Page 35 of Stone Heart
“He’s mine, elf,” the woman sneered.
“Really?” It was Rina’s turn to cock an eyebrow. She wasn’t afraid of Avalena at all. She knew she’d learned to protect herself as a child. Memories of her training came to mind, and if need be, her instincts would kick in. She wiggled her fingers, a familiar tingling sensation at the tips. “Funny you should say that. You’ve been with him for how many years and yet you’re only the head of his harem?”
“It is an honor to belong to the clan leader’s harem. You wouldn’t understand our way of life, growing up pretending to be human,” Avalena spat.
Someone had been talking about her. She filed that information away for later.
“Pretending to be human?”
“As part of the harem, you will answer to me. I run it.”
Avalena moved to stand in front of Rina, who didn’t back down. She met the gargoyle’s cold eyes and held back her laugh. Little did the woman know, Rhodack didn’t have any intention of adding Rina to the harem. If he had his way, they’d mate, putting Rina as his equal.
She wasn’t going to let this female intimidate her. Rina was far more powerful than this gargoyle could ever imagine.
“This elf doesn’t belong to harems of no man. I don’t care what it does for you,” Rina said. “I’m royalty, gargoyle, and I can assure you that Rhodack doesn’t want me in his stable.”
Done with the conversation, she turned to move from the female, but Avalena grabbed her arm.
“I’m not done talking to you,” she bit out.
“Oh, but you are,” Rina snapped.
She pushed her powers out at Avalena, sending her body flying back through the air and crashing on the ground. The wind whipped around her while her powers surged in her body. Her hair swirled as she stalked toward where Avalena lay, coughing and sputtering on the ground.
Avalena widened her eyes and looked up at Rina. “Stay away from me. Next time, I won’t be as nice.”
Rina turned away and took a few steps. She envisioned her destination and vanished into thin air.
Rina tookin her home that she shared with Chelsey. A soft light glowing in the living room let her know someone was home. She went up the stairs and paused at the door.
She didn’t know how she was going to explain everything to her best friend. They’d been best friends for a while, and Rina wanted to ensure Chelsey knew that she was fine. She glanced down at her dress and sighed.
She gripped the handle and realized she didn’t have her keys, but that wouldn’t keep her from entering the room. Using her abilities, she unlocked the door and entered her home. Sounds of the television filled the air, and she walked farther inside.
She made her way to the living room, finding Chelsey curled up in the oversized chair. Her head whipped around to Rina as she stopped by the edge of the couch.
“Oh my—” Chelsey scrambled from the couch. Shock lined her face, and she looked Rina up and down as Rina stood gazing at her.
Rina smiled at her friend’s astonished face. “Chelsey, I have so much to explain—”
“Your Grace,” Chelsey murmured, kneeling before Rina.
Rina’s mouth flew open, and she stared at her best friend kneeling before her. No words would come forward, so she cleared her throat.
“Get up, Chelsey. Is that even your name?”
Chelsey’s eyes met Rina’s, and she stood. Anger filled Rina’s chest, and she continued to gawp at the person who was her best friend.
“I’m so sorry, Larina,” Chelsey said.
Rina was further stunned by the use of her elven name. Who was this woman in front of her? She’d expected to have to explain everything to Chelsey, but apparently she wouldn’t have to.
“But to answer your question, yes, Chelsey is my real name.”
“So I take it you didn’t even call the police to report me missing?” Rina couldn’t keep the sarcasm from entering her voice.
“No. Solana updated me on where you were. At first I freaked out, but then when your mom—Solana—told me where you were, I didn’t.”
