Chapter 16: Unbelievable

Damon

Did fate purposely goad him? He recognized the crystal immediately. Its call, its throbbing heat, caused him to break out in a cold sweat. He never perspired.

The smoky quartz pulsed like a heartbeat. And she'd found it? She'd had it all this time? It might explain why he'd been lured to her. Hell, everything made so much sense now. He knew the rules for the stone. Once claimed, the owner had to freely give to another or die, or it would annihilate everyone within range. Time to turn on the charm and get her to hand over the crystal of her own free will.

Drawing her attention, Travis asked her about teaching, and how she spoke about her class of kids she'd taught history to earlier in the year. While she talked, he devoured another whole pizza. Damon couldn't keep any food down tonight with his gut twisting and the crystal an arm's length away.