Talisman (75 page)

I reached the cave and waved
my hand, magically revealing its entrance.  As soon as enough of the rock and dirt had shifted away, I darted in and closed myself inside the earthy sanctuary.  The farther I trekked down the rocky spiral staircase, the heavier the events of the evening weighed upon me.  I hoped Ty could forgive me.  I would’ve called him, but my cell was in my purse.

I hope no one finds it
,
or I’ll sure have A LOT of explaining to do.
 
Just add “vandal” to my growing list of offenses
.

I continued down the steps, aching from my battle with the Onyx.
  Though none of my bones were broken, they still throbbed from each and every one of his blows.  Even now, my skin burned slightly, still irritated from his wickedly painful touch.  The side of my face had stopped bleeding, but the gash was gaping open and stung like Hell.  The power of being
invincible
certainly didn’t include
pain-free
, that was for sure.  The Onyx was much stronger than before.  It was upsettingly evident how another Talisman’s abilities could intensify when in my presence.  That was an adverse consequence.

I called out for Tanner as soon as I
’d reached the bottom. 
Not here either
.  Disappointed, I paced back and forth. 
Where is he?  I know he has to keep an eye on Lazarus, but he was able to make plenty of time for me before.  Maybe I didn’t perform the telepathy trick correctly?
 
Of course, I don’t have anyone to ask…because he’s NOT HERE!
  I stomped around like a toddler for a few seconds. 
I’m being ridiculous
.  I laughed at my actions as I thought about how funny it was that I’d gotten so attached to him. 
Maybe because I miss Daddy?

Though he was a bit of an ass
and playfully cheeky most of the time, Tanner had really grown on me.  Not just because of any supernatural bond or the fact that he was teaching me about my powers, but I truly enjoyed his company.  Even though he insisted on calling me a “little girl”, I never felt like one around him — not even for a second.  His absence was not only perplexing, but also it left me feeling melancholy, like I’d been abandoned again.  After all, I hadn’t heard from him, and I had to fend off the Onyx all by myself.  I guessed I thought somewhere in the back of my mind that he would have rushed in to help me.  It wasn’t like I had a ton of experience under my belt.  It was just last night when Tanner had to rescue me from an unearthly, deranged 25-foot diamond-fanged rattler.

Maybe he doesn’t think I need him?  Maybe he’s finished with my training and telling me to go back to school was part of his exit strategy?  He didn’t even say good-bye!
  I found myself getting a little too worked up.  I told myself,
Maybe you need to get some rest so you can look for him in the morning, idiot!
  I could see if I didn’t force myself to catch some Z’s, I’d be up for hours on end, reading too much into the reason behind Tanner Grey’s absence.

I folded
up my jacket and tossed it on the ground.  I was exhausted, though I found myself staring at the wand with a determined gleam.  Intrigued, I climbed up the rock formation that imprisoned it.  When I touched the diamond wand this time, its glow seemed more intense.

As I ran my fingers along
one of its smooth sides, I began to wonder,
Is it possible I’m ready?
 
I know my powers have strengthened, and I did just successfully fend off the Onyx tonight
.  I looked around the cave and then back at the glowing wonder.  I paused to take an eager, deep breath.

What the heck
…

I wrapped both of my hands around its shaft. 
One quick, firm yank should do it
.  I was heedful to the fact that my hands couldn’t slide along the edges of the blade-like wand.  They had to remain perfectly still.  I could just picture this not working and Tanner finding me with several fingers missing —
or worse
. 
Talk about getting caught
red-handed
.  I attempted to release the wand from its rocky cradle with every ounce of my newfound strength. 
NOTHING!
  No matter how much stronger I was or how hard I tried, I still couldn’t pull the daggone thing out!

