Stone Destiny (Stone Passion #3) by A.C. Warneke Page A

into the rafters when we can’t change into our gargoyle forms to bring her down,” Rhys said, obviously referencing the disaster that kept Vaughn from remaining human for the day. Arching an eyebrow, he smiled wider, “Didn’t you hear her giggles? She was quite pleased with herself for her daring escape.”
    Ferris could easily imagine the adventurous little girl getting into all sorts of trouble, especially with a pack of imps ready and eager to assist her in any way. Looping her arm through Rhys’s, she grinned at her mother’s mate, “You’ll have to have a baby as soon as possible so Georgia has a playmate close to her own age.”
    Rhys waggled his eyebrows at Ferris, grinning lasciviously for a stone monkey, “I plan on getting your mom pregnant the first chance I get. I’m looking forward to having a pack of little monkeys of my own.”
    “Literally,” Ferris grinned, standing up on her toes and giving the stone monkey a kiss on his cheek. Rocking back on her heels, she stifled a yawn as she headed for the exit, taking the route that led past Armand. “I’ve got to get going . I have class in an hour and I should grab a bite to eat before I go.”
    Automatically, her eyes went to the stern gargoyle griffin who was scowling at her. He growled, “You should get some sleep , you were up all night painting.”
    She smiled slightly at the concern in his voice, “I’m fine . I’ll grab some coffee before class.”
    “Ferris,” he warned.
    “Seriously,” she countered calmly even as her heart was picking up speed once again. Running her hand along his arm as she strolled past, she didn’t miss his sharp intake of breath and she grinned, “I’ll be fine.”
    His scowl turned ferocious a split second before he jerked his head away from her, making her chuckle softly. Waving her hand at Vaughn, she opened the door and was nearly bowled over by a white lion gargoyle, a panther gargoyle and a liger gargoyle. The trinity of terror had arrived.
    Leo grabbed her arms to keep her steady, his massive form towering over the other huge gargoyles by at least a foot. The liger’s face grimaced as he asked, “Are you okay, Fer?”
    “Of course I am,” she assured him. Unable to help herself, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that Armand’s back was ramrod straight and his talons were curled into tight fists. A soft smile curved her lips at the concern radiating off him in waves, filling her belly with a warm glow and letting her hope take flight. "But I don't want to be late so I'm saying goodbye."
    With that, she slipped out the door, allowing the little kernel of hope to take root in her heart.
     

     
    “The three of you should be more careful,” Armand scolded as soon as Ferris disappeared through the door. He could still feel the electricity of her touch and that scared the ever living shit out of him. He shouldn’t have been able to feel her touch. “You almost trampled Ferris and then I’d have to take a chisel to you on Jenna’s behalf for hurting her daughter.”
    Michael threw his head back and laughed, “Ferris is a tough, little bird, Armand, not some hot house flower that has to be protected.”
    “She’s still human,” Armand bit out, struggling to keep from punching his younger brother in the face and wondering where this animosity was coming from. The three younger gargoyles had always included Ferris in their boisterous play so he didn’t know why the thought of them rough-housing with Ferris suddenly annoyed him. And yes, damn it, she did need to be protected! She was too inquisitive by half, too sensual.
    No , he couldn’t allow himself to think of Ferris – of Ferris – being anything other than Jenna’s precocious daughter who had been creating chaos in his life from the moment she entered it. The only reason his gargoyle body responded to her touch, the only reason he was able to feel it, was because it had been too long since he had buried himself in the warm and