No matter what mode of transportation we chose, a trail of our movements would be left behind. I guess we would stick with the Corolla for now. We had to be able to flee at a moment’s notice.
Flying wouldn’t afford us that luxury as spur of the moment escapes go. Later on we may not have a choice. If one of the Haikus led us overseas, then catching a ride in a metallic bird would have to do. We were now on the run.
If those who pursued us were desperate enough, another vehicle could be acquired, so it was only a matter of time before we were fighting for our lives once again.
I threw on my clothes like my life depended on it, which it did. The lantern and our meager food supply were packed away in my leather backpack. To hell with making the bed, housekeeping could do it.
Checkout was completed. That only left making a beeline for the nearest highway. We could figure out a stopping point later. Right now the imminent threat was probably cooking up another plan as we speak. I only hoped that it didn’t include another shootout.
14
Pit-stops were kept to a minimum, and when we did pull over, our trips were limited to no longer than ten minutes. This wasn’t a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside, so every second counted. So it was get in, go do your business and maybe grab a quick snack, then get back on the road burning rubber.
Jared and I took turns driving˗˗˗figured it would be safer that way. Falling asleep and drifting into oncoming traffic was not how I wanted my life to end. During the night, we each could get some much needed rest.
My mind was fixated on the next Haiku, and for the life of me, I was drawing a blank. Couldn’t get lucky all the time I guess. Even my vast array of knowledge had its limits.
The meaning might be lost on me, but at least I had a better understanding of other aspects that were involved with the poem. Like how the word “key” was tinted a pinkish hue compared to the rest of the text˗˗˗it meant that we had to face the corresponding colored pane of the lantern onto the surface of whatever the poem led us to, and that a nearby object would share the same coloring.
This guide acted like a giant neon sign pointing the way, basically saying “this way dummy.” With this clue, I was out of my element, so you won’t catch me complaining about a little extra mystical intervention. I may have just gotten lucky with the first one. Stone Walker enchantments, you had to love the intricacies that were included. If I wasn’t being chased down by a gun-toting crazy person, I could truly appreciate the dedication that went into protecting sacred relics. Power of any kind˗˗˗when placed in the wrong hands, could be used as a weapon. Lapisera’s Dagger was no different.
It had been several hours since we eluded the golden Mercedes with no sign of a re-emergence for miles. I craved an actual meal instead of keeping my hunger at bay with fruit snacks and granola bars. A girl could only sustain her calorie intake with finger-foods for so long. I nudged Jared awake.
“Come on sleepyhead, chow time. There’s a Denny’s off of the next exit. I think we have bought ourselves a considerable window of opportunity.” I batted my eyes, daring him to object.
“That we may have done, but let’s just keep our orders on the lighter side,” his remark calculating. Less food equaled a shorter delay. He was thinking two moves ahead as always.
“I’ll do my best, but no promises. A heaping stack of blueberry pancakes with a pile of bacon sounds really appetizing right now.” I had blueberry pancakes after I encountered Jared for the first time, and again I was going to partake in my favorite breakfast item while in his presence.
“We could make dual use of our time, and look over that Haiku while we’re here.” It would be better than doing it while speeding down the highway.
“Fine by me, although I hate admitting this, but I have no clue.”
“It’s what you get for bragging last time,” Jared prodded jokingly.
“Laugh it up. I deserve it. As I have explained, my mouth can get me into trouble.”
“And do many other pleasurable tasks as well,” he hinted. I felt my cheeks burning.
“Save the foreplay for when we aren’t looking over our shoulders at every turn for flying bullets.”
“This is why I enjoy your company so much. You’ve become effective at keeping me in line.” Cheeky bastard winked at me. I’ll be the adult and let it go. I’m mature like that.
“Anyways . . . let’s talk poem symbolism. Go.” I said, stuffing a gooey bite of pancake goodness into my mouth.