Disappointed, I plopped down onto the rocks below.  I suppose
d it was wishful thinking that had fueled my desire to take another crack at it.  Clearly I still wasn’t “ready”.  The diamond wand knew it.  I felt like I was trapped in a doorway, not fully knowing whether I should enter or turn around and run the other way.  If I took that step inside, a whole new world was waiting for me.  Not only did I have the awesome power of the wand, but also I found the allure of “not knowing what was to come” positively thrilling.  No one ever knows
what
their future holds, but I’d been planning mine for years.  Study, graduate High School, college, study, get a degree, and then secure good a job.  That was the plan.  It had sounded exciting enough.  I’d been so focused on its components that I’d given no consideration to the future’s funny way of being unpredictable.  No one ever thinks about that.  I’d always tried to avoid such thoughts (if it all possible), but it was now the
unpredictability
of “what could be” that I found so exhilarating.

However
, it went hand-in-hand with the dicey part that had me tied up in knots.  Just look at what happened tonight.  Someone I cared about could’ve gotten hurt
again
— all because of the wand.  That thought would always haunt me, and not to mention, having to “kill” someone. 
Could I even do it?  Possibly — if my life was threatened. But someone possessed?  Just treat them like collateral damage?
  Regardless of
who
it was, the “killing part” plagued me the most.  Sure, I knew I
wanted
Lazarus Xcavare dead.  He’d murdered my father.  But when or if the time came,
Would I be able to do it?  Would my soul allow it?
  I was still wrought with guilt over kicking Mike’s ass. 
Who knows how bad I’ll feel over taking someone’s life?
  Tanner would have to supply me with an endless amount of his soothing supernatural amethysts.  That seemed like an inevitable fact.

This was
my dilemma and undeniably, the wand was well aware of it.  I knew I had to make that final decision — one way or another. 
Who knows when that’ll be and whatever decision I make, how will I know it’s the right one?
  Since the wand hadn’t released itself to me, surely over time even it would eventually question my commitment to being its life-long owner and possibly decide on its own to absolve me from my destine duties.  Being “iffy” was certainly out of the question.

The Indecisive Talisman
, I thought, shaking my head.  I was agitated by the thought of years passing by and the damn thing would still be sitting there.  Beatrix was right.  Things would be a heck of a lot easier if I had its hilt.  Even after dreaming about it last night, it still seemed so unattainable.  My attitude turned snarky.  I shook my head and thought,
Who knows where that thing is hidden?  You’d think the great “Adamas” could’ve left a note
.

Feeling downhearted, my eyes fell on the earthy floor, staring
around listlessly.  To my left lay my jacket that I’d tossed on the ground.  I scooted over, reached inside its right pocket, and pulled out my two remaining stones — the amethyst and the serpentine.  Luck was definitely on my side earlier when I’d grabbed the blue chalcedony and not one of the other ones.

I should’ve kept them on me…Not sitting up in the bleachers inside my jacket…I
diot!  Good thing I didn’t put them in my purse.  I would’ve NEVER found them in there!
  Instinctively, I decided to place both stones in the front pocket of my jeans for safekeeping. 
There…Safe and most important, easily accessible
.

I bunched up my jacket and
threw my makeshift-pillow behind my head as I curled up against the rocks.  I found myself struggling to get to sleep and tried my best to find a comfortable position, but I knew
that
wasn’t what was keeping me awake.

Finally, I took a deep breath i
n an effort to clear my mind.  There in the quiet and dimly lit cave, the reason behind my unrest surfaced —
my “one question”
— the very one that lingered in the back of my mind, even when all the others had been securely tucked way.  This question, I feared, would torment me until I had my answer.

Why?  Why me?
  Many people have gone to their graves with that “life question” hanging over their heads like a storm cloud, showering them with torturous speculation and grueling doubt
.  Why, of all the people in the world, was “I” destined for this bittersweet gift?

Before long, I had succumbed to the night, not to mention
, my physical exhaustion.  My slumber was extremely restless. 
What should I have expected?
  I was lying on the ground, propped up with my jacket against some hard rocks, while thoughts of the Onyx drifted in and out of my head all night.  Every time my heavy lids fell to a close, I saw his sinister dark eyes staring back at me — and each time, they were set onto the face of someone I cared about.

