Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
“They are much harder-headed than shifters,” Edgar said. “Much more stubborn. And also…quite a bit stinkier. They don’t seem to know what a shower or deodorant is for—”
“Yes, thank you, Edgar.” Mr. Tom glowered at him. “The gargoyles in town are just young, that’s all. They’re bachelors. Not all gargoyles exhibit a lack of hygiene.”
“Of course, yes. But certainly much less hygiene than shifters, that’s all I’m saying. Much less washing, I think. Less soap—”
“Breakfast,” Austin said, leaning against the frame of the sliding glass door.
“Gargoyles have different rules than shifters,” Ulric continued, frowning at Edgar. He probably wondered if Edgar was talking about him. “Their politics are different. My mom is convinced that you need someone to help you navigate these meetings.”
“Dominance is no problem,” Austin growled. “As her mate and the alpha of this territory, I can take that role if she can’t.” He looked at me. “But he does have a point about politics. I can probably navigate it, but you should be in the lead when it comes to the gargoyles.”
“And that is what she has me and the miserable old woman for,” Mr. Tom said indignantly, standing up a little taller. “I can help her navigate the demands of gargoyle cairn leaders—I’ve known many in my day—and the old crone can work with the miss on politics. I hate to admit it, but Niamh has quickly gotten up to speed on the goings-on in the magical world. She used to be a political animal. Excessive drinking and an overall disregard for social conformity aside, she does know her stuff. No, we’ll be okay. Go in and eat, miss. I’ll watch over things from my dirty dwelling down here, sequestered to the plant life like some sort of wild creature.”
“Yes, you’d do the job very well…if you weren’t so far out of the loop,” Ulric said to Mr. Tom delicately.
“He probably doesn’t even know there is a loop,” Edgar added, not so delicately. “Even in his prime, he probably wasn’t aware of the loop.”
“Right.” Ulric’s lips twitched, probably with the effort not to laugh. “I, myself, don’t know the politics of cairn leaders. Nathanial was being groomed to take over a cairn, but he wasn’t there yet. He only has the broad strokes. Even just to go through the connection requests, you’ll need someone who can read nuances. I wouldn’t know what to look for.”
“So what do I need to do, then?” I asked. “I’d rather not try a summons. I’m not…in the right frame of mind just now. I worry about what I’d call.”
Ulric tensed. “Um…well…my mom decided that since you don’t have anyone trustworthy to help you…” He cleared his throat. “She volunteered. Then just…accepted her own invitation and made plans to come here and help.”
Mr. Tom turned just his upper body in Ulric’s direction. His wings fluttered in agitation. “I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry, Jessie,” Ulric said, wariness and anxiety rolling through the bond now. He was usually the happy-go-lucky member of our team. I wasn’t used to this change in demeanor. “I told her that you’d need to be consulted before she just turned up and took over. But…you see…my mom is a really hard woman to say no to. You can try, but she just doesn’t listen. So…she’s on her way.” He put out his hands in a stop motion. “But don’t worry! I got her a room at the hotel. I’m sure the alpha can scare some sense into her. I mean, no cairn leader has been able to yet, but…well…” He shrugged helplessly. “Or Ivy House can keep her from bombarding you. You won’t have to be the bad guy, Jessie, I promise. I have a hard time saying no to her, but I’m sure someone else can figure out how so that you don’t have to.” He wilted like Edgar had earlier. “I’ll probably need to join Edgar in asking to be retired after this.”
“Yes, that sounds like something worthy of retirement.” Edgar nodded solemnly. “At least in our final hours we’ll have each other.”
Ulric looked over at the vampire. “Awesome,” he said flatly.
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. No matter what happened, or how much power I had, or how many problems I had with that power, I could always count on my team to be the most absurd bunch of weirdos in the history of the world. How could anyone take us seriously? The mages certainly hadn’t…until we scared the crap out of them. I doubted the gargoyles would be so easy to intimidate. Regardless, this was now my lot in life.
“Sure, fine.” I took up both mugs and turned for the kitchen. “If she can help us unite the gargoyles, she’ll be welcomed.”
“I just hope she won’t be bringing her own cooler full of food?” Mr. Tom asked as I crossed the threshold.