Soulstone by Katie Salidas

the crystal. “We don’t know,” he said somberly.
    Ariana looked up. “This tome is filled with ancient magic.” Her eyes sparkled with awe. She held up the book in her hand. “These pages are covered with so many wonderful spells, the likes of which I haven’t ever run across before. It’s fascinating. I’m certain I can find something in here.”
    “But how long will that take? And how much are you going to charge us?” I said with a mixture of anger and worry. Witches never did anything for free.
    “I’m in your debt,” she said with a frown. “Instead of leaving me to the Saints or killing me yourselves, you spared me after my coven betrayed you. All I ask is that once I’ve done my duty, you never call upon me again.”
    “Had enough vampire business, have you?” Nicholas asked, the snark returning to his voice.
    “Werewolf too,” she added quickly. “You all lead bloody and violent lives. I just want to be left in peace to practice my magic.”
    “Can’t speak for the wolves, but we’ll let you off the hook if you save Lysander.”
    Nicholas gave me a warning look, like I had spoken out of turn or promised something beyond our ability to give. But he didn’t speak his thoughts out loud. I didn’t care what I had to promise. All I wanted was my Lysander back. Then we could return home and live our lives in peace. 
    “I’ll do my best,” Ariana said. “But I’ll need a little time to decipher some of these spells, and access to ingredients. I’ll have to make a trip back to the coven house for supplies.”
    “You’ll leave the book with us for safekeeping while you’re gone,” I blurted out, not bothering to check what Nicholas thought.  “For insurance purposes, I mean.”
    Nicholas smirked at me. “When did you become the shrewd negotiator?” He turned to Ariana. “She’s right, though. Because of your coven’s betrayal, we still have reason to distrust you, so the book stays with us while you collect your supplies.”
    “Fair enough. I’ll need some protection as well. If my high priestess had dealings with the Acta Sanctorum, then they will most certainly know where our coven kept their things.”
    “That is something you will have to request from the wolves. If they agree, they can escort her during the day when it is safest,” Santino said. I’d almost forgotten he was there.
    He stood like a guard in the foyer, as if waiting for someone to barge in through the front door. He hadn’t even bothered to come warm his hands by the fire. Such strange behavior; but then again, I was glad to have him on alert. His reputation for being an undefeated warrior and hunter made me feel much safer with the Acta Sanctorum so close at hand.
    “This is all well and good, but is there anything we can do for Lysander now? I can feel his weakness, and that makes me worry.” I hugged the crystal to my chest.
    “Blood is the only thing that has helped in the past.” Ariana stood and set the book aside. She walked to the door leading to the basement, opened it, and disappeared down into the darkness. A moment later she returned carrying a small tan ceramic saucer and what appeared to be a ceremonial dagger. It was beautiful, with a carved wooden handle with silver accents depicting the various elements surrounding a woman whose hands were lifted upward. The double-edged blade had a mirror finish and smooth sharp edges. Ariana laid the saucer on the coffee table in the center of the room.
    “The crystal please,” she said and looked directly at me. Thankfully, now there was no fear in her eyes.
    I breathed a sigh of relief for that. There was nothing worse than calming down a scared human who’s worried, for no reason, that you’re going to kill them. I didn’t enjoy that with Fallon, and I would not with Ariana either.
    I joined her and knelt at the table, then handed the crystal to her.
    She placed it in the center of the ceramic saucer, standing it on its wider end with the