Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

MORGAN

" S chei?e ."

Klaus curses, whirling around to face away. His wings flare wide, his shoulders bunching up, and he stomps off until he's as far from me as he can be without leaving the room.

I remain in the armchair, clutching the pot of salve, and stare after him, because surely that couldn't have been…

"Oh my," I breathe, heat rising in my face.That was Klaus' cock I just saw, outlined perfectly by his dark pants. How long has he been hard? And is it because of me?

Earlier, before Emmerich left, Klaus had said that I was their third roost mate. I don't know what that means, exactly. Emmerich promised that they would explain everything to me once Klaus calms down, but then he'd left to gather supplies for me, as he'd put it.

Now Klaus is here, clearly aroused, and I'm…alone with him in this remote tower.

So why aren't I scared?

"I'm sorry," Klaus croaks from the other side of the room.

I glance up at him to find him looking at me over his shoulder, still angling his body to hide his state from me.

"Please, ignore what you saw," he adds. "I will not hurt you, Morgan. I could never hurt you."

He sounds so desperate, so embarrassed, my heart melts a little.

"Hey, it's all right. I'm not scared, see?"I point at myself, not knowing exactly how to signal that I'm fine. "I know it's not a voluntary reaction. You don't have to run from me."

I keep my voice soft and low, coaxing him back to my side. I don't know why this is so important, but the last thing I want is to make Klaus embarrassed and uncomfortable in his own home.

"Would it help if I…left?" I ask. "My ankle is feeling much better. If I'm making things hard for you, there's no need for me to stay."

The moment the words leave my mouth, I want to smack myself. I don't want to leave, not now that I've found them.But Klaus takes a couple of steps toward me before he stops abruptly, as if his feet carried him forward without his permission.

"No, don't leave," he rasps. "I don't want you to go."

The vehemence of his words settles something inside me. He's telling the truth. He wants me here, despite his earlier grumpiness, and for some reason, that's exactly what I needed to hear.

I relax back in the armchair and breathe out a sigh of relief.It's research, I tell myself. If I remain here, I'll find out more about the gargoyles. No scientist would pass up the chance to learn firsthand about a new species, especially one so interesting.

My stomach twists painfully at those thoughts, and guilt descends, bitter and unpleasant.Emmerich and Klaus brought me into their home, offered me shelter, and saved me from what could have been my last adventure in the woods. Emmerich has gone to fetch me food, and they've only been nice to me—so how can I think of them as research subjects? Nothing more than lab mice, creatures to be observed and studied.

I don't know what I was going to do with this knowledge before tonight. I had a vague idea of writing up a paper, taking photos of the creatures living in the tower, and becoming the first scientist to document a new species. I'd become famous, I'd be invited to conferences and symposiums all over the world to speak about this, and I'd show Andy I'm a good researcher without him. He certainly never discovered anything new on his own. His papers were never published in the important scientific journals, and his PhD dissertation was boring as hell.

But how can I expose Klaus and Emmerich like that?

Something sour settles in my chest, the knowledge that I'd be a terrible person if I went along with this. If I exposed their sanctuary to the world. Humans would flock to this remote, safe location, wanting to see the flying monsters. The authorities might try to seize them—study them, even.

Humans are so adept at ruining everything that smells even remotely different than their pre-conceived notion of "normal."

I can't do that to them .

With a clarity I haven't felt in ages, I know that this is not a path I can take and live with myself.

I take off my glasses and wipe them with the hem of my t-shirt to collect my thoughts. What does that mean for me? For us?

I don't have the answer to that question yet, and maybe I don't need it right now. Maybe it's okay to wait and see how this plays out.

Lifting my head, I find that Klaus is still gazing at me, all while keeping his body angled away. His neck must be hurting by now, but he seems intent on keeping me in his sights.

"I'd still like to go to the bathroom." I put my glasses back on and try to keep my voice as level as possible. "I don't mind your, ah, situation. I just need help getting downstairs, and I know you won't hurt me."

