Of Stone and Sky

by Charissa Stastny

  He squeezed her delicate hand, finding her sexy with all her braids. The wild hairstyle made her appear older, not as innocent, which was good. Looking tough would protect her, keep her safe from men who preyed on the naïve.

  “I will always take care of you.”

  She pulled her hand away and studied her driver’s license. “Gemma. That’s going to take some getting used to.”

  “Not much. I already call you Gem.” That’s why he’d picked it.

  She stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Gemma Stone.”

  He shook her hand. “Johnny Dicaprio. But you can call me Angel.”

  “Angel. That’s a cool name.”

  “Ay-lel,” Altin said.

  She smiled. “Altin likes your name.” She looked at her ID again. “Your friends are amazing, giving us this apartment and IDs.”

  “They got me a job, too. I’ll head out first thing in the morning.” He puffed out his chest, proud that he’d done right by her. This apartment was amazing. And the papers looked legit. He owed Uncle big time. This was more than he deserved. “You’ll have to stay here while I’m gone. But there’s food in the fridge. I can buy more with the money I get from my job.”

  “What will you do?”

  “Construction work.” He would be constructing a new life for them here in this strange, beautiful city. That’s all she needed to know.

  She accepted his lie with ease. “Cool. Let’s eat that food in the fridge.”

  The gadjo’s mansion appeared magnificent in the moonlight. Maybe I could forgive Saemira for marrying her gadjo. I’d done my best to provide for her and Altin, but we’d always lived on the edge. I’d given her food to eat and a tiny apartment and had imagined I’d given her the world. Seeing the luxury she’d married into, I realized I hadn’t given her near what she deserved.

  Still, her new husband hid a dark side.

  Uncle’s thugs manhandled me through prickly trees that ripped at my skin. The high-end neighborhood was quiet as we crept along the perimeter wall.

  “The gadjo’s keeping the temptress warm tonight, no?”

  Uncle hadn’t stopped taunting me since the wedding earlier. It was bad enough that I’d lost the woman I loved and was lost without her. Why did he keep throwing acid onto my wounds?

  Nero pushed me to a hole in the wall. He’d likely dug it days ago. Uncle had probably scoped out this property for weeks. They dragged me feet first through the hole, and I ate dirt and pine needles.

  Nero and Slam forced me toward the mansion.

  “Time to redeem yourself, Bengalo,” Uncle said. “I’ve given you everything. The temptress has only taken from you. Now she destroys your dreams by sleeping with another, betraying her noble heritage and tossing you aside like garbage. Time to destroy her dreams.”

  Nero and Slam picked up canisters stashed behind bushes and began dumping liquid around the foundation. I tensed when I smelled gasoline.

  Uncle held a lighter in one hand, a gun in the other. “Prove yourself. Set the flame to this damning infatuation. Burn the devil girl out of your life.”

  Was he crazy? I swiped the lighter from his hand and threw it over the wall. I’d never harm Gem.

  Something hard hit my head. I wobbled on my feet, ground spinning.

  “I regret the time and resources I’ve wasted on you, boy. You’ve been nothing but a disappointment.” Uncle brought the butt of his pistol down against my skull a second time.

  47

  Saemira

  Age 18 - Midvale, Utah

  DECEIVE: to trick to accept as true what is false.

  What had she eaten? Saemira opened the car door just in time to empty the contents of her stomach onto the asphalt. Ugh. She’d tried to work through her sickness, but her manager had finally sent her home. Hopefully, he wouldn’t fire her.

  Angel would be glad if she lost her job. He hadn’t wanted her to get one in the first place, insisting that he could provide for them. But they’d barely been getting by. Baba had taught her to save for hard times.

  She hobbled to their apartment, adding up how much longer she’d need to save to get a bigger place. For the past six months, she’d shared one bed with Angel and Altin, which made things super awkward. She cared for her friend, but he wanted more. He hadn’t said so or pushed her at all, but she’d noticed how he watched her. And she hadn’t forgotten how he’d touched and kissed her when he’d been high in Colorado.

