by S. E. Akers
“They kissed?” Federo blurted. We all turned to him. “Excuse my surprise, but Lorelei is supposed to be in love with my brother, Benicio.”
That’s where I remember his name. “Yes. Damiec made a comment about him being to good for her…but I think they make a perfect couple.”
“Is that all they discussed?” Federo asked.
“No. She wanted him to throw away some stone he was wearing. She seemed pretty desperate about it.”
“Did you see what kind of stone it was?” Tanner asked, intrigued.
“No. It was too dark. I couldn’t make out any markings or its hue, but it was definitely an opaque, tumbled stone. She took the other one. I think it was some sort of crystal. Then she dove off the roof…and that’s when Damiec caught me on his radar.”
Tanner looked pensively at Kamya. “I thought Damiec would have already used his,” Tanner remarked.
“His what?” I asked, but my question was purposely ignored.
“It’s possible he hasn’t,” Kamya replied. “He did quite a number on the last member of the Guild who approached him. I’m not surprised no one has kept closer tabs on him over the years.” Kamya sat down beside me. “Damiec has vowed to destroy every last member because of his curse. A punishment that he brought on himself, might I add.”
“I’m well aware of his feelings towards Adamas. I plan on staying as far away from him as I can,” I affirmed.
“See to it that you do,” Tanner interjected with a rigid nod.
A loud “click” drew our attention to the door, where we spotted Kara bouncing into the room. As soon as she saw Federo, my buddy screamed her head off and ran straight out. I sprang up and took off after her. I caught my frantic-friend punching the elevator button nonstop.
“Calm down, Kara,” I said, but she was too delirious to comprehend. I grabbed her shoulders. “Kara, that’s NOT the guy who was after you! That’s his twin brother.” She finally stopped smacking the button and started to cry. I gave her several consoling pats. “It’s okay. No one is going to hurt you.”
“Are you sure?” Kara sniffled.
“Yes,” I answered softly.
“I was coming up to find you and I saw that creep… I thought he was going to kill me.”
I smiled. “I kind of did the same thing.” Less the screaming.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m glad we’re leaving,” Kara sighed.
“What?” I gasped.
“That’s what I came to tell you. Since Ty got hurt and we’re down a chaperone, Ms. Fitz is ending the trip. Coach Hayes is starting to feel better, but she said it’s turned into too much of a liability. She’s calling airlines now and trying to get everyone on the same plane.”
“That’s horrible!” We couldn’t leave yet. I had to find Lorelei first.
“Mike was pissed about it too. He told me that he wasn’t going anywhere,” Kara said.
A bell “dinged”, signaling the elevator’s arrival. “I think you should go back to the pool…for a while,” I advised.
“That might be best,” Kara acknowledged and stepped inside.
I held my hand against one of the panels. “How’s Ty?”
“He’s got a cast on his arm…and he’s sore, but he’s fine.”
“Has he said anything?” I hinted.
“No,” Kara replied suspiciously. “But he keeps asking about you…if anyone’s seen you. Do you want me to tell him anything?”
I didn’t know if I was more shocked or relieved. Tanner didn’t take his memories. Who knew he could be a softie? I puckered my lips into a smile as I glanced back at the suite. “No. I’ll talk to him later. Just tell him that I was sleeping.”
“Okay,” Kara mumbled. “You know the hospital wasn’t going to release him.”
“Why not?” I asked, now curious.
“They wanted him to pay his bill first. It was something like eight thousand dollars. They even took his passport and told him that he couldn’t leave the country if his bill wasn’t settled up.”
“Really?” I questioned, taken aback. “Did his parents have to wire him the money?”
“No. Professor Grey paid it,” Kara said with a grin.
I smiled. Major softy.
As the doors started to close, Kara added, “Please be careful.”
I hurried back to the room, still stunned by her concern but mostly curious about what I’d missed. Hopefully they haven’t been talking about me.
“Ms. Fitz is cutting the trip short,” I announced.
“Finally, some good news,” Tanner remarked.
