Set In Stone

by Balmanno, Beth

  The house was quiet, empty. I wandered from room to room, from the kitchen to the dining room, down the hallway into the living room, even peeking in to Dad’s office tucked around the corner. But there was no one. I went back to the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice. There was a note on the bar written in Dad’s almost illegible scrawl.

  Playing tennis and having lunch with Danny and Claire. Dad

  I shook some cereal into a bowl and drowned it with a generous slosh of milk. I ate slowly, not tasting as I chewed. It was good they were gone, I decided. No parents to ask questions about my evening out with Noel, and no questions to answer about where I intended to go today and what I had to do.

  I thought about the stone and tried to focus on how I should dispose of it. Thoughts of Noel crept in and my heart ached, but I firmly pushed those aside. I had to do this.

  I needed to do something with it that hinted at a sense of permanency. I mulled over my options. I thought about returning it to the forest, but quickly dismissed that idea. If I’d found it there, someone else might rediscover it, too. I could try burying it somewhere else. Or maybe smash it to pieces. But I wasn’t sure how that would work, either. I needed advice.

  Geoff picked up on the second ring. “What do you want?” His tone was abrupt.

  I held my hand to my eyes and squeezed them shut tightly. “I need your help.”

  “What’s new?” he muttered.

  I shook my head, forgetting he couldn’t see me. “No, I mean I need your help. To get rid of it.”

  “What?” His voice was suddenly hopeful. Interested. “When?”

  I swallowed. “Today.”

  Geoff let out a low whistle. “Whoa. You gonna tell me what happened? What made you change your mind? You guys looked like two happy lovebirds last night…”

  “I’ll tell you when you get here,” I said, knowing there was no way I could tell him everything. “Can you come? Today?”

  “Sure, I guess.” But he sounded reluctant.

  “When?” I demanded. I needed him to come now, immediately, before I had a chance to change my mind.

  He sighed. “I guess I can come now. But Fanchon’s with me…is it cool if she comes along or do you want to do this alone?”

  I did the math. Driving her home and then back to my house would take at least an hour, an hour I wasn’t prepared to wait. “She can come,” I said. Apparently, he and Fanchon were better friends than I’d thought.

  “OK.” He paused. “Give us fifteen minutes.” He hung up.

  I put my empty bowl in the dishwasher and ran back upstairs to get ready. I’d just finished brushing my teeth when the doorbell rang. I raced down the stairs to open the door but it wasn’t Geoff standing on my steps. I peeked out one of the long, narrow windows flanking the door and saw a halo of light, a person bathed in bronze and gold.

  I opened the door and Leo smiled. “You’re looking well,” he said.

  So did he, I thought.

  “Much better than last night, at any rate.” He inclined his head, nodding toward me. “Can I come in?”

  I held the door open a fraction and he stepped aside. He strolled toward the living room, his eyes roaming appreciatively over my mother’s collection of antique china figures and glass sculptures.

  “Where is Noel? Is he OK?”

  Leo chuckled. “He’s fine,” he said. “Mortified by what happened last night. That’s partly why I’m here.” He settled himself on the couch, propping one leg on top of the other. The room immediately filled with warmth and light and I lifted my hair off my shoulders, twisting it into a loose knot to cool myself.

  “What?”

  He grinned. “Your little wish worked pretty well,” he said amusedly. “Noel is beside himself because he can’t come to see you, to apologize for his dreadful behavior last night. Of course, if you hadn’t used that wish he’d have been over here for a very different reason. I’m certain an apology would have been the furthest thing from his mind. Quite the quandary he’s in…”

  I leaned against the wall, suddenly leery. “What do you mean?”

  He sighed as if I was taxing his patience. “Remember your wish last night? I wish Noel would leave me alone. Well, it worked, sweetheart, even better than I thought it would. He couldn’t come near you, despite the fact that he desperately wanted to. I’ve never seen him so forlorn, so unhappy. If he wasn’t my brother, it would have been comical.”

