Etched In Stone

by Susan Hayes

  She squared her shoulders and nodded. “I’ll talk to him. What I have to say won’t take very long.”

  Stone winked at her. “Lead on, my lady.”

  Maxwell was still standing exactly where Stone had left him though his expression showed that he was entirely displeased by how things were going. “Miss Diggersby. Finally.”

  “My name is Diggersby, yes. I understand your name is Maxwell Webb and you are here about a statue?” she asked, her arms folded across her chest.

  “Yes. My statue. You have it, don’t you? A gargoyle-type carving, about the size of a crouching man. An ugly thing, really.”

  “It’s a very fine work of art, actually. If you think it’s ugly, why are you bothering to retrieve it at all?” she demanded.

  “I am not in the habit of letting my property be stolen, and that statue is my property. I am aware you didn’t know that you were making an illegal purchase. In fact, I’m willing to offer you three times what you paid as a recompense for the statue’s return.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Webb. The statue belongs to me, and I will be keeping it,” she said.

  “But it’s stolen!”

  “I only have your word on that. Until you can prove to me that my purchase was illegal, we have nothing to discuss.” Adina uncrossed her arms and pointed toward the road. “Good night.”

  Stone was having difficulty maintaining a straight face as he watched Adina go toe-to-toe with their officious visitor. He had no doubt that Maxwell would be back, but tonight Adina was the clear winner.

  “This isn’t over, young lady. You have something of mine, and I will see it returned to its rightful place. If you come to your senses, my phone number is on the back of my card. I will be in town for a few more days before returning home. I will be speaking with you soon, Miss Diggersby.” He handed her a card which she took with reluctance.

  “It’s your time to waste. My answer is not going to change. Good night, Mr. Webb.” She walked away from Maxwell without another word.

  Stone took a single step toward Maxwell and glowered at him. “Be gone in five minutes and don’t return here unless you’ve been invited. If I find you on this property again, I will consider you to be trespassing and act accordingly.”

  “There’s no need for threats. I’m a businessman, not a thug,” Maxwell said and gestured for his driver to return to the vehicle.

  “You’re a businessman who hires thugs. I’d say that’s a very thin hair you’re splitting. By the way, you now have four minutes and forty seconds.” Stone didn’t turn away until both men were in the vehicle with the doors closed. Once he heard the engine start, he joined Adina on the front porch where they both watched until the SUV’s taillights vanished into the night.

  “Well that was an unpleasant end to a nice night,” Adina muttered as she leaned into his side.

  “I don’t know, I rather enjoyed it. That’s the first time I’ve gotten to stare down an obnoxious bully in ages. Not to mention the pleasure I had in watching you take him down a few pegs. You’re sexy when you’re all riled up.”

  She scoffed. “You think I’m sexy first thing in the morning, too. No one is sexy when their hair is standing on end and they have sleep-lines crisscrossing their face.”

  “No one but you, sweetling,” he said and wrapped a possessive arm around her shoulders before leaning down to kiss her.

  It was a long time before she was free to speak again, but when she did her answer made him laugh. “Take me to bed, old man. I haven’t forgotten your promise to prove to me that you’re still in your prime.”

  In all his years of service, that was the best command anyone had ever given him. He scooped Adina into his arms and carried her, laughing, into the house. Tomorrow was soon enough to think about Maxwell Webb. Tonight was for celebrating the life he’d finally been allowed to live, and the woman fate had chosen to be his soulmate.

  Chapter Seven

  Adina hadn’t bothered to check her email until the morning after Maxwell’s visit. Sure enough, there were two messages from him, both caught in her spam filter. She’d been too distracted by Stone’s arrival in her life to worry about emails or anything else, which is how she’d missed them until now. Not that it changed anything. She had no intention of letting Stone go.

  Over the next few days, they did their best to ignore Maxwell’s attempts at contact. Fortunately, her phone was unlisted, so the only way he could harass her was by email. She heard from several of her friends that he’d been making inquiries about her in town, but Magic was too close-knit a community for him to make any progress that way. Anneke had offered to toss a vicious selection of minor spells his way, but Adina had declined. The man was annoying, but that was no reason to give him halitosis, gout, or hives. When she’d told Stone about Anneke’s offer, he’d laughed, then muttered something about remembering to stay on her cousin’s good side.

  Three days later she and Stone were in town on a shopping run. They’d managed to deplete Adina’s pantry and freezer since Stone’s arrival. She needed to restock or they’d be trying to make meals out of condiments and pickles soon. Stone also wanted to pick up a few things, including clothes. Since they didn’t know what would happen once Anneke found a way to undo the enchantments, he pointed out it might be wise to have a few articles of clothing on hand in case he lost the ability to conjure his own. Adina hoped that didn’t happen. Having a lover who could get naked in two seconds flat had some definite advantages, not to mention the lack of laundry.

  They were putting the last of their purchases in the back of her hatchback when her cell phone went off. The chorus of “Witchy Woman” started playing at full volume, startling Stone and making Adina laugh. “Anneke’s calling. She probably came up with a new spell she wants to throw at Maxwell.”

