When a Gargoyle Lives (Gargoyles Book 2) by E A Price Read Free Book Online Page A

showed them how the TV worked.  In an hour, he could slip away and go see Chloe.
    He pulled the cell phone Chloe had given him out of his belt; he kept it hidden behind his wing – it was their secret.  Admittedly, he had not wanted to take it from her, but she insisted and said she wanted to be able to contact him at all times.
    She had laughed, raucously as he tried to use it.  He had used Kylie’s before, but this was a very different model.  He had smiled and tried to hide his irritation at her reaction.
    Ric recalled Kylie trying to teach Luc how to use an iPad, she had smiled sweetly, and teased him gently, but she had done so in encouragement, and out of affection.  Chloe almost snorted with laughter at his expense, and he did not like it.  But then she had batted her eyelashes, and he had felt that strange stirring within him, and he had ignored his annoyance at her.
    He texted her that he would be late to their meeting.
    Perhaps he was being too hard on her; Chloe had been nothing but kind to him.  She was interested in him, asking questions and listening to the answers with rapt attention.  His wariness was ebbing, and he found that he was enjoying the company.  He could talk to her in ways he could not do so with his clan.  He found the words spilling out of him, telling her how frustrated he had been, and she listened with sympathy and was compassionate to the plight of all gargoyles.
    However, the most joy he found with Chloe was in listening to her describe all the interesting places she had visited.  It was one thing to see them on the TV, with Gracchus chuckling wildly next to him; it was another to listen to someone who had actually been there.  The world was such a different place, and living within the confines of the house in no way showed him what it could be like.  He enjoyed hearing of her experiences, although he couldn’t help the twinge of longing it brought with it.
    Chloe texted back immediately.  Why?  What’s happening?
    Nothing.  Have to attend a meeting.  See you soon.
    Ric was still reticent about some things.  She knew he was not the only one of his kind, but he tried not to talk about the others too much.  He was beginning to trust Chloe, but he could not live with himself if something happened to one of his new clan or the humans helping them.  She did not need to know how many there were, or even their names.  Although, maybe one day that would change.
    He had considered what would happen if Chloe did become his mate.  She was female, she was available, and she had accepted his presence – surely that was the least anyone could hope for in a mate?
    He could not imagine that they would share the same affection as Kylie and Luc.  But then most matings were not born of that.  He could not imagine Chloe falling asleep in his lap while reading a book, as Kylie did with Luc.  He could not imagine himself stroking her hair or tenderly kissing her forehead either.  Gargoyles did not tend to behave that way.  A male gargoyle was more likely to compliment his female’s ability to swing a blade than cuddle with her.
    Chloe texted back.  Are you sure everything’s okay?
    He growled in impatience and texted back.  Yes .
    He would never have had such affection with Kara either, but then she was a warrior.
    If only Kara had survived, he thought angrily.  He and Kara had grown together since younglings.  She was always the fastest, strongest, always besting him in every fight.  She had scoffed when he first told her she was going to be his mate.  Scoffed and then beaten him in a tournament.  His mother had clucked her tongue when she saw the wounds Kara gave him.  His father had chuckled and congratulated him on his choice of mate.  Eventually, he had won Kara over – by besting her in a wrestling match.  She had always been so strong, so full of life.  They would have made a fine pair.  He regretted he would never know what it was to take her as a mate.
    But