Sixx (The Stone Society, #7) by Faith Gibson

pulling on a pair of swim trunks. He stopped in the kitchen and popped a pod of coffee into the fancy machine Finley had purchased not too long ago. It was nice having both the one-cup brewer as well as the full-sized pot. Sixx was thankful to have someone he trusted fully to look after his home in his absence. He often thought about renting the spacious villa out but always seemed to change his mind before putting it on the market. He had never lived in this particular home, but there was something about it that called to him, letting him know it was, indeed, home. He’d felt it the few times he’d visited.
    When the coffee finished brewing, Sixx took his mug out to the patio and sat down in the sunshine. He sipped his coffee while enjoying just being in the moment. The various plants and flowers that grew naturally around the property had taken on a life of their own, and Sixx made a mental note to call a professional to trim them back. He enjoyed the bright colors that invited hummingbirds to visit. Those little creatures amazed him while offering entertainment with their quick wings and territorial dive-bombing. They obviously had no trouble with him being a Gargoyle. The little birds never hesitated to come close enough for a drink of nectar when he was around. He had transplanted many of the flowering plants from his home in California to his place in New Atlanta when he saw the way they attracted the hummingbirds. He could sit for hours watching them flit around.
    Until he noticed a bright tattoo on Rae’s arm, Sixx had never paid much attention to the little birds. He never paid attention to a lot of things until the little pixie-like female either pointed something out or had something she loved inked on her body. After he met Desirae, Sixx’s eyes were opened to so many things. Now, he wanted to open her eyes to the possibility of a life filled with love and a home together. One that would last through the ages.
    When his coffee cup was empty, Sixx strode to the water’s edge and continued walking until it was deep enough for him to submerge himself. He swam underwater, back and forth, from end to end of the pool, letting the cool water wash over him. While he pulled his arms and kicked his legs, he relaxed his mind. Gargoyles couldn’t die from lack of oxygen, but they could eventually pass out. When he felt the burn in his lungs from being underwater for quite a while, he kicked his way to the surface, finding Urijah sitting at the patio table watching him.

Chapter Five
    A listair stood on the balcony that overlooked the garden. A yellow wagtail pecked at the freshly turned dirt searching for worms. If Theron had died a hero, Alistair would probably give two shits that a bird was looking to feed its young from his son’s grave. Since Theron had allowed a lesser Gargoyle to beat him, one who not only preferred the company of men, but one who was mated to a human boy , Alistair couldn’t find it in him to worry over a bird. Theron was Alistair’s only heir, and now that he was gone, Alistair would need to find a strong male to carry on in his footsteps. Not that he planned on going anywhere anytime soon.
    His nephew thought he would be persuaded to let this feud die down now that Kallisto was being held prisoner and being trussed up like a whore for the taking. Rafael severely underestimated him. Alistair’s feelings for his adopted daughter stemmed from his feelings for her mother. Alistair’s need for revenge was so much greater than mere feelings . His hatred for those lesser than his station, those pure bloods who cheapened the species by mating with humans and daring to produce offspring with them, had long fueled his need to see them all punished. Yes, he had taken a human lover, but not as a mate. Never as one to procreate with. Alistair had wanted the woman. He never needed her. She was a scratch to his itch. Nothing more. Now, his need to avenge his son, however weak he might have been, was