Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,11

make up for it?”

“Have you called the owner yet?”

“No. I do everything through a neighbor.”

“Did you call the neighbor?”

“I’m going to. I sent an email.” I sounded pathetic and out of my mind. What girl did nothing when a guy broke into her house?

“I’d be careful. What’s there to stop him from breaking in again?”

“He didn’t seem dangerous.” I tried to come up with a plausible explanation for my behavior so she didn’t write me off as crazy.

“Psychos don’t always look like psychos.”

“That’s a good point.” Who was I kidding? There was going to be no saving face.

“I’d talk to the neighbor before you go home tonight. If you’re still worried, you’re welcome to crash at my place. I have an extra bedroom.”

“Oh, that’s really generous, but I’ll be fine.”

“It’s your choice, but let me give you my cell number just in case.”

I pulled out my phone and typed in the numbers as she recited them. “Thanks.”

“You all set?” She glanced at her watch. “I might be able to get you back within your fifty-eight minute time limit.”

I laughed. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

The waitress came over with the check and Rachel insisted on paying for it. “You can get it next time.”

I nodded. “Deal.”

I walked back to the office in a good mood. Lunch with Rachel was nice, and despite her warnings, I wasn’t worried about James. If he’d wanted to hurt or take advantage of me, he would have done it right off when I’d been in only a towel. My body heated thinking about the way his eyes had raked over me. I wondered how much more intense the gaze would have been without the towel. I pushed away those thoughts. Completely inappropriate. Rachel was right. The guy could have been a pyscho.

6

JAMES

Despite the hard time I gave Henry, I had no problem paying Charlotte a visit. Even if it were not my job to protect her, I would have still spent time with her. She was the truest friend I had, and I trusted her more than anyone else alive. I headed toward the castle. It was located deep in the city, closest to the mountain that served as a secondary fortress to the already strong wall.

I detoured through the open air market. Despite the delicious food options in Charleston, none compared to the food of Energo, especially the fruit. The fruits of Energo were matched by none. I picked up a jade fruit for later, overpaying the vendor. I had a soft spot for people who made a living off the land. Jade fruits were by far my favorite. Shaped like a coconut, the fleshy insides of the fruit were both sweet and tart.

The guard at the castle entrance let me in with a nod, and I continued through the familiar halls of my childhood home. How times had changed.

I took a quick peek in the banquet room. Charlotte and Liam used it far more than my father ever did. The shy teenage girl Charlotte once was had slowly become the leader everyone needed her to be. Too bad we all had not grown into our roles that well.

“That didn’t take long.” Charlotte’s low voice had me turning.

“I would not want to leave the Essence waiting, now would I?”

“When have you ever concerned yourself with leaving someone waiting?” Her blue eyes twinkled with amusement.

I shrugged. “There is a first time for everything.”

“How are you?” She straightened the long skirt of her blue dress. It had not taken long for her to grow used to the traditional clothes of Energo.

“I am well, and yourself?” I rested a hand on the cold stone wall.

“I assume Henry told you I needed to see you?” She played with the ends of her long brown hair.

“Yes, is there something you need my services for?”

She smacked my arm. “Cut it out.”

“What? I am one of your Guardians after all.”

“I have news to share.” She grinned.

“News?”

“News.” She blushed.

“Wait, that kind of news?” There was only one thing that would make a girl smile that wide and also blush.

“Yes.” She grinned. “We’re due this summer.”

“We? Liam is pregnant too?” I teased. Charlotte was like a sister to me. The teasing came naturally.

“You know exactly what I mean.” She pouted.

“Congratulations.”

“Aren’t you going to hug me?”

“Hug you?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. Share in the excitement?”

“When have I ever hugged you?”

“After I saved you.” She put a hand on her hip.

“Which was after I saved you.”

“Just hug me, idiot.”

I laughed. “Come here.” I pulled her into