Buoyancy swept through Arielle’s chest, leaving her tingling. Her mind buzzed, lighting up with sparks of curiosity about the concert. Since Calum had told her about his band, she’d tried to envision it.

When she pictured them in a crowded room, a darker thought crept in—there could be more complications.

“I can give you a pendant to mask your scent,” Kayla said.

“Perfect,” Calum said.

Once they left Mason and Kayla, she asked Calum, “You sure this is a good idea?” she asked.

He jutted his jaw. “The other gargoyles are on watch in the area. We’d be going to a city far from any trouble.”

“That’s not exactly what I mean. I feel safe around you.” She quickly added, “And your brothers, of course.”

“Then what is it?”

“You might be distracted, on the lookout for threats.”

“I’d be far more concerned if I couldn’t see you. If you’re in the same room as me, I know you’re safe.”

Arielle’s heart swelled. His concern made her feel cherished.

“I find it difficult to turn down an adventure.” She gave him a sly smile.

“I promise it will be a memorable one.” He flashed an irresistible grin, one with a hint of mischief. “I love performing for a crowd. I want to perform for you.”

She arched a brow in a flirtatious manner. “Sounds even more enticing.”

He shrugged. “The more I think of it, the more I like the idea. Besides, only humans come to our shows. Or that’s been the case as far as I can tell. Humans won’t pose a threat to your kind, would they?”

“Not in the sense that they’d be lured by my magic,” she said. “They wouldn’t recognize nor know what to do with it.”

“Brilliant.” He took her hand and rubbed her palm. “Come with me.”

She bit her lip while she debated it.

“Why are you hesitant?”

“I hate being a burden to you.”

His eyes widened with incredulity. “Arielle, is that what you think?”

She shrugged. “What other explanation is there?”

“Far from a burden. In fact,” He paused, turning his gaze to the distance before turning back to her. He cupped her face. “Spending time with you has been incredible, the best in a long time.”

Her breathing turned ragged. His words reached a place deep inside her. Was it possible he felt more for her than she knew? More than a physical attraction? Not knowing how to respond, she let out a soft sigh.

“Come with me. The distraction would be good for both of us. I’d rather do something than sit around waiting and going mad.”

Exploring another place with Calum. Getting a glimpse into his world. How could she resist? It spoke to her call for adventure—exactly what she’d lacked in her realm with the same existence and the same pegasi, day after day.

“I’d love to go.”

* * *

The next night, Arielle sat at a table in a dimly lit club with a witch, a wolf, and a gargoyle. Kayla, Raina, and Mairi, all of whom had insisted on accompanying Arielle. She had a knife fastened to her leg, on Calum’s insistence. The club smelled as if they’d painted the walls with beer and was as dark and confining as a coffin. But, she’d never experienced anything like this in her realm, so she tried to keep an open mind.

They had pints in front of them, except for Kayla, who sprinkled some herbs into a glass of cranberry juice.

“I appreciate you coming along,” Arielle said. “But did you come because you wanted to see them play—or because Calum put you up to it?”

“What makes you say that?” Raina asked.

Arielle hadn’t known Raina long, and couldn’t get a read on her yet. “He can be somewhat—protective.” Arielle laughed. “No, that’s an understatement. He is overprotective.”

“Ah, that notorious gargoyle instinct kicking in,” Raina said with a smile. “We all know what that’s like. Especially you, Mairi.”

“Trust me, I know what it’s like on both ends,” Mairi said. “Being on the receiving end is quite nice. But when you’re the one feeling the pull, it can be—difficult. All consuming.”

“I’ve never seen it with Calum before,” Kayla pointed out. “He must have developed strong feelings for you.”

Could that be true?

Or was Calum experiencing what Mairi had described, mere gargoyle instinct? Arielle hadn’t given him much downtime since they’d met. He’d been constantly vigilant.

“Did he convince you to keep an eye on me?” Arielle asked them once again, since none of them had directly answered her question.

Arielle touched the blue stone pendant Kayla had given her to wear to mask Arielle’s scent, helping her to blend in with humans. Hopefully, it worked on dragons, and whatever other supernatural beings that could pose a threat.

“No,” Kayla insisted. “Calum mentioned you were coming, so we thought we’d make it a girls’ night out.”

Kayla exchanged a glance with Raina. She was a terrible liar. At least, she’d tried to make her feel welcome.

“I come to watch them play as often as possible,” Kayla added. “In fact, that’s how we met—I fell for Mason while watching him play.”

“Calum mentioned that,” Arielle said.

“They were quite spectacular.” Kayla lowered her voice. “When they played on the island, they didn’t hold anything back. Not like now, when they have to masquerade as humans.”

Her curiosity rose. “What were they like?”

