Page 22 of Hex Appeal

“That,” she says proudly, “is fire agate.”

I look at the stone.

Then her.

“It’s a rock.”

“But it’s so much more than that.”

She takes my hand.

Apparently we're just going to ignore the fact that every time she touches me, my entire body notices.

She moves my palm from side to side beneath the light.

Colors flash inside the stone. Red. Gold. Orange. Even a little green.

It's like someone trapped a tiny fire inside it.

“Fire agate is a gemstone,” she says. “They're pretty rare. You can only find them in the American Southwest and Mexico.”

“Sounds like they're a long way from home.”

She gives a short laugh.

“Apparently they're formed from volcanoes. Or maybe when water from volcanoes filled up the gaps between rocks millions of years ago.” She lifts one shoulder. “I don't know all of the science behind it, but I do know it involves volcanoes.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

She takes my hand again and traces the stone with the tip of her finger.

My attention stops being on the agate.

“They're a popular crystal for firefighters.”

“I get it. Because they're made from fire. Well, volcanoes. But lava is a lot like fire.”

“That’s true.” She gives me a sweet half smile. “But mostly it's supposed to power up your bravery and protect you while you fight fires.”

Oh.

I look down at the stone. I'm not sure what to say.

It's a rock. I know it's a rock.

Whatever Serena believes about crystals or intentions or magic, I don't believe carrying this thing in my pocket is going to protect me inside a burning building.

But that's not really the point, is it?

She saw something meant to protect firefighters.

And she thought of me.

A lump forms in my throat.

I swallow it down.

“You want to protect me from fire?”