“I know,” Conchlin assured. Patting Quinn on the shoulder, he continued, “And Taolma knows it, too. I’ll be waiting outside when you’re ready.”
Quinn watched Conchlin head out of the infirmary. Returning his focus to Taolma, he watched him huff out a breath. The slender black man rolled his eyes, maybe mentally chastising himself, then he returned his focus to Quinn.
“Sorry about that,” Taolma mumbled, looking embarrassed. “The jealousy that comes with this mate thing has taken me by surprise.”
“Why are you jealous?”
Taolma shrugged as he rested his hand on Quinn’s shoulder and urged him toward the infirmary’s exit. Then, he paused. “Oh, did you need those bandages checked?”
“Uh, no,” Quinn responded. “I checked them in the shower.”
When Taolma’s brows lowered, Quinn wondered if the younger man would question him. Could he tell that he was lying? Then, Taolma seemed to take him at his word, returning his focus to urging him out of the hospital wing.
“What about you?” Quinn glanced at his lover’s torso, which was once again covered by a bandage. “Our little exercise this morning didn’t, uh, bother anything, right?”
Taolma grinned widely. “Not at all,” he claimed. Then, his expression sobered as he led him through the estate’s hallways. Quinn noticed Conchlin fell into step not too far behind them. “Uh, the jealousy thing you asked about,” Taolma started slowly. “We are newly mated. While we might have bonded, you still have yet to truly accept our... relationship.” He grimaced, adding, “I’m not so young and naïve to think just because we had sex and I claimed you that you’re ready to settle down with me. Until we’re an established couple, I’m not going to enjoy seeing your hands on another single person... male or female.” Taolma grunted, then muttered, “Or their hands on you.”
Quinn furrowed his brows. “That’s, uh.” He paused, then stated, “Well, I’m not sure what to say to that.”
Taolma paused in front of a pair of double doors. “You don’t really have to say anything,” he told him, his expression pensive. “I just wanted you to know. I told you that I would answer anything.”
Nodding, Quinn appreciated the blunt honesty. Figuring that would work for him as well, he asked, “Am I truly going to be welcome at the dining hall? I helped hunt your kind.”
Taolma smirked. “Yeah, you did,” he agreed. “And there’s only one way to find out. We’re here.” He pointed at the doors they stood in front of.
“Don’t worry,” Conchlin cut in, reaching past them for the door’s handle. “Maelgwn and Tobias has ordered everyone to be polite,” he assured. “Besides, you personally never hunted gargoyles.”
“Still—” Quinn pressed, uncertain.
Unfortunately, right then, Conchlin yanked the door open wide and headed into the room past them. When Taolma rested his hand on Quinn’s lower back and urged him forward, Quinn could do little but obey. Almost instantly, the impressive din of men and women talking quieted considerably.
The hairs on the back of his neck and his arms stood on end. He glanced around warily. There were gargoyles of all shapes and sizes as well as a number of people that looked like they were human. He couldn’t help but wonder just how many of them were actually human or if they were something else. Many of them seemed to be focused on him.
“Hey,” Taolma crooned into his ear, exerting pressure on his lower back. “Just relax. Come get some coffee and food. I bet you could use some right about now.” He pecked a quick kiss to Quinn’s temple right there in front of everyone. “No one here will hurt you.”
Quinn began to nod, but then his gaze focused on a massive red creature. He gasped, recognizing the gargoyle. Beads of sweat broke out on his skin as phantom pain lashed along the nerve endings in his face, neck, and shoulder.
“Hey, look at me,” Taolma ordered, appearing in his line of sight. He cupped Quinn’s chin, forcing him to tip his head back and meet his gaze, drawing his focus away from the red gargoyle that had caused him such pain. “Take a deep breath, nice and slow, then let it back out again.”
Obeying, Quinn inhaled deeply. Keeping his gaze focused on Taolma’s dark eyes, so full of understanding, he let it back out again. After repeating the move, he felt his heartbeat begin to slow.
“There you go,” Taolma soothed. “Saw Vane, did you? I should have considered that seeing him again would spark a response.” He slid his hand to Quinn’s nape as he assured, “Try to remember that he will not hurt you.”
“He did before,” Quinn had to counter. “You all attacked our warehouse.”
