Stone Solitude Read online

  “Oh, thank God,” he breathed, tightening his hold on her until she thought he was going to crush her. She didn’t mind because she felt the same way and if she could, she would hug him to pieces. Pulling back, he brushed his hands over her face, her shoulders, her head. When she winced, his expression turned into a frown, “You’re hurt.”

  “Not badly,” she murmured, starting to tremble now that her father had found her. Unable to help herself, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him once more. “I wasn’t sure if you and momma were still here….” A terrifying thought ripped through her and she pulled back, staring into her father’s handsome face with wide eyes, “Momma’s still here, right?”

  “She is,” he said with tears in his eyes, making the silver color shine in the darkness. “So are all of your brothers and your sister and your cousins and everyone.”

  Swallowing thickly, she shook her head as a new wave of sadness crashed over her, “Not the Rothmans, daddy.”

  “I’m so sorry,” he choked, pulling her back into his arms and hugging her once more, as if he was unable to let her go. She never wanted him to, especially now. Standing up with her in his arms, he rasped, “Let’s go home, sweetheart.”

  “How?” she asked. “Did you drive?”

  He shook his head, a slight smile curving his lips. “As soon as the wave hit, your mother knew you were in trouble and begged me to find you. I asked an associate to transport me to the nearest ley line and then I ran the rest of the way in my wolf form.” Nodding towards the door, he added, “Your mom packed some clothes for me to change into once I transformed back.”

  “Then how are we going to get home?” she asked again, clutching onto him as he bent down and picked up the bag. As desperately as she wanted her momma, Daisy understood why her mom couldn’t be there. After all, the baby was due in a month and her belly was too big in either her human form or her wolf form.

  “You’re going to ride my back like you used to do when you were younger and we’re going to meet my friend in the field not too far from here.”

  Her eyes lit up because it had been ages since she had ridden on her father’s wolf. After Roxie was born, Daisy had decided she was a big girl, certainly too big to ride on the black wolf her father turned into.

  “I think once we get home, your mother is never going to let you out of her sight again,” her daddy chuckled, giving her a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek. “And I don’t think I will, either. God, Daisy, I’m glad you’re safe. Now, let’s get you home.”

  With one last look at the gargoyle, Daisy nodded and laid her head down on her father’s shoulder. She had the feeling that she would see that stone wolf-man again.

  The child left and for the first time in almost two thousand years, the stone gargoyle opened his eyes.

  Chapter 2

  In the ten years since Daisy lost her best friend, the world had gone through a transformation. As the little gnome had said, the veil had been ripped away and all of the creatures that haunted human imagination stepped into the light of day, or night in the case of nocturnal creatures. She had also learned that shared grief did not diminish the sense of one’s own loss. The humans had called it the Rapture and everyone lost someone they knew. There had been no rhyme or reason to the humans that had vanished that day and those left behind had to pick up the pieces with a million questions and no answers.

  Daisy actually felt sorry for the humans. So few of them had had any awareness of the world that had lived just beneath their noses the entire time, the world they had abruptly been exposed to after the Rapture. They had no way of dealing with the new reality and far too many decided to end it rather than endure and adapt. Suicide cults had sprung up in record number, throwing the world into further turmoil.

  With the world in chaos, the paranormal creatures that had ties in the human world stepped forward to offer their assistance in helping the humans cope, including her father and mother. Though they played minor roles in the new world, Daisy liked to think it helped giving a human face to the Other. It wasn’t always easy and ten years later there were still tensions between the normal and the supernormal.

  Daisy straddled the line, uncertain where her place was because she hadn’t heard from her wolf since that bleak day all of those years ago. Her father explained that in her despair, she had shut the wolf out and he didn’t know if or when the wolf would re-establish the connection.

