Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
The vans stopped at a beautifully positioned house. Grand in scale, it cut into the cliff face at its back and was almost regal with its narrow, cathedral windows inlaid with stained glass and intricate designs. Tall spires rose into the sky amid steep slate roofs. A wide, stone staircase led to heavy double doors with arched stonework. From its position high in the hills, the residence overlooked the town, watchful and protective.
“Someone gets a gold star for their craftsmanship,” Jasper murmured, and John had to agree. A master created this residence, and the city besides. Architecture was something of a passion of his, the older the better. He couldn’t wait to get a better look.
The driver exited the van, but no one followed. Ulric put his hand on the door handle, bending to see out through the windows. He was watching the other vans. When the drivers of the various vans reached the rear doors, the passenger doors finally opened, and everyone exited in an orderly fashion. The large gargoyle—Tristan—cut an unhurried path to the right. Sue took his place opposite. Gargoyles and shifters formed a crisp line.
“I’m being pushed toward the gargoyles,” Ulric said when John got out. “You’re going to go into the middle of our lines with Jessie’s crew. Don’t worry about lining up, they can’t seem to manage it.”
The gargoyles headed off to their lines. Aurora broke away to the back of the shifters. John was confused but kept his movements smooth, the product of many years of hiding any and all weaknesses.
And then the vampire randomly appeared at his side, and he flinched.
“Hello. Joining us?” Edgar asked. He didn’t wait for an answer. “Come on. Just this way. The water is warm.”
“Now ye’re just tryin’ to be unsettling,” the puca told the vampire, waiting in the chaotic middle of the two crisp lines.
Edgar gave John a strange smile before he scooted into the throngs of people to stand behind a mousy sort of woman with unruly brown hair. The healer, if John wasn’t mistaken, a very useful type of magic that John hadn’t known existed.
He thought about slipping his hands into his pockets but straightened, years of muscle memory coming to the rescue. Shoulders and head high, he proceeded.
Austin walked with Jessie to the front of the procession, subtly submissive by being a step behind. He was giving her the floor, letting her handle things with her people as she’d let him handle things with John. Mostly, anyway. She had not liked Austin being in danger. Austin would probably be the same here, if not incredibly more volatile.
Sue’s stance, like John and Tristan’s, was bold, posturing. Alphas, all. Austin didn’t react to either beta or to John when he glanced back. Clearly, he was comfortable leading alphas, secure in himself, his hierarchy, and his placement at the top.
For some reason, that tickled John. The little Barazza boy was all grown up and he wasn’t any less headstrong. The difference now? He had focus, using his incredible might where he thought it mattered, and not bothering with the rest.
John was suddenly glad he’d chosen this path. If nothing else, it would be interesting seeing how differently this alpha managed his affairs, and whose feathers in the shifter community it ruffled. It would be refreshing to be on the outside looking in. All of this was none of his concern. Finally.
The front doors opened, and four large gargoyles came out, two by two. But while they looked muscular, especially in the shoulders and chest, and were tall, they couldn’t match Tristan.
The gargoyles went to either side of the doorway, stood against the wall, and promptly disappeared. He let out a gush of breath in surprise.
“Yeah,” Fred mumbled, pointing. “Did you know they did that? Magic is crazy, y’all. It is cray-zy. Thank god I can find my way in a city just fine or I’d worry one of them would lead me somewhere and then just disappear like that basajunk did last night. Remember me telling you about that? Nightmare.”
Laughter bubbled up inside John as another gargoyle came through the door dressed in a rumpled navy button down shirt and black slacks. The laughter threatened to break free as he stepped to the side and another gargoyle similarly garbed stepped outside.
He squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath, tamping down on the guffaws that threatened. This woman was so odd it passed right by ridiculous and went straight into hilarious. He’d never had people like this around him as an alpha, and no one ever really talked to him afterwards.
“Austin Steele,” the less-rumpled gargoyle said . He seemed younger than the others by about ten years, placing him at about thirty or so. A wave of dark brown hair fell to his ears and freckles adorned his face. His eyes crinkled. “Jessie Ironheart. Welcome. It’s good to have you. I’m Evan Smithenson. You can call me Evan, of course.”