Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,39

room. Stella closed the door behind her, then followed the older man.

“Wh-what was that?”

“Long story really short, that was Cyrus transitioning into his Gargoyle for the first time. He is a shifter, and you are his mate. Being around you caused the shift. You are his destined life partner, chosen by the fates to be his one and only. I know it sounds strange, and it looks frightening. It’s really not, once you get used to it. Cyrus is still the same man you met earlier, only now he’s more. I need to get back down to the beach. My boss hit you over the head, then tried to kidnap me. My own mate is down there waiting on the cops. Maybe you need to come with me and let the EMTs check your head.”

“I’ve had concussions before. I’ll deal with it because I am not leaving until I know Cyrus is okay.”

“Spoken like a true mate. Okay, but if you need them, there are pain relievers on the end table. I had my own concussion just yesterday.” Stella took off toward the back door but turned at the last second. “You’re probably torn between disbelief and wonder, but please let Cyrus get through these first few hours. He’s getting a handle on controlling his inner Gargoyle, and he would never hurt you on purpose, but if he did harm you accidentally, it would kill him.”

“I’ll just…” Thomas sat down on the sofa. “Why’s it so cold in here?”

Stella didn’t hang around to explain. She rushed back down to the beach. In all the excitement, she’d forgotten to grab shoes. In her double-socked feet, she ran straight for the edge of the water, then turned right and jogged on the packed sand. Sirens rent the night, and by the time she reached Zeke, several police officers were headed between two of the houses in their direction.

Zeke released Bradley’s arm and stepped back with his hands up. Bradley pointed his good hand at Zeke. “Arrest him. He broke my wrist!”

“After you tried to kill him!” Stella yelled. She didn’t know how to explain the fact that Zeke had been shot but not injured, much less killed.

“This man tried to kidnap my fiancée. He shot at me several times, but he missed as I zigzagged out of the way. His gun is over there,” Zeke said, pointing to the weapon. “He followed Stella here after paying someone to attack her. You can call Officer Dowd with the New Fallbrook police department.”

“She’s not your fiancée! He’s lying. Stella, you have to believe me,” Bradley begged. Stella almost told the cops about Bradley hitting Thomas, but then she remembered the man had bigger headaches than talking with the cops, and Stella didn’t want them anywhere near the house when Cyrus was dealing with his transition.

Stella held up her left hand, waggling her ring finger. “He most certainly is my fiancé.” A couple of officers slapped handcuffs on Bradley and hauled him off. Stella had only heard the term kicking and screaming until that moment. After giving their statements, they were allowed to go home.

“We need to hurry. Thomas must have heard Cyrus screaming because he went upstairs and saw Cyrus in all his Gargoyle glory.”

“What? Come on.” Zeke picked Stella up, and faster than was humanly possible, ran with her across the beach to their house. Thomas was where Stella left him, only he now had the blanket she’d used earlier wrapped around his shoulders. He jerked his head in their direction when they entered the room.

“I’ve got Thomas. You go check on your brother,” Stella urged. Zeke held Stella’s arms, staring at her. “I promise I’m fine. You saved me.”

“How did he get to you anyway?”

“I opened the door to tell Thomas Cyrus wasn’t feeling well, and Bradley hit him over the head with his gun. Then he grabbed me and took off. I knew you’d come after me.”

“Always, but fuck, Baby. I’ve never been more frightened in my life than when I heard you yell my name.”

“And I was only scared until I remembered his bullets wouldn’t hurt you.”

Zeke cradled Stella’s face, his forehead still wrinkled. She reached up and smoothed the skin with her fingertips before arching up and kissing her male. “Go.” Zeke pressed his lips to her temple, then rushed upstairs.

“Would you like some coffee?” Stella offered Thomas who was staring at her.

“Do you have anything stronger? Because that” — he gestured upstairs — “requires it.”

“I understand. And yes,

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