His brows scrunched up in concentration. There he goes again with that scholarly persona of his, making my stomach do somersaults. Icy blue orbs stared at the image on his phone, willing an Aha moment to strike. Having sent me a copy as well, I too studied the lines of text in conjunction with polishing off the remainder of my bacon. Thinking makes you hungry.
“Stone beacon, guiding light, reminds me of a campaign slogan in a way. A beacon could be a landmark that draws your attention, so the poem must be referring to a large structure that can be easily seen from far away.” Jared spoke in hushed tones, his speculations floating open-ended with room for collaboration.
“So, like a tower or tall building,” I added.
“Note quite, but I think we’re on the right track. The place has to have some source of light as well, I think.” He pondered, letting the words “guiding light” influence his opinion. Tall structure with a light˗˗˗could be a hilltop search light, or a cell tower. The possibilities were endless in that regard. Both were great guesses, yet I had a feeling that the place we were searching for had a more significant purpose other than being an electronic hotspot.
The clang of silverware against a tabletop across from our booth had me darting up out of my seat, eyes swiveling trying to locate the threat.
“Alex, sit down. That lady over there simply dropped her knife,” he indicated to his left. A matronly looking woman chuckled with embarrassment at the ruckus she had caused. Her apology filtered throughout, like if she was addressing the entire restaurant on behalf of her clumsiness.
“Sorry I’m so jumpy,” my voice low in pitch. I sat back down, the cloth bench giving under my weight. She was lucky I left my gun in the car.
Wanting to retain a low profile and not risk another spectacle, which would no doubt attract unwanted attention, the check was settled. A few bills were tossed onto the counter with our ticket. Two coffees to go in hand, these should keep up fueled up for awhile, provided the caffeine doesn’t interfere with our cognitive strategizing too badly.
Behind me, I heard Jared groan, as if in immense pain. His entire body began to tremble. Shaking and barely able to keep pace, a jarring stumble lurched him forward. My shoulder kept him from slamming into the pavement of the parking lot.
“Jared, what’s wrong,” I asked in a panic. He just made it to the car, before an abundance of shallow breathes breached his lips. I wasn’t sure how to help him.
“With . . . the rush . . . to find . . . Lapisera’s Dagger . . . I forgot what . . . time of month . . . it was,” his reply was laced with fatigue.
“Time of month˗˗˗what did he mean? Jared was getting paler by the second. He went to speak again. “I need . . . to find . . . a safe place . . . to change . . . into my . . . stone form.” The underlying meaning of his words struck me, driving me into action to relieve his building anguish.
As a Stone Walker, he needed to revert back to his stone form so that his energy could be replenished. This vulnerability had almost cost him his life once before. A jagged scar was the consolation prize he received instead.
For him to safely complete his change, a location that offered ample camouflage had to be staked out. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to risk taking Jared to another cemetery.
Alright Google, do your magic. A garden, it might be too exposed, but it would have to work. It was the nearest place I could find. Alright Asian Garden of Shreveport, you better not get Jared killed.
I pushed the Corolla to five over the p
osted speed limit, leaving Marshall Texas in the dust behind us. Salvation would await us in the next forty minutes, presumably if Jared didn’t pass out first. That would be awkward, watching my tiny ass lugging around an unconscious man, yeah nothing suspicious here. Yeah right.
You would swear that I was in the middle of committing some heinous crime that involved abduction. No one would consider the truth, nor would they even believe it.
15
The parking lot looked fairly sparse, which meant fewer potential witnesses. We still couldn’t let our guard down and risk exposing Jared’s true nature to some random wanderer. Or let the owner of that gold Mercedes catch up to us, but in this case, we had no choice in stopping. Stone Walker physiology dictated the decision.
So that Jared could conserve his energy, I went on ahead to scope out a location that offered even the smallest amount of privacy. Once the transformation was complete I could keep watch from a discrete distance. I had to appear as inconspicuous as possible in order to protect Jared, and to keep our unusual behavior from being discovered. I’m sure he would make for an interesting sculpture to look at, yet not even art students gazed at the same piece for several hours on end. Our cover had to remain intact.
