“It was one witch,” Ian added.
“What!” Kayla exclaimed.
The other witches again protested.
Ian raised a hand. When the dissent quieted, he explained, “An elder witch named Adair detested the gargoyles. She wanted to drive them off the Isle of Stone. She is the one behind the curse that did in fact afflict them, preventing them from reproducing.”
The witches had quieted and appeared deep in thought.
“A gargoyle discovered the reason and told the clan. However, the accusation against one witch escalated into blaming all of them. Their lust for revenge could be described as what the witches call bloodlust.”
“It’s a side that only comes out when defending ourselves and others,” Mason explained. “We are not monsters.”
The alpha nodded. “The hatred of one witch and miscommunication among the gargoyles escalated into a battle between their clans, one which lured the wolves to both sides. Many of our ancestors were killed and our lands have been splintered for generations.”
“How would a wolf know all this? How could you know both sides?” Lachlan asked.
“Both tried to recruit us to their cause.” Ian replied.
Bryce asked, “Why are you telling us all this?”
“Because it’s time we sit down and discuss a new peace,” Ian replied. “One in which we work together and share our gifts. It’s best for us all.”
Lachlan hymphed. “How do we know you’re not lying to us now for your own gain?”
“I’ll tell you straight out what I want.” Ian paced before them and gestured as he spoke. “I want our clans to drop the territorial divides and restore the magical veil. Given what happened here tonight, more humans will come to look into what happened, interfering with our way of life.”
Ian paused as if for emphasis and not a witch, wolf, or gargoyle uttered a word.
“I think we have much to share with each other, which would enrich all our lives,” Ian continued. “I want the wolves to be able to run free under the moon and not fear it. What I don’t want is this island overcome with humans attempting to change its future.”
Lachlan sent the gargoyles a telepathic message. We need to come to a consensus on this matter together. But first, we need to address the division in our clan.
When he paused, Mason inhaled sharply, waiting for his reply.
Mason, I accept your decision to join with the witch. We are brothers, the last remaining gargoyles on the Isle of Stone, and we must not let anything come between us.
Mason exhaled, the boulder in his chest rolling off him. I thank you, brother.
Regarding the wolf shifters, Lachlan continued. I see wisdom in what the alpha says. We need to work together.
Bryce added, Agreed. Let’s discuss this situation with the wolves on our own.
Lachlan addressed Ian. “My brothers and I will discuss this matter.”
The witches congregated out of earshot from the others, where Kayla appealed to her aunts. “We need to join together to protect the Isle of Stone. Stop it from being devastated by human development. You’ve seen what they’ve done to other parts of the earth.” She noted their expressions had softened, so she pressed her point. “The ancient prejudices are destroying any sort of future we can have here. Unless you’d prefer to let the island become a tourist attraction.”
Aunt Muriel’s eyes widened. “With chain hotels? And tacky tourist stores?”
“You know about such things?” Kayla asked with surprise. She thought her coven was so closed off from the rest of the world that they didn’t have a clue as to how it functioned. Yet her mother had traveled to Inverness when she was younger. Who knew what else she and her sisters had done in their youth?
“Aye, of course I do.” One corner of her mouth cracked with a wry smile. “I live on a rock, not under one.” She turned to Kayla’s mother. “We can’t let them build on the isle. Can you imagine all the technology they’d bring here? They’d kill all our ancient magic with their modern developments.”
“So you’re saying we should make peace with the gargoyles and wolves?” her mother asked.
“I think we have to. It’s the only way to keep the humans out.”
“Better them than the humans,” she agreed.
“We’d have to bring it to the elders,” Aunt Emma added, speaking for the first time.
The resolute tone in her voice made Kayla think Aunt Emma might have considered a reconciliation before now. Kayla couldn’t be the only one who questioned the split between the island’s inhabitants.
“Convince them it’s the best way,” Aunt Emma added.
“Maybe not the best way but a better alternative,” her mother said. She turned to Kayla. “I suppose it could be worse. You could have chosen a human and left the Isle of Stone. Gone off to live on the mainland in a city.”
“An apartment building.” Aunt Muriel cringed. “Can you imagine living in a box like that? Enclosed. Looking outdoors through closed windows?”
“Never,” her mother said. “If you want to be with the gargoyle—“
“Mason,” Kayla interrupted. “His name is Mason.”
“If you want to be with Mason,” her mother began again, “you have my blessing.”
“I do.” She turned to face Mason, who was discussing something with his brothers. “With all my being.”
*
Kayla bounded over to Mason and her heart fluttered, knowing he’d been waiting for her. She met him in the copse, their special spot, now infused with so many memories of their secret encounters.
After they embraced, she pulled back. “The elder witches have agreed to open discussion.” Her eyes sparkled. “Representatives from all three clans will meet at the ancient stones in the moors.”
“Aye. My eldest brothers, Lachlan and Bryce, are attending the peace talks.”
“Maybe they’ll even combine their magic to cloak the island.”