  If she was honest, she wasn’t too upset. Even though all of her siblings that had gone through puberty had made the transition without any difficulties, she was okay without that aspect of her nature because she had to be. Besides, it was hard enough trying to control her Siren genes without the added hassle of being a wolf, too. Her mother assured her that no matter what, her family loved her and they would support her in whatever she chose to do, whether she wanted to try to force the wolf out into the open or let the wolf be.

  Because her Siren was theoretically as strong as her mom’s, she had to be careful when she sang since mass orgies randomly broke out afterwards. During her first year of college, she had wanted to test the theory and so she sang karaoke at one of the frat parties. Almost as soon as she finished the song, she regretted it. The humans were already too in thrall of the supernatural creatures that were slowly coming forward and her song just pushed them over the edge. She had tried to stop it but nothing she did helped so she had quietly skipped out and prayed that everything would calm down once she was gone.

  The party lasted for a week and a half. Her dad had been furious, her mom amused because she admitted to doing something similar in Cancun, and her twin jealous that he hadn’t been there. Unlike the myths, though, none of the humans fell madly, passionately, desperately in love with her. Instead, her song had been a powerful aphrodisiac for the men and women, though none had been unduly attracted to her. While her song was powerful, it didn’t enslave. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t careful. Unbridled lust had its own dangers.

  She continued strolling through the college library, breathing in the scent of printed paper and leather bindings. The library was one of her favorite places to hang out because it was peaceful and it had thousands of books just waiting to be read. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to explore the possibilities because she was looking for a very specific book for her research paper, an archaic book that wasn’t allowed to be checked out of the library or photocopied. If she had any hope of finishing the paper, she was going to have to spend all of her spare time at the library, which was why she was there on a Friday night instead of enjoying the last weeks of summer before the fall term began. Taking a summer class was her way of getting ahead so she might be able to graduate a few months early.

  Not that she had a glamorous social life of club hopping and swanky parties. Instead, she preferred hanging out with her pack and a select group of friends. Most of the humans she knew were just trying to live their lives, though a few were reckless when they went out at night. They hoped to snag the attention of a vampire or a werewolf but they never understood the cost of falling in with the other side until it was too late. Despite the transitions of her Uncles Cole and Dima to wolves, most of the humans weren’t so lucky, dying painfully within a few days of being bitten. Wolves had no wish to destroy humanity. Vampires, on the other hand, didn’t give a damn about humanity and would kill indiscriminately if they thought they could get away with it.

  Concentrating on where she was going, she descended the narrow staircase to the cellar where the really old books were kept. The dank, concrete stairwell was rarely used and she always felt as if she were entering a tomb when she had to go to the archives for research. It was her fault, of course, for choosing such obscure topics to write about, whether in English class or biology, including the paper she was currently working on about the origins of the gargoyle. She couldn’t imagine what she was going to choose once it came to her thesis paper for grad school. Luckily that was many years away. At twenty, she had plenty of
time to figure out the rest of her life.

  A low light emerged from beneath the heavy door and Daisy wondered who else could possibly be down there since most people avoided the tomb room if they could help it. As she put her hand on the doorknob, a slight jolt of electricity surged into her arm and she jerked her hand away. Her heart thudded once really hard in her chest before it started to race. Who was in the room?

  Cautiously, she opened the door and peered inside, cursing when she realized the light was too low to actually see anything beyond vague shapes. The dim light was coming from the table but it was only enough light to illuminate the book the stranger was reading and not the stranger. He, she assumed he was a he, was massive, hunched over the table with a cloak concealing what the shadows missed. Sliding her hand over the wall to the light switch, wanting – needing – to see who it was that trespassed upon her privacy, she froze when his deep, dark voice graveled out, “Please. Do not turn on the light.”

  Roman didn’t turn his head and look at her directly because he didn’t want her to see him, not yet, maybe not ever. This was too important to ruin by being impatient to finally see her up close. For ten years he had watched over the girl from afar, biding his time until he could approach her and set his plan in motion. The biggest challenge had been keeping the boys who sniffed after her away from her. Generally, a visit late at night was enough to get the job done. There was nothing quite like a nocturnal visit from a nightmarish creature to curb a boy’s lust for a pretty girl.

