Gryphon and His Thief Read online

  She frowned and wondered why he would have discomfort if he'd been healed. She wanted to make sure he was truly okay. "May I?" she motioned with a nod of her head. "Will you let me take a look?"

  He lowered his hand. "Sure."

  As she unbuttoned his shirt, she noticed his skin flushed at her touch. As endearing as that was, she remained more concerned if he were still injured. She pulled the shirt and cardigan away, revealing what lay beneath. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at his chest in disbelief.

  "What is it?" He voiced with worry and glanced down. "Blimey, is that a tattoo?"

  "Apparently." Her fingers smoothed over the intricate Gryphon that had been designed with golden wings. The wings gleamed brighter as her hand brushed over them. "Did that hurt?" she asked and met his eyes.

  "Yes, and no. It feels…warm, not unpleasantly so." He covered her hand with his. "A parting gift from Charon, I suppose. In memory of the shifter."

  She nodded with a hint of a smile. "You are part of the Gryphon. You always have been." She stood on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek, but it seemed he wanted so much more. He cradled her head as he claimed her lips. The invisible threads which bound their souls pulled tighter, and electricity sparked between them. She inhaled sharply and pulled away to stare at him.

  "You felt it too?" he asked.

  "Yes." Longing shone in his golden brown depths and she knew her eyes must mirror the same desires.

  "I want you, Calli. I won't deny it, but I want to take this…whatever this is at a slower pace. I am not sure what I can offer you when I have never had a place in this world… until now."

  He had so much to offer, but she understood what he meant. His life up until now had been fabricated, a lie with memories that were false. He needed to find his footing and a purpose.

  "Agreed. We will see where our new friendship takes us."

  "Friends?" He said with a long sigh. "Isn't that a kiss of death to a relationship?"

  She straightened his shirt and cardigan over his shoulder, covering the Gryphon design. "No, it's the beginning of a relationship with the hopes of so much more to come."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Calli and Darrien had driven to the hotel in her sedan. They were too tired to do more than clean up and cuddle on the bed. She filled him in on all that had transpired—at least the parts that led up to his beastie side making a deal with Charon.

  Finally, they managed a few hours of shuteye, too exhausted for anything else as they snuggled close. It seemed so natural to have him at her back with his arm draped around her, his warmth cloaking her, making her feel safe.

  When they finally awoke, they took turns in the shower before they drove back to the museum to face the new day.

  There were plenty of questions to Darrien's new life. The curse was broken and he had to exist in this world. This required paperwork, legal documents, and such. She made a few calls to Mick in New Orleans. Her cousin had all the connections. Darrien would have what he needed as far as documents, but he still needed a job – preferably one that paid. Then there was the matter of the museum. It couldn't be left unattended, and she had a hunch the head honchos who brought in the cursed items wouldn't allow it to be abandoned.

  Calli brewed a pot of coffee and offered a cup to Darrien. He sat at his desk deep in thought and barely glanced her way when he took the mug from her. He took a generous sip before he placed it down in front of him.

  "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

  "You kissed…you know…him?" Darrien whispered the last words as his fingers rubbed his chest where the tattoo lay beneath his shirt.

  "I don't believe he can hear you," she told him with a smile and sipped her coffee.

  He frowned, but then realized what he was doing and dropped his hand.

  He'd lived through a fantastic ordeal, and yet he worried if she'd kissed his other half. It was so very human of him, so much a guy thing, and so very, very normal.

  Darrien slid his chair back and stood, frowning with displeasure. "You did kiss him," he answered his own question with certainty. "Does he kiss better than I do?" He strode over to her.

  She chuckled now. This was just too humorous for words. "You're jealous."

  He pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose, making him look all Clark Kent kind of sexy. Really, the superhero couldn't down play his allure behind a pair of glasses and Darrien couldn't either.

  "Well, yeah. I am," he told her. "There I said it. I'm pea-green with jealousy."

