Page 11 of Seduced by Moonlight (Gargoyles of San DeLain #1)

AFTER THE day relinquished its grip and freed Ward from his stone prison, he made his way back to his room. In the dimly lit corridors, shadows flickered around him, casting a dance of light and dark across the walls.

The new lighting would eliminate the mysterious atmosphere. Privately, he could admit he would miss it, but he was trying to be a more modern gargoyle.

Once he was in his quarters, he paced the floor, the soft thud of his footsteps echoing in the quiet as he practiced what he would say to the other paranormal leaders.

Last thing he wanted to do was sound like a blithering idiot. Both Hudson and Kage were so suave and polished. Ward was just… himself.

Reaching the balcony doors, he grasped the cool handles and swung the doors open, allowing the crisp night air to rush in. The silvery glow of the moon spilled into the room, mingling with the gentle whisper of the breeze that carried the scent of jasmine from the gardens below.

If he was going to call Hudson and Kage, he needed to do it now, because his day was their night. And it was Saturday night to boot. He was sure they had plans.

He returned inside and sat at his desk. Picking up his cell, he scrolled through his contacts and pressed the call button. He’d start off with Hudson and go from there.

Hudson’s name appeared on the screen as the call connected. Ward’s fingers tapped impatiently on the desk as he waited for the call to connect.

The phone rang only twice before Hudson’s gruff voice answered. “Ward Tywyll. I certainly wasn’t expecting a phone call from you. How may I be of service?”

“Before I start, is your phone secure?”

“Well, this sounds like it’s going to be an interesting conversation.” Hudson cleared his voice. “Of course. Is yours?”

Asking such a question left Ward feeling slightly uncomfortable, but it was better to be safe than sorry. “Yes. A situation transpired recently on my lands that I need to make you and Kage aware of. And unfortunately, I need to ask a favor of the both of you.”

“I see. Why don’t I set up a three-way call with Kage then?”

“That would be best, I think,” Ward said, settling in his desk chair.

“Give me just a moment. And also? Know that I consider nothing you need a favor. As a paranormal leader, I am more than happy to help in any way I can. I’m certain I speak for Kage too.”

“I appreciate that, even though you don’t know what I’m about to ask for,” Ward said.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve called Kage, and he should pick up in a—”

“Hello?” Kage said.

“Hey, Kage. This is a three-way call with Ward Tywyll. He called me first and I’m adding you to the conversation. He recently had something happen on his lands that he wishes to share with us, and—his words here—he needs a favor.”

“I see. Hello, Ward. Whatever I can do to help, I’ll be more than willing to do,” Kage said. “We leaders need to stick together.”

“That’s what I said,” Hudson chuckled softly. “Ward, the floor is all yours.

“Thank you, Kage. As I told Hudson, I appreciate your offer.” Ward glanced toward the balcony as he composed his thoughts.

In the distance, the rhythmic chirping of crickets and the croaking of frogs created a symphony of night sounds that echoed through the air.

The knowledge of what those witches were capable of sent a shiver down his spine, making him acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that rested upon his shoulders.

“Recently, I had several witches trespass on my land because they intended to do a ritual sacrifice. As Hudson knows, the ley lines cross here.”

“Shit,” Kage mumbled.

“That’s not even the most important part of what I have to tell you,” Ward said. “I killed three, but one escaped. The one who escaped was the most powerful of them. I also rescued the person they were trying to sacrifice. Thus the reason for my call.”

Kage sighed loudly. “Why do I feel that whatever peace we’ve been experiencing is about to end?”

“Because your feeling would be correct,” Ward said. “I found out that the hunters had kidnapped and experimented on the person I rescued. They mutated their DNA without their consent.”

“Dammit,” Hudson growled. “We knew there were more humans, but—”

“Chester comes to mind,” Kage added.

“I remember him,” Ward said. “He’s the one whose DNA they mutated with that of a mer, right?”

“Yes,” Hudson said.

“But it was only one paranormal DNA strand, am I correct?” Ward asked.

“By the dead gods, Ward. What shit have you stumbled into?” Kage asked slowly.

“Ever heard of the Power of Three?” Ward asked, staring out the balcony door.

Growls erupted from both Hudson and Kage.

