Coercing Quinn Read online

  “Certainly,” Perseus responded. “You know the drill. Either lie back or swing your legs over the side of the bed.” He waved his black-clawed, pale green-skinned hand, indicating what he wanted. “Then, I’ll get started.”

  Quinn nodded, then relaxed back on the comforter. He didn’t want to think how doing so entrusted his life to a paranormal. Instead, he focused on the odd things the gargoyle doctor had spouted.

  “What the hell do you mean about Taolma?” Quinn questioned. “It sounds like he’s just a young, horny guy. What does how I look have to do with him going out and getting laid with whatever chick or dude takes his fancy?”

  As Quinn spoke, his tone lowered to a growl. He tightened his fingers in the comforter, not liking how the idea of the sexy young male getting it on with others caused his pulse to spike. Even having not felt jealousy since before he’d married Mary, he still knew what it felt like.

  Perseus gently gripped the point of his chin and tilted his head. Drawing close, he peered at his face and hummed low in his throat. “Hmm, you popped three stitches on your cheek while dragging Jeremiah off the estate,” he murmured, his brow bones furrowing oddly. “Probably from gritting your teeth or something. Do you want me to numb the area before I replace them?”

  Scowling, Quinn muttered, “Just do it. Don’t want any more meds.”

  He’d had no idea how long he’d been on the gargoyle’s estate until Bethany had told him the date. Four fucking days stuck in the hospital room as a prisoner. He wondered how long it’d take to get away this time.

  Perseus took the damp cloth from Cosmo, then began cleaning the area he must have needed to work on. Quinn stared at the wall and tried to ignore the throb in his cheek. To his relief, the doctor started talking, giving him something else to focus on.

  “For someone who hunts paranormals, you sure don’t know much about us,” Perseus mused. “You think we’re put on this earth for you to capture us and make money off us. Or to hunt us down and kill us because you fear us. Did it ever occur to you that most of us want exactly what you want?”

  The pale green gargoyle handed the cloth to Cosmo and took a threaded needle. When he turned back to face Quinn, he asked the bigger male, “Yeah? You think everyone wants to have their family killed by blood-thirsty vampires? Is that what you want, too?”

  Perseus sighed and shook his head. His expression turned... sad. “No, Quinn Pichousie,” he rumbled. “I’m saying that most of us just want to live life, find a measure of happiness, find someone to love and be loved.” He cocked his head as he continued, “Maybe even do something meaningful with their life. Leave some kind of legacy behind.”

  “We’re not all blood-thirsty killers,” Cosmo cut in as Perseus began sliding the needle and thread through Quinn’s flesh. “But just like humans have killers and drug kingpins who prey off the weak and desperate, so do paranormals. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Quinn did his best to focus on Cosmo’s words, although he couldn’t stop the hiss of pain from escaping his lips. Hearing the gargoyle speak reminded him of Jeremiah’s words. His friend—was he still his friend—had said that not all paranormals deserved to die.

  God, I should not be thinking like this!

  “Vampires killed my wife and son,” Quinn snarled, holding onto the hurt and rage. “You think I should what? Just let that go?”

  “Stay still, damn it,” Perseus snapped. “Or I’m going to sedate you.”

  Quinn froze, uncertain when he’d even begun struggling. Now, he realized that Cosmo held his legs while Perseus pushed against his shoulders. Quinn realized the pain he felt was physical.

  “Shit,” Quinn hissed. “Sorry.”

  “Damn right, you should be,” Perseus grumbled, slowly easing his hold. “How can you say what those vampires did to your family is wrong, but it’s right for your hunter friends to come here and try to kidnap and slaughter our mates and hatchlings?”

  Quinn just held back a cringe at the big creature’s tone. “Mates and hatchlings? What the fuck are you talking about?” he retorted, holding onto his anger. That emotion was so much easier to deal with than figuring out what his confusion meant.

  “Our mate is our spouse,” Perseus stated, holding his gaze. “My mate is a human named Wren,” he admitted, his pale gray eyes narrowing. “When we find our mate, we do everything in our power to please them, keep them happy, and build a life with them... just like a human should with his spouse.” He smirked, sweeping his gaze over him slowly, some look Quinn couldn’t read in his eyes. “The only difference is a paranormal is hardwired by Fate herself to care for that one special someone. Hell, once we’ve bonded with our mate, we can’t even spring wood for another.”

