by S. E. Akers
“You can get off me now!” I barked, glaring at Tanner, who appeared to be in a deep focus.
“In a second,” Tanner assured. “You need to calm down a little more.”
I knew what he was doing. I could feel my anger, as well as all of my aggression, leaving my mind and body. Once my attitude had been adjusted, Tanner released me and pulled me up to my feet. I may have felt a lot more at ease, but this was far from over. That wasn’t my anger talking. It was simply my inborn, overly competitive nature.
“See, not a scratch on you,” Tanner confirmed as he spun me around. “That’s another one of your powers…Your body’s defense mechanism. Your bones are indestructible, and the chance of even scratching your skin is almost impossible,” Tanner declared with admiration.
I checked my body. He was right — just like this morning with the table saw. Tanner extended his arm. Streaks of blood-covered cuts were etched on his skin. Apparently the rocks had nicked him, but his injuries were minor, like scratches from a cat.
“Even I can’t lay claim to that,” Tanner added.
I remembered how badly injured I was that night in the cave. “So, the wand that night, sort of—”
“Gave you the strength and invincibility of diamonds. That’s a pretty powerful gift, Shiloh. It’ll help you dominate your enemies when they strike…and trust me, they won’t be playing around like we were. You’d better use every advantage you have against them.”
Tanner’s words echoed in my head. I still found it hard to believe there were people or things out there that actually wanted to KILL ME. Aside from my very first experience with the Onyx when I was little, I’d never been in a “real” fight. I wouldn’t even count that one because all I did was run off. The only acts of aggression I’d had over the years were the Tonka truck incident with Mike Riverside in kindergarten that left him with a small scar on his forehead and the occasional riled up & rowdy sister-tussles with Chloe. No one ever had a reason to hate me (Charlotte didn’t count), let alone “want me dead”. Now sadly, it seemed I had every reason in the world for someone to want to kill me. I was the lucky one who happened upon what Tanner had claimed was “the most powerful stone in the world”, and I was the only one who could wield its power. Evidently, if someone wanted to take it from me, I could do one of two things. I could surrender it willingly, like Adamas had done. But realistically, anyone who wanted it bad enough, wouldn’t just ask me for it, or even expect me to hand it over. The second option was more daunting — they would have to kill me.
Um, I think I know how this scenario will play out…every, single time.
We strolled through the forest for a few more minutes, until we had reached the edge of a clearing on the mountain’s plateau. Tanner signaled for me to walk out into the small field ahead of him. I hesitated. There were no trees to provide any sort of protection from the bitterly cold, pounding rain. The storm clouds above us had darkened and looked even more ominous hovering over the wide-open field. The cracks of thunder were almost deafening, and I flinched right along with every flash of lightning that lit up the sky.
Tanner gave me an insistent shove. “What are waiting for? Go on.”
“You still want to play ‘catch’?” I asked skeptically. “In this weather? With all this lightning flying around? In this field? Seriously?”
Again Tanner said nothing. He only acknowledged me by sternly pointing his hand towards the clearing. I grunted and then stormed off, headed into the wide-open field. The air was chilly, and the rain was just downright cold. I slammed my foot forcefully onto the ground.
“And when it is going to stop raining?” I yelled.
I’m soaking wet, and he wants to play “catch”. The only thing I’m going to “catch” is a cold!
Every time I stopped, Tanner would call out, “Keep going,” as he motioned me back with his hands. I’d reached the center of the field when he finally yelled for me to stop and turn around.
“Okay…I’m waiting!” I yelled.
Tanner didn’t say or do anything. The cheeky Professor just cocked his head back and smiled, which only added to my confusion. A flash of lightning streamed across the sky above us. I jumped while Tanner stood calmly, right where he was.
“Where’s your ball?” I demanded anxiously.
“I must’ve dropped it somewhere along the way,” Tanner replied as he superficially patted the front pockets of his jacket. He didn’t really seem to care about any missing ball, and I highly doubted he had one in the first place.
