Sixx (The Stone Society, #7) (34 page)

“Tessa and I will see you at first light, unless you need us before then,” Gregor said, pulling Tessa to her feet. They let themselves out the side door, and Uri turned to Sixx.

“What do you think of the girl?”

Sixx shrugged. “She’s nice, and she has a huge crush on Desi. Yes, she feels the mate bond, but she gets all starry-eyed when she talks of him. I think that’s the rock star effect he has on people. Desi is larger than life. Who wouldn’t be starstruck?”

“Truth. I felt a little of it myself when talking to him. He’s a great kid, Sixx. Now, I’m going to turn in, but I’ll be listening.” Uri pulled Sixx into a man hug. “We are going to find him,” he said as he held the embrace.

“Thank you, Uri. For everything.” Sixx clapped him on the back and released him. The Goyle was honorable and a good friend. Sixx was lucky to know him. Rae came down the stairs as Uri was going up. Sixx opened his arms, and his mate walked into them, wrapping her arms around his back. He felt the sigh against his shirt. She was such a strong female, and he couldn’t be more proud of his mate. “Let’s go to bed, Doll. I’ll meet you in the bedroom.” While Rae retreated to their room, Sixx locked up and turned off the lights.

When he got to their room, Rae was already in bed, propped up against the headboard. “I really like Simone,” she said. “She’ll be good for Desi. She’s in awe of the rock star, but she’ll be strong and won’t take his sass.”

Sixx slid into bed beside his mate. “His sass, huh? I wonder where he gets that.” he asked as he turned off the lamp on the bedside table. Sixx pulled her body into his and got comfortable. Rae didn’t bother with a comeback. Her breathing was already evening out. This ordeal was taking a toll on her, and all he could do was pray to the gods that Desi contacted Simone again.

S
imone’s emotions were all over the place. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Was this really happening? Was she truly at the home of the man she had been infatuated with for over a year? Well, his parents’ home, but still. What if this was all one big insane dream and when she woke up, she found herself alone in her bedroom back in New York? Desi would be safe, and she’d be no closer to him than she’d been when she met him.

Her cell phone vibrated, and she knew it had to be Josie. Simone was supposed to have called her roommate when she landed, but everything happened so fast. Meeting Desi’s parents wasn’t anything like she expected. They were some of the nicest people she’d met in her life. Desirae treated her like a daughter, not some nut job looking to score with the woman’s son. And Michael? Whoa... He looked more like Desi’s brother than his father. If what they told her was the truth, and she and Desi were soulmates, she had no problem with Desi looking like his father when he got older. The others had been beautiful as well. And that Viking hottie? Holy shit!

Simone quickly read Josie’s text before calling her. “Hey, Jos. I’m fine... I know I said I’d call, but things got busy... Yes, they believe me... No, they don’t think I’m crazy. As a matter of fact, they think I’m the key to finding Desi... Yes, I called him Desi. That’s what they call him... Whatever. Listen, I need to try to get some sleep. Hopefully, I’ll have another dream like last night’s, and we can get a read on his location... I will... I
will!...
Okay, you too. Love you, too, Jos.”

Josie was like a mother hen, but Simone didn’t mind. It was nice to have someone care for her that way. Desirae told Simone to make herself at home. What a home it was. Her bedroom had its own bathroom attached. Since hot water always helped her to relax, she took a quick shower before lying down. Now, she was snuggled under the sheet with her eyes closed.

Simone took some deep breaths, doing her best to remember everything Michael taught her. She separated her thoughts, putting them in their respective drawers, leaving one empty for Desi.
Desi, are you there?
She did her best to relax her body even more and tried again.
Desi? It’s Simone. I’m here to help you.
Simone focused on his handsome face, and drifted off.

W
ake up.

Desi, wake up!

WAKE THE FUCK UP!

Desi heard his shifter loud and clear. Really fucking loud.
I’m trying.
And he was. He’d been trying for a while now, but the longer he went without making contact with Simone, the harder it was to hang on to the light.

“Desi, are you there?”

Ahhh, now that’s a sweet sound. Just wish it was real. Can’t move. Can’t see. Can’t...feel...

“Desi, it’s me. Simone. Can you hear me?”

Mmm hmm. Sweetest voice on the planet. Simmmmooooooone.

“Desi what’s wrong? Please tell me where you are. I’m here with your parents. They’re really worried about you.
I’m
worried about you. Please, wake up. Help me, Desi. You promised me a real kiss, remember?”

Where are we? She’s back. Help me tell her...

Tell her you’re underground. Buried. And tell her you’ve been poisoned and can’t move.

“Desi, who are you talking to?”

My other half. He said tell you I’m buried. In a box. I’ve been poisoned and can’t move. Just my eyes, and they don’t work right.

“Desi, stay with me. Your father taught me how to meditate. I’m not asleep, so I can find you in my mind. We’re coming to get you. Can you give me any more clues to where you are?”

We’re... Where are we? Oh, yeah... not far from where the rivers come together...

“That’s good, Desi. Hang on. I’m going to get your father. We’re coming to find you.”

Now I must be the one who’s dreaming. You’re too beautiful to be my mate. But I’m glad you are. Simone... Beautiful girl? You still there? She’s gone...
Desi didn’t understand why he was getting weaker instead of stronger. He needed his Simone to come back. He needed to talk... to...

U
ri’s footsteps alerted Sixx before his voice did. “The girl’s awake.” He took off jogging down the hall then out the door.

“What’s going on?” Rae asked, her eyes still closed.

