Bound by The Moon (The Bound Series Book 2) by JF Holland

assembled immortals, who were standing around in the kitchen.
    "Okay, let's get this show on the road. Do you all remember where your posts are?"  He got nods as men, and the odd woman; who'd accompanied her mate, began to leave through the back door. Luc still wasn't here, and Balin waited as Sam left with the others. Keeping hold of Helena's arm, they walked down the back garden arguing. Balin shook his head at them, as Douglas took up the rear, holding Agatha's hand.
    "Your time is nearly here," Agatha told Balin over her shoulder. Her eyes not quite focused, as if she were looking through him. He frowned and went to shake his head, thinking she was talking to Douglas; who'd stiffened at her side.
    "Your path will not be so smooth; you will come to a fork in the road. Make sure to take the right path, otherwise your journey may not be a good one." Then her eyes cleared, and she looked worriedly towards Douglas. She then smiled sadly at Balin, not meeting his eyes, as she turned and carried on down the path. Her head leaning on Douglas's shoulder, as he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her into him; as if offering her comfort.
    Balin let the thoughts drop, as he heard a knock at the front door. Looking up into the sky, he realised that the sun had set, and went to answer the door. The final member for tonight's party of 'extra eyes' had arrived.
    "Luc, welcome to the party." Balin said, as he opened the door. He found the tall, broad, dark haired Frenchman, leaning negligently against the wall, at the side of the door.
    "Bonjour, we begin?"
    "Yes, my friend we do. Come on through. I'll show you the map, so you can see where the others are going to be this evening. Also where Jaden and Maya will be, so we don't have any embarrassing little accidents. Plus, that will assure you don't lose a body part from a pissed off Jaguar, when you get an eyeful of his mate." Balin winked at Luc, who grinned. Flashing his pearly whites, he stepped through the door, and into the hallway. Balin closed and locked the door behind him.
    Luc wasn't a big conversationalist, but he was a solid presence in the room, and well used to being on guard. This evening he'd dressed to blend. He wore a dark grey sweater and trousers, which would have looked dull on anyone else. Luc, was a hard man to say that about though. He was bigger than both Jaden and himself, standing at least six foot four. He had a huge wide chest, and shoulders like a line-backer. He also had long legs with muscular thighs, and bulging biceps. Not surprising really. He needed a large, muscular frame to be able to take the weight of his massive six-foot wing span. The dark, bat like leathery wings were presently folded against his shoulders. He used a neat little glamour trick, to hide them from human eyes.
    If they could be seen, they would probably describe Luc as a dark angel. Which he supposed he resembled, especially with his jet black hair, bright green eyes and chiselled features. He was a little more than an angel though, proven by the fact that he had tiny horns, just above his hairline. They sat either side of his forehead, and were hidden by wearing his hair a little longer at the front, and cut into his neck at the back. No magic required there.
    When he smiled, even Balin could admit he was something to look at. He often wondered why he wasn't swamped with female attention. Then again, Luc was a very private man. He tended to live on the fringes of their society. Not surprising really, as he had the little problem of turning to stone during daylight hours. Man, women could be vindictive sometimes. A scorned woman had done that to him, not that he knew all the details. All he did know, was that tangling with a witch had gotten him cursed. Luc was careful over the women he got involved with these days. He spent most of his free time searching for a way to release himself from his curse. After nearly three hundred years, he wasn't holding out much hope though.