Taolma nodded. “They did, and with good reason,” he claimed.
“Why?” Something else niggled at him. “How did you even know about us?”
“My father was held in his snake form for many years by a carny owner who was affiliated with your group,” Taolma told him bluntly, his features tightening. “Once they rescued him and a few others, they began searching for those who kidnapped them. After that, there’s a long and winding tale of attacks, kidnapping, chases, escapes, and the like. Those stories are for another time.”
“Ooookay.” Shit. Taolma’s father had been held in snake form? How—
“Food and coffee,” Taolma said, changing the subject. “I see Chieftain Maelgwn waving at us. We shouldn’t keep him waiting.”
Quinn nodded, then allowed Taolma to guide him toward a massive buffet. He couldn’t believe the impressive spread of food. Following Taolma’s example, he filled his plate with what he wanted, then stopped at the drink bar and poured himself a cup of hazelnut coffee. After adding a dollop of fat free milk, he followed Taolma toward a table.
Spotting a gargoyle he recognized as Chieftain Maelgwn, Quinn realized he was about to sit with the head of the gargoyle tribe or whatever they called it. He noticed the gargoyle had his arm around a human-looking male. Curious, Quinn swept his gaze over the guy.
He nearly tripped over his own two feet.
The male had dark hair styled in an artfully messy do and vibrant green eyes with a friendly smile as he chatted with a blond haired guy on the other side of him. He had an open smile and friendly expression. However, it was the baby bump that just about had Quinn swallowing his tongue.
“Holy shit,” Quinn gasped out. “That guy is pregnant!”
“Yep, I am,” the man said, obviously having overheard him. He grinned widely as he held his hand out over the table. “I’m Bobby Truman. I’m Maelgwn’s mate and so happy to finally be able to start a family with him.” He winked, then claimed, “And I’m human.”
“H-Hello,” Quinn responded. He put his plate and coffee down on the table, then reached out and took the male’s offered hand for a quick shake. “Quinn Pichousie.”
“Nice to meet you,” Bobby responded. “This is my buddy, Cornelius. He’s a rhino shifter.” The indicated guy waved. After that, Bobby pointed beyond him. “I’m not sure if you’ve met the Enforcer Einan before or not, but they’re mates, too.” He grinned widely at Quinn. “Congrats on your mating.”
“Uh, thanks,” Quinn whispered, beginning to feel overwhelmed. At Taolma’s gentle urging, he settled into the chair his lover had indicated. “Thank you,” he responded when Taolma pushed his cup of coffee into his hands. Quinn lifted it to his lips and took a small swallow of the bitter brew.
“Just eat for a few minutes,” Chieftain Maelgwn urged with a smile, indicating Quinn’s plate. “We can chat once you’re full. I hear you missed a couple of meals.”
Quinn had no idea how to respond to that, so he glanced over at Taolma. The young shifter just winked, nudged his arm, then dug into his food. Quinn decided to do the same. He focused on the food, finding it exquisite.
After nearly twenty minutes of eating food and finding odd enjoyment in listening to the other men’s idle chitchat, Quinn placed his fork on the table. He picked up his coffee mug—which Taolma had refilled twice over the course of the
meal—and took a sip. To his surprise and pleasure, Taolma had remade the cups exactly as Quinn had originally done.
The young man certainly paid attention.
“Well, now that we’re all comfortably fed,” Maelgwn stated, drawing attention. “I had a chance to speak with Caladon and Golren already.” His gaze focused on Taolma. “They told me of your hope to aid your mate in tracking down the vampire rogues who killed his family.”
Taolma nodded, offering a glance and smile at Quinn before refocusing on the gargoyle leader. “Yes, Sir,” he responded. “I want to help him find some measure of closure.” He glanced Quinn’s way again, then added, “Or revenge on them. Whichever we can get away with.”
Maelgwn nodded. “I thought as much.” His smile smug, he pointed at a man who’d remained quiet for much of the meal. “I’d like to introduce you to Caspian Carpathian.”
Caspian held out his hand, leaning in front of Taolma to do so. Quinn took the muscular male’s hand and gave it a brief shake before releasing. The man eased back to once more return his arm to wrap around the small albino-colored male seated next to him.
