Chapter Six

 

 

“What took you so long?” Tessa asked when Tamian returned to the living room.

“Jonas was busy. They had to take Jonathan to the hospital.”

“What? I just saw him. Is he…?” Tessa bit her bottom lip, and her emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears. Tamian crossed the room and pulled her to him. Jonathan wasn’t just Rafael’s right-hand man. The human was like a father to most of the Clan, and Tamian wasn’t immune to the man’s love. Jonathan doted on all the Gargoyles, mates, and kids just as much as Priscilla did, but in his own way. It was only a matter of time before he succumbed to the cancer destroying his body, and that would be a sad day for the Stone Society.

“He was trying to get out of bed when he collapsed. Rafael called Jonas, asking him to meet them at the hospital. For now, he’s stable, but they’re going to keep him there where he can be monitored. Why don’t you go home? Gregor probably needs you.”

“Gregor has his family. I’ll call him later, but I’m not going anywhere. You need me here.”

Tamian squeezed his sister a little tighter, placing a kiss on her temple. “Thank you.”

“Until Gregor came along, you had my back my whole life. It’s about time I did something for you.”

Tamian shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way. It’s not about paybacks or keeping score. I had your back because I love you.”

“And I love you.” Tessa kissed him on the cheek before sitting down on the sofa. Tamian took a seat next to his sister, and she said, “Harlow left with all three of her visitors. They arrived at a brick building with no discernable sign or markings indicating whether or not it’s a business, and if so, what type. I’ve sent the address to Jules.” Tessa rewound the feed to when they arrived and pointed to the monitor. “Take a look at the others entering the building. They’re dressed like bikers, too. If I didn’t know better, I would think they were walking into an MC meeting, but clubhouses aren’t usually so modern.”

Tamian was thankful he had the foresight to request an additional disguise from Jonas. He would need to go shopping for the appropriate clothing, but if he was going to approach Harlow, he didn’t want to use the same prosthetic he did when he had to encounter the bikers, because he was confident he would encounter them.

“Are you hungry?” Tessa asked after an hour of no motion on the screen and silence in their room.

Tamian scrubbed his hands down his face and blew out a breath. He was surprised it took his sister that long to bounce up from the sofa. Neither one of them was the sitting-still type, but she was so much antsier than he was. “Yeah. You feel like sushi?” Tamian wasn’t a picky eater, and there were several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, including a small Japanese place. This would allow Tessa to get out and stretch her legs.

“Sure. Do you want the usual?” He and Tessa had shared enough meals over the years she knew what he liked.

“That or you can surprise me. Grab my wallet off the dresser.”

“Nah, I got it.” Tessa waved him off and grabbed cash out of her purse along with the key card. “I’ll be back in a few.” Neither one of them hurt for money, so he didn’t argue about who paid.

Tamian stood and stretched his arms over his head. Looking around to make sure he had enough room, he unfurled his wings and let his fangs and claws extend. Swimming in the lake and pool had done little to release the tension within. Ever since he ran into Harlow in Norway, Tamian’s beast had been getting more and more restless. For over twenty years, the two halves had lived in harmony. The shifter only came to the forefront when Tamian called on it, but it was clear that wouldn’t be the case much longer. It had been too long since he’d been able to really stretch out and fly. Maybe it was time for another trip to the chalet, but that would only soothe the beast for so long. Not unlike Tamian, it was eager to get closer to Harlow and make her theirs.

After phasing back, Tamian glanced at the computer monitor just in time to see Harlow leaving the building with a different man than she’d entered with. As the man escorted Harlow, he walked a step behind with his hand on the small of her back. When they reached the edge of the parking lot, he handed her a helmet before angling himself onto a sleek black and chrome motorcycle. Harlow didn’t hesitate to put the helmet on and swing herself up and onto the bike, wrapping her arms around his waist. No words were spoken as the bike pulled out of the parking lot and took off.

“Fuck!” Tamian didn’t want to believe his mate was involved with someone else, but then why wouldn’t she be? She was young and beautiful. Smart and wealthy. Most likely a shifter given the fact that some of her family was. If the man on the motorcycle was her boyfriend, Tamian wouldn’t hesitate to remedy that. He wasn’t well versed in the ways of courting females. He’d spent most of his life shadowing his sister to make sure she was safe. He’d been around other shifters and their mates, but when the mate bond took over, there wasn’t a lot of “wooing” needed. The attraction between two fated mates was instantaneous and powerful. All he had to do was get Harlow alone, and that should be enough to have her falling for him.

By the time Tessa returned, arms loaded with food, Harlow still hadn’t returned home via the biker. Tessa spread their lunch out over the dining table, and while they divvied up the various types of rolls, Tamian told her about the guy Harlow was with.

“You need to go see her. The more time she spends with someone who isn’t you is a bad thing.”

