As they walked, Sam kept his body so close to Lily that she could hardly see around him. Sophia was elbow-to-elbow on the other side. As if they’re going to have to fight over who’s going to save me next. Not that I don’t appreciate it. It’s just a little tight here in the middle, she thought to herself, once again glad that this telepathy thing didn’t include reading each other’s private thoughts.
Sophia was so light on her feet, she pretty much glided along the path. When she sang or hummed her bird songs, she fluttered her fingers in front of her, as if she was playing an invisible instrument. As they walked, Sophia would reach down to pick up leaves, twigs and stones, placing them in one of the several woven pouches she carried at her side.
“This is for you,” Sophia said, showing Lily a small creamy white stone. At first it looked no larger than a dime. Then as Sophia held it out in her hand, silver bands of light pulsated around the stone. “The heat from my hand has activated the stone’s energy. See. It feels warm,” Sophia said as she gently cupped Lily’s hand in hers to receive the stone.
Even though it appeared to be alive, Lily wasn’t afraid of the stone. She absolutely trusted Sophia. Why wouldn’t she? Between Sam and the three Blue Monkeys, they had a perfect score in saving her life not once, but three times.