A gravel covered ramp flanked by mini stone pagodas on raised pillars led up to the main entrance, which was coincidently marked by a Torii gate like Edgington’s dojo. It could be a sign of good luck, if you were the superstitious type. Which under average circumstances I normally wasn’t, it just struck me as a fortunate turn of events. Okay, I guess in laments terms that meant that I thought it was at least a good omen.
Manicured vegetation and crisscrossed lengths of gravel wove through the garden, cutting paths that highlighted Asian inspired features at every turn. A charming Buddha stood with his hands raised in prayer, the placement of the statue guiding visitors to an arched red bridge.
There was an abundance of tranquil vibes passing through this spot, a wave of calm tickling my senses. As much as I would have loved to select it on spiritual merit alone, the openness of the landscaping could prove troublesome. Standing on the bridge, I could see tourists on four different paths that stemmed off in parallel segments. It was too risky.
Aw hell, this was taking longer than I had anticipated. I was wasting precious moments that Jared didn’t have. I really didn’t want to find out what happens to a Stone Walker who doesn’t replenish their energy in time. Probably wasn’t a pretty sight, so I better get a move on it.
I came to a junction that was bordered by a low concrete wall. And rows of tall shrubs that stretched several feet wide. Large trees added a low canopy that would aid us from being detected. The towering stone figures that sat on the wall added to the viability of this plan succeeding.
Head on a pivot, my eyes kept track of the number of visitors that strolled along at languid paces, taking note of those that carried any kind of recording device. Hearsay alone could be chalked up to a figment of your imagination, but photo evidence was harder to refute. Call it an emergency destruction of personal property, but I would smash someone’s camera if I had to. If it meant keeping Jared out of harm’s way, then so be it.
Inside the rental car in the passenger seat, Jared rested with his head laid back against the seat, eyes closed. His forehead was clammy to the touch. Oh god, was I too late? Relief flooded my features as he groaned from my attempts at rousing him. Thank goodness, he was still alive.
Getting him out of the car was a challenge though. He was on the brink of passing out and I had to drag him across a parking lot and down a wide open staircase. I was merely a crutch for Jared to lean on, provided his weight didn’t tip me over first.
“I know you’re tired, but I need you to hold on for just a little longer. We only have to make it to that wall over there.” I said, gesturing towards the low divider.
“With you by my side I can muddle on, despite the overwhelming burning pain in my chest,” his response wavering in and out of audible range. Way to lay on the pressure, yet his confidence kept my panic under control.
“Take small steps, and if anyone looks at you, smile. It will look less awkward. Or if approached, we can claim you recently had surgery and wanted some fresh air.”
“You always think of everything. Good job nurse Nealy. I feel well taken care of.” I swear he was starting to get loopy. Later on, if he wanted me to play the naughty caregiver, then I might oblige. But not until he wasn’t babbling incoherent nonsense anymore, would I consider it. I wonder if he will remember anything he said. With his weakened state, I doubt it.
Alright gawkers nothing to see here, you can move along now. Mind your own damn business. There’s nothing wrong with a woman half dragging her man across a public garden. Jared did manage to crack a smirk here and there at my fierce protectiveness. So what, I was protective. Most would find that to be an admirable quality to have.
I could see the human like figures that sat perched on the wall. One rode an elephant with perfect posture. The tallest of the trio stood with its arms raised˗˗˗conjuring a spirit or dancing in celebration, I couldn’t tell. The coast was clear for now, so we had to act swiftly and without pause.
Jared sat on the wall, carefully lifting his legs to cross over to the other side. He paused to catch his breath. The narrowed expression on his face mirrored the intense frustration that he felt at having to be coddled like an invalid.
“Do you need to stand or will sitting on the ground be better,” my question posed with prompt consideration. I had never seen a Stone Walker change before˗˗˗therefore the procedure was unknown to me. Standing could be required in order for the process to work. In that case, Jared better assume a proper stance and get on with it.
