Chapter Eight
Stone hated he was nervous, but he was. Before his possession, Stone had always just sort of shown up to work each day.
It wasn’t like he’d had anything else to do, really.
He didn’t actually need sleep unless he was injured.
A lot of his kind slept just to have a way to fill hours in the day.
Forever was a long time to entertain yourself.
Being newly mated, Stone didn’t need to find ways to do something other than work or sleep.
Lysander kept him busy now. A smile stretched his lips just thinking about all the ways Lysander could entertain him.
Unfortunately, Stone couldn’t stay on his honeymoon forever.
It wasn’t fair to expect anyone else to step in so he could stay home—not that he believed Frost needed him at all.
Still, Celeste had asked this of him when Frost had come into his powers.
He supposed he would stick to the duty until she said otherwise.
He felt honor-bound, and—truthfully—it was his honor to serve.
Most especially, he wanted to see Celina.
While Lysander had assured him Stone had somehow managed to pass Celina to Frost before ending up on the floor, Stone still wanted to check on her.
He hated the thought of him going into a seizure while holding her.
Plus, Stone wanted to see her smile again.
Stone picked up his step at just the thought.
As he broke through the woods into the clearing behind Frost’s house, Fen stepped in his path, stopping him from going any farther. “Damn, man. I’ve been waiting for an age for you to come back. What’s kept you away?”
Despite his concerns about any lingering hard feelings, Stone smiled. Fen had been his friend for a long time. They had come to America together from Scotland. He had hoped if anyone wanted to stay friends, it would be Fen. “My mate.”
A smile exploded across Fen’s face. “I can’t even imagine how hard it is to keep up with a fairy. Maybe not for you, though. With your reputation, I’m sure you’re nae disappointed.”
The giant red-haired warrior had once been the personal guard of the vampire king of Scotland. If anyone had the temperament to hold a grudge, it was Fen. Yet he didn’t seem to harbor any ill will. “I have to admit he’s the perfect match for me.”
Fen tilted his head to one side and eyed the glittery tattoo on Stone’s neck. “That’s a heck of a mating mark. Unique. We find our ways, I suppose.”
Stone had no idea what that meant, but he had some shit to say before Fen got away.
“I’m sorry for everything I said while possessed.
Truly. I hope you know I’m thrilled you found your other half, and I hate that bastard used my body to try to make you doubt the strength of your union.
Kyrie seems very sweet. He’s exactly who I would’ve pictured you ending up with. ”
Fen shook his head. His expression turned serious in a way Stone hadn’t seen in decades.
“If anyone understands what you’ve been through, it’s me.
I literally got caught in a skirmish between the gods.
They almost ruined my entire life. I know you had no control.
” He grabbed Stone’s shoulder and squeezed.
“I’ve also known you for a long time, so I’m verra sorry I didn’t suspect anything.
You would never hurt anyone.” Fen shifted from foot to foot.
“In fact, that’s why I hoped to see you.
You’re the one owed an apology. If I hadn’t gotten so caught up in my own drama, I could’ve helped you. I should have helped you.”
Stone’s throat swelled. He hadn’t known what he needed to hear to lessen his guilt, but Fen had said it.
Fen could never know what his apology meant to him.
“I appreciate it.” He hoped things went as smoothly when he apologized to Leif and Aspen.
They were another couple he had used to stir discontent.
Guards distracted by their drama were less likely to notice anything wrong with Frost.
Fen hugged him. The embrace meant the world.
They were warriors. Soldiers for the Goddess of Creation.
They didn’t hug, but they had lived long enough to know all that masculinity bullshit was just that: bullshit.
While Celina made him realize nothing had been his fault, it was still nice to have this off his chest.
The thought of Celina had him taking a step back. “I guess I’d better get inside.”
Fen fell into step next to him as he headed toward the cabin. “Have fun with all that. Weird things are afoot with all these demons around. I assume Celeste isn’t worried about them, but the hair stays standing on my neck.”
Stone nodded along. He got it. “Are we protecting Frost or is he protecting us? I’m not sure any longer.”
