Revolution (The Revelation Series Book 4) (13 page)

He holds my gaze awkwardly for a few moments before resting his head on the back of the couch. “It was a mental healing. That was crazy shit with the priestesses today.”

“I know,” I whisper, trying to block out the blood bath we witnessed.

He brings what’s left of the cigarette to his mouth and inhales. “Murdering seers, innocent women, on sacred ground… Christ, that stays with you for a bit.”

I’m silent for a moment as I watch the last of his cigarette burn in his fingers. His sadness reminds me of Camilla. He was her protector and mate. When Gage’s dad, the leader of the Paris clan of gargoyles, became aware of their secret bond, he had her throat slit.

Gage shakes his head back and forth slowly. “This is only going to get worse, love. There will be more violence. Are you sure you’re ready to handle this? To have death on your conscience and innocent blood on your hands?”

I watch as he drops the cigarette butt into the liquid left in his glass. For a moment, I stare at it to make sure it doesn’t spontaneously combust in the alcohol.

“I have to be ready, Gage. I have no alternatives. This war is my fate.”

“Your fate, huh?” he repeats cryptically. “So much for free will.”

I slump down on the couch, getting more comfortable. “Can I ask you something?”

He pauses for a moment. The smell of brandy mixed with smoke is on his breath as he exhales roughly. “I might be too drunk to answer you honestly, love.”

I turn my head in his direction and roll my eyes, knowing that Gage, even intoxicated, is more insightful than anyone else I know. “Please?”

“Fine, but then I get to ask you something in return,” he challenges with a fierce look.

“Deal.”

“Ask away, love.” He waves his hand through the air dramatically.

“Why didn’t you let me turn myself over? Instead, you brought me to Nassa’s uncle.”

“Regardless of the mate, and blood, bond you have with the dark prince, I’m also your protector. I took an oath to keep you safe. In the moment, that was my focus. Turning you over to Deacon, or the dark army, would not have kept you out of harm's way. Seemed like a good idea at the time.” He finishes by mumbling under his breath.

My brows lift. “Was your focus?” I repeat.

He shrugs. “It suited me to protect you. In. That. Moment.”

I cross my arms over my body. “Good to know you and I haven’t made any progress in the friendship department.”

“I told you once before, we aren’t friends,” he reminds. “Now. My turn, love.”

I dip my chin in agreement. “Your turn.”

His hand dips into the front pocket of his black dress pants, pulling out a small piece of white folded paper and my heart sinks. Oh shit. How the fuck did he get that?

“Do you know why Asher spoke in Garish in the temple?” he asks with an accusing tone.

“He slips into it sometimes when he’s angry.” My eyes are fixated on the paper.

“Buttercup placed a protection shield over us. Anyone outside of that invisible circle could not hear what we were saying, unless they were a gargoyle or the witch who spelled us.”

“I’m still not following, Gage.” I finally manage to unglue my eyes and meet his.

“Some gargoyles do not speak English, only our native tongue of Garish,” Gage explains.

“Did he think other gargoyles were following us?” I inquire, ignoring the way my heart rate increased at his insinuation.

Gage’s expression looks off, causing my stomach to sink. “When supernatural beings enter a realm, they leave energy. One of Callan’s gifts is to pick up which essence belongs to which group. When your dark prince asked his brother about said essence, he replied: de bal an-ámo-lem an gargl. Meaning Callan picked up the energy of an evil enemy and gargoyle.”

I swallow roughly. “It’s common knowledge that there is a gargoyle working with the dark army. We’ve always known there is a traitor.”

His focus drops to the folded stationary. “Up until now, most of us assumed the gargoyle traitor was Morgana, but that isn’t the case. Is it, love?”

I chew the inside of my cheek nervously. “You think I know who the traitor is?”

Gage tosses the bended note on my lap. “Open it.” Damn bossy gargoyles.

I hold my breath, already knowing what’s on it.

“Open it, love,” he repeats in a soft voice.

I unfold the stationery with shaky hands and see the black scroll, revealing the name I’d inscribed. The name Morgana gave to me, and I, in turn, gave to Michael to substantiate.

“How the hell did you get this?” My voice is tight.

“Didn’t I once tell you to get all the facts before you chose a side? As you can see, my father may have wielded the sword but that name proves Camilla’s death wasn’t a solo act.” He pins me with a disappointed glare. “Looks like you chose incorrectly.”

Fuck. Fuckity. Fuck.

“This proves nothing, Gage,” I say in a small voice.