“I’ll take that as a yes. But even that isn’t the most significant part of this scenario. The person who was kidnapped and almost sacrificed on my land? Well, she is also a witch—from another realm.”

“Oh, fuck me,” Hudson exclaimed. “What? What ?”

“Exactly,” Ward said, then launched into the whole convoluted story.

After he finished speaking, there was dead silence on the line.

“Well, I didn’t see that coming,” Kage finally said. “And also? Holy shit.”

“Just how powerful is she?” Hudson asked.

“I honestly don’t know. For the time being, I’ve asked her not to practice any magic of serious consequence without supervision until we’re certain it’s safe—for us and her.”

“That makes sense. Hopefully, she’ll do as you asked,” Hudson said.

“No reason to think she won’t since she swore an oath to you, correct, Ward?” Kage asked.

“Yes, and I felt the bond snap into place,” Ward replied. “She hasn’t given me any reason not to trust her word as yet.”

“Well, there is that, at least,” Hudson said. “I find it ironic that the covens in San DeLain refused to assist us in dealing with the hunters—”

“Don’t know why,” Kage groused. “They’re nothing but a bunch of mercenary women.”

“—yet these witches attempted to sacrifice this hunter. Let me finish, Kage.”

“That last part actually doesn’t surprise me. But honestly? She’s not really a hunter,” Kage said. “They might have mutated her DNA and given her the Power of Three, but she didn’t work for them.”

“And it was her misfortune to escape the hunters but end up in the clutches of a coven here in San DeLain,” Hudson finished. “Speaking of which, do we know which coven targeted her?”

“Does it matter?” Ward asked.

“Well, we know most magic users refuse to join covens here because they are all….” Hudson trailed off.

“Wicked? Evil? Vile. Power-hungry and mercenary? I mean, take your pick,” Kage supplied. “I have a magic user in my clan. Susan could’ve joined a coven in San DeLain and refused to.”

“As do I,” Ward added. “Celine refused, just as your member did, Kage.”

“I still think it’s important that we figure out which coven was on your land, Ward. You said the one who escaped transported out. That means she’s powerful. Possibly even a high priestess. Would you recognize her again?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Ward quickly described her.

“That’s a very striking woman,” Kage said. “I’ll ask Susan if her description sounds familiar. If I could suggest the same to you, Ward?”

“Know thy enemy,” Hudson said quietly.

“Exactly,” Kage agreed.

“I’ll ask Celine. I warned the witch that if she trespassed again, I would take her life,” Ward said.

“That might be easier said than done,” Hudson mused. “Rihanna is a member of your clan. Right?”

“Yes,” Ward said.

“So, basically, we have a magic user dragged here by accident from another realm, experimented on, and ended up with the Power of Three. Then a coven of witches who Rihanna asked for help tried to sacrifice her in order to gain that power on your land. Is that correct, Ward?”

“Yes. Which brings me to the reason I contacted the two of you, actually,” Ward said. “It wasn’t just to tell you of the situation. I know you both have hackers going through the data seized from the hunters when we dismantled their operation.”

“And you want us to see if there’s anything on Rihanna,” Kage guessed. “Smart.”

“Any information would be helpful,” Ward admitted.

“I’ll alert my hacker, and if we find anything, we’ll send it directly to you,” Kage said.

“As will I,” Hudson said. “Also, if there are any type of notes or documentation about how this was done, I fully intend to destroy that research. The last thing we need is for something like this to happen again to another unsuspecting person.”

“Or a volunteer,” Kage added. “They basically turned Rihanna into a weapon.”

“Who, it sounds like, was already a powerful witch before forces beyond her control brought her into our realm,” Hudson added. “Who may very well be stuck here.”

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t have the sudden urge for world domination,” Kage huffed. “We have enough problems with what’s left of the hunters.”

“Agreed,” Ward said. “But I don’t get the feeling she’s a threat. At least, not to us. If she ever finds the coven who attacked her, well, all bets are off on that.”

“Can’t say that I blame her,” Hudson said. “Thank you, Ward, for reaching out. I know the leaders of San DeLain usually meet once a month at Isadora’s, but I feel like we need to call an emergency meeting.”

“I agree,” Kage said. “As much as I wish I didn’t.”