“I need you to wake up, Doll. Simone is up.” Sixx didn’t wait on his mate to rise. She would find them when she righted herself. He pulled on his shorts and a t-shirt before hurrying to the kitchen. A frightened Simone was standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking around.

“Simone, are you okay? Did you speak to Desi?” Sixx asked softly.

She nodded, but peered around his shoulder. Uri had returned with Gregor and Tessa. Rae was up and entering the room. “I... it’s not good. Please, can I sit down?”

“Of course,” Rae offered. She went to the young woman and sat next to her, reaching for her hands. “Take your time, sweetheart. Tell us what happened.” Gregor and Uri remained standing while Tessa busied herself with the coffeemaker. Sixx sat on the other side of Rae, placing his hand gently around the back of her neck. Her strength was waning, and he needed to help keep her together.

“He’s not lucid, so I don’t know if what he told me will be of help. He’s talking to someone, but when I asked who he was talking to, he said his other half.”

Rae squeezed Simone’s hands and offered comfort of her own. “That’s okay. Tell us his exact words.”

Simone nodded and continued. “I asked who he was talking to and he said, ‘
My other half. He said tell you I’m buried. In a box. I’ve been poisoned and can’t move. Just my eyes, and they don’t work right’.
Does that make sense to you?”

Tessa slammed the drawer where she was looking for a spoon. “That motherfucker. He’s done it again. Fuck! I need to call Lilly. Sixx, we’re going to need to test Desi’s blood immediately. If he’s been given the same thing Jasper was, Lilly can help.”

“Are there any doctors in the area we can call? Do we have a Dante on the West Coast?” Gregor asked.

Sixx had no idea. “Sin would be the one with that information. Will you call him and ask? Also tell him what Simone said.”

Before he left the room, Gregor asked Simone, “Did he say anything else? Something that might tell us his location?”

“He said they’re not far from where the rivers come together. Who is he with? I didn’t hear of anyone else being kidnapped.” Simone searched their faces, waiting for an explanation. Tessa had already left the room, stepping outside to call her cousin.

“Thank you, Simone. I’ll go call Sinclair.” Gregor excused himself and followed his mate out onto the patio. Simone didn’t need to hear those conversations yet. She still had no idea of the Gargoyles or what Desi was. Rae looked over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows. He knew what she was silently asking. Should they tell Simone the truth? In all honesty, he didn’t know. Desi should be the one to break the news to her, but it might help if she knew everything. If Desi was paralyzed, he was going to need a lot of support, and Simone was the one to give it.

“Simone, you were great. There’s something I need to explain to you about Desi. About his lineage. It’s going to sound crazy; just ask Rae. I have only recently shared this news with her, so she can help you through the questions and adjustment period. The best way to do this is to just spit it out, but I need you to keep an open mind for me. Can you do that?”

“I... I guess so.” She looked as if she was ready to bolt out the door, but Rae tightened her grip.

“Simone, Michael’s right. It will be a shock at first, but once you’ve seen the proof of what he’s going to tell you, it will all make sense.”

“I come from a long line of non-humans dating back to the beginning of time. I’m sure you’ve seen or read stories about shapeshifters such as werewolves. While those stories are fiction, Desi and I are a different species of shifter. We are Gargoyle. We don’t turn into beasts when we phase, but we can look a little scary. Do you remember when you were trying to fit Desi for his fangs and he refused?” Simone nodded, so he continued. “That’s because he has his own fangs. Real ones that he can show when he needs to. Like this...” Sixx let his canines elongate. Simone gasped and jerked her hands away from Rae. Sixx retracted his fangs and smiled. “Sorry, it’s the best way to show you the truth. I am a full-blooded Gargoyle male. Since Rae is human, Desi is a half-blood. He didn’t transition into his new being until he met his mate. You.

“Remember when I said I had to be away from Rae when Desi was born? At that time, we weren’t aware Gargoyles could mate with humans. When Gargoyles find their mates, they bite them to seal the bond. I bit Desirae, but I thought I had lost control of my shifter. I hadn’t. It was the mate bond calling to me. It wasn’t until someone saw Desi’s photo and showed it to me that I realized I had a son. The reason I look more like Desi’s brother than father is because once a Gargoyle reaches maturity, physical aging stops, and we maintain our appearance from that point on. With our mates, as soon as they are bitten, they stop aging as well.”

“So you’re saying I’m Desi’s
mate
, he’s going to bite me, and I’ll never look older than I do now?” Simone crossed her arms over her chest.

“Only if you want to be mated to him. It’s ultimately your decision. I stayed away from Gregor for three years after I transitioned before he finally wore me down,” Tessa told Simone as she reentered the room. Gregor was smiling behind her, obviously proud of himself.

“You’re one too?” Simone asked Tessa.

“Yeah, but I only get part of the cool shit. The males get wings and can fucking fly! How awesome is that?”

“Excuse me?” Simone shrieked.

“Uh, yeah. We hadn’t got that far into the
cool shit.
” Sixx sighed, but Simone needed to hear, to see, everything. “Tessa’s right. We do have wings, but we only let them out when we need to. Since humans aren’t aware of our existence, we don’t get to take to the skies as often as we would like.”

“You have fangs?” Simone was still focused on Tessa.

“Yes ma’am,” she confirmed, letting them slide over her bottom lips. “And claws, but they aren’t as pretty. They’re more of a necessity.” When Simone pointed at Tessa’s hands, the redhead let her claws loose. Tessa held up her hand as if she were inspecting a polish job. “See, not very pretty. And my shifter gets pissed when I try to paint them,” she joked. Or maybe she was being honest. Hell, Sixx had never given any thought to the females who were also shifters.