Chapter Fifteen
“You don’t have family you can call?” Damon asked, watching Redford pace the cottage’s small living room for the third time in as many minutes.
“I’ve got aunts, uncles, and cousins scattered across Europe, but we’re not close.
” Redford stopped at the window, shoulders tight.
“The gargoyles from my clan are mostly solitary by nature. When they tried living together as a clan, things got messy fast. Some were determined to hide from the world completely, while the rest of us wanted to go out and live among regular people. So yeah, we did that instead.”
Damon’s hound rumbled at the loneliness threading through their bond. “What about your parents?”
“They succumbed to the stone.” Redford must have noticed Damon’s surprised expression because he added, “They were very long-lived, about a thousand years or so, and yet they weren’t fated. I think they were an example of forced bonding due to clan expectations that were really common back then.
“Anyway, I think life, and despair…to be honest I don’t know, but succumbing to the stone is a term used by gargoyles when they shift into their stone form to heal and never shift back.
” Redford’s reflection in the glass looked tired.
“I’d like to say they were good people, but even when they lived, we saw each other maybe once every five years or so. ”
“That sounds lonely.”
“It was normal.” Redford turned, attempting a smile that didn’t quite land. “We’re not pack animals like hellhounds.”
Damon crossed the room, pulling his mate into his arms. “Well, you must’ve wanted a pack at some point in your life, or you wouldn’t have one now - whether you like it or not.”
“I’m not complaining.”
“Good, because I’ve been thinking.” Damon felt Redford relax against him. “The east tower needs serious attention, and you said another gargoyle’s perspective might help.”
“I did say that.”
“Remember, Simon’s a gargoyle. Kolton’s mate.”
Redford pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “The one with the baby?”
“Warner’s about six months old now, yeah.” Damon grinned. “Simon worked as a doctor for most of his life, but he’s also super intelligent.”
“You think he’d be willing to look things over and possibly help?”
“I think he’d be thrilled.” Damon kissed Redford’s forehead. His mate was looking a little happier now. “Simon loves history almost as much as he loves medicine. And Kolton’s been dying to meet you properly since I told the pack about us.”
Redford’s expression shifted to something fond. “Your pack really congratulated us through your bond?”
“You heard them, remember, and they were practically screaming in my head.” Damon laughed. “Kolton was one of the loudest. I swear Warner probably felt it through his parents’ bond.”
“And they’d come all this way with the baby?”
“We’re hellhounds, Red. We translocate.” Damon felt excitement building through their connection. “They’d just pop in whenever we needed them. No flights, no driving. We just ask, and they’re here.”
“That’s...” Redford shook his head. “I know gargoyles can do that to a more limited extent, but I’m still getting used to what hellhounds can do.”
“There’s someone else I was thinking of contacting too.” Damon guided them toward the couch. “JC owns a castle in Bulgaria. When he first bought it, the place was practically falling apart. He spent years restoring it himself.”
“JC’s another hellhound?”
“He sure is, with an obsession for old buildings and living history.” Damon settled onto the cushions, pulling Redford down beside him. “He’d probably cry happy tears over our documents.”
Redford was quiet for a moment, thumb rubbing circles on Damon’s knee. “I think it’s a great idea, but there’s nowhere at the castle where they could stay, and that’s a lot of houseguests for a cottage this size.”
“I can fix that.” Damon had been wondering how to bring it up.
“Fix what, exactly?”
“Add a room. Maybe two.” Damon watched his mate’s face. “I can make it unnoticeable from the outside, and I promise, anyone looking would just see the cottage as it’s always been.”
“That would be pretty amazing if you can do that. The closest hotel is a bit of a drive from here.”
“Hellhound magic.” Damon shrugged. “We’re good at bending reality when we need to. The inside will be bigger, but the outside stays the same. Nobody will even notice.”
Redford was shaking his head. “That’s disturbing and convenient in equal measure.”
“I’ll take that as a yes?”
Redford kissed him instead of answering, which Damon decided was a definite yes.
/~/~/~/~/
Damon waited until after dinner to contact Kolton through their pack link, knowing his brother would be putting Warner to bed.
Brother, Kolton’s mental voice was warm. How’s the mate?
Bossy at times, but he’s also got no problem doing dishes.
Sounds like a good mix. Amusement rippled through the connection. What’s up?
Damon explained the situation - the east tower, the historical documents, and the castle’s previous role as a sanctuary. Kolton listened without interrupting.
