Page 14 of Stone Heart
“I’m not crazy,” she breathed. She seemed to take in Vikuth’s frame. Her hand shook as she tucked her hair behind her ear and studied his gargoyle form. “I thought I may have imagined it, but it was you who saved me.”
Vikuth nodded while she stepped toward him. Rhodack took in everything. How could the little female hold so much power over him this fast? She moved to stand in front of Vikuth, roaming her gaze over Vikuth’s powerful frame.
Rhodack’s beast wanted to come forward and show himself. Show her he was the Clan leader, the more powerful gargoyle in the room.
“May I?” she asked, raising a hand. She paused, her fingertips right above Vikuth’s chest.
Vikuth’s eyes flashed to him, asking for permission. Rhodack narrowed his eyes at his friend with an unspoken warning.
Don’t fucking touch her.
Vikuth nodded to her. Her hand traced along his exposed chest skin before pulling away quickly.
“How is this possible? If you’re a gargoyle, then I assume there are other beings out there. Different beings?”
“Humans aren’t the only inhabitants of this world. Surely you must know that,” Vikuth replied.
“And what was that thing? That mist?” she asked. Her attention switched to Rhodack’s eyes for a brief moment before she settled it back on Vikuth.
“I’m not entirely sure. It was from another realm. Something crossed over, and we will not rest until we’ve hunted it down,” he assured her.
“But if something came into our world, why would it go after me?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” Rhodack said. He could no longer stand by and be a third wheel in his own quarters.
The smell of fear permeated the air as she took a step back.
Vikuth faced him and nodded before turning back to Rina. “There’s no need to fear Rhodack, my lady. He’s my clan leader, the strongest of all gargoyles. I trust him with my life, and he will get to the bottom of why the mystic being was after you. He will protect you.”
Her gaze connected with Rhodack’s. His breath caught in his throat, his stone heart thumping at the small smile that played on her lips. He took in the slight flushing of her skin and the way she shifted nervously in front of them.
“But he’s so scary-looking right now,” she whispered to Vikuth, who barked a hefty laugh.
“If you think his human face is scary, then wait until you meet his gargoyle.” Vikuth chuckled.
“Enough,” Rhodack snapped, scowling at Vikuth. He wanted him to ensure Rina trusted him, not increase her fear. She’d meet his gargoyle soon enough, and it would never harm her.
No, his gargoyle wanted to belong to her and her to him.
“How do we know it was truly after me and not just random?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“In one thousand years, we’ve never had a breach before. For that being to cross over into our realm and go directly for you, this was planned. Something wants you, and I’ll be damned if it gets you,” Rhodack snapped.
“Am I a prisoner here?” she asked.
Vikuth moved away from her. Rhodack knew his friend could sense his mounting rage for him being so close to Rina. Soon enough, he’d inform her that she belonged to him.
Right after he found out what the hell she was.
He sensed the force radiating from her. She literally had no clue how much power she harnessed. The room practically hummed from her energy.
“No.” He shook his head. No, she wasn’t a prisoner. She would be his mate, and everyone would respect her.
“Then I can go home. I’m sure my roommate is looking for me,” she said.
“No.”
His single answer wiped the smile from her face. There was no way she could go home unprotected. Whatever targeted her would surely know where she lived. No, she would stay with him where his clan could protect her.
