Page 57 of Dance in the Stones

“That’s the scent of my favorite tea.” Kara’s voice went flat. “I mentioned liking chamomile to Moira in the car.”

“I guess the castle heard about it.” Redford leaned against the doorframe. “And it wants you to be comfortable.”

“So the castle’s what, sentient?” Finn appeared in the doorway behind them, clutching the blanket. “Like actually alive?”

“In its own way.” Damon crossed his arms, studying the siblings. Finn’s fear was giving way to wonder, but Kara’s walls remained firmly in place. “The sanctuary was built centuries ago by gargoyles, witches, druids, vampires, and fae working together. They created crystals in the foundations that serve as the castle’s heart and consciousness. It’s been dormant for a long time, but we accidentally woke it a couple of days ago.”

“Accidentally.” Kara set the mug down without tasting it. “You accidentally woke up a magical castle, and now we’re supposed to live here while it reads our minds?”

“It’s not reading minds.” Redford’s tone never changed. “It’s more like sensing needs and responding to emotional states. Yesterday it locked us in our bedroom because it wanted to evaluate our bond and make sure we’re serious about being keepers. This morning it helped Malcolm’s construction crew by putting tools where they needed them.”

“Malcolm doesn’t know about paranormals, obviously, as the crew working here are non-para,” Moira added. “To him, it’s just good luck or the castle having ‘positive energy.’ The awareness is subtle when it wants to be.”

Finn sat on Kara’s bed, still holding the blanket. “So the castle’s protective? Like it’s trying to take care of us?”

“Yes.” Damon felt his hound settle as he recognized the shift in Finn’s body language. “The original keeper, centuries ago, used Duncarrick to help hundreds of paranormals escape the witch trials. The castle remembers that purpose, and it wants to be sanctuary again.”

“And you two are just...doing this? Running a paranormal safe house in the middle of Scotland?” Kara’s suspicion hadn’t faded, but curiosity crept in around the edges.

“We’re hellhound and gargoyle.” Redford pushed off the doorframe. “The castle’s magic was keyed specifically for our species - stone in the bones, fire in the blood. When we found the historical documents and activated the crystals, the castle recognized us as the ones meant to be here.”

“Fated mates, then.” Finn glanced between them. “The bond’s obvious if you know what to look for.”

“Fairly newly mated, but yes.” Damon couldn’t help the pleased rumble in his voice. “And yeah, we’re serious about this. About rebuilding what Duncarrick was and protecting anyone who needs a safe space.”

Kara picked up the mug again, studying it. “What if I don’t want the castle doing things in my room without permission?”

“Then tell it.” Redford’s matter-of-fact tone seemed to surprise her. “The castle can sense intent and emotion. If you need space and privacy, it’ll respect that. It’s protective, not controlling.”

As if in response, the mug of tea vanished from Kara’s hand. She jerked back, and Damon felt the castle’s presence retreat from her room entirely.

“It heard you,” Moira said softly. “And it’s giving you what you asked for - space.”

Kara stared at her empty hand, then slowly nodded. “Okay. That’s...okay. Thank you.”

“Take time to settle in.” Damon headed for the door. “We’re in the cottage just behind the castle if you need anything. Moira’s staying through dinner, and we’ll explain everything else over food.”

Finn followed them into the hall. “Are there other people staying here?”

“Not yet.” Damon smiled. “You’re the first. But we’re working on getting the sanctuary fully operational. My packmate JC is helping set it all up, and another packmate’s mate, Simon, has been reinforcing the protective wards.”

“Packmate?” Finn’s eyes widened. “Are you one of the original twelve?”

“I am.” Damon caught the awe in the young shifter’s voice. “And yes, before you ask - most of my brothers have found their mates in the last couple of years. Something’s changing in the world, and I think places like Duncarrick are part of that shift.”

“That’s why the Paranormal Council’s taking your sanctuary proposal seriously,” Moira added. “The world’s getting smaller, and its harder for shifters and the like to hide. We need places like this.”

They left the siblings to unpack, heading back downstairs with Moira. Malcolm’s crew was back, the contractor waving cheerfully as his team unloaded supplies.

“I heard you’ve got guests already,” Malcolm called. “That’s brilliant. Castle’s barely finished and you’re already putting it to use.”

“Just a couple of friends who needed a quiet place to stay,” Redford said easily. “Hopefully the noise won’t bother them.”

“We’ll keep it down in the west wing.” Malcolm grabbed his toolbox. “Most of the details there should be wrapped up by end of week. Then it’s just the exterior stonework and landscaping.”

Throughout the morning, Damon divided his attention between checking on Finn and Kara - who’d ventured out to explore the castle grounds - and observing Malcolm’s crew. The helpful occurrences Redford had mentioned were increasing. A ladder appeared exactly where Jamie needed it to reach high molding. When Malcolm dropped his measuring tape, it rolled back to his hand. A stubborn door that had been swollen shut for weeks suddenly opened smoothly.

“I’m telling you,” Malcolm said to Jamie over lunch, “this place has the best energy. It’s like it wants to be restored.”