Not Her Gargoyle_Shifter Romance

by Annie Nicholas

Ruby laughed as she crossed the kitchen and pressed a kiss to Myrtle’s cheek. “I missed you, honey.” She took a plate full of food with an uncertain expression. “That looks good?” She tossed him a look.

  “I made the chutney.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Everyone had bad days at work. Ruby did her best to hide her amusement. Today belonged to Nick. She couldn’t call him boring. Thankfully, nobody was fired and Peter actually liked Myrtle’s recipe.

  Ruby was surprised to hear that the diner would not be a larger version of the coffee shop with a small menu. Peter had asked her to the construction site for feedback on the flow of customers and the sitting areas. She had worked in the food industry long enough that she had some good advice. Maybe she’d been in this field too long. She lacked any excitement for Peter’s project. He could change the surroundings and their outfits, but to Ruby, it was still a waitressing job.

  Instead, her mind kept wandering to the night’s adventure, sneaking into a werewolf den.

  During her shift, she’d made a mental list of things they might need and finally, they were home so she could prepare.

  She must be losing her mind. Was she really excited about impending death?

  Nick sat on the couch with a bandaged wrist. The oil had splashed him. “Even when I look human I can’t seem to fit in.” He held up his injured arm. “I’ve never been burned before. As a gargoyle, I’m heat resistant. Even dragon fire leaves me only scorched.”

  She kissed the top of his head before joining him on the couch. “I guess the witch’s curse truly makes you human to the core.”

  He massaged the bridge of his nose. “That explains why am so exhausted. How do you manage, Ruby?”

  Resting her head on his shoulder, she smirked. “I’m a woman. We’re the toughest creatures on the planet.”

  “I don’t feel so tough.”

  “That’s because you’re a man.” She patted his thigh.

  “Are…are you insulting me?” There was the teasing tone she’d been waiting to hear return to Nick’s voice. Since the fire, he’d been eerily quiet.

  She widened her eyes and fluttered her lashes. “No…”

  “Your wily ways won’t work on me, Gem.”

  “Gem?”

  His face split with a huge grin. “I’ve been trying to think of a nickname for you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re my Gem.”

  She melted inside. Ruby had been called all sorts of things in her lifetime. Most of them not flattering. “Thanks, sweetie.” She caressed his cheek. “I like it.” Her gaze wandered to the bandage and she ran her fingers along the edges. “This burn means you have to be extra careful tonight. You’re more prone to injury now that you are human. No hand-to-hand combat with werewolves. If there is a fight, let your brothers deal with it.”

  “You want me to hide behind my brothers?” He appeared scandalized. “I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “At least you’ll be alive.”

  He looked down at their entwined fingers. “Did you like my chutney?”

  She tossed back her head and laughed. “Look at you, learning to cook and from Myrtle of all people. She doesn’t take to strangers very well.”

  “She said I reminded her of her son. Do you know she works two jobs?”

  Ruby nodded. “Don’t under estimate a mother’s love.” Those words hurt. She’d never known that kind of dedication from either of her parents. Hell, she hadn’t seen them since she was a kid. It only increased her respect for Myrtle.

  She glimpsed the last of the sunlight dipping under the horizon. “They’ll be here soon. I’m going to finish getting ready.” She went to the kitchen and dug through the drawers until she found her flashlight. It came on and she gave a small prayer of thanks to the battery gods. In the bedroom, she changed her clothes. A pair of sensible tennis shoes and an all-black outfit, yoga pants with a long-sleeved T-shirt. She’d even discovered a black winter hat to hide her red hair. She was cat-burglar chic.

  They climbed the fire escape to the rooftop where Nick peered at the sky. “I never realized how terrible human night vision was.” He rubbed his eyes as if that would make it better.

  She stroked his back. They had to make him gargoyle again. He’d never be happy as a human. “We’ll set this straight.” She hoped. Human limitations were new for Nick. His lack of experience could possibly get him killed. He might try to break through a door or a wall and discover he’d broken his shoulder instead. His pride wasn’t making things easier.