  Feeling his face heat upon hearing Perseus’s blunt statements, Quinn tried to wrap his mind around what he was telling him. He bought a few seconds of time when Perseus backed up, taking the needle with him, indicating he was finished. Quinn carefully eased his shirt over his head.

  Finally, it clicked.

  “Taolma thinks I’m his mate?”

  Perseus exchanged a look with Cosmo, then focused his attention on the bandage covering Quinn’s shoulder. “Yep,” the green gargoyle replied. “You, Quinn, are Taolma’s mate.” He glanced toward his face, a smirk curving his thick lips. Returning his focus to the bandage and carefully peeling it away, he continued, “Just think. At least he can’t make you pregnant like a gargoyle can.” He snorted. “I understand hearing Matthew give birth completely freaked you out.”

  Hissing at the feel of the tape pulling at his chest hairs, Quinn did his best not to remember the pain-filled cries he’d heard through the walls. Although, now that Perseus had mentioned the disturbance that had given him his window to escape once before, he couldn’t help but cringe. The guy had sounded like he was dying.

  “I’d offer to let you meet Matthew,” Perseus continued, while reapplying the bandage. “Nothing torn here, by the way,” he interjected, winking. “But I don’t think Vane would allow Matthew anywhere near you.”

  “Wh-Who’s Vane?” Quinn asked, his voice a whisper as a stray thought popped into his head. Perseus’s claws were damn sharp, and they were damn close to his heart. “Who’s Matthew?”

  Perseus didn’t hurt him, however. Instead, he lifted his hands from Quinn’s body and straightened. “Thank you, Cosmo,” he said, addressing the other gargoyle. “Why don’t you find Kamille. I’m sure your mate and hatchling would like you close during these trying times.”

  Cosmo nodded, gathering up the supplies from the side table. Before he exited the room, he paused and peered over his shoulder at Quinn. “I’m glad you’re all right, and I can’t imagine what you went through losing your wife and son,” he rumbled softly. “But if it’s all the same to you, I believe forcing others to go through what you did is wrong... and it won’t make you feel any better.”

  Then, Cosmo exited the room.

  Confusion filling him, Quinn turned his attention to Perseus. The other gargoyle must have read his expression for he used his foot to hook the leg of the chair that rested beside the wall. He pulled it close to the bed and sat down.

  “Vane is the big red gargoyle you shot,” Perseus revealed. “He’s the one who gave you those wounds while disarming you, then took you to the warehouse’s infirmary to get you help.” While shock filled Quinn, Perseus continued without missing a beat. “Matthew is Vane’s mate. He’s a human who loves kids and wanted to start a family with the gargoyle he loves.”

  Perseus’s smile turned fond, making Quinn think his thoughts were on that man.

  “It didn’t take Matthew long to talk Vane into having a little one together, even knowing it meant he’d have to carry the egg.”

  Gaping, Quinn whispered, “He chose to allow...” He snapped his jaw shut, knowing that expressing his thought would most likely offend the gargoyle. Quinn couldn’t imagine ever wanting to have an egg implanted in him.

&nb
sp; Disgusting!

  Evidently, Perseus didn’t catch on to his thoughts—thank God—for he continued by saying, “Kamille is Cosmo’s mate. She’s a good woman and they’ve had three hatchlings, uh, what you’d call children,” he amended, explaining the term. “Right now, they only have one at home. A sweet eight-year-old girl.” He grinned, obviously fond of the child. “She has long white-blonde hair and pretty green eyes. Her favorite thing is dressing up like princesses. Every once in a while, Cosmo shows up with pink or blue or purple claws.” He chuckled. “They’re so vibrant at that age.”

  Quinn could imagine a persuasive child convincing their parent to allow them to paint their nails... claws.

  Then, Perseus’s expression hardened. “I’d hate to think of the repercussions to anyone harming any of the children of our clutch-mates.” His eyes narrowed. “It wouldn’t be pretty.”

