Arielle woke in one of the cabins on the Isle of Stone and stepped out into the daylight. After learning more about the island yesterday, she wasn’t so skittish.

She sighed as she trekked to the shore. Hmm, she was stuck in this realm a little longer. That was all right. The island fascinated her, especially the captivating sound of waves crashing against the red rugged cliffs.

Perhaps there was more to it than the setting. Last night had gone nothing like she’d expected. She paced the pebbled shore, replaying events in her mind. She ran her fingers over her lips. That kiss… wow. A reminder of the heat radiated within her. Intoxicating. Spellbinding. After they’d put on a display in front of the others, she felt self-conscious. Once they returned to the island, she escaped for some private time to rest in a cabin.

Alone. Although that didn’t mean she hadn’t fantasized about what it would have been like if he’d joined her.

Stop it. You shouldn’t get involved. You’re not safe in this world.

It was true. She’d been a beacon out there in the Highlands, attracting dark beings to her like whatever had attacked her last night. It had been the second time that Calum had to rescue her, putting his life in danger in the process. The only time she’d felt safe out there was with him by her side.

And if anything happened to him, because of her…

No, she couldn’t think of it. After all he’d done for her. It would destroy her.

Calum found her wading along the shore. When she saw him, her heartbeat fluttered.

“I know you’re disappointed we didn’t find the portal last night,” Calum said. “We need to think of some other options. I know you don’t want to work with any witches. But why not? Did something happen?”

She pursed her lips. “Let’s just say, I wasn’t surprised by the battle you told me about on the island.”

“You had the same?”

“Not exactly,” she replied. “We have many creatures that live in our realm, but in a vast space. Not contained on an island, like it is here. Dragons. Fairies. Centaurs. Unicorns. Witches and wizards. And so on. We all live far apart, spread across the land, so we don’t often run into one another.”

“I’m guessing there’s a but coming?”

She smiled in agreement. “The witches and wizards have broken into our land over the decades in search of a lone pegasus. To steal its magic.”

Calum tapped his foot, his entire body seeming to vibrate with that intense inner energy. “I can see why you’d be hesitant to meet the witches on the isle. But as it is, I don’t think we have much choice.”

“Why not?”

“As it stands, you’re stuck in this realm. And they will notice your presence on the isle eventually. So, you can leave here and hide in the Highlands, but you know I’m going to warn you against that route.”

She shook her head. “It would be foolish to leave you. I wouldn’t do it.”

He blew out with a low whoosh. “We’re running out of options.”

“You think I’m stuck in this realm?”

“No, not necessarily.” He gestured as he paced. “Mason is right. I think we need Kayla to talk to her coven about finding the portal. As I’ve come to learn, witches know many more things about the world than I could even fathom.”

When she didn’t reply, he continued. “There are different kinds of magic, right? I’ve seen no signs of dark magic. Mason is in love with a witch, who’s having their child. Kayla helped heal me when I was wounded. She’s kind and would never harm you. The other witches used their magic to help us restore the magical veil. But it’s up to you.”

Her blood would be too intoxicating for a power-hungry witch. “You’re sure they don’t practice dark magic?”

“I’ve never seen it,” he replied.

Calum was right. A witch would know more of magic. It wasn’t as if she had much of a choice considering they’d had no luck with their search.

She exhaled with a sigh. “I guess I have to take a chance with the witches.”

“Let me talk to Mason.”

His face turned passive as he communicated with his brother.

Several moments later, he said, “He told us to meet them at their tree house.”

“A tree house?”

“The witches build their houses in trees on the other side of the island. Their living spaces are connected by rope bridges. If they wanted to, I suppose they could go days without stepping on the ground. I guess that’s why they call themselves tree witches.”

Calum took her hand as they traversed through the forest. A dizzying heat threatened to overcome her, like a rare sweltering summer day when the air was thick with humidity. The intimate gesture lit her with a glow that burned from the inside out. Although it fueled her inner desire, something about the simple act felt so natural, so right.

She fought for clarity, to view her rising attraction to him as a detached outsider. It was dangerous to think of them as growing closer as it would make the impending goodbye even more difficult. Not only had she become dependent on Calum, she’d developed feelings for him, which had shot up to a riskier level when they’d kissed. If he could make her feel so good with just a kiss, what would happen if they took it further? Sensual images penetrated her mind as they walked with hands clasped.

He hummed as they continued. She’d already noticed how he rarely ceased moving, and he often drummed out a tune with his fingers.

“What is that you’re humming?”

“Just one of our songs.”

“I like it.”

He shrugged. “It’s a bit sappy, but I can’t shake it lately. Mason wrote it for Kayla.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.”

With a quick laugh, he added, “Mason is a sentimental fool.”

When they reached the moors, a breeze ruffled through the tall grasses and heather. She inhaled the calming fragrance, which wrapped around her like a warm spring rain.

Deeper in, obelisks loomed pointing to the sky. “What are those for?”

“Not sure,” he replied. “The moors were once the neutral space on the island. Whoever put those obelisks there were long before my time.”

“Why haven’t you shown me this part of the island before?” she teased Calum.

A line stretched deep between his brows. “I didn’t want to expose you to any potential threats.”

His concern for her made her heart flutter. “How did I end up finding an overprotective gargoyle?” When he scowled, she added, “What luck.”

He pulled her into his arms. The greens and gold in his hazel eyes turned dark and smoky. “Fortunate for me, as well.”

