In Stone Series: Name in Stone

Name in Stone is Lily Bud's last stand.

Lily's not like you and me. Lily understands nature's distinctive voice and has honed her instincts razor sharp in order to slice through the very fabric of the universe. Her past lives are intricately intertwined and form a deadly tapestry that is on the brink of unraveling.

The Cruin, Gloam, an ancient nature being, and one of the guardians of Earth, blames all of humankind for the planets pain. Gloam wants us gone. Lily vowed to stop the Cruin in more than one lifetime and the culmination is now. But Gloam's minions are many and Lily needs help.

Lily's love for the boy with the golden aura spans eternity. Her bond with him is like no other. If she is to survive her final confrontation with the Cruin Lily must find John. In a world full of limitations Lily has absolutely no boundaries, though she is still altogether too human. When Earth offers her something it has never gifted another, will Lily accept? Or are some powers better left alone? In Lily's final confrontation with Gloam who will be victorious? And whose memory will be etched forever, a 'Name in Stone'?

Excerpt:

Abigail followed me to our room. I was leaning the painting against the wall when she snapped, "This is all your fault. You're ruining one of the best weeks of the year."

"Abbey, you're the one who said I should tell someone about John. You can't have it both ways."

In a snotty tone, she repeated, "You can't have it both ways." Then she said, "I hope you're happy. Andrew won't even come out of his room."

"You really think I want this? What do you want me to do?"

Abbey just huffed and stomped out of our bedroom. To make matters worse, ice-cold sleet pelted me every time I went out to take care of the chickens. Something had to give.

Joni and I had stepped back into the friendship that had lapsed at the end of our last school year, but we were still on shaky ground. She was supposed to be with us over the holiday weekend. We were planning to stay at my Aunt Janet's as was our tradition. Should I call it off?

No one was talking, and the wind continued to gain momentum. The windows rattled and intermittent hail bombarded the night-darkened glass. The loud clacking tings set my teeth on edge. My life would be much easier if I just―but that was exactly what Gloam wanted me to do.

I sat in the unlit den and focused on my misery. When Dad said, "We wondered where you were," my heart lurched, and I jumped.

Swallowing my irritation, I said, "It was quieter in here."

Dad switched on the lamp, and I squinted with annoyance at the unwanted light. He stepped out of the doorway, and I heard his muffled call to my mother. Taking a deep breath, I sighed and pounded the pillow on the couch. Moving closer to the arm of the sofa, I tried to find some comfort in the fluffed cushion.

My parents came in with Andrew, Abigail, and Randy in tow. Shelley wouldn't be home until Thursday. She was going to college in Madison and only graced us with periodic visits. Jasper somberly followed the procession as if he understood the seriousness of the situation.

Andrew plopped down beside me, and Jasper promptly lay across our feet. Andrew mumbled, "Lummox." But he immediately reached down to give our supporter a pet. Rubbing the rough scab on the back of my neck, I exhaled noisily.

Everyone was sitting down except for my father. He glanced at me after my loud breath, and then walked over and perched with one leg draped over the corner of the desk. Crossing his arms, he clenched than released his jaw and said, "Your mother and I have been talking―"