Calum swallowed on hearing Lachlan’s directive. He’d had mixed reactions as he followed the conversation about bringing Arielle to the Isle of Stone, as the adrenaline of battle faded and the reality of the situation settled. Helping a stranger in need had developed into something more. It was one thing for him to instinctively protect her and help her search for the portal that evening, but now he had to bring her home with him, to his private space?

“You want me to take her home?” Calum asked Lachlan.

“She can’t be left alone in the Highlands while a dragon is out there,” Lachlan replied.

“I agree, but—” What was he trying to say? Something about this task unsettled him.

“But what?” Lachlan asked.

How long would he be expected to guard Arielle? It might be for only one night, but if they didn’t find her portal, he’d be pulled into her problem. Hadn’t they had enough lately? Damn it, just when they were getting back to their own lives after dealing with numerous incidents out of their control.

He was the singer of a rock band. All he wanted was to play with his brothers as part of the Knights of Stone. They’d finally gotten their shit back together after the debacle on the Isle of Stone and had scheduled tour dates in the UK, with European ones to follow. His chance encounter with a dragon and pegasus shouldn’t undermine everything they’d worked so hard to build back up again in the last few months.

Yet, he couldn’t abandon her…

Arielle watched him with expectant eyes but then turned away. “You’re right, Calum. You’ve already done too much for me. I can’t ask you to take on my problems. You’ve risked your life enough. I’ll be fine.”

What? Had she read every reservation in his head? Could she read minds, or were his concerns written all over his face?

A pang of guilt hit him. She must still be terrified after the dragon. She looked so small. Her vulnerability drew him in. He resisted the urge to step closer.

She couldn’t stay out there alone. He’d come to her aid when she was in trouble. Of course he had. He was a gargoyle. Protection was instinctual. He and his brothers had faced all sorts of challenges in recent months, from the interference of humans on the Isle of Stone, to encounters with demons in the Highlands, and forced reconciliations with the wolf shifters and tree witches on the island.

“No,” he barked. “That’s not it.”

“What is it then?” Lachlan asked, eying him through shrewd eyes.

Calum searched his racing mind for some sort of explanation for his reluctance. Anything. “How is taking her to the isle going to help her get back home? It’s taking her even farther from the portal. She needs to get back to her mother. Think of how nuts Mum would go with one of us missing.”

“We’ll figure out how to get her back later,” Lachlan said. “What matters now is getting her to safety, while we search for the dragon.”

“The veil will provide more protection than being out here in the open,” Bryce added.

“Veil?” Arielle asked.

“It’s a magical one, invisible. It shields our island from humans,” Calum said. “Also, you’ll be safe from other supes, somewhat — they’d have to pass through the veil first, before they might sense you’re there.”

“If you’re not up for that task, Gavin can escort her,” Lachlan said in a knowing tone.

Shite, he could have mentioned either of the other two brothers—who were committed to their mates—but Lachlan chose Gavin.

Gavin smiled like he’d been offered a giant piece of cake. Quite a bonnie lass. I’d be happy to escort her.

He was always thinking with his dick. He’d always been the worst of the lot when it came to the lassies. Ever since Lachlan, Bryce, and Mason had found their mates, Gavin had gone even further with his womanizing, as if proving to himself he’d never settle down with one woman. With the band touring again, he relished his role on stage, encouraging all the female attention that came along with it. Although Calum was a close second in the pursuit of women, Gavin followed his cock from lassie to lassie at each show as if it was a divining rod.

If Arielle showed any interest in his dog of a brother…

Sod off, bro.

Gavin smirked. Not like you to be so possessive.

Calum ignored him, shaking off the prickly sensation that covered his skin, like he was a bloody porcupine. “I’ll take Arielle.”

Lachlan nodded with a slight smirk. Blimey, Calum’s eldest brother knew exactly how to play him.

“Bryce, come with me to the Calder Clan,” Lachlan said. “Gavin and Mason, keep watch for the dragon. We’ll meet back on the isle.”

Calum exchanged glances with Arielle. If he had mixed feelings on the matter, he was sure she must, too. Though, her face didn’t express any discernible reservations.

