Page 252 of Coal Hearts

Wrenching his arm from Kirk’s urgent fingers, Peter threw me a scowl. “I’m not falling for her. I just...feel responsible—just like you said. It’s my fault she’s like this.”

I didn’t care they spoke about me as if I wasn’t there. As if my mind truly had broken and nothing was left of me.

The numbness reached my ears, turning the volume down on everything around me, including Kirk’s and Peter’s fierce whispers.

Ignoring them, I padded closer to the baskets of glittering jewels. The dragon puffed a warning tower of smoke in my direction as I sidestepped her prickly tail and reached out to touch a moonstone ring.

A tingle of power shot into my fingertips.

I didn’t know if it was real or drug-induced.

I searched my fractured mind for memorised facts on this particular rock.

Moonstone.

Found mainly in Sri Lanka and Southern India. Supposed to be calming, connected to the moon and feminine energy with the power to manifest dreams into reality.

All my dreams are broken...

My heart wrenched.

My soul cracked.

But I didn’t cry.

Yanking my hand back, I ran my fingertips over a million other baubles and keepsakes. Garnet and emerald. Pearl and sapphire. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, cuffs, hair clips, and earrings.

More than a jewelry shop.

More than I’d ever seen.

My skin prickled as Peter appeared on my right and Kirk on my left. Kirk stayed quiet, but Peter took my hand and looped his fingers tight with mine.

Kirk sucked in a breath.

“Do you see what used to belong to you?” Peter whispered, maybe to avoid the cameras or maybe just because the witching hour demanded respectful quietness.

I blinked and met his ardent stare.

Did he mean...

No.

He couldn’t.

I looked back at the rows upon rows of gemstones. Inlaid in silver, gold, and copper.

Thousands of them.

Thousands of mementos and treasured things that once used to belong to...

I gagged and stumbled back.

My ribs shattered.

My insides tore.

But I didn’t cry.