Stone Temptation (Gargoyle Marked Book 1), page 16
“I—”
The cavern vanished, returning me to Seth’s room.
I staggered back, head spinning. “What the…” Cold air taunted my sweaty body, my legs giving out.
“Be careful!” Seth caught me before I fell.
A cavern of lava. A badly burned woman.
Seth put me upright, holding me by the biceps. “What happened?”
“I… I don’t… I don’t understand.”
“What? Tell me?”
His almond-laced breath triggered my gag reflex. I hunched, dry retching.
“Talk to me, Luke.”
My vision blurred, becoming milky. It passed within seconds, taking my nausea with it.
“Luke?”
“I’m okay.” I stepped back, taking some deep breaths. Counted down from ten.
“Well?” Seth probed, puffing on that damn joint. What happened?”
A flash of pain cut across my forehead. “I’m… I’m not sure.”
“Did you see anything?”
Although tempted to keep my cards away from him, I explained what I saw.
“Interesting. Remove the ring, then slip it back on.”
Nothing happened.
“Try again.”
Nothing.
“Frustrating,” he said.
After the tenth try, he stopped asking. “Tomorrow it is. There may be a wait before you can communicate with her again.”
“Do you think?” I asked.
“Do you have any other suggestions?”
“No.”
“Thought as much. Whoever she is, she knows you.”
Was she even real or just some magical mirage? “What about the king?”
Seth shook his head. “Leave that side of things to me.”
The longer I spent in his company, the more I resented him.
“I will deal with His Majesty as and when required. You will obey all orders and keep your mouth shut.”
Bastard. “Okay.”
“You should be.”
I sent the same details to Asher via the amulet.
“Whoa,” he responded. “You alright?”
I suppressed a smile. “I’m fine. Really needing that swim now.”
“Want me to storm in there?”
“It’s okay. This shouldn’t take much longer. But thanks.”
Seth titled his head back, blowing smoke at the ceiling. “I gather you’re talking to him?”
I had nothing to hide. “He has to know.”
“But do you have to do it in my presence?”
“What difference does it make?” I snapped.
His hazel eyes flashed with ugly rage.
Uh-oh.
“Brave, aren’t you?” he said.
“I—”
He held up a finger. “Don’t speak. Don’t say another word. I understand you’re angry with me, but you have no right to be. You should be grateful I spared you a stay in prison, that I always keep you safe.” He took a step closer. “That I always make you feel so good.” He licked his lips.
The moisture left my mouth. “Seth, I—”
“I told you not to speak, Luke. Why are you so disobedient? Because of that mark on your neck?” He put his hand on his chest, his index finger tapping his skin. “Do you want me to help alleviate some of the confusion? I know marks can muddy the brain.”
“No,” I answered, eyeing the door.
“My lips can fix any confusion, Luke. You know they can.”
“What’s happening?” Asher asked.
I didn’t answer, a magnet for anxiety.
Calm down. Count backward from fifty.
Fifty. Forty-nine. Forty-eight. Forty-seven.
Seth grinned, picking up on my unease. “Your fear gets me hard.” He stroked the rising bulge in his trousers.
Forty-one. Forty. Thirty-nine.
“How about a game of chess?”
Shameful twinges rocked my balls.
Thirty-three…
“Oh, Luke,” he purred. “Come and play some chess with me.”
Thirty-three…
Thirty-three…
Thirty-three…
My fear crushed my lungs, throwing me off my countdown. “I—”
The gargoyle rushed me, backhanding me in the face so hard I spun through the air, hitting the floor on my side. The pain cut off a yelp, screaming through my entire right side.
My cheek throbbed, setting off a jackhammer in my skull.
First the tail, now this slap.
“You ungrateful cunt!” he barked, stomping over to me, his face twisted by hate. “After everything I’ve done for you, you act like I’m a monster? You favor that knight outside over me?”
The door crashed off its hinges. Asher charged Seth, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him into the air.
My breath caught in my own thickening throat as I sat up.
“Don’t you ever fucking touch him.” Asher’s eyes were blazing fires, his fury making the room quake.
Seth choked out a sound, kicking hard at my bodyguard. So weak, so reduced compared to the nuclear power of Asher.
Unbothered by the blows to his stomach, Asher tossed Seth into a wall. The impact cracked the gray stone, pieces breaking off to rain down on him when he hit the floor.
Asher growled, coming over to me. “You alright?” The switch from violence to sweetness shocked me, his soft touch startling after that.
“I’m okay,” I said.
He helped me to my feet.
Seth got to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth, a huge smirk on his face. “Well, well, well. There’s the Asher I know so well.”
“Fuck off,” Asher threw back. “Before I snap your spine.”
“I see the crystal healing is nothing more than a placebo.” The weaver spat blood, standing fully.
“Hands off my mark,” Asher said. “Next time, I won’t hold back.”
