Angus
Iwas upstairs holding my new nephew when the saddest cry I’d ever heard from a wolf entered the room. My dragon went on alert and rumbled. He wanted to hunt down and defend whoever had made that cry.
“Hey man, pull back your dragon. You’re holding my son,” Roarke said with irritation in his voice.
I looked at my skin and realized my dragon was showing. My royal-blue scales had covered my skin. I shook my head and blushed. Seeing my Cardia had scattered my mind. I hadn’t told my brothers yet. I wanted to savor it for myself. I wanted to go find the little wolf. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, with his delicate features and gorgeous sky-blue eyes.
“Angus, I need to speak with you for a moment,” Krispin said formally.
“Here, give me the little guy. I can tell him all about being a Red Caste dragon,” Arran said, making grabby hands.
I smiled at my usually stoic brother, handed little Reade over, and followed Krispin out to the hallway.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I just got off the phone with Chieftain Tomlin of the Chadwick Clutch. He’s been holding and guarding former Chieftain Bazer until they can replace the leaders and rebuild the Circle of Elders.”
Former Chieftain Bazer was the gargoyle who had attacked Krispin’s mate and worked with the corrupt gargoyle elder Atticus to start a war between the species. To be honest, I was surprised he was still alive, but Krispin wanted the rule of law to prevail. He wanted the gargoyle elders to try Bazer before executing him.
“He informed me that the new circle is in place, and he asked if I could send someone to escort Bazer to his trial. He’d feel more comfortable with a dragon there to assist.” He paused before continuing. I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say, and I was going to hate it.
“I know Devin just gave birth and you’re a new uncle now, but are you willing to go? It should only take three days at the most; you’ll be back before you know it,” he said.
I cringed inwardly. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I had a mate to find—but this was my king asking me to do this. The duty tomy king and the yearning to find my mate warred within me. I sighed. I knew I was going to agree. The king was counting on me, and it was my honor to serve him.
Nodding my head, I asked, “When do I leave?”
“Thank you for doing this. Bazer’s trial is set for the day after tomorrow. You can leave tonight and escort him down to Texas tomorrow. I could have Jackson give you a lift to the airport unless you want to shift. You can be there before nightfall,” Krispin said.
If I shifted, I couldn’t trust my dragon. He would probably go hunting for our mate. “Where’s Jackson? I’ll have him give me a ride. I can get some sleep on the plane.”
“He’s downstairs. Thank you, Angus. I knew I could count on you.” He smiled again. Krispin turned and went back into the room. I waved to him and made my way downstairs.
It will only be for a couple of days, I pleaded with my dragon. He wasn’t happy with my decision. He understood our duty and the need to obey the king, but we had waited a long time to find our mate, and now he was within our grasp.
We’ll be back before you know it. Then we’ll find our Cardia, I vowed.
Several hours later, I was pulling up to the gates of a large mansion. I had slept on the plane, but a blue-eyed, black-hairedangel had plagued my sleep. I ravaged his mouth in my dreams, stripped him, and tasted every part of his olive-toned skin. I longed to cherish and take my mate. I desired it so much I woke with a cum-covered kilt.
A voice sounded through the intercom at the gate. “Pull around to the front of the rotunda.”
The enormous gates buzzed and opened. The mansion was massive and had to be at least twenty thousand square feet. It looked more like a castle, with its wrought-iron accented roof and expansive windows and columns. The area was vast and had an amazing view of the Rockies. Statues rested on the mansion’s battlement, but on closer inspection, the figures moved. These had to be gargoyles.
Gargoyles differed from most paranormals; their natural state was a beast-appearing creature that turned to stone during the day and awoke at night. In the old times, they were the nighttime guardians of cities. They couldn’t take human form unless they found and bonded with their mate. Afterwards, they’d go through a metamorphosis, allowing them to change into human form and be awake during the light hours.
I pulled up to the rotunda in front of the giant structure and parked my car. Two gargoyles stepped out from the entrance of the mansion. One had lavender skin, black hair, and small horns that protruded from his head. He had impressive black wings that matched the color of his hair and an overbite that allowed his fangs to remain visible when his mouth was closed.
The other gargoyle was larger than the first by a few inches. Long black hair accented his stunning dark-purple skin. He had well-defined muscles, and a chest and abs bodybuilders would die for. He radiated power and authority. A welcoming smile spread across his face as he stepped forward.
“Greetings. I am Chieftain Tomlin, Leader of the Chadwick Clutch,” he said formally.
“Hello. I am Angus of the Blue Caste, Guardian Protector of High Garden. I come on orders from my king,” I replied formally.
“Yes, thank you for coming. This is Barseth, my second-in-command,” Tomlin said, introducing the other gargoyle. I nodded my head to Barseth in acknowledgment.
Tomlin gestured for me to follow him. “Please come inside. Are you hungry? It’s breakfast time now, as most of us are just waking.”
“I can always eat,” I said with a grin.
