She wished she'd never found that hidden compartment. But she had. Instinct told Rebekah that she couldn't ignore this without ramifications. She might as well get it over with. Resolutely, Rebekah opened the chest again. She grasped the velvet pouch and pulled the drawstring. Inside was a gem. She plunged her fingers in and drew the stone out.
She held the stone in one hand, then pressed the other hand firmly on top of it. A jolt of electricity surged through her body before subsiding into a tingle. And for the first time in Rebekah's memory, she felt comfortable in her skin. She was startled at the scratch at her door. Rebekah hurried to open the door for Nebil.
Rebekah: (whispering) I hope you understand I can't start calling you Neville now. Sorry about that.
Nebil purred.
Rebekah: Are the evil sages gone? Am I safe?
Nebil stared straight into Rebekah's eyes and growled. Then he shook his head rapidly from side to side and sneezed.
Well, shit.