“I’m not leaving,” I said and directed my eyes towards the closet. “And you know why.”
Tanner straightened himself in his chair. “Yes, you are.”
“Not without that stone,” I declared with a grunt, striking a hard-line in my mental sandbox.
“The sunstone?” Federo asked.
“No,” I replied. “The fire opal Lorelei has around her wrist.”
Federo laughed. “Is someone’s body missing its soul?”
Now I wasn’t in the mood for “cute”. I shot him a glare. “Yes.” His eyes softened. “And I’m not going home without it.” I looked over at Tanner. “No matter what ANYONE says.” Tanner adjusted his belt subtly. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned him, standing my ground.
Kamya grinned. “I like her, Tanner,” she cooed.
Tanner’s scowl hardened as he shifted in his chair.
Federo looked deep in thought about something. “What about another stone?” the Amber Talisman posed, attempting to extinguish what was turning into a bonfire of tension in the room.
“Another fire opal?” I asked anxiously. “Do you know where I can get one?”
“No. I’m not talking about a fire opal. I’m talking about a chalcedony. A red one,” Federo stressed. Tanner shot up out of his seat.
“Do you know where there’s an open vortex?” Tanner asked swiftly. He sounded downright demanding about it.
“Yes, my friend. I do,” Federo replied. “Maybe running into me was a part of fate’s plan.” Kamya and Tanner passed each other a deliberate look.
“What can a red chalcedony do?” I inquired.
“Anything,” Federo replied. “It is a stone granted by fate itself. It can change the course of anyone’s path. Its power is boundless. Some call it a wishing stone.”
“Ha! That’s not entirely true,” Kamya interjected. She looked at Tanner. “Though I’ve never seen one, I know of its legend as well. But you seem to be forgetting one important part. Even if you are granted one, fate may have other plans for it. It may fulfill your wishes and then again…it may not. It’s ultimately fate’s decision. Destiny’s wish, not yours.”
“Fate sees all, Kamya,” Federo argued. “It would stop something that hampered its plans.”
Kamya leaned closer to Federo. “We wouldn’t exist if there weren’t hiccups in fate’s plans. You know that as well as I.”
I couldn’t tell if either Tanner or Federo had caught the gist of Kamya’s claim, but I was left totally confused. “But there’s a chance?” I posed. “It could reunite her soul with her body, just like it was before?
“Yes,” Federo answered and shot Kamya a glare. “Regardless of what limitations some choose to believe.”
“That’s better than nothing,” I said. “Where is this vortex?”
“In a remote cave…not far from here,” Federo replied. “If you are up to the challenge, we can go see if fate will answer you.”
“She’s not going,” Tanner stated. “I’ll go. She’s far from ready for something like this.”
“Why not?” I demanded.
“A vortex is a place where all logic and reason stops. A dangerous place,” Tanner warned.
“But—”
“I agree with Tanner, young one,” Federo concurred. “He is most suited to seek the stone.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because it’s not as sim
ple as knocking on a door and asking for one,” Tanner interjected. “You must bear your soul to enter. Fate delves into your mind in search of every tribulation you have ever struggled with and then presents them to you. Even though they’re hallucinations, they trick your mind into thinking they’re real. All of your worst nightmares and fears manifest before your eyes to test you. Fate must determine if you are worthy of its gift.”
“If you believe that fate grants you the stone without limits,” Kamya reiterated, her eyes sharp and solely on Tanner.
“Well, I am with Tanner on this one. I believe that fate can be swayed to permit one’s wishes, Kamya. We are ultimately the masters of our own destiny.”
Kamya shrugged her shoulders and plopped down in her seat. “Most men do… Control freaks,” she mumbled.
“So you’re not going?” Tanner asked Kamya.
“I didn’t say that,” Kamya replied as she started thumbing through a magazine. “Only if Shiloh can come too. It’s only fitting.” Kamya tossed the magazine down on the table with a harsh flick. “Since you’re doing this for her.”
Tanner’s expression was stony to say the least. “No,” he maintained.
