Tamian let himself into the lab where Andie and Gregor were hanging out with Katherine, Julian, Jasper, Trevor, and Travis. He had dropped Kallisto off at the Pen after hauling her ass from Italy for his father. When the female landed in Italy, two of Xavier’s males had detained her in her hotel room. Since Tamian was traveling back to New Atlanta anyway on a private jet, he offered to take her instead of Xavier’s males having to. While he was at the Pen, Tamian chatted with Deacon for a while. He wasn’t used to being around the Clan and interacting with them. Not because of anything they did or didn’t do. He had been a loner most of his life. Now that he had helped rescue Katherine, his sister’s family considered Tamian family as well. He rather liked being included. After watching over his sister from the shadows, it felt good to be able to talk to her and interact with her without fear of what the others would think.

“Tam, what are you doing here?” Andie asked.

“I just dropped Kallisto off at the Pen.” And I wanted to see if you were busy.

“Yeah? How’d that go? Did you put the bitch in a headlock like I requested?” What did you have in mind?

Tamian laughed along with everyone else. He really hoped Gregor didn’t realize he and Andie were carrying on a separate conversation, but he didn’t feel comfortable talking freely in front of everyone. At least not yet. “No, I didn’t. But I did tell her you sent your regards. Deacon put her in Katherine’s old cell, the one well away from Sergei. She was much more subdued than I expected.” I thought you and Gregor might want to grab something to eat and maybe shoot some pool.

Andie grinned at her brother. “I wish you would have called me. I’d like to have been the one to close her cell door.” I think that’s a great idea. “So, Gregor and I were going to go eat and shoot pool. Would you like to come with us?”

“We were?” Gregor asked. Andie elbowed him in the stomach, and Gregor let out an oomph.

Julian and Katherine had been quiet up until that point, but Katherine chimed in, “I’d like to shoot pool. Can we tag along, Tessa?”

Is that okay with you?

Tamian liked Julian and Kat, so he mentally agreed. Yeah, I’d like that. Aloud, he added, “Thanks for inviting me. I’d love to go, but I’m not sure we’re going to be able to drag Julian away from the monitors long enough. What are you so intent on?”

Julian looked up briefly. “Urijah sent me a photo. It seems some humans have moved into his village in Norway, and he had the feeling this female was following him. I’m running facial recognition to see if I can determine who she is.”

“What’s so odd about a human being there?” Tamian asked as he walked over to study the screens.

Jasper answered, “Holmesvik is a Gargoyle town and has been for thousands of years. Whenever humans come through, the Goyles get suspicious if the humans aren’t there merely to see the sights. The town isn’t advertised as a tourist spot, because views of the mountains and the Northern Lights are abundant in other parts of the country. I’ve never visited the small town, but Urijah and I compared stories on where we grew up. Both of us have a great appreciation of the Aurora Borealis.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Trevor said.

Tamian couldn’t take his eyes off the photo of the human Julian was trying to identify. “I have a feeling about her,” he muttered.

“Like you’ve seen her before?” Julian asked.

“It’s… Maybe.” Tamian couldn’t stop staring. He searched the recesses of his memory, but he couldn’t place her. Something about her was calling to him on a level so deep he felt the need to hop a plane to Norway.

“Tam, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Julian, if you find out who she is, keep me informed, please.”

Tamian knew everyone was staring, but he couldn’t shake the feeling he knew the woman.

“You got it. I’ll set up an alert on my phone. If the system finds a match, it will let me know while we’re out. So, where are we going?”

Andie looked at Tamian since it had technically been his idea. “How about The Tavern?” he suggested. He knew Andie hung out there quite a bit before she and Gregor got together.

“Perfect! Jasper, are y’all coming too?”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Trevor answered for them. “I’ve been telling Travis how you can kick everyone’s ass in pool. Just don’t let me down, Lara Croft.”

“When have I ever let you down, Nerd Boy?”

