“Yeah, Kai told me about having to move around. Are you and Gregor moving?”
“Not for a while. He and Dante are really close, and where one is, the other is too. Dante and Isabelle aren’t ready to move, so neither will Gregor and I. So, you’re stuck with me a little while longer.”
Josie grinned. “I’m glad. We haven’t had a chance to get into trouble.”
Tessa winked. “You got that shit right.” Tessa pressed a kiss to Josie’s forehead then retook her seat. Before Josie closed her eyes, she looked around the cabin. Sophia was wiping tears from her eyes. Josie wanted to go to her, but the half-blood turned her back and pulled the blanket over her shoulder. Either Tessa had told her cousin the news, or Sophia had overheard their conversation. Either way, Josie felt sorry for her. And Trevor. The only good news was the males weren’t harmed. That had to count for something.
Rafael had been pacing the floor outside the operating room, sending his strength to his mate through their bond, but there was someone else who needed his strength as well. Rafe returned to the waiting room and took a crying Sebastian from Priscilla. It had been a long time since he communicated silently with his son. Not since before the child was born, but he had to try. Rafe knew Kaya was fighting.
Your momma is strong. She’s not going to leave us if she can help it.
Sebastian’s wailing calmed to stuttered snubbing. His watery, blue eyes stared at Rafael’s dark ones, so Rafe kept up the internal monologue. You know you have a sister coming in a few years. You named her Seven. Remember that? Your momma is going to pull through this so she can make sure Seven is with us too. Your momma loves us too much to leave us now. I love you both more than anything in this world or beyond.
Papa… Sebastian quieted, and his eyelids fluttered before closing. Rafael kissed his son’s soft hair and cradled him closer. The soft inhale and exhale of Sebastian’s breathing soothed Rafael’s beast. Priscilla held out her arms, offering to take the sleeping baby, but Rafe shook his head. “I need to hold him,” he whispered with a smile. He did sit next to the woman who also meant the world to him. He took her wrinkled hand, offering what comfort he could.
“We’re going to get through this. Kaya is going to pull through, and then we’re all going on a long vacation. How do you feel about a few months at the Italian villa?”
Priscilla wiped her eyes. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Penelope.”
Priscilla’s family had been looking after the Di Pietros through several generations. Rafael thought it would do good for his housekeeper to be around her own family for a while. It would do his own heart good to be near his parents’ bodies. He always planned to show Sebastian where he came from, he just didn’t plan on doing it so soon. His son wouldn’t be aware of the beauty surrounding the villa, but he could experience the peacefulness.
Rafael closed his eyes and sent up a prayer for those of his Clan who were fighting to save their homes. He prayed for the ones separated from their mates and children. He prayed for those who had left their homes to come fight on the Clan’s behalf. Drago might have the upper hand, but he didn’t have what the Stone Society did – family. Rafael was thankful Frey had taken the reins. There was no Goyle more capable of leading them through this battle. Frey would have made a better King, but he had been born to the wrong brother. Rafe trusted Frey to do whatever was necessary, and he told him as much before he left the hospital. He gave his cousin carte blanche in dealing with Drago. That left Rafael the freedom to focus on Kaya and Sebastian.
The door opened, and Jonas, disguised as Joseph Mooneyham, stepped into the room. His tired visage gave nothing away. Caroline pushed to her feet, going to her mate. Jonas pulled Caroline to him, inhaling her hair. When his eyes met Rafe’s, Rafael held his breath.
The night was long. Gargoyles didn’t require much sleep, but standing guard, waiting for something that may or may not happen, was exhausting. Kai’s home had already been destroyed, but Frey had the added strain of not knowing. Plus, the male was worrying about one of his brothers whose home had been targeted and the other who had a home and lab to stress over on top of trying to keep the Clan together while Rafael was at the hospital. At least Lachlan had managed to get some of the equipment out of the lab.
Julian had called Frey several times, asking his brother’s advice. Julian’s home was important to him and Katherine, but the lab was vital to the whole Clan. It wasn’t only computer equipment he used, but other devices like blood-testing equipment. Frey reminded Julian others like Isabelle and Jonas had the same equipment. In the end, Julian focused on safeguarding his home.
The Clan jet was somewhere over the Pacific, and by now, they were aware of whose homes had been hit. Kai asked Josie not to tell Trevor or Sophia, but Frey had shared the news with the pilot. Jasper and Nikolas both agreed their mates should know sooner rather than later. It would give them more time to come to terms with what they faced once they returned to New Atlanta. Frey trusted the other mates to help them through the trauma.
Kai and eight other males were spread around the perimeter of Frey’s property. They were confident the Unholy wouldn’t be able to get