A wave of disbelief and suspicion came over me. I shook my head and started to head back his way when from up above, a bolt of lightning streaked down from the stormy sky. It landed three feet in front of me. I jumped back and cowered down to the ground.
CRAP!
I glanced up at the sky and then back over at Tanner Grey. He was casually pacing back and forth, just watching me.
“I knew this was a BAD IDEA!” I screamed out in a rage.
I sprang to my feet and gave the sky a quick check before I attempted to take another step. I headed towards Tanner again — and like clockwork — another bolt of lightning came hurling down at me. I observed that this one was even closer as I leapt out of its way and landed on the muddy ground. It had struck so close that I could still feel the bolt’s heat radiating around me.
WHAT THE HELL! Still, Tanner stood back and did nothing but smile. What kind of sick joke is he playing by leading me out here like this? I felt like a sitting duck as soon as I saw YET ANOTHER bolt racing towards me. I didn’t have time to get to my feet, so I threw my body over to the side and managed to roll out of its path. The thunder roared like an angry lion, which only intensified my anger.
“Why are you just STANDING THERE?” I screamed at Tanner as I jumped to my feet.
I had to get out of this wide-open field. Surely my luck was about to run out. My “indestructible bones” and “tough skin” wouldn’t offer me any sort of defense if a billion volts of electricity happened to light me up like a Christmas tree.
I scanned the stormy clouds and took a quick, deep breath. I’d just gotten up my nerve to make a run for it when I saw a violent, blazing bolt charging down upon me. There was no time to react. This one had me in its sights. I cowered to the ground and braced myself for its imminent strike. Why I raised my hands to protect myself from the blow was beyond me? It wasn’t like I could “push” the daggone thing away!
In less than a second, the lightning hit me with all its vehement force. While the bolt’s electricity shot through my body, I kept hoping I was going to be one of those lucky people who claimed they were “struck by lightning” and lived to tell it. I could feel every ounce of its volts exploding inside me, but to my surprise, it wasn’t painful — not in the least.
Once the powerful surge had ceased, I lowered my hands and pried my eyes open. I was alive and miraculously, uninjured. Slowly, I rose up from my crouched position. A wave of relief engulfed me. I looked over to see Tanner Grey standing there, proudly smiling at me.
Though I was thankful to be alive, I was pretty hot under the collar. He could have at least given me a heads-up when it came to his hands-on “teaching methods”.
“Is that what this was all about?” I demanded.
“Not this,” Tanner replied as he threw his arms up at the sky. “That!” he exclaimed as he pointed down to my side.
I looked down at my hand. My mouth fell open as I lifted my right hand up to my face. There in my palm churned a radiant ball of white-hot electricity. I felt its formidable power as it lay there, swirling in my hand. Its force was mind-blowing, and I was nothing less than awestruck. I raised my other hand, shifting the lightning ball back and forth between them. Fascinated, I manipulated it some more, discovering that I could even stretch it out, back into the shape of a long bolt. I felt like I was five years old as I sculpted the lightning like I would a hunk of Play-Doh.
This is freakin’ fantastic!
I looked
over at Tanner. His smile was just as radiant as the lightning.
“Some things are better left as surprises,” Tanner announced.
He was right. Aside from the diamond wand of Adamas, this was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. Its power was exhilarating!
“You’re right,” I confirmed with a mischievous grin as I thought about what Tanner had said about “surprises”. I couldn’t help myself. My competitive nature took hold as I pulled my arm back and hurled the lightning bolt in his direction.
Let’s see how HE likes it.
As predicted, Tanner’s violet eyes widened, and he quickly morphed into his purple misty form. He successfully dodged the bolt and was by my side in an instant. Once he had thrown me down onto the ground, he changed back into his manly state.
“Don’t try to school the teacher,” Tanner scolded as his body pressed against mine. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “And by the way,” he added, “The rain will stop…when YOU will it to.” He jumped to his feet and pulled me up beside him.
“What do you mean?” I asked cluelessly.
