Page 35 of The Stone Curse
“I’ll stay here,” Derek said.
“We all will,” Orix said. “Levi can go with Cameron.”
Levi stepped forward. “I can take him, Cam.”
“No, it’s fine. I got him.”
The man’s gaze settled on me again before flicking across to Levi. “Follow me.” He led us across the shop floor to another door which opened onto a narrow staircase which he struggled to squeeze up himself. It opened onto a cozy lounge filled with color and soft patchwork designs.
“You can put him on the sofa,” the man said.
I carefully laid Willowman down.
“Now I’m assuming she knows you because if not…Well, Calista doesn’t like her private space being invaded.”
“Honestly, I don’t care about upsetting anyone right now. My friend is hurt, and the last person he asked for before losing consciousness was her.”
The man nodded. “Very well, please make yourselves comfortable. I’ll send Calista up as soon as she’s back.”
He hurried back downstairs.
“What is he, do you think?” Levi asked me.
“No clue. But he’s a big guy.”
“I didn’t get a supernatural vibe off him.”
“A large human, then?”
“Likely. Maybe he and Calista are a thing.”
“Could be.” And we were making small talk. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us, Levi.”
He sighed, gaze softening. “It won’t be…It isn’t. We’re good.”
But something had changed. The connection we’d always fostered was tainted. My fault for pushing him away, but…it was for the best. Maybe now we could build a fresh friendship, one that wasn’t overshadowed by attraction.
The door opened, and a woman came flying into the room, wild-eyed and urgent. “Fuck, Willowman.” She shoved past me and fell to her knees beside the couch. “Hey, you…” She stroked his cheek. “What have they done to you, eh?”
“The alchemists attempted a deep dive,” Levi said. “We’re not sure how much damage?—”
“I heard. I’ve got this. You can go.”
“What?”
She looked up at me, fire in her eyes. “I said, you can go.”
My neck heated. “I am not leaving him.”
She stood slowly, her small frame vibrating with indignation. “And you’re not staying either, so I guess we’re at an impasse.”
“Whoa, whoa,” Levi said. “Look, Calista, Willowman means a lot to Cameron. He’s her friend, our friend. We just want to make sure he’s okay.”
Her eyes narrowed in my direction, nostrils flaring slightly. “Was it your blood he brought to me?”
“Yes.”
Her stance relaxed a little. “He obviously cares about you. Wouldn’t have made the journey otherwise.” She sighed. “Look, this isn’t something that can be fixed in a few hours. It could take days, and I work best when I’m left alone.”
