Free Heart of Stone by Debra Mullins

her pockets. “That’s the hope.”
    â€œIf you’ll excuse me,” Lupe said, “I’m going to get dinner started now that everyone is here.”
    â€œThank you, Lupe,” Maria said. The housekeeper left the foyer.
    â€œSpeaking of which, where is everyone else?” Adrian asked.
    Maria’s lips curved in a knowing smile. “You mean Tessa?”
    â€œI mean Rafe.”
    Maria laughed. “If you say so. He and Cara are on their way down.” The mirth faded from her expression as she addressed Faith. “Rafe is my other son, and Cara is his fiancée.”
    â€œCongratulations.” Faith searched for something else to say. “When’s the wedding?”
    This time genuine amusement lit Maria’s eyes. “Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?”
    â€œThey haven’t set a date yet,” John said.
    â€œRafe insists on completing his Soul Circle before the wedding,” Maria said. “If you can’t stay today, Adrian, you must come back for that.” She wagged her finger. “I insist.”
    â€œI’ll do my best.”
    â€œWhat’s a Soul Circle?” Faith asked.
    Maria and John exchanged a long look.
    â€œIt’s a coming-of-age ceremony for Seers,” Adrian offered. John sent him a sharp glare.
    Faith nodded, uncertain what else to say. She could tell from the way the Montanas were acting that they were uncomfortable in her presence. She sent a thought to Adrian. Why are they acting so strange?
    Maria’s family was hunted by the Mendukati for generations, came the reply.
    They know I was with the Mendukati while I was married to Michael, don’t they?
    Yes.
    The simple answer explained everything. No wonder the Montanas watched her as though she might steal the silver. As far as they were concerned, she was a nightmare come to life, staying in their house, in their lives. All things considered, Maria was treating her with more class than Faith might, were their positions reversed.
    â€œI was with the Mendukati for just over a year,” she found herself saying. “But I left. I didn’t like what they were doing.”
    She could tell she’d surprised them. John and Maria exchanged another glance.
    â€œYou say that now,” came a new voice. A slender, blond woman clad in a white blouse and jeans emerged from the hallway where Darius had disappeared. “But how do we know you’re telling the truth?”
    â€œTessa!” Maria gave Faith a tight smile. “Please forgive my daughter, Ms. Karaluros.”
    â€œFaith,” Faith corrected.
    â€œI’m just saying what everyone else is thinking.” Tessa came to stand beside her mother, folding her arms. “What did you do to my brother?”
    â€œTessa, please,” John said. “This situation is hard enough as it is.”
    â€œOh, come on, Dad. Dar can barely move. He’s in the chair again. He was fine when he left here.” Tessa moved closer to Faith, her striking violet eyes fierce. “What did you do to him?”
    â€œIt was the Mendukati,” Adrian said. “I was there. They tried to take Faith.”
    Tessa swung to face him, chin raised. “How do you know she didn’t want to go?”
    â€œShe had no idea we were coming,” Adrian said. “I don’t consider Faith a threat and neither should you.”
    â€œShe did something to Darius.”
    â€œI did not.” Faith came forward, her own temper sparking. “Your brother helped me escape some agents who were sent to bring me back to the Mendukati, willing or not. I didn’t ask him for help. In fact, once I realized he was a Seer, I begged him to leave. I didn’t want them getting hold of him.”
    â€œSo you say,” Tessa sneered.
    â€œSo I say,” Faith agreed. “Your stubborn brother wouldn’t leave, and he took on a lightning thrower and a Warrior until Adrian got