Heart of Stone by Debra Mullins Read Free Book Online

anti-inflammatories will fix me right up.”
    She scowled, glanced from the burning store and back. “I can’t leave you here. You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
    â€œActually I do. I’ve had my own encounters with the Mendukati.”
    She gave a harsh laugh. “Well then, you know exactly how dangerous they are, especially to a Seer. I know they won’t kill me . Can’t say the same for you.”
    â€œNo, they won’t kill you. They need you. There’s a war on, Faith, and you’re the key to it.”
    â€œIs that why you’re here? To convince me to help the Seers?” She shook her head, holding up her hands. “No way, pal. Not taking sides. I want no part of this. I just want to be left alone.”
    She was going to bolt. He could sense it. “Do you think that’s reasonable?”
    â€œTo not want any part of a war?”
    â€œNo, to think they’ll actually leave you out of it.”
    She pressed her lips together. “They can’t force me to do anything.”
    â€œCan’t they?” He glanced back at the store. “That was just a building. What if they come after people next? What if they threaten Ben unless you do what they want?” Her expression didn’t change, but he knew he’d touched a nerve. He pressed on. “We can protect both of you.”
    â€œOh, yeah? How do you propose to do that?” She propped a hand on her hip and tilted her chin in challenge. “Can Seers make me invisible?”
    â€œOf course not. But we can take you someplace where the Mendukati can’t get to you.”
    â€œI doubt anyplace like that exists.”
    â€œIt does now. Look, we’ve seen what they can do, and we’ve upped our security to deal with it.” When she said nothing, he added, “We can even pay you, if that’s what it takes. It’s that important.”
    She frowned, but he could tell he’d caught her interest. “Pay me? How much?”
    â€œEnough to disappear, create a new identity. Get off the Mendukati’s radar.”
    â€œReally. And what would I have to do to—”
    A charcoal gray compact skidded to a halt at the end of the alley.
    Faith backed away. “Who’s that?”
    He started toward the vehicle. “Our ride.”
    The passenger’s side window rolled down, and Ben stuck his head out, relief evident on his face as he waved them closer. “Faith! Come on!”
    Darius felt the anxiety drain from her at the sight of her father-in-law. Ben hopped out of the car and opened the back door, gesturing to Faith.
    She glanced at Darius. “We’re not done talking, Seer.”
    He nodded, and she ran to the car and climbed into the backseat. Ben slid in beside her. Darius followed more slowly and eased himself and his cane into the passenger’s side.
    â€œDid you take him out?” he said to Gray.
    â€œBastard got away, but I got a couple of shots in.”
    Darius slammed the door. “Get us out of here.”
    â€œYour wish is my command.” Gray hit the gas.
    *   *   *
    â€œOkay, Seer. Start talking.” Faith reached for Ben’s hand, a comfort she hadn’t realized she craved until he twined his fingers with hers.
    Darius met her gaze in the rearview mirror. “Like I told you, my name is Darius Montana. This is Adrian Gray. My family recently acquired one of the Stones of Ekhia.”
    Her heart skipped into triple time at his words, and she forced herself to breathe in and out slowly for a moment until her pulse calmed. Corinne had said something about finding a stone. Could he really have one of the three sacred stones that were the legendary power source of Atlantis? All but one had been missing for centuries.
    But if it were the real deal …
    â€œAre you kidding?” She gave a shrug to hide her excitement. “Every couple of years some wacko comes