Page 48 of Sprite Wedding
“Don’t worry, Lucas,” Zoe assured me. “We won’t give up. We’ll find a way.”
I wanted to respond, to tell her I’d do whatever it took. My stone prison prevented me. I might have been better off in a coma.
“He might have encountered a plant that triggered a toxic reaction,” Pandora said.
“That would turn him to stone?” Diego asked in disbelief. “That would have to be highly toxic.”
Nova shot him a glance that I read asEasy, she’s my boss.
They searched the garden once more, remaining at a safe distance from my plants.
It was the sprites. Look for them beneath the Japanese maple!
They didn’t hear me and didn’t find anything.
After the fruitless search, they discussed various counterspells. The three witches—Pandora, Cassandra, and Nova—attempted several, but nothing broke through my stone barrier. Whatever magic the sprite had used was as impenetrable as this stone.
The skies darkened, and the moon shone, a mere sliver above.
Pandora exhaled. “I’m going back to the Network and will make some calls. Why don’t you all get some rest? We’ll meet up here and try again in the morning.”
“Good idea,” Cassandra said. “I’ll talk to the gargoyles. If anyone understands shifting from stone, it’s them.”
“I’m not leaving Lucas out here alone.” Zoe shook her head.
“I can get a gargoyle to stand guard,” Pandora said.
“I’ll stay with him,” Zoe volunteered.
“You can’t stay out here all night,” Cassandra protested.
Zoe shrugged. “Why not?”
“You’ll be cold,” Cassandra replied.
“I’ll get a blanket.”
Nova and Gianna tried to convince Zoe to sleep inside. She’d only be a few feet away, but Zoe wouldn’t relent.
“We don’t know what happened to him or why,” Zoe explained. “If someone was involved, they could return. I can’t leave him unprotected.”
She could be more stubborn than a Taurus at the running of the bulls. I beamed with pride, although I agreed with the others, wanting Zoe to sleep in comfort indoors.
“You’re right,” Nova said. “I’ll sleep out here, too.”
“I’ll stay out here with you,” Diego added. “I’ll be up anyway.”
“You’ve been out here long enough,” Zoe replied. “You can stay inside. It’s only feet away like you said.” She motioned back to Nova’s side of the house.
“The shade will be down and curtain drawn, but I’ll have the window cracked,” Nova said. “Holler if you need us.”
“I’ll check on you both often,” Diego added.
Everyone dispersed, leaving me alone with Zoe.
She put her hand on my stone wing. “I’ll be right back.”
After she entered the house, the light turned on in my bedroom. How I yearned to be up there with her now. I’d hold her in my arms, convince her that I’d never stray, and tell her how much I loved her.
