Page 32 of Immortal Alliance

I shake my head and frown at him. “What are you talking about?”

“A book once owned by my mistress. It’s known as the Stone Grimoire.”

“What is it?”

“A way to expand our numbers,” he answers and with that, Myerdoth takes to the sky, disappearing on the horizon.

I turn around and head back to the Hall of Clans where Eilish sits on the steps. A smile blooms on her face when she sees me, but the smile is quickly replaced with concern. No doubt she’s worried I’ll ignore her as I have been.

I hand her the flowers, loving the way they make her eyes light up. That faint glow that emits from her body shines in a sign of her pleasure. “These are for you… to say I’m sorry for being such an asshole.”

“Thank you, Dragan.”

“You’re welcome.” I watch her as she stands up and wraps her arms around me. I hold her tightly and kiss the top of her head.

“I know this isn’t easy for you,” she starts.

“It’s not, but I’m coming around.”

She pulls away from me and looks up at me, her eyes penetrating mine. “Then you still… want me?”

I’m shocked by her question. “Of course I still want you! I’ll always want you.”

She shakes her head. “Maybe I phrased it wrong,” she says and inhales deeply. “Do you still want to be with me, knowing what happened with Pyre and Baron?”

“Yes. I can’t not be with you.” I pause as I search for the right words. “I think all of us… need to talk. You, me, Baron and Pyre.”

“Why?”

“To map out how this all works,” I answer with a shrug. “If we have to share you, what does that look like? Do we have you separately or together?”

“I understand.”

“I… I didn’t like the idea of you with Pyre and Baron because… I wasn’t involved. I know it sounds completely idiotic but… I felt left out.”

She smiles up at me and squeezes me tightly. “I don’t want you to feel that way, Dragan.”

I chuckle down at her. “Don’t worry—you’ll make it up to me later.”

Her smile broadens. “I will?”

“Oh, yes, you will.” I take a big breath as my thoughts turn to other subjects. “And in other news, you won’t believe what just happened to me.”

“What?”

“There’s another gargoyle here. His name is Myerdoth and he says more of my kind… more gargoyles can be made if we locate something called the Stone Grimoire.” The excitement in my voice is evident but it fades as I recall the rest of my conversation with Myerdoth. “Variant has taken the Gorge. Only four of my unit remain.”

My voice breaks. Eilish holds me closely and I lean into her, loving the feel of her warmth. “I’m sorry, Dragan,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.”

Kolvar appears at our side. “The clan leaders have arrived.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

EILISH

Mercenary Stronghold

Kolvar sits beside me, with Dragan on my other side. After giving me a slight nod, Galmer calls for the others to settle, and the leaders of the mercenary clans take their seats at the enormous table with a fire burning at its center. Through the flames, I meet each of their stares unflinchingly. The king raises his hand and makes introductions. One by one, the chieftains stand to honor their leader and make their presence known.

---