Shining One traveling stones were made to travel through the Veil between Realms. If you didn't leave a realm, they didn't work. So, the guys would head home then turn around and come right back. Despite the extra trip, they'd probably beat us to our destination.
“Cancel the Jeeps,” Slate said and clicked the radio off.
“Shall I stay awhile to ensure that the blood worked?” Darc offered.
“Perhaps for a few hours,” Slate agreed. “Just long enough to gauge the effectiveness of your efforts.”
“Very well. Your office?”
Slate nodded.
“We'll join you,” Torin said with a look at my other men.
“I'll see you there,” I said to them.
I would have insisted on Darc riding in the Jeep but traveling via Shining One stone would be easier on him than the ride and subsequent climb upstairs to Slate's office. So, I let him go with the others and took the passenger seat up front again. Binx and Aaro had climbed in back without being asked. As long as Binx was driving, it didn't really matter to me.
Slate slid into the driver's seat then looked over at me. Something shifted in his silver eyes. “I don't want to jinx it.”
“But you think it worked?” I grinned at him.
“I hope it did,” he said softly then started the engine. “The last thing I want is Darcraxis bleeding for me again.”
“Slate,” I whispered chidingly.
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “It seems that I'm overly sensitive today.”
“It's called being a pussy,” Binx shot at his brother with a smirk.
I was about to say something snarky back when Slate's fist shot past me, in the space between our seats, and rammed into Binx's face. It happened so fast that I barely processed it and the hit was so hard that Binx passed out immediately. Aaro gaped at his comatose brother then at the brother who had thrown the punch. I pulled away from Slate to do some gaping myself.
“What?” Slate shrugged and grinned. “I told you; I'm feeling sensitive.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aaro and I were quiet on the way back to the office. Slate was silent as well, but he looked at peace while his brother and I were tense. Slate has always been a man of action and can also be unpredictable but he'd never been what I'd call a violent man. Yes, he could use violence to further his interests—all you have to do is look at the arena to know that—and he wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty, but Binx was more prone to aggression than Slate.
Then again, this wasn't the first time Slate had knocked Binx out for saying something stupid and it likely wouldn't be the last. Perhaps it was merely startling because of its timing; so fresh on the heels of the Troll murder and Darc's bleeding.
Murder. Why had that word popped into my mind? It wasn't murder, it was an accident. I glanced at Slate. Wasn't it? Yes, it was. Of course, it was. Slate had been remorseful mere minutes after the killing. It was an accident. Although, I did have to sing him down. My stare went to Binx, who was starting to moan and roll his head on the column of his thick neck. Sure, he was a brute and he said some rude things—usually at the worst possible times—but did he really deserve that punch? He was only teasing; normal brother stuff. Hell, normal Gargoyle stuff.
We pulled up to the barracks and parked. Outside the gates, the Zone was back to its normal self—Beneathers shopping and eating and socializing—already recovered from the trauma of its cleansing. I hoped it would stay that way but I suspected that the wound would itch a bit while it healed over.
I slid out of the Jeep and Slate came around the front to take my hand.
“Binx,” Slate called to his brother.
“Huh? What?” Binx blinked and sat up.
“Come on, Brother,” Aaro said in a subdued tone. “We're home.”
“Oh. Okay.” Binx stumbled out of the Jeep.
“Keep an eye on things for me,” Slate said to Aaro. “Anything happens; we'll be upstairs.”
Aaro nodded and slid a worried look my way. I just shrugged. Slate felt off, that was a definite, but the whole day had been like that. Maybe he just needed to decompress. I went upstairs with him to find the rest of my men sprawled in the center of the office, on the dark chairs scattered before the fireplace. The fire had been lit and Darc sat furthest from the flames, in as much shadow as he could find. I made a beeline for him.
“How are you feeling?” I brushed the silky waves of hair back from his face.
“I told you; I'm fine,” Darcraxis said gently and pulled me onto his lap. “More than fine now.” He nuzzled my neck. “I'd be happy to prove it to you.”
I chuckled in relief and kissed his cheek.
“Now, we just need to see if it worked,” Slate declared as he chose an armchair nearby. “Judging by the frequency of episodes, I believe we should know soon.”
“Why don't you ask your seer?” Gage suggested.
“It took a lot out of him,” Slate shook his head. “He was recovering when we left. I'd rather not disturb him unless necessary. Are any of you hungry? I can have food delivered.”
“I could eat.” Gage grinned.
“Your stomach is an endless pit,” I teased.
Gage shrugged. “All part of being a Griffin.”
“Or we could satisfy other hungers,” Slate's tone lowered, as did his eyelids, going half-mast over his gleaming gaze.
“Excuse me?” I laughed. “Are you suggesting we have sex to pass the time?”
Slate mimicked Gage's shrug.
“No,” I said with laughter still inhabiting my voice.
“You could strip for us,” Slate suggested.
“What?” I whispered.
“You know how much I love watching you.”
The other men looked back and forth between us; both confused and wary.
“I think we're all a bit tired,” Declan said diplomatically. “It's especially been a long day
