21 Shades of Night, page 278
The wolf transformed into a naked male and she couldn’t help blush when Ian stood before them without clothes. When she caught Mason’s eyes, a smile tugged at his mouth.
Ian commanded the other wolves to come to him. The other gargoyles, although themselves wounded, tended humans. When she went to assist in healing the humans, they glanced at her as with a mix of curiosity and wariness in their expressions. One with red scratches over his chest approached her and beckoned her to the side.
“Do you have magic that can erase this memory?”
She searched through her mental catalog, but didn’t think of one. Even if she did, would she use it? Messing with someone’s mind was powerful magic; one that took away a person’s rights.
She shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t.”
He exhaled audibly and returned to the other gargoyles. At some point they’d all changed to their human forms. Would they let a tree witch help them?
She took a deep breath before introducing herself to them. “I’m Kayla. May I help?”
Mason stepped beside her. “Kayla, these are my brothers.” He pointed to each of them and said, “Gavin, Calum, Bryce, and Lachlan.”
The one who’d asked her about a memory spell was Gavin. Calum had a nasty gash above his knee. “That gash needs to be seen to. Will you let me take a look at it?”
Calum tilted his head. “And do what?”
“Just let her see to it,” Mason said. “Look at my shoulder. The wound is almost healed.”
Calum glanced at Mason and seconds ticked by.
“Okay,” Calum said.
She used the same healing magic on Calum’s wound. Gavin then let her examine his blood-covered torso. “These are mostly superficial scratches,” she said. “But this may help them heal quicker and relieve the discomfort.”
Gavin thanked her when she was done. The two other gargoyles kept their distance and watched her with wariness. Oh well, she had plenty of other wounded wolves and humans who would accept her help.
In another twenty minutes, all the humans had left the island. No doubt they would tell others about the wolf attack and humans would come to investigate what had happened. She’d heard about their thorough techniques for examining crime scenes. At least nobody had died.
She wiped sweat beading on her forehead. The worst was over for tonight. They’d deal with the ramifications tomorrow.
Odd, she had come over here to run away with Mason. After the situation with the wolves, she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t just leave everything unsettled, could she? Her family was on the island. They could be in danger if the wolves attacked again.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother and aunts approach with quick, angry strides, fury blazing in their eyes.
Shite.
“You drugged us!” her mother accused, waving a finger in Kayla’s direction.
“I had to,” she exclaimed. “You held me like a prisoner. And put a spell on me.”
“I’m your mother.”
Kayla motioned around. “We can’t talk about this right now. There’s something more important going on. Just listen a moment.”
The witches’ eyes continued to burn with accusation while Kayla explained what had happened with the impact of the moon on the wolves.
“Why should we care what happens to them?” Aunt Muriel said.
“Because we share this island,” Kayla replied. “And we need to work together to protect it and all on it. This feud has to end.”
“She’s right.” Mason approached them.
Kayla admired his bravery for stepping up to her mother and aunts when after all they’d blown him back with a spell the night before.
’“Without our joint magic,” he continued, “our land is suffering.”
“You lure the humans here with your—music.” Her mother spat the last word with contempt. “And you lure my daughter away from the safety of her coven.”
“I’m in love with Kayla. I’d do anything to protect her.”
Kayla’s heart swelled with pure happiness. He said he loved her. Even declared it before many others.
“We will not join with the gargoyles or wolves,” Aunt Muriel stated.
“You’ve tried to steal my daughter from me.” Her mother directed her wagging finger at Mason.
“I’m twenty-one,” Kayla interrupted. “You have to learn to let go of me, and let me make my own choices.”
“And you’d choose him?” Her mother’s eyes widened.
“Aye. I love him. With all my heart, I do.”
“Over your own kind?”
“You chose our kind. And look what it’s done to you.”
Her mother recoiled, pain flashing through her eyes before she recovered. “You’re my only child, Kayla. And I just wanted to protect you from any harm. From avoiding pain like I went through with your father.” Her mother’s voice hitched and her eyes glistened. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Kayla reached out and hugged her. As much as her mother drove her crazy with all her restrictions and even locking her up, she knew deep down it was out of love. “I know. You don’t have to worry so much. I’ll be okay.”
Her mother wiped her eyes and raised her chin. “He’s not like us. He sits in stone all day. What kind of life is that?”
“That’s how his clan protects the island,” Kayla explained in a softer tone. “Their magic is different than ours, they use their gifts to observe the land.” She took a deep breath and admitted her plan. “I came here to run away with him tonight, go somewhere where we wouldn’t be shunned.”
Mason gazed at her with wide-eyed wonder, his face stretching into a smile. “You did? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course, Mason. I do love you. And I’ll go with you wherever we can be together.”
“And I, you.” He kissed her hand. “To the ends of the earth.”
“Oh,” her mother threw up her hands in exasperation before pointing to where the wolves had gathered. “And now I bet you want me to break bread with the wolves, too?”
* * *
MASON WAS RELIEVED Kayla found a way back to him. Even his brothers were coming around to accepting her. Two of them, at least. After Kayla had helped heal Calum and Gavin, they had dropped some of their suspicions.
I agree with you, Calum had communicated as they’d cleared the devastation left by the wolves. She appears kind, wanting to help others. Perhaps not all witches are evil.
She’s not, Mason agreed.
It’s time to put the past behind us and move on, Calum added. All the other gargoyles in our clan have left the isle. I don’t want to lose you, too. You’re my brother, my best friend.
Does that mean you accept my decision to be with her?
It does, Calum had said. And I will help you however I can.
This means so much to me, brother.
All right. Gavin had stepped up and put his arms around Mason’s and Calum’s shoulders. I’m in.
Lachlan and Bryce had said nothing, keeping their distance from Kayla. Their silence had echoed their disapproval.
Now while Mason spoke with the witches, they glanced over with suspicion.
Mason caught movement from the wolves. The wolf shifter, Ian, approached them. At least he’d found a gray garment he had wrapped around his waist. Mason’s brothers circled in behind the wolf.
“I am Ian, alpha of the wolves,” Ian bowed respectfully as he introduced himself in a low tenor.
“What is the reason for this attack?” Lachlan demanded as he stepped forward.
“It’s a horrible incident. My deepest regrets,” Ian stated. “The moon’s presence is strong tonight and the youngest ones lost control.”
“Well, control them!” Bryce shouted.
“We’ve tried. We need your help.” Ian explained how the thinning of the magical cloak had also removed a barrier protecting the wolves from the moon. He gestured to the wolves and added how the witches’ potions had been useful in the past. “Now you see why we need to come together, the way our ancestors did many years ago.”
Mason stepped closer and asked the question that had never been thoroughly explained to him. “Why are we three divided?”
“What have you heard?”
“The witches cursed the gargoyles so they couldn’t reproduce and would die out.”
The witches protested.
Ian nodded their way. “And you?”
“The gargoyles attacked us because they’re bloodthirsty creatures,” one of Kayla’s aunts piped. “They have no moral compass.”
The wolf cocked his head as he appraised them both. “The truth lies in the space in between.”
Mason exchanged a glance with Kayla.
“The witches didn’t curse the gargoyles,” Kayla said with relief in her voice.
“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 between 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?”
