"Athena, tell me," Zoe said. "Is there any way to protect against its power?"
Zoe's friend took a breath. "No."
"No? There's nothing?"
The truth was, there was something. In fact, it was the crystal pendant hanging from Athena's neck. But it could only be worn by members of Athena's coven, which Zoe was not a part of. Zoe thought that the pendant was just Athena's favorite necklace, since she wore it all the time. She had no idea that it wasn't there simply for aesthetic reasons.
"Sorry, Zoe. But the Jewel of Cusco is just too powerful. The only thing I can think of is catching Steve off guard and taking the stone from him before he has a chance to wish for anything."
"So, we just need to know where he is."
"What? Are you thinking of actually taking the stone from him? Zoe, if he makes a wish ..."
"Then I'll be careful. Come on, Athena. We have to at least try."
"I guess so."
Zoe looked at her. "What's with you? You've been acting strange ever since you got here. Usually, you'd be doing everything you could to stop something like this."
Athena shrugged. "I guess I'm just tired."
"It's not even nine o'clock yet. How could you be tired?"
"Listen, Zoe. Just drop it, okay?" she snapped. She paused, then said "Sorry. I'm just a little stressed out." And she had a right to be. The figure from her bedroom earlier was going after Steve and she didn't want Zoe to go after Steve too, otherwise she'd get herself involved in something that Athena never wanted her friend to get involved with. She had to figure out a way to talk Zoe out of her plan.
