Page 28 of Sins of the Stone

“Hey, Ursulette.” His hand filled the space between them, leaving no gap beside their bodies. Her toes curled. He was against her leg, making her tremble. His touch felt toxic, like his very oils would eat away at her flesh. Her face fell to the fire, hoping, praying, anyone would save her—just not Ramuz.

Please, not Ramuz.

Just then, a set of scraping feet caught her attention, making her heart skip. The pair looked up as Giles stood beside them, a grizzled expression on his face. Much to her relief, Omar removed the hand that grazed her but didn’t back away further.

“You ought to give her some space, Omar,” he said gruffly. “Even if you areleadingus.” Ursulette’s heart skipped again.

Omar? Leader?Why? Probably because he elected himself…

That was possibly the worst potential outcome she could’ve fathomed. In times of desperation, people got irrational and moody. Minds under stress could be easily swayed to kill a woman and a gargoyle who was in love.

The thought didn’t sit right with her as she chomped down on the inside of her cheek. Omar placed his hand on her shoulder, making her fist clench around the hem of her dress. She prayed Ramuz would not swoop in and tear him to shreds for touching her, even if she would enjoy such a sight.

“She doesn’t mind, right Ursulette?” he said. “We have to stick together, don’t we?”

“A-ah, well—” Ursulette’s eyes connected with Giles, him giving her an expression of pure disappointment. Her blush deepened as she realized Omar was eyeing her, too. Surely Ramuz was as well, and suddenly, all eyesin the world fell upon her, anticipating an answer.

“It’s okay, Giles,” she said wearily. “We have to trust our leader, after all.” The instant the words came out, she regretted them. Omar grinned devilishly and shooed Giles away. He appeared deflated and left, leaving the two alone.

Omar glanced at Ursulette, making her teeth chatter behind her lips. She felt like a predator cornered her, but her mouth refused to speak, cry out, or scream.

“So, Ursulette, I find it incredible you have done so well for yourself.”

Her face heated. “Yes. It seems my reading has done me well.” She thought about how terrible a liar she was. How long would it be before something slipped? She had questions she wanted answers to, even if she could already put the pieces together. “Speaking of, is Maritza…?”

“Unfortunately, we buried her after the siege. Kent as well, and many, many others.”

“Oh.” Her heart ached, making it hard to breathe. Even if they weren’t the nicest, that didn’t mean they deserved to die. She only hoped the others would have similar thoughts when she inevitably was caught in the arms of a creature. Something nagged at her that it wouldn’t be that simple.

“Anyway, where are you staying?” he asked. “Surely here would be more comfortable and safer than whatever shelter you have crafted.” Ursulette’s eyes wandered along the tree line, catching on a winged shadow in the distance. He shifted, probably trying to contain his rage. Sometimes, she wished she could allow him to teach Omar a lesson, but the goal was peace, not chaos.

“Um, it’s up north a bit, I believe,” she said. Omar cocked his head.

“You believe? Surely those books have taught you how to track your refuge.” Her stomach flipped. There was no way he was buying it.

“Y-yes, they have. I’m just not very good at it.”

“Clumsy Ursulette,” he beamed. “You know, that’s one reason I like you. Perhaps after we all settle down, you and I can rekindle our friendship. Start off on the right foot this time.” The bland meal she picked at earlier suddenly rose in her throat. She swallowed it down, eyes glancing at the shadow again. His wings were extended, ready to take flight.

Ursulette’s eyes widened as she tilted her head out of Omar’s line of sight. Just as his slimy touch went to connect with her again, she shot up, giving him a reassuring, albeit messy, smile.

“That’s nice of you, Omar, but I’m not feeling too well right now.”

His face shifted, though she couldn’t read his emotion. “If you’re not feeling well, you should stay the night,” he said. She knew she was pinned. “Stay for as long as you like.” Her fingers twiddled the tie on her dress again, debating what to say. She couldn’t help but feel like she was making a big mistake, but she figured she could sneak out later.

She didn’t want to spend the night here with him. Omar’s smarmy actions would only pull Ramuz out of hiding and expose them for what they were—sinners. Criminals. Offenders of nature.

“Of course. Thank you,” she said, trying to quell the tremble in her hands. Yes, this was a big mistake, but Ramuz would have to wait. It was only best to keep the peace so that she could maintain a relationship with Giles. He was all she had left to not end up as the only one of her species in her life.

* * *

A cloud of darkness settled over the camp, sending the bite of a chill through the air. The sun settled behind the skyline, nestled behind a sea of trees. The roar of the fire dulled to a low grumble, the embers shining, reflecting the blinking stars in the black sky above them.

Ursulette’s chin rested on her elbow as she stared into the remnants of the flames, wishing she was cozily back home in the loving embrace of her gargoyle. Even though the sun had vanished earlier, his shadow still caught her eye on occasion as the day ebbed into the night. It brought little comfort.

Giles’ uneven footsteps interrupted the silence as he scraped across the dirt. “Hey,” he muttered, crouching slowly and placing himself on the log beside her. She winced as he groaned while his body bent to rest. Ursulette’s chest tightened watching him struggle to do something as simple as sittingdown.

“Hello,” she said. Her face shaded with shame as he finally settled beside her as the pair stared into the fading flames. Giles’ walking stick clinked against the log as he set it down.

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