“Shiloh, the diamond is an incredibly, unique stone,” Tanner explained. “It has the ability to sway all four earthly elements — the air around you, the earth you stand on, the water which sustains you, and the fire that warms your soul. But your birth-stone, the diamond, is the only one of its kind. It’s the only stone to reign over the sacred fifth element — Storms — which permeates the universe, balances its energy, and sways the conscious mind. Your origin stone not only gives you an exorbitant amount of psychic power, but it allows you to draw your energy from a storm’s life force. That lets you manipulate the other elements to some degree naturally. This ‘storm’ that’s been churning is connected to your emotions. I can only mask your feelings temporarily. I can’t absolve you from them.” Tanner placed his hands on my shoulders. “So, when you finally let go of all your deep-seeded anger or learn to suppress it…the rain will stop.”
I looked up at the stormy sky. I would have never guessed that I was the one responsible for this horrible weather. Granted, it did match the mood I was in. It’d been raining ever since I ran out of the house yesterday morning, right after finding out about Daddy.
“Shiloh, I know how the loss of your father has hurt you, and I know you want to avenge him.” Tanner hesitated. “Caiden was protecting you from Lazarus. He knew the real reason Lazarus rolled into town to purchase the mine, and how close he was to discovering the wand’s location. Caiden stumbled upon the cavern years ago. He knew this day would come…when someone else would find it.”
Tanner let out a somber sigh. “We were supposed to meet at the cave’s entrance that night, but he never showed up. I found his lifeless body in the back of his truck, right after you’d been there. I knew Lazarus had poisoned him. His passing saddened me. I’ve known Caiden for many years, and I hate that he’s gone. But Shiloh, vengeance is a very raw, callous emotion. It leads to nothing but evil intentions that will consume you and cloud your judgment. Caiden wouldn’t want that. You don’t want that. You have to let it go. Lazarus wants the wand, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. Your day with him will come, and then you’ll have to face him. But don’t ever become misguided with hatred or let the quest for power consume you. That’s not what bearing the honor of being a Talisman is about. We’re here to protect life, never to take it unless a threat exists. Every Talisman who took that road has ended up corrupted by their wicked intentions and roams the earth with a malevolent heart. Just look at Lazarus…and the Onyx. It’s easily done. It’s a lot harder to stay true to your soul’s intended purpose, and yours Shiloh, is one of peace…Adamas’ was as well. That’s what truly made him a force to be reckoned with and a powerful leader. I’m afraid you have some very big shoes to fill to claim that honor.”
My mind swirled as I processed Tanner’s words. I found myself still bowled over by the fact that my father had known about the wand all this time and never hinted a word about it to me. He’d never told me about the danger he was in either — that we both had been in.
“I never asked for any of this Tanner,” I stressed. “I still don’t understand why I was chosen for this?”
Tanner held on to my shoulders gently, but with purpose. “Shiloh, destiny isn’t random. It comes for you when you’re ready. Whether you think so or not. You don’t just have to trust it, but more importantly, you need to trust yourself. Anything is possible when you do that.”
I could feel the rain subsiding throughout Tanner’s tender touch, but as soon as our physical connection broke, the fickle clouds above resumed their steady, dismal drenching.
Weird. I’m going to have to figure out some way to deal with my feelings on my own. Talk about wearing your emotions on your sleeve!
“I think we’ll end your lesson here for the day, Shiloh.”
I agreed, and we took off, just as swiftly as we’d come. This time the distance between us narrowed. I couldn’t tell if it was because I was running faster or if Tanner, out of consideration for my current emotional state, had slowed down. Either way, I found his companionship comforting. Not just because he had the power to make me feel better, but I felt more connected to him and sensed a bond forming between us. Mine with my father had been taken from me.
Maybe I need that?
We came to a stop at the edge of my gravel drive. Charlotte’s car wasn’t there. They aren’t back yet, I noted and breathed a sigh of relief.
“I think you can find your way from here,” Tanner teased.
As I walked to the house, a question popped into my mind, regarding something Tanner had mentioned earlier.
“Hey, I have one more question,” I called back to him.
