Page 10 of Seduced by Moonlight (Gargoyles of San DeLain #1)

AS CONSCIOUSNESS slowly seeped back into Kayden’s groggy mind, he groaned and shifted under the sheets. It couldn’t be time to get up already. Wearily, he reached for his phone on the nightstand. The bright screen nearly blinded him as it displayed the time in bold numbers.

He groaned again as he realized it was already late Saturday afternoon. Working nights sucked. The damn sun would set in just one short hour.

Rolling out of bed, he headed for the bathroom and took care of business. After washing his hands, he ran a comb through his hair, then brushed his teeth.

He must’ve slept deeply because, swear to God, every joint in his body cracked and popped as he moved. It was hard to believe he was only in his late thirties, since he felt like he was twice that age this morning. Evening.

Whatever the hell it was.

But the promise of coffee kept him moving. Walking into the kitchen, he gestured with his hand, causing the coffee pot to levitate into the air. With his powers, he opened a cabinet and guided a mug toward the coffeemaker, both items floating effortlessly in mid-air.

After fixing himself a cup, he returned the pot to where it belonged. Grabbing his coffee out of the air, he took a hesitant sip to test the temperature. “Mmm, perfect.”

Taking a bigger gulp, he wandered into the living room, flicking on the lights with a wave of his hand. As he sank onto the couch, the TV flickered to life.

Pulling the warm mug closer, Kayden watched a pretty newscaster speaking into a camera. It appears that a few gang members were found dead in the most dangerous area of town under suspicious circumstances. There are whispers that one of the deceased had their internal organs liquefied.

Kayden sighed. “That doesn’t sound like a paranormal was involved. Not at all. Shit, isn’t there a spider lady living here?”

The channel changed to another news station.

He scowled at the caption. “Drought in half the country. Fire in the other. But climate change isn’t a real thing, right?”

The channel switched again.

“Aaaand more human gun violence.”

He hated that, but it didn’t surprise him. It was a sad reality that he was all too familiar with, living in America.

Once more, the channel changed. “And oh look, more bad news.”

Feeling his mood dip, he put the TV on an all-day weather channel. It wasn’t a foolproof choice, but it was certainly better than watching the constant barrage of bullshit.

The world didn’t stop just because he’d checked out for a few hours to sleep, but damn. There was nothing but bad news, bad news, and more bad news. That’s why he stuck to home improvement shows and movies. Anything to avoid the stress of current events.

“Always something with these humans,” he muttered into his mug.

Not that the paranormal community was any better, frankly. They weren’t actively destroying the globe, but they had their fair share of bullshit going on.

The most recent attack by the hunters was a perfect example. But he’d heard through the grapevine that the two main instigators were dead, so there was that. Didn’t mean that the hunters were just going to suddenly disappear, though.

Pulling his cell out of his night pants, he checked his emails. Nothing from Ward yet, but since it was still daylight, he wasn’t active. The rest of the emails were either spam or personal.

He quickly browsed through his business’s social media pages, responding to any comments or messages. Then he switched over to TikTok for some mindless fun.

When his stomach growled, he put his phone down, surprised by how much time had passed while he was scrolling. “Time for breakfast.”

A glance out the windows revealed darkness had engulfed the outside world. The inky blackness stretched as far as the eye could see. Night had fully descended, shrouding everything in a mysterious cloak.

And he was eating breakfast.

Shaking his head, he got up and headed to the kitchen, holding his mug this time. He whipped up something quick. It was wild that technically it was dinnertime for the rest of the world.

His fridge offered up eggs and bacon—a timeless choice that made him feel a bit more grounded. As he cooked, the sizzle of the bacon mixed with the sound of a reporter talking about how nice the weather would be in San Delain.

Nothing new there, either. As he waited for his food to finish up, his thoughts drifted back to the hunters. Their relentless pursuit of paranormals had caused too many sleepless nights and unnecessary paranoia in the community. Every shadow could be an enemy, every new face a potential threat.

Once his meal was ready, he plated it and sat down at the small dining table near the kitchen with his coffee.

Occasionally, he enjoyed actual hands-on activities such as cooking, rather than relying on his abilities. Then he looked at his mug and chuckled. Other times, using his powers was as natural as breathing.

He ate quietly, lost in thought about what needed to be done in the upcoming days for Ward. The clink of silverware against his dish echoed through the room as he mulled over plans and possibilities. Ward really needed to get those inspiration pictures to him.