Tamian laughed at his sister and Trevor’s banter. It felt good to laugh. It had been too long since Tamian felt anything other than lonely. Even before Andie and Gregor mated, he watched his sister, but she never knew he was around. He made sure to keep their mental link closed. His feelings for her bordered on obsession, and he blamed that on their DNA. He was her clone, and for the longest time, he didn’t understand why he was so drawn to her. It was one reason he followed her to keep her safe, but he did it from a distance.

When she mated with Gregor, he ran away from Andie and their relationship. While he was away, he kept tabs on her even though she had a mate to keep her safe. In that time, he spoke to Jonas honestly about his feelings. Together, they figured out why he had been drawn to Tessa, and after some radical hypnosis, Tamian was finally free of those urges. It was the reason he was ready to resume a relationship with her. Now if he could figure out why he was so drawn to the human on Julian’s screen.

The Tavern was a lesser known bar Andie had frequented often before she and Gregor mated. Tamian had hidden in the corner as his sister shot pool with her friend Gavin, taking his money almost every time they played. Gavin wasn’t present, but Jimmy, the bartender, was glad to see his favorite redhead walk through the door. The bar wasn’t too busy for a Thursday, so they were able to pull tables together where they could eat and talk. Tamian had never been included in times such as this, and as the night progressed, he was glad he’d made the choice to no longer remain a loner. The banter between Andie and Trevor amused everyone, and the love between the mated couples warmed Tamian’s heart. He no longer felt jealous, and for that he was grateful.

Several hours later, the tab had been paid and they were getting ready to leave when Jasper asked, “Tamian, is the offer to work your magic on Molly still on the table?”

“Of course. I can head over to Travis’s tonight and work with her.”

Travis, who had been quiet all night, looked at Trevor then Jasper. Tamian was an imposing male, but not any more so than Jasper or Gregor. “I’ll go with you,” Trevor offered. “I want to see if this works. If it does, I am getting a puppy tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you and Amelia both,” Katherine joked.

Travis nodded. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

After saying their goodbyes to the others, Tamian followed Jasper to Travis’s small house. He was excited to help out any way he could, even if it meant revealing one of the powers he had.

 

 

Banyan was nervous, and that wasn’t like him. At all. For a Gargoyle who was closing in on eight hundred, he had been through a lot in his life. He had seen all kinds of changes in not only technology but in humans as well. Humans thought the fighting among countries and threats of war were exclusive to their generation, but wars had been raging since the beginning of time. Gargoyles were put on Earth to keep the humans safe from one another, but when the leaders chose to fight for domination, there was little the Goyles could do other than fight alongside and keep as many safe as they could.

He hadn’t slept much in the last few nights. The thought of becoming King and what that entailed was the biggest cause of his insomnia, but there was something nagging at him. Something was going on around him that he couldn’t figure out. His beast was itching to be released. Banyan wanted to unfurl his wings and take to the skies. It was dark outside, but the moon was full, and Banyan couldn’t risk it. What he could do was go for a swim. Banyan dressed in shorts and running shoes, not bothering with a shirt, before easing out of the house. As soon as he was outside, he took off running. He jogged at first until he was hidden among the trees. Then he let his shifter take over and run as fast as he wanted.

When he reached the fjord, Banyan slowed only long enough to kick his shoes off. He made his way into the cold water and dove under, letting the beast take him as far as he wanted to go. Unfurling his wings while diving wasn’t as soothing as flying, but stretching them out was a small reprieve. Banyan rose to the surface for a deep breath before taking another plunge. As daylight began filtering down, illuminating the inky depths, Banyan swam back to the shoreline. As he treaded water, a memory of swimming with Uri hit him hard.