Fen’s hands lifted and fell. “I traveled many times to see the king of the Americas when I guarded King Lachlan. As powerful as King Jonathan is, even he has security. No one is infallible.”
That was true.
At the back door, Fen moved to stand next to it, taking up his post for the day.
Fen gave him a nod and headed inside. Before the cabin’s overnight transformation into a miniature hospital for the supernatural, the back door was how people arrived from the mirror land.
Now it looked as if that entrance had been given its own waiting room.
Stone eyed everything he passed. This time when he saw Moroder, the demon didn’t even acknowledge him.
On his way down the hall, where he heard Frost’s voice, he passed Desir’s office.
With his feet on his desk, his ankles were crossed.
He looked relaxed and at home. His light blue gaze followed Stone’s every move as he passed.
Without a word exchanged, he felt the lust pouring from Frost’s new office manager.
Stone shook his head. He wondered how anything got done with actual lust hanging out in the building.
Finally, Stone came to Frost’s office. Frost sat behind his desk, tapping away on a laptop.
Gemini sat in the corner, rocking Celina.
Her cheek was squished against Gemini’s chest, and her tiny fingers gripped tightly around a lock of Gemini’s long hair.
With her mouth slightly open, she slept peacefully.
“Oh no.” Stone said the words quietly as he strolled into the room. “I’m too late. She’s already milk drunk and sleeping it off.”
Frost smiled.
Gemini chuckled. “Don’t worry. Give her a few. She’ll be screaming for more.”
Stone pulled a chair close and sat. “She’s growing like a weed. I swear she gets bigger every time I see her.”
“I should hope so. She keeps all of Hell awake all night, demanding bottles.”
At Frost’s statement, Stone looked closer at Gemini and him. They had dark circles under their eyes. It looked as they hadn’t slept in weeks. He wondered if they ever got a break. As if proving his suspicions correct, all hell broke loose.
Fen came skidding into the doorway, looking panicked. “A very pregnant Were just came through the door.” His announcement sent everyone scrambling. The howls of pain that rent the air were terrifying.
Gemini focused on him with a panicked look. He passed Celina Stone’s way. “I need you to take Celina. If this ends badly, there’s always a risk the pack will turn on Frost. Just lock yourself in here. Frost will ward the door.”
Frost was already gone, rushing to aid his patient.
Stone didn’t ask questions. He just did as told. While he didn’t think any of the Weres in Wulfe would harm a baby, grief and pain could be an ugly thing. Since it was common for Weres and their babies not to survive childbirth, Gemini was smart in not risking anything.
The moment he was alone with no instructions, his gaze dropped to the child he held. He knew virtually nothing about taking care of a baby. “Well, fook.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Language.”
Icy fingers of fear ran down Stone’s spine at the sudden appearance behind him.
He spun. In the back of his mind, Stone recognized Lucifer was Celina’s grandfather, and—supposedly—he had freed Stone from Stygian.
But thoughts and reality were two very different ballgames.
He had never stood toe to toe with the king of Hell.
Stone never expected to do so, yet here he was.
Lucifer hovered over him. He was tall as fuck.
Stone realized Celina had some of his features as well.
Lucifer stroked Celina’s cheek. “That’s because my son looks like me.”
That one caught Stone off guard. Not only because Lucifer obviously read his mind, but Stone hadn’t considered that. To be fair, his brain didn’t want to work.
Lucifer’s gaze lifted from Celina and met his stare.
Everything inside Stone wanted to run. Only his pride saved him. Of course, it might have been terror keeping his feet glued to the ground.
“She loves you. You don’t talk to her like she’s a baby.”
Stone blinked. He didn’t know how to respond. That seemed such an odd statement to make. Lucifer had said that like Celina had told him about Stone.
Lucifer turned away and grabbed a baby bag from the floor. He set it on Frost’s desk and dug through it. “Come here. I have souls to torture. You need to know how to take proper care of my grandbaby. Labor is a long process, especially for a Were.”
Everything about that assertion was absolutely terrifying. This was the devil’s granddaughter. He had to make sure no harm came to her, or it would be the last thing he did. Not that he would let anything happen to Celina. He would die first.