantage point at night. A land of moors surrounded by trees. No signs of boundaries marking the territories. It was the way it should be, open and free. She searched for the tree houses, but they were eclipsed by the tops of the trees. Light flickered through the foliage, which had to be the fire at the coven’s gathering.

  If they had any idea of what she was doing right now—if her mother knew…

  She pushed the thoughts out of her mind as she enjoyed the flight. The breeze in her hair, the sense of floating among the clouds—there was no other experience to rival it. The lack of fear even though they soared above the earth surprised her. Mason wrapped her in a protective embrace. With each flap of his majestic wings, a whooshing sound whizzed by her ears. His ability to fly was remarkable. What a different world it was from above.