Knights of Stone - Lachlan by Lisa Carlisle Read Free Book Online

here and attacked the humans.”
    “Them. And Seth, one of Ian’s betas.”
    “How many betas are there?”
    Lachlan thought of Raina. “Two. His daughter is the other.”
    “Her name is Raina,” Bryce added.
    Gavin said, “A bonnie lass.”
    Lachlan’s jaw twitched; the urge to shut Gavin up with a swift punch to the throat roared in him. Figured Gavin would choose that moment to contribute to the conversation.
    “A bonnie wolf?” Calum said. “I’d like to see that.”
    “Much nicer to see than the rabid canines who trespassed into our territory the other night and put us in a right state,” Gavin added.
    Relax, Lachlan directed himself. They’re your brothers. You’re acting irrationally.
    Gavin’s favorite topic was discussing lasses; there was nothing new with this conversation. Except who was mentioned.
    Raina.
    Gargoyles could become obsessed by the compulsion to protect someone, especially one whom they cared deeply about. But he’d never had this reaction before, let alone for a female and a wolf shifter. His hands were too warm, almost clammy. He relaxed them, rubbing the soft fabric of the kilt to keep them from clenching back into fists.
    “They killed our shows on the isle,” Bryce said. “Might as well get rid of our instruments as the Knights of Stone are dead.”
    “Don’t say that,” Calum said. “I don’t even want to think about that, yet. We spent too many years building the band only to have it implode in one night.”
    “We didn’t make us implode,” Bryce said. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Damn wolf shifters.”
    Even though Lachlan agreed, he was already teetering on the edge. Any more fodder would knock him off. Once he thought he reined his unchecked emotions, Lachlan said, “Many factors played a role. Let’s not point fingers. I’ve heard enough at the talks.”
    At the change in conversation, Bryce added, “It was quite the experience. Makes me glad I’m not alpha.” He turned to Lachlan. “You rankled the female earlier. She was a bit put out. What did you do?”
    “Never mind that,” Lachlan scoffed. He remembered how soft her lips were, how she melted into his embrace when they’d kissed. “Just a difference of opinion.” Not wanting to discuss Raina at all with his randy brothers, he said, “Bottom line is we’re all supposed to work on our magic to restore the veil.”
    “That’s good news,” Gavin said with a boyish grin.
    “Not exactly,” Bryce added.
    “What?”
    Three pairs of eyes faced Lachlan. “We don’t have enough information to do our part.”
    “So it’s over?” Gavin said. “Since we have nothing.”
    “Not yet.” He hated to take the next step, but hadn’t been able to think of another option. “I need to go to the Highlands and talk to the clan.”
    He could practically see the thoughts churning through his younger brothers’ minds—Lachlan was stuck. That was the only reason why he’d go to their former clan for help.
    Who knew if the plan with the three groups would even work. It was a big if. Capital I. Capital F.
    “When are you going?” Gavin said.
    “I fly at sunset.”
    “I’m coming,” Bryce declared.
    “Me, too.” Gavin said.
    “Well hell, count me in, too,” Calum added. “Maybe the clan will want to come back once the humans are gone. Then they’d definitely help us repair the veil.”
    “Calum, you’re too optimistic, as always,” Lachlan said.
    “Better than to be a cynical old man,” Calum teased.
    “Only naive twenty-somethings think thirties are old,” Lachlan retorted. He glanced at each of his younger brothers in turn. As the eldest, they looked to him for guidance. He hoped he wouldn’t let them down.
    Their presence provided comfort in all the uncertainty, not that he’d turn all sappy and tell them. He already had enough to worry about. Would the Calder clan help him? Did he stand a chance at repairing the veil?
    Raina’s face appeared before him again. If he failed,