Page 67 of Stone Temptation

“A boost in all protection has been ordered. You will see more frequent signs of it.”

With perfect timing, the only human in the room sparkled with green light.

Ah, loved to see the safety.

“By their grace,” Seth said.

“By their grace,” Carissa and I echoed, praising the stone goods for keeping our hearts beating.

“His Majesty has been informed,” Carissa carried on, “and a full briefing will follow.”

Cool.

“Luke? Why were you upstairs?”

My mark shrank, shaking, his skin turning red. “I…”

Crunch time. “Luke came here to steal this ring on behalf of Seth.” I placed the ring on the table with a dramatic flourish to piss Seth off.

Carissa looked between us, gobsmacked.

On the other hand, Seth seemed totally unbothered.

Shit. That wasn’t in the plan. Where were the death glares and panic?

I leaned back in my chair. “Nothing?”

“Sorry?” Seth answered. “Is there supposed to be something?”

What games did this knobhead wanna play? ‘Cos hand me a racket and I’d serve. Hard.

Carissa remained stunned.

I spoke for Luke, relaying all the info he’d given me, recapping our story up until this point.

My mark shuffled closer to me.

“It’ll be alright,” I told him.

He didn’t answer.

Carissa raked a hand through her hair, then slumped back in her chair. “I can’t cope with this.”

Seth steepled his fingers, all easy breezy.

After a minute, Carissa sat straighter, giving off a more professional vibe. “Is this true, Luke?”

Luke told the full truth, his knee bumping into mine.

“Nice job,” I praised him.

Seth turned a pleasing shade of purple, now ready to blow.

Finally! His barely hidden anger tickled my pickle.

Pickle. What had been that pickle thing Luke shouted?

Carissa tapped her fingers on the table. “Odd.” Her brow furrowed in thought. “Is there anything else?”

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