Finishing his meal, he waved the dishes toward the sink, turned the water on, and rinsed them off. The dishwasher door opened, and the dishes drifted inside.

Kayden moved back to the living room couch with a fresh cup of coffee. This time, instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching TV, he reached for the thick paperback novel with a brightly colored cover.

The title promised a thrilling tale of gay paranormal romance, and he couldn’t wait to dive back into its pages.

As he settled in, the world around him faded away, and he was transported to a fantastical realm filled with magic, mystery, and love. It didn’t escape his notice that he was living two out of the three.

SEVERAL HOURS later, his phone buzzed softly next to him. Sighing, he put down his book and answered the call. “Hey, Lance, what’s up?”

“We’re going to Club Nomadic. Go wash your ass. We’ll be there in about an hour and a half.”

“I’m not really in the mood—”

“Eighty-nine minutes and counting. Don’t think I won’t throw your ass in the shower myself.”

Kayden chuckled, despite his reluctance. “All right, all right, I’m going.” He ended the call, placed the novel on the coffee table with a soft thud, and headed to his bedroom to get ready.

BY THE time Lance arrived with Mika, Kayden had dressed in dark, formfitting jeans and a subtly shimmering black satin shirt—a perfect blend of casual and killer for a night at Club Nomadic. Lance gave an approving nod while Mika playfully whistled.

“Ready?” Lance asked as they walked to his truck.

“For a night on the town with you two? No,” Kayden joked. “Am I dressed for a night on the town with you two? I guess.”

Bass-heavy music from Mika’s latest playlist blasted through the truck, and the neon-lit streets blurred past until Club Nomadic finally came into view.

They valet parked and headed toward the entrance. The bouncer—a mountainous male in Armani—nodded at them and lifted the velvet rope without a word.

“That’s new,” Lance whisper-yelled as they walked inside.

“I’m actually glad to see the extra security,” Mika said.

They stepped into an ambiance thick with pulsating beats and an intoxicating mix of aromas—exotic perfumes blended with the slightly sharper scent of human sweat and the musk of various paranormals.

Multicolored lights sliced through the darkness, casting long shadows that twisted and turned in time with thumping melodies.

As they weaved through the crowd, whispered promises floated through the air like tangible spells. Paranormals knew what hid in the shadows, but the humans did not.

They made it to the bar and Mika ordered shots for them—something potent meant to embolden a paranormal’s spirit. They toasted silently and downed the liquid fire.

“Let’s dance,” Mika shouted over the music after they had their fill at the bar.

Lance led them onto the crowded dance floor, and they became part of a sea of bodies writhing to the thrumming bass and flashing lights.

The crowd ebbed and flowed around them, a mix of creatures and humans, each lost in their own decadent pursuits. The air was thick with music and laughter, creating a sensory overload.

Kayden wasn’t looking to hook up, even though there were several offers. Oddly enough, a roll in the hay wasn’t what he wanted tonight. A picture of midnight-blue skin, a long tail, and huge wings flashed through his mind.

Yeah, he wasn’t in the mood for some random dick. Mika and Lance didn’t seem to be on the hunt, either.

FOR A few fleeting hours, Kayden didn’t worry about anything but moving his ass on the dance floor.

At one point, he felt an icy touch on his wrist. He turned to see a slender hand retracting. Following it led him to a young woman with iridescent skin and hair that flowed like liquid silver.

“Careful,” she whispered. “Not all here wish your group well.”

Before he could ask more, she disappeared into the crowd like a wisp of smoke. A chill crept up Kayden’s spine.

“What?” Lance said, suddenly in Kayden’s face.

“Nothing.” Kayden searched the crowd, but she was gone. That was decidedly odd. Who was she and where the hell had she disappeared to so quickly?

“Bullshit. Your power flared. I felt it. So, what?”

Well, hell. And now Mika was also staring at him. Sighing, Kayden motioned for them to follow him.

He chose a table in the rear of the club, far from the bustling dance floor. As they moved through the crowd, he heard Lance’s growl, even over the obnoxiously loud music. Surprised, he glanced over his shoulder at his best friend.

The pounding bass vibrated through his body, making it difficult to focus, but Lance’s low, guttural grumbles were damn well impossible to ignore, sounding like a primal warning.

