Stone Chameleon (Ironhill Jinn #1) (34 page)

When the floor trembled, and I imagined breaking the earth open to find an escape from the pain, I reminded myself that we were alive. I couldn’t find the will to feel guilty about that, no matter how short a time I’d earned us. Isaac would come for me soon. Until then, I’d get on with life the only way I knew how and deal with the consequences of what I’d done when they arose.

I went to bed with Benny, who cooed softly as I drifted above the visions of water and blood, of fangs and blades, to the place only the harmony of the earth could take me.

At some point, I’d have to face my uncertain future, what I’d felt in the moment I decided to save Isaac, and whether the presence I’d sensed had been real or concocted by my fear and moral compass, but for the moment, I needed to find a little peace.

Vibrations in my arm woke me in the middle of the night. I opened my fingers, revealing my lost stone gleaming in the moonlight streaming through my window. Smiling, I squeezed it and went back to sleep.

About the Author

Jocelyn is an office grunt by day and creator of romance and adventure by night. Born a farmer’s daughter with a vivid imagination, she spent her childhood dreaming up stories. With no formal training, she relied on the honest feedback of her writing group to take her from that first short story all the way to THE END of her first novel. She now has nine published novels and several short stories. When she isn’t slinging words, you can find her shooting her bow or enjoying the serenity of family life in her little house in the woods.

Also by Jocelyn Adams

The Glass Man (Lila Gray #1)

Shadowborn (Lila Gray #2)

Rise of the Magi (Lila Gray #3)

Darkside Sun (Mortal Machine #1)

Midnight Dawn (Mortal Machine #2)

Forever Dusk (Mortal Machine #3)

Crossing Hathaway