Basques Grouper takes his job as the head enforcer for the Maven coven very seriously. When his coven's Master Krispin learns that the nearby gargoyle clutch has a new chieftain, Basques is sent with his coven's second-in-command and another enforcer to meet with him. The meeting is going well...until a small blue gargoyle enters to serve refreshments, and Basques scents his blood. When he asks to taste the male, his over-eager approach, sends the gargoyle running. Basques learns the small gargoyle is Dloben, and under the prior chieftain's rule, he'd been abused. Working to change his approach, Basques must put his faith in the mate-pull and the advice of strangers. Can Basques convince his shy beloved that he's not like the dominant paranormals he's dealt with in the past?