A lover of a good mystery, Elena now had the biggest one she’d ever encountered placed in her hands.
“Well, if it’s just a spell, it can be broken. Right? Doesn’t that make sense?” she asked simply. “Now, keep in mind, this is new to me, but I do love a challenge. What we need to do is figure out the elements of the incantation. From there we should be able to find a way to break it. First, let’s eliminate things you guys have already tried.”
Zander stood and began to pace the floor. “We thought it was the land which bound us to the spell, as we have always remained in this one spot. Throughout the years, no matter what structure was erected, our statues have been placed atop. It makes no difference what great distance we fly off to, when we wake at nightfall, we are right back up here on the top of this building.”
“Hmm.” This was like a fairy tale, complete with monsters, wizards, an evil king, a princess and true love.
True love.
A smile curled her lips as she met their eyes. She had an idea.
“Have you ever tried the ‘frog theory’?” she asked.
“What’s the frog theory?” Magnus asked.
The rest of the men shrugged, looking as confused as their friend.
“Haven’t you guys heard of anything?” She laughed. “You know, the girl kisses the frog and he turns into a handsome prince. The kiss breaks the evil witch’s curse. What have we got to lose, huh?”
Six pairs of bulging shoulders shrugged.
Elena stood and walked across the floor toward Henrik, who leaned against the frame leading into the kitchen. Placing her hands on either side of his face, Elena stood on her tiptoes, pulled him down to her and pressed her lips to his. As she opened her eyes, Henrik stared back at her wide-eyed and appeared to be holding his breath. Pulling away from him, Elena saw his eyes shift to look over her shoulder, knowing he made eye contact with Zander. Henrik’s body stiffened a moment before he placed his big hands on her shoulders, and took a couple of steps away.
“Hmm.” She stared at him in confusion. “You’re still a beast.”
“Thanks,” he grumbled low.
“No offense,” she offered quickly.
“None taken,” he assured with an uneasy grin.
Turning on her heel, Elena eyed Adan crouched several feet away and walked toward him. She bent at the waist, cupped his face as she had Henrik’s, and leaned into him. As her lips met his, a savage growl from behind reverberated through her.
The hardening of her nipples at the possessive sound stunned her.
Once again standing, Elena glanced around at the six men studying her. Their appearance remained unchanged.
“Are you planning on working your way around the room?” Zander snarled, when her gaze landed on him. At his sides his huge hands clenched into tight fists. His eyes had taken on an eerie amber glow.
Undeterred by his tone, Elena squared her shoulders. “No,” she replied in a sullen tone. “I guess my theory didn’t work. My kiss must not have what it takes to break a centuries’ old spell cast by a powerful wizard. Besides, it’s not like I’m a princess or anything like that.” Blowing out a sigh, Elena shrugged. “It was a silly thought. But I suppose it was worth a try.”
“That is a matter of opinion.” Zander’s tone revealed restrained irritation.
“Well, I don’t know, Elena,” Adan said, standing up behind her. Settling his hands on her hips, he lowered his head so his chin rested on her shoulder. Elena knew his eyes locked with Zander’s. “Maybe we should give the kissing thing one more shot...you know, let’s try putting a little more feeling into it.”
A loud growl filled the suite and all but Adan pulled himself to full height and squared his shoulders.
Adan’s throaty chuckle seemed to relieve the sudden tension in the suite. “I’d better take a rain check on the lip-lock, babe,” he said, before moving away from her.
“All right, guys. I need to go to my apartment to pick up my laptop. Then swing by the library where I work to gather some resources,” Elena stated. “I’m not sure how just yet, but we are going to find a way to break this damn curse.”
* * * *
Elena’s enthusiasm brought him excitement. If anyone could bring an end to their cursed existence, Zander believed Elena could. She possessed some sort of mystical aura of her own. He couldn’t quite figure it out, but there was something about her that had him believing in, and looking forward to, ‘happily ever after’.
Zander brushed past Adan as he escorted Elena out to the terrace with his hand placed against the small of her back.
“What was with the He-Man act in there?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Nothing,” he mumbled low as they neared the ledge of the building.
When she turned, he could tell by her expression she wasn’t about to let his earlier antics die a quiet death. Taking away the opportunity to lecture him, Zander gathered Elena against his chest and leapt into the air, climbing high into the night sky. Elena shrieked, wrapping her arms and legs around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
At that moment, Zander found himself pleased with Elena’s fear of flying. Sure, he knew it was unscrupulous of him to take advantage of that fear, but he didn’t care. Wrapped around his frame, the heat of her body seeped into him, and her feminine scent swirled teasingly under his nose.
“I just ate. I’m going to throw up,” he heard her murmur. Her warm breath caressed his cool flesh.
Tightening his grip on her body, Zander whispered in her ear, “Just think of a happy place.” A thought flashed in his mind as the tips of her erect nipples pressed against his chest. “You are happy in my arms?” he asked, encouraged, and surprised.
The nod she gave against him brought a grin to his face. A sensation of warmth climbed from his toes to the tips of his pointed ears.
“Up until last night, I don’t think I’d ever had a happy place.” Zander’s grip grew more protective as it strengthened around Elena.
