Page 15 of Rock of Stages (Moonlight Siren #4)

CALEB

“ E nough pacing,” Van muttered as he dropped tonight’s set list on the table. “You’re going to wear a trench through the deck and sink the ship!”

“Oh.” I grunted and plopped into a seat in the Nocturnal Lounge.

We’d met up for practice, but I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying about the set tonight.

The phantom scent of sea and orchids haunted me.

I sensed her from afar and longed to be with her again.

“I’ve been putting every good word I can to help get Naiya hired.

Nudging Carina just about every damn day.

And now it’s just waiting, waiting, waiting. ”

Gargoyles had patience acquired generations of sitting still in stone, but this wait for Naiya to return was killing me.

“Well, what can we do to hurry this process along?” Damien asked with an exasperated huff, running his hand through his dark hair. “Otherwise you might as well headline your own tragic play—The Brooding Gargoyle: A Shakespearean Misery.”

Van’s eyes gleamed and he shot Damien a conspiratorial grin. “Act One: The Stone Man Waits.”

“Act Two,” Damien continued. “He Sulks in Shadows.”

“Act Three,” Rex chimed in. “He Growls under the Moon.”

“Even you, new guy?” I scowled at the three of them. “And the tragic ending: The gargoyle brandishes a sword and murders his entire band.”

Van chuckled. “That’s better than dealing with your sullen ass stomping around here on those concrete feet.”

“We’re afraid you’re going to start throwing drums and tossing amps.” Damien shook his head. “They're expensive and not built for gargoyle-level angst.”

They were right, and I hated it. I sagged into the chair. “This sucks.”

Silence fell like the aftermath of a cymbal crash.

They knew. I could see the certainty in their eyes.

“She’s your mate, isn’t she?” Rex asked quietly, putting a voice to that epic life change.

I nodded, then slumped over the table, pressing my fingers to my temples.

“Yeah. And I can’t escape this pressure in here.

” I tapped my chest. “Flight used to clear my head, but now that doesn’t even help.

I take to the skies every damn night, hoping the air on my wings will soothe the ache, but…

no. They feel heavy.” I leaned back and groaned. “Fuuuuck.”

Van’s sly grin left his face, and he looked earnest for once.

“It sucks, trust me, I know. But it’s a good thing, Caleb.

The mate bond is incredible . To be so connected with someone…

” His expression turned all wistful and moony.

If I wasn’t so torn up about Naiya, I would’ve given him crap about it.

“Hell,” I grumbled, “it’s new, faint, but I still feel it and—it’s agony.

I know she’s out there, beneath the waves.

Somewhere I can’t reach.” I stood and began pacing again, unable to stop myself.

“How am I supposed to protect my mate when I can’t even breathe in the same space she’s in?

” I shook my head and swallowed the bitter taste on my tongue.

“The universe had a real good time in this case,” Damien muttered.

“Tell me about it.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I can’t stop wondering if she’s okay.” In a smaller voice, I added, “If she’ll really come back.”

Rex stepped forward. “She will. She’s your mate. She’ll feel the pull too.”

“Yeah, have faith, man.” Van strode over and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

“Look, you’re an insufferable, grunting piece of barking stone ninety percent of the time, but Naiya makes you more bearable.

Like a cuddly pet rock—or less stony, at least.” He grinned, as if amused by his nonsense.

“So for our sanity, we want her back, too, and are here for you.”

I huffed out a quiet chuckle. “Thanks. I think.”

“What can we do to distract you?” Damien asked.

I glanced at my bandmates, all who’d gone through the same yearning for their mates, and who’d survived. They were now happy with their mates onboard. I had to have faith that it could work out for me as well.

Something in my chest eased. Even stone cracked under pressure without support. Looked like mine came in the form of three shaggy supernatural fools who had my back.

I sat at my drum kit and grabbed my drumsticks. “Let’s play.”

“Finally.” Van grinned, sauntered over to the mic stand, and wiggled his ass in my direction—a move he knew would rile me up.

“Shake it somewhere else, shifter.” I punctuated it with a drum roll and began to play.