  No way would she be his lover. Anyone’s lover. The mere thought of sex made her want to puke again.

  She unlocked the apartment door but froze. If her bladder hadn’t been empty, she might’ve wet herself.

  The demon from her nightmares sat at the kitchen table across from Angel, her eighteen-month-old brother on his lap.

  Duke’s filthy gaze raked her up and down. “Ah, Temptress.”

  She wanted to run but couldn’t leave her brother.

  “You’re home early,” Angel said, not meeting her gaze.

  “I’m sick.” She walked to the bathroom and shut the door. Hell and damnation. Her whole body shook.

  Ah, Temptress. Those words resurrected every nightmare she’d worked so hard to bury. How was Duke here? In America? In her kitchen?

  Angel must have deceived her. No university friends had given him any of this. It had been his uncle.

  She slid to the ground, head throbbing, stomach churning. Duke would hurt her baby brother if she didn’t return. She splashed her face with freezing water and shuddered as she walked out the door.

  “I’ll take my brother.” She reached for him.

  Duke stood and stepped back. “He likes his Uncle Duke, no?” He put a hand around Altin’s neck and tickled him. “Such a fragile child. So vulnerable.”

  A scream filled her throat. “Give him to me.”

  “It’s all right, Gem. Altin’s fine. Go rest.” Engjell tried to pull her from the room, but she shoved him.

  “I want Altin.”

  Duke handed him to Angel. “Change the boy. He stinks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Angel glanced between Duke and her, but Duke snapped at him.

  “Go!”

  Angel hurried into their bedroom with her brother. Thank the gods.

  Bile rose up her throat as Duke dragged her to the door. In the stairwell, he traced the chain of Mama’s amulet down her chest.

  “Don’t touch me!” She pushed his hand away.

  He shoved her against the brick wall. “Careful, Temptress. Don’t cross me, or I’ll snip your precious Angel’s wings and cast him down to hell where he belongs.” He ripped Mama’s amulet off her neck, making her yelp. “And your brother…” He let the amulet dangle in front of her. “…I’ll cut into pieces and drop him into the river, then frame you for the grisly murder.”

  Vomit stung her throat.

  He pinched her chin. “Now be a good little girl and don’t misbehave.” He headed down the stairs.

  Saemira touched her stinging neck and hurried inside and locked the door.

  “Why are you acting so weird?” Angel said, making her jump.

  She wanted to fall to the ground and weep. The safety she’d felt in America had been snuffed out in a heartbeat.

  “He took Mama’s amulet.” She couldn’t inhale enough air.

  Angel took her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it back for you.”

  “No! It’s too late.” She yanked her hand away. “How could you deceive me, telling me your university friends helped us when it was your uncle?”

  He lowered his head. “We’d be homeless without him. You don’t have any idea how bad things can get.”

  “You’re working for him?”

  He nodded.

  “What does he have you do?”

  “Just stuff,” he said, sounding defensive. “It pays the rent and buys food for you and Altin.”

  Food that kept her captive. She pushed past him and went to get her brother. She returned with her pillow and blanket.

/>   “What are you doing?”

  “Take the bed. Altin and I will sleep on the couch.”

  “We didn’t have any other options. Okay? Why are you so upset?”

  She’d take foster care or homelessness over being under Duke’s thumb. “Stay away from me.” She glared until he hung his head and walked into the bedroom.

  She slammed the door shut between them, then set Altin on the couch and turned on the TV. Her brother watched Sesame Street as she stared at the ceiling, knowing she had to leave.

  The sooner, the better.

  Gemma

  Fire! I bolted up in bed as smoke alarms shattered the stillness. I coughed and looked around, wondering where I was. This wasn’t mine and Altin’s room.

