Heart of Stone

By Melissa Bell

Heart of Stone was written as part of the Shifters for a Cause Anthology. The basis of the Anthology was that the were/shifter children were being affected by an illness, and the Shifters were doing everything they could to find a cure.

 

The male shifters put themselves up for auction, and the women had a bit of a wild night bidding on them to raise money to fund the research to find the cure in time. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Bell & Jordin Thiele Inc.
• Release date: May 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227626684

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Felton’s boot hit the stage, and he paused briefly before turning slightly to face the crowd. He resisted shaking his head out of shame. He still couldn’t believe he’d been talked into doing this. What did they call it again? A shifters auction. He’d made a deal with a fellow gargoyle that if she outbid everyone, he would let her try out with the High Guard Enforcers. The most elite group of gargoyle guardians in the country. He had spent centuries frozen in stone, and so far, he thought the tales of true mates were just that, a fantasy told to prevent gargoyles from biting the pavement as they turned back into stone as the sun rose.

He had been one of the first to ever be turned to stone. They took him to the ‘Laon Cathedral’ high point for a crime he did not commit. He was accused of bedding a high-born female under his guard, but he had not touched her. He was implicated because she didn’t want to be wed to the Count of Paris as he was five times her age. At fourteen, she was terrified by the stories told to her about wedding nights and what was expected of a bride. She had burst into tears and run to her mother. Her father, the Duke of Clarence, demanded to know who had ruined their daughter. Without hesitation, Margaret pointed her finger at Felton. To this day, he still could not figure out why she’d chosen him. He’d been the quietest of the guards. The most respectful and obedient. There was no way he would have deflowered a maiden without her consent. Regardless to say, she went on to be titled the Countess of Paris without taking a husband.

Felton saw his past play out as if it were on an instant replay inside his head. Meanwhile, he had zoned out and wasn’t paying attention to who was bidding on him or how much the bid was.

Rosalee had always watched Felton from a distance. There was something so cold and hard about him which she felt oddly drawn to. It was as though he exhibited the traits that she carried inside, only he wore his suit of armor on the outside.

She’d been friends with Scarlet for a while, and Scarlet was seriously in a league of her own. Scar was crazy on a good day and fucking insane on every other day ending with ‘Y.’ Felton had tried to make a bargain with Scar to outbid everyone at the auction. She’d initially agreed but then later knew that Felton would never stand for a female becoming a member of the High Guard Enforcers.

That was when Rosalee had suggested to Scar that it was time to