  Out of the darkness, three huge figures glided to the rooftop and landed. They towered over both of them. One of Nick’s brothers set a lean, predator of a man onto his feet. Her heart skipped a beat. Not a man, but a vampire. She had hung out with Trixie and Viktor but they hadn’t triggered this sense of being prey from her.

  “Ruby, these are my brothers. You already met Norm. This is Nate, and that one is Neil.” Each brother nodded as Nick said their name. In the dark, it was difficult to tell them apart.

  Neil grinned, and light glinted off his sharp teeth.

  The vampire approached. “I am General Armand Franco.” He kissed her hand, something she had only ever experienced through film, and spoke with a thick European accent.

  Nick extracted her hand from the vampire’s and shoved his body between them. “This is the vampire.”

  “There’s no need to be rude.” Armand tossed her an amused look over Nick’s shoulder.

  “I still don’t know what role I have in your plan, General.” She pulled the woolen hat over her head and stuffed the end of her ponytail underneath.

  The gargoyles exchanged glances and the vampire examined his boots.

  A niggle of worry turned her stomach. “Nick?” she asked, except she already knew the answer. They hadn’t planned on taking her. She crossed her arms and waited.

  “I need you to stay here.” He pointed at the rooftop below their feet.

  “To do what? Twiddle my thumbs and develop a stomach ulcer from worry?” She couldn’t believe this. “You have an extra brother who can carry me. I’m not being left behind.”

  Norm cleared his throat. “We’ll…wait over there.” He pointed to the edge of the roof. “Try not to take too long. We’re on a tight schedule.”

  The gargoyles shuffled away but the vampire remained, watching in fascination.

  Nick bent so he could meet her glare head on. “I need to know that you’re safe, Gem. How can you expect me to focus on this mission if you’re in danger?”

  “You don’t get to use that nickname when I’m pissed off.” She stabbed him in the chest with the end of her long fingernail, punctuating each of her next words with another poke. “And I need to know this will work.” Focusing on Armand, she continued. “I understand this is your scheme. How exactly are you planning to steal this grimoire under the noses of the whole pack?”

  After work, Nick had been so dejected from almost burning down the diner, Ruby hadn’t had the heart to interrogate him about the details of the heist. Come to think of it, he hadn’t been forthcoming in telling her anything. That should have clued her in.

  “It is in my experience that the simpler the plan the more likely it will succeed. We will gain entrance by offering the pack a gift. Inside this package, your amante will hide.”

  “My what?” she asked.

  “Your lover. From there, he will sneak through the den using the tool the witch gave you to find this book of spells.”

  She quirked her eyebrow. This was the worst plan ever. Worse than hers and Nick’s to steal the charm. “Who’s delivering this package?”

  Nick was no lightweight. They would need a wooden crate for him to hide in so he wouldn’t fall through the bottom of the box. Not suspicious at all.

  “Norm.” Nick pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. The gargoyle’s ears perked at the sound of his name and the brothers returned to the conversation.

  She fought not to roll her eyes. “And you thin
k the wolf shifters won’t be suspicious of a gargoyle delivering a huge box?” She eyed the supposed vampire general. He’d probably lost every war he had planned.

  Armand gave her a slow blink. “This is unusual?” He tossed the brothers a questioning look.

  “Exactly where and when are you from?” This was going to be a disaster. If they hadn’t needed the grimoire by tomorrow, she would cancel this whole mess to reorganize. But she hadn’t the luxury and it was even more obvious that she had to accompany them.

  “Gargoyles make the best messengers.” Armand waited as if wanting acknowledgment from the brothers, but they stared back in confusion. “Apparently, I have isolated myself too long.” He folded his arms. “I still don’t see the issue. They are werewolves, not humans. The supernatural community is much more open-minded.”

  She blew out a frustrated breath. “How is Norm going to carry Nick?”

  Norm flexed his massive biceps, but she saw understanding dawn in Nick’s expression. Yet, he remained silent.