“You’re kidding. YOU have a question,” Tanner mocked.
My eyes narrowed as I shook my head. “You said that it was almost impossible to sever my skin, right?”
“That’s correct…Almost impossible,” Tanner confirmed.
“Well…Don’t you think I need to know?” I demanded impatiently. “What can cut my skin?”
Tanner transformed into his misty form and was by my side in a flash. After a brazen wink, the Amethyst Talisman forcefully held down my left arm while he grabbed my right hand. He took it and dug my fingernails down deep into the skin on my left arm. I SCREAMED! The pain he was forcing me to inflict on myself was excruciating! I couldn’t believe he would do something like this to me — ON PURPOSE! I broke free from his grasp and looked over at my arm. There was a small, deep gash that was pouring out blood.
Before the first profanity spewed from my mouth, Tanner extended his hand and replied, “A diamond, of course.”
There in the palm of his hand lay a tiny raw diamond. I looked at the hole in my arm and redirected my eyes back to the little rough stone. IMPOSSIBLE!
Tanner tossed the diamond over to me and started to walk off.
“Bring that with you tomorrow. Bright and early, Shiloh. Oh, and soak that arm in some sea-salt & water tonight. It’ll heal in no time.”
“But I have school…Where are we going?”
Tanner never answered. He was already gone. All I saw was a haze of purple fading in the distance. I held the little stone in the air to admire it once more. My arm hurt like Hell, but all I could do was stare and marvel at the rough diamond gemstone.
Amazing… Absolutely AMAZING!
Chapter 16 — The Long Way Down
I bolted out of bed as soon as my alarm rang. I had no idea what the day had in store for me, but I was looking forward to the distraction. This was exactly what I needed. Something to ease the fresh, painful ache I felt from my broken heart…Something to numb me, so I couldn’t feel the multitude of emotions tormenting my soul…But most of all, anything that could sidetrack my mind to keep me from dwelling on haunting past moments with my father that I would never experience again. This “distraction” was a blessing — even if it was only masking my pain.
I slipped my left arm out of
my pajamas. Tanner was right. The cut had completely healed. There wasn’t even a scar. Amazing. I wasn’t sure exactly how much sea-salt I should use when I’d drawn my bath, so I just dumped in what was left from the container Katie had brought over the other night.
I’ll have to pick up some more at the grocery store later. Something tells me that I’m going to need it.
I grabbed Daddy’s crumpled shirt off my bed and hid it in the back of my closet. There… Nice and safe. I’d pulled it out last night. After all, I didn’t have Tanner Grey here to filter my emotions. I needed something to comfort my head and my heart. The subtle scent of musk and spearmint from Daddy’s shirt helped, but it in no way did it compare to blissful effects of Professor “Prozac” Grey.
I hurried through my morning routine and was ready in a flash. I placed the rough diamond (that I’d been forced to carve out of my skin) into the front pocket of my jacket. I’d left the golden topaz on my finger last night. Beatrix had said that it wouldn’t be of much use until it basked in the light of the next full moon (which wasn’t until this coming Friday), but I thought a dip in the salty water during my bath wouldn’t hurt. It certainly didn’t help. It remained a shiny but disappointingly, dormant bauble.
A rush of brisk fall air whirled around my body when I stepped outside, instantly energizing me with its lively touch. Fresh fallen leaves danced around my feet as I trotted down the porch steps. The rising sun was bright, and the clouds were few and far between. It was going to be a gorgeous fall day in the mountains of West Virginia.
Good. No more rain.
Despite Tanner not revealing any specific details last night, I had a pretty good idea as to “where” we were to rendezvous. For fun, I arched my back and lowered myself into a track runner’s stance, just as they would before the gun fired to signal the start of their race. Ready, set, go. My strides were as swift as the wind. I barreled across Shiloh Ridge with breakneck speed. It only took me a matter of seconds to reach the cave’s secret entrance. I arrived feeling a bit disappointed. I was having fun with my newfound skill for speed, and just like a ride at a carnival, I hated it had ended too soon.
