Free Alchemist Academy: Book 2 by Matt Ryan Page B

Wendy walked closer to him. “It’s not something your parents would tell you, I’d imagine.”
    “My mom is sort of a stone nerd,” he said, and laughed.
    It seemed to work. Wendy smiled, and Lola bounced on the couch with a wide grin.
    “The life stone is an interesting object of creation that can heal just about anything, but the creation of it is so dire that the consequences outweigh the benefit.”
    Again, Mark looked back at me. What the hell? Maybe I should have just left him there.
    “Don’t you think saving a life is worth it sometimes?” I spoke up. “Maybe this life stone is actually the greatest gift you can give another person.”
    Mark turned to face me. “But what if that person didn’t have a choice? What if they’d prefer to fight the disease they had on their own without the life stone?”
    “What if you saw that person dying in your arms and you held the cure in your hands? Are you saying you wouldn’t use it?” Tears built in my eyes and I shook.
    Mark looked down and turned around.
    Lola’s wide-eyed gaze bounced from me to Mark, while Wendy’s mouth hung open.
    Way to keep it hypothetical, genius.
    “Well, I’m sure in our lifetimes we’ll all be confronted with both sides of the coin. The best we can do is try to land on the light side more than the dark,” Wendy said, staring at me before steering the class back to a conversation about grow stones.
    I drifted in and out, wanting Mark to turn around and give me a smile to let me know we were cool. But I didn’t get it.
    He raised his hand.
    “Yes, Mark,” Wendy said. “You have a question?”
    “What about portal stones? Do you have any patterns, or are you familiar with them?”
    Kylie coughed and stared at Mark.
    “What an interesting question. Who is your mom, again?” Wendy asked.
    “Sarah Duval.”
    Recognition flashed over her face before it went back to her peaceful look. “I see. Well, she definitely told you about some advanced alchemy. No one here that I’m aware of has the knowledge or skill to make them. They are exceedingly rare, and only a very particular type of alchemist can make them.”
    “A special?” I asked.
    “No, in this case, it’s something you’re born with. I have limited knowledge of portal stones, but I can tell you about their functionality. One only needs to concentrate on the location and use the stone, and then poof, you’re there.”
    “Are there linking stones?” Mark asked.
    “Yes. That’s when a portal stone is made in a pair and you use one to get to where you want to go and the second to bring you back. It’s thought they are connected stones. Mark, there are few people in the world who would even know to ask a question like that. Has your mom been studying alchemy since the moment she left here?”
    “She’s just the consummate student, I guess.”
    “Or you are, Mark. Well, thank you for coming to class today. It was great to hear such a vivid interest in all types of stones.” Wendy rose from her seat. “At the end of each class we stand and thank the person next to us. So, go on and thank your neighbor.”
    I stood and faced Jackie. “Thank you.”
    “And the same to you, madame. You’ve been ever so helpful in my pursuit of knowledge.” Jackie gave a slight bow with whimsy.
    Someone tapped on my shoulder and I turned to face Kylie. “Thank you,” she said, and extended her hand.
    I shook her hand and felt a piece of paper between our palms. My expression faltered and I pushed my hand into my pocket, putting the paper inside it.
    “Thank you,” I said.
    “See you around,” Kylie said, and walked away with her friends.
    Jackie looked over my shoulder. “What’d she give you?” she whispered.
    I didn’t answer. Instead, I searched for Mark. Lola had him in a big hug, thanking him up close and personal. She glanced over at me and released him.
    “Thank you, guys, for coming to this class. Sometimes, it’s just me and Wendy.” She giggled.
    “Our