“What about the mates? How do you deal with them dying centuries before you do?”
“Most mates are also Goyle, but the human mates’ lives are extended after the bond has been completed. There’s something transferred through the bite that helps your immune system become stronger as well.”
Josie leaned back so she was looking at him. Wiping her tears, she asked, “The bite? You have to bite me?”
“Yes, but it won’t hurt. From what I hear, the bite is euphoric for both parties involved.” Malakai touched her shoulder where he would sink his fangs. “There won’t be a scar either, so nobody but us will know about it.”
“Your family out there won’t know? Won’t they hear me scream?”
Kai snuggled Josie closer. “They will only know because you and I will be a mated couple and won’t be able to keep our hands to ourselves. As for screaming, I would never make love to you when someone is around to hear us.”
“Oh. Oh. You bite me during sex.”
“Well, I don’t have to, but that’s typically when it happens. Thus, the euphoria. But I don’t want you to worry about that right now. I want you to get to know me. This might sound crazy, but I don’t want you to mate with me because of what happened to us both. I don’t want you to feel pressured into something you’re not ready for.”
“But if we don’t mate, we’ll both be miserable. You’ll die, and I’m not sure what will happen to me.”
Malakai set his cheek to her hair. “You’ll get another fever like the one you had, but when I cross over, it will go away, and you can get on with your life.”
“But if I’m your fated mate, doesn’t that mean you’re mine? If we’re destined to be together, why wouldn’t I want to mate with you? I can understand why you wouldn’t choose me, but I’d be hard-pressed to find someone better than you.”
“Sunshine, I would never find someone better for me than you. In all the years I’ve been alive, I have never seen mates who weren’t completely perfect for each other. Personalities align. Hearts beat in sync. Together, the mates move about as one entity. I’m not saying we’ll constantly be joined at the hip. I’ll have my training gym, and you’ll have whatever it is you want to do to keep you busy, whether that’s a job or hobby, like learning the cello. Kaya continued in her job until she became pregnant with Sebastian. Isabelle is still a doctor. Marley works at the diner. Trevor works at the morgue and goes to school to become the next medical examiner.”
“Marley? Pretty brunette married to Dane Abbott?”
“How do you know Marley?”
“Every morning I go to the diner where she works for coffee. And last night when I got home, I wanted to talk to Kaya about all this, so I did a little searching on the internet. There is no information on Kaya after her retirement, so I thought I might speak to the new chief about her. When I searched for him, I saw a picture of him with Marley. I take it Dane is also a Gargoyle?”
Kai nodded. “Yes. He’s a half-blood like Tessa. Human mother, Goyle father.”
“You mentioned a Trevor? Is his mate a female?”
“No. He and Jasper are gay. The fates know all about who is best for each of us. Most of the female Gargoyles are older and mated. For whatever reason, they are almost extinct. It’s the only reason I can think of why we are now able to mate with humans. Then again, Dr. Montague’s mate is human, and they’ve been together hundreds of years. There are newer mates as well, and they will all take you under their wings. You mentioned you didn’t have time for friends, but from what I’ve seen, all the mates around New Atlanta become fast friends. More like family, really.”
“Is that why Tessa stood up to Presley?”
“I stood up to your sister because she’s a bitch.” Tessa came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hi, Josie. I’m Tessa.”
“Oh, my god. You’re gorgeous.”
“Why, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” Tessa winked, grinning. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, not on purpose. Shifter hearing is something you’ll get used to. I wanted to see how you are feeling and ask if you have any questions for someone besides Malakai, and to tell you he’s right. You have a whole Clan at your back now. And any time you want to go out and shoot pool, I’m your girl. I don’t suppose you ride a motorcycle, do you?”
“No, can’t say that I do, but I can totally see you on one.” Josie moved off Kai’s lap and turned so she was fully facing Tessa. “Malakai said you’re a half-blood. Does that mean you have wings too?”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t. And it’s not because I’m half-blood. It’s because I’m female. Only the males get wings, and let me just tell you, that sucks donkey balls. Not fair at all. Why the gods thought females shouldn’t get to fly is beyond me.”
Josie turned to Kai. “You can fly?”
“Sure can. I’ll show you later, if you’d like.”
“That I have to see.” Josie turned back to Tessa. “So, if you