As I lay there dreaming,
I felt something hit my face.  It landed in the open gash that the Onyx had graciously given me.  It really stung (notably a little too much for just a dream).  Then something hit my lips.  They felt wet.  As I pressed them together, I detected a familiar taste.
Salt
.  I moved my hand up to comfort my stinging cheek when I felt something there. 
A hand
.  Its warmth and touch were too life-like to be just a dream.  Alarmed, I snapped out of my slumber and jerked myself up to find Tanner sitting on the ground beside me, staring at me with a tender look in his eyes.  He had a wet cloth in his hand.  Apparently, he’d been nursing my wound while I slept.  I smiled back at him, convinced I was starting to grow on my mentor.

May
be he’ll start showing more of his compassionate side, instead of his cheeky attitude and constant wisecracks?

Tanner’s
comforting gaze shifted into a look I’d come to know far too well.

“
So
,” he began, “I take it the home team
won the game?
”

Chapter  22  —  Blow Me Away

Tanner was undoubtedly referring to the “incident” at the
stadium.  I straightened myself up, now wide-awake and well on my way to “ticked”.

“How did
you
know?” I demanded.

“Funny thing,” Tanner sighed, “
I was driving back to the motel when I noticed a freak lightning storm churning in the distance.  I say, ‘freak’ because the weather forecast showed no signs of rain —
for days
.”  Tanner tapped his finger on his chin.  “By the looks of it, I showed up at the end of the
third quarter
.”

“You were
THERE?
” I asked, taken aback by his cavalier remark.

“Yes,”
Tanner answered with a curt smile.

“Just so I’m
clear
…You saw me getting my ass handed to me, and you sat back and did
NOTHING?
  Is that about right?”

“
No,” Tanner replied defensively.  “I was cheering for you.”

I slammed
my hands down against the earthy floor and grunted. 
“Ughhh!”
  I couldn’t even look him.  My stomach wouldn’t allow it.

Tanner patted my back.  “Hey, the coach isn’t allowed on the field wh
en the game’s in play, Shiloh…
And
, I wanted to see if you could handle yourself when given ‘the ball’, so to speak.”

I thought steam was going to shoot out my ears after hearing his explanation
as to why he didn’t “lend me a hand”.  Sensing my annoyance, Tanner nudged my shoulder.

“You did good by the way,” Tanner praised.
  “I was thoroughly
impressed
.”

I turned towards him.  As I mulled over the evening’s turn of events, my lips began to creep into a subtle, proud smile. 
I did do it “by myself”…Well me, and with a little help from Gallia.  That’s not entirely true…More like a lot!

“Those blue chalcedonies
are pretty handy,” Tanner affirmed.

“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding my head knowingly as I looked around the cave. 
“So how long have you been here?”

“
Awhile.  I’ve been cleansing that wound of yours.  It was
the least
I could do,” Tanner replied.  “It was a nasty gash, but it’s finally healed.  You’re as good as new.”

I ran my fingers down the side of my face. 
Sure enough, it felt as smooth as a baby’s bottom once again.

“Thanks,” I replied appreciatively. 
“What time is it?”

“Almost five-thirty,” Tanner replied.
  “The sun will be up soon.”

I extended my arms, giving my sore back a much-needed stretch.  As soon as I heard a few of my spinal bones
“pop”
, a thought surfaced.  “Oh, by the way… I had a dream about
Adamas
.  At least, I think it was him.”  Tanner seemed pleased, though not a bit surprised.

“What you
saw was actually a
memory
.  What did it tell you?” Tanner inquired.  “Be specific.”

“I saw the wand lying on a table and then Adamas
appeared,” I revealed.  “He pulled out the diamond’s silver hilt and joined it to the wand.  That was basically it.”

After a moment of silent contemplation,
Tanner announced, “The diamond’s trust in you is growing.  It’s forging a bond with your soul.  Hopefully, the wand will release itself to you soon.  Then we don’t have to worry about Lazarus finding it down here.”