  Quinn felt as if the air froze in his lungs. His heart thudded in his chest. Remembering when he’d stumbled upon his own dead family, he couldn’t imagine forcing another to experience that.

  Rubbing his chest, trying to ease the unsettled feeling there, Quinn turned his head and faced the wall. A well of guilt crashed over him, almost constricting his chest with its intensity. Sucking in a harsh breath, he struggled with his conscience for the first time since making his choice to become a hunter.

  “I told them where you are,” Quinn whispered. “They’re coming.”

  Chapter Three

  “Golren, Taolma, and Caladon, you stick close together. I don’t want anyone to be alone,” Chieftain Maelgwn ordered and warned at the same time. “Patrol the south side of the arboretum. Use the trees, and stay out of sight. You’re scouts, so stash your radios in a safe place if you plan to shift.”

  “Will do,” Caladon responded with a nod.

  Leroy squeezed Caladon’s hand. “Be careful,” he whispered. “I might be waiting in the infirmary, but that doesn’t mean I want to actually have to do anything.”

  “I will,” Caladon assured, rubbing his fingers along Leroy’s jaw as he smiled fondly at him. “This will be over before you know it.”

  “What Leroy said,” Penelope murmured, hugging Golren tightly before pecking a kiss to his lips. “You stay safe and I’ll see you when you get back.”

  Golren nodded.

  When they, too, started kissing, Taolma turned his attention back to Maelgwn. The gargoyle leader was busy coordinating their defense, ordering who should go where. Even a local detective, Collin DeSoto, was in attendance.

  Taolma wasn’t certain if the detective’s presence was to remind everyone that too much killing and missing persons in the area drew more attention to them, or if he supported their effort to protect their home and families.

  He supposed it didn’t really matter. In a few minutes, he’d head out to patrol the trees while in his large boa constrictor form. His snake could easily slither through the thick tree branches, allowing them to monitor the areas without enough security cameras.

  “You know, I hear it’s because of your mate that we know when they’re supposed to be coming.”

  Upon hearing the whispered words, Taolma turned his head to peer at Sapian. He swept his gaze over the big, gold gargoyle enforcer and forced a smile. “Yeah?” He’d only spoken to the big male a time or two, but he’d heard the mated gargoyle often aided others who were trying to woo their mate. Sapian was playfully nicknamed the clutch’s relationship expert. “How so?”

  “Well, I understand he lost his wife and son to vampires,” Sapian responded softly, keeping his voice low. “Perseus told him a bit about Cosmo’s little girl. Guess hearing about kids gave him a change of heart. He told us the hunters planned to attack as soon as possible... maybe even as early as eighteen hours of when he called Bethany. That’s one of the leaders.” He smiled faintly. “That’s gotta give you a little hope, right?”

  Taolma nodded slowly, thinking quickly. His surrogate father and birth mother, Gloria, had given him a fantastic childhood up until her death. After that, Golren had used a few shady connections to adopt Taolma.

  “I know a little something about losing a loved one,” Taolma muttered. He didn’t really enjoy thinking of the struggle his mother had had with leukemia. “Different than his experience, I’m sure.” Hell, he’d known his mother was going to die.

  “Walking in on your dead wife and son must have been rough,” Sapian commented. “If anything happened to Missy—” He snapped his mouth shut, growling even at what he spoke.

  Taolma nodded slowly, knowing Sapian spoke of his mate, Missy. Word through the grapevine was that they were currently trying for their third cub, then fourth as they liked raising children in twos. With how virile gargoyles were known to be, Taolma figured it wouldn’t be long before Missy announced she was pregnant.

  “If anything happened to Matthew, I’d want revenge. Then, I’d curl up in a cave and die.”

  His eyes widening, Taolma turned and gaped at Vane. “Revenge? Cave?”

  Vane nodded once, his blood-red, skeletal-like face was drawn into sharp lines as he curled his thin lips in a feral sneer. “Yes, revenge,” he snarled. “I would track down and kill whoever took my mate away from me, destroying anyone and everyone who stood in my way.” His voice lowered the more he spoke, rumbling with his growls. “After that, I’d have no reason to live. I’d find a cave, curl up in the back, and let nature take its course.”