“Wrong. It proves everything!” he drunkenly scolds in a low voice.

“What are you going to do with this information?” I whisper. “What good could possibly come from you revealing this without evidence?” I exhale the statement.

Gage withdraws another cigarette, placing it between his perfect lips then lighting it. On a sharp inhale of nicotine he rubs his thumb across his bottom lip.

“I think the real question here, love, is what are you planning to do with it?”

“I can’t.” I choke. “I can’t tell him without proof. It will ruin him and the clan, Gage.”

Gage studies me thoughtfully for a moment. “Bloodlines overshadow alliances. Remember that, love, because as I told you in the Land of Leprechauns, nothing, and no one, are ever what they seem. Even me,” he warns.

“I just need some time to confirm their involvement. Michael is helping me. If you want to protect me, like you say you do, then don’t allow me to be the reason Asher’s world implodes,” I quietly beg.

Gage exhales a plume of smoke. “I’m sorry, love. I truly am, but make no mistake, daughter of Heaven. I will protect Camilla over you. Every time. Even in death.”

“Do you really hate Asher so much you would do this to him? After all we’ve been through over the past few months together?” I stand and ask with an inflamed temper.

Gage also gets to his feet, stepping up to me so we’re toe-to-toe. “At the hands of our traitor, my mate is dead. A realm has fallen. A king has risen, and your fate, has just been sealed. Yet, you want to protect the one responsible?” Gage asks, astonished.

“No. What I want is to protect Asher, at all costs,” I yell and my nostrils flare. “Know this. If you go after Asher and reveal this information to him before I’ve been able to verify that person’s involvement, I will become your number one enemy.” My threat is strong.

Gage releases a cruel laugh before dropping his voice and looming over me. “For the record, love, there wasn’t ever a time that we weren’t each other’s number one enemy.”

13
Family First

THE IMPENDING STORM HAS TURNED the azure skies dark. A flash of lightning, followed by the deep sound of thunder, rolls outside the windows, rattling the glass and shaking the manor’s foundation. I watch in awe as the pouring rain comes down, drenching the gardens. The pounding water droplets bounce off the green leaves and lake with a harsh assault.

“If this isn’t foreshadowing of things to come, then I don’t know what is,” I mumble under my breath and allow my fingers to follow the trail of water on the glass panes.

“You okay, siren?” Asher asks from behind me.

At the sound of his voice, I close my eyes and inhale before turning around. My gaze takes in the beautiful gargoyle. A sense of intense love and profound sadness seeps into my soul. When I meet his concerned look, a deep heaviness pushes on my chest in the form of dread.

My heart is racing at an ungodly speed. In spite of all the weirdness in my life and the lingering betrayal of Gage’s threat, I can’t help but love Asher with everything that I am.

Only this time, I truly don’t know if my love will be enough to save us. It’s becoming more apparent that everything in my life comes with a sacrifice, even love.

The crease between Asher’s brows deepens and I realize I’ve been staring at him for several seconds without saying anything.
Crap
.

“You’re staring at my lips. Is it because you find me undeniably kissable?” Asher jests in a light-hearted manner, attempting to get me to speak as he moves closer.

All I want to do is fold myself into his arms and tell him everything, risking it all.

Asher reaches out and touches me. When I jump, startled at the contact, he draws back.

“Alright, what the fuck is going on, siren?” His voice is gentle but full of worry and panic.

I chew the inside of my cheek and when I look back up, I see the concern filling his eyes.

Getting control of myself, I force a smile. “I’m fine,” I mutter. “Everything outside is gloomy and wet. I think the thunder and lightning are just making me…” I pause. “Uneasy.”

The striking gargoyle lifts a brow at my lie. I recognize his expression. He’s trying to figure me out. “You’re scared of a thunderstorm?” he poses with disbelief.

“Scared?” I repeat. “No. Just jittery and all, you know.” I shake my hands in the air.

His smile is weary. “You’ve given me some pretty crappy lies in the past, but I have to say, this one takes the cake, siren.” Asher gently reaches for me again, encircling his hand around my wrist. “Talk to me.”

Every fiber of my body is shouting at me to tell him, but I can’t. Instead, I shift from one foot to the other and force another weak smile. “Everything is just hitting me all at once, Ash. The priestesses, the war, and I’m just coming a little unhinged. That’s all.”

Tugging gently on my wrist, Asher guides me into his warm arms. With my ear pressed against his heart, I droop in his embrace. “I can help you,” he insists, kissing my head.

