Heart of Stone Read Online Free PDF Page A

headed for the door. As he limped through the restaurant, he could sense the waitress’s gaze on him. Her sexual interest faded, replaced first by disappointment as his injuries became obvious, then pity. He looked straight at her. She glanced away.
    They always did.
    His lips twisted. Yeah, don’t stare at the cripple . Even his former fiancée hadn’t been able to look at him at the end. He left the restaurant, lured by a siren song apparently only he could hear.
    *   *   *
    Corinne shot lightning in Faith’s direction, but the bolts flew wild, shattering more pottery. Faith didn’t even flinch. Most Atlanteans could not use their powers on one another; they just didn’t work. As far as she knew the only exception was an Echo like Michael, a Channeler whose ability was to enhance the powers of others.
    So Corinne couldn’t electrocute her, but she could certainly use the lightning to set the store on fire or bring the roof down on Faith’s head. To that end, Faith used the energy she had pulled from the stones to reinforce her personal barrier. Corinne had always been a hothead, and control was definitely not one of her strong points.
    She was, to put it simply, bat-shit crazy.
    â€œI’m not going back, Corinne.”
    â€œIt’s not that simple, Faith. You can’t just leave. Sure, we knew you were torn up after you killed your husband, and the Elders were giving you time to grieve. Now Wei Jun is dead, and Azotay is here.” Breathing hard from temper, Corinne rounded the edge of the counter. “Time’s up.”
    â€œJust leave, Corinne. You’ve had your hissy fit. Why don’t you call it a night?”
    Corinne laughed, throwing her head back in clear, maniacal glee. “You really have forgotten everything, haven’t you? Do you really think I came here alone?”
    Silently, Faith cursed. She had forgotten. The Mendukati always went on missions in pairs. “Call your pal,” she said. “Let’s get this out in the open.”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly.” Corinne propped her hip against the counter and folded her arms, blocking Faith’s only exit. “I already called him.”
    Him. Azotay? Faith sucked in a slow breath to calm her churning stomach. No, Azotay wouldn’t come himself. Rumor said he only stepped in personally in the most extreme circumstances, so it was probably someone else. Another Mendukati soldier. A Channeler like her and Corinne, or a Warrior? She’d have a shot against another Channeler, but a Warrior, blessed with super-human strength and speed, was a different story.
    The bell tinkled as the door opened. Faith tensed, and Corinne looked over, her smug expression fading. “We’re closed.”
    The man filling the doorway tilted his head, his stylishly cut, long brown hair just sweeping his massive shoulders. Handsome in a chiseled-cheekbones-sexy-mouth kind of way, he had tempered being too pretty with a rakish-looking mustache and goatee. His casual khakis and the navy blue polo shirt hugging his broad chest tagged him as a tourist, a well-to-do one based on the pricey watch on his wrist. Any other time Faith would have admired the view, but not with Corinne hair-triggered to do some damage.
    â€œYou do know the place is on fire, right?” he said.
    â€œIt’s under control,” Corinne said. She flexed her fingers, lightning rippling around her hands behind the counter.
    Corinne, don’t. Faith sent the thought telepathically . He’s just a tourist .
    A tourist in the wrong place at the wrong time .
    â€œLet me help you.” The man sent Faith a steady look, his eyes a stunning blue against his olive complexion, his smile coaxing. “I couldn’t call myself a gentleman if I left ladies in distress.”
    â€œIt’s all right,” Faith said. “We’re leaving.” Just go, she pleaded in her thoughts. Get out of here