Page 9 of The Stones for It
I met Vrath’s stare. Blazing red eyes narrowed in suspicion, glancing between Neiron and me, as if he was trying to figure out what had been said.
Could something redeemable lurk beneath his prickly exterior?
Kitsune were one of the more airy-fairy fae castes. Said to be more in-tune with the ways of magic and mystical bullshit. Even if he felt some magical link with Vrath, how could he possibly think that I was fated to the infuriating gargoyle who clearly hated my kind?
Did I even want another mate? I was barely handling the fact that two fae were claiming the role.
Neiron pursed his lips, eyeing us both with a cunning glint and an exaggerated sigh of lament. “Even if I’m wrong about him, would you let such a poor, defenceless creature die?”
“I’m fine,” the gargoyle huffed and tried to cross his muscular arms before cutting off the motion.
Dark liquid trailed down the valleys between his eight-pack abs, only highlighting the inhuman-level definition. More blood gushed from the deep wound in his chest as he dropped his arms and eyed it with distaste.
Something squirmed in my gut. He wasn’t fine. He was poisoned and bleeding out, while I was here bickering with a crazy ball of fluff and chaos.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter whether the grouchy fae was my mate or not. If he was unbelievably irritating or not.
All it came down to was whether I was willing to save him like he’d saved Neiron.
Like he’d savedme.
He’d taken an instant dislike to me and still leapt in front of a deadly shard of iron for me.
I couldn’t help the scowl bunching my features, but a secret part of me was curious about what might unfold.
Apparently, my taste in men ran heavily towards the monstrous, magical kind.
“I suppose itwouldbe a shame if a big, strong gargoyle was taken down by a feeble little human. I’ll help, but this makes us even.” I shot the gargoyle a vicious smirk. “Try not to die, dickhead.”
Neiron clapped. “Oh yay, we’re going to make the cutest throuple!”
We both glared at Neiron.
“This is ridiculous,” Vrath groused. “I don’t needherhelp.”
“We’re on the same page, pally. Bitchy basalt doesn’t do it for me.”
“Aww, our gargoyle is a little grumpy, but I promise he can make up for it in other ways.” Neiron flashed me a cheeky grin. “Let him show you.”
I eyed the kitsune, unsure what was about to happen. One minute he was declaring his undying love for me and ripping out hearts to lay at my feet, and the next he was inviting me to dosomethingwith his friend.
Neiron was as predictable as he was sane.
The chaotic kitsune skipped towards the wary hunk, like a rainbow pouncing on a rain-cloud. “Vrath Daddy…” His sing-song voice was eerily cheerful given his friend was closer to death with every passing second.
Vrath shot him a droll look. He looked so put out by the nickname that I just knew I’d have to steal it.
“Don’t look at me,” Neiron purred. “Look at her.”
Chapter five
Kelsea
Bloodthirsty eyes caressed me.
Like a switch had flipped, the cold statue came alive. Something dark and intangible expanded from him, flexing imaginary claws and bristling with power. Curved horns stood taller, wing spikes sharper, carved muscles harder.
And why did that set my pulse fluttering?
