by S. E. Akers
“Yes,” Tanner answered with a curt smile.
“Just so I’m clear…You saw me getting my ass handed to me, and you sat back and did NOTHING? Is that about right?”
“No,” Tanner replied defensively. “I was cheering for you.”
I slammed my hands down against the earthy floor and grunted. “Ughhh!” I couldn’t even look him. My stomach wouldn’t allow it.
Tanner patted my back. “Hey, the coach isn’t allowed on the field when the game’s in play, Shiloh…And, I wanted to see if you could handle yourself when given ‘the ball’, so to speak.”
I thought steam was going to shoot out my ears after hearing his explanation as to why he didn’t “lend me a hand”. Sensing my annoyance, Tanner nudged my shoulder.
“You did good by the way,” Tanner praised. “I was thoroughly impressed.”
I turned towards him. As I mulled over the evening’s turn of events, my lips began to creep into a subtle, proud smile. I did do it “by myself”…Well me, and with a little help from Gallia. That’s not entirely true…More like a lot!
“Those blue chalcedonies are pretty handy,” Tanner affirmed.
“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding my head knowingly as I looked around the cave. “So how long have you been here?”
“Awhile. I’ve been cleansing that wound of yours. It was the least I could do,” Tanner replied. “It was a nasty gash, but it’s finally healed. You’re as good as new.”
I ran my fingers down the side of my face. Sure enough, it felt as smooth as a baby’s bottom once again.
“Thanks,” I replied appreciatively. “What time is it?”
“Almost five-thirty,” Tanner replied. “The sun will be up soon.”
I extended my arms, giving my sore back a much-needed stretch. As soon as I heard a few of my spinal bones “pop”, a thought surfaced. “Oh, by the way… I had a dream about Adamas. At least, I think it was him.” Tanner seemed pleased, though not a bit surprised.
“What you saw was actually a memory. What did it tell you?” Tanner inquired. “Be specific.”
“I saw the wand lying on a table and then Adamas appeared,” I revealed. “He pulled out the diamond’s silver hilt and joined it to the wand. That was basically it.”
After a moment of silent contemplation, Tanner announced, “The diamond’s trust in you is growing. It’s forging a bond with your soul. Hopefully, the wand will release itself to you soon. Then we don’t have to worry about Lazarus finding it down here.”
It must not trust me too much. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I’d already “attempted” to pull it out last night.
“That’s good news. Why am I sensing you’re perturbed about something?” Tanner questioned.
Crap. Clearly the Amethyst Talisman’s radar had picked up on my dismay. Tell him something…Anything but that.
“I was wondering where you were yesterday?” I evaded. “All day?”
“I had to make an appearance at the mine,” Tanner explained. “I couldn’t have Lazarus wondering why the geologist he keeps on retainer didn’t show up for work. It’s a good thing I was there. He’s up to something.”
I thought about what Samuel had suggested earlier. “Is he trying to back out of the deal?” I asked. Tanner appeared somewhat surprised, but confirmed my suspicions with a nod.
“Good guess. Why does he need the mine when he knows the diamond isn’t there? For the past few years Xcavare’s business acquisitions haven’t been for the company’s benefit as much as they’ve been for Lazarus’ own. Xcavare’s primary shareholder is Lazarus’ father, Malachi Xcavare, who by the way is a Talisman, too. Lazarus’ extracurricular purchases have squandered an exorbitant amount of the company’s funds. He abandons almost every mine the company has acquired as soon as he realizes the diamond wand isn’t there. Only three of his past twenty-one acquisitions have been sold, and they didn’t even come close to turning a profit. A few have stayed open, but the majority of them are sitting idle. The most unfortunate ramification is the countless number of workers who have been left jobless. I can’t tell you how many towns and villages across the globe that Lazarus has destroyed indirectly from his quest to locate the wand.”
Tanner rose to his feet and continued, “Malachi has even grown tired of the way his son’s been operating the business. It’s bad for the company’s bottom line, as well as their image. Its stock has taken a huge dive. Malachi is suspicious about what’s been fueling his son’s spontaneous purchases. Even though they share the same blood, they’re still both Talismans. They’d kill each other over the wand if one ever found out the other possessed it. Malachi Xcavare is the one who insisted I be here for this acquisition, mostly to keep an eye on Lazarus and report back to him. I’m pretty sure Lazarus suspects something, but they’re both clueless to the fact that I’m a Talisman.”