“Incredible to watch. The crowd would gather around the stage where the brothers loomed in stone form. As the sun set, they’d make wee movements. A finger twitch. A foot inching forward. Just enough to make the audience clamor with anticipation. Then they’d shift to human form, taking their instruments, and begin playing. Calum bounced all over the stage. He still does that, like nothing can ever contain his energy. At the end of the show, they’d put down their instruments, spread their wings, and shoot into the sky.”

Arielle listened, stunned. “It does sound like quite the spectacle.”

Kayla leaned back in her chair. “And now, look at the four of us out to watch them play. You couldn’t find more different women—species that is. But I’m glad to be here with all of you. I like seeing the brothers happy.”

She said it like Arielle and Calum were a couple. That wasn’t possible considering their limited time together. Still, it made her feel good to think she made Calum happy. Much better than feeling out of place in her realm. At least this realm had thrills. Sure, there was danger, but Calum made her feel safe.

“I’m not with Calum,” she clarified. “He’s just helping me get back home.”

The three women exchanged glances once again, clearly not believing Arielle.

“We see the way he looks at you,” Raina said.

“And you at him,” Mairi added with knowing glint in her eye.

“And we heard about a hot kiss the other night,” Kayla said.

Arielle’s cheeks burned. They’d done so in clear view of the other gargoyles. She took a sip. Luckily, the stage lights blared on, taking the attention off her. How would she have explained the kiss, the growing attraction, which was pointless since it couldn’t go anywhere?

“Gavin is still a confirmed bachelor,” Raina said.

Arielle exhaled, glad to have the focus shifted off her.

“Can you picture him ever settling down with one woman?” Kayla’s eyes widened.

“Please. No.” Raina rolled her eyes. “He’s with a different one—or two—every night. Doubt his cock ever reaches room temperature.”

Kayla burst out with a laugh and swatted Raina’s arm. “Raina, that’s awful!” She lifted her juice to her lips. Before she took a sip, she said, “And true.”

Arielle laughed, as well. Since Gavin had scoped out many women as soon as he entered the club, it was easy to believe.

“I’ve noticed Calum is different around you,” Raina said.

“How?”

“Intense. More grown up.”

Arielle tilted her head, considering what Raina said.

“He’s the baby of the family and he acts that role. Carefree, playful. Lachlan has mentioned how Calum never missed the opportunity to play a practical joke. But with you, he’s maturing. You’re good for him.”

Could that be true?

“Here they come,” Kayla said. “Let’s move up.”

Arielle followed them to push their way closer to the stage.

“Plus,” Mairi added, “Bryce says they play better when they see us.”

“Ha.” Raina laughed. “Like peacocks showing off their pretty tails.”

Under the spotlights, the brothers strode onto the stage, raising their arms in greeting. The crowd, especially the women, cheered as they stepped up to their instruments. It was clear to see why—they were quite the vision in their kilts with their muscular chests glistening under the spotlights.

“They kept the kilts tonight,” Kayla shouted over the noise in the club.

“Keeping it traditional,” Raina replied.

“What else would they wear?” Arielle asked.

“Sometimes they go for the whole rock star look—leather trousers, tight black jeans—or even—gasp—they put on a shirt.”

Arielle laughed, joining in with the women. They made her feel welcome, something she appreciated as she’d often felt like the odd peg in her family. Kayla was right, they were all so different, even species-wise, yet she felt more companionship at that moment than she had with her sisters, her flesh and blood.

“Welcome!” Calum announced, drawing her attention to the stage. “I recognize some faces out there tonight. Good to have you back. For those who don’t know us, we’re the Knights of Stone. I’m Calum and these ugly blokes up here with me are my big brothers.” Calum sauntered over to Gavin and peered down on him. “Or should I say little brothers?”

The audience laughed. Although the gargoyles towered over the human men in the audience, Calum ribbed Gavin over Calum’s extra couple of inches.

Gavin nudged him in the ribs and smirked. “You should stick to singing, rather than comedy.”

“That I can do,” Calum replied.

Calum shrieked into the microphone and the others launched into a song unlike any Arielle had ever heard. It was loud, throbbing, fast, and unforgiving. Bryce pounded on the drums and then Lachlan, Gavin, and Mason joined in with their guitars. Each one appeared a bit different, and she didn’t know enough about human instruments to differentiate them.

Remembering what the others had said about Gavin, she pulled her gaze to him. He’d step up to the edge of the stage while he played his guitar, drawing closer to the female hands grabbing up at him; letting them get oh-so-close before he backed off. Then he’d return, edging ever so close again. Tempting and teasing, like a sexual act—building up the female attention, and then pulling back, only to work them up into a bigger frenzy.