  He would have taken her after her first bleeding but he wasn’t a barbarian. It hardly mattered because at the time, he had been more beast than man… fuck, he was still more beast than man but time was running out and he had to act. He had to seduce a bloody virgin as he was, a stone beast. When he had been flesh, he had reveled in female warmth, from the innocent touches of eager virgins to the more carnal pleasures of accomplished courtesans. Honestly, though, he had preferred experienced women over virgins since they had a level of confidence that was sorely lacking in the untouched girls.

  Of course, it was his weakness to sample all of the feminine delights that had contributed to his destruction.

  With a wry smile, he covertly studied the girl who stood in the doorway, her slender hand pressed against her heart as she stared at him with wide, silver eyes. It was remarkable, really, that he could discern that her eyes were silver since he could only see the world in shades of gray. Once upon a time he could see in color but that was long ago and even in his memory the vibrant hues had faded.

  She was a stunning creature with long, dark hair and those expressive eyes, luscious curves and an exquisite face. She was the embodiment of everything he desired in a woman and those silver eyes made her even more beautiful. Her eyes, the color so vibrant even in black and white, were wide and inquisitive and framed by lush eyelashes that made them appear even bigger. Her cheeks were high in her heart-shaped face, her nose slim, and her lips full and she could have any man she wanted.

  Well, had he allowed it. Unfortunately for her, he needed her virgin’s blood to release him from this curse. Once he was back to normal, he’d go after the bitch who did this to him and bargain for his freedom, using the virgin as leverage.

  Either way, he was glad he had waited for her to grow into her beauty, even if he was cutting it close. Fortunately for him, it hadn’t taken long to influence her interest in gargoyles, to fan the flames of the embers that were already there. The mythology class that she was taking gave her the perfect opportunity to finally research the history of gargoyles. He guided her to the bowels of the library for her research with carefully whispered words as she slept. Of course, he hadn’t been the one whispering in her ear. He left that to his… companion.

  Cautiously, she made her way into the dark room and he smiled to himself. There was a core of strength within her and he only hoped she could tap into it before he confronted the bitch who imprisoned him for two thousand years. If the girl was too weak, she’d be little use to him and he’d have to find another way to gain his freedom. No, there was no other way. There was only her.

  “Sit,” he said, his voice gravelly. Holding his hand out, the full sleeve hiding his skin, he indicated the seat across from him, a seat that was bathed in the low light. The light served a dual purpose: it allowed him to study her in greater detail and it kept him in the shadows.

  “I didn’t realize anyone else would be here tonight,” she said, her soft, dulcet tones caressing his stone skin, sending a shiver down his rocky spine.

  Ignoring the pleasurable touch, he rasped, “I prefer the night.”

  Her lips quirked up in a slight smile and he had to remind himself that she was just a pawn in the grand scheme of things and he couldn’t afford to feel anything for her. “Hmm, I think I do, too.”

  “You look like you should be in the sun. You smell of warmth and sun-drenched flowers.” He didn’t know where the words came from but they were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Worse, he hadn’t realized how tantalizing her scent would be from so close. It wrapped around his brain and fogged up his plan. They had only exchanged a few words and she was already making him feel things he hadn’t felt in ages. He would have to tread carefully.

  A soft laugh slipped past her ripe lips as she pulled the chair out and sat down. There was a quiet thunk as she dropped her bag and then she said, “Oh, I enjoy the sun as well but it’s the moon I prefer.”

  Keeping his eyes on her, he pictured her beneath the moon, her body beckoning him as he stalked towards her as a man. His cock responded to the rush of lust by swelling for the first time in an eternity and he was grateful for the cloak that concealed his reaction. Since the girl brought him back to life, he had slowly, oh so slowly, been regaining his true form, that of a man beneath the moon and a gargoyle beneath the sun.

