Page 57 of Charmed

“Stone, please.” Persimmon laid a hand on his arm and willed him to be quiet. “If you put him on his defense, we are never going to get inside.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” said Stone. “Can we please come in, Elric?”

“You promise me, first.” The elf was a stubborn little thing. He was also so different from Persimmon’s mother that Persimmon wondered how in the world the two of them ever got together in the first place and how she was even born.

“Stone. Please.” Persimmon looked at him and raised a brow.

“Fine. I promise,” he groaned, shaking his head as soon as Elric turned around.

“All right. Come in and close the door.”

Persimmon entered her father’s house, stopping to look around and take in her surroundings. It was tiny. All the furniture was small, like it was made for a child. She supposed it was because Elric himself wasn’t taller than a child.

“Sit down, sit down.” Elric zipped over to the open window, closing the shutter quickly. “Did Queen Sasha see you come here?” he asked, with one eye squinted. He darted over and climbed up on the table to be the same height as them. “She did, didn’t she?” He acted as if it worried him that the elven queen might have even seen them.

“Who?” asked Persimmon, knowing the answer but stalling for time to work up her courage. She checked out each of the chairs and finally chose one to sit on.

“Lira’s aunt,” spat Elric. “She is queen of Glint now since your sister foolishly gave up the throne and the queendom to go rule with that shapeshifting husband of hers. What a waste, I swear.”

“Father, that’s not a nice thing to say,” scolded Persimmon.

“Zann is a shapeshifter?” asked Stone in surprise, still standing.

“Yes. I’m surprised you even know what it means.” Elric raised his chin and proceeded to look down his nose at Stone. “After all, you are naught but a helpless human since you have no magic in your land and hold no power in the least.”

“Of course, I know what it means. And I’m sorry to have disappointed you with my mundane abilities. So, tell me. What does Zann shift into? And how often does it occur?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but Zann can turn into a man-eating white wolf at any moment. You’d better beware,” snapped Elric, his arms flaying around above his head like a madman.

“Man-eating?” repeated Stone.

“Father! That is a lie. How can you even say that?” Lira stood in the open doorway. “My husband can shift into a wolf, that part is true. However, he has never eaten a human, I assure you.” Lira entered the room.

“Lira? You’re here, too? Who did you bring with you?” In a blur, the elf sped over to the door, looked out in both directions and then slammed the door.

“I’m by myself, Father.” Lira walked over and sat down on a small chair. “Why are you so worried?”

“I don’t want any of you bringing those thieves to my door.” Elric zipped back to the window and paced the floor.

“Oh, you mean the thieves that you stole the gems from in the first place?” asked Stone. “Speaking of that, did you take them all from Rancor or does he have any left? Either way, I’ll need you to hand them over to me now.” Stone’s hand shot out, his open palm waiting for the stones. He still stood instead of sitting in the chairs that were much too small for a normal sized man.

“I told you, I didn’t steal anything,” spat Elric, moving closer to Stone. “I found them on the floor of the cave. The stupid thieves were so busy fighting off the gnomes, they didn’t even see me there.” He clutched the bag at his side.

“Do they have some gemstones left?” asked Stone. “The king didn’t tell me how many went missing.”

“How should I know?” Elric bit at a hangnail. “They are so stupid, even if they did have more, they have probably lost them by now. Besides, these are of no use to humans.”

“What do you mean, Father?” asked Persimmon.

“You know something about these gems that you aren’t telling us,” Stone accused him.

“Why do you think that?” asked Persimmon.

“I can read people and their reactions. Elric wouldn’t look at me when I asked how many stones there were and he bit at his finger nervously,” said Stone. “That proves to me he knows more than he is letting on.”

“Do you, Father?” asked Lira. “Do you know something about these gemstones?”

“Never mind that,” spat Elric. “Stone promised he wouldn’t try to get them from me and he broke his promise. I can’t trust you, Stonestealer.” He stopped and folded his arms over his chest. One eyebrow raised in the air as he perused Stone.