Perfect Misfits by Lawna Mackie

breasts, exposing her mark.
    The crescent-shaped scar caught her total attention. She’d never had a chance to look at it like this before. She tilted her head from side to side, examining it in the reflection. Something else with it caught her attention. The top embedded diamond-shaped mark within the moon glowed red. Never before had this happened. Her fingers touched the spot, and she jerked her hand away–it was hot.
    Tempest shook her head, not understanding. A large yawn caused her to focus on the bed and the fluffy pillows. As she pulled the covers back and climbed beneath the soft sheets, her thoughts returned to him…to Ryder. Sleep beckoned, and memories of his laugh, his smile, and touching him drove her crazy, sending her into a frenzied, passionate dream state.

Chapter Ten
    Ryder flew back out into the frigid snowy night and perch on the top of the highest peak he could find. Heat scorched him to his very soul, if he had one. Not even the temperature could dampen the desire pounding through his body. He was unaccustomed to unsatisfied desire, and in gargoyle form, the feelings were even more intense.
    Tempest has no idea how close I came to ravishing her right there on the ground when she touched me with those warm hands.
    He chanted a spell and instantly a bottle of alcohol appeared before him. He took a big swig and the warmth ran down his throat straight to his belly. He knew he’d pay for this, but at the moment, he didn’t give a fuck.
    Contemplated what else the little witch had learned about him today, he took another large gulp. She already knew that he’d failed in battle and lost his eye.
    Does she know how much I doubt my abilities to be the gargoyle legion commander? And does she know how badly I want to possess her, body and soul?
    What the fuck is it all about? What are the messed up monsters, Fedor, and his concubine hiding from Tempest? Obviously, they’re key to why she’s here.
    His senses dulled. In the distance through the falling snow, a small, twinkling hole stood out in the sky. It brightened, and then faded away. A smile crept to his face. He’d found it—he was sure of it. That small hole had to be the way off this mountain. Ryder grabbed the bottle and flew toward the anomaly. The light from the hole continued to pulse. As he approached, he waited for it to open up again. Sure enough, it did just that, and because he was close enough, he saw straight through it.
    “Fuck, yes!” he shouted. The city of Levare appeared through the small hole and disappeared when the light diminished. He continued to watch, prepared to leap through the next time it opened up. This mountain could go to hell! He’d be back home in no time.
    As the light began to build, a thought forced a grim reality on him. What if he couldn’t come back? His thoughts raced to Tempest. He might never see her again. Could he take that chance?
    She would be safe right now in the magical lodge he’d built for her and her troublesome gargdog, but for how long?
    The light grew, and the opening spread, waiting for him to fly through, but he remained frozen in place. Tempest’s doll-like face and her odd-shaped green eyes were burned into his memory.
    “Why the fuck me?” he shouted into the opening and watched it close again. Drinking half the bottle, he did a nosedive in the opposite direction and headed back to the lodge…back to her.
    · · · · ·
    Ryder stood in male form, staring at the lodge he’d built earlier, and adjusted the patch over his eye. Thoroughly drunk, he approached. When the door opened, he ducked his head and entered.
    Rogue had been asleep, but quickly jumped to his feet upon Ryder’s entrance. The gargdog’s little wings thumped as though he were happy.
    “What’s gotten into you?” Ryder slurred. “You almost seem happy to see me.”
    Rogue lay back down in front of the fire. “I am,” he responded, and licked his large paw.
    He hadn’t expected that! Could this night get any