“Your mark? Yours? Oh, Asher. You really have no idea, do you?”
“Enlighten me, knobhead.”
“How mature. No, I don’t think I will enlighten a grunt like you.”
Asher put his arm around me, his snarl sending tantalizing tremors into my bones. “I won’t let you hurt him.”
I removed the ring, bending to place it on the floor.
Seth watched every second of my movement. “You will have no rights over him once the mark is ended. Because it will end.” He sauntered across the room to find himself another joint.
“Remember who you are, Asher.” He lit his smoke. “A worker bee.” He spat more blood onto the floor. “Forever the violent thug.”
“Shove it up your ass!” Asher spat.
Seth smiled, offering no response.
“Whatever. Come on, Luke.” Asher directed me toward the broken door.
“See you tomorrow,” Seth said.
Asher turned, dragging me with him. “What did you say?”
“Remember there is a daily ring test.” He blew smoke at us. “The agreement stands. Until then.” He puckered his lips in a kiss for me. “I look forward to it.”
Asher snarled again, then hauled me into the corridor, removing his arm.
Pain still raged inside my head, my cheek protesting.
“Wait…” I paused, taking a moment for the corridor to stop spinning.
“He actually hit you.” Asher rubbed my back with one hand. “He actually pissing attacked you again.”
His soothing strokes helped. “It’s okay.”
“Don’t you ever say that. It’s never okay. He has no right. I’m gonna… I’m gonna…” A long series of steady breaths tempered him. “I’m gonna get you out of here. When you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.” Fresh air first, everything else later.
This tower was too toxic.
He took me home, where Maren was sitting in the living room.
“What happened?” she swam over. “Did someone hit you? Who did I need to tail-whip?”
“Seth,” I answered, Asher fetching some painkillers from my kitchen.
She swam in a loop, incensed. “He did what? Where is he?”
“It’s—” I stopped myself. “He’s not worth it.”
“That steaming pile of excrement!”
Asher handed me a glass of water and the paracetamol, offering a frozen box of fish fingers.
“For the cheek.”
“Thanks.” The cold against the slap zone really helped.
“I’ll burn his eyes out with those wretched joints of his!” Maren yelled.
“Wow. That’s super supportive.” Was it wrong to take some pleasure in that idea?
Maren swam around us. “I need answers, Luke. What has been going on?”
Asher touched the side of my face with the back of his hand. I shivered, leaning into it.
Safe…
He attacked the weaver for me.
He really is my protector.
Thankfully, none of my bones were broken, just rattled. And the last of the dizziness had passed on the flight back here.
“I have to tell her,” I said to Asher. “I trust her and my friend Tom more than anyone. They’ve been my rocks.”
“Then tell her. But not the king part.”
After another sip of water, I filled my friend in, keeping King Declan’s name out of it.
She lowered to the floor, curling her tail beneath her. “I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s a lot to process,” I said.
Her hair swirled about her head as if she were underwater—it did that sometimes—while her brows pinched in thought.
I let her think.
“I really need to swim,” I said.
“Yeah?” Asher responded. “You’re not hurting too much?”
“It’ll do me some good.”
Swimming would smash through the onslaught of thoughts in my brain. Help me process this, temper the rot of loathing for Seth.
He didn’t get to make me feel anything.
He didn’t get to have me anymore. Screw everything he’d said about changing my life. There would be no conversation about rent or any of that crap. We would test the ring and nothing more.
I was so, so done.
TWENTY-SIX
Asher
Attacking Seth wasn’t the smartest move I’d made. It hadn’t been smart back when I’d caught him with Billy, and it wasn’t now. But bollocks to him. No one hit my mark and got away with it.
Still, I’d better be careful. The last time I’d kicked his smug ass I’d been sent to a labor camp for five months in the frozen south of my realm. Man, that had not been fun. And I never wanted to be that gargoyle again. I liked my fuse long. But being around Seth cut it down, piece by piece.
Fuck Seth!
I waited outside the changing rooms for Luke with two amethyst bracelets joining my rose quartz—to wash away the negativity and to keep me better centered.
The pool was pretty quiet. Safe. Had to kill a monster lurking near the entrance, but all was good and Luke was happy to be here.
Mine.
Mine to protect.
After two days spent in his company, I knew I’d break a billion skulls for him, fight any army of bog bears if it came to it. Fuck their size, their stink, the danger. I’d do it for the human. I’d lay down my life for him, burn the world. Because it was my job now. Because he was…Luke.
Man, these markings were wild.
The man in question appeared. “I’m ready for my dip.”
Butterflies danced in my stomach. I short-circuited, unable to respond. Floored by the sight of him in skimpy black trunks. They hugged him perfectly, accentuating his thighs, every inch of him.
Can I rip them off with my teeth?
I nodded, following him to the poolside.
