Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I would be face to face with vampires and act so civilized about it. Despite most races agreeing to a peace treaty in the capital, the fact was that outside the city, werewolves and vampires were deadly enemies. There was no parlay if one of them ended up in our territory or vice-versa.

I wasn't allowed to join the meeting. I waited with Aaron and two more angels that I hadn't seen before. They were my escorts while Jacob talked to the king, alone.

“He will tell us if someone from the Shadow Pack tries to pay someone to find you or begins to search for you,” Jacob said when we left the vampire territory in our car.

“Vampires are their natural enemies. They can hunt during the day without the vampires realizing they are here,” I reasoned.

“Nothing happens here without Philippe being aware of it. He has humans working for him.”

“And the specters? What if Simon asks for their help instead?” The specters were powerful necromancers that worked for the highest bidders, and Simon had money.

Jacob softly brushed my hair away and rubbed my neck.

I stiffened and started fidgeting in the car seat. One of the angels was driving while Aaron had decided to fly. The other angel had teleported home. We were basically alone with the driver.

“He won't hurt you again, Camille,” he said. “I'll plant a spy in the cemetery to watch the movements of the specters. If a werewolf tries to contact them, we will know.”

I sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

“I have dealt with men like Simon before. Please trust me.” He lifted my chin to meet his eyes. My gaze fell on his lips after a brief glimpse of the tenderness in his expression.

I simply nodded and shifted my attention to the city outside, shining bright, unaware of all the dangers that lurked in the night.

Once we arrived home, I went to bed. It had been a long day. Yawning, I closed my eyes to sleep, enjoying the softness of my new pajamas and the delicate scent of my moisturizer. It reminded me of the open meadows with fields of flowers. I fell asleep only to wake up with a start.

Blinking at the watch, I realized I’d just slept two hours. I didn't remember what I had dreamed of. Then, I thought of Jacob. My heart tugged at my chest as if something was missing. I usually enjoyed being alone. I felt more comfortable that way. Why bother others with my presence? There was no need to have company when one was reading or watching TV.

My brother kept me company and tried to understand me. He was my best friend. And now, I didn't know if he was alive or not.

I got up and headed to the kitchen. As I reached the stairs, I noticed that there was someone watching TV.

Jacob lifted his head from the couch when I arrived downstairs. “Is everything alright, Camille?”

“Yes. I just came down for water. Why aren't you sleeping?” I reached the couch and looked at the TV. There was a movie playing.

Jacob sat up and patted the space next to him. “Do you want to join me?”

I circled the couch and joined him. The seat was warm. “Why can't you sleep?”

“I'm not sure if I know how to sleep anymore. It was easy when I was a gargoyle. The sun came up, and I would turn to stone. Now, I lay down, close my eyes, and there's a constant flood of thoughts tormenting me and preventing me from resting.”

My hand rested over his as I realized how everything would appear new and confusing to him.

“It happens to those who overthink things like us,” I said. “I'll stay here with you. Just relax.” I indicated, moving to the corner of the couch and motioning for him to rest his head on my lap. He did, and my fingers ran through his raven hair. “You need to rest. Just close your eyes if you feel tired. I'll stay here watching TV with you.”

He made himself comfortable before looking up at me. “What about you? Aren't you sleepy?”

Smiling, I said, “I'll go back to bed once you are sleeping.”

He nodded, and I could sense his body relaxing. I kept stroking his hair and caressing his cheeks and the curve of his neck. I enjoyed it and rejoiced at the notion that he liked my touch.

It took a while for Jacob to give in to sleep. The movie ended, and another started by the time his breath was even and his body loosen up. I didn’t remember when I closed my eyes, laid my head back, and fell asleep right there with Jacob's head on my lap.

 

 

When I awoke, I was back in my bed. The events of the previous night felt like a dream. I looked at the untouched left side on my bed and sighed. I wondered if Jacob craved to be by my side as much I did his. I felt safe beside him. He was gaining my trust and affection.

After showering, I got dressed, and I went to the kitchen. However, before I entered, I overheard a conversation from two other women that I knew were mated to the angels.

“Do you know the guys have a bet about how long it will take for them to kiss?”

“How long did it take you to kiss Mason?” the cute brunette asked the blonde.

“Mason was too hot to resist. We were making out the next day.” The blonde giggled and buttered her toast.