“They will if they want to keep this island out of human control. They know they don’t have much time.” He gazed at her with admiration. “If you weren’t brave enough to come to our shows, so much would be different now. Our island would have fallen into ruin.”
“I’m glad I did. Because it brought me to you.”
“I love you, Kayla. Everything about you.”
Her heart swelled at the words. She never knew it was possible to feel such joy, especially from a union that seemed doomed from the start. “And I love you.”
He cupped her face and planted a kiss on her lips. “I hope we have a child one day who is like you. Beautiful and brave.”
“You want to have a child with me?”
“More than one. In the future, of course.”
She pictured a young boy with Mason’s inquisitive green eyes. “Part-gargoyle and part witch. If we could even conceive together. They would be a new kind of being.”
“Spectacular,” he added.
“It would bring a new future to the island.”
Mason gave her a look with pure predatory lust. “I’m looking forward to the part where we conceive them.”
She couldn’t resist a coy smile in return. “Well then, we should get some practice before we’re ready, don’t you think?”
Mason took her in his strong embrace and kissed her, making her melt. He laid her on the groundcover beneath the trees. He made love to her slowly, at times clasping her hands and whispering he loved her. It was nothing like the frantic way their bodies had previously joined in their passion, yet it rocked her deeply to the core. His gentle caresses lit her body; his promises of love touched deep within her soul.
The sun rose anew the next morning, bathing the Isle of Stone in a harmonious light. Even more comforting was the warmth from Mason’s body as he spooned her in his arms. How she’d like to wake up entwined in his arms every morning.
She turned gently so as not to wake him and scanned his face. Smooth and peaceful, no signs of the worry that had been etched betw
een his brows last night. What went on behind his closed eyes? Did gargoyles dream while in human form?
When his eyes fluttered open, he flashed a smile that warmed her heart. “Good morning.”
“Sleep well?” she asked.
“I did. And you?”
“Aye. Warm and protected all night. I liked sleeping in your arms.” She furrowed her brows. “Is it different, though, from when you’re in stone?”
“It is,” he said. “Just a different state.”
“Do you prefer one form over the other?”
He paused for a moment. “Difficult to say. They’re all me.” He picked up a lock of hair that had fallen over her face and tucked it behind her shoulder. “Last night, I had a dream of us. That’s not something I can do while in stone, which is how I usually sleep.”
“What was the dream?” she asked.
“You were with child.” He nodded. “Our child.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t muster any other words, so overcome with emotion.
“At first I wondered if being with someone who wasn’t a gargoyle would take away a part of me, make me more human. But the emotions that tugged at me when I dreamed of you and our child showed me it would only tap deeper into my gargoyle nature.”
“How so?”
“The drive to protect you was so strong I knew I would do anything to keep you both from harm.”
Tears of joy and gratitude pooled in her eyes. “Oh, Mason.” She fought to keep her voice steady. “I love you, so.”
“Aye. I love you, too.” He wiped a teardrop that slid down her cheek. “No tears, okay?”
She took a deep breath. “No tears.”
“You’ve distracted me from my ulterior motive.”
“Which is?”
He pulled her closer and his erection pressed against her thigh. “Convincing you to stay here a little longer.” After kissing her lips, he added, “What I was about to tell you was how I liked waking up and seeing you. Much better than seeing my brothers. Have you seen how ugly they are in stone?” He donned a serious expression before his mouth spread into a wide grin.
“I’ve seen you in stone, too.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled.
“Then I feel sorry for you,” he teased. “Falling for an ugly piece of rock.”
“I love you in every form.” She ran her fingers through his black hair. “But you’re much more enticing in the flesh.” She moved her hand down his back and over his buttocks. Moving to the front, she traced the contours of his smooth chest before moving down and stroking his stiff rod. “And parts of you are just as hard as when you’re stone.”
Mason rolled her onto her back and climbed on top of her, teasing her opening with his cock. “Want to feel just how hard you get me?”
Her body responded almost immediately. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. “Aye.”
Brushing his lips over her neck, he moved to her breasts, kissing them while he used his fingers to explore her wet folds. Then he moved his head down, down—she held her breath—wondering, waiting for more.
“You’ll have to wait.” His mouth was before her sex and his warm breath made her tingle. “Because I’m hungry for you.”
“Oh?” Her voice caught in her throat. She tilted her head back, barely catching the movement of fluttering leaves as her anticipation soared. She couldn’t wait much longer.
His hot mouth was on her and she forgot all else.
After they made love, they rolled onto their sides, facing each other as they caught their breath.
“I’d love to wake up this way every morning.”
Kayla would like nothing more, but there was still the question as to where they would go. Were they still leaving the Isle of Stone? “Where would we live?”
“Right here.”
“In the copse?”
“We could build a house in the trees.” Mason pointed to the green canopy above them. “And a platform for me to rest in stone.”
She smiled. “Symbolic, isn’t it?”
“How so?” He propped up on his forearm.
“A neutral area between the lands. Bridging them together.”
Mason pulled her close and gave her a deep, scorching kiss, one that left them both breathless. “The perfect spot, indeed.”