  Memories returned of last night’s wedded bliss. I blinked. Altin was with Miss Tina since Lincoln had booked tickets to Aruba for early this morning. I patted the bed but found my husband’s spot empty.

  “Lincoln?” I coughed as I pulled a robe around me. “Lincoln!” I ran down the hall but had to bend over to cough again. “Lincoln!” I raced down the stairs.

  Had he evacuated without me?

  “Lincoln!” I staggered through the smoke-filled living room but stopped in the hallway. A heat wave blasted me from the direction of the fitness room. “Lincoln!” I shouted.

  Please, let him have gone outside.

  I stumbled toward the front door, feeling lightheaded. Outside, I breathed in fresh air and raced across the yard. An orange glow from the back of the house made my heart pound.

  Please, God. Don’t let him still be inside.

  I sprinted to the side gate. “Lincoln!” I yelled as flames shot up into the sky from the corner of the house.

  Where was he?

  I cut in toward the patio, away from the flames, peeking in every window and screaming Lincoln’s name. I tried a door but it was locked. My lungs burned but I kept screaming.

  “Lincoln!”

  I had to find him.

  48

  Angel

  Age 20 - Midvale, Utah

  Gemma had dinner on the table when Engjell walked through the door. A first. He dropped his bag and took a seat.

  “What’s the occasion?”

  She set a pan of burek on a hot pad. “We’re celebrating.”

  “What? Christmas?” It was only a week away.

  “Eat and I’ll tell you.” She placed Altin in his booster chair and cut his food into tiny pieces.

  Engjell spooned a piece of meat into his mouth. “Delicious.” He licked his lips. “As good as your mama’s.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Eat with your mouth closed, you animal.”

  He shoveled more food in, buoyed by her good mood and good food. She’d been surly ever since seeing Duke a couple weeks ago.

  She set a notebook in front of him. “I’ve been saving for a new place. One Duke doesn’t know about.”

  He froze.

  “Places are cheaper in West Valley. I found one with two bedrooms that can fit us better. With first and last month’s deposit, this is how much I need.” She pointed to a number. “I have that, plus a grand more. You can get a job that doesn’t include selling your soul to the devil. My manager said he’d hire you.”

  “Gemma, we can’t leave.” She didn’t understand what he’d promised to set them up here. If he turned his back on Uncle, he’d make him pay. He might make her pay. “If this is about your mama’s amulet, I’ll get it back. Give me time. I haven’t figured out where he’s hidden it.”

  “This isn’t about the amulet. I refuse to be beholden to your uncle any longer.”

  “He’s family.”

  “What about me and Altin? You’re my brother, Engjell.” She used his Albanian name when upset.

  “I don’t think of you as my sister.” He loved her as a man loves a woman.

  “He beat you, called you vile names, let you go hungry. You owe him nothing.”

  “I owe him my life!”

  She scowled. “He’s stolen your life.”

  “You don’t know him.” Uncle used brute strength and hard knocks to teach him, but he cared. How could she not see that after everything he’d done for them?

  “Thank the gods. I do not want to know such a man.” She folded her arms. “Will you come with us or not?”

  “You can’t leave, Gemma.” He took her hands across the table. “Uncle has promised a big payoff soon. We’ll have more than enough to meet our needs.”

  She whipped her hands out of his. “I won’t be tied to that evil man.” She began to clear the table.

  Too late. She was already tied to him, whether she liked it or not. But he could protect her.

  She washed dishes and crawled onto the bed to read to Altin as he watched TV. When Altin fell asleep, she joined him on the couch.

  “Here.” She handed him her black light.

  “Do you want to play games?” he teased.

  “No. I’m tired of games. I’m giving this to you to help you find your way back to me someday. When you’re done with Duke. Altin and I will leave in the morning.”

  “Gemma.”

  “I put down first month’s rent and deposit already.”

  “You can’t leave me.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Fine. I’ll come with you.” He’d explain to Uncle, spin her motives to be near her job or something.