Kamya hopped up, arms crossed, and walked towards him. “Why not?” she asked. “You must have a reason.” She knelt beside him and took a hold of his hand. Tanner jerked away from her in a swift guy-like pout. “Yes,” Kamya confirmed with a sly grin. “I see that you do.”
“I hate to quibble about this, but Benicio is still out there, and now so is Ferrol. In this case, more is not only merrier…it is much safer,” Federo advised.
“Fine,” Tanner harrumphed. “We’ll leave in an hour.”
“We will need a witch. A powerful one,” Federo remarked. Tanner rolled his eyes straightaway. “I’m sorry, my friend, but legend states that the vortex can only be opened by one.”
Kamya hopped up and strutted towards the door. “I’ll take care of the witch,” she called back.
“I’ll be back to collect you in one hour,” Federo announced and followed her out the door.
The room was now quiet — too quiet. I figured Tanner would relish the opportunity of our “alone time” to further express his discontent, but he appeared lost in his thoughts. I rose from my chair. I couldn’t take the silence, and I needed to soak my arm from Ferrol’s sneaky, diamond-laced carnelian. The moonstone couldn’t fully heal my wound until every remaining trace of diamond-dust had been flushed out. Tanner propped his leg up on the coffee table, blocking my path.
“Promise me one thing,” Tanner asked.
He sounded serious. “Okay,” I replied.
“Whatever you hear coming from out of the cave, you won’t enter. Is that clear?”
“What am I going to hear?” I inquired.
“Just…promise me.”
“I promise.” Suddenly this venture didn’t seem so cut and dry. He wasn’t scared, but he did seem bothered by something.
“Do you trust Federo?” I asked.
“I don’t really have choice…right now,” Tanner said flatly. “Especially since he knows where a vortex is located. But I still think you should be wise with what you say around him. He hasn’t proven himself worthy of our complete trust. Not yet. And, I’m concerned about the stone. Changing the course of fate is a powerful thing. Keeping the stone safe may be more difficult than obtaining it.”
“But if he knows where this vortex is…wouldn’t he have already tried to get his own? If he wanted one that badly?” I posed.
“Possibly… But then again, he may be afraid to enter. Afraid of what he would have to face.”
That sounded undeniably grim. I lowered myself down beside him. “Thank you for doing this for me…and for Katie.” Tanner turned towards me, his eyes radiating the most clear and soulful violet hue I’d ever seen. Within a few seconds, he rose from the sofa in an abrupt jerk.
“Have you spoken to her?” Tanner asked, pacing about the room.
“No,” I mumbled, a little confused by why he’d sprang off the sofa like it was on fire and wondering if I was the one responsible for rattling his cage.
“You should,” Tanner insisted.
“I can’t… At least, not yet. I feel like I should have some good news when I do.”
“You’re not a coward, Shiloh. Talk to her. I think you would feel better if you do.”
“Should I tell her about the red chalcedony?”
“Enough about the stone,” Tanner urged. His tone was grating on the side of gruff. So was his shift in demeanor. I’d never seen him so disturbed.
I hopped up off the sofa. Now I was worried. “Will this work?” I quizzed skeptically. “Can this stone help bring her back?”
Tanner stared out the window. “Contrary to the views of others, I’d like to think there’s a chance that one’s wish can be answered.”
My gaze fell to the floor. That settled it. I couldn’t tell Katie until I knew for sure. Tanner acknowledged my doubt with a tender lift of my chin. His touch may have grazed my skin like a feather, but my insides boomed like he had just triggered a detonator.
“Go soak that arm of yours, but be ready in an hour,” Tanner instructed and then headed for the door.
“What are you going to do?”
“What I seem to do best. Cover your rear,” he remarked with a grin and left out the door.
Slowly, I walked towards the closet and opened the doors. This time, I actually opened the safe. There she was. My hand hovered over the sparkling diamond gemstone. Uncertainty clouded my intent and coiled my stretched fingers back into a worrisome, clamped fist.
