by S. E. Akers
The Onyx let out a menacing laugh. I watched as the ailing body of Coach Hayes staggered around me in a circle.
“You know what I want,” the Onyx bellowed and continued to cackle. “I’ll give you one chance to save this man’s life. I can feel his heartbeat slowing. Surrender the powers of the wand to me, and I’ll let him live. You don’t want his death to mar your soul? Do you?”
The Onyx’s proposal was out of the question. I couldn’t just hand over what I’d been told was “the most powerful weapon on earth” to him, but I couldn’t let Coach Hayes die either. Hell, my conscience was reeling with enough guilt about the injuries I’d inflicted on Mike Riverside. I couldn’t imagine how horrid I would feel living with the fact that I’d been indirectly responsible for an innocent man’s death. Granted he was a prick, and he’d been screwing around with Charlotte behind Daddy’s back, but even with all that, I found myself faced with a terrible dilemma. Instantly, I thought about Daddy, and how he had died trying to protect me, and the wand from being discovered. Even he knew how important it was for the diamond wand not to fall into the wrong hands. My head lowered as I resigned myself to the fact that I would go to my grave with Coach Hayes’ possible death weighing on my soul.
Hell, I guess there’s always therapy, I pondered with a twinge of skepticism.
I lifted my head. “Not possible,” I replied firmly.
The Onyx’s laugh intensified. The sound of Ty’s persistent bangs on the metal door rang out. The Onyx looked towards the locker room and then redirected his stare back at me. The cold, black eyes of “Coach Hayes” rolled around as he sneered.
“Fine by me…but maybe after I discard this body, I’ll occupy one you do care about.”
My eyes widened in a panic. Ty…The Onyx would surely possess Ty to get to me. Shit! Where the Hell is Tanner? Or even Bea?
I let out a sigh, making the Onyx well aware that he’d hit the right button. There wasn’t a foreseeable option. I shifted restlessly while I pondered the ramifications of what I was about to do. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that whatever evil and mayhem ensued from surrendering the wand’s powers, it would be irreversibly horrific and Daddy’s death would have been in vain. While my eyes roamed around the stadium, I spotted my things still lying on the bleachers where I’d left them.
My jacket.
Hastily, I turned back to the Onyx. “You’ll let Coach Hayes live…and you won’t harm Ty?”
“But of course,” the Onyx assured me in a soothing yet wicked voice.
“What about me?” I queried skeptically.
The Onyx’s brow furrowed. “That my dear, I simply cannot do. I think you know why. Once a Talisman, always a Talisman. It’s in your blood. I can’t have you trying to steal the wand’s powers back from me…Now can I?”
That’s what I figured. While the sounds of the thunder rumbled above us, I took a deep breath and stepped towards the Onyx.
“How does this work?” I muttered.
“Take my hand in yours and tell the wand to release you from your bond,” the Onyx replied eagerly. “Then the diamond’s power will pass to me.”
The Onyx extended his hand in a fluent, yet sinister fashion. Slowly, I attempted to take a hold of it, but I quickly jerked back from the agonizing pain of his touch. Every single time, it felt like a thousand knives stabbing my skin.
“Sorry about that,” the Onyx laughed. “I’m afraid you’ll just have to fight through the pain.” The Onyx continued to cackle and added, “But I promise you, it doesn’t sting nearly as bad as your hands being set on fire from the touch of a ruby.” The Onyx held up Coach Hayes’ hands and scowled. “What is it you teenagers say…Oh, yes…That hurts like a bitch.”
I glared back at him as I took a deep breath to prepare myself for the painful jolt. I clutched the Onyx’s hand firmly. Not only did it hurt like Hell, but I could feel every ounce of evil the supernatural being was radiating. It was hard to stomach.
“Now…Do it! SAY IT!” the Onyx screamed.
I watched the Onyx become wrapped up in the delusion that the wand was now within his reach. He’d taken the bait. With all of my might, I quickly locked my other hand onto Coach Hayes’ wrist and forcefully whirled the Onyx’s “vessel” around, hurling him down the field, where he crashed into the scoreboard. As I raced to the visitor stands, I sent a blast of lightning towards the scoreboard to keep him distracted. Once I’d hopped over the fence, I sprawled up the bleachers and snatched my jacket within a second. I reached inside the pocket and quickly felt around. The stones. I’d placed all three of them in there this morning. Now I just need to grab the right one.
Just as I pulled out my hand, the Onyx grabbed my arm and effortlessly tossed me back onto the football field. No sooner than I’d landed, he began to charge towards me. I felt one stone cupped in the palm of my hand. There was no time to look at it. I could only pray that I’d retrieved the right one.
Just as the Onyx lunged at me, I aimed the stone and pitched it directly at him. As soon as it struck, a cloud of electrically charged, light-blue smoke swirled around the Onyx. A blood-curdling scream erupted from out of the mouth of “Coach Hayes”. His body began to convulse as he fell to the ground, and his hands muffled his ears as he lay there shrieking. The next thing I knew, a cloud of billowy black smoke jutted out of the now limp coach’s body and took off like a whirlwind, howling as it disappeared into the night. The Onyx finally was gone, at least for now.
Thank you, Gallia! The appreciation I felt for the blue chalcedony stone and the little Talisman who had given it to me was immeasurable.
How the heck do you send a supernatural a thank you note?
I rushed over to Coach Hayes’ lifeless body. I could hear Ty (whose “bangs” were much louder) clearly using something with a little more substance to pound against the locker room door. He could burst through it at any second. Frantically, I shook Coach Hayes. I grabbed his wrist and found a pulse. I was instantly relieved, however, I needed him to be more alert, so he could let Ty out of the locker room if he wasn’t able to break down the door.
I can’t hang around here. Coach Hayes won’t remember anything, thankfully, but I can’t explain an injured coach and a destroyed stadium to Ty.
I hurried over to the sidelines and grabbed the large orange cooler. I couldn’t help but crack a smile as I shook it and thought, What the Hell. I raced back over to Coach Hayes and dumped the icy-cold Gator-aide on him. The semi-conscious coach shivered as he roused and was now trying to scramble to his feet. That’s a relief!
Just then, I heard a loud “bang” and saw the door to the locker room come flying open. I grabbed my jacket off the ground, raced up the bleachers, and dashed into the woods above the stadium. I wasn’t sure if Ty had caught a glimpse of me or not. Surely he was probably wondering by now, “where I was”, and “what the heck happened to the stadium”? I’d run off yet again, but with good reason this time. As I barreled up and down the mountains it dawned on me, Damn! I forgot my purse! Talk about leaving evidence at the scene of the crime. I couldn’t go back for it. My only hope was that it fell under the bleachers when The Onyx had grabbed me.
I headed for the only safe place I could think of — the cave. Hopefully, Tanner would eventually turn up there, or maybe he was already there waiting for me?
As I dashed through the thick forest, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’d just narrowly escaped with my life, not to mention Coach Hayes’ and possibly Ty’s. After last night’s adventure, I knew I would be faced with the reality of my safety being in question, without fail. However, the thought that innocent people’s lives could randomly come into play, especially those I cared about, was a heart-wrenching predicament. My own father’s death was a testament to that fact. Everyone I cared about would ultimately become my greatest personal liability. That was a cold slap of reality if there ever was one!
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 supposed 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…Idiot! 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 in 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.
Maybe 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.