“Sitting is fine. My stone form will adjust.” Would that cause him extra pain? I sure hope not. I wish I could have been better prepared. Then again who was I kidding, it’s not like I could have predicted this. Making a Stone Walker comfortable during their monthly transition wasn’t exactly at the top of my “Things to Know” list. The bitch in me wanted to chide Jared for not sharing such pertinent details. His suffering could have been avoided. Watching his face scrunch up in agony pushed that callous thought from my mind. He didn’t do this on purpose. I knew that.
Settled on the grass Jared posed his aching limbs in a cross- legged pattern, his back propped up against the wall. I chanced a look around, making sure that we were still isolated. I nodded and gave Jared the all clear.
A glowing smoky shield enveloped his seated form in an identical manner as when he revealed his true nature to me. I blushed at the memory. An omission on his part had almost cost me the chance to get to know a passionate man worthy of my affection.
It was weird to admit this, but Jared’s stone form was just as alluring as his living form, in a gothic sort of way. Bat like wings partially unfurled poked out from behind a crouched reptilian body. Along his upper arms, plated armor bands overlapped, each one tipped with a claw. Matching forearm bracers added a unified look to the overall composition. His face looked humanoid except for the pointed snout and horn protrusions lining his head and spine. Just as he was succumbing to the spell, he instructed me to keep watch from a distance. The renewal process could last up to two hours depending on the level of energy depletion. Jared would without a doubt need the maximum time span.
From my earlier reconnaissance, I noted that the streets that bordered the garden created a path that could be readily accessed while keeping an eye on Jared and any vehicles that may be following us. The owner of that gold Mercedes would eventually track us because of the power running through my veins, and I had to be able to change course at the drop of a dime.
The only flaw in my logic was the fact that we didn’t know what they looked like. Presently, the stranger could be standing right next to me and I wouldn’t even know it.
I had become proficient at reading a person and being able to detect what kind of personality they had, but I wasn’t perfect. Sociopa
ths especially, were good at concealing their emotions, you just needed to figure out what buttons to push. That required diligence and research, neither of which I had time for.
Without any clue as to their identity, I wouldn’t get too far anyways. Personal background files would be the most helpful to start with, usually there’s a story there if you know where to look. Again, they would be useless without a name to investigate.
Four passes, and then five, I walked an identical path that ran the length of the streets and alleys that bordered the garden. Maintaining my vigil over Jared was top priority, and making sure that we didn’t have an unwanted shadow.
An unwelcome grinding in my skull sent a wave of agony up and down my spine. I wasn’t prone to headaches, and this was one hell of a monster migraine in the making. Was I alarmed by the sudden pressure? Holly hell on wheels, I sure was. Alex, you must hurry. This voice, I had heard it before. It was the same melodic pitch I heard right before I helped Jared with Serena’s burial ritual. Why do I need to hurry? Was it a warning? I didn’t want to wait and find out.
I broke out in a steady sprint. Everything was a whizzing blur. I had to get to Jared. My instincts were screaming in fury that I wasn’t moving fast enough, but I was only human. Great timing your highness, I thought, delivering a message when I was crossing the furthest stretch of pavement away from the stone wall.
Lungs heaving in exhaustion, I bent at the waist and placed my hands on my knees, taking in much needed oxygen from my mad dash to get over here. Still in his stone form, Jared was just as I had left him from my previous lap. So much for the urgent message, he appeared fine. I had nearly given myself a cramp for nothing, or had I? A closer scan turned up a surprise.
Cradled between Jared’s clawed hands was a single white rose. The stem had been cut so that the bloom could rest without falling out. No way had a random stranger done this. It was possible that an observant tourist had noticed a hidden treasure, after all Jared’s stone form was rather impressive to study, yet the placement felt personal. Like this was a signal or calling card meant to be seen, probably by the both of us. Strangely enough, my headache was gone.
Threads of Blood and Silk: The stone Wielder's Legacy Trilogy Book 2 Page 5