  A living gargoyle beneath the sun, not the stone statue that was frozen in place.

  “What’s your name?” she asked, sending that pleasurable pulse down his spine again.

  His lips curved into a dark smile as he murmured wryly, “Roman.”

  “I’m Daisy,” she said, holding out her hand as if she truly expected him to take it. When it became obvious he had no intention of doing so, she slowly lowered her arm and frowned. Shit, he should have taken her damn hand, exposed his stone skin to her gaze. But he couldn’t risk frightening her off before he had a chance to seduce her.

  “Sorry,” he offered by way of apology. “I have a… skin condition that most people find unsettling.”

  Tilting her head to the side, she studied him and he had the upsetting sensation that she could see more than he wanted her to see. With only the slightest hesitation, she raised her arm back up and offered her hand once again, “I’m not one of those people.”

  Swallowing thickly at the unexpected kindness, he slowly reached towards her, extending his hand until it was no longer hidden in the sleeve. He watched her eyes as she saw his stone hand for the first time, the gnarled fingers and deadly nails. Her pulse throbbed rapidly in her throat but she slid her hand into his without a second’s hesitation and his cock twitched between his rock thighs. His craggy paw swallowed her much more delicate hand and he felt the touch in the depths of his soul. He had to fight the urge to pull her across the table and ravish her on the spot and he realized he was in danger of losing sight of his goals by a pair of silver eyes and a warm smile.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Roman,” she whispered, refusing to release his hand.

  “The pleasure is mine,” he graveled, reluctant to let go as well. Holding her hand, he smoothed his thumb over the pulse in her wrist and smiled as color climbed into her cheeks. For the briefest moment, he regretted the course of action he had to take but then he hardened his resolve. It was the only way.

  His brothers were unaware of his existence, thanks to the fucking curse, so he couldn’t go to them for assistance, not until he was free and by then their help would no longer be needed. It
was damn unfortunate that she lived in a city that was guarded by gargoyles because it made his pursuit of her that much more tricky. Gargoyles took their roles as guardians very seriously and they wouldn’t take too kindly to what he had planned for the innocent virgin. Worse, there were two pods – six gargoyles – guarding this particular city.

  Add to the fact that he was a hideous beast, he was stuck lurking in shadows and tomb-like rooms.

  With a start, he realized he was still holding her hand. Clearing his throat, he forced his fingers to release her and then he hid his stone claw away, “Forgive me but it has been an eternity since anyone has touched me.”

  Tears filled her eyes in sympathy and anger swelled in his chest at her soft heart. Pushing the irrational fury down, he murmured, “Don’t cry, my little flower.”

  At the words, she froze, staring at him with wide, bewildered eyes. Standing abruptly, she grabbed her backpack off the floor and muttered a quick, “Excuse me,” before fleeing the room.

  Sitting back in the chair, he fought the urge to run after her and pull her into his arms. He wasn’t sure if he would rage at her for being too tender or ravage her with a stone kiss. As he calmed his inner fury, he replayed the entire encounter, focusing too much on her sparkling eyes and the feel of her hand in his.

  She hadn’t flinched when she held his paw.

  Shaking his head to clear the perilous thoughts, he smiled to himself. On the whole, he was satisfied with their initial meeting even if she had left so brusquely. Having finally met her, he was far more confident in his ability to seduce her. Not that failure had ever been an option; he was just grateful she wasn’t afraid of him. Of course, that may change when she finally saw the monster beneath the cloak. He’d just have to take measures to make sure she never saw him before she gave him her virginity.

  His biggest hurdle had been luring her away from her pack but she neatly took care of that by deciding to live in the dorms for the summer term. She still spent nearly all of her free time with her fellow wolves, but now there were far more opportunities to steal her away than there had been even a few months before. If only her touch hadn’t been so electrifying.