Free Obsidian (Mystic Stones Series #1) by Kayla Curry Page A

as the excuse I needed to get out of the room before he bit me. I’d tell him I needed to give him something before the change. Something sentimental.
    Tom returned to the room with a tray and a bowl of cereal, he had a glass of chocolate milk on the tray as well. I thanked him and ate my cereal. After I finished, I told him I wanted to clean up for the day and found the way to my room.
    Once inside, I found some paper on the desk and began to write a letter. I folded the letter up and put it in an envelope, before hiding it in the back of a drawer. Once I assured myself everything would work out, I took a shower and dressed myself.
    I went to the window in the bedroom. The window opened easily, but the jump would be a leg-breaker. I checked the smaller window in the bathroom. It hung over the kitchen and a section of the roof sat just below. My body would fit through the window, but the feat would be tricky. If I took things slow and didn’t get panicked I could open the window, push out the screen, and then get out.
    I wasn’t sure where I’d go, but Tom would start looking for me the second he found out I was missing, so I couldn’t stick around. I thought about my friend Alani. Her brother had a boat. Maybe we’d have a chance in a less isolated place. Food seemed to be disappearing fast in Hawaii. At least in California we would have access to food and other supplies. We could get out and find a way to stop the vampires—assuming I could get Alani and Hiu to believe me.
    The plan balanced on a tightrope. Alani wouldn’t want to leave Hawaii, but maybe with everything going on I could convince her. Which brought about another dilemma: should I tell Alani everything right off the bat or wait until we got to the mainland? Alani might think me crazy, but it may be the only way to get her off the island. Maybe we could get other people to go. We needed protection, and numbers might help. I wished I knew how to kill vampires. The information might come in handy later. Although, I worried I might hesitate if it came down to killing Tom.
    A knock came at the door. Tom’s voice rang out. “Ava? Are you coming out? I have something to show you.”
    “I’ll be right out, almost finished,” I called back.
    His footsteps grew distant as he walked away, and I composed myself. I didn’t want Tom to think I was plotting something. I checked the clock. It was almost noon.
    Twelve hours to go.
    Time overcame me like an ocean wave. I hoped I’d be able to withstand the force.
    I descended the spiral staircase and walked into the living room where Tom waited. He dressed in a white button-up and dark brown slacks. The shirt hinted at his strong chest beneath it and the urge to undo a few more buttons washed over me.
    “There you are! You look lovely today, as usual.”
    I wore a pair of black slacks and a navy blue shirt that would please Tom by giving him the sense I wanted to look nice, but also wouldn’t give me any trouble when I made my escape.
    I reminded myself to be enthusiastic today.
    “Thank you. So do you. What’s the occasion?” I asked.
    “Well, today is your last day as a human. I want to make sure it’s a joyous occasion, and I thought we’d eat lunch out on the terrace since it’s such a beautiful day.”
    “That sounds pleasant.”
    Tom led me out to the terrace where he’d already prepared a chicken dish and some other side dishes. Our plates were already made, and he served wine, as usual. In the center of the table, a small black box sat in a prominent spot.
    The box seemed ominous for no apparent reason other than the fact that it was there.
    “What’s that?” I asked gesturing to the box.
    “That’s a surprise. For after our meal,” he said with a grin.
    I smiled mischievously and glanced at the box again. Tom gave me a fake disapproving smirk.
    “Ava, I’m glad we waited to do this. Today can be a celebration. I would have regretted changing you in the warehouse with all the other