It must not trust me too much
.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’d already “attempted” to pull it out last night.

“That’s good news.  Why
am I sensing you’re perturbed about something?” Tanner questioned.

Crap.
  Clearly the Amethyst Talisman’s radar had picked up on my dismay.
  Tell him something…Anything but that
.

“
I was wondering where you were yesterday?” I evaded.  “
All day?
”

“I had to m
ake an appearance at the mine,” Tanner explained.  “I couldn’t have Lazarus wondering why the geologist he keeps on retainer didn’t show up for work.  It’s a good thing I was there.  He’s up to something.”

I thought about what Samue
l had suggested earlier.  “Is he trying to back out of the deal?” I asked.  Tanner appeared somewhat surprised, but confirmed my suspicions with a nod.

“
Good guess
.  Why does he need the mine when he knows the diamond isn’t there?  For the past few years Xcavare’s business acquisitions haven’t been for the company’s benefit as much as they’ve been for Lazarus’ own.  Xcavare’s primary shareholder is Lazarus’ father, Malachi Xcavare, who by the way is a Talisman, too.  Lazarus’
extracurricular
purchases have squandered an exorbitant amount of the company’s funds.  He abandons almost every mine the company has acquired as soon as he realizes the diamond wand isn’t there.  Only three of his past twenty-one acquisitions have been sold, and they didn’t even come close to turning a profit.  A few have stayed open, but the majority of them are sitting idle.  The most unfortunate ramification is the countless number of workers who have been left jobless.  I can’t tell you how many towns and villages across the globe that Lazarus has destroyed indirectly from his quest to locate the wand.”

Tanner
rose to his feet and continued, “Malachi has even grown tired of the way his son’s been operating the business.  It’s bad for the company’s bottom line, as well as their image.  Its stock has taken a huge dive.  Malachi is suspicious about what’s been fueling his son’s spontaneous purchases.  Even though they share the same blood, they’re still both Talismans.  They’d kill each other over the wand if one ever found out the other possessed it.  Malachi Xcavare is the one who insisted I be here for this acquisition, mostly to keep an eye on Lazarus and report back to him.  I’m pretty sure Lazarus suspects something, but they’re both clueless to the fact that I’m a Talisman.”

“So, you’re kind of a
double-agent?
” I posed.

Tanner flashed his cocky smile. “
Exactly
.  I can keep tabs on both of them for The Guild.  Convenient, don’t you think?”

“Very,” I replied.  My thoughts began to dwell on the unsuspecting miners, as well as
all the residents of Welch.  Harper Riverside was hell-bent on selling the mine and Xcavare was the only fish biting, especially in this economy.  The whole thing sounded too good to be true from the start —
everyone keeping their jobs, their pay, their benefits and their positions
— nothing changing the least little bit.  That
NEVER
happens when a new owner comes in.  Even if Mr. Riverside were to find another buyer, the odds of the workers getting the same sweet deal was little to none.  Whenever a mine changed hands around these parts, the new owners would unfailingly lay-off at least half of the workers, and the lucky ones who did manage to keep their jobs had to kiss their union contracts good-bye.  The city of Welch would be devastated as well.  Unemployed townspeople would be forced to relocate.  Then there were all the promises Lazarus had made to the town about “revitalizing Welch” and “investing in its people”.  Our little community would inevitably end up a ghost-town. 
How horrible
…

Tanner snapped his fingers to pu
ll me out of my apparent daze.  “Shiloh?  What are you thinking about?”

“
Just about the miners…and the town. 
They’re screwed
… One way or another.  If the sale goes through and Xcavare shuts down the mine, it’ll be devastating.  If Lazarus backs out of the deal, Harper Riverside will have to find another buyer. Odds are at least half the miners will lose their jobs, and that’s just as bad.  Mike said his father thinks the mine is more trouble than what it’s worth. Harper Riverside might just shut it down, even without buyer.  Like I said,
they’re screwed
,” I replied solemnly.