#
A Note from the Author
The opening image in this book came to me as an idea for a short story. I wrote the story, but then couldn’t walk away. More ideas took form about this mystical island with gargoyle shifters so I went back to Mason and Kayla’s romance. When it was published as part of the Highland Shifters boxed set, I was thrilled by such a fantastic response—readers wanted more of the Knights of Stone! I was more than happy to continue as I love these characters and their world. So the strange, little story is now a series. I plan to write at least five books, one for each brother. Who knows what will happen after that?
Read on for more an excerpt from the second book in the series, Knights of Stone: Lachlan.
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KNIGHTS OF STONE: LACHLAN
As the new alpha of his gargoyle clan, Lachlan takes on a leadership role at the historic peace talks between the wolf shifters and tree witches. Cooperation is crucial to their survival. The magical veil over the Isle of Stone is weakening. But unity is hard to achieve when tensions are running high. So is Lachlan’s concentration when a sexy wolf shifter rushes to the talks. Her wild beauty is mesmerizing.
Raina has her hands full with pack problems, from pack mates succumbing to blood lust to animosity toward her species. The source of her problems is clear-the gargoyles. If they hadn’t lured the humans to the island with their unconventional rock concerts, she wouldn’t have to deal with the fallout. She wants nothing to do with them, especially their alpha. His not-so-surreptitious glances are hard to miss. Nope. Not the kind of attention she needs. She’s heard rumors of the rebellious, attention-seeking rockers—and of their endless string of females.
But when humans come to investigate the wolf attacks, Lachlan and Raina must work together to coerce them off the island. And time spent together sparks a forbidden attraction. If unexpected love were their only problem, they’d be able to deal with it. It’s not. Time is running out, for them and their island.
Excerpt
Chapter One
“Ready to head to the peace talks?” Lachlan asked his younger brother, Bryce.
It was the second night of the talks with each of the island’s three main groups—gargoyles, tree witches, and wolf shifters.
“Aye,” Bryce replied. “We’re flying to the moors, right? Or, would that be too much of a spectacle?”
Lachlan snorted. “After the trouble at the concert, I don’t think that will shock them.”
A few young wolf shifters had lost control during the full moon two night prior and had trespassed into gargoyle territory. Lachlan and his brothers had been performing a concert with their band, the Knights of Stone, and the wolves had attacked some humans. The incident had forced the three groups to put their differences aside to discuss how to address the situation, after the humans had left the isle.
“Good luck with that,” Gavin teased, arching his brows.
Lachlan grunted. Last night, he’d had a taste of how difficult it would be to make progress. Still, it had been a start.
He turned to his youngest brother. “Calum, make sure Gavin stays on watch.”
Calum pounded his right hand over his left pec. “Will do.”
“Hey,” Gavin protested. “I’m older than he is.”
“You also tend to wander to wherever the lassies are,” Bryce teased.
Gavin’s face broke out into a grin. “We all do that.”
Lachlan and Bryce exchanged glances. They unfurled their wings and flew out of gargoyle territory into the mo
ors, the neutral area on the Isle of Stone.
When the three groups divided the island into territories after a great battle twenty-five years prior, they designated the moors as the neutral zone. Spotting the ancient stones standing vertically amid the tall grass and swaths of purple heather below, Lachlan and Bryce descended. They were the first ones to arrive.
Within minutes, Ian, the alpha of the wolf pack arrived, followed by two elder tree witches, Matilda and Claire.
After they’d settled in with initial greetings, Lachlan brought up the first matter they needed to address. “We don’t have much time before the humans come to investigate.”
“How can you be certain?” Ian asked.
Although two representatives were invited from each clan, today Ian attended alone. Lachlan had no complaints there. The arrogant young beta who’d joined Ian yesterday had rankled Lachlan.
“I’ve been around enough humans to know,” Lachlan replied. “If they hear reports of wolves attacking humans, they’ll look into it.”
His statement stirred up the tree witches.
Here we go again.
“Your fault having those concerts,” one said pointing at the gargoyles while the other muttered something that sounded like, “Damn wolves.”
Lachlan paid no attention to the repetitious tirade. The humans had already discovered the Isle of Stone after the magical veil thinned; all they did was make the best of the situation. “This endless banter will get us nowhere. Each side must be able to talk without interruption or else we may as well just go back to our corners of the island.” He bowed toward the two elder witches, and, through gritted teeth, added, “Ladies first.”
The white-haired witch named Matilda spoke about injustices done to them during the battle, pointing a bony index finger that protruding out from the edge of her frayed gray cape. “Many talented witches were killed by gargoyles and wolf shifters during the great battle.
Lachlan raised his eyebrows. The gargoyles had a different version of that story, one in which the tree witches were the perpetrators.
Bryce caught his eye. Leaving isn’t a half bad idea, he communicated silently. I don’t see how we’re going to make any progress with the witches if they’re just going to reiterate what happened in the past.
Knights of Stone: Mason (Highland Gargoyles Book 1) Page 9