You want Simon’s expertise.
Red thinks another gargoyle’s perspective would help with the tower restoration. And I’d like you both to meet my mate properly.
We’d love to come. Kolton’s excitement practically vibrated through the bond. Simon’s been restless since we moved. He misses having things to do, although I tell him being a dad is work enough, but to even just see the project would be great, even if we can’t be much help.
Bring Warner too.
You sure? He’s teething and cranky as hell.
Definitely. Red needs to see that pack includes teething babies. From what I gather, his own family wasn’t close.
Then we’ll definitely come – it’s something else Simon and Redford can bond over. When do you want us?
Give me a day to add rooms to the cottage. Then whenever you’re free.
Adding rooms?
I’m not having Warner in my room with Red, just because you want five minutes alone with Simon.
Kolton’s laughter echoed through their link. Can’t wait to see this. I’ll tell Simon. He’ll probably start packing immediately.
After Kolton signed off, Damon reached for JC through the pack link.
Damon. JC’s mental voice carried a hint of Eastern European accent even through the bond. This is unexpected. I thought you’d be busy with your new mate.
It concerns my mate in a way.
Well, if you didn’t hear me on the day, congratulations, brother. Genuine warmth threaded through the words. Your mate’s a gargoyle, yes?
Yep. Redford Stone. FBI agent on forced leave.
Forced leave?
Burnout. He’s getting better. Damon smiled toward the kitchen where Redford was still washing dishes. We’ve got a situation here that needs your expertise.
He explained about Duncarrick Castle, the deteriorating tower, and the historical documents revealing the sanctuary’s past. JC’s attention sharpened immediately.
Documents from the 1500s?
Journal, letters, logbook. All intact.
Damon. JC’s excitement crackled through the bond. That’s extraordinary. Do you understand how rare…
I know. I know. That’s why I’m calling you. Damon grinned. Red and I want to restore the tower properly and preserve the history. You restored your castle from near ruins. I need your knowledge.
When?
Day or two? I’m adding guest rooms to the cottage first.
I’ll pack tonight. JC paused. Thank you for including me in this, brother. It means more than you know.
Pack takes care of pack, even when we can’t live together.
Especially then.
After ending the connection, Damon found Redford leaning against the kitchen doorway, dish towel in hand.
“They’re coming?”
“Both of them – well, Kolton and Simon with Warner in a day or two and JC as soon as I’ve got the rooms ready.”
“You look happy.”
“I am happy.” Damon crossed to his mate, taking the towel and tossing it aside. “You’re about to meet the pack. Well, some of them.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“I don’t think there’s much that scares you.” Damon kissed him. “They’re going to love you, which means they’ll have opinions about everything.”
“Are you sure that’s a good thing?”
“It really is.” Damon meant it. “You wait. You’ll see for yourself.”
/~/~/~/~/
The next morning, Damon stood outside the cottage with Redford, studying the stone walls and existing layout.
“How does this work, exactly?” Redford asked.
“I basically convince reality that the space was always here.” Damon circled the cottage, visualizing the additions. “Two guest rooms with a shared bathroom, accessible through a new hallway off the kitchen.”
“That’s not how architecture works. I thought you would’ve learned that while we were working on the castle.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not an architect, then. I see things differently.” Damon closed his eyes, reaching for his magic.
He pictured the rooms forming - solid stone walls matching the cottage’s exterior, wooden beams supporting new ceilings, along with comfortable beds and furniture that looked like it’d always belonged.
The bathroom with a large tub and separate shower, and then a hallway connecting it all seamlessly.
Magic surged through him, reality rippling as space folded and expanded. From the outside, nothing had changed. The cottage looked exactly as it always had, squat and solid against the hillside.
But inside…
“Are you done already?”
“Yep.” Damon opened his eyes, took Redford’s hand, and led him through the front door.
The kitchen was the same, but now a new hallway branched off to the left where only a wall had existed before. Damon guided them down it, past the first guest room with its large bed and tartan blankets, past the second room with similar furnishings, to the bathroom at the end.
“This is impossible,” Redford said, touching the stone wall. “The cottage isn’t big enough for this.”
“It’s not inside the cottage, not really.” Damon leaned against the doorframe. “Think of it as occupying space that exists adjacent to normal reality. Humans looking at the cottage see what they expect - the original building. But these rooms are solid and permanent.”