“I see…
but right now, you should be more concerned with how Lazarus ended up here in the first place,” Tanner advised heedfully.

“I don’t know?  Do you have any guesses?”

“Unfortunately, I think I do.”  Tanner became very subdued.  “I think he may have the hilt.  That’s the only way he could know the diamond wand is here.  Lazarus has been eyeing various coalmines for a while, but this is the first one he’s sought to acquire.  There are thousands, upon thousands of them all over the world.  It’s too coincidental that the very first coalmine he chose is the exact same one in southern West Virginia close to where the wand was hidden.”

My eyes lit up instantly.  “What does
that
mean?” I inquired.

“I
t means that if he has the hilt…
it has led him here
.  The hilt claims some of the same memories inside it that the diamond wand possesses, Shiloh. It would speak to him randomly or in his dreams.  The hilt would call out to him, give him clues, and guide him to the wand’s general location.  The hilt’s only desire is to be reunited with the wand — no matter
who
claims the diamond’s power.  It’s cast of metal, so it doesn’t have an owner.  Nothing reigns over it.”

“What makes you think he has it?” I asked.

“I did some checking today…Xcavare purchased a company in Montana two years ago that happened to stumble upon a rare reserve of platinum.  That’s what metal the hilt is cast from —
not silver
.  It would have been buried near a source of it, so that just like the diamond, it could lie dormant but maintain its energy.  When Adamas surrendered his powers, he gathered several Talismans from the Guild and bestowed each of us with a specific duty.  Adamas left me in charge of protecting the wand, so I knew its location.  He never let any one Talisman know too much, out of fear for their safety, as well as the wand’s.  I’m not sure if that’s where it was hidden or not.  I’ve tried to contact the Talisman who I think may know, but my attempts have been unsuccessful.”

I couldn’t help but notice that
Tanner’s tone was now bordering on dismal.

Tanner continued,
“If the hilt was hidden out there, and Lazarus happened to stumble upon it accidentally…” He shook his head and continued confidently, “
Well
, it’s the only reason that makes sense.  The timeline fits.  After the platinum discovery, the past two years have been filled with peculiar mining acquisitions, but they all have one thing in common —
carbon.
The exact same element the diamond wand needed to keep its charge all these years.  The hilt doesn’t emit any energy like the wand does.  It just receives it.  Until the hilt is reunited with the wand, all it will do is call to whoever is in possession of it and attempt to guide them to the diamond wand’s whereabouts.  If the hilt has led Lazarus here, for some reason, it can’t give him the wand’s exact location.  Adamas could have used the same type of enchantment on the hilt as he did on the cave, hoping to hinder the hilt’s search.  The man you saw in the store…It’s no coincidence that he’s
here
.”

“So you
did
get my message?” I asked, excited that my first attempt at contacting another Talisman via “stone” was a success.

“Yea
h,” Tanner replied.  “
Loud and clear
.”

My elation quickly
faded as I watched him pace around the cave like a caged animal. I figured the stranger was possibly a Talisman, but that was about it.  Clearly, Tanner was on edge about something.

“Who is he?”
I asked.

“His name is
Ferrol
and
yes
, he’s a Talisman.  I sensed his presence a few minutes before he arrived at the mine this morning.”  Tanner bent down and picked up a rock from off the ground.  He resumed his heated pacing as he tossed it in his hand.  “That stone you saw around his neck is a
carnelian
, but that’s
NOT
his
origin stone
.”  Tanner hurled the rock forcefully across the cave, allowing what appeared to be some pretty deep-seated hatred to finally surface.  I watched it shatter against one of the walls.  “I knew the Talisman who used to reign over that stone.  Ferrol isn’t the
first
of our kind to claim it.”

I could tell Tanner was grief-stricken by
this revelation.  I should know.  The aura grief emits had become all too familiar to me.  The Talisman whom Ferrol received the stone from must have been a close acquaintance of his.

“Who was he?”
I inquired.

“
She
,” Tanner corrected, “…was someone I cared for
deeply
.”