“Ease up a little, beast,” she gasped. “I can’t breathe.”
Loosening his hold ever so slightly, Zander apologized. Elena snuggled once again into his embrace.
* * * *
It would be risky for the creatures of the night to fly around so early in the evening where they stood a chance of being seen, but all six were adamant Elena not be out and about by herself.
Elena directed the beasts to a dense, wooded area on the east side of the library. The tree line began twenty yards from the windows, and there would be an unobstructed view for them while she went inside.
“Henrik and I will remain here,” Zander stated. “The rest of you spread out. Stay sharp, the king could be anywhere.”
Adan, Mabon, Kenyon and Magnus took to the sky to find sheltered spots of their own.
“I’m not comfortable with you being out of my sight,” Zander said, placing his hands on Elena’s waist.
“I’ll be quick,” she tried to assure him. “I promise. I know the books I want to look through, so I’m just going to run in, grab them, and run back out.”
Zander leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Elena’s pulse raced. The gentle pressure of his firm lips pressed against her, made Elena’s nipples grow hard beneath her t-shirt.
With reluctance, she pulled away from Zander’s embrace and turned toward the university.
Once inside, she was waylaid by several students and a co-worker, but eventually found her way over to the Ancient Folklore section. Bent at the waist, scanning the spines of the books, a cool brush of air blew by and the hair at the base of her skull rose.
She stood upright, cocking her head, listening for strange sounds. Nothing out of the ordinary caught her attention. Yet in that instant, her skin pimpled with goose bumps.
“Elena!” Zander boomed in her mind. “What is happening? What is wrong?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” she thought to him, turning her attention back to the shelves.
The air around her crackled, reminding Elena of a fluorescent light as the tube flickered to life. Again she pulled herself upright. At the end of the aisle, she spotted a student rounding the corner and walking toward her.
“Hello.” The young man greeted her with a smile that failed to reach his eyes. His malignant tone sent a chill up her spine.
“Hi,” Elena returned with unease.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties and was neatly dressed. His eyes were an eerie blue, and the way he stared tripped Elena’s senses to high alert. When he’d walked halfway down the aisle, he stopped, and turned his attention toward a shelf.
“Elena!” She heard Zander’s voice again.
“A student is close.” She tried to reassure him by adding, “That’s all.”
“Elena, we are feeling something out here.” Elena didn’t like the sound of panic in his voice. “A disturbance just occurred a few seconds ago.”
“Zander is right, milady,” Henrik said. “Since we cannot see you, open your mind to Zander and I. It will allow us to see through your eyes, and hear with your ears.”
“Well, that’s a little unsettling,” she thought back.
“Which part?” Henrick asked.
“All of it.”
“Just do it, woman,” Zander ordered in a low voice.
“Ah, so you are a lover of folklore as well,” the young man said, drawing nearer. “I myself will be partaking in Professor Messier’s two day lecture on mythology this coming weekend.”
“He’s an incredible speaker,” she replied, returning her attention to the multitude of spines before her. “I sat in on the same lecture last fall. It was fascinating. You’ll enjoy it.” Elena stretched to relieve the tightness in her back.
“You’ve got quite a stack of books to read through there.” The young man pointed to the books at her feet. “What in particular might you be researching with regard to ancient folklore? Perhaps I may be of assistance. I’m somewhat of an aficionado in the mystical elements.”
Every fine hair on Elena’s body stood on end from the eerie tone his statement took on.
“That’s kind, but no thanks,” she said evenly. “I’m just satisfying a personal curiosity.”
“Oh? What sort of curiosity?” His mouth tightened.
Elena’s lower lip dropped open. Allowing the tense silence between them to draw out, she considered her answer. “A friend of mine butted in front of someone in line at the bank,” she said evenly. “Now she thinks she’s cursed.”
“So it is curses that interest you?” His voice grew colder.
The tips of her fingers began to tingle, and her body became hot.
“Elena! Come to me now!” Zander demanded. “Or I am coming in after you.”
“I-I’m feeling a little dizzy. There is something in the air. I feel like I did yesterday in the yard, having my lunch. It feels as if someone evil is watching me.”
“Elena!” Zander called.
“I’m coming.” She hoped the voice of her mind didn’t reveal the discomfort she felt.
To steady her unease, Elena crouched down to one knee to pick up her books. When she stood, the man moved even closer to her.
“Put some distance between yourself and that young man, Elena,” Henrik thundered in her mind. “Now, love.”
“Did you find everything you were seeking?” The stranger’s tone made Elena’s skin crawl.
“Actually, no,” she said, brushing past him. Quickly, she walked toward the big window where Zander and Henrik watched from the shadows. There were several students seated at the tables in front of the glass. Elena felt instant relief at the security the small crowd of bodies brought her. “There is a book of ancient spells I would love to read through, but–”
“The one allegedly written by a warlock in the 1600s?” he asked with a sinister snort. “I have that one at my dorm room. Why don’t you come back with me, and we’ll look at it together.”
“Elena, he is not what he seems to be. Evilness surrounds the boy,” Henrik announced. “It is rather weak, and I am unable to detect an origin, but it is there.”