The sky was pitch as the waning crescent moon was obscured by the clouds. Diving beneath the surface and chasing each other was something they did when they couldn’t fly. Banyan was faster underwater, but he usually let Urijah take the lead so Banyan could chase him. It gave Banyan a thrill to watch Urijah’s massive body gliding through the dark depths. He never failed to catch his best friend, but this time, he couldn’t resist wrapping his body around Urijah’s. Banyan was already hard, and it wasn’t long before Urijah’s erection was pressing against Banyan’s leg.

Banyan let his wings come out and propelled them to the surface, never letting go of Urijah. When they were able to breathe, Banyan took Uri’s mouth in a brutal kiss. He tried to keep things casual between them, but the pursuit had fueled his libido, and he needed Uri with a fierceness he’d never felt. With Uri’s legs wrapped around his waist, Banyan let his cock rub against Uri’s crack, enticing his best friend to let him in. Urijah lowered his lips to Banyan’s neck, his fangs trailing along his skin. Banyan froze, but not because he was afraid of Uri biting him. He was afraid he wouldn’t. Urijah grabbed Banyan’s ass with both hands and slid his finger to Banyan’s puckered hole. He teased Banyan with both his fangs and his hands.

Banyan was ready for Uri to breach him, even if it was just a finger. He had been waiting patiently for things to progress further, but voices halted their private time. Latham and Dacey were laughing and pushing each other while they removed their clothes. Urijah moved away from Banyan before his brothers could witness what was happening.

Banyan shivered at the memory. He had been ready for Urijah to touch him. To fuck him. In the years since, Banyan had never allowed another male to enter his ass. He had saved that honor for his mate. He had used toys on himself while imagining it was Uri, but even that hadn’t happened in many years. Banyan considered going out and finding someone to fuck before the coronation, because afterwards, he would be too busy for a while figuring out his next steps. His beast rumbled in his chest, and Banyan sighed. Part of him knew he would never have Urijah, but the other part, that part of him that kept him from crossing over so many times, still held an iota of hope. The beast didn’t want another male; it wanted Urijah.

Banyan dragged himself out of the water and found his sneakers. Being Gargoyle, he didn’t need them, but living around humans had made things like wearing shoes automatic unless he was at home. Then he liked to go barefoot, much to the chagrin of his father. As he jogged along the pathway, he thought back to one of the lectures his father had given him. “Kings do not walk around without their shoes on. What if someone were to visit? How would it look to be barefoot and dressed so casually? Things will be different for you once you take the throne. Your personal life will be scrutinized, and your manner of dress will be criticized unless you choose a new wardrobe.”

He hadn’t argued with his father. Banyan chose to let his father think whatever he would, but Banyan would not change who he was once he wore the crown. He doubted anyone would come visit him, because he wouldn’t be living in his father’s house much longer. The only ones who would come calling would be friends or family he invited, and they already loved Banyan the way he was. When he was dry, he stopped and slid his shoes on before resuming his jog. He wasn’t in a hurry to reach the house, but he also didn’t want the others left at the mercy of his parents. The closer it got to the ceremony, the more anxious his mother became. Thank Odin, there was only one more day.

After tomorrow, he would be King. His parents would be on their way to Switzerland, and maybe things could settle down. Gautum and Freyda promised to stay as long as he needed them, but he wasn’t selfish enough to keep his uncle away from the business or his future spent with Freyda. The two of them had waited to be together too long as far as he was concerned. Besides, Banyan had his sister to keep him company.

When he walked into the house, things were chaotic, to say the least. Brynna was fit to be tied if her scowl was any indication. “What’s wrong?” he asked her.

“Oh, nothing a swift chop to the neck wouldn’t cure,” she seethed under her breath. Banyan grabbed her wrist before she could stomp off.

“And who’s head would you like on a platter?” he whispered. It didn’t take him long to find out the answer.

“Banyan, where have you been? I will not have you traipsing off all over gods know where doing gods know what on the day before your coronation. You have to set a good example for your sister, and you can’t do that by disappearing at all hours of the night. Don’t think we didn’t see you sneak off.”