  “I know you’re smaller than when you were a gargoyle, but don’t you think the wolves will decide to unpack the box instead of lugging it around since you’re so heavy?” She would place her money on people’s laziness. Supernatural or otherwise.

  “Ruby, the plan is fine the way it is.” Nick reached to caress her shoulder but she retreated.

  Armand scratched his chin as if in thought. “I didn’t take weight into account. I forget my own strength. Carrying such a package would not give me pause.” He stared at her. “Tell me more.”

  “Not to mention, the box won’t support Nick’s weight if carried.” She tried to recall all those history documentaries she’d watched on television. People from Armand’s time most likely used trunks or crates for deliveries of this size. Not anymore. “The majority of packages are made of cardboard and held together with only tape.”

  “I’m not a complete idiot,” snapped Armand. “I do shop online. We planned on renting a dolly.”

  Stomping her feet like a child would not help, but it sure would make her feel better. “Or we use a smaller person to put inside the box. Someone lighter so the package doesn’t appear so unusual.”

  What was she doing? She’d be confined to a small cardboard box and sent into a werewolf den armed with a hot/cold crystal. Ruby had done some stupid things in her time. This, however, might actually get her killed.

  “No.” Nick sliced the air with his hand with finality.

  “Nick would make a better delivery man. More convincing than me.” Norm gave her an approving nod. “I think Ruby should go in Nick’s place.”

  “Are you out of your mind? You’re sending my woman into a den of shifters.”

  She couldn’t help the weight of pleasure at Nick’s verbal claiming. His woman. Men wanted her, but none of them had ever desired to keep her. And he had the nerve to wonder why she would take such a risk? All her doubts vanished. “A woman whose sister has been inside that den and given her details.” Ones she wouldn’t share because she recalled the description of the sex more than the building.

  “Trixie was in the den?” Nick asked.

  “Yes. She and Viktor were guests for a night.”

  “If things go according to plan, the den should be empty.” Armand climbed aboard Nate’s back.

  “Let’s get this show on the road, Nick.” Norm twisted around so her amante—she liked the sound of it—could climb aboard.

  Nick rested his forehead against hers. “Please, don’t do this. You might get hurt.”

  She hugged him tight. “So, might you.”

  “Don’t worry, Ruby. We’ve got your back.” One of the gargoyle brothers pushed Nick toward Norm then he went down on one knee and bent a wing. “I’m Neil, your stallion for this flight.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Nick strained his hearing to catch what Neil was whispering to Ruby as they flew closer to Riverbend. Her giggle traveled on the wind.

  “If you’re going to grip my shoulders that hard, could you at least massage them?” asked Norm. He carried Nick’s human weight without any sign of strain. It was ridiculous that Norm couldn’t act as the delivery man. Uh, gargoyle.

  Fuck. Ruby was right. There was no way the pack wouldn’t question Norm in that role. Best case scenario, the werewolves would decline the package. The most likely would be they’d tear it open and kill him. Possibly Norm as well.

  Loosening his hold on his brother, Nick repositioned so he could speak with Norm quietly. “Maybe I should just accept my fate.” He was risking his family and Ruby. Armand? The vampire could take care of himself. “It serves me right for pretending to be something I’m not.”

  “You had good reasons for wanting the charm.” Norm tossed a look at Ruby. “I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

  He hung his head. “I didn’t steal it because of her.” Even he could hear the lie in his voice. He had told himself it was for obtaining a job, but deep down inside, he had wanted to know if Ruby would treat him any differently. She hadn’t liked him more or less as human.

  His brother snorted.

  “Okay, I admit she was part of the reason. It makes risking her life even worse.”

  Norm sighed. “When you are done having your pity party, maybe you should take a look at the bigger picture.”

  Punching his brother mid-air while he had no wings would only get Nick killed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you think Armand is helping out of the kindness of his heart? The vampire hasn’t left that lighthouse in decades.”

  Understanding sank in. “The book?”

  Norm nodded.

  “You think he wants to steal it from us?” Nick whispered.