After a deep breath, I called out, “Katie… I know you can hear me. What I did was unforgivable, but you have to believe me when I tell you that I did it for you. If it takes me every day for the rest of my life, I’ll make this up to you… I promise.” I desperately wanted to hear my bosom friend’s voice, but I feared what shape her words would form. “You can believe me or not. I don’t deserve your trust, not after all the lies I’ve told. But if you think for one second that I haven’t done EVERYTHING within my power to bring you back, then you’re lying to yourself.”
Chapter 22 — Only What the Mind Can See
After a little finagling, my homebound flight arrangements were all set, and Ms. Fitzpatrick stopped by the suite with my new itinerary. I was to depart via Delta Airlines at 8 AM sharp, the day after tomorrow. This had “Tanner Grey” written all over it, though I couldn’t help but wonder why the “one-day” delay? I figured it probably had something to do with the sunstone…and Helio. He had made it clear that he wanted him “out”, and I couldn’t have agreed more. I certainly didn’t want that little carry-on when I boarded — especially if this stranger was going to keep mum while he took part in every one of my personal thoughts and moments like a daggone Peeping Tom!
The rest of our group would be departing randomly over the next twenty-four hours, starting this afternoon — except for Mike. He was holding true to his word. There wasn’t much our chaperones could do. I, on the other hand, planned on a little mental arm-twisting of my own when I got back this evening. Mike, alone in a foreign country with nothing but hate and revenge on his mind? And not to forget, a seething, hulking bodyguard who was more than a little suspicious about his brother’s death? Not happening!
At the end of the hour, Tanner arrived at my door and we headed off on our fate-changing adventure. As we passed through the courtyard, an odd feeling wrenched my insides. My eyes guided themselves over to the fountain like a magnet. The vibe felt so bizarre that my steps even slowed to a halt. Tanner noticed our side-by-side stride had broken.
“What are you looking at?” he posed after catching the angle of my bewildered gaze.
“Nothing,” I replied. He could tell I was lying. “The statue,” I corrected.
“The female warrior with the spear?” Tanner posed with a grin.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. “I’ve got this weird feeling about it. I know
I had the vision of Ty when I was wading in the water the other night…but I don’t think that’s what it is.” Mystified, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the bronze figure.
“The Romans called her Minerva,” Tanner explained. “The Greeks, Athena…but we know her as someone else… Seraphina.”
I pointed to the statue. “You’re kidding?” Curiously, I stepped closer and scrutinized every angle and curve of her face. “Huh… I guess I pictured her looking different, somehow.”
Tanner grimaced at the resemblance. “She does,” he asserted dryly. “Whoever cast that mold should have been shot. It makes her look mannish, and she is far from that.”
“So, you think that’s why I’ve got this funny feeling?”
“It’s possible. You are connected to her,” Tanner said with a mysterious air. He then lifted my hand and gave my ring a couple of taps.
I guess he’s right, but it sure feels like more than that…
Federo stepped into the courtyard. “Ah, I was on my way up.” He did a quick 360º. “Is Kamya not coming?” Federo asked, looking as hopeful and buoyant as he sounded. Unbeknownst to him, the guileful Ruby Talisman had snuck up from out of nowhere and was standing at his rear.
“SHOTGUN!” Kamya yelled, aimed at his ear. Federo about jumped out of his skin, though he did manage to tone down his riled and disappointed glare a few notches before he turned around. “You don’t mind, do you?” she inquired while batting her doll-like brown eyes.
“Whatever your wicked heart desires,” Federo scoffed with a tart smile.
“Thank you, Federo,” Kamya cooed and pretended to clutch her heart. “I’m touched. I’ll feel much safer in the front.”
“You were supposed to be scrounging up a witch,” Federo remarked as he looked around. “But alas, it seems that everyone’s value eventually runs its course.”
Kamya narrowed her eyes. “He’s waiting in the atrium,” she replied and led the way.
“Who did you bring?” Tanner asked. He sounded like he already knew and was dreading her confirmation.
“Tatka, of course.” Kamya spun around and pointed her finger at Tanner. “And you be nice to him, this time. He really likes you.”
