“We lived in peace for many years,” she said, “but a vicious murder in a nearby village set the humans on edge.”
“What happened?”
“The human was torn to pieces. Whoever attacked him had drained him of much of his blood. The local police were stumped during their investigation. They knew of us from previous generations who told them we watched and guarded the area, but we’d never interacted. No reason to—until the murder. So a few of them sought us out.” She paused to glance into his eyes. “This is all under cover, you understand? Most humans don’t know of our existence, these days.”
“I’m well aware.” Shifters revealing themselves to humans was always a gamble.
“We couldn’t determine the cause of deaths—nor determine who was responsible,” Mairi continued. “But we had to try to track the murderers down. So a half dozen of us went to search for them each night, rotating through shifts. The scents we picked up were unfamiliar, but not human, which made them all the more dangerous. And one evening, we spotted an attack.”
When she paused, Bryce asked, “Were you there?”
“No. But I heard about it from my clan mates.”
Bryce stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue. After a pause, she did.
“They caught these beings surrounding an older man on the outskirts of the village. They’d torn his arms off and were drinking his blood. By the time the gargoyles reached him, the old man had bled out. A fight ensued. My clan mates against these—things. Dark wings. Bird-like creatures. None of us had ever encountered a dangerous creature of this kind. We guessed they were demons. They flew off, but returned two nights later, and launched an attack on our clan. They were utterly devious. We had many eyes out on watch, and yet these beings managed to slip through undetected. How?” She shook her head.
“Some type of dark magic?” Bryce offered.
“It had to be.” She ran her fingers through pebbles at her feet, creating a deep groove before they fell back into place.
Her countenance turned troubled. Although many questions formed, he waited for her to compose herself. Seconds passed.
“They had the advantage with the surprise of the attack,” she declared. “They’d planned it well. Luring one or two away from the others at a time. Attacking two on one. Picking off gargoyles one by one, destroying them by any means possible. Dismembering. Beheading.” Her voice caught in her throat, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
Although one part of him had remained suspicious of her, a stranger intruding in his territory, his reservations lessened with each passing minute. With her grief evident and terror almost palpable, her intense emotions threatened to capture and swallow him whole.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I made you relive that.”
“It’s—it’s…” She opened her eyes and raised her hand. “It’s all right. It felt good to get it out. I never told anyone. I’m the only one left.”
More questions popped up, but the torment on her face silenced him. He couldn’t put her through any more pain. “You survived.”
She blinked several times through tear-filled eyes, which made the green glisten like emeralds. “I escaped.”
“How?”
“The demons that held me. They took turns taunting me, saying I was a toy they were going to play with before they crushed it. I was nothing but a disposable object. When they were distracted, I slipped away. Flew faster than I ever had, fearing for my life. I saw the remains of my clan mates below.”
She fought to keep her tone level, but her voice caught at times. What she couldn’t hide was the stark terror in her eyes. Her torment tugged at him.
“From behind me, the demons shouted at each other when they’d realized I’d escaped. Telling each other to catch me. If I continued to fly, they would catch up with me in no time. They’d track my scent. Instead, I ducked beneath the tree cover and backtracked through the forest. To where they’d least expect. I returned to our village. I hid amid the corpses. Can’t remember why, my mind was a mess. Maybe I thought it would hide my scent. Not thinking, just acting to survive.” She choked up as she cried out. “My parents. My clan—I lay there for hours. Covered in their blood, long cooled. Hiding amid their dismembered corpses.” She shuddered and took a deep breath. “When I finally crawled out, I bolted from there. Flew until my wings beat so heavy, I thought I’d fall. Then I washed the blood off in a loch and hid in the forests of the Highlands.”
When she stopped, Bryce blinked in slow motion, overcome by the hell she’d endured. Through her terror, she’d been resourceful, which may well have saved her life. “I’m so sorry.”
He didn’t know if she heard him as she appeared lost. “It wasn’t until the next day that I worked up enough resolve to go back and take care of their bodies. By then, the creatures had burned many of the homes, leaving them charred skeletons.”
She was still lost in her memory, reliving the horror. All because of him and his demanding questions. Oof. What an arse. His chest tightened.
“I lit a funeral pyre at dawn and sat there while their remains burned, hoping the demons wouldn’t return during the day, but fearful every second that they would. The scent of my clan’s burning bodies—I’ll never forget. When the embers died out, I flew from there and haven’t returned. I spent the next day trekking deeper into the forests. Then I spotted you and your brother. At first, I thought you were the demons coming to find me. But then, I recognized your forms and flight patterns and thought you might be gargoyles. So I followed you. And here we are.” She pulled her eyes to his, spreading her arms wide.
Her story made sense. He was such a knob for thinking she was a spy. “I can’t imagine what you went through. What you did saved your life. I’m sure your family and clan would be proud of your courage.”
Her eyebrows darted up. “That wasn’t courage—that was fear.”
“It was doing the best you could in the absolute worst situation. And it worked.”
The haunted glint floated back into her eyes like a ghost that refused to pass on. “No. They all died. I didn’t save any of them. Not even one.”
