Page 62 of Stone Temptation

“What is that?” I asked.

“Maze. Wanted something to remind me life is complicated. Regret it now.”

“Oh? How come?”

“Tad pretentious. Tea?”

“Please.”

He smelled of sandalwood.

I loved that scent.

“Green or English Breakfast?”

“English Breakfast, please.” I sat forward, my head between my legs.

He appeared before me, crouching. “How are you feeling?”

“Not good. I’m… I’m screwed, aren’t I?”

Asher stood, striding over to his bedside table. He took out a silver chain, a silver amulet with a green stone at its center hanging from it.

Please. No more jewelry.

“Put this on.”

“What is it?”

“Part of the bodyguard package,” he said.

I hesitated.

“Trust me, Luke.”

Not the first gargoyle to say that to me.

I slipped it over my head, the word safe flickering in my mind again.

“Testing, testing,” Asher said, his lips not moving.

I took a moment to consider this. “What just happened?”

“I spoke inside your head,” he replied aloud. “Try it.”

“I… Testing?”

“Hear you loud and clear,” he spoke in my brain. “This amulet allows a gargoyle and their mark to chat privately. We are all issued these just in case. Never thought I’d get the chance to use it. No one else is on this channel, so tell me whatever you want. What happens in the amulet chat, stays there. Unless you’re planning to bring down my race. You’re not, right?”

I jumped up in protest. “Of course not.”

He cocked a brow. “No need to be pissy.”

“I’m…” I sat back down. “Sorry. This is too much.”

“Take your time, but not too long. I reckon we have about fifteen minutes until Carissa comes knocking for answers.”

Crap. “I don’t know what to tell her.”