  “What?” Norm missed a wing beat. “No, he wants it destroyed just as much as the witch does. I’m not sure if he trusts her to do it.”

  Neither was Nick. He had been focusing so much on his own problem he hadn’t looked beyond obtaining the grimoire.

  “We’re in over our heads.” They were smalltime thieves. Taking things more out of necessity. This was more. They were caught in some kind of quiet power struggle. Being used and it was all his fault.

  Norm nodded. “First, we get you back to normal. We’ll deal with the rest after. Even if we have to ask the dragon for help.”

  That would most likely end up with four gargoyles chained to a castle, but Nick kept quiet.

  The city lights were now visible on the horizon. Riverbend was smaller than New Port and built on the bend of the Beau River that emptied into the harbor by Armand’s home. Unlike New Port, the wolf pack was small. Nick had heard rumors that the vampire clan ran the city, but on his visit here, he hadn’t encountered a single bloodsucker. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of connections Armand had in Riverbend.

  The vampire pointed toward the east side of the city and his brothers changed course. They landed in a deserted field surrounded by industrial buildings and disembarked. With a groan, Nick stretched his lower back.

  Ruby rubbed her behind. “Your brother has a bony back.”

  He chuckled and rested his arm over her shoulders, soaking in the feel of her so close. Soon enough, she’d be risking her life for him. The torrent of worry, love, and fear was drowning any logical thoughts. The closer they drew to the den, the less he wanted to go through with the plan.

  Armand ran his fingers through his hair to tame the windblown mess. “It will be better if we’re not seen together. Wait for my signal before delivering the package.” Then he was gone in a flash of speed.

  Ruby’s mouth hung open. She shut it with a click. “My sister tells me about vampires and their skills, but I’d never actually seen it with my own eyes. Where is he going?”

  “To cause a distraction.” The fewer wolf shifters inside the den, the better chance of them succeeding without casualties. “We still need supplies to package Ruby. Better hurry before we miss Armand’s signal.”

  His brothers flew the
m over the city. It was nice not having to look over his shoulder for a dragon. The gargoyles dropped him and Ruby off downtown close to the shopping area. It didn’t take long to purchase what they needed from the stores. They rejoined Nick’s brothers, who flew them to a roof top close to the wolf den. They had a good view of the front door, yet they were far enough away that the wolves wouldn’t catch their scents.

  Ruby stood at the edge of the roof, ignoring the ground below. After being on Neil’s back, it didn’t seem so far, a fall. She stared in the distance at what was supposed to be a wolf den. “It’s an apartment building.”

  “What were you expecting?” Nick bent at the hips and stretching his lower back.

  She hid her smirk. If this didn’t work, he had a lot of adjustments to make. “I’m not sure.” She massaged his sore muscles through his shirt. “A cave system?” He was firm under her hands. Not an ounce of fat. She blocked the images of last night’s sexcapades. Too distracting. “Or a maze?” She shrugged. “I guess the wolf pack can’t call it a werewolf apartment complex and keep their dignity. It doesn’t sound cool enough.”

  The building was similar to hers and Nick’s. Three floors of cracked brick and a rusty fire escape. Most of the werewolves she had met were wealthy. Seeing Riverbend’s pack home made her realize shifters were a lot like humans. Rich ones, poor ones, good or bad. They weren’t all made from the same cloth.

  She swallowed with a throat gone dry. “This is a crazy plan.” New Port’s wolf pack had a peaceful reputation. More likely to sue someone than rip their heads off. From what Betty told her, Riverbend’s pack wasn’t as kind.

  “I agree,” whispered Nick. “I’ll go instead.”

  She moved along the edge of the roof, trying to see as much of the den as possible. “Has to be another way to sneak inside.”

  Norm joined them. “We’re open to suggestions.” And they had been. All of them had listened to her ideas and had even changed the original plan.

  She sighed. “I have no more.” Sneaking inside the den via a box was, crazily, the safest route with shifters that had sensitive hearing and noses.