  “Oh.” I was as surprised as he was.

  “So I told him I’d come by, check on you,” he continued. “Of course, I told you I’d swing by today, too. So, here I am.” He smiled again. “And you look fine. Really nice, actually.” Leo studied me from across the room. “I can see why Noel is attracted to you. You’re very…earthy.”

  Earthy? That was a first. I searched for something to say. The threat of danger from last night was no longer imminent and I felt uneasy in Leo’s presence. He’d said he would do this for Noel, watch over me and keep me safe from him. But I didn’t trust him.

  “Would you like me to take a message to him?” Leo asked.

  “What?” I’d been too lost in my own thoughts to pay attention to his conversation.

  “A message,” he repeated. “You know, written or verbal form of communication? What would you like me to tell him? That you’re going to continue to wish him away? That you’re planning to do something with your rock? That you love him madly and deeply?” He grinned at his last suggestion.

  “Wait a minute.” I stopped him. An idea came to me then, a hint of something I could do that might put off the inevitable. “You said I wished him away last night, right? And that magic can’t last forever…I mean, you said he was always recharging my pendant to keep me safe from you. Right?”

  Leo nodded, a puzzled expression on his face. “Yes. Magic wears off. You’ll have to use another precious wish today if you want to keep yourself—and your stone—safe. Unless you get rid of it, of course. Perhaps, give it to me…”

  I ignored the last option he’d voiced. “OK, I get that,” I said, nodding. “But what if I wish for something a little more specific? ”

  He shook his head, his brow furrowed. “I don’t follow…”

  “What if I wish for Noel to leave the stone alone? But not me? Could I see him?”

  Leo groaned. “What is it with you two? You’re acting like star crossed lovers…by the goddess, you are a mortal girl! I can see why you are so taken with him; after all, he is a god and we’re supposed to be irresistible,” he went on, mostly to himself as he worked out his frustration. “But, really, what is his fascination with you?”

  I kept going. “Would it work? In your opinion?”

  “Would what work?” Geoff and Fanchon had let themselves in through the open front door and stood just a few feet away. They were dressed almost identical, in jeans and t-shirts, Geoff’s gray and Fanchon’s a muted blue that matched her eyes. Her hair was mussed, as if she’s just woken up and her face, apart from small smudges of dark eyeliner, was fresh and free of make-up.

  Goff spotted Leo and stiffened immediately. He moved closer to me, his voice low. “Are you OK?”

  Leo burst out laughing and I noticed the sound no longer had a hypnotic effect on me. It still sang like music in my ears but it didn’t penetrate my soul as it had once been able to do.

  “Is this your other knight in shining armor?” he asked me. “Your mortal knight?”

  “Stop it,” I snapped.

  Fanchon eyed me and Leo curiously, her gaze focused and assessing. Probably reading our auras.

  “No, really,” Leo’s eyes were on Geoff. “Tell me the story. We know you’re concerned about her,” he said, motioning to me. “But this girl…” He let his gaze settle on Fanchon and he smiled a slow smile, sweet and warm and seductive. “Yes, this girl definitely heats your blood.”

  Geoff’s face turned a startling shade of purple but Fanchon just returned his smile with an easy one of her own.

 
; Leo sucked in his breath. “She would warm my blood, too.”

  “What the—” Geoff moved towards Leo, apoplectic, but I grabbed him and pulled him back.

  “Stop,” I hissed. “He’s just trying to goad you. Let it go.”

  Geoff glared at me but stayed where he was. He shoved his fisted hands into the pockets of his jeans.

  “Would what work?” Geoff returned to his original question.

  I wished that I’d thought before I’d called him. He was going to go ballistic.

  “Tell him, Valerie,” Leo suggested. “Tell him your latest plan to keep me and Noel around.”

