Page 69 of Grave Situation

Coryn’s face lights up, and he leans forward. “You have itwith you? The life stone? I get to see it?”

I swear, if he had a tail, it would be wagging. “I have it with me,” I confirm. “Of course you can see it. You’re… Did I mention that the stone was the one who said you were coming? It gets to choose everyone who travels with us.”

His mouth opens in an O shape. “Really?” he breathes. “It knows my name?”

“Sort of? I mean, yes, but… It can’t really… Let me show you.” It seems easier to let the stone handle this than to attempt to explain nonverbal communication. I tip the stone into my palm and then stand to set it carefully on the low table before me. Its presence is a warm hum in the room.

Coryn glances at it, then looks at me expectantly. “Are you going to go get it now? I can escort you to your room, if you like.”

Tia chokes back a groan, but I smile. “That’s it.” I point to the stone.

He looks at it again. “Are you sure?”

“Very.”

“But… it’s a rock.”

“It’s not a rock.”

“It looks like a rock.”

“Well, itisa rock, technically. A stone. Thelifestone.” I cling to my patience. Meanwhile, the stone, the one entity whose contribution would be helpful right now, remains completely silent. Stupid hunk of gravel.

“Sure, but it’s… a rock.”

“Coryn, what were you expecting, exactly?” Jaimin breaks in. He’s using his gentle tone again.

Coryn shrugs. “You said the stone told you stuff, so… I thought it would have a mouth, at least. Like, a talking stone, that’s pretty cool. This is just a rock.”

“It’s not a rock,” I snap. “It’s the source of all creation, for the sake of all the fucking gods.”

He looks contrite. “Am I being stupid again? I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to.”

Hello, guilt. “You’re not stupid,” I tell him, ignoring the memory of calling him an idiot earlier. “Don’t let anyone call you that. Just because this kind of thinking isn’t where you do best doesn’t mean you’re stupid. You’re really good at the fighting stuff, and you knew our first plan for Leicht to protect us was a bad one, even though all of us didn’t.”

He looks at me with the same starry eyes he gave Jaimin before, and I’m not going to lie, it doesn’t suck. Even better is the warm smile Jaimin aims at me. Who knew being nice to people was the way to get the attention of attractive men?

“I know it looks like an ordinary rock,” I continue. “It’s even kind of ugly.” I get vicious satisfaction from saying that. “And it doesn’t have a mouth. It can’t ‘talk’ to us, exactly. But it can make itself understood. Isn’t that right, stone?” I prod it mentally.If you want him to come with us, you’d better damn well respond.

~Yes~

Coryn’s mouth drops open and then stretches into a wonder-filled grin. He moves away from the mantel and leans over to examine the stone, then lifts his gaze to mine.

“Can I pet it?”

My sputtering goes on for longer than I like to admit. “Pet it? Can youpetit?”

Coryn nods. “It’s nice. It feels like a hug. Can I pet it?”

“I—No—Well…” I sigh. “Sure. Go ahead and… pet it.” If the stone doesn’t want him touching it, it’ll let us know.

The source of all creation remains quiet, however, and Coryn bends over the low table and gently strokes two fingers over the top of the stone. “Aw,” he murmurs. “That’s nice, isn’t it? I bet people don’t pet you very often.”

I have no words.

The stone continues to fill the room with its warm, soothing presence, and I reach out to Tia.

“Am I experiencing some kind of delusion? This isn’t real, is it?”

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