A tumble of emotions rolled through him. He turned to her. “You ready to fly?”

* * *

Arielle soared at Calum’s side, the way he did when she’d led. Through the darkness, she could make out the shapes of the terrain through the faint, lingering mist. Meadows rose to hills, hills swelled to mountains and receded down to valleys bordered by a stream that fed into a loch. The night air smelled clean, refreshing.

The land disappeared as they soared over a vast body of water that shimmered under the moon’s reflection. In the sky ahead, mysterious streaks of light in shades of green and pink highlighted their route. Strange. She’d ask him about it when she was in human form.

As the time passed, her wings grew heavy from exhaustion. It had been a difficult night, the most strenuous one of her life. First, being chased by a dragon, then with their attempt to find the portal, and now with the journey to his island many miles away. If Calum was tired, as well, he didn’t show it, nor did he complain about the long hours he’d spent with her, being sucked into her ordeal.

She was such an idiot. Not only had she almost gotten herself killed, but she could have endangered others as well. Like Calum’s brothers. All who were out on a mission dealing with a problem she’d created. And others were in danger as well. A dragon could take out its vengeance on anyone. Or anything. All because she’d been curious. Or bored. Or whatever had compelled her to seek excitement away from home.

Perhaps it was a means of escape from her lackluster life.

Enough. She was too exhausted to think any longer. She needed to rest. Best to reserve her energy for the remainder of the flight, and hopefully that wouldn’t be much longer.

When they approached an island, odd vibrations tickled her skin as they seemed to pass through a membrane. It wasn’t visible and wasn’t as drastic a change as the portal, but signaled a transition. She peered at him to see if he noticed as well.

“Don’t worry. It’s the magical veil,” Calum said.

He pointed to an island below. “That’s our home.”

He descended, and she followed. Much of the island was covered by forests that surrounded an open space. A few deer darted across it. Pockets of craggy red and grey cliffs that cascaded down to the ocean glistened under the moonlight.

Calum directed them to a flat coastal area near a small pool of water. He took a handful and drank. When she landed, she sniffed at the water. It smelled clean, safe to drink. She gulped the refreshing liquid. The flight had taken a lot out of her.

“Thought you might be thirsty,” he said.

She shifted to human form. “I didn’t realize how much. It’s been a long night.”

He took another handful. “It certainly has. The sun is going to come up soon. We need to rest.”

He led them through a wooded area. The shadows from the dense foliage made it appear even darker, even with the peculiar emerald light filtering through. Her pulse raced. Anything could be in there. Including something dangerous.

“All right?” he asked.

She raised her chin, mustering false courage. “Fine.”

“I can sense your fear.”

“What is that strange green light? A portal to another realm?”

“No.” He chuckled. “I never thought of it that way, but I can see now, how it might look that way. It’s just simmer din, the Northern Lights.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s nothing to fear. It’s as natural as the sun or moon. We generally only see them from October through March, so this is the end of it.”

It didn’t make much sense to her, but that had to be part of being in a strange, new realm.

He offered his arm. “Here, hold on to me.”

Although she felt stupid with her sudden apprehension, she took his arm. Hard muscle pushed through the skin. “Thanks. This world is foreign to me.”

“Of course, you’d be frightened. Especially after what you’ve gone through tonight.”

She breathed easier. Holding on to his muscular arm helped relieve her anxiety. Being near him in general did. He was a protector, after all, and he’d saved her once already.

“Having you with me helps. I can’t imagine what would have happened otherwise…”

“Don’t think about that now. We’ll get some rest and get you back to the Highlands tomorrow. We’ll find a way to get you back home.”

“Do you think so? I mean, if it’s even possible.”

His expression turned grim. “I don’t know for sure. But I do know you don’t quit before you try.”

She sighed. “You’re right.” Several small cabins appeared ahead.

“They’re not luxurious, but they’ll provide shelter.” He drew his brows in. “Unless you’d prefer to sleep out in the open?”

“I don’t prefer one over the other. It depends on which form I’m in.” She scanned the cabins. “Which one is yours?”

“I don’t really use one that often, more for storage.”

“Where do you sleep then?”

