Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,42
one of the masks to portray an old woman, and her own mate didn’t recognize her. It’s the same way our father has been able to stay in New Atlanta with no one realizing his true age or identity. We’ve been dealing with hiding in plain sight for centuries, and we have it down to an art. The easiest way to get around it is to move every ten or so years.”
“What if someone were to find out the truth, and say, go to the press?”
“Would you believe someone if they told you Gargoyles exist without proof? What would you have said if Cyrus told you what he was going to become this morning?”
“I’d have thought he was mental. Oh, okay. I see what you’re saying. This is a lot to take in.” Thomas looked over his shoulder toward the stairs. “I don’t hear any screaming, so does that mean he’s okay now?”
“The worst of the pain is over, but now he has to learn how to gain and keep control over the shifter. He asked that you give him a few days, because being around you riles his beast.”
“Oh. I… Does the beast not like me?”
“It likes you too much. It knows you are their mate, and it’s trying to convince Cyrus to come down here and drag you upstairs, then keep you locked up for days. Cyrus doesn’t have enough control though. Not yet.”
Thomas clapped his hands on his legs, then stood. “I guess I’ll go then. It’s been an exciting night for all of us. Stella, I’m glad your stalker didn’t hurt you, and I appreciate you talking with me. Zeke is a lucky man. Uh, male.”
“I’m the lucky one, but you’re welcome. I’m here if you want to talk further. Just maybe give me until about noon tomorrow. It has been a long day, and I plan on sleeping in.”
Well, maybe not sleep. I hope I get to snuggle my hot fiancé and get naked at some point.
Zeke chuckled, then nuzzled Stella’s neck. “I heard that,” he whispered.
“I should let you two…” Thomas pointed his thumb toward the stairs. “I’ll show myself out, but please tell Cyrus to call me if he wants to talk. I want to know how he is.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Cyrus called from upstairs.
Thomas snapped his head around, and Zeke explained, “Shifter hearing.”
“Uh, I look forward to it,” Thomas responded to Cyrus. He shook his head, but the man was smiling. “Until tomorrow.”
Zeke stood with Stella cradled in his arms and walked Thomas to the door, both bidding him a goodnight. He then carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. After placing her on the bed, he sat down beside her and cradled her hand between his. “I’m so proud of you. You did well talking Thomas off the ledge.”
“I understood what he was going through. Yes, he might have been tossed into the deep end of the Gargoyles-are-real pool without a life preserver, whereas you explained it to me first, but I told him everything you told me. He’s a very nice man, and from what little I know of Cyrus, I think they’ll be perfect together. Thomas owns his own business and can work from anywhere, so if they do complete the bond, I can see him moving to Montana.”
“I sure hope so. But enough about Thomas. You’ve had a long day, and I’d be a terrible mate if I kept you up any later.”
Stella cupped Zeke’s face, rubbing her thumb over his jaw. You’d be terrible if you didn’t.
Zeke’s beast rumbled in agreement. “If you insist.”
Epilogue
Stella was in heaven. She had never been to Tennessee, but she never wanted to leave. The house Zeke brought her to was nestled at the base of the Smoky Mountains. Where their home in California was light and airy with the ocean outside the doors, this one was wood and stone and surrounded by trees. The fireplace roared with real cut wood. The scent of oak permeated the room, and the warmth enveloped Stella like one of Zeke’s hugs. Her mate gave the best hugs.
It had been a crazy few months since she and Zeke met in the airport. After Bradley was arrested, it came out that he had planned the attack while she was in Egypt with Sheila. The man who ran her off the road admitted Bradley paid him up front to follow Stella as soon as she returned from her trip. With Bradley showing up at the beach