He remains still for so long, I'd think he has turned to stone if it wasn't for the occasional blink. Finally, he faces me, his wings unfurling. Illuminated by firelight, he's magnificent, a wonderful male specimen. I want to touch his wings, explore the membranes stretched so thin over the delicate-looking bones. I want to explore his tail, which is swishing behind him, betraying his nerves. But most of all, I wish I could walk up to him and embrace him, possibly even kiss him, and see where this attraction could lead us.

I stand on wobbly legs as Klaus walks closer to me. He's so silent, so watchful, but he offers me his hand so I can hop around the armchair and toward the door leading to the stone staircase. He supports me from the side, his arm around my shoulders, and half carries me downstairs to the bathroom.

There, he stops in front of the door and frowns at me. "Do you want me to walk you in?"

I flush at the thought. "No, I can manage." I grip the doorjamb and hop across the threshold. "But can you wait here? I'll need help getting back upstairs."

He nods solemnly, watching me until the moment I close the door between us. I shiver at the chill of the room—and swallow a yelp when my butt touches the cold toilet seat. The bathroom is lovely, recently renovated, but the gargoyles must not feel the cold as I do because the fireplace is unlit. I wish I could take a bath in the giant clawfoot bathtub on the other side of the room, but I'd probably have to heat water over the fire or something, and I'm way too tired for that.

I hop over to the sink to wash my hands and discover that the hot water tap does, in fact, produce hot water. The tower looks so medieval, but the gargoyles must have had plumbing installed, as well as other amenities, only they'd hidden them in clever ways, keeping the old-fashioned vibe of the fortress intact.

I want to explore every room in this place. Not just because any scientist worth her salt would do so—I'd already come to terms with the fact that this does not count as research for my paper—but because I want to know what kind of home Klaus and Emmerich have made for themselves. Do they spend all their time in the room upstairs? What do they do to pass the time if they don't have a TV or any modern electronics?

A flush goes through me at the thought of how they might occupy themselves. It was clear earlier that they're very close—that they're roost mates, whatever that means. And they seem to think that I'm one of them as well.

I'll have to ask them to explain. I hobble to the door. Maybe I could get Klaus to tell me now that he's alone. If not, Emmerich seems more easygoing, so I'll question him once he returns.

I swing the door open to find Klaus pacing on the staircase landing. He jerks his head up, and his wing brushes the wall at the movement, leaving a gash in the dark-gray stone.

I stare at it, confused, then pitch forward, reaching for Klaus' wing."Do you have claws on your wingtips?" I demand, feeling along the outer edge of the limb. "Oh, wow, you do. That's so cool."

Klaus freezes beside me, his shoulders snapping back, but he doesn't pull his wing away, so I run my finger carefully over the wicked claw that scratched the wall. It's as long as my thumb and looks razor-sharp at the tip, so I take care not to prick my skin on it. Then, encouraged by how he leans into me, I run a palm over the smooth, leathery membrane of his wing. It's warm and supple, now that the wing is half folded, and much thicker than a bat's. It must be, to support Klaus' weight. It would snap tight once extended. I trace the thin finger bones one by one, noting the spiderweb of veins running through it all.

A ragged groan has me snapping my gaze up at Klaus.

"I'm sorry." I jerk my palm away. "I didn't mean…"

But he puts his arm around my waist and holds me in place. "I told you, Morgan, you can touch me anytime you want."

A flush heats my skin. "Okay, but I didn't ask…does it feel good to have your wings touched? Is it like touching an arm or a leg, or are they more sensitive?"

Klaus releases my waist and takes my hand in both of his. He flips it palm side up and rubs my skin with his thumbs. "It feels similar to this," he murmurs. "The wings are very sensitive because we need them to sense currents of air. The smallest gust could send us plummeting to the earth."

He digs his thumbs into the fleshy part of my palm, and I gasp, startled at how good that feels. I've held hands with men before, of course, but I've never had anyone do this before…

"And it feels very good to have you stroke my wings," he continues, bending low over my hand.

He carefully runs his thumb over the small stretch of skin between my pointer and middle finger, lingering in the groove for a moment. My entire body throbs in response, and I lean forward instinctively, wanting more of this.

