The Price of Power (The Price of Secrets Series Book 2) (7 page)

    While driving through Maggie Valley I pointed out the chairlift that takes people up the top of the mountain to Ghost Town Amusement Park. We decided that we would come back and check it out this summer. Then there’s Santa Land at the entrance of Cherokee, which Daniel would love, because it not only has rides but a zoo also. It was two hours of just being two teenagers in love without any supernatural talk or interference. Well, almost. Daniel did say that he felt a tingling sensation when we drove onto the reservation, letting him know where we were, before I even told him.

    We passed all the hotels as we drove into town. There was a long row of shops on both sides of the road so we decided to park and do a little shopping. The first place we went in didn’t have a restroom so I told Daniel that I would just met him in the next store.

    Something in the display case caught my attention as I exited the ladies room. I looked around to make sure Daniel wasn’t in here yet. Once that I saw that the coast was clear I asked the woman behind the counter if I could see it. When she laid it in my hands I knew it was the perfect birthday gift for Daniel that I had been searching for. It was a bracelet made out of wood and some type of natural fiber rope thingy. The tiny engraving was of a bear on one side and a wolf on the other with mountains in the background. The detail was amazing. I still had money left over from my own birthday.

    “I’ll take it.”

     I had just put the little gift box in my purse when I heard the door chime, it was my handsome boyfriend.

    We walked, hand in hand, in and out of each store admiring the pottery, baskets and carvings,  that were locally handcrafted. We then tried on sunglasses and silly hats. Daniel bought his mom a green sweatshirt that had ‘Cherokee’ embroidered across the front. The last shop we went into had a different feel to it. I knew the smell right off the bat. I’ve burnt sage to cleanse my house, and dream catcher Daniel made me, enough times to recognize it. There were different shapes and sizes of crystals neatly displayed throughout the long narrow store.

    “May I help you?” An older woman came out of the back room. She was wearing her black and gray hair in a long single braid.

    “We’re just looking, thank you.” I politely responded.

    “My name is Karen. Let me know when you find what you’re looking for.”

    I wandered off toward the left while Daniel was looking at the books that were lined up against the right wall. There were crystal key chains, necklaces and even wind chimes which made me think of the fourth grade art project I left at our old house when we moved. Daniel had found the pitiful wind chime and decided he wanted to keep it.

    Out of the corner of my eye I saw a tall man walking toward me from the back of the store. I glanced up and smiled. “Hello, how are you?”  

    Karen looked at me strangely. I found Daniel’s eyes, that were already on me, and he discreetly shook his head from side to side. He was letting me know that he didn’t see anyone else in the shop. I quickly turned back to the man that I had thought to be Karen’s husband.

    “I apologize for startling you.” The tall, old man spoke to me.

    He was just as solid as me. He was Indian, I’m guessing Cherokee from our location. His white hair was as long as Karen’s, if not longer. I’ve never seen a living impaired with an aura, until now. Surrounding his entire body, at least four inches thick, was a bright silver glow. I felt the power from him, yet I wasn’t afraid. I just knew in my gut that he was good.

     “My name is Oganatoga. I’ve been waiting for you, Hannah.”

    “Why? How do you know my name?” I tried to keep my voice down.

    “Everyone in the spirit world knows who you are. Well, everyone with something at stake.”

    “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you need my help to cross over?”

    He sure didn’t look like he needed help with... well, pretty much anything. But I couldn't think of any other reason he would be waiting on me.

    “Not quite. I’m here to help you. It is my job to observe and to give a nudge only when necessary.”

    “I don’t…” I stopped and looked for Karen. Daniel had her over at the books with him, asking her questions. He was probably trying to keep her occupied for me. “I don’t understand. Why would you want to observe me? I’m just a teenager.”

    “You are more than that, Hannah. Much more. There is a paranormal battle coming and you will be in the center of it, but you already knew that.”

    Did I? I suppose on some level I’m not shocked. I mean I’ve faced a demon, I have powers, my boyfriend moves things with his mind and talks to animals, my best friend is a born witch, and I’m standing here talking to a dead guy. So why not a paranormal battle?

    He continued. “Your witch will need this.” He pointed toward the back of the display case, at a beautiful tear shaped crystal pendant.

    “I can’t afford that.” I didn’t see the price tag but I knew that it was much more than the forty dollars I had left in my wallet.

    “Just ask Karen to see it. She will know what to do.”

    He laid the palm of his hand on my forehead and I could have sworn I felt the touch along with heat radiating from his skin. That has definitely never happened before with a living impaired. He said a chant in what sounded like maybe his native tongue before speaking to me again.

    “I have hope that this time will be the last since they have you now.”

    When I started to ask him to elaborate he only raised his hand and turned to leave. I guess that was his way of letting me know that was all I was getting from him.

    “Oganatoga?” I totally butchered the pronunciation of his name. “Thank you for your help.”

    He smiled. The lines on his face, that showed the years he spent on this earth, deepened. ”You are most welcome great one.”

    He gave me a slight bow. How cool was that?

    “I will share one last thing before I go. Your witch has been given a name of a woman who might be able to help. It would be wise to give her a visit. Be safe.” He didn’t disappear, he merely walked back through the same doorway Karen came through.

    I turned to get Daniel’s attention only to see Karen standing behind the counter in front of me. “I take it you have found what you need.” She gave a meaningful look.

    “Um, yes, that pendent in the very back on the left.”

    She took a black velvet cloth and carefully picked up the crystal and placed it in my hands. As soon as it made contact with me it started to glow a beautiful bright blue. In total amazement, I looked from the crystal to Karen.