  “No. Don’t come anywhere near me until you’ve cut ties to that man. For good.”

  “Gemma, he’s family.”

  “Good night, Angel. Please sleep on the couch. I want one last night of comfort before I leave.” She shut the bedroom door. And locked it.

  I groaned as I gained consciousness. My head throbbed and I smelled smoke.

  Fire! I scrambled to my feet, swaying as I watched flames engulf the corner of the beautiful mansion. The one Gemma was inside!

  I stumbled through foul-smelling smoke to a window and used a metal patio chair to smash through the glass. Smoke poured out as I climbed through, cutting my hands and knees in the process. I dropped to the ground.

  “Saemira!” I crawled past couches, bumped into a table, and knocked off a lamp. My hands and knees throbbed. “Saemira!” I turned into a hallway and stumbled over something.

  No, someone.

  I patted the person. A man. Gemma’s rich gadjo. Seeing his hairy chest through his robe made me livid. He’d touched my girl. Slept with her!

  Heat from nearby flames scorched my skin. I kept my face to the ground. No one could fault me for leaving him. He might be dead already. A corpse could never harm Gemma. She’d be a widow. We could be together.

  I scooted backward but paused when I heard someone scream from outside.

  “Lincoln!”

  I closed my eyes and cursed. Gemma didn’t know what was good for her. Hearing her scream this man’s name made me know I couldn’t leave him to die, even if he deserved that fate.

  Hefting the gadjo by the feet, I dragged him around the corner, staying as low as possible. Maybe he was dead. I was dizzy and hadn’t been inside near as long as he had. The man groaned and mumbled something that sounded very much like “Gemma” as I dragged him to a door.

  “Lincoln!” Saemira screamed again from outside.

  I unlocked the door and opened it. Fresh air gave me a burst of adrenaline to pull the gadjo out, before collapsing onto the cobblestone patio at his side. I wheezed and drew in clean, cool air.

  “Lincoln!” Saemira ran to us, but stopped when she noticed me. “Angel?”

  49

  Saemira

  Age 18 - West Valley City, Utah

  UNYIELDING: inflexible; uncompromising.

  The sun was weak in the sky, temperature a few degrees above freezing. Saemira tilted her head to bask in the beauty of being outside, even in an alley behind Denny’s with two trash receptacles as her companions and a cinder block wall for entertainment.

  She prayed to God to watch over Altin while they wer
e apart. The crummy dive she’d secured was scarier than Engjell’s one-bedroom apartment in Midvale. But this was hers. Duke had no part of it.

  “I hoped to find you out here.”

  She yelped and turned to find Angel standing near a dumpster. “You scared me.”

  “Sorry.”

  She threw herself into his arms. Heavens be thanked. She’d worried constantly about him since they’d parted two months ago.

  He spun her around. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.” She adored Altin, but he didn’t fill her hours with sharp conversation or teasing. She’d had to take him in twice to the emergency room for seizures. So scary. With her brother, she had to be an adult. With Angel, she could be herself.

  He kissed her cheek.

  She grinned. “I have to clock back in but my shift ends in three hours. Then I’ll take you to see Altin. It’s a studio apartment. When you didn’t come with us, I downgraded to save money. But I’ll make a bed for you on the floor.”

  Angel placed a finger against her mouth. “You talk too much and work too hard.” He frowned. “You look terrible.”

  She worked long hours at the restaurant and for a janitorial service in the mornings. She averaged about five hours of sleep on a good night. With Altin’s medical issues, she’d gotten less lately.

  “Come back with me, Gemma. You don’t have to work like a dog. I can take care of you.”

  Her excitement fizzled as she realized he hadn’t left Duke.

  “I’m making good money.” He pulled out a wad of green bills. “You don’t have to live in the slum.”

  She felt faint. “I need to get back to work.”

  He grabbed her arm. “I can give you a better life than this.”

  She caressed his scarred face, wishing she could tell him the truth. “I won’t be linked to your uncle.”