“After I spoke with your guardian, I contacted Caspian. To our great blessing, he was already passing through the area, and agreed to stop. Caspian is a vampire,” Maelgwn told him. “He is a diplomat and ambassador for the Vampire Council. If you tell him where your home was and when the murder took place, he will know if there was or is a coven in that area.”
Gaping, Quinn’s eyes widened. He’d been seated at the same table as a vampire? He’d touched a vampire? His heart thudded in his chest as he struggled to process what he’d just learned.
Quinn suddenly found it hard to breathe, and black spots flashed across his vision.
Chapter Nine
Taolma scented Quinn’s unease even before he turned to face him and spotted his pallor. Turning in his chair, he slid close. Grabbing his lover’s legs, he swung his human to face him, then bracketed his mate’s legs between his own.
Moving his hands to Quinn’s left shoulder and his jaw, Taolma urged his human to at least meet his gaze. Not surprisingly, his lover’s expression had blanked. He eased his fingertips under the edge of Quinn’s t-shirt, then teased them along the edges of the claiming bite he’d left on him.
To Taolma’s relief, that got a response.
Quinn gasped and blinked. He shifted his gaze to Taolma’s face. His mouth opened and closed.
When Quinn swept his tongue over his bottom lip, wetting it, Taolma decided he wanted a taste. He closed the distance between their faces and pressed his lips to Quinn’s. Immediately, Taolma gave in to impulse and slipped his tongue into his mate’s mouth.
Taolma tasted coffee, eggs, and the heady flavor that was all Quinn’s own. Humming, he lapped lightly against his human’s tongue for a few seconds. While he wished he could ravish his sexy man, he remembered the bathroom incident where he’d inadvertently irritated his stitches.
Plus, they were in the dining hall.
They had an audience.
Separating their lips, Taolma peered into Quinn’s eyes. He smiled as he watched his lover blink slowly. Finally, his mate focused on his face.
Relieved, Taolma whispered, “Hey, there you are.” He used his thumb to lightly trace along his jaw. “I gather that was a shock. I didn’t know he was here, but he can help us.” Seeing the fear and cringe cross Quinn’s expression, he lowered his head again. This time, Taolma nuzzled his lover’s good cheek, then his temple. “Easy, my mate,” he crooned. “Just relax. He might be a vampire, but he will not hurt you. He is here to help. You knew we needed to converse with vampires to get this done. Just relax.”
As Taolma continued to soothe, he gently scratched his lover’s scalp. He threaded his fingers through Quinn’s hair, reveling in the soft, thick strands.
“Your hair is so different than my own,” Taolma whispered into Quinn’s ear. “Love how it feels between my fingers.”
“It’s too long.”
Upon hearing Quinn’s muttered words, Taolma grinned. “Naw,” he responded softly, rubbing his lips over his temple. “It’s perfect.” Pecking a kiss to his lips, he peered down at him and winked. “Besides, if you grow it out a bit longer, it’ll be the perfect length to hold onto while I—”
The sound of several deep voices clearing their throats along with a few chuckles caught Taolma’s attention. He smiled as he pressed his lips to Quinn’s mouth once more. Then, he eased his hold a little and swept his gaze over his mate, assessing his calmness.
Much better.
“So, one of the things about mates is that my presence, my touch, helps calm you when you’re upset,” Taolma told him. “That means I’m going to keep my arm around you, because I happen to like it, too.”
“You like having your arm around me?”
Taolma grinned widely, completely unabashed as he replied, “I love touching you, because it means my scent will be all over you, and no one will question whose mate you are.”
“Possessive, huh?”
Nodding, Taolma grew more serious. “I already told you I was.”
To Taolma’s surprise, Quinn smiled almost wanly at him. “I know. Gonna take some effort to get used to that, but, uh—” His cheeks flushed as he rested his hands on Taolma’s knees either side of him. “Never had a panic attack before.”
Taolma nodded slowly, massaging his man’s scalp. “You’ve been through a hell of a lot,” he reminded softly. With a smile, he asked, “Are you ready to talk?”
Quinn scoffed. “My stomach is churning and my throat is tight, but if you keep touching me... yeah.” He smiled tightly. “I can do it. I want to do it.”