I pull away and step out of his embrace. “I’m good. Just tired, and I promised Callan I would help with dinner tonight.” Another lie. “Did Nassa leave already?”

Asher drags his hands through his hair, shooting me a fierce and protective look. “Yeah. She’s informing Lunette and the Royal Court about the priestesses. If they don’t already know.”

I hug myself. “They were seers, Ash. Wouldn’t they be able to see the attack coming?”

Asher exhales roughly. “Possibly. I don’t know what happened for sure yet, siren.”

Leaning up on my toes, I place a soft kiss on his cheek before heading to find the one gargoyle I know can help me keep my secret. “See you at dinner, pretty boy.”

Asher nods once. I can tell he’s fighting an internal battle to let me walk away. After searching the entire house, I walk into the kitchen and come to a complete stop, basking at the comfortable sight.

Callan is standing over the stove, wearing an apron embellished with a photo of a mushroom on it.
I’m A Fun Guy
is written across the image.
Loveable, dorky gargoyle.

The adorable protector turns and smiles at me noticing his apron. “It’s cool, right, Eves?” He winks. “Get it. I’m a fun guy. Only mushrooms are fungi. It’s a play on words, cutie.”

My gaze meets his. “I get it. Cool? No. But your admirers will love it,” I tease.

Callan’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “They will, won’t they?”

I roll my eyes. “All four of them.”

“Hey, I have way more fans than that, cutie,” he banters and turns back to the stove.

“Whatever you say, gargoyle.” I snort and take a seat next to Abby at the kitchen island.

I watch in silence as she dices jalapeño peppers. Callan’s loud shout startles us both.

“What the hell is he doing?” I ask her in a hushed voice.

We both turn to witness Callan, with great dramatics, throw seasoning into a large pot. Each time the spice hits whatever is inside the container, he screams
BAM
like a nut job.

“Making chili.” She giggles and slides her gaze to me.

“Chili?” I don’t hide the surprise in my voice.

“The other day, when you manifested guacamole, you mentioned being sick of sweets. Plus, he’s entering a chili cook-off competition. The
BAM
is because he thinks he’s Emeril Lagasse. Just ignore it. He likes to role play when he’s cooking.” She shrugs. “It’s cute.”

“Cooking isn’t the only time I like to role play,” Callan purrs in a suggestive tone while wiggling his eyebrows. He strolls over to where we are seated, coming up behind Abby and attacking her neck, snacking on it with loud kisses before taking a seat and slicing limes.

“Watching you two must be what it’s like for a child to watch their parents smack lips.”

“Baby, we’re grossing Eve out again,” Abby sings with a less than apologetic look.

A mischievous expression crosses Callan’s soft features. “Cutie, don’t tell me you and your mate haven’t discovered the fine art of role playing.”
Here we go, once again.

My mouth drops open. “I didn’t realize role playing was a fine art. And does no one in this clan respect boundaries? You do realize my mate happens to be your brother.”

Abby shoots me an amused glance before clocking her mate in the back of the head.

“Callan Thomas, stop it right now,” she warns. “You’re making Eve uncomfortable.”

“Again,” I grumble, playing mindlessly with a leafy bunch of cilantro.

Callan chuckles while rubbing his head. “Will you spank me, Abs, if I don’t stop?”

Abby’s peach lips incline in a smirk. “Maybe.”
Dear God, please make it stop.

Callan puts down his knife and turns his expression serious as he faces us. “Eves, it’s important for Abby and I that sex education happen in the home. Basics might have been covered in your health class, but you need all the proper information to make smart and informed decisions about your body.”

“Please, just stop,” I whisper in mortification.

“For instance, if you didn’t like Ash’s piercing during the act of sexual pleasure, rather than aggressively stabbing him in the heart with a dagger, perhaps next time you could just communicate how upsetting it is for you to have his silver balls play with you,” he continues, amused with himself. “Also, in the future, running away with a chain smoker is a bad idea.”

I don’t even want to share with you what I’m thinking.
“Oh. My. God…Callan—”

“Awkward as it may be, cutie, sex education is our responsibility,” he says, motioning between himself and Abby.

I press the cilantro between my fingers, releasing the scent of orange to avoid hitting him.

Abby nods her head in agreement. “It’s true.”

“As your guardians, it’s our job to guide you, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy sexuality,” he says mechanically.
What the fuck is he rambling about?

I exhale and throw an irritated look his way. “Did you read that somewhere?”

Abby giggles. “He did. It’s in a book called
How To Talk to Your Teen About Sex
.”

