It didn’t take long for Finley to find Urijah. Then again, he wasn’t hiding. Finley stepped up beside him and leaned against the railing, cradling a cup of coffee in his hands. “How are you?” Fin asked.

“Fine.” Uri didn’t want to rehash the previous day’s events.

“Liar,” Fin joked, bumping his shoulder into Uri’s. “I know the same tricks you do for evening out your breathing. That’s Gargoyle 101.”

Urijah kept his gaze straight ahead. Banyan might know Uri better than anyone, but twenty years with another male was a long time to be friends, and Fin would definitely see the lie in his eyes. “Have you ever been to Greece?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Nope. First time. Growing up in Ireland, I spent most of my time there and in Scotland. It wasn’t until my mother crossed over that I left the Kingdom. I was able to travel enough throughout the three lands and back again that nobody suspected anything.”

“What about your father and the rest of your family? Are they still living?”

“Da crossed over a few years after me Ma did. I was an only offspring, so I have no family left. Except for the Clan.”

“Where did you go when you left Ireland?” Uri asked. It was strange that he and Finley had been friends for so long, yet they had never talked like this. About traveling. Family. About personal things friends should know about one another.

“I traveled down to France and Spain. I spent about fifty years going between the two before I made my way to the States. Been there ever since. What about you? Have you been here before?”

“Yes.” Urijah had traveled all over Europe and parts of Asia, never settling in one place too long. He searched for someplace – someone – to call home, but when he didn’t find it right away, he moved on. “For about a month, I passed through as I was traveling north from Africa to Russia.”

“Didn’t like Africa?”

“Didn’t like the sand. It took me all of three days to figure that shit out. Instead of traveling south to the grassy lands, I headed north.”

“Why Russia?” Finley asked.

“Why not?”

“Because the Russians hate gays.”

Urijah closed his eyes briefly. He didn’t want the conversation to go where it was headed, but he didn’t want to lie to Fin either. “I fought being gay for a long time, thinking there was something wrong with me. I’d never known another male who preferred males over females. If I knew them, I had no idea of their sexual preferences. Setting out to find a female mate was my goal when I… when I started traveling alone. The farther north I went, the more depressed I became. I constantly thought about what it would be like to cross over. To just not be here any longer.” Uri took a sip of coffee and blinked his eyes, refusing to let Finley see how the conversation was affecting him. Clearing his throat, he continued. “Then one day I met a man named Mishka.”

 

 

 

Banyan was restless. The others who were waiting their turn went about their day either watching TV, meditating, playing video games, or drinking. Banyan did none of the above. He waited a few hours until he felt his mate’s presence drifting away. No, not his mate anymore. Banyan made his way over to the other villa, slipping into Uri’s bedroom. With Uri gone, Banyan took a look around. Other than his clothes, which were neatly folded in his duffel, there was nothing indicating Uri had been there other than his scent. Banyan fully expected Uri to have tossed the letter in the trash along with Mjölnir, but after searching all the drawers as well as the bathroom, the rooms were bare.

Banyan lay down on the bed. He knew he was only tormenting himself and his beast by surrounding them in Uri’s unique scent, but he needed to have something of his former best friend’s to take with him. Sandalwood, sage, and mint surrounded Banyan. As he pulled Uri’s pillow to his chest, he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and remembered their last kiss before Urijah disappeared all those years ago. As long as he lived, he would never forget how Uri’s lips felt. How their breath had mingled when Uri gasped. The way he gripped Banyan’s arms, pulling him closer.

Uri rolled over on the blanket they were stretched out on so he was facing Banyan, his fingers tangled in Banyan’s hair. The winter air was icy, and the colorful light show flashed across the sky as they silently spent an hour or so just being together. It was times like this Banyan cherished most. Even more so than when they were getting each other off. Banyan had never pushed Uri to do more than he was comfortable with. Quick hand jobs and frottage were merely ways of satisfying the craving. Banyan wanted to sink deep inside Urijah, burying his cock to the hilt and thrusting as roughly as his mate could take, but that wasn’t to be. At least not yet. Banyan was being patient, but he didn’t know how much longer his beast would remain quiet before it demanded they take what was rightfully theirs.

Banyan stroked Urijah’s beard, letting his fingers card the soft hair while his eyes sought Uri’s. When his best friend did look at him, Banyan’s chest constricted. What he saw wasn’t the sated look of his best friend. Uri’s gaze was a tormented storm, and Banyan knew this was the last time they would have together. “I love you, Uri,” Banyan whispered. If this was it, he was going to lay all his cards out there.

