“Oh, sister,” cried Lira, sounding very sad. The rest of the group, including Stone remained silent. The dog whined and lay down with his nose between his paws.
It was happening already. Every one of them would start to despise her now and Persimmon realized that she had brought this all on herself. If she had just been honest with them all from the start, perhaps she would still have the adoration of her new friends and family. But sadly, after this, she realized she would once again be abandoned, rejected, and live the rest of her life alone.
“I don’t feel well. Stone,” she said, reaching out for him with one hand as her eyes closed and the dizziness overtook her. Any sound or sense of surroundings disappeared as Persimmon blacked out and entered a deep, dark, silent void that, to her, was worse than death.
Twelve
Stone laid Persimmon atop the bed inside the castle, glad he had been there to catch her or she might have fallen into the deep pit when she passed out. He wasn’t sure what was going on with her, or why she said she couldn’t scry when he thought she could. At first, he’d had his doubts about her. But she knew things, like what the old couple wanted and the name of their son and where to find him. She also told him she saw the kiss coming. That’s why he started to believe that she could possibly really have the ability to see things in that gazing ball, after all. His heart went out to her because he knew she was going through something and he felt helpless to guide her through it. He had wanted so badly to believe she wasn’t leading everyone on since he'd seen her use powers to move things with her mind. But now, he became confused and didn’t know what to think about the girl.
“Stone?” Persimmon shifted atop the bed, her eyes opening slightly as she looked for him. “Don’t leave me.”
“You’re safe, darling. Don’t worry,” he told her, taking a seat on the side of the bed. Even if she had been deceitful and fooled them all, he couldn’t leave her. He had promised to protect her, and he would not go back on his word.
Alaina rushed into the room along with Lira, Medea and Talia. Aithrod slowly followed. Fang brought up the rear.
“Let me see her.” Alaina brought forth a basket of herbs and potions. Stone got up and moved out of the way.
“Sister, what’s wrong? Why did you faint? Are you ill?” Lira went around the other side of the bed and took Persimmon’s hand in hers.
“I saw my mother,” mumbled Persimmon, still seeming half-unconscious.
“I thought her mother was dead,” said Stone, wondering if she had been dreaming.
“Shhh, let’s hear what she has to say. Go ahead,” Lira urged her. “What happened, sister? It’s all right. You can tell us.”
“I see ghosts,” said Persimmon, sounding like she really meant it.
“Ghosts?” This surprised Stone. He wasn’t even sure he believed in ghosts. “Mayhap she’s just ill and hallucinating,” he told the others.
“Nay,” said Persimmon, still holding her sister’s hand but looking straight at Stone. “I also have no ability whatsoever to see anything in a gazing orb and I am sorry to let you all think I did.”
“No, Persimmon. That can’t be true,” said Stone, holding on to the last thread of hope. “You’ve seen us kissing. You told me so.”
“I saw it, but in a vision in my mind, Stone. I never scried to know that.”
“Oh, Persimmon,” he said, his heart dropping. Too upset to think, he paced the floor.
“I am a liar and a fake. Just like my father said.” Her eyes closed and Stone saw pain contort her face. “Now, you all know the truth. I deserve to have you hate me, just like Elric does.”
“So she has no power to scry at all?” asked Lira.
“It’s true,” said Medea. “She has no skill to use the gazing orb and has just been pretending. She told me in confidence, but now that she has admitted it aloud, it is no longer a secret.”
“Why would she do such a thing?” asked Aithrod. “I was hoping she could use her powers to help us get back home.”
“I really hoped she’d be able to help us heal the Lithums,” said Talia.
“I’m sorry I let you all down.” Persimmon’s eyes opened again and she looked straight at Stone. “I have never really had friends before I met all of you. I only wanted you all to like me.”
Stone’s heart went out to the girl and he stopped pacing. He had seen the way Elric treated his own daughter and he felt sorry for her. Her mother was dead and she was in a strange land now, just like he was. However, she’d made them all look like fools and he didn’t like that. “We do like you, Persimmon. You don’t have to try to impress us with lies about scrying and using the crystal when I know you have powers to move things. I’ve seen it myself.”
“I’m sorry,” she told him.
“I’m sorry, too. Now, I have a job to do and must leave to get it done. I have to track down a couple of thieves.” Stone turned to go, but her words stopped him.
“Gregor Lithum is approaching the castle right now.”
“What?” He turned and scowled at her. “What are you saying?”
“The old couple just told me.”
“Those elderly people are not even conscious and you’ve been nowhere near them today. Stop pretending like they are giving you messages. The game is over, sweetheart. Don’t keep making up lies, because we don’t like it.” Stone was tired of playing this game and wanted it to stop.
“I’m not lying!” She struggled to sit up, and the women helped her. “I see their ghosts right now. They are standing right behind you.”
“Enough!” He turned to go, and took a step, but stopped suddenly. It was as if a cold breeze had just blown right through him.
She’s telling the truth he heard a man say.
Stone whirled around to face the others. “Who said that?”
“What do you mean?” asked Talia. “No one said a thing.”
“I distinctively heard a man say she is telling the truth.”
“It was Gregor’s father,” said Persimmon. “He also just walked right through you.”