“So, you’re kind of a double-agent?” I posed.
Tanner flashed his cocky smile. “Exactly. I can keep tabs on both of them for The Guild. Convenient, don’t you think?”
“Very,” I replied. My thoughts began to dwell on the unsuspecting miners, as well as all the residents of Welch. Harper Riverside was hell-bent on selling the mine and Xcavare was the only fish biting, especially in this economy. The whole thing sounded too good to be true from the start — everyone keeping their jobs, their pay, their benefits and their positions — nothing changing the least little bit. That NEVER happens when a new owner comes in. Even if Mr. Riverside were to find another buyer, the odds of the workers getting the same sweet deal was little to none. Whenever a mine changed hands around these parts, the new owners would unfailingly lay-off at least half of the workers, and the lucky ones who did manage to keep their jobs had to kiss their union contracts good-bye. The city of Welch would be devastated as well. Unemployed townspeople would be forced to relocate. Then there were all the promises Lazarus had made to the town about “revitalizing Welch” and “investing in its people”. Our little community would inevitably end up a ghost-town. How horrible…
Tanner snapped his fingers to pull me out of my apparent daze. “Shiloh? What are you thinking about?”
“Just about the miners…and the town. They’re screwed… One way or another. If the sale goes through and Xcavare shuts down the mine, it’ll be devastating. If Lazarus backs out of the deal, Harper Riverside will have to find another buyer. Odds are at least half the miners will lose their jobs, and that’s just as bad. Mike said his father thinks the mine is more trouble than what it’s worth. Harper Riverside might just shut it down, even without buyer. Like I said, they’re screwed,” I replied solemnly.
“I see…but right now, you should be more concerned with how Lazarus ended up here in the first place,” Tanner advised heedfully.
“I don’t know? Do you have any guesses?”
“Unfortunately, I think I do.” Tanner became very subdued. “I think he may have the hilt. That’s the only way he could know the diamond wand is here. Lazarus has been eyeing various coalmines for a while, but this is the first one he’s sought to acquire. There are thousands, upon thousands of them all over the world. It’s too coincidental that the very first coalmine he chose is the exact same one in southern West Virginia close to where the wand was hidden.”
My eyes lit up instantly. “What does that mean?” I inquired.
“It means that if he has the hilt…it has led him here. The hilt claims some of the same memories inside it that the diamond wand possesses, Shiloh. It would speak to him randomly or in his dreams. The hilt would call out to him, give him clues, and guide him to the wand’s general location. The hilt’s only desire is to be reunited with the wand — no matter who claims the diamond’s power. It’s cast of metal, so it doesn’t have an owner. Nothing reigns over it.”
“What makes you think he has it?” I asked.
“I did some checking today…Xcavare purchased a company in Montana two years ago that happened to stumble upon a rare reserve of platinu
m. That’s what metal the hilt is cast from — not silver. It would have been buried near a source of it, so that just like the diamond, it could lie dormant but maintain its energy. When Adamas surrendered his powers, he gathered several Talismans from the Guild and bestowed each of us with a specific duty. Adamas left me in charge of protecting the wand, so I knew its location. He never let any one Talisman know too much, out of fear for their safety, as well as the wand’s. I’m not sure if that’s where it was hidden or not. I’ve tried to contact the Talisman who I think may know, but my attempts have been unsuccessful.”
I couldn’t help but notice that Tanner’s tone was now bordering on dismal.
Tanner continued, “If the hilt was hidden out there, and Lazarus happened to stumble upon it accidentally…” He shook his head and continued confidently, “Well, it’s the only reason that makes sense. The timeline fits. After the platinum discovery, the past two years have been filled with peculiar mining acquisitions, but they all have one thing in common — carbon. The exact same element the diamond wand needed to keep its charge all these years. The hilt doesn’t emit any energy like the wand does. It just receives it. Until the hilt is reunited with the wand, all it will do is call to whoever is in possession of it and attempt to guide them to the diamond wand’s whereabouts. If the hilt has led Lazarus here, for some reason, it can’t give him the wand’s exact location. Adamas could have used the same type of enchantment on the hilt as he did on the cave, hoping to hinder the hilt’s search. The man you saw in the store…It’s no coincidence that he’s here.”
“So you did get my message?” I asked, excited that my first attempt at contacting another Talisman via “stone” was a success.