“After what happened to her, I'm not surprised if it's taking her longer to trust another man. Jacob seems to like her a lot.''

“Mason is really happy for him. She also seems nice for a werewolf female. The others I've met were all really feral.”

“Well, werewolves are extremely territorial, and they just like to mingle among themselves. She'll fit in nicely with us in no time,” the blonde said, sipping on her cup of coffee.

I cleared my throat and stepped in. ''Good morning.”

“Hi!” The blonde who was facing the door greeted me with a white smile. “I'm Brenda!”

“Good morning, I'm Zaphire,” the brunette said, turning around.

''I'm Camille,” I said, glad that angel women weren't fake and nasty to other girls. I was worried for a moment there.

“Do you want to join us for breakfast?” Brenda asked, pulling out the chair next to her.

“Good morning, Camille,” Danika greeted, appearing through the glass door that led to the garden. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” I said, wondering if someone had seen us on the couch.

Danika turned on the coffee machine and got the eggs from the fridge. “Do you want pancakes?”

I nodded. She was the cook and maid of the house. I wasn't sure if she was human or an angel, though. I did know that she had a maternal side to her, and she was extremely nice.

I sat next to Brenda, noticing their fancy clothes. “Where do you work?”

“We run a fashion boutique,” Zaphire replied. “My husband said you were shopping yesterday. It’s too bad the boys didn't bring you to us. We would have loved to help you choose new outfits. Your clothes need to look beautiful if you are going to wed the commander of the prince's troops.”

I looked down at my sweater and jeans.

“You have beautiful hair. Was it blonde before?” Brenda asked, stroking it.

“No, I was a brunette.”

“Do you like it?”

I nodded, sucking my lower lip. “Your hair is really pretty, too.”

“Thank you. I'm sure Danika can help you with nice hairstyles. She's amazing.”

“I would love that,” Danika said, placing a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Thank you,'' I said to her.

Zaphire checked her watch. “We need to go if we don't want to be late.”

“You are so beautiful!” Brenda chimed, still playing with my hair. “Just give Jacob a chance, honey. You won't regret it. And if you need a beautiful dress, ask Jacob to take you to Chez Zaphire.”

“We'll see you later.” Zaphire waved goodbye, and they both disappeared.

It must be nice to be able to teleport everywhere.

“Danika, do you know where Jacob's bedroom is?” I asked.

She stopped what she was doing and grinned. “Do you want to bring him his breakfast?”

I tucked my hair behind my ears, brushing my hot cheeks. “I don't know if I should...”

“You should. He will be happy. You need to spend time together, to bond.”

“What does he like to eat?”

“I'll make him a plate of scrambled eggs with bacon. He also likes coffee. I'll help you take it to him. He's sleeping in the master bedroom on the first floor. It will be your bedroom also once you accept him.”

I rubbed my hands together, nervously. It seemed everybody was trying to make me understand that I should make an effort to accept Jacob. It wasn't that I didn't like him. I liked him a lot. But, I was shy, and he made me nervous and excited all at once. He had been a perfect gentleman. The opposite of Simon who had been pushy and despicable.

Jacob was big and intimidating. What if he hurt me, too? What if I disappoint him also?

“What were Jacob's former girlfriends like?” I wondered out loud.

Danika laughed as if I said something funny. Distress must have shown in my expression because she sat beside me and explained, “I’ve known Jacob since he was born. Their curse is activated when they are eighteen. When I turned into an angel, Jacob was just a baby. So, you can say that I know him well. What you need to understand is that when a gargoyle is lucky enough to find a rejected soul who is their mate, they temporarily become angels until the final trial. But while they are gargoyles, they don't date. Not like humans. Female gargoyles may fancy a male and go out on a few dates to see if their kiss could break their curses. The gargoyle males, until they are matched by the power from above, stay celibate. After being matched, they are faithful, and we become their whole world. So, any fears you may have about not being beautiful enough, forget them. That gorgeous man will do anything to make you happy.”

I absorbed every word she told me with wide eyes. It made me feel a lot better hearing it from someone besides Jacob.

“Shall I make breakfast for Jacob?”

“Yes, please,” I told her.

She patted my head with a motherly smile. “Drink your coffee. Your pancakes will be ready in a moment.”