Serenity's POV

Before sunset last night, Brooklyn didn't return and Goliath wasn't happy about that. Tonight I would help my Beloved of Night look for his second in command. I finished having breakfast after putting Eden down when David approached me.

"How are you holding up Serenity?" he asked genuinely.

"I'm thankful you allowed me and my daughter to stay here but I miss my apartment" I confessed.

"I have good news for you then"

That got my interest along with my inner dragon's.

David pulled several clear orbs and I felt the magic coming from them.

"These are called Illusion Spheres, Titania had these sent over from Avalon, at this very moment she's making sure there are plenty more being given to all the dragon clans in New York, when placed at a desired location the spheres will cast an illusion making the location seem to be abandoned or empty"

"I wasn't expecting your mother-in-law to do this"

David let me hold one of the spheres and it had a good weight to it.

"Titania has always had affection for dragons and she wanted to do something about the current hunter threat"

"How soon can these be used at my apartment?"

"By tonight I'll have Owen take them to your home and set up the spheres, also I'll have your things taken back there today as well"

"Wait"

I just remembered about what would happen if Goliath or one of my clan members were to approach my home and possibility be spotted by the hunters.

"I'm concerned that Goliath or the others might be targeted when they come to my apartment"

"The hunters know the gargoyles are under my protection and I have resources, so they have no desire to get involved with the clan, besides Eden should be in familiar surroundings, she's a cute kid"

I smirked at that.

"She is but I need to keep an eye on her mate"

"Now Ms. Serenity you know I would never harm that child" Owen added joining his employer's side.

"Good or you'll have to answer to me and Goliath"

At the mention of my mate, Owen shook his head and walked away.

Sunset.

"Rise and shine guys," Elisa told the gargoyles.

One by one they each broke out of their statue forms. Immediately I went to Goliath's side and waited for what my future sister-in-law had to say.

"I have a lead on our thieves"

Goliath had Broadway, Lex, and Hudson go look for Brooklyn while Goliath, Angela, and I would help Elisa. Goliath was about to pick me up into his arms but I shot him a don't-you-dare-look. I then gave my Beloved of Night a smirk before shifting to my true form. It had been ages since I was last a dragon.

My mate chuckled before stroking my snout and I opened my wings and took to the sky.

Brooklyn's POV

When I woke from my sleep it surprised Bobbi and Dave. These two were siblings who had run away from home and I offered them my protection at night while they returned the favor during the day.

"That was awesome!" Bobbi exclaimed. "Do you wake up like that every night?"

I gave the human female a kind smile.

"Of course"

"Some guys were snooping around asking about you while you slept" Dave interrupted.

"Who?"

"Zip it Dave or we'll make Radar mad" Bobbi scolded her brother.

"Get a grip friends don't sell out friends"

Dave then shot me an apologetic look.

"There's a price out on your head and Radar is out searching for you"

Bobbi got scared and I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"What the heck?!" Dave suddenly exclaimed and I got the siblings behind me. However, I sighed in relief at the phoenix who landed on top of a trash can. A minute later my beautiful Michelle glared back at me with her hands on her hips.

"Who is she?" both siblings asked in unison.

"My girlfriend" I replied. "She won't hurt you two"

"I felt stress through our bond Brooklyn what is going on? I was worried you were hurt" Michelle stated.

I kissed my precious mate on the cheek and placed my hands into hers.

"Nothing for you to worry about right now"

I then explained the situation to Dave and Bobbi. They liked that Michelle was a phoenix shifter and Michelle took an immediate liking to the siblings. I then took the two siblings into my arms and glided us around the city with Michelle following in her phoenix form. While gliding Dave was contacted by Kenny from some mobile device so I followed Dave's instructions on where to go. I landed and let the kids go. Michelle chose a spot to perch nearby. I had a bad feeling and I was proven right when some thugs emerged from the shadows holding guns. Immediately I growled and a blast from a gun had me get the kids out of harm's way.

I snarled as I felt my eyes light up. The two humans in front of me fell to the ground after they shot another laser blast at us and backed away in fear as I approached them. Michelle suddenly shrieked and I watched as my mate crashed onto the ground with a tranquilizer embedded in her feathers. I roared in anger but soon I was hit with a tranquilizer myself. And I felt myself losing consciousness.

