Stone and Claw: A Novel in the Alastair Stone Chronicles by King R. L

Author:King, R. L. [King, R. L.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Magespace Press
Published: 2018-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

28

Traffic was heavy heading up toward Oakland on a Friday evening, even by the standards of a typical Bay Area rush hour. Garra sat in the passenger seat, the impatience sluicing off her like waves obvious even without a glance at her aura.

In an effort to get her mind off the gridlock, Stone said, “Tell me more about this chalice. How does it work?”

“I don’t know exactly.” She glared out the front window as if trying to will the cars in front of them out of the way. “As I said, it’s been among my people for many years. When a female wishes to conceive, she seeks out the elders of the clan and they make it available to her.”

“Is there some sort of alchemy involved? Where does the elixir come from? The chalice doesn’t produce it, does it?” If it did, that would indeed be wondrous: even magic couldn’t produce something permanent from nothing.

“No. I don’t know if the liquid used matters. From what I understand, water is sufficient. The chalice’s magic transforms the liquid into the elixir we need.”

“So you’ve never used it yourself? Forgive me if that’s an inappropriate question.”

“No, I haven’t. I wish to have a cub someday, but I don’t know if it will be possible, since I don’t participate in the clan enough to find a mate.” She gave a tight smile. “Before you ask, yes, it’s possible for us to reproduce with humans, but most of us find it distasteful.”

“I thought you said your mother married a human man.”

“I said most of us, not all of us. And I didn’t say we don’t have sex with humans—just that it’s thankfully difficult to conceive children with them.” She gave a bitter chuckle. “Most humans find our kind sexually attractive—both the males and the females.”

“You’re very—er—open about that sort of thing.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Sex is a part of life. You humans are far too psychologically unhealthy about things like sex and nudity.”

“Yes. Er. I suppose we are.” Stone fell silent, focusing on driving. That particular subject was not one he wanted to think too much about tonight.

“What about you, Dr. Stone? Do you have a mate? Children?”

“No. Well—it’s a bit complicated.”

This time, her chuckle was more amused than bitter. “See what I mean? How can it be complicated? You either do or you don’t.”

“I don’t have any children. At least not that I’m aware of.”

“But you have a mate? I didn’t see anyone with you at Dr. Hubbard’s party…”

Stone shot a sharp glance her way; she was watching him, her eyes glittering in the darkness. “No. Not…per se.”

He thought about Verity. He’d considered asking her to come along tonight—though he didn’t expect to encounter any opposition, it was always good having more magical punch on his side. Before he had a chance to call her, though, she’d called him to let him know she’d be spending the night in San Francisco again. Scuro, the magical tattoo artist she did freelance healing for, was doing

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