Page 36 of Out of Sight

“What about your giant?”

“He can work with stone, and I am stone. Hell, I don’t even know if I have genitals. I certainly don’t have clothing, and I need a place to stay. He is offering those things free and clear.”

Anya said, “What about your trust account?”

“Gone. The guys who cursed me removed every trace of me from this world and kept me underground so they could keep draining me. It took me three years to break out. I spent one year in a coma in hospital, and then my body shattered into a million stars and my soul came loose. From there, I was in the same state as this morning.”

Ted frowned. “They robbed you?”

“Yup. Took my house, my car, my money, my life. I am starting over with nothing. As I have been erased, even my comp sci degree is useless.”

Ted murmured, “Well, I understand the depression a little bit more. I just want to hug the stuffing out of you.”

“It’s solid marble. Give it a shot.”

Ted hugged her and whispered, “I am so sorry.”

“They are happy to have you back and don’t really remember me. Enjoy it. Feel the family around you again and get your bearings.”

“What will you be doing?”

She saw the giant mage walking toward her. “Examining his stonework.”

Ted whispered, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Therese, I am clinging to anyone who will extend a hand right now, and so far, that is him and Regis, and yourself, of course, but you have your own issues to get under control.”

Ted leaned back. “You trust him?”

Lucia stroked the braids back over her cousin’s shoulder. “I am stone and electrical impulses bound together by magic. I am the sturdiest I have ever been. But the body that housed your cousin is long gone, and this family owes me nothing. I guess I had to see them to really let it sink in.”

Ted looked around, and she saw recognition for her and confusion for Lucia. They didn’t know where she fit. It was like they were seeing an old rumour come to life and weren’t sure what to believe.

Lucia walked up to Yorwell and smiled at his above-average human appearance. He was very pretty for a man that large. “Thank you for coming.”

He smiled. “I wanted to meet your family.”

“The only one to greet me is my grandmother, so I will introduce her. No one else has thought of me in thirteen years or more.”

“That must be stressful.”

“I will cry later. For now, this is my Nanna Anya. She has the sight on contact, so watch her hands.”

Yorwell inclined his head. “I am pleased to meet you, Madam Anya. Your granddaughter had enough power to draw three mages to bind her and survived to tell the tale. That is exceptionally rare power and even more determination. Her ability to survive on her own is unparalleled, but I am offering myself to assist her future endeavours.”

Lucia rolled her eyes.

Ted was talking to the orc, and he took one of her hands. Lucia could see their power signatures, and they moved in complementary patterns, each making the other stronger. Lucia smiled. Ormyet was going to become a cousin.

“Nanna, this is Yorwell. I am fairly sure you recognize him from your vision, but he gets a bit taller and has a fun poker face.”

He smiled. “Yorwell Stone.”

Lucia snorted. “Original.”

“Thank you.”

Anya’s eyes were wide. “Oh, my.”