Page 70 of Stone Temptation

SEVENTEEN

Luke

Seth’s cold stare reached my soul. I shuddered, trying not to meet his unsmiling gaze. I mean, I’d betrayed him. Spilled the tea, sided with Asher—who I barely knew. Fine. But he’d used me, treated me no better than gum on his shoe.

So, well, screw him.

Why did I ever let you touch me?

But what did it matter at this point? My freedom was in the balance here, the real possibility of being behind bars breathing down my neck.

A nightmare come true, my blood running cold.

No more helping Finn. The end of the road, forever a criminal.

“This is a terrible situation,” Carissa said. “A real predicament.”

I kept my mouth shut, awaiting my fate, holding back tears.

God, I was so sick of crying this weekend.

“Tell us more about these visions,” Seth contributed.

I didn’t understand how he got to question me, but I told them, hearing the glass break in my head, a bite of cold air on the back of my neck.

“I see,” he said, completely unreadable. “Why didn’t you say anything to me?”

I had no real answer for him. A blend of fear, confusion, and a sharp focus on Finn always holding me back.

A flash of anger puffed up my chest, which was a nice change from sorrow. Sitting here like a mouse facing a hawk wasn’t me. I was better than this. Stronger than this. Okay, so this might be a tricky bump in the road, but nothing would ever stop me.

I would not be sunk. I would not go down without a fight.

“I do this for my brother,” I said, clear and proud. “I’m not out to hurt or deceive anyone.”

The gargoyles watched on.

“I just want my brother back.”

No responses.

“I’m not a willing thief, but a desperate one.”

Carissa answered first. “Under usual circumstances, you would face a prison term.” She smiled warmly. “But not this time.”

“Because of me,” Seth added. “Because of tonight’s events.”

Did he want praise?

He wasn’t getting any from me.

“Indeed,” Carissa said. “These visions clearly relate to the threat, as well as the ring and the chimera attack. How, I have no idea.” She scratched her chin. “For now, Asher will keep you safe as we work together to find answers. With full transparency, no more secrets.”

My anger flared again, directed at Seth. “What about you?”

He gave me nothing but indifference. “What about me, Luke?”

“Punishment.”