Serenity's POV

We found Elisa with two teens.

"Oh my gosh," the girl said as Goliath, Angela, and I landed. I reverted to my human form and the two teens eyed me in fascination. The boy was hurt and after tying a makeshift bandage around his head Elisa asked what happened.

The girl explained the two of them alongside Brooklyn and Michelle were ambushed. Immediately a growl escaped my throat at hearing my clan mates being captured. The girl whose name was Bobbi began to cry and Angela came over to comfort her.

"Can you tell us where they've taken them?"

"Probably Radar's hideout" the boy named Dave explained. "I can take you guys there"

"You need to get to the hospital kiddo" I pointed out smelling his blood. He wasn't that badly hurt but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"I'll go after we get Brooklyn and Michelle free" Dave promised.

Brooklyn's POV

The jerk Radar was on the phone talking with someone while I was bound and Michelle was too. One of Radar's thugs eyed Michelle in a way I didn't like and I roared.

"Protective of her aren't you gargoyle?" Radar sneered.

"She's my mate" I spat.

There was a knock at the door and Radar had Kenny go check it out. My eyes went wide as Goliath shattered it.

"Y'all are screwed now!" Michelle taunted.

Serenity's POV

Once inside I reverted back to my dragon form and some thugs bolted. Goliath growled dangerously as he saw Brooklyn and Michelle were bound.

"Let them go" my Beloved of Night commanded.

But Radar refused and threatened to harm my best friend and Brooklyn if we stepped closer. However, I simply used my tail to smack Radar away from Brooklyn. Laser blasts were fired at us and one hit my side and I angrily hissed out my flames at the asshole who shot me.

However, I returned to my human form because I was beginning to get tired. Goliath then cornered a thug who had his weapon pointed at Angela. I gleefully watched as my mate grab the gun, broke it before picking the guy up and tossed him into a pile of boxes. I then saw another asshole trying to fire laser blasts at my stepdaughter and I body-slammed the idiot.

I then gave the fool a few good punches to the face before letting Elisa arrest his sorry ass. We gathered the other thugs and after Elisa put them under arrest did Radar point a laser gun at us.

"Normally I'm more careful with my merchandise but with the four of you I can retire in luxury, especially from the dragoness"

Goliath and Angela hissed and my Beloved of Night drew me closer to him while Angela got in front of me. Radar was then knocked out cold and Brooklyn stood with the kids and Michelle. The two of them were free from their bindings. However, another kid tried to make a break for it but Elisa managed to sneak up behind him and place the teen under arrest.

Brooklyn then apologized to Goliath for running away and reconciled with him. Bobbi wept in relief and she hugged Brooklyn and the red gargoyle hugged her back. Afterward, Dave was taken to the hospital with Bobbi beside him and thanks to Elisa the siblings reunited with their parents.

Later.

Still Serenity's POV

"I'm glad to be freaking back in my own place," I told Goliath as he put Eden down to sleep. The Illusion Spheres were working well.

"No doubt I missed the castle when we had to reside in the clock tower" my Beloved of Night replied while caressing Eden's face.

Quietly the two of us left our daughter to sleep. Within my mind, my inner dragon swished her tail in frustration. And when I found out why I felt my face go red.

"What is having you so flustered my Warrior of Flame?" Goliath questioned.

"She's sexually frustrated" I confessed feeling ridiculous. It had been some time since Goliath and I last had intercourse and frankly, I wanted it. But right now wasn't good timing since Eden was sleeping and the last thing I wanted was for her to wake up during said course of action.

My mate chuckled before he wrapped his wings around me.

"I'm sure we can figure out something my love"

He then gave me a kiss which soon became a dance of dominance with our tongues. When he pulled away I growled in disapproval. I then smirked.

"What?" my gargoyle mate wondered.

"Seeing you get all protective is sexy"

This made my Beloved of Night smirk before he picked me up.

"You are mine Serenity"

He then gave my neck a hard bite to prove his point. I was going to have a mark later.

"Your terrible my Beloved of Night" I gently reprimanded Goliath.