  She placed her coffee cup next to his on the desk. "You were him and he was you, remember? So if I kissed your alter ego, I was still kissing you." He didn't look at all convinced. She removed his glasses and ruffled his hair before she lazily rested her forearms on his shoulders. "I'm crazy in like with you, Darrien Andros," she said, but he wouldn't look at her. "Every last inch of you – shifter, man, even when you're the sexy nerd with black-rimmed glasses…" She smiled when his gaze riveted to hers. "Thought that would get your attention."

  "You think I'm sexy?" His voice cracked, and didn't that just endear her more.

  "I said all of you." She cupped his face, encouraging him to lower his head so she could kiss the tip of his nose. She could feel him relax beneath her touch. His arms went around her and he pulled her flush against him. Boy, did she love the way it felt to be in his arms.

  "So you're crazy in like with me?" he asked, using her words.

  "Uh-huh, but what about you?"

  "What do you mean?" He frowned. "Of course, I like you."

  "Good. You had me worried for a moment," she told him in good humor as she placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. She brushed his shoulder with a swipe of her hand as if she were removing lint. Then she rested her hand there. "Do you think we'd make a good team?"

  "A good team for what?"

  "You know like maybe we could work together. Of course, we'll have to have a chat with whoever is in charge of delivering the items to the museum."

  "The Guards of Judgment," he reminded her. "They are the Nephilim dedicated to keeping the human realm safe from those who wish to harm it."

  He sounded like a commercial endorsement for this elite group of Nephilim. "They take care of all the preternatural business?" she asked.

  He nodded with a heavy sigh. "They usually contact me, but I do have a phone number. You know, in case of an emergency."

  "Really? Fallen Angels… I mean the Nephilim have phones?"

  He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "Cursed curators apparently do also."

  "So they do." She smiled. "We should call them. Present our plans." She stared at the ring on her finger. It was the one Isa used against her and turned her to stone. Seemed harmless in the light of day, but she knew the magic it held and the effects this piece of jewelry could invoke.

  She'd been to Isa's office. There had been a wizard and an angel statue there. It didn't take much imagination on her part to suspect they'd both been flesh and blood at one time. It would explain the eerie feeling she had felt about them, the same feeling she had when she laid eyes on the Gryphon statue for the first time. They were frozen, but there was still a soul trapped inside. Energy never truly died, and it seemed it couldn't be completely encased in stone either.

  "Surely, the Nephilim would like to know the fate of their fellow brethren," she said. "Maybe they'll be able to reverse the curse. We have the wizard's ring. We'll offer it to them in good faith, and with hope they will work with us in return. Pay us to recover cursed items and keep them safe here at the museum." She didn't run a recovery business for free. She and her dad had always worked well together. She missed him, missed their talks and their late nights when they would plan their next heist. Her hand went to her necklace, the one her dad had given to her, a stone to keep a thief safe. Maybe it had done its job after all.

  "So, we'll be like superheroes from a comic book," Darrien said. "Hunting down cursed artifacts and saving the world fr
om destruction."

  He really was a nerd, and God help her, she loved that most about him. "Sure, why not?"

  "The Gryphon and his thief," Darrien teased.

  All superheroes had secret identities. She had her share of comic books stashed in her room back home.

  "Has a good ring to it. Yeah?" he asked.

  "Yeah." She tilted her head as he moved in for a kiss, but then he hesitated, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze.

  "Just so you know," he told her, "I plan on kissing you until your toes curl."

  Her lips slid into a broad grin. "I never doubted you wouldn't." His mouth finally found hers and went to work on his promise. Her hand rested on his chest where the Gryphon tattoo lay beneath his shirt. The area warmed beneath her touch and she could have sworn the wings fluttered as if the Gryphon offered his approval.

  The End

  About the Author

  Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

  When she's not time traveling, fighting outlaws, or otherworldly creatures, she creates pre-made book covers to order at Gillian's Book Covers, "Judge Your Book By Its Cover". You can also check out her published cover art designs at Western Trail Blazer, Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing, and Victory Tales Press.

  Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical, or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.