As Calum sang, he bounded around on stage, like an uncontrollable force of energy. She couldn’t tear her gaze from him as he prowled on stage—a captivating mix of powerful masculinity and sinewy grace. By the screams of women in the crowd, Arielle doubted she was the only one captured by his exuberant presence. She began to sway, driven by some innate rhythm that responded to the music.

Calum’s voice was clearly his instrument. From battle cries to deep, low croons. With each song, his words entranced her. Her inhibitions dropped, and she lost herself among the excited bodies moving in the crowd. She’d never experienced something as raw and guttural as the electrifying performance, with all that potent, male sexuality. No wonder Kayla had crossed barriers to watch the band play.

Calum searched for Arielle several times over the set. And each time their gazes met, the heat grew higher. Her skin tingled, and moisture pooled between her legs. His voice, his stare, his promise—all called to her on some primitive level. Despite the number of people in the room with them, it was just the two of them. He was singing to her. Only her. Branding her with his voice.

She had no idea what to expect when she’d come to the show tonight, but after that performance, she doubted she’d ever look at the world the same way.

* * *

Although this was one of the smaller clubs they’d played in, it was one Calum would never forget. He didn’t care how many people were in the crowd that night. All that mattered was that Arielle was among them.

Mason had written a love song for Kayla called Conquered, which Calum and Gavin mercilessly ribbed him about.

“What are we, mate—some 80s-rock band with the quintessential power ballad?” Gavin had teased.

“How sappy can you get, bro?” Calum had added.

Mason had taken it all in stride. “You don’t get it. And probably never will.”

They’d continued to tease Mason every time they’d practice the song, although they’d come up with the music to go with his lyrics.

That is, until they’d discovered how the lassies had responded the first time they’d played it live.

A ballad about conquering obstacles to love was a hit. The women practically swooned and peppered the brothers with questions after the show. Who did you write it for? Do you have a girlfriend? They’d been all over it.

And Gavin and Calum had made sure they were all over them later that night.

But while Calum sang tonight, it was just for Arielle. When he sang Conquered, he knew it. He sought her out in the crowd, no longer merely to make sure she was safe. He wanted to be with her. As he sang the lyrics of love conquering all that was forbidden, he finally got it. No wonder he’d had it stuck in his head lately. As he crooned the romantic lyrics, he communicated what he’d never be able to say to Arielle outright. Searching beyond all the lassies in the front rows who vied for his attention, he found the woman with silvery-blonde hair a few rows back. The one who swayed in a way that enraptured him. That captured his heart.

He caught her stare, and was struck by it—such unique eyes for an unforgettable woman. He sang for her, only her.

She could be his perfect match. She was brave, beautiful, adventurous, and playful. He was so damn attracted to her, he could barely keep his hands—or lips—off her.

Time to snap out of the longing. If he had only had limited time left with her, he wasn’t going to waste another minute dwelling on how it would soon end. The heated look in her eyes conveyed that she wanted him—the violet had turned dark and smoky with desire. Despite what she’d said on the isle about not complicating their relationship, her heated gaze indicated she was as on edge as he was. He had to take a chance and take action…as long as he could keep a handle on his emotions, and not complicate matters, like she feared.

It was daft to allow himself to grow so attached to someone who could only be a fleeting part in his life. He couldn’t allow himself to be haunted by the ghost of her. He had to go back to the way he was before he met Arielle—unattached and unworried. Living for the moment. Enjoying the rewards that his role as a rock singer brought—lots of female attention.

If all they had was a moment, he’d make it a damn unforgettable memory for them both before they moved on.

Yet, a voice in the back of his mind warned that he couldn’t go back. He wouldn’t be the same.

He ignored that voice and solidified his resolve with the iconic cry in one of their most popular songs—one describing a great clash with enemies of the gargoyles centuries ago. He bounced around on stage while his brothers increased the tempo, their instruments reminiscent of a battle march. The increased speed was orgasmic—fueling the band into a heated frenzy, as well as the audience. The perfect way to leave them. Calum bet many of the blokes in the crowd would go home happy with their girlfriends tonight.

The Knights of Stone ended with one of their crowd favorites—the Hunt. His brothers played the driving beat while Calum sang lyrics of a predator on the hunt. Whenever they played this song, Calum would focus on the lassies with an intense look, conveying his intent to those he’d like to capture. When she’d return the look through half-lidded eyes and lips parted, he’d known he’d cornered his prey, and was ready for the capture.

Tonight, he’d use his tactic on the willowy blonde who had flown into his life.

But when he caught Arielle’s gaze, something shifted within him. He swallowed, shuffling from one foot to the other. This exchange was nothing like those other occasions when he was convinced of his inevitable victory.

For the first time, he wondered if he was the one who’d been caught.