Whoa.
A lifeguard greeted me with a nod as I took up position against the wall, given full access due to the mark. Like fuck would I sit over in the spectator zone.
Luke crouched, dipping his goggles into the water as swimmers did to prevent fogging or whatever. I imagined him squatting on my face like that, me feasting on him, consuming every delight available to me in the position.
There went my dick, standing to attention.
Luke fixed his goggles in place and dove into the pool, gliding through the water with mesmerizing speed.
Everything about his movements were a living painting for me to enjoy. Him and the water were a perfect fit.
Dude should’ve been a merman.
He stopped after three lengths, giving me another wave. I waved back, all sparkly on the inside over his cuteness.
He climbed out of the pool for a moment at the opposite end, water sluicing down his body as he stretched. The glow of the overhead lights caught every droplet, turning them into liquid diamonds.
Take him.
Take him.
Take him.
He dove back into the water.
Killing the idea of whipping out my dick and beating every drop of spunk from my balls, I got to work on the info he’d shared with me after wearing the ring.
I came to one conclusion: that burned woman and the gas mask humans were either the threat, or they had information on what was.
Obviously, it made zero sense.
Carissa messaged my flip phone.
Perfect timing.
She checked in, asking how things were going. Said she’d heard about the sea lion monster and the gas mask man, along with everything else.
Her: Seth is a good communicator.
Did he tell her he’d slapped Luke? Or that I’d thrown him into a wall?
Me: Do you have any new ideas, boss?
Her: Keep searching for answers. If I discover anything, I will report in. There has been a communication to all gargoyles regarding the burned woman. Seth and I are hoping for a search of volcanic regions to begin soon as a starting point. Also, we want a gas mask human to be taken alive for questioning by an enchanter.
There were magical ways of making a tongueless human talk.
Me: Can I help? It’s my job to protect my mark.
Her: You do that by staying by his side, and by keeping away from mote vents.
Me: Hate waiting around for something to happen.
Her: I understand the frustration. But this is how it works. I’m glad you’ve settled in with Luke well.
A tad too well.
Me: What if we keep the ring? Let Luke wear it all the time and see if the woman reaches out again. Seems daft waiting until tomorrow.
Although I’d happily avoid the tower for as long as possible.
Her: The ring could be dangerous. Seth wants all tests kept to the tower. There are mote enchanters studying the ring. Please don’t worry too much.
For real? Don’t worry? What a piss take.
Me: Better go.
I was done with this Seth’s-so-clued-up shit.
Her: Lovely talking with you. Also, as a final point, monster activity is being closely monitored still.
Me: Cool.
Her: I’m proud of you.
She’d said that to me before, after coming back from the labor camp with a new lease on life.
I messaged her goodbye.
My device buzzed again. This time from Dane.
Him: Hey, bro. Checking in. Hope all is good. Made some calls with my contacts about enchanter help for Luke. Will get back to ya ASAP.
Me: Thanks, man.
Him: You good?
Me: Not bad. You?
Him: Missing ya x
Me: Likewise x
I put my flip phone away to watch Luke swimming, which was my new therapy.
Man, I could watch him for hours.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Luke
Swimming healed my mind, body, and soul. The liquid version of healing crystals, plucking me out of the gloom while I cut through the water.
As soon as I went under, I slipped into another world. A special place for me and me alone. Every stroke, every gasp for air, every moment was restorative for me. It eased my worries, giving them a rinse, ready to hand them back afterward.
A woman joined me after a while, things pretty slow for a Tuesday morning. But never mind. I’d rather this than bustling chaos, other swimmers crossing my trajectory.
I finished up, happily losing count of my lengths. It meant I’d reached an awesome state of mind.
“I’ll be quick,” I said to Asher as I passed him en route to the changing rooms.
“No problem.”
Bless him for his patience. Couldn’t be fun watching me without taking a dive himself.
I padded across the tiled floor of the changing room, stopping at a mirror near the showers and leaned in to inspect my face for any damage, having avoided a mirror at home.
Nothing more than a slightly red cheek. Lucky me.
My attention fell onto my neck, fingers tracing the edges of the neat red line of Asher’s mark. Not angry, not painful, but a clear reminder of my current circumstances.
I smiled at it, happy to have it there.
Okay. Shower time.
Asher appeared in the reflection behind me.
“Pickles!” I spun, slapping a hand over my mouth.
Why did he look so…hungry?
His hands were balled into fists at his sides.
“You look so good.” His voice was melted chocolate.
Those smoldering eyes snared on my crotch, flaring with hunger.
I can be your prey…
I tried shaking off my yearning, my cock swelling, barely contained in my tight trunks.
“Stop looking at me like that…” I breathed.
“I can’t do this.” His husky baritone rolled around me, a sexy wind quickening my pulse.
“Do… Do what?” God, my mouth was so dry.