“I’m going to, but not without a plan. After we eat, I’m going shopping. I need new clothes for the mask Jonas is sending. Maybe while I’m out, the perfect scenario will come to me.”

Tamian needed a reason to approach Harlow’s home. It was well hidden behind a gate, so it wasn’t like he could walk up and knock on the door.

“What we need is to get ears inside her home. If we only had a way of getting a small transmitter to her. What if we sent her a package with a gift in it?”

“And if you received something through the mail you didn’t order, wouldn’t you be suspicious?”

“Yeah… What about flowers? I wouldn’t be suspicious of flowers… Yeah, I would. Shit.”

Using chopsticks, Tamian deftly dipped a spicy tuna roll in peanut sauce. “I think showing up in person is the better option, but I’m going to need a good excuse. When we thought I could approach her alone, that was one thing, but now that she has company, talking to her with the male around offers a new set of obstacles. If the two of them are involved… Anyway. I’ll figure something out. I have almost twenty-four hours before my package from Jonas arrives.”

Tamian ate his lunch, vaguely aware of his motions, while keeping his eyes glued to the monitors. If Harlow and the male were involved romantically, they would at some point tip their hand. He didn’t want to watch if or when it happened, so as soon as he finished eating, he helped Tessa clean up the mess before saying, “I’m going to get out of here for a while.” Tessa handed him the keys to the rental. “Do you need anything while I’m out?”

“If you want to grab something to cook for supper on your way back, I’m good with that, unless you want to go out.”

“I’ll see what I’m in the mood for later, and I’ll call and let you know. If anything happens there,” Tamian pointed at the monitor, “call me.”

“I will. Have fun shopping.”

Tamian would never equate shopping with fun. What he bought for himself he usually purchased online. That kept him from being around all the crowds. He wasn’t an introvert, but he definitely wasn’t one who reveled in the company of loud groups. It was one reason he’d never stepped foot in a night club on his own. The few times he’d shadowed Tessa when she’d opted to dance the night away had been painful. His sister was more of the pool hall type of woman, but when she’d been a watcher for the family, sometimes she’d had to do things outside her own comfort zone to blend in. Dancing in a crowded club had been one of them. Therefore, Tamian had stepped out of his own comfort zone to watch after her. He sincerely hoped that type of activity wasn’t something Harlow was interested in.

Playing off one of Harlow’s aliases, it didn’t take Tamian long to find the right set of clothes for the disguise he’d chosen. He purchased several other outfits and items he might use if he found himself having to blend in with the bikers. Once he was satisfied he had what he needed, Tamian turned the rental toward a park he’d seen on his way to the mall. Tessa had texted a couple times stating everything was status quo, so he took time to get outside and breathe in the fresh air if only for a little while.

After walking around the park, Tamian rested on a bench, arms spread across the back. The sun shined down on his face, taking some of the chill away. He liked cold weather, and when at the chalet, he loved being surrounded by snow-covered mountains. But he relished the sun as well. It was like a warm hug from the gods.

“Stormy! Stormy come back!” Tamian opened his eyes to the distressed shouts of a little girl. His shifter hearing heard her franticness almost thirty seconds before she came into view. A grey puppy with bright blue eyes was running as fast as its short legs would go, leash trailing behind.

Tamian reached out with his mind, and the pup bounded right up to him. When she reached his feet, she put her front paws on his leg, her tail wagging so hard it made her butt jiggle. Tamian laughed, scooping her into his arms. “Well, hello, Stormy. Aren’t you a pretty girl?” He scratched behind her ears until the little girl approached, followed closely by a woman.

“Stormy!” the little girl cried out, and Tamian placed the puppy safely in the arms of her little person.

“Thank you so much,” the woman said. “We’re trying to get Stormy used to a leash, and so far, she’s winning.”

“You’re most welcome.” Tamian rubbed Stormy under her chin and silently instructed her to obey her person. The little girl set the puppy on the ground, and the little dog danced all around the girl. As he watched them play, an idea came to mind. “This might sound like an odd request, but I’ve been thinking of getting my daughter a puppy, and Stormy is just so cute. Is it okay if I take a picture of her to show my little girl?”

“I…” The mother hesitated, which was smart. Too many creeps in the world.

I promise I only want the picture to show my daughter. Your child is safe with me.

“Yes, that’ll be fine,” the mother agreed after he softly nudged her with his mind. Tamian only used his powers for good, and if the plan he was concocting brought him and Harlow together, he considered that a good thing. He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of the pup.

“Thank you. Maybe I’ll have a Stormy in my life soon.”

“Can I see a picture of your daughter?” the little girl asked.

