Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“May I?” Breena asks, and when I pass it to her, she frowns. “Huh.”
“What is it?” Lorelei asks, but I twirl away, feeling freaking fantastic. “Oh.”
“I don’t like the way it makes me feel,” Breena says.
“Really? Because I think it’s amazing.” I take the piece from Lorelei and press my cheek to the cool, smooth surface. “I can almost hear it. As if there’s actual moss growing inside. It’s so beautiful.”
“I don’t like this,” Lorelei mutters as Breena pulls her phone out of her purse.
“On it,” Breena says, but I pay no attention as I dance around the room with the stone. It’s as though I’m drunk from it.
I can’t get enough.
“I had no idea that having just a huge piece of agate could make my space feel this euphoric,” I admit with a laugh. “I mean, I know that crystals are powerful, but this is incredible. I guess it’s true what they say, bigger is better.”
“Mom, I need you to send Jonas back right away, please.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I take the phone from her. “Hi, Aunt Hilda. Everything here is just fine. I promise. Jonas can stay there and have fun with you guys. In fact, he can just go on to Hallows End when he’s finished. I’m great for tonight. Toodles.”
I end the call and pass the phone back to Breena, who just stares at me.
“Toodles?” Lorelei demands.
“Oh, loosen up. We should have wine. Do you guys want wine? I don’t know why I feel the need to celebrate, but we should. I have some wine in the kitchen.”
I hurry through the doorway that leads to my kitchen, the crystal tucked under my arm.
“Don’t you just love wine?” I frown when I stare around me. I can’t seem to remember where I keep it.
“You hate it,” Breena insists. “You say it tastes like dead grapes and bad decisions.”
I laugh and wag my finger at Breena. “Oh, stop, you big jokester. You’re funny, you know that? Where’s the wine?”
“You don’t keep wine here,” Lorelei says. “Why don’t you give me the agate to hold onto for you?”
“Absolutely not.” I hug it closer to my chest. “Mine. All mine. Do you like moss agate? I thought you were a jasper girl. Or something else oceany.”
“I like all the crystals. Do you have your black tourmaline on you, Lucy?”
I narrow my eyes at her. Why does everyone want to keep me from having fun? Why can’t I just be a little carefree sometimes?
“It’s around here somewhere. Okay, so I don’t have wine, but I do have vodka. That’ll do. I even have mint.”
Using only one hand, I manage to fill three glasses with ice and pour the vodka over it.
“Hell, who really needs mint?” I ask with a wink and take a long drink from the glass.
“Uh, Lucy, that’s straight vodka,” Breena says.
“Right? So good. Here, I poured some for you guys. I’m not greedy.”
But they don’t take the glasses from me, and that makes me mad.
“So, are my refreshments not good enough for you two? What the hell?”
“Where is he?” Lorelei asks Breena.
“Where’s who?” I demand. “I didn’t invite anyone here.”
The room is starting to spin, and I drop the stone as I fall into a chair.
I hear it crack.
“Oh, no,” I cry. “I broke it.”
“Good,” I hear Lorelei say, but I can’t see her. I can’t see either of them now. Why is it so dark? Why is the room spinning?
“Put your head between your knees,” Breena says and urges me forward. She rubs circles on my back, and it feels so good.
Suddenly, I just start to cry. I can’t help it, and I don’t know why the tears want to come, but I’m a sobbing heap.
Then, I have to run for the bathroom. I’m hugging the toilet, retching, when I hear voices in the hallway.
One of them is deep.
Jonas?
I can’t stop throwing up. Sweat runs down my spine and pools at the small of my back. My head is pounding.
I feel sick and lost.
And so alone, even though I can hear them talking.
“Okay.” I hear Jonas as he kneels beside me and brushes my hair off my face. “You’re going to be okay, darling. Breena’s bringing you an ice pack.”
“What’s happening?”
“We’re going to figure that out. Thanks, Breena.”
He presses something cold to the back of my neck, and I start to shake, but my stomach begins to settle.
“So tired.”
“I know, baby. I know.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jonas
She’s still sweaty when I lower her gently to the bed and pull the blankets over her. I wipe at her brow with a rag and wish that I could take away the horrible discomfort.
“Tired,” she whispers once more, and I kiss her forehead, then her cheek. I don’t like that she feels feverish. “So weird.”
“Just sleep,” I breathe in her ear. “Nera’s here. Nothing’s going to hurt you.”