    “What’s happening?”

    “It’s telling me that it needs to go with you. That you know where it belongs.”

   “Daniel look!” I handed it to him so easy, you would think I was handing off an infant.

    “Wait, stop…” Karen grabbed the velvet cloth then paused, in awe, as she watched it glowing in Daniel’s hand too. “You have been chosen too.”

    “Chosen? Because it’s glowing?” I asked.

    “No, because it’s not burning blisters into his skin. That is why I use this.” She held up the black cloth then handed it to me. “Wrap it in this. When you give it to the person it is meant for, tell them to place it on a necklace that holds meaning for them, and to wear it always.”

    “Can she…can she put a protection spell on it?” Daniel questioned.

    “No, you must not try to alter it. It will protect her and more.” The door chimed announcing the new customers walking in. “Wrap it up and keep it safe.”

    “How much do I owe you?”

    “Just defeat it this time. Good luck, Hannah.” Did I tell her my name? “May God be with you child.”

  I waited until we were back in the car before I took the wrapped crystal out of my purse to examine it again. Holding it with the cloth barrier, it looked like a regular, gorgeous but regular, crystal. It was when I picked it up bare handed that it showed it’s magical form.

    “I’m so giving this to Jaycee and claiming it as my birthday AND Christmas gift to her.”

    “Who were you talking to in there?”

    I looked at the time on the dash. “I’ll tell you on the way to our next stop.” I reached over and kissed one of his delicious dimples before finding his lips. “We will never be able to say that we have a boring relationship.”

    “Not if you keep kissing me like that.”

  Our next stop was to the Cherokee Museum. I can’t describe the joy that I had just watching Daniel explore the history of his heritage. In all actuality it’s mine too, even though I’m only one eighth Cherokee. Or is it one sixteenth? Either way I wouldn’t be here had it not been for my Cherokee ancestors. The log cabin feel to the museum only added to the experience. It was filled with ancient artifacts, artwork, hand carved life size statues, and dioramas- which I learned were miniature 3D scenes. We ended up spending over an hour in there and now I’m off of the time table I had scheduled out for the day.

    It was a beautiful December day. The temperature was fifty two, so instead of going to a restaurant like I had planned, I decided to hit up a drive thru burger joint and take it to the last stop on my list, the park. It wasn’t just an ordinary park, the scenery here was breathtaking. It was a panoramic view of mountains with rushing water, white tipping over large rocks, at its feet. I placed my purse with the crystal in it securely in the trunk of my car, making sure the keys were in my pocket before shutting it.

    Daniel grabbed the blanket from my backseat. Instead of sitting at a picnic table, he laid it down on the grass. “After you.” Daniel held his arm out toward the blanket.

    “What a gentleman.” I joked.

    We ate in content silence, taking in the spectacular view. There is no other place like North Carolina. Not only is it, in my opinion, the prettiest state but it also has the friendliest people. Plus, you can go from the mountains to the beach without ever leaving it.

    Daniel broke the silence. “Thank you. This has been the best birthday gift ever.”

    “I doubt that.” For some reason I don’t take compliments well. It makes me feel self conscious.

    “For real, I’m serious. Not only did I get to spend the day with my sexy girlfriend, but you  took the time to plan this out for me. You’ve made me feel special...loved.”

    Wait, what? Cause I missed everything after sexy girlfriend. A little song from a movie, my mom made me watch with her, started singing in my head.
You think I’m sexy, you want to date me, you want to love me, you want to kiss...
 

    “I love you Hannah. No matter what happens between us in the future, always know that I’m grateful to have known you. And that I’m lucky that you were my first, and hopefully last, love.”

    “Wow.” After that heartfelt speech THAT was the best I could come up with? I know that I have always, secretly, said I was saving myself for Harry Styles, but right now Harry doesn’t have anything on this guy in front of me. Of course, Jaycee would add that it’s a good thing since Harry doesn’t even know I exist. I wonder if I’m the only one that has the stupidest thoughts running through their head, or if I should get mine checked.

    “I don’t know what to say. That is the sweetest, most romantic thing you could have ever said to me. You know I feel the same way right? Every night when I say my prayers I thank God for you.” I scooted over closer to him and took his face in my hands. “And you can forget about all that talk about not knowing what’s gonna happen to us in the future, cause you’re stuck with me birthday boy.” Using my lips, I traced down his jaw line to his neck, then back up the other side.

    “Ummm Hannah, are you trying to kill me?”

    I backed off instantly. “What did I do?” The embarrassing puppy dog look on his face told me everything. Jaycee has told me that guys can get aroused when the wind blows. I’m not convinced that is true, but I get the meaning. One part of me felt guilty for putting him in that situation but the other part was overjoyed that I had such an affect on him. Now would be a great time to change the mood and give him his present.  Crap, his present.

    “I’ll be right back.” I got up to run back to my car.

    “Ok good. I’ll just sit right here for a little while.”

    I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry.”

    “You’re not very convincing.”  

    That only made me laugh more. “Well I am, a little bit sorry.” I ran back to my car and opened the trunk, took the little white box out of my purse, and ran back to Daniel. “Feeling better?” I asked.

    “You’re such a comedian, you should do stand up.”

    Him saying stand up after what just happened, just hit me funny. I started giggling so hard my side hurt.

    “What’s so funny?”

    “You said stand up.” Was all I could get out between trying to catch my breath.

    “You think that’s funny huh?” He grabbed me and started tickling me.

    “I give! I give!” He stopped but kept his hands around my waist. “Will this make me forgiven?” I handed him the box.