Mary looked at it for a moment like it was about to bite her, then took off running down the street. I turned and stared after her, twisting around till I fell on my butt and leaned back against the window.
I looked down at the magic ring. All I had to do was put it on, and I could wish her back to me. I stared at it dully, a plain brass band shining in the sun.
After a moment I closed my fist over the ring and thought what might have happened if Mary had accepted. It wouldn't have taken her long to figure it out. Would she have accepted me as her 'Changer'? Would she have gotten even, given me huge muscles as painful as her over-sized breasts? or done something even more humiliating?
I wanted to believe she'd have forgiven me. I opened my hand again to look at the ring. I couldn't throw it away, anyone who found it would have the same powers and might not use them to make himself a sexy girlfriend.
I winced at that thought, remembering how fast Mer had run away. I hadn't done much good with the ring, but maybe once I figured it out better I could fix things, find Mer and start over fresh.
As I was thinking a shadow covered my hand, the ring sliding easily into the darkness.