  “What?” Geoff snarled. His eyes raked over me. “We’re getting rid of it today, right? That’s what you said. Today. Immediately…like drop whatever I’m doing and come now.”

  “I know, I know. But I just thought of something. Something that means I don’t have to do it quite yet.”

  Geoff threw up his hands, as much in anger as in frustration. “What now? What could possibly compel you to hold on to that damned thing for another day?”

  “True love,” Leo proclaimed, bemused. “Poor Valerie can’t say goodbye to my dear brother.”

  Geoff whirled on me. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Leo answered for me. “Actually, no, she’s not.” He leaned back into the soft cushions and recrossed his legs. “Noel gave her some magic wishes. She’s going to use hers on him.” He sat up straight then, his brown eyes focused on Geoff. “What would you use wishes for, had they been given to you?” His voice was suggestive as he looked at Fanchon and then back at Geoff. “Or maybe you’ve already gotten what you wanted,” he said under his breath.

  “Enough.” I turned to Geoff and tried to explain, knowing it was futile. “Things went…badly last night,” I said. “I need to see him again. I can’t let things…end,” I tripped over the word and tried again. “I need to see him.” I cringed at the inadequacy of my explanation.

  “Do it Valerie.” It was the first time Fanchon spoke. Her voice was soft but filled with conviction. “Do whatever it is you need to do.”

  “Why are you encouraging this?” Geoff turned his fury on Fanchon.

  She put her hand on his arm. “Let’s give them a minute.” To me, she said, “We’ll be outside. Just say the word. And if it’s not today, we’ll do it tomorrow. Or whenever you’re ready.” With physical effort, she pulled Geoff from the room. The door closed behind them.

  “Well, that went well,” Leo said cheerfully.

  I rolled my eyes. Geoff was livid with me. I doubted he’d ever talk to me again, much less help me. He’d had enough.

  “So, are you ready to use another one of your wishes?” Leo glanced at the clock on the mantle. It was almost one. “You won’t need to until this evening, of course, but I wouldn’t time it too tight. Who knows if there might be a window of opportunity for him to…pursue you…

  “Of course,” he continued. “If you’re worried about him coming, about what he might do, you could always give the stone to me.”

  My eyes widened and he smiled. “You see, Noel hasn’t had the chance to recharge that little necklace of yours.”

  He stood and moved towards me slowly, deliberately. “I may not be as strong as Noel anymore, but I bet I could convince you. To give it to me.”

  Chapter 52

  My hand flew to the pendant around my neck. Frantically, I thought back to last night, trying to remember if Noel’s hands had skimmed over it.

  Leo watched me, his brown eyes liquid as they assessed me. “Well?” I could feel his warmth trying to wash over me. He was definitely weaker but I didn’t know how strong I could be.

  “I don’t want you.”

  He laughed. “Of course you don’t. You want my brother.” His hand reached out for me but I sidestepped him. “Give me a chance to convince you otherwise. Please.” His voice was silky soft and full of promise.

  I could feel the pull of him. “Wait.” I thought quickly. “I’ll get it. The stone. Wait here.”

  Leo raised his eyebrows. “Just like that? You’ve suddenly changed your mind?”

  I nodded. “I—I don’t want to play this game anymore. And I know Noel doesn’t want to want it.” I pointed to the couch. “Stay here.”

  I raced up the stairs to my room, locking the door behind me. I fumbled through the contents of my dresser drawer, bypassing the ice cold stone I encountered, closing my hand instead around the tiny vial Noel had given me.

  With shaking hands, I eked out a drop on my wrist and whispered my intentions. “I wish that Leo and Noel would not pursue the stone.” The oil dissipated, absorbing my wish.

  I walked back down the stairs, hesitating before going in to the living room. Leo stared at me, frowning darkly.

  “I should have known,” he complained.

  “You should go,” I said, trying to still my racing heart.

  He stood. “I know.” Without another word, he strode past me and left. I slumped against the wall, letting the relief wash over me.