My forehead bumps Klaus' chin, and I look up, startled to realize how close we are, especially with him leaning down like this. He doesn't move away, though, his fingers still on my hand. His breath warms my skin, fogging up my glasses, and I'm vaguely aware that he's closing his wings around us, shielding me.

I should push away from him. He's a stranger, and an inhuman one at that. I should be afraid, not turned on.

But my body wants this, and for once, I don't want to deny myself. So I tip my chin up, offering my mouth to Klaus.

He hesitates for a moment, his gaze flitting from my eyes to my lips and back, then closes the distance between us. His firm lips move over mine, and my eyes flutter shut at the pressure. I clutch his hand and place my other palm on his chest, feeling the warm, leathery skin under my fingertips.

Klaus' first kiss is all sweetness and restraint, his lips remaining closed. But when I slide my hand to the back of his neck and go on my tiptoes to get closer to him, he must sense my eagerness, because he puts one arm around me and tugs me closer, then darts his tongue out to lick my lower lip.

I open for him, gasping at the contact. His tongue is rougher than mine and longer, and strokes so deliciously over my lips, then dips into my mouth. A shiver goes through me at the contact. I mewl with pleasure, trying to get closer to him.

Klaus lets out a low chuckle that goes straight to my core, a sound of male satisfaction so sexy, I want to roll around in it. He pulls me flush with his chest, and I gasp at the feel of his cock nudging my belly. Fuck, it's as large as I thought. I've been trying not to stare at it since he seemed so uncomfortable earlier, but there's no hint of hesitation left in him when he rolls his hips lightly, pressing us closer together.

"Klaus," I murmur.

He nuzzles my neck, his rough tongue licking my skin. "Yes, Engel ?"

Did he just call me an angel? I melt in his embrace, then run my fingers into his long, dark hair. It's silky under my touch, and I tug on the strands, needing him to kiss me again.

He growls, a deep, menacing sound, but if he meant for it to intimidate me, he missed the mark completely—the vibration in his chest rolls through my body, setting all my nerve endings on fire.

I tug his head down until he kisses me again, then luxuriate in how skilled he is at driving me wild. He clutches my waist with both hands and lifts me off my feet, holding me right where he wants me, and I whimper with need, chasing contact with his lips.

I'm about to hoist myself up and put my legs around his waist when a clatter from the staircase above us captures my attention. Heavy footsteps descending signal Emmerich's return—he stops at the door to the main living area and opens the door.

"Oh God," I whisper, embarrassment surging through me. "Klaus, put me down."

"Klaus?" Emmerich calls from above. "Morgan?"

Klaus grumbles a little, then sets me on my feet, but he doesn't let me go. He doesn't open his wings either, so I can't see anything but him—his handsome face, his chest, and his large wings.

"Down here," I call. My voice comes out as a squeak, so I clear my throat and try again. "We're down here, Emmerich."

Footsteps descend again, and I sense more than see Emmerich emerging from around the bend in the central spiral staircase.

"Hello," he says from somewhere behind the gargoyle currently hiding me. "Where have you put our human, Klaus?"

Slowly, Klaus lowers his wings, then folds them back. He releases my waist and steps away from me, and I have to fight the urge to follow him because I miss the warmth of his hands.Instead, I push my glasses up my nose as if that will calm my stuttering heartbeat and face Emmerich, who's descending the stairs.

"Hello, Morgan," he says, a huge grin on his handsome face. "Has Klaus been treating you well?"

Before I can give him an answer, he drops the duffle bag he's brought with him at his feet, comes right up to me, and takes my hand. He lifts my fingers to his lips and kisses my knuckles like a gentleman, then ruins the illusion of refinement by leaning close and huffing at my neck.

"Oh, Morgan." He groans and crowds me up against the wall, leaning his big body over mine. "You smelled so good before, but now that Klaus has put his scent all over you, I want to lick you."

"Emmerich!" Klaus grabs his friend by the shoulder and tugs him back. "Give her a moment to breathe. You're scaring her."

