Page 6 of Stone Sentinels

“Someone who possesses mirror magic,” Masky respond real serious-like. “Mirror magic is very dangerous, the sorcerer could easily become trapped in his own reflection,” he say.

“Alls I know be that Queen Bitch ain’t on our side.”

“Thank you for telling me, Flumph. And I know you don’t like being told what to do, but I’m asking you for a favor.”

“I’m listenin’,” I answer. It be true—I don’t like bein’ told what to do, but if Masky need a favor, I’ll do it for him. That’s what you do fer yer friends.

“I need you and Noni to keep watching Morrigan. This could be the upper hand we’ve been looking for.”

“Okay.”

“Will you do that for me?” he ask real slow-like. “I’m asking as your friend and your ally.”

Well, when he put it like that, how the fuck am I ‘spose to say no? He over there makin’ me feel like I mean somethin’ to him, like we equals in this world, when he a fuckin’ necromancer an’ I just a little sprite. But I’m an important little sprite. “All right. I’ll do it.”

“Thank you, Flumph.” He leave me alone after that an’ it ain’t long before I hears the Mother Heifer talkin’ to Pretty. I don’t like them being alone ‘cause I ain’t sure what she got planned for Pretty. Maybe suckin’ all her youth out an’ turnin’ her into some old hag? I ain’t gonna let that happen on my watch! I goes an’ sit beside my friend so she know I there for her. Pretty pats my head an’ that how I know she more angel than demon-woman.

I ride on Pretty shoulders to the supper table. I happy ta see the Mother Heifer ain’t down here. I figures someone’s gonna bring her her dinner, seein’ as how she’s ‘sposed ta be restin’ an’ all. An’ also ‘cause I don’t think everyone trust her.

I gots my own spot an’ I make sure it far away from Noni. Can’t stand her lookin’ at me all happy-like an’ talkin’ bout us bein’ friends now. I’m regrettin’ ever tellin’ her I’d be her friend. But then I look at Masky an’ figure I be Noni’s friend fer him. He be the best friend I ever hads.

“Let’s raise our goblets to the fine young heroine who kicked some harpy ass!” the goat man say, an’ everyone raise their glasses real high.

“I think we can all be honest and say that the real hero in all of this is Pyre,” Pretty correct him. “Without him, none of us would be alive or have these moments of freedom,” she finish.

Masky shake his head an’ Baron raise hims glass in agreement. I don’t know what sorta love affair them two gots goin’ on, but it freakin’ me out to see the vamp bein’...normal.

It make me shiver just thinkin’ ‘bout it, so I raise my glass an say, “Fuck that, I’m the hero!”

“Yay! Mr. Flumph!”

“O, HUSH UP, NONI!”

The others are laughin’ at us, but I too busy tryin’ to catch that silly little brownie to care much.

CHAPTER THREE

EILISH

The Veil

“We need to talk,” Dragan says, as he sits down beside me. We’re outside the cottage and Pyre is showing Baron how to summon a spirit. It’s fascinating to watch. I’m not sure why Pyre has been teaching Baron all the things he has lately and I’m sure there’s a reason, but Baron has yet to tell me. And Pyre doesn’t exactly offer up information either. Not unless he has to.

The large gargoyle knocks his hip into me to get my attention. I turn to look at him with an apologetic smile. He looks so handsome, with a bashful flush to his olive complexion. It seems like a miracle to witness the slight pinkish stain on the high points of his cheeks and the tips of his ears. “We need to talk about what happened, Eilish.”

“What happened?” I repeat.

“The other night. When you fed from me…”

“Oh,” I say as my stomach drops. The expression in his eyes is searching and I figure whatever he wants to talk about, it’s probably not good. I know how Dragan feels about a succubus feeding from him. He’s already made that plainly clear.

“You look worried,” he says.

“I am,” I answer with a shrug. “But, this is how it always goes, Dragan.”

“Always?”

I nod and drop my attention to the ground before me. Baron and Pyre continue to talk in the distance and their voices are deep and low, almost mesmerizing in their tones. “We get close, and then you push me away again.”

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