  “That woman scares me. I’m glad she’s on our side.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Adina answered before answering the phone. “Hey, Anneke, what’s up?”

  “I found it,” Anneke said.

  “Uh. Care to be a little more specific? What did you find?”

  “I know how to free Stone. I found the spell they must have used to create him.”

  Anneke’s voice cracked slightly and Adina’s blood cooled at the sound. Whatever her cousin had found, it wasn’t good. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. This is—I think it would be easier to explain this in person. Can you come by the shop? I’m here with mom right now. She helped me with the research.”

  “We’ll be there in a few minutes, we’re only a block or so away. See you soon.” Adina ended the call and looked up to find Stone watching her intently.

  “You look worried. Bad news?” he asked.

  “Good news, I think. Anneke says she’s found a way to free you. She’s at her mother’s shop just up the street. We can walk there in a few minutes.”

  Stone took her hand and started walking in the direction she’d indicated. “If it’s good news, why are you frowning? Are you having second thoughts?”

  “What? No! I want you to be free, Stone. That’s not it at all. There was something in Anneke’s voice, though. I got the sense this isn’t going to be an easy fix and it worries me. I don’t want to lose you. What if the spell goes wrong?”

  Stone stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and pulled her into his arms. “It’s not going to go wrong. This is going to work. I know it is. We’re fated, remember? Your mother said so. You believed her when you thought she’d told you that you’d always be alone. Are you going to stop believing now that she’s told you we’re meant to be?”

  “You’re bringing my mom into this? Really? That’s totally unfair,” she complained, but his words helped to ease her worries. If her mother had seen something terrible in their future, she wouldn’t have been able to hide it, not completely.

  “All’s fair in love and war, sweetling. Didn’t anyone ever mention that to you?”

  “I’ve never been involv
ed in either, so no, it hasn’t come up.”

  Stone cupped her cheek and leaned down to kiss her as he uttered words she never expected to hear spoken to her.

  “You’re involved now, Adina Diggersby because as it happens, I’m falling in love with you.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back. His mouth claimed hers in a scorching kiss that seared her soul and set her blood on fire with need. This was the man she wanted to spend her life with. She hadn’t expected to find him. Hadn’t believed he even existed. But he was here with her now and Adina couldn’t imagine living the rest of her life without him.

  “I love you, too,” she whispered against his lips. “Does that mean we’re both crazy?”

  “Very likely. Especially since we’re currently making a spectacle of ourselves in the middle of town,” he said with a soft chuckle as he finally raised his head from hers.

  She blushed as she looked around and realized they’d acquired something of an audience. Friends and neighbors were all looking on with smiles on their faces. Just when she thought it couldn’t get any worse, someone started to clap and she buried her face against Stone’s chest. “I’m going to die of embarrassment now.”

  “Not on my watch. I’m your guardian, remember? I’m here to protect you from threats of any kind, including death by mortification. Hang on to me, I’ll get you out of here.” He gathered her into his arms and lifted her without effort. Within seconds, she was being carried down the street and away from the now cheering crowd.

  “My hero,” she murmured as she eventually peeked her head up.

  “I’m not sure I’ve earned that title. All I did was find an excuse to carry you around in public. I’m not even sure where I’m taking you. What’s the name of this store we’re going to?”

  “The Sit-A-Spell Bookshop. You can’t miss it, just look for the big, purple sign with a silver crescent moon.”

  “Got it. I’m going to guess that it isn’t the run of the mill sort of bookstore.”

  “It is and it isn’t. You’ll see once we get inside. You can put me down now, Stone. Rescue complete.”

  “I don’t want to. I like you right where you are.” His arms tightened around her. “I’m glad you’ll be with me when we hear what your cousin has learned.”

  “I am, too. You’re not going to go through this alone. I’ll be here, no matter what.” She could sense he had something else to say, but she knew better than to push him. He’d talk when he was ready. None of this was easy for either of them.

  “I know, sweetling.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.

  “So, about putting me down?” she reminded him.

  “We’ll get there faster this way.”

  She glowered up at him and poked a finger into the solid wall of his chest. “Was that a comment about my height, old man?”

  “No. It was a comment about your adorable but very short legs.”

  “You’re going to pay for that later,” she teased, trying to keep the mood light despite what they were both feeling.

  It worked, for a little while.

  He stopped a few feet before they arrived at the store and set her back on her feet with care.

  She took a step toward the door, then stopped when she realized he hadn’t moved. “Stone?”

  He smiled down at her, but there were shadows in his gray eyes. “I’ve been trying so hard not to think about it, but I can’t do that any longer. It was easier to believe I’d never been a man than to know I had a life once and lost it. What kind of man was I? Did I agree to become what I am or was I forced into it? I have so many questions and I’m not sure I want to know the answers.”

  She took his hand in hers and squeezed it hard. “I can’t imagine what this is like for you. I know you haven’t wanted to talk about it. Not that there was much to talk about yet. We don’t know anything except that you had a life once, and if Anneke is right, then you’re soon going to have one again. You’re going to be free, Stone, and I’m going to be with you every step of the way.”