What could he say to that, to brush away some of her pain? “You were lucky to survive. You couldn’t have saved anyone. That was a well-planned attack. Now, your clan lives on in you.”
Her gaze dropped to the pebbles at her feet. “Alone.” Her voice came out lower. “A part of me wishes I’d died with them. Then I wouldn’t have to suffer with this.” She motioned over her heart.
What torment lived in there, he couldn’t imagine. “No, Mairi.” He took her shoulders and tried to snap her from spiraling down, drowning in survival guilt. “You must carry on. If not for you, for them.”
“What do you mean?”
“By carrying on. Living on. One of your clan still survives.”
She shook her head, eyes flickering with fear. “How long am I going to last? With them still out there. And just me.”
“You’re here, now. Far from any danger.”
She nodded as if assuring herself it was true.
Bryce studied her demeanor, trying to get a read on her emotions. All he discerned was her conflict. “What do you need, Mairi?”
For several moments, she didn’t move or reply. When she glanced up, her haunted eyes shined with determination. “To destroy them. Every. Last. One.”
Vengeance. Not that he blamed her. He’d want the same thing if something like that had happened to him.
“Can they be killed?” Her story was working its way under his skin. He squared his shoulders. “You’re not even sure what they are.”
“I’ll find a way.” The green of her irises intensified, burning brighter with a simmering rage. A gargoyle consumed with vengeance.
“Alone? You can’t. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Her countenance grim with determination, she fixed her eyes on him. “Will you help me?”
Fuck. He’d set himself up for that one. He glanced out to the se
a. The sun had risen higher leaving trails of pink and orange ripples closer to the horizon. The light bounced off the waves, glistening with the bright reflection. The trouble in the Highlands was an ocean away.
He couldn’t let her go back and face the demons alone. It would be suicide. Not to mention the threat they posed to others. And yet, he wouldn’t leave the island to run off to counter an unknown threat in another land.
Too much was happening too quickly. He and his brothers had only just restored the veil and had several challenges ahead to establish their new clan. First, they had to work with the tree witches and wolf shifters to determine the new protocols on the Isle of Stone. Could they roam into each other’s territories, now? Have an open island for all? Or would the territorial divides only be loosely delineated? Now that Mason lived with a tree witch in the moors, which was considered neutral territory, and Lachlan went off wherever he did with a wolf shifter, the boundaries were breaking down. It was a path they had to tread with sensitivity. Disrespecting another group could unravel all the progress they’d made.
Then they’d consider the future of their band, the Knights of Stone. Without their human audience, would they give up the band or play the way they had before—masquerading as humans, playing in human venues. He had enough to keep him busy without another gargoyle’s problems thrust upon him.
“I can’t promise you anything, right now,” he replied. “Except a place to rest.”
Her face dropped as if devastated by his reply, but she quickly recovered. “All right.”
A female gargoyle staying with their all-male clan tripped up the synapses in his mind. It had been months since one had stayed there. He’d never been attracted to the females in his clan. They’d grown up together and were more like sisters. But Mairi. Her story had tugged at him, as did her natural beauty. She wasn’t like the female humans with styled hair and made up faces he was used to seducing at his shows. Her fiery red hair was mussed from their entanglement, and had bits of leaves.
Unable to resist, he picked at a small leaf using it as an excuse to touch her. “You have some leaves caught in your hair.” After he removed the pieces, he ran his fingers through it to tame the wildness. “Got them.”
When he finished, he caught her watching him.
“Thanks.”
Her brilliant eyes shot impulses through him that threatened to leave him tongue-tied. And the memory of her body pressed against his when he’d captured her earlier—it wouldn’t leave his mind any time soon. Having her nearby while he tried to rest would be a delicious form of torment. Look, but don’t touch.
Still, she was a gargoyle in need of help. After hearing her story, the least he could do was offer her refuge on the isle. With Mason and Lachlan gone most days, the amphitheater was quieter than usual. A guest for a night or two wouldn’t hurt.
He’d talk to his brothers. But the best course of action was probably to bring her back to the Highlands as soon as possible. Introduce her to his former clan. They would know better what to do about this situation.
And he could return to his own problems.
Where to start? When they heard she was an intruder, they’d likely react with as many suspicions that he had. After hearing what she’d endured, he couldn’t put her through that gauntlet again.
“I’ll be right back,” he told her.
As he walked, he sent a telepathic message to his brothers.
Meet me at the amphitheater. Need to talk to you about a new development.
He guessed Gavin and Calum were close by, Mason was in the moors with Kayla, Lachlan was in some private nook with Raina.
Within moments, each of his brothers had replied asking for more info.
Nothing to worry about, but it’s better that I explain it to you when we’re all together.
Gavin was the first to arrive. He sat on the edge of the stage, one leg draped over it, as he perused the area, appearing unfazed by Bryce’s call.
Calum came next, strolling from the direction of the shore. He stood near Gavin for a few restless seconds before he paced. It was almost impossible for Calum to contain his energy. Being the singer and front man was the perfect outlet for him, in an arena where he could burst free. He fed off the audience’s enthusiasm and they off his dynamic performance—a perfect circle.