Hudson snickered. “You really need to get over your fear of spiders.”

“And you really need to kiss my ass,” Kage fired back.

“That’s your mate’s job, my friend. Not mine. So, I’ll contact Isadora, arrange a night, and send out a mass email with a date. If either of us can do anything meanwhile, Ward, please let us know.”

“I will. And thank you for your help.”

“Anytime,” Hudson said.

“Seriously,” Kage said. “We’re the three most powerful paranormal groups in San DeLain. There needs to be a good relationship between us.”

“Someone recently reminded me that we gargoyles tend to isolate ourselves. I’m trying to fix that.”

“You know, it wouldn’t hurt for the three of us to go out to dinner one night,” Kage said. “Talk business, you know? We could do it at Embers once it has reopened. My treat.”

“I’m always up for eating on your dime,” Hudson joked.

Oddly enough, Ward found the invitation appealing too. “I will certainly take you up on that.”

“I look forward to it,” Kage said. “Austin and I are about to watch a movie.”

“Kit and Connie are also waiting for me,” Hudson said. “Ward? Is there anything else?”

“No. Enjoy the night with your mates. And thank you. Goodbye.” Ward stared at the phone once the conversation had ended. He was only a little jealous that he didn’t have plans with a mate.

Just a little.

He sent a text to Celine asking if she recognized the description of that witch who survived the altercation on his land. Rising from his desk, he stepped out onto the balcony.

He’d lived long, seen much, but the events of late—the implications of otherworldly witches and powerful, unintended consequences—stirred a sense of unease in him.

Ward had dealt with hunters, rogues, and even bigotry within his own ranks, but never had he encountered magic so unpredictably fused with technology.

And wasn’t that exactly what the hunters had achieved with their DNA experiments—combining magic and technology in a way that shouldn’t have ever been attempted?

The sounds of the night wrapped around him, a soothing symphony of distant animal cries and the rustle of leaves in the gentle wind. These sounds often brought comfort, but tonight they underscored his loneliness. If only he had someone to stand with him under the moonlight.

Instead, he stood alone, his mind churning with the duties of leadership and responsibilities to his clan, plus to the paranormal community as a whole.

Still, there was something invigorating about the new challenges ahead. It wasn’t just managing threats. Hudson and Kage had offered the opportunity to strengthen bonds with them.

Tank’s words came back to Ward as he stared out into the night. Tank worried if they didn’t change with the times, they’d become stagnant, and then Time would leave them behind. Ward would not let that happen.

His stomach grumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. Satisfied with what he’d accomplished so far, he made his way downstairs to grab something to eat.

Right before he arrived in the dining area, he got a text back from Celine saying she didn’t recognize the description. That was too bad, but not surprising. Celine tended to stay in his territory like the rest of the clan.

Arriving in the dining area, he absentmindedly moved through the buffet line, collecting his meal while preoccupied with strategies and alliances. His thoughts drifted to the upcoming emergency meeting at Isadora’s as he ate. How would the others react to Rihanna and what she was?

After finishing his meal, Ward returned to his quarters. He needed to send the inspiration stuff to Kayden. Seating himself at the desk, he powered up his computer and started browsing the Internet for ideas he liked for his castle.

He’d just sent all the information to Kayden when a message from Hudson popped up on his computer. Upon opening it, he found the time and location for the emergency meeting, which was scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday night.

That was convenient, because construction was set to begin Wednesday night. He stared at the email. Normally, he only brought Tank with him, but this time he’d be taking not only Tank, but his entire council as well. It was time for them to meet the other leaders.

He wondered how his council would react. Joel had always been the skeptic, the one who questioned every alliance and scrutinized every new development. Which was fine, but Ward needed all his council members on board—complaints and all.

Ward prepared a brief message in response to Hudson’s email, confirming the date and the additional attendees.

He paused momentarily before hitting send, considering the potential ramifications of bringing his entire council into these discussions. It wasn’t just about sharing insights or strategic planning—it was about showing a unified commitment to collaboration.

After sending the email, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. There was an underlying tension that came with these kinds of interactions.

Each group had their own secrets. Finding common ground required navigating a minefield of hidden motives and historical grievances.

But the other paranormals had done it, so Ward’s council would just have to suck it up too.