  The doorbell rang a moment later and I went to answer it. Why wasn’t he leaving?

  Leo stood there, a smile of apology on his face. “Would you believe me if I told you this isn’t personal? I like you. I really do.”

  “I know,” I said and I believed him. He just liked the stone more.

  “OK. I just wanted to make sure you knew.” He turned and walked down the sidewalk. I waited as he climbed in to his car and backed out of the driveway. I watched it disappear down the street. I noticed Geoff’s car was gone, too.

  I retreated to my room, still shaken. My life was spiraling out of control. My boyfriend was stalking me and his brother was, too. The only friend I had was disgusted with me. And the fate of the world rested in my incapable, indecisive hands.

  I wanted to scream, to throw something, to smash something to pieces but I didn’t. I just sat there on my bed, staring at my walls. A quote inked in blue leaped out at me. When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

  I sighed. I needed something else to focus on, something other than the pressing issue of my destiny and the future of the earth. The doorbell rang once more but I ignored it. I’d had enough of Leo today.

  It sounded again and again but I refused to answer. What more could he possibly have to say to me? Finally, it ceased and I breathed a sigh of relief; he’d taken the hint and gone away.

  But then a shower of pebbles hit my window. I froze. I looked and saw Noel outside, his upturned face gazing at my window. I undid the lock and partially lifted the window.

  “Hi.” My voice was soft and I wondered if he’d heard me.

  “Hi.”

  I waited, uncertain what to do. I had no doubt my wish had worked.

  “Will you come down?” he asked. “Just for a minute?”

  I nodded and, slamming the window shut, hurried down the stairs. By the time I opened the front door, Noel was there, waiting.

  “Valerie.” His voice was filled with remorse and regret.

  I didn’t think about what to say or what to do. I hurtled myself against his chest and his arms wrapped around me, holding me close.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry about last night. Are you OK? Did I…did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head. My throat felt tight. I doubted I could speak even if I wanted to.

  “I’m glad you wished for this,” Noel said. His troubled eyes didn’t leave mine. “I wanted to be able to say goodbye to you without being a…a monster.” He swallowed hard and looked away.

  I was shaken out of my stupor. “You’re leaving?” I couldn’t keep the panic out of my voice.

  A flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Yes. After you…”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t mean now, I realized.

  “I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” he continued fervently. “The fear I saw in your eyes last night w
ill haunt me forever…for all of eternity. If I could take it back, I would.”

  “I’m fine.” I wanted to comfort him, to provide some small reassurance that I was OK. “Really.”

  “You’re fine now.” His voice was bitter. “But you weren’t last night. All because of me.”

  “I’m fine right now because of you,” I pointed out. “Without those wishes you gave me, seeing each other would have been…” I searched for the right word. “…impossible.”

  “I know.” Noel closed his eyes briefly. “And I don’t want you wasting them. On me. But when I sensed what you did today, and when Leo confirmed it, I knew it was my last chance. To see you, to say goodbye to you.” He opened his eyes again and his gaze dropped to my lips. “To hold you.”

  “I’m not getting rid of it.” My voice was clear and confident.

  His eyes widened and I realized he’d misunderstood my intentions.

  “I mean, I am,” I corrected. “But not now. Not today.”

  He shook me then, none too gently. “Are you mad? Completely insane? You have to…do it.” He couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

  “I know. And I will.”

  “When?”

  When I have no more wishes left and I can’t safely keep you away, I thought.

  “Valerie.” Noel was angry. “You can’t do this. I won’t let you.”

  “You gave that bottle to me as a gift,” I reminded him. “There were no restrictions on how I could use it.”

  “But you’re wasting them” he protested, shaking his head. “I’m not worth your wishes.”

  He didn’t understand that he was my wish. My only wish. If I could use all of those drops, concentrate them into one giant mega-wish, I would wish for him. He was all I wanted. All I would ever want.

  “That’s for me to decide.”