“Oh, look at his face. He’s so innocent looking,” she tried to tease, though the young man’s gaze disturbed her immensely. “Probably just wants to get me back to his place, thinking he’ll score a piece of ass,” she projected.
A vicious growl in her mind sent a shiver coursing through her body.
“How generous.” Tapping the back of one of the books she held against her chest, Elena added, “But as you pointed out, I have tons to go through right here.” With a nonchalant shrug she continued, “I’ll keep my eye open and just grab it when you’ve returned it.”
The color drained from the young man’s face, and his eyes narrowed in anger. Elena noticed his hands ball up into tight fists at his sides. The light blue of his eyes swirled to black, but it happened so quickly Elena assumed her imagination had played a trick on her.
After several seconds, his fists relaxed, and his eyes opened wide once again.
“Fair enough,” he said evenly, with a forced smile. “I’ll return the book of spells just as soon as I can.” He darted glances around them, at the various students, and then his gaze settled on the darkness beyond the window. “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I will bid you good evening.”
“Good night,” she repeated, and watched him walk empty handed out of the library.
Once he’d exited, Elena made her way toward the back door. After stuffing the books in her backpack, she slung it over her shoulders and stepped out into the darkness.
From her left the loud flap of large wings cutting through the air drew her attention. As she spun around Zander, already in flight, scooped her against him and shot toward the sky.
“What are you doing taking a chance like that?” she chastised him when she’d caught her breath. “Somebody could have seen you.”
“I do not care about that. I needed you in my arms to know you are safe. You were taking too long.” He seemed to snarl. “There was something in the air, and you felt it as well. You should have come outside to me immediately.” His tone softened somewhat. “Oh the gods, woman, do not frighten me like that again. Do I make myself clear?” Though his voice remained stern, his concern was evident.
Until they knew exactly what was going on with this king, she needed to be more careful. The gargoyles were protecting her. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if she put herself in situations which could bring them into danger.
If any of the beasts were hurt protecting or defending her, Elena would never forgive herself.
“Of course, Zander. I’m sorry.” She snuggled against him. With her arms wrapped around his neck, Elena massaged the top of the knot where his powerful wing protruded from his right shoulder blade. “I will be more careful,” she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.
Chapter 5
Elena woke up early to spend time with the guys before the sun rose and they turned to stone.
After wishing them a ‘good day’, she showered, dressed and settled in to do some research. Near seven-thirty, a knock came to the door. From the other side Elena heard Jeff’s voice, announcing his presence. She opened the door, and Jeff entered with coffee and muffins. Elena welcomed his company. Though she’d been alone for less than an hour, she missed the guys.
Especially Zander.
The attraction she experienced for the man-beast surprised her.
For a couple of hours Elena and Jeff conversed about the gargoyles, their curse, and the protection Jeff offered them. His family had been the protectors, and attendants of sorts, for close to two-hundred years.
In addition to the gargoyles watching over their guardians during the nighttime hours, the family received financial compensation. It warmed Elena to learn Jeff was very fond of them. His admittance reaffirmed her opinion that he was
a good man with a heart of gold.
After exhausting her questions, Jeff decided to leave her to her research. He concurred with Zander and the others that until they learned why the king had targeted her, she would be safest with the beasts. Jeff offered to go by her apartment to feed the stray, and would return later in the day.
Elena spent the afternoon mulling through the books she’d brought back to the suite the night before and surfing the internet.
The damn book she really wanted, and probably needed, lay in the hands of the student who had given off weird vibes when he’d approached her. There had been something somewhat familiar about the young man, but she couldn’t place where she might have crossed paths with him. It had to be on campus, she told herself, as she could come up with no other explanation.
As much as Elena enjoyed the students, the young man from the night before was one she hoped she wouldn’t run into again. Especially without Zander or one of the others nearby.
She chuckled. Funny, she was thinking of the future. One with Zander. What were the chances he’d be receptive to her advances? That would be silly. They were so very different, and he probably didn’t see her as anything more than a nuisance, although they’d shared several tender moments.
Elena smiled. When the time and opportunity was right, instinct would lead her.
An hour before sunset, Elena called her favorite deli to order a dozen sandwiches, soups and sodas. After she hung up the phone, she frowned, wondering if she’d ordered enough food.
Elena walked through the sliding glass doors, anxiously waiting for the final sliver of the setting sun to disappear from the horizon. She paced the terrace, gnawing at her fingernails. The damn sun seemed to be taunting her, hanging just beyond her reach, as if refusing to vanish for the night.
The cool air swirling around the terrace began to sizzle with an electric current. The hairs on her arms stood erect, and a shiver raced up her spine. Another minute or two, that was all she had to wait.
The tips of her fingers tingled as she finally heard the cracking of cement. Focusing on the largest statue, Elena refused to blink.
The stone statues perched around the ledge of the terrace began to explode, one by one. Roaring split the air, causing Elena’s belly to flip with excitement. When the dust settled or blew away, six winged beasts stood facing her. Their glowing eyes were hypnotic and titillating, yet she had her sights set on just one of them.
Granite Kiss Page 6