Page 90 of Stone Temptation

I watched him slip the ring on his finger like some morbid engagement, a bitter taste in my mouth.

Nothing happened.

“Anything?” Carissa pressed.

“No.” Luke didn’t even get all weird and mumbling.

“Do you feel anything on your skin?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?” Seth questioned.

Course he’s fucking sure!

Easy now.

Easy…

“I’m sure,” Luke replied.

“Give it back.”

Luke dropped it into the knobhead’s open palm.

“This is how it will work,” Seth said. “We test the ring on Luke every day at the Brinecrest tower until Carissa and I decide to stop.” He pointed at Luke’s heart, smiling. “I know you’ll be a good boy, won’t you?”

Gods, the menace in those words oozed poison.

I took a step forward.

Seth chortled. “How fun to share your lighthouse with a gargoyle.”

Luke bowed his head, still picking at his nails.

With one more step, I could have Seth in a headlock. Smash his head into the table. Throw him to the floor, stamp on his head.

I snapped my bracelet, stepping back.

Carissa took control of the situation, handing Luke the amulet. “There is nothing else to do here. You will all leave for Brinecrest in half an hour.” She got up and hugged me. “I’ll miss your face.”

I wrapped my arms around her. Despite her stressiness and fondness for too many clocks, she was a good boss. “Same, ma’am.”

“We will speak every day. I’m sure there will be lots to report.”

“Yeah.”

“See you at the helipad,” Seth told Luke.

I broke the boss hug. “You’ll see us at the helipad.”

What if I decided to fly us back? I could. What would he say then?

Seth shrugged, kissing Luke on the cheek, making my gums hurt.

With that, he strode out of the room.

Man, he was gonna be one major thorn in the ball sacks.