  Visit the author at her website:

  http://www.kmnbooks.com

  Blog: http://kmnbooks.blogspot.com

  Gillian's Book Covers, "Judge Your Book By Its Cover"

  http://judgeyourbookbyitscover.blogspot.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarenmichellenutt

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/KMNbooks

  Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/karenmnutt/

  Amazon Author Page:

  http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Michelle-Nutt/e/B002BLLBPE

  Other Novels by Karen Michelle Nutt

  Lost in the Mist of Time

  Dougray Fitzpatrick has buried one wife and vows to never love again—but destiny has other plans for this 16th century Irish Lord. During a battle, a mist separates Dougray from his men and casts him into the future. Dougray must return to Dunhaven and to his century, but Aislinn Hennessy follows him into the mist, leaving him no choice, but to take her home with him.

  Conspiracies, feuds and unexpected violence are commonplace threats, but along the way, Aislinn and Dougray discover a surprise neither one expects: a chance for love even when they're Lost in the Mist of Time.

  A Twist of Fate

  Arianna memory is lost when she suffers a blow to her head. It's 1814 and she's married to Captain Keldon Buchanan, a man who despises her. The more Arianna learns about her life, the more she realizes why she's chosen to forget it. Keldon doesn't trust his wife, but he finds his heart softening to the woman his wife has become. If he didn't know better, he'd swear he's married to another woman and he's fallen in love with her.

  Creighton Manor

  Zachary Creighton, a gambler with one goal: to win back Creighton Manor. Marriage is not part of the plan, but since he is found with Gillian in his room, reputations are at stake, his included. To keep peace with his reluctant bride, he makes a bargain with her. He needs a tutor for his nephew Tyler, and she needs a roof over her head until they can annul their sham of a marriage. However, Zachary finds himself falling for Gillian's oddly charming ways despite the fact the woman claims to be from the future. The gamble is trust, but will the stakes prove too high for Zachery to risk it all and win Gillian's heart?

  Soul Taker

  A vampire, a werewolf, and a Necromancer are a most unlikely team, but Garran, Harrison, and Isabella plan on putting a kink in the dubbed Soul Taker's plans. It's personal now. One of their friends has fallen victim to the Soul Taker's charms, but to stop him from hurting anyone else, their efforts may involve raising the dead.

  Twilight's Eternal Embrace

  If Bram cannot find a way for Adryanna to survive the blooding ritual, their romance is doomed. They seek help from Sheerin, Bram's cousin, who believes he's found a way for the Lathe Sith to survive, but others in the Oiche Sith clan do not wish for them to succeed.

  Magic of the Loch

  Michaela and Alan vow to take what time has to offer, but another threat loomed. A sinister shape shifter with a vendetta against Alan is making Loch Ness his personal hunting ground. Now he's threatening Michaela. Alan must discover who the shifter is and stop him before it's too late.

  Storm Riders

  Storm Riders must step in and repair the rift before the dimensions collide. Samantha Skelley and Denny Randeli are sent to 1879 Bodie, California, one of the wildest towns of the west. It should have been an easy snatch and rescue, but Ace McTavish is determined to put himself in harms way. Samantha and Denny are forced to help him with his plans before they take the next storm ride home.

  Eli (Fallen Angels, Book 1)

  Hashasheen demons, assassins for hire, are sent to take out Eli and Ryden. Eli is a warrior and will fight to keep Ryden safe, but time may be his biggest enemy. The Elders gave him until the end of Ol' Hallow's Eve. Ryden must fall in love with him by then or his life will be forfeited.

  Lucca (Fallen Angels, Book 2)

  Lucca Marlowe is half human, half angel, one of the Nephilim. Banished for crimes against one of his fellow brethren, the elders bind his glamour and wings, casting him to the human's realm.

  Angels and demons demand he do their bidding. His estrange father resurfaces after centuries of being absent and he's brought a friend from Hell. To make his life more complicated, he fears he found his soul mate in a human female. Only Juliet Romeo has a secret that will bring the wrath of Heaven down upon their heads.

  It's a race against time to find out who will end up with his soul.