Lachlan flew in and landed near Bryce, standing ramrod straight with hands clenched at his sides. He must have feared the worse. Not that Bryce blamed him after what he’d gone through in recent days. As a new alpha, Lachlan had been put to the test. Bryce searched Lachlan’s black hair for any white streaks he’d earned in the process. None. It was still as dark as a raven’s wings despite all the trials.
Being beta of the clan wasn’t a bad gig. Although Bryce was always second—second born, second in charge. But who needed all that stress and responsibility the alpha shouldered? They all looked up to Lachlan, yet what he shouldered was immense.
Mason was the last to arrive. He landed before Bryce. “Got here as fast as I could.”
“It’s fine,” Bryce said. How to begin? He didn’t want to set off instant alarms when it came to Mairi, but had to get to the point. “I’ve met a gargoyle in need of our assistance.”
Four faces with eyes similar to his own studied him with caution.
“Where?” Lachlan asked.
“Here. On the Isle of Stone,” Bryce replied. “She followed us from the Highlands.”
“She?” Gavin repeated, leaning forward.
“Aye, she,” Bryce snapped with annoyance at Gavin’s interest. Bryce had better squash any ideas of his brothers moving in on Mairi right away; Gavin was notorious for his pursuit of the opposite sex.
Bryce straightened his posture to force away the dark shadows of jealousy. Sure, he’d developed an interest in protecting Mairi. He’d been the one to find her, but it was nothing more than that. She’d be gone soon. From the isle and from his life. “Her name is Mairi. From the Durness area.”
“Why did she follow us and not reveal herself?” Lachlan asked.
“She was afraid,” Bryce defended her. “Didn’t know what to do.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Her entire clan was killed by demon-like creatures, and she was desperate to survive. When she spotted us and saw we were gargoyles, she followed.”
It was peculiar telling the same story Mairi had told him. He’d been just as skeptical on first hearing her explanation. Now, he justified her actions as he retold them.
Several moments of silence followed as each of his brothers weighed in, talking over each other, on what this declaration meant.
“Demons in the Highlands.” Calum had stopped pacing, but began again.
“Or something like them,” Bryce replied.
“And they destroyed her entire clan?” Gavin asked.
“The rumors we’d heard…” Lachlan began.
Bryce nodded in somber assent. “Sounds like there’s truth to the stories.”
“Do you think they followed her here?” Lachlan asked.
“It’s possible, but I don’t think so,” Bryce said. “They would have made a move by now, don’t you think?”
“Possibly,” Lachlan replied. “Still, we need to be wary. And we must warn the others.”
No doubt Lachlan meant their former clan. Where their parents and other loved ones lived.
“We do,” he agreed.
“What does she know about these demons?” Mason piped.
“Not much. I will tell you what she told me. If you have more questions, you can ask her. But consider what she’s gone through. Her entire clan was wiped out. Don’t push too hard for answers.”
“Understood,” Mason said. “We’re not heartless.”
Bryce summarized Mairi’s story, hoping he’d caught all the details. Some were more vivid in his mind than others. The one that stuck was a visual of her cremating her loved ones. Auburn hair swaying with the breeze in front of a burning fire. Eyes consumed by gr
ief and torment. She could have run, but she’d returned to give them a proper send off. Her bravery and loyalty under immense stress spoke volumes. The image tugged at him, making him want to take action.
Still, he couldn’t be tempted into a suicidal task on a land far from his own for a stranger he’d just met.
“Wait a minute,” Lachlan said. “If she followed us here, how do we know she’s not making all of it up? Her story is way out there. She could be lying just to sneak her way in and—I don’t know—whatever reason she would have.”
Here came the suspicions. “I thought of that, too. When I first spotted her, I figured she was a spy. I checked her explanation for holes. Studied her body language. I believe she’s telling the truth.”
“How can you be sure?” Gavin asked.
“No one could fake the torment haunting her eyes. That only comes from loss.”
Waves crashed in the distance, echoing the somber climate.
“I said she could stay here for now,” Bryce added. “I can bring her to the Calder clan and warn them about what’s going on.”
“Are you kidding?” Gavin said. “They won’t help her. They wouldn’t even help us when we asked them—and we’re family.”
“This is different, though.”
“Different how?”
“These demons, or whatever they are, could pose a threat to them,” Bryce pointed out. “They’d know best what to do.”
“True,” Lachlan agreed. “They have more experience in these types of matters.”
“Plus she’d be better off with them.”
As soon as he’d said it, he questioned that reason. After all, her clan was killed in the Highlands.
“And they have more females,” Gavin piped.
Bryce rolled his eyes at Gavin. “Really? That’s all you can think of?”
“Thinking of her best interest.” Gavin twitched a brow. “Better than being stuck with the five of us males.”
“Duncan is going to be skeptical,” Lachlan said in reference to their former alpha. “He’s more suspicious of outsiders than anyone I’ve met.”
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