“Come. I’ll show you.” He brought her to a platform in a clearing. “Usually up there.” He pointed to it.

“On that hard stone thing? How is that comfortable?”

He chuckled. “When I’m up there, I’m a hard stone thing.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks reddened. She hadn’t meant to insult him. Luckily, he seemed to take it in stride.

The sound of someone approaching from behind made her spin. It was a woman with auburn hair. Arielle stepped closer to him.

“Arielle, this is Mairi. She’s a gargoyle shifter, Bryce’s mate.”

Another gargoyle. Phew. She was going to be on eggshells until she returned to her realm. She forced a smile. “Hello.”

Mairi cast a quick glance at Arielle and nodded. “Did Bryce return to the island with you?” Her voice was marked by her concern.

“Ah, no,” Calum replied. “He flew with Lachlan to the Calder Clan.”

“What for?”

“We had a bit of an incident after the show.” Calum summed up what had happened with Arielle and the dragon.

“I’m going to him.” Wings like Calum’s unfurled from behind her and in the next beat, she ascended.

“Mairi—” Calum began. “They’ll be back soon.” That was a lie since he had no idea when they’d return, but he didn’t want to worry her. It didn’t matter. Mairi likely didn’t hear him as she flew off before he’d finished.

Arielle turned to him. “I’ve screwed things up for everyone, I’m afraid.”

“Nonsense. It’s not your fault with what happened.”

“If I hadn’t wandered away from my herd, the dragon never would have found me.”

“Wandering,” he said with a cheeky grin. “I can hardly blame you for doing that. I’ve done that many times myself looking for excitement on this island.”

“Oh?” She raised her brows. It was refreshing to hear someone understand her need to explore rather than chastising her like her herd often did for not staying put. It was impossible to stay in one place when there were so many hidden gems in the world she yearned to discover.

“Besides, you don’t know where the dragon would have flown otherwise,” he added. “It could have found your kin. If you look at it that way, you’ve diverted the danger away from them.”

She let out a soft sigh. “That’s one way of looking at it, I suppose. Are you always such an optimist?”

“No sense in worrying about what you can’t change.” He gave her an easygoing smile.

She sat on the edge of the stage and stretched her legs out. Although she had to be careful about who to trust, he had a comforting manner that made her want to stay near him. She didn’t want to sleep alone in one of the cabins, where she might jump at any sound.

“I’d prefer to stay near you, if you don’t mind.” She tilted her head.

The stage might be tolerable to sit on for a short period, but impossible to get any rest on if she had to sleep on that hard slab. Still, it was better than being alone in this strange land.

A mix of emotions flitted across his face, which she couldn’t read. “You want to sleep near me?”

She crossed one foot over the other and then reversed the action. This poor shifter had been nothing but courageous all night, nearly sacrificing his life to protect her. He’d brought her to his home and now she was clinging on like a sea urchin.

“I—uh—it would make me feel safer knowing you are nearby.”

There was no mistaking his expression this time. Pride.

“Of course. Wherever you’re comfortable. I like to rest on stage. It offers the best vantage point.”

She searched for a place to rest. She was so tired, she’d likely fall right to sleep with her body pressed against the stone. Luckily, more welcoming ground was nearby. A moss and fern-covered area under pine trees whispered to her, promising the sweetest of dreams.

“I’ll be fine there.” She walked over and found a semi-comfortable position lying on her side, where she could still see Calum.

“I might look different, but don’t worry, I can still see and hear everything. The sun helps restore my energy while I’m in stone form.”

With that, he climbed on stage and initiated the shift. His flesh grayed and appeared to harden. Within moments, he’d reformed into the shape of a stone gargoyle statue.

How could such a striking man turn into this? He’d crouched on the stage in a distorted form with exaggerated figures resembling a lion, but with gray stone wings. She glanced into his eyes and saw nothing but stone. Lifeless. No, it couldn’t be lifeless. He could see and hear. Protect her.

Exhaustion overwhelmed her curiosity. She lowered herself to the ground. She closed her eyes, and let it take over. She needed rest before they resumed the search for the portal. They had to find a way. She had a herd, a family. She couldn’t stay in this foreign world forever.