Banyan stared at his father with his mouth open. He had no doubt he looked like a fish out of water, but the words he wanted to say would be disrespectful. He took a deep breath and explained honestly, “I wasn’t sneaking off. I went for a swim, and I did so quietly as to not wake the rest of you. I am not used to being confined to my living quarters twenty-four seven.”

“Well, you better get used to it. Being King means giving up your own wants and needs for the good of the Clan.”

Banyan wanted to call bullshit. Maybe hundreds or thousands of years ago, but not in this day and time. He knew Rafael lived a full life as King of the Americans, and he also knew Xavier only stayed hidden for so long to keep Elizabeth safe. One thing Banyan was good at was refraining from sharing his opinions in order to keep the peace, so he let it go. One more day. Brynna, who had left the room during their father’s admonition, returned with a large mug of black coffee. “Thank you,” he said, winking. She grinned at him, and both their moods were instantly better.

“Since you have a better rapport with your sister than either your mother or I, please convince her to dress appropriately for the occasion and not like a Viking cast-off,” Asmund added.

Banyan loved the way his sister dressed. She was comfortable in her own skin, and if she wanted to wear furs and skins, who was he to judge? As temporary self-appointed keeper of the peace, he said, “I can assure you Brynna will not disappoint either you or Mother. I have seen her dress, and it is beautiful.” Banyan couldn’t wait for the Clan to see how stunning his sister would be as she stood by his side. It might seem odd for a King to choose his sister as his Queen, but he didn’t have a female mate and never would. If something were to happen to Banyan, he wanted to know the Clan was in good hands, and other than Urijah, Banyan could think of no one better.

 “I would advise you to shower and change into something appropriate for receiving guests. Some will be arriving today, and I would like to introduce you.”

Banyan inclined his head. “I will be ready.” First, he was going to grab breakfast. His father walked away, and Banyan turned toward the kitchen. Six sets of eyes quickly disappeared and pretended to be busy. “Marcie, I’m starving. I hope you saved me some food.”

The cook opened the oven and pulled out a plate, smiling. “Of course, I did.”  Banyan returned her smile and took the hot dish from her. Brynna took his coffee mug and topped it off. Freyda handed him a fork, and Banyan dug in while leaning against the counter. Freyda grinned as Halina walked over and patted him on the cheek. It had been centuries since Banyan had females in his life, but now that he had these four, he wasn’t going to let any of them get away. Two mothers, a sister, and a cook-slash-housekeeper he could see becoming a good friend – all of these women meant something to him.

Waving his fork in the air, he said, “I’m keeping you all.”

After Banyan showered, he stared at himself in the mirror, rubbing his hand over his beard. “Don’t even think about it,” Brynna yelled from the hallway. He grinned and shook his head. How did she know he was thinking about shaving it off? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been without his beard, and if his sister thought he should keep it, he would. Normally he let his hair dry on its own, but he needed to look presentable sooner rather than later, so he blasted it with a dryer before pulling it back and securing it with a hair band. He opened his jewelry box and chose one of many silver designs he had made to cover the plain looking band. After securing the metal disc that represented Odin, he retrieved the matching cufflinks.

As he buttoned the blue shirt, Banyan’s eyes fell to his chest where Mjölnir had rested for centuries. It felt strange not having it around his neck, and he wondered if Urijah had tossed it out to sea, or if by some miracle, he’d kept it. He prayed it was the latter. Banyan would hate for the present from his uncle to have been discarded as if it meant nothing.

After slipping on his socks and dress shoes, Banyan knotted the striped tie and set the collar in place over it. He added the cufflinks last. The charcoal suit fit him like a glove, and he was thankful the store had been able to accommodate his broad shoulders. He took one last look in the mirror before making his way downstairs to the front of the house, ready to accept guests. As he reached the first floor, a familiar scent washed over him. Banyan turned to go in search of his mate, but his father grabbed his attention, ready to introduce him to the first guests to arrive.