Nodding, Taolma figured Quinn would, since this was his opportunity for justice for his family. “Okay, and for the record,” he added, easing away from him just a little. As he urged Quinn to turn back in his chair to face forward, he pulled both the man and his chair closer to him. “Caspian will help if he can,” he stated, resting his arm along the back of Quinn’s chair so he could place his hand on his mate’s opposite shoulder. “Tell the man about your home and your wife, so he can do just that.”
“Okay,” Quinn agreed, pressing his back against Taolma’s arm. At the same time, he glanced around the table with a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry, guys. Rough couple of... well, the past year.”
“No need to apologize to me,” Caspian assured, his smile understanding. “Those who go through tribulation and come out stronger on the other side are blessed indeed.” He lifted one thin, dark brow as he stated, “Where were your wife and boy murdered and when? I will help you get to the bottom of this and bring the responsible parties to justice.”
“Even if that means bringing in your own people?” Quinn asked gruffly, his shoulders stiff.
“Quinn Pichousie, murderers are no one’s people,” Caspian countered. “Least of all mine.” His eyes narrowed as he promised, “I vow this. If vampires, and I’m not dismissing your claim out of hand—” he explained quickly, holding up his hand. “I will only pursue facts. I’m just saying, no matter who, high ranking vampire or not, I will have him brought to justice.” His smile turned predatory as he told him, “I have plenty of friends. Over two centuries of discreetly helping others will garner you plenty of favors.”
“Wow,” Quinn whispered, his eyes wide. “Over two centuries? Do you live forever, like in the myths?”
“No,” Maelgwn responded. “Not forever, but we live a long time.” He scowled at Taolma. “You didn’t explain this before bonding with him?”
Embarrassed by the chieftain’s scolding, Taolma shook his head. “We, uh, talked about other things.” He felt his face heat and knew only his dark skin hid a blush. “Then we got a little distracted.”
Bobby snickered. “Must have been quite the distraction,” he teased with a wink. Glancing at Maelgwn, he nudged his shoulder into his much larger lover’s arm. “These guys are great at dis
tracting.”
Quinn glanced between everyone, then questioned, “What, uh, what am I missing?”
Taolma leaned toward Quinn and placed a kiss on his temple. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain, Quinn,” he apologized. “Shifters and vampires live longer than humans. Several hundred years longer. Five hundred, give or take a few decades. Gargoyles can actually live almost a couple of millennia.” Taolma glanced Maelgwn’s way, saying, “It’s a long time to be with one lover, so we work damn hard to keep our mate happy.” Meeting Quinn’s gaze, he stated, “We’re hardwired to care for our mates, even. Your happiness is everything to me.”
Confusion flooding his expression, Quinn muttered, “But I’m not going to live that long.” His brows furrowed as he told Taolma, “I’m twenty-eight years old. I have another fifty or so, based on the national average.”
“Uh, not anymore,” Taolma mumbled, lowering his gaze. He wasn’t sure he could take it if he saw rejection in his mate’s gaze when he spilled his mistake. “When a shifter bonds with his mate, their life lines intertwine. You’ll live as long as I will now.”
Quinn remained quiet for several long moments, his shoulders tense against his arm. Finally, his mate’s body seemed to ease and he let out a sigh. Feeling and hearing that, Taolma gathered enough courage to lift his gaze. He focused on Quinn’s face and saw fatigue there.
Squeezing Quinn’s far shoulder, Taolma tried to soothe his mate. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I should have explained everything. I don’t mean to mess our mating up from day one.”
“You’re not,” Quinn whispered. “I’m just, uh, trying to adjust.”
Quinn rubbed his palm over his face, then through his hair. When he lowered his hand, his features were creased in a frown. Instead of addressing Taolma, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and turned his head to look at Caspian.
“I lived in a little town called Hamilton in Montana,” Quinn told the vampire. “It’s about forty-five miles south of Missoula. I owned a little ranch there. Had a few cows. A couple horses and pigs.” His voice took on an almost wistful tone as he continued, “My wife, Mary, raised chickens and sold the eggs. Gave away most to the neighbors, really.” Quinn smiled, his eyes gleaming. “Hadley, that was our son, he had just started helping her, feeding the chickens, collecting eggs. He was so proud the first time he helped momma collect eggs.”
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