Uri closed his eyes, and his breathing hitched. A lone tear leaked out of one eye, rolling down Uri’s face, getting lost in the blond facial hair Banyan was still stroking. “I love you with all that I am. I don’t know why the fates chose me for your mate when it’s obvious you’re looking for something else, but know this, min eneste kjærlighet, I will never give up on you. On us. You are my best friend and my one true love. No matter how far you go or how long it takes for you to come back to me, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

Urijah had kissed Banyan after that. Kissed him with more tenderness than he could have imagined. What Urijah couldn’t say aloud, he told Banyan with his mouth and his hands. Banyan had waited, but as the years added up, his heart lost hope. Until the day Dominic mentioned Urijah’s name, Banyan had given up. He cursed the fates for bringing the two of them back together. It would have been easier to continue wondering “what if” than knowing it would never be.

 

 

 

Not knowing what the outcome of the battle would be, Urijah told Finley about the human male he fell in love with. “I saw this tall, broad-shouldered man standing outside a restaurant, and for a few seconds, I thought it was Banyan. His long, blond hair was pulled back in a leather thong, the same way Banyan wore his. My heart stopped. I approached him, but when he turned my way, it wasn’t my best friend. His eyes were the wrong color. His nose was sharper. Longer. His lips weren’t quite as thick and pouty. But the man was still gorgeous. His smile was infectious, but then I remembered where we were, and I turned away.

“He followed me back to my hotel and knocked on my door. When I opened, I already knew it was him. Without saying a word, he pushed his way inside and closed the door behind him. By that time, I had bedded plenty of men, so I was no stranger to sex with another male. But I had never encountered one so bold. Mishka silently stripped out of his clothes while the smile on his face grew as did the lust in his eyes. Long story short, we stayed in bed for three days, only getting up to shower and eat. We talked. Actually, he did most of the talking. I listened, and the more I learned, the more I liked him. He wasn’t Banyan, but I had given up hope on ever seeing my mate again, so I decided instead of succumbing to the depressing thoughts of crossing over, I would allow myself at least one human’s lifetime of companionship.”

“Did you tell him what you are?”

“Yes. There was no way I was going to go through life not aging and having him wonder what the fuck was going on. When I phased for the first time, he just laughed. Then he dropped to his knees and blew me. I convinced him to move away with me, and we headed to America, ending up in New Orleans. We took our time getting there, though. Together, we made our way across Europe, stopping in several countries and spending weeks seeing the sights. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him. Mishka wasn’t Banyan, but he was fucking close.”

“I know what happened in New Orleans. Banyan admitted it to me last night.”

Urijah stared at Finley, waiting for judgment. His friend remained silent, so he said, “Then you understand why I can’t forgive him.”

The smile Finley gave Uri was sad. “I can’t say that, Brother. I honestly can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing. I can understand why you would be upset, but I would hope you could also see things from Banyan’s point of view. You were his mate, yet you were pledging your life to another. That’s a fate worse than death to someone who was watching his life slip through his fingers. Anyway, it’s neither here nor there. You have your freedom. I only pray Banyan can find peace once this battle is over.”

“You’re taking his side?” Uri asked.

“There are no sides in this. Only a sad situation with an even sadder outcome. My heart breaks for both of you.” Finley cupped his hand on the side of Uri’s neck and rubbed his thumb over his jaw. Something he’d done plenty of times in the past, only this time it wasn’t sexual. The door opened, and the two of them stepped away from each other.

“It’s go time,” Gregor said before ducking back inside.

“Thank you,” Finley said when they were alone again.

“For what?”

“For loving me. For fucking me well and good,” he added with a grin. Fin’s eyes misted, and his voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re the only family I have left. If something happens, I want you to know I can die happy having lived twenty wonderful years with you by my side.” Finley leaned in placing his lips against Uri’s in a kiss so gentle it made his heart ache. When he broke the kiss, Fin touched his forehead to Uri’s briefly before turning and walking away.

 

 

 

Banyan remained on Urijah’s bed until the last boat was ready to leave for Ithaca. He returned to his own room, grabbed his sword and his duffel bag, and made his way downstairs to join the others. He wouldn’t be returning to the villa once the battle was over.

As much as Banyan loved the water, this particular boat ride was uneventful. He had sailed on longships back in his homeland. He had heard the others call both him and Uri Viking, but truth was the men from Scandinavia who raided using the seas as their main routes of transportation came along several hundred years before either one of them was born. Modern television had romanticized the rough humans, making them appear much sexier than the rogue men and women had been.

