Page 23 of Sight of Fate

My brain goes blank. Out of all the things I expected to come out of his mouth, that wasn’t even in the top one hundred. “Gargoyles?” He nods. “Like the statues on top of churches?” He nods again. “But they’re stone. And…scary.” And ugly, which these two incredibly gorgeous men are definitely not.

“Gargoyles were created as a military service to guard sacred places like churches and castles. We went where we were assigned, and for a long time, it worked for everyone. Then the vampire race fractured, and one faction broke off. Vampire gangs started hunting supernaturals for the power in our blood,” Macklin explains, then shrugs. “Those of us who survived fled to the New World.”

I can see them both in the military. It’s apparent in their protective natures, and in the way they carry themselves, shoulders squared, as if they’re willing to take on any threat. “Do you have magic?” Wait. New World? “How old are you?”

Macklin answers the first question. “We don’t wield magic, but we have the ability to see magic. Gargoyles are incredibly strong, impervious to illness, and we can resist most spells and potions.” He pauses while he thinks. “We can camouflage ourselves to some extent, blending into stone. Some of us can fly.” His eyes drift to Teague.

Teague, who had been looking at Macklin, turns his head as if the words cut him to the core, but he shakes it off and adds one additional trait. “We’re immortal.” These last words are almost whispered as if he knows how they’re going to hit.

Immortal. Like forever forever? Are all supernaturals immortal? Am I? These and a thousand other questions pile up in my brain, but I take a deep breath. Teague’s right. I need time to sort through all this.

“And here I thought my visions were something special,” I joke, realizing the one thing I thought made me a freak is nothing compared to them. Or Leif and his wolf shifter family. Clan. Whatever. Or dragons. Or Elementals, whatever they are.

I remember something Raine said. “Is Andros a gargoyle too? Raine told me he came here with you.”

“Unfortunately, no,” a droll voice with a slight French accent replies from the doorway, drawing my gaze. “Gargoyles are noble creatures.”

I stare at the tall, sophisticated man standing there, his rich, caramel-colored brown eyes coolly assessing me. Wearing a three-piece pinstriped suit and black leather gloves, he’s the epitome of buttoned-up sophistication. Burnished brown hair, perfectly styled away from his face, sets off the sharp lines of his cheekbones and the disapproving expression in his eyes. A light beard covers his jawline, but it does nothing to hide the tic in his jaw or his stern, compressed lips. I slowly pull in a deep breath as I stare in shock at the third man from my visions.

Teague glowers at him. “Thought you wanted to stay away?”

“I do,” he replies cryptically. “Curiosity and all that.” His eyes sweep over me, but this time in a dismissive way. “Not what I expected.”

His tone burns through me, and I tug on my sweater, wishing I could disappear.

Teague growls, and Macklin curses.

Andros turns to leave, then stops. “I’m the scourge of this earth. A vampire.”

Chapter Twelve

CHARLI

Only the worry in their eyes makes me stay the rest of the night. Sleep is completely elusive, as I knew it would be. My mind buzzes like a live wire. There’s so much to unpack, from my vision to the existence of supernaturals to meeting someone like me. And of course, the appearance of the third man whose features I’ve been drawing for years, who happens to be kind of a dick and a vampire.

I don’t know how I’m not losing my mind. Part of me is relieved to find I’m not a freak; I’m a seer. I see things others don’t, which makes sense.

But as far as the rest…supernaturals, the Fates, the possibility that others might see my visions as a gift instead of something to fear…I’m reserving judgment.

Greystone Vale is both a city and a Vale. Kind of makes sense why everyone kept referring to it as one or the other. But I’d have never guessed this was a sanctuary for supernaturals. Everything seems normal. The gym. Coffee shop. The receptionist at Granite Securities. But it’s not. It’s protected by magic and creatures whose power and strength keep it hidden from the humans who would likely destroy it.

Supernaturals. How many different species live here in Greystone? So far, I know of a witch or two, wolf shifters, dragons, gargoyles, and of course, a vampire. The scourge of the earth. I snort. Andros is certainly arrogant, but his disdain for his kind seems to be the only real thing about him. Although I have to say, all that intensity wrapped in a three-piece suit is alarmingly attractive.

A search on my phone brings up pictures of gargoyles. Everything from cute tiny statues to muscular creatures with well-defined abs and sharp, pointy wings. It’s hard to reconcile those two utterly gorgeous men in the living room with any of them. It says they’re guardians, which I do believe. They were certainly my guardians tonight.

My chest tightens. Again. Ever since I put my hand in Teague’s, my body has been off. I don’t know if I’m coming down with something or a vision is about to hit me.

Dawn breaks on the horizon, and the light is so pure, my need to capture my vision and Andros’s face can no longer be denied. I carefully swing my legs out of the covers and stand. Finding my sneakers at the foot of the bed, I slip them on and grab my purse from the top of the dresser. I look around, but don’t see my coat. Maybe it’s still at the restaurant. I’ll have to check when I go by later. Before I leave, I make Teague’s bed. My mind slips to an image of him lying in it, chest bare, his signature grin on his face, and I have to mentally fan myself.

Surprised to see the living room is empty, I look around for a pen and paper. Spotting some on the desk, I walk over and jot down a note.

Thank you for getting me out of the restaurant before I passed out. It meant a lot to have someone take care of me when I needed it. I’ll see you at work on Monday.

Charli

I wrinkle my nose as I put the pen down. The note sucks, but what are you supposed to say when you have a vision, realize there are other supernaturals in this world who shift and wield magic and all kinds of other things, and oh, you’re a seer. And let’s not forget, you stayed the night with two gargoyles and a vampire. All of which is the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Mind blown. I’ll never look at anyone the same way again. Thanks, Charli.