Kiss of Frost (The Dragon Stone Saga Book 1)(4)

Ann pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. That's her tell. There's something she's not telling me.

"Why wouldn't they just come and get it themselves? Why send you?" Ann asks.

I've been wondering the same thing since this kid showed up, but I let the question go unanswered for now.

"I don't know. They wouldn't tell me. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring any trouble. I just want to save my mom and sister." Kay's voice cracks at the end and Ann's features soften.

"It's all right, Kay. We'll figure this out and help you." Ann picks up the picture with the necklace on it again. "I remember this piece. It was beautiful. And full of magic."

"Was…" Kay's shoulders shake and tears fill her eyes. I lay my hand on her shoulder and squeeze, hoping the small gesture will offer some comfort.

"What do you mean, full of magic, Ann?" I ask, dread coiling in my stomach.

Ann ignores my question and instead answers Kay. "It was clunky and had a lot of stones on it, as you can see. So I had a master jeweler break it down into smaller pieces. A necklace, a ring, and a bracelet. I kept a few of the smaller stones loose though."

Kay perks up in her chair. "So you still have them? All of the gems?"

"I'm afraid not. I've only got the necklace. I sold the ring and the bracelet. Everyone loved the stones in them." Ann points to the picture. "You see here? I used the ice-blue ones for the necklace. And the green ones for the bracelet. The red ones went to the ring. The leftover white and purple ones I never figured out what to do with."

Kay deflates like a punctured balloon and I rub a hand over her back. "We'll find them. For now, we can get you the necklace." I look to Ann. "Right, Ann?"

"I've been looking for it." She frowns. "I put it in storage when I painted the shop, and I can't find it."

"Is that what you had Jem and me looking for?"

Ann nods.

"Well, I'm looking for it again tomorrow. You can help us look, Kay."

"I can do that!" Kay practically jumps out of her seat.

"Do you need a place to stay tonight?" My apartment isn't huge but I've got a spare bedroom.

"I'm not sure if I should go back to them or not…" She bites at her thumbnail.

"What did you tell them you'd do?" I ask.

"I told them I'd be back with the gems as soon as possible."

"Did they give you a deadline?"

"Three days and…" Kay stops short and lets out a long breath.

"And what?"

"They told me I'd better not fail. I-I can’t imagine what will happen if I do." Energy flows off of her as her anxiety ramps up and I feel raw power flood the room. I wonder if she knows she's a witch. Probably not, but I'll save that for another day.

Ann taps a finger on her lip, watching Kay closely as well. "What if you tell them you spoke with the owner and she'll be pulling it out of storage tomorrow? Tell them you told me you'd like to buy it so they don't think you told me you're in trouble. It's not a perfect plan but at least they'll know you didn't run off and you get more time." Ann pulls a necklace out of her pocket and I smile. I know the look of black tourmaline well. "Here, wear this. It will protect you."

Kay holds the rough stone between her fingers. "It's a black rock."

I laugh. "It's called black tourmaline and it will protect you from anyone trying to do you harm." I pull the long chain I wear every day out from under my shirt. "See? I wear one too."

"Yours has other stuff." She leans forward and inspects mine.

"Yeah, I've added a few personal good-luck charms to mine over the years. I'm sure you'll do the same."

"I don't believe in any of that witchy stuff."

Ann and I both throw our heads back and laugh. "You will, sweetheart. You will. Come on, I'll drive you home." Ann wraps an arm around Kay and steers her out the door. "Take my keys and wait in the car for a moment. I'll be right down."

I wait until I hear Kay's footsteps on the stairs and start in on Ann. "Is this what you have Jem and me looking for?"

"Yes, this is the item."

"I need a little bit more here, Ann. How did you know someone would be coming for it? What exactly is up with the stones? You said they're full of magic. How so?"

"I didn't buy this piece. It was given to me by an old friend from Europe. They sent it to me to protect it. To keep it out of the hands of men like the ones who have Kay's family."

Epic fail apparently. "How did they know you have it?"

"I got a letter from my friend. It said that if I was receiving this letter, she was dead and that I had to find and protect the stones. That someone was coming for them."

"Who? Who is coming for them?"

"They're an ancient sect of mages. Dark magic practitioners. Their only purpose is to harness as much power as they can and hoard it for themselves. Even if that means stealing it from other magical beings."

"Well, that sounds horrible." Tension forms a knot in the back of my neck and I massage it, trying to relieve the tension. "Does Jem know?"