He's wrong. I'm not scared, but I am overwhelmed—both by what happened with Klaus just moments ago and by Emmerich's imposing presence. He smells of wind and snow, and yet warmth radiates from him, delicious and inviting.

"I'm fine," I hurry to say as Emmerich's expression falls. "I'm not afraid."

Klaus harrumphs, but Emmerich seems relieved, if still a little wary.

"Forgive me," he says. "It's only that it was difficult being away from you. We haven't mated yet, so it was very hard to make myself fly away from you."

"Thank you," I blurt out. "For thinking of me."

I flush at the thought of mating. What does that entail, exactly? The simplest answer presents itself, of course, but I can't help but feel that there's more to this thing.

"Did you bring her food?" Klaus picks up the duffle bag and hefts it in one hand. "What did Jasper say?"

Emmerich takes my hand again and helps me climb the stairs, supporting me until we reach the warmth of the living room. I was so cozy in Klaus' embrace that I forgot all about the cold in that drafty stairway, and now the heat of the fire proves almost too much. Flushing from the warmth, I hobble over to the armchair and draw my fleece sweater over my head, not wanting to sweat through the thing.

A groan has me looking up. Both Klaus and Emmerich are staring at me, their expressions mirroring each other. I don't know which one of them let out that groan, but it's clear that they're…captivated. By me and my simple stretchy undershirt, a plain black one with short sleeves that I've had for years.

Emmerich recovers first, clearing his throat and reaching for the bag Klaus is still clutching in his fist. He sets it on the chair in front of me and undoes the zipper.

"Jasper has found a human mate as well," he informs Klaus, glancing at his roost mate over his shoulder. "Human Arielle has packed things for you, things she said that you'll need to stay in our drafty old tower."

I stare at the gargoyle in shock. "Arielle? You're sure that was her name?"

He glances up from rooting through what looks like a bundle of blankets and towels. "Yes, I'm certain. She introduced herself. And she smelled like Jasper, you know. He must be going into heat, judging from how strongly the house smelled of sex."

I laugh, then reach into my pocket for my phone, only to remember it's still in my jacket, hung out to dry. "Arielle is my friend," I tell them. "Klaus, could you get me my phone? I've been trying to reach her to check in but couldn't get a good signal. She went on a date, and it seems like it's going well."

Klaus wordlessly hands me my phone, but it's dead, the battery finally run out. I sigh, trying to remember what Arielle had told me about her upcoming date. She'd texted me the guy's address and then checked in as we'd agreed, but she certainly hadn't mentioned anything about finding a mate.

"What is Jasper?" I ask carefully. "Is he also a gargoyle?"

Emmerich pulls a jar of peanut butter from the duffle bag and hands it to me triumphantly, as if it's a precious treasure. "No, he's a kraken. Lots of tentacles."

Clutching the jar, I try to suppress a shudder and fail. "Tentacles?"

Klaus sends me a knowing smirk. "You prefer your men less slimy, do you?"

"I'm willing to try anything once." I squint up at him. "I won't say that tentacles are an immediate turn-on, but maybe?"

At that, he growls again, the sound more menacing than before. "You will not be trying any tentacles."

Oh . Well, then.

"How can you be so certain?" I ask earnestly.

Klaus looms over me, so I have to crane my neck to look him in the eyes. He radiates barely leashed fury, and I remember what he said earlier about not letting that healer near me.

"Hey." I take his clenched fist and pry his fingers apart until I can press my thumbs into his palm like he did for me earlier. "I'm not going anywhere. And I really don't want anyone with tentacles. But whatever is going on here is…a lot. And I don't understand."

He lets out a shuddering breath, then pulls his hand gently from my grip. He turns and stalks away, and I think for a moment that he's gone off to sulk again, but he simply picks up another chair and brings it closer to the fire. He takes a piece of firewood from a basket and throws the log onto the fire, sending sparks flying into the chimney. Emmerich puts the duffle bag on the floor and takes the other chair, his elbows on his knees.

"We do owe you an explanation," Klaus says, his voice still rough. "And I owe you an apology for behaving like this."