  “And if I wasn’t a good man? What if I was dangerous, Adina? What if I come out of this someone else? Someone who could hurt you?”

  She shook her head. “They only took your memories, Stone, not your soul. You’re the same person inside. I know it. Once we hear what Anneke has to say, we’ll talk about it. Until we know what she’s discovered, we’re only borrowing trouble.”

  He tugged her up against him and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She managed to get the words out despite being half-crushed against his chest.

  Eventually, he released her, pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head and reclaimed her hand with his. “Let’s find out what your cousin has learned.”

  “One more thing before we go in there. While we’re in the public areas of the store, everything’s totally safe, but once we head into the back room try not to touch anything.”

  “Why not?” Stone asked.

  “Because enchanted items don’t always play well with other magical objects, and you, my love, are going to be the biggest magical thingy in there.”

  “Did you just call me a magical thingy?” he demanded, one dark brow arched in question.

  “Consider it payback for the short legs crack you made earlier,” she said with a grin and headed for the front door of the shop. It was time for them to get some answers.

  Stone wasn’t sure what to expect when he walked into the bookstore. It took his eyes a moment to adjust from the bright sunlight of the outdoors to the soothingly dim interior. When he could see again, he found himself surrounded by all manner of charms, wands, and other modern day magical accessories. Tarot cards, chalices, crystals, and rune stones shared space with a multitude of books. A woman that bore a striking resemblance to Adina’s mother smiled in greeting and waved them toward her.

  “Come in. Anneke said you’d be along shortly, but I didn’t think she meant this soon. You must have been in the neighborhood already. Oh my, Adina. You did find yourself a looker, didn’t you? And a big one at that. Hello, Stone. I’m Rayna, Anneke’s mother. I’ve heard so much about you that I feel as if we’ve already met.” She came around the counter and hugged Adina, then turned to Stone and did the same to him.

  When she let him go, she turned to Adina and winked. “I think I’m jealous. All those muscles. Yummy.”

  “Aunt Rayna, behave yourself. You’re a married woman. What would Uncle Nick say if he heard you talking like that?” Adina asked.

  “If I’m lucky, he’d put me over his knee and spank me,” Rayna replied with a wicked grin that made Adina groan.

  “I don’t want to know. I don’t want details. We’re going to go find Anneke now before you share anything else.”

  “A healthy sex life is a wonderful thing and nothing to be ashamed of!” Rayna called after them as Adina half dragged Stone toward the back of the shop and toward another door marked “Staff Only.”

  “Your aunt is…colorful,” he said once they were out of earshot.

  “That’s a very nice way of putting it. At least now you see where Anneke comes by her quirks.”

  “Indeed. Are all the women in your family so forthright?”

  “Oh yeah. Wait until our first family reunion. Seven generations of forthright and colorful in the same time and place. It’s something else.”

  “Seven generations? How’s that even possible?”

  Adina glanced back over her shoulder. “Oh, right. I haven’t mentioned the fact that some of my ancestors are still here, have I? Well, not here in town. They’re in the graveyard for the most part. That place is more lively than the main street some days. Many of Magic’s residents opted to stick around after they died.”

  “You’re enjoying ambushing me with these little tidbits, aren’t you? Every time I think I’ve gotten my head wrapped around this place, you throw in another surprising detail.”

  “Maybe. Can you
blame me? You get the cutest look on your face when you’re surprised, and everyone around here knows all of this stuff. You’re the first person I’ve ever had to explain it to.” She paused to open the door and then led him through.

  Beyond the door was another world. The air hummed with energy and everywhere he looked there were books. Not the sort of books that had been for sale out front. These were old and well-worn. In fact, everything he saw looked to be ancient, from the books and scrolls to jars of unidentifiable powders and potions that lined one wall. Remembering Adina’s warning, Stone kept his hands at his sides and moved with care so that he didn’t touch anything.

  “Anneke? Where are you? This place is a labyrinth, and I swear it gets more crowded every time I come back here.”

  Anneke called back. “I’m in the summoning and banishing section. Go past the jars of mandrake root, turn left at the scrying mirrors and you’ll find me.”

  Adina snorted. “I bet that’s a set of directions you never expected to hear in your life.”

  “Not so much, no,” Stone muttered as he followed her through the maze. It wasn’t long before they found Anneke. She was in a small annex leaning over a lectern that held a very large and clearly ancient tome.

  “Sorry I didn’t meet you at the door, I wanted to read over this one last time before you got here. I needed to be sure.” She glanced up at them both and gave them a subdued smile.

  “What did you need to be sure about?” Adina asked.

  Anneke straightened up and pointed to the page she’d been reading. “My Middle English is rusty, so I had to double check a few things, but I’m certain now. This is the spell that created you, Stone. Now that I know what was done, I know how to undo it.”

  “At what cost?” Stone asked. He knew enough about magic, especially the kind his masters had used, to know that every act of spellcraft had a price.

  Anneke sighed and ran a hand through her dust-streaked hair. “Do you want me to sugarcoat it or do you want it straight up?”

  “Straight up, please,” he said.