Erik grimaced as a new thought struck him. “I mean, can you really see us together as a long-haul couple?”
“Honestly?” Cassie smiled in spite of herself. “After six months with you, I’d be tempted to set your head on fire just to see if you could feel anything at all.”
“Six months, huh?” The paladin raised his eyebrows. “Frankly, I would have given it three.”
They both grinned.
Erik continued. “I may not be Mr. Right, but we both know who is. Jeez, the guy took a bullet for you in Spain and another one in Sweden. What else does he have to do to prove he’s head over heels?”
“And I care about him too. I care about everybody at the Arkana,” Cassie asserted primly.
Erik snorted in disbelief. “Try again.”
“You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you?” She glared at the paladin. “OK, fine! I think Griffin is terminally adorable. He’s the kindest, most decent human being I’ve ever known and the only guy in the world I’d actually trust with my heart. There! Are you happy now?”
The paladin listened impassively to her declaration. “Don’t tell me. Tell him!”
Cassie stepped back and studied Erik.
“You’re reading me!” he noted uneasily.
“Uh huh.” Her tone was distant. “Like you said, mad skills at judging intent. Right now, I’m scanning for a hidden agenda, but I’m not finding one. So, here’s what I can’t figure out. During our last face-off, you pitched a hissy fit because Griffin and I were getting close. Now you want to play Cupid. What’s up with that?”
The paladin rubbed his jaw, considering the question. “Let’s just say that several recent brushes with death adjusted my attitude. I’m feeling the need to make amends for cutting out on you.” He chuckled ruefully. “I don’t know how long this surge of generosity will last so you’d better take advantage of me while you can.”
At that moment, Chris strolled up the block with Sarah at his side. “Is the party over already?” he asked.
“No, I think they’re setting out dessert. Why don’t you go on in?” Cassie suggested.
“Time we went back too before your boyfriend has a nervous breakdown,” Erik counseled archly.
Cassie regarded him a moment longer. “Whatever the reason for your one-man intervention, this is a gift horse I’m not about to look in the mouth.” She pulled him into a hug. “Thanks, dude.”
“No problem, toots.”
They followed Chris and Sarah back to the house.
***
Half an hour later, the party began to break up. The cherry pie had been demolished. Daniel and company departed for a power shopping trip to the city. Zach and Hannah wandered off to the far side of the garden to exchange sweet nothings. Faye and Maddie sat beneath the pergola, discussing Arkana business. Erik made his farewells, glancing pointedly at Cassie as he left.
The pythia stood up and held out her hand. “Griffin, can we go inside and talk?”
The scrivener paled at the suggestion, a shadow crossing his face. “If you wish.”
As they walked past the end of the table, Faye called out, “Cassie dear, would you carry this into the parlor, please? I’d like to examine it more closely this evening after everything quiets down.” The memory guardian held out the Sage Stone.
Cassie took it and contemplated the lackluster object with a shrug. “All that fuss and it turned out to be nothing but a lump of rock after all.”
She drew Griffin to the front of the house, pausing to lay the artifact on the end table next to Faye’s plum armchair.
The scrivener stood in the middle of the room, regarding the pythia cautiously. “What did you and Erik have to say to one another?” His attempt to sound casual proved unconvincing.
“Nothing important,” Cassie countered. “I’d rather talk about something else.”
“Oh, yes? What might that be?”
“The conversation you and I never got to finish in Sweden.”
“Now?” Griffin’s eyes flew open in wild alarm. “You want to talk about that now? But I... I haven’t had time to prepare. I haven’t thought about what to—”
She gently pushed him backwards into Faye’s armchair and then dropped onto his lap.
He stared at her in shock.
“Why don’t I cut to the chase?” Cassie leaned in and kissed him. When their lips parted several moments later, she asked, “Was that what you were trying to tell me?”
Recognition dawned brightly in his eyes. He reached up to caress her cheek. “By comparison, I recall using far too many words.”
“Just for the record, you were going to say you’re in love with me, weren’t you?”
He nodded mutely, too overcome to speak.
“Just for the record, I’m in love with you too.”
He drew her head toward his, about to kiss her again, when she sat bolt upright.
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear what,” he murmured, still intent on another kiss.
“A sound coming from...” Cassie swiveled her head. “There.” She pointed to the object on the end table.
“Good grief!” the scrivener gave a start. “It’s glowing.”
The core of the dead black rock had begun to emit an incandescent aura. Waves of golden light danced across its surface.
“It isn’t just glowing. It’s whispering something.”
Cassie held the Sage Stone up to her ear, but all she could discern was an echo—like ocean waves in a conch shell. “I can’t make it out. What did the Minoan legends say this thing was supposed to do?”
“It purportedly offered them advice—providing guidance on difficult questions.”
“So, it’s a Minoan magic eight ball?” Cassie shook it slightly.
“Not Minoan anymore if it’s begun to speak to the Arkana.”
She held it up to her ear again. “It still sounds like waves crashing on the shore.”
Griffin removed the stone from her hand and placed it back on the table. “Perhaps Faye was right. After sleeping for three millennia, the Sage Stone may be a bit sluggish. It’s bound to regain its voice in due course. For the present...” He turned Cassie’s face back toward him. “I’m sure