He planted a kiss on her lips. Her body instantly melted when his mouth met hers. He pulled her closer so their bodies touched. His heat warmed her, sending hot shivers over her skin. She ran her hands over the muscles in his back and over his huge biceps. As they moved fluidly beneath her fingers, all his raw energy seemed to pass into her.

The stolen kiss evolved into a passionate one. She wrapped her arms around his neck, ruffling his hair. She trailed her fingers down his bare shoulder blades and over the curve of every smooth muscle of his back. He cupped her arse, pressing her body to his in a sudden move that made her gasp. His hands traveled up her sides and over her breasts. Her nipples hardened, and she leaned in closer, urging him to continue, as her body was ambushed by the sudden sweep of flames rushing beneath her skin.

When he pulled away from her, their surroundings looked hazy. Or perhaps that was the effect of his kiss.

“We better get going before Mason comes looking for us.” Calum gave her an impish smile. “Although, trust me—I don’t want to stop.”

She blinked, forcing herself back to reality. That was some kiss—beyond anything she’d ever felt before, in her admittedly limited experience with the opposite sex. Yet, none had ever had such an effect on her, leaving her head scrambled, and her body so tingly, wanting more.

Her racing thoughts settled, and her heartbeat slowed back to normal as Calum led them through the moors. In a small copse, a dwelling was built in one of the sturdier trees, appearing like a natural extension to it. A burst of color stood out at the base, a vibrant array of plants and flowers in every shade. The fragrant blend grew stronger as they approached.

“Mason lives with Kayla here?”

“For the most part.” He smiled at her. “So, here’s more of the story. Remember when I mentioned how the gargoyles, witches, and wolves lived apart for twenty-five years?”

“Aye.”

“Kayla changed all that last year. She’d trespassed into gargoyle territory to watch our concerts. And met Mason. They’d sneak around the island to be together—they were the first to break the divisions between us. The moors were neutral land, so they thought it was the perfect spot to bridge between our divided groups. And now they’re having a child.”

Arielle studied the house in the trees with awe. This isle was far more interesting than she thought; Gargoyles who shifted from stone, and witches who lived in trees.

A petite woman with black hair climbed down a wooden ladder hanging from a platform at the side of the house. She was so slim and didn’t appear to be carrying a child. It must still be early in the pregnancy.

She had a friendly smile as she approached and greeted them. “I’m Kayla.”

“Arielle.”

“Mason told me about you, and what happened. He said you’re searching for a portal to find a way back to your home.”

“Aye. We’ve had no luck.”

“How did you know you were in a different world?”

“I recognized the Highlands—with the castle ruins.”

“When were you there before?” Kayla asked. “And how did you get there?”

“About ten years ago. I was around eleven. My mother said we were going on an adventure to get herbs or something like that. I remember slipping through a tunnel.”

“All right,” Kayla replied, running her hands over her tunic. “Just trying to get all the information I can to piece it together with what some of the elder witches told me. I know you aren’t comfortable with them knowing, so I could only coax so much information out of them without them growing suspicious.”

A slow burn rose from Arielle’s chest up to her cheeks. Perhaps she was acting a wee paranoid. After all, Kayla didn’t seem to have a malicious bone in her body, and Calum and all the gargoyles had praised her.

“I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult position with your coven.”

Kayla waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it. Mason told me why, and I understand.” Mason approached and Kayla smiled. Turning back to Arielle, she said, “We’ve experienced years of mistrust between species here on the island, so we’re guilty of it ourselves.”

Arielle nodded. At least, she didn’t sound crazy. Trying not to sound impatient, she asked, “Did they tell you anything specific?”

Kayla nodded. “They did. They mentioned ley lines—areas with intense energy in the Highlands, which are suitable for powerful magical activity. You probably came through one of those portals when you entered our realm.”

Arielle squirmed, rubbing her hands together the way she often did when she grew excited. “How do we find out?”

Kayla reached for parchment rolled up on a stone, and spread it out. “Can you locate where you were on this map?”

Arielle glanced at the colorful image marked with blue bodies of water, vast green swatches, and black etched mountains. She didn’t recognize any of the place names.

“No.” She deflated as quickly as she’d been filled with hope moments before.

“But I can.” Calum stepped closer and studied the parchment. “We were south of Inverness, west of Loch Ness.” He pointed to one of the green swatches. “There. In the Great Glen.” He turned to Arielle. “Near Castle Urquhart.”

Mason said, “But we’ve already searched that area.”

Kayla tapped her chin. “There’s something else we need to consider.”

“What?” Calum’s voice sounded as eager as Arielle felt.

“The portals aren’t always open.”

Oh, bloody hell. The more they acquired pieces to the puzzle, the bigger the puzzle.

“When are they opened?” Arielle asked. “Or, how are they opened?”

“That’s a good question,” Kayla replied. “I prodded the elders with the same questions. An astronomical event could have triggered it. Or magic. Powerful magic.”

Arielle sagged with the news. Was she locked from her home forever? “So, we might have been in the right location—but the portal had already closed?”

“It’s possible.” Kayla gave her a sad smile.

Arielle sighed. “So, I’m stuck here?”

Calum stepped closer to her and squeezed her hand. “No. We’ll figure out a way to get you home.”

Kayla added. “I’ll bring this information back to the elders. There’s only so much I can ask without them getting suspicious.”

Ariel swallowed. She had to take a chance if she wanted to get home. “You can tell them about me.”