  Sapian’s gold-mottled hide appeared pale as he murmured, “I know Matthew wouldn’t like you talking like that.” He held up a hand when Vane turned and glared at him. “I’m just saying. Besides, you have a little one to think about now. Everyone knows that most mates die of loneliness or go feral and have to be put down after their mate dies,” he continued, probably to explain that he understood Vane’s blood-thirsty statements. “Some, however, manage to hang on for a few years because they have little ones to care for.”

  Vane rumbled low in his throat. “I will have to give that more thought.” Then, he turned and stalked toward Maelgwn, probably to get his own assignment for the upcoming attack.

  “You ready, Son?” Golren asked, resting his hand on his shoulder.

  Taolma turned to face the other shifter and nodded. “Yeah,” he responded. “Yeah, I’m ready. I could use a little stress relief since I’m obviously not going to have sex for a while.”

  Golren’s eyes widened and he cleared his throat as he lowered his hand back to his side.

  Chuckling, Taolma appreciated that at least one thing in his life was still exactly the same. Golren had always struggled with talking about sex. For a shifter, he was surprisingly prudish.

  “Come on, Pops,” Taolma teased, slapping him on the upper arm. “Let’s help save the clutch, so I can get busy seducing my mate.”

  Caladon beckoned from a few feet away. When Taolma and Golren joined him, he led the way out of the busy room. Handing them each a two-way radio, Caladon swept his gaze over Taolma, his gaze speculative.

  “So, do you have a plan on how to accomplish that?” Caladon asked, his expression curious. “You know... seducing your mate and all?” The right side of his mouth curved up. “Golren will probably agree when I say that we’ll help any way we can within reason.”

  Taolma snickered softly. He glanced between the two older shifters. “Gods, thanks.” Wrapping an arm around each of the other men’s shoulders, he grinned. “I’m a damn lucky man. And you know what? I do have a plan... and I’m gonna need a lot of help to implement it.”

  “Whatever we can do,” Golren assured.

  “Thanks,” Taolma responded. From their expectant looks, he figured they thought he’d tell them right then. However, Taolma needed a little more time to sort through the idea in his own mind first. “Let’s get this done.”

  Seeing their surprised looks, Taolma just grinned and headed outside.

  Taolma took the middle, the older shifters spreading out on either side of h
im. He knew it was to protect him, and he tried not to take offense. While he felt as though he could take care of himself, he understood their need to watch out for him.

  Hell, this wasn’t the first time he’d battled against the hunters. He’d already helped the alligator shifter, Tristan, and the detective capture a crooked attorney who worked with them. According to rumors, Vane had finally broken the man and he’d started talking. What was said was kept carefully under wraps, but Taolma bet there would be more rescues in the gargoyle clutch’s future.

  That’d be fun to get in on.

  Or that could be youthful desires to do something adventurous.

  That second voice in his head sounded suspiciously like Golren.

  Shaking his head, Taolma focused on what needed to be done. He spotted Caladon fifty paces in front of him, barely visible through the trees. Knowing if he looked over his shoulder, he’d spot Golren, so he didn’t.

  Instead, Taolma peered to his right, through the trees. He saw little more than what was expected. The foliage on that end of the estate was thick. There were oak trees, white and black pines, as well as plenty of bushes.

  Just walking through it was difficult.

  Taolma figured that was why Maelgwn had put them on that side. After exchanging glances with his father and his pops, he found a good climbing tree and started up it. Using skills honed from years of playing amidst the bows of tropical trees, he easily ascended the oak tree.

  Pausing about fifteen feet up, Taolma could barely see the forest floor. He peered left and right, confirmed where the other shifters were, then found a good spot to sit. Relaxing on the branch, he settled in to wait.

  Not surprising, the attack did not come from their direction. The sound of gunshots filled the afternoon air, confirming that the hunters were learning. They were attacking in daylight, rather than at night, meaning unbonded gargoyles would be roosting—sleeping as living stone.

  Taolma peered through the trees toward the estate. Once again, he couldn’t see much... just the top of the three story mansion. Looking left and right, he wondered what Caladon and Golren were thinking.