“Do I even want to know why you’re reading up on how to discuss sex with teens?”

“You were a teen virgin. Someone had to be prepared to have the talk with you.” I just stare him. Mouth agape. Cheeks hot pink. “In case you had questions,” Callan continues.

I face plant on the counter. “Jesus. Christ,” I mumble into my arms.

“You are using protection, right?” Callan snorts.
Oh. My. God.

“No, baby, she’s on the pill. According to Elizabeth, since she was sixteen,” Abby whispers like it’s a secret. “Also, Asher and she are both clean. I checked their medical records.”

I moan into my elbow. “Why do you know so much about my medical history?”

“It was in your file when we became your protectors,” she says offhanded.

“Just remember, Eves, open communication is key,” Callan adds.

“Okay. Good talk, thanks.” I bolt to my feet, met by their mutually amused laughter.

“Sex education is an ongoing conversation in this household, cutie,” Callan states.

“Good to know. Hey, do either of you know where Keegan is?” I ask, changing topics.

Both gargoyles freeze and look at me like I’ve grown six heads.

“Keegan?” Abby repeats.

“Keegan,” I confirm.

Callan knits his brows. “Why are you looking for Keegan, cutie? Gonna tattle on us?”

I try to come up with a plausible excuse. “No. Though I should. You two are insane and should have your heads examined. Anyway, Asher asked me to give Keegan something.”

Abby’s face scrunches like she just sucked on a lemon. “Why on earth would Asher do that?” she squeaks. At my hurt appearance, her face goes apologetic. “Sorry, it’s just, given your relationship, I’m surprised Asher would ask you to do anything involving Keegan.”

I let out a breath. “I get it, Abby. I was just wondering if you’d seen him is all.”

Callan stands, planting a quick kiss on Abby’s temple before returning to the stove to stir the chili. “Try the study, Eves. It’s still early in the States. He’s probably on a conference call, checking in with Tadhg and Leo about Katana,” he states over his shoulder.

“Thanks,” I return, ignoring Abby’s worried expression.

Hurriedly, I turn and head to the study before Mom and Dad explain in great detail how gargoyle babies are made. Once I reach the slightly ajar wooden door, I knock quietly.

“Enter,” Keegan barks, sounding distracted.

At the unwelcoming invitation, I push into the room and freeze when I see the annoyed look he’s giving me from behind a mahogany desk. The intimidating gargoyle is surrounded by mounds of club paperwork. He sits up straighter and lifts his chin at my presence.

“Eve,” he says briskly. “Asher isn’t here at the moment.”

“I’m here to see you, actually,” I respond, closing the door behind me.

Keegan’s brows pull together as he stares at the shut door. “Me?” His voice is confused.

“Is this room still sound proof?” I question, wringing my hands in a nervous manner.

A deep scowl forms on his handsome face. “Yes. What’s going on, Eve?”

I take a seat in the chair across from Asher’s not-so-charming brother. “I need your help.”

“You’re asking for my assistance?” he questions with disbelief lining his tone.

“You’re the only one I can come to at the moment.” I exhale.

“I don’t understand. I’m sure that whatever disagreement you and Asher have had, you two can work it out on your own. I’d rather you not bring me into it,” he says dismissively.

My eyes never stray from his face as I lift the piece of paper I took from Gage and gently place it on top of the piles of business-related paperwork consuming his day.

Keegan releases a heavy sigh, taking the notepaper, unfolding, and reading it. He looks at me from beneath drawn brows. “What the hell is this?” he bites out as intimidating as he can.

I swallow and release a slow breath. “The name of our traitor.”

Dark eyes pin me in place. “The name of our…” He pauses, relooking at the stationary. “I’m not sure what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not amused, Eve,” he says roughly.

I squeeze my eyes shut and then open them, catching his angry glare. “Morgana said the name to me before she died. Knowing the kind of destruction this would cause Asher, and this family, I asked Michael to confirm if there is any truth behind her accusation.”

Keegan watches me, unblinking, his face dead. “And did he?”

“My mother’s captivity shifted his focus. He’s recently assured me he’s looking into it.”

His hard gaze softens the slightest bit. “Why come to me with this now, Eve? Why not just wait until Michael confirms or denies this to be truth? For all we know, Morgana was lying.”

I wipe a sweaty hand over my forehead, brushing some long hair off my face. “Gage got a hold of the note and is threatening to take what’s on it to Asher as a form of retaliation and proof of what happened to Camilla. I came to you because I need your help to continue to protect Asher, and the clan, from this information until Michael can get back to me.”