Not only had he cruised on modern passenger ships, Banyan had also slipped through the bayous of Louisiana, paddling alone through the murky waters, and he had crossed oceans on yachts. This trip was merely a means to an end. Transportation from one spot to another. Banyan sat away from the others trying to shield them from his somber mood. A mood that was mixed with excitement at taking out the enemy, but one that wasn’t looking forward to what happened afterward, should he live to see another day.

Carter docked away from the marina at a point where the Goyles had to use their shifter abilities to jump from the boat onto land. The area was dark, sufficiently hiding the watercraft as well as its passengers from the prying eyes of any human who might have been in the area. Only a Gargoyle who was looking for them would have noticed. Once on land, the group was met by Gregor who led the way to the entrance of the tunnel. Banyan was surprised Tessa was with Gregor, but once they were in the tunnel, it was explained why the half-blood was there.

Tessa and Tamian had the ability to speak with one another through their minds, the same way Gregor and Tessa could. Tamian was in the other tunnel with the group that would attack from the north side of the compound. Tessa and Tamian were communicating silently to coordinate the attack. Banyan knew Tessa was fierce. She reminded him of his sister. If those two ever got together, the world would need to watch out.

Gregor went over the plan once more. Their group would take the first floor of the compound while the group Remy was leading attacked the second. Sinclair, backed by Frey, would go after Alistair. Tessa was to remain out of sight with Carter watching over her should any of the Greeks get past the Stone Society.

Testosterone filled the passageway as each Gargoyle brought their beast just to the surface. There would be no phasing if they could keep from it. Banyan followed the others along the corridor that ran the length of the compound beneath Alistair’s current home. True to Donovan’s word, the entrance was accessible on the other end, and soon they were at the doorway. As they moved out of the tunnel into the courtyard, the sliver of moon called to Banyan, urging him to shift. Tempting him to let the beast out and have its way. He inhaled deeply and tightened his grip on his sword.

It didn’t take long for the first of the Greeks to realize they had company. The male called out to his own Clan, raising them from their beds while Jasper engaged him in battle. Metal encountered metal, and the fight was on. The few who had been standing guard were prepared with swords, but the Americans had Julian’s special coating covering their weapons. Remy whistled, indicating several Greeks were coming at them from behind. Banyan reached up to touch Mjölnir, but it wasn’t there. He sent a quick prayer to Odin to watch over Urijah and the others as he took the first swing.

 

 

Alistair was awake when the first shout rang out. The naked female lying on her stomach never stirred when he rolled over and stood, reaching for the sleeping pants he’d opted to leave off after fucking her and one of the other whores. Normally, he didn’t allow them to sleep in his bed, but he’d kept the young girl with him at the last moment, thinking he might want another go at her ass.

His inner door opened, and without knocking, Darian strode in.

“Good, I do not have to look for you. Tell me what is happening,” Alistair demanded as he tied the string on his silk bottoms. His head was down, focused on his hands, but the tip of a sword bisected his vision. Alistair snapped his head up, but his supposed right hand pushed the tip harder against his throat. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“This is me keeping you company until your nephew gets here.”

“You bastard!” Alistair glanced over where his own sword was displayed. A lot of good it did him there. He stood still as he calculated his chances against the traitor. Alistair might be old, but he was still a godsdamned Gargoyle. An Original, and he was powerful. He could probably overcome Darian if he timed things right.

“Don’t even think about it, Alistair. By the time you move, I’ll have your head on the floor, but that’s not my right.” The door to the balcony opened, and one of his nephews strode in. “It’s his,” Darian said not bothering to look away.

“Rafael, I see you are just like your father. Too cowardly to face me alone. I will take care of you the same way your father was slain. With glee.”

“I am proud to be like my father, but you are mistaken, Uncle. I am not Rafael. I am Sinclair, and there will be no glee on your part. Only a lot of blood-letting. It will only take one of us to end you for what you have done to our family.”

Darian stepped away from Alistair, keeping his sword at the ready. By that time, the whore was awake, and the traitorous bastard who had lived in his compound and trained his males ushered her out of the room. “I will kill you, Darian,” he called after the male.

Darian stopped at the door. “The name is Donovan, and I seriously doubt that.”

Alistair returned his attention to his nephew, and asked, “Is this truly to be a fair fight? You think you can take the throne from me?”

“He won’t be fighting you. I will.” Another Gargoyle stepped into the bedroom.  This male was larger than even Theron had been. Alistair knew his face. Knew his reputation. Geoffrey.

“Hello, Alistair.”

For the first time in all his years, Alistair was afraid.