Tamian just so happened to have a photo of Amelia he’d taken the last time he’d been to the gym. Frey’s family had stopped by to bring Matthew his lunch when he forgot it at home. Tamian wouldn’t want to be Frey. Matthew had just turned eighteen, but Slade was still refusing to let the boy know they were mates. Frey had given Slade his blessing once Matthew turned eighteen, but Slade wanted Matthew to live a little. Go to college and play basketball. He didn’t want the young man to date, but he also didn’t want to bond with him before the kid ever had a chance at experiencing life. Tamian couldn’t imagine the type of strength it took to be around his mate every day, pretending to be just friends.

Tamian showed both mother and daughter Amelia’s picture, and after they agreed the girl needed a dog of her own, they headed back the way they’d come. The little girl turned and waved at him, smiling, while the puppy trotted obediently beside her. Tamian loved animals, and it was only because he was able to communicate with them that they tolerated being around a Gargoyle. Ever since his little chat with Molly, Travis’s black Lab, Jasper as well as other Goyles had been able to visit without her going nuts.

It was hard to imagine a life without animals around. Because of the beast inside, he basically was an animal himself, but for the small creatures to fear being around the Gargoyles, it had to bother some if not all of them. The joy a dog or cat brought to humans was a joy he didn’t take for granted, being one of the few – if not the only one – who could speak to them and ease their fear.

As he made his way back to the rental, Tamian thought about his plan for the next day. It was a cliché ruse, but it was one that worked. At least he hoped it would. Harlow was a smart woman, but he was counting on her heart to be a warm one. If only he knew more about his mate. Like whether or not she was dating the biker. Did she prefer someone all tatted up and scruffy over a male with unmarked skin and basic looks? He was as fit as the biker, if not leaner, but with clothes on, he didn’t feel like he was anything special.

Tamian had watched as the Clan members found their mates. When they did, the bond pull was so strong it didn’t matter whether or not the other mate was their type; they were drawn to them regardless. He’d never seen any couples who weren’t deeply in love, so he had to figure the fates knew what they were doing. Where he and Harlow were concerned, he prayed they did.

 

 

Deacon stood off to one side of the private waiting room with several of the Clan. Rafael and Kaya sat on either side of Priscilla as everyone waited for Jonas to come speak to them. The sadness rolling off the older human was almost more than Deacon could stand. All Gargoyles had the ability to detect emotions, but his “gift” went far beyond the norm.

Help me, he begged his beast.

I’m trying. Priscilla is far more distraught than anyone I’ve ever felt, and her brother is still alive. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like when he passes on?

I’d rather not imagine it. Deacon’s beast did its best to shield them from stronger than normal feelings.

Jonas, disguised as Chief of Staff Joseph Mooneyham, walked into the room and pulled Priscilla to her feet. “Come on, love. Let’s get you in to see Jonathan. We have him settled in a private room, and we’ve set up an extra bed so you can stay with him.” Rafael and Kaya followed behind, as did most of the Clan who were waiting. Deacon hesitated, giving himself a reprieve.

“You coming, Brother?” Paxton asked.

“Yes, but I’m going to call Remy and check in first.” Paxton nodded and left Deacon to his call. Remy Doucet was visiting from the West Coast. Sinclair had tasked the male with visiting the Pen to see how Gregor and Deacon ran it. The Unholy population was growing on the West Coast, and Rafael and Sin were designing a private facility where they could house their own inmates. The Stone name didn’t carry as much weight in California as it did in New Atlanta, and offering to build and run a prison had been met with one roadblock after another, so they designed a private facility which was in the process of being built.

When Gregor took off for the hospital, Deacon asked to go as well, leaving Remy to look after things at the Pen. While watching over Trevor, Deacon had gotten even closer to the Clan members’ mates and children. That also meant spending time at the manor and falling in love with Jonathan and Priscilla. Deacon didn’t have any family close by. His parents lived in Africa, and he hadn’t seen them in over three hundred years. He’d been an only child, so finding a family in his Clan brought him joy he hadn’t felt in a long time.

When Remy assured him things were fine, Deacon made his way to Jonathan’s room. Most of the Goyles were crowded around the door, giving Priscilla, Rafael, and Kaya breathing room. One by one, they visited Jonathan, offering him love and support. When Deacon entered the room, he became light-headed. What the fuck? Bending over, he took several deep breaths, trying to clear the fog from his brain.

“Are you all right?” Rafael asked, placing a steadying hand on Deacon’s back.

“Yeah, I…” Standing upright, he shook his head. “That was weird. I got dizzy all of a sudden.”

Rafael and Kaya looked at each other, smiling. Kaya said, “Dr. Bailey.”

“What about him?” Deacon asked, rubbing his forehead.

“Her. Dr. Bailey is Jonathan’s oncologist. You might want to stick around until she returns. You know, just to be sure.” Rafael clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.

“Be sure of what?”

“That she’s your mate.”