Concerned, Kayden got them off the dance floor and seated at a table as quickly as possible. Lance couldn’t do that with humans around, and if he didn’t control himself, Kayden would drag him out of the club.

“What in the hell is going on with you?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I…. Shit.”

Following Lance’s gaze, Kayden noticed a beautiful woman staring at them. Her hair was an unnatural shade of deep violet. Lance’s unease made the hair on the back of Kayden’s neck rise.

Whoever she was, she was impossible to miss, draped in layers of dark silk that floated around her like smoke. Her presence commanded attention despite her serene expression.

“Shit,” Lance muttered again as the woman headed toward them.

Her movement was fluid—graceful yet measured. Purposeful. Like an animal stalking toward them. With each step, the weight of her presence grew heavier. Kayden’s heart beat faster. She was a threat wrapped in silk.

Her gaze swept over Mika and him, but moved on quickly, dismissing them. It lingered on Lance for a moment, and she smirked slightly.

Her eyes gleamed like molten silver, reflecting not only intelligence but also cruelty. There was something hypnotic about the way she looked at them, as if she could see right through them.

“Hello, my white tiger,” she murmured as she came to a stop next to their table.

Kayden noticed that her voice carried an unnatural resonance, cutting through the ambient noises of chatter and music effortlessly. Magic user, maybe? But what kind? Powerful, that much was obvious.

Lance managed a curt nod. “Mari.”

“Enjoying your evening?” Mari directed her gaze back toward Kayden and Mika, giving them each a nod of acknowledgement.

“So far,” Lance said.

“How lovely. Won’t you introduce me to your friends?”

“I’m Kayden. That’s Mika,” Kayden said, saving Lance the trouble. And he didn’t bother to add their last names either. Not that it would do any good. If she really wanted to find out who they were, it wouldn’t take much digging.

He wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but his best friend was absolutely struggling with his tiger, and Kayden didn’t know what to make of that.

“Nice to meet you both,” Mari answered. Then she inhaled slightly, another smirk crossing her lips. “Well, well, how interesting. My name is Marianna Crescente.”

What’s so interesting about us? Nothing, that’s what. Kayden nodded to her, noticing that she waited for a reaction from him and Mika after introducing herself.

She was going to be sorely disappointed because her name meant nothing to him. He knew the San DeLain paranormal leaders’ names, and she wasn’t one of them.

And what was all the deep breathing about? She wasn’t a shifter, of that he was positive. She smelled too much like magic, and shifters were the only ones he knew who did the sniffing thing.

Disappointment darkened her gaze for a moment, and he wondered if she was going to take offense that they weren’t bowing and scraping before her perceived greatness. Or maybe she was great, and they were too stupid to know it. That was a distinct possibility as well.

“Nice to meet you,” Kayden responded, then glanced at his watch. “Oh, would you look at the time? Wow, how did it get so late? Sorry to chat and run, but we really need to get going. It was lovely meeting you.”

Not.

Kayden stood and dragged Lance up with him. Mika quickly jumped to his feet.

Mari chuckled softly. “A teek, a cat, and a dog walked into a bar.”

“What did you say?” Kayden asked. Oh, he was totally aware of what she said. He just wanted to see if she would say it again.

Both Mika and Lance glared at her.

“I said have a nice evening. Hope to see you soon,” Mari replied as she moved out of their way. “Have a safe trip home.”

“Have the night you deserve,” Kayden tossed over his shoulder, practically dragging Lance away from her, Mika covering the rear.

“I certainly plan to.”

Bitch. Kayden didn’t bother responding as he marched his friends out of the club.

They waited silently for their vehicle, no one saying a word. At least Lance had stopped growling. After Lance tipped the valet, he eased his vehicle onto the streets of San DeLain.

“What the hell was that ?” Kayden demanded once they were moving.

“Dog? Dog ? I’m a coyote shifter, not a damn dog,” Mika snarled from the back seat. “And she called Lance a cat? He is not a damn cat . How dare she?”

“Well, technically—”

“Yet she called him a white tiger, too, which he is,” Kayden pointed out, interrupting Lance. “So what gives, buddy?”

Lance pinched the bridge of his nose as he switched lanes. “That? That was Marianna Crescente, the High Priestess of the Sisters of the Crescent Moon. Which is a coven of witches here in San DeLain, in case you didn’t know. Very bad witches.”