Page 41 of Dance in the Stones

Damon crossed the room, pulling his mate into his arms. “Well, you must’ve wanted a pack at some point in your life, or you wouldn’t have one now - whether you like it or not.”

“I’m not complaining.”

“Good, because I’ve been thinking.” Damon felt Redford relax against him. “The east tower needs serious attention, and you said another gargoyle’s perspective might help.”

“I did say that.”

“Remember, Simon’s a gargoyle. Kolton’s mate.”

Redford pulled back enough to meet his eyes. “The one with the baby?”

“Warner’s about six months old now, yeah.” Damon grinned. “Simon worked as a doctor for most of his life, but he’s also super intelligent.”

“You think he’d be willing to look things over and possibly help?”

“I think he’d be thrilled.” Damon kissed Redford’s forehead. His mate was looking a little happier now. “Simon loves history almost as much as he loves medicine. And Kolton’s been dying to meet you properly since I told the pack about us.”

Redford’s expression shifted to something fond. “Your pack really congratulated us through your bond?”

“You heard them, remember, and they were practically screaming in my head.” Damon laughed. “Kolton was one of the loudest. I swear Warner probably felt it through his parents’ bond.”

“And they’d come all this way with the baby?”

“We’re hellhounds, Red. We translocate.” Damon felt excitement building through their connection. “They’d just pop in whenever we needed them. No flights, no driving. We just ask, and they’re here.”

“That’s...” Redford shook his head. “I know gargoyles can do that to a more limited extent, but I’m still getting used to what hellhounds can do.”

“There’s someone else I was thinking of contacting too.” Damon guided them toward the couch. “JC owns a castle in Bulgaria. When he first bought it, the place was practically falling apart. He spent years restoring it himself.”

“JC’s another hellhound?”

“He sure is, with an obsession for old buildings and living history.” Damon settled onto the cushions, pulling Redford down beside him. “He’d probably cry happy tears over our documents.”

Redford was quiet for a moment, thumb rubbing circles on Damon’s knee. “I think it’s a great idea, but there’s nowhere at the castle where they could stay, and that’s a lot of houseguests for a cottage this size.”

“I can fix that.” Damon had been wondering how to bring it up.

“Fix what, exactly?”

“Add a room. Maybe two.” Damon watched his mate’s face. “I can make it unnoticeable from the outside, and I promise, anyone looking would just see the cottage as it’s always been.”

“That would be pretty amazing if you can do that. The closest hotel is a bit of a drive from here.”

“Hellhound magic.” Damon shrugged. “We’re good at bending reality when we need to. The inside will be bigger, but the outside stays the same. Nobody will even notice.”

Redford was shaking his head. “That’s disturbing and convenient in equal measure.”

“I’ll take that as a yes?”

Redford kissed him instead of answering, which Damon decided was a definite yes.

/~/~/~/~/

Damon waited until after dinner to contact Kolton through their pack link, knowing his brother would be putting Warner to bed.

Brother, Kolton’s mental voice was warm. How’s the mate?

Bossy at times, but he’s also got no problem doing dishes.