Stone never said anything more. He just watched me with a softer gaze than he had a minute ago.

Reed took the hint that Stone wanted to start the tattoo but before he done anything, he motioned to the wall behind me "Did you want a tattoo done, Ella?"

"Oh no. That is okay." I quickly replied.

"I saw you look at the dragon." Reed pointed out "I think you would suit it and I would happily do it for you."

"It is okay." I repeated and then pointed to Stone "We are here for the second cousin of Big Foot's tattoo. I am only here to hold his hand."

The tattooist burst out laughing before he said to Stone "She is hilarious."

"I know." The giant replied.

"And very cute." Reed added.

"I know." Stone said again but that time his voice went deeper and scarier.

Looking up at him, I raised an eyebrow at Lurch.

He looked back and insisted "If you want the tattoo then get it done."

"You just do not want me to go with you so you can keep me in the dark about what tattoo you are getting." I pointed up at his face accusingly "You plan to torture me."

"Of course not, Medusa." He said with a smirk.

Reed appeared shocked as he looked between us a couple of times. He then spoke to Stone "You have not told her what you are getting tattooed on you?"

Stone sent him a stern glare. He seemed to be telepathically communicating with the tattooist about something.

The message was received because Reed nodded before turning to me and asking "Do you want the tattoo? It gets you away from sitting next to the dark cloud. Plus, I will do

it for you for free."

The response bubbled out of me because I did really want the dragon on my skin "Okay. How could I say no to that? But only if, you are sure."

"What happened to not getting anything random put on your skin?" Stone asked, sounding almost concerned.

"It is not random." I replied, "I am going to literally be the girl with the dragon tattoo."

The expression on his striking features did show concern and he appeared unsettled. He looked away from me with his jaw ticking as he grumbled to himself.

Reed watched him with amusement as he questioned "Are you happy to get yours done by someone else if I do Ella's?"

Stone nodded but only once.

"I will take Ella through to get tatted." Reed said and then smiled at a tense Stone "It might take a while, so you better say goodbye to your girl."

I blinked twice.

"I’m not his girl." I interjected with a small awkward laugh like I was not fully convinced of my statement.

I was surprised at how much my voice sounded weak and unsure.

The surprise still coursed through me when I met the obsidian eyes.