“Yeah,” Tanner replied. “Loud and clear.”
My elation quickly faded as I watched him pace around the cave like a caged animal. I figured the stranger was possibly a Talisman, but that was about it. Clearly, Tanner was on edge about something.
“Who is he?” I asked.
“His name is Ferrol and yes, he’s a Talisman. I sensed his presence a few minutes before he arrived at the mine this morning.” Tanner bent down and picked up a rock from off the ground. He resumed his heated pacing as he tossed it in his hand. “That stone you saw around his neck is a carnelian, but that’s NOT his origin stone.” Tanner hurled the rock forcefully across the cave, allowing what appeared to be some pretty deep-seated hatred to finally surface. I watched it shatter against one of the walls. “I knew the Talisman who used to reign over that stone. Ferrol isn’t the first of our kind to claim it.”
I could tell Tanner was grief-stricken by this revelation. I should know. The aura grief emits had become all too familiar to me. The Talisman whom Ferrol received the stone from must have been a close acquaintance of his.
“Who was he?” I inquired.
“She,” Tanner corrected, “…was someone I cared for deeply.”
Though he tried to conceal his anguish, his emotions were too strong. I could see every ounce of his pain just by looking into his eyes. Immediately, I stood up and approached Tanner. My heart went out to him for his apparent loss.
“Maybe she’s not dead?” I encouraged. “Couldn’t she have just given him one of her stones? As a gift?”
“No,” Tanner insisted. “The one around his neck is the original carnelian. The same one Adean wore.”
Tanner’s violet eyes darkened as they crept into a sharp glare. I could only assume that maybe this Adean was a past love of his. All things considered, I decided not to pry. Who knows what memories I’ll stir up by asking? He’s clearly pissed enough already. This time, I think I’ll keep my questions to myself.
Trying to remain optimistic, I asked, “Couldn’t Adean have surrendered the stone to him?”
Tanner let out a sharp laugh. “Impossible. The only way Adean would’ve let that stone go was if he pried it out of her dead, lifeless hands,” he announced confidently. “Adean was extremely brave and headstrong.” He grinned and added, “She was quite a firecracker. You remind me of her in a way. Spirited, but stubborn.”
All things taken into consideration, I assumed that was supposed to be a compliment.
“When was the last time you saw her?” I asked.
“Not for many years,” Tanner said with a distant gaze. “But I thought about her all the time. I’ll miss her.”
“I’m so sorry,” I replied solemnly.
“Yeah well, if you hadn’t sent me that vision and let me get over the initial shock, I’m afraid I would have blown my cover when I ripped the bastard’s head off. I kept out of his way and pretended to busy while he was there. I was afraid he might recognize me. We had a run in ages ago. I wasn’t even sure it was Ferrol until I managed to catch a glimpse of the stone that’s the origin of his powers. That confirmation was pretty damning.”
I found myself strangely disturbed by his last comment.
“Why? What stone is that?”
“The howlite, I’m sad to say. I saw it bound to his wrist. He accidentally flashed it when he was putting on his coat.” Tanner looked clearly annoyed.
“Why? What does it do? Does it give its owner a lot of powers?” I questioned nervously.
“No, not a lot of powers,” Tanner replied grimly. “A howlite only has one power and one purpose…To hunt for other Talismans and their stones. Fortunately for me, my tiger’s-eye kept him from discovering who I was, but the bastard’s powers were pretty strong. If he hadn’t left around noon, he would have drained all the damn thing’s magic, and then my little jig would have been up for sure.”
My mouth dropped as the seriousness of the situation became abundantly clear. This Talisman was here to help locate the diamond wand of Adamas and would ultimately find me. A wave of panic consumed me as I looked around the cave with a growing sense of angst. I felt as though the rough, rocky walls of the cavern were closing in around me, like I was being suffocated. Tanner rushed over as soon as he sensed my fear.
“I don’t even have to ask if he picked up on yours.” Tanner shook his head. “Good thing you spotted him first and got the Hell out of that store. I’m sure he sensed you and suspects the diamond’s powers have been claimed. I’m just glad he didn’t see you.”
I pursed my lips and looked away, which unfortunately prompted Tanner to become suspicious.
“He didn’t see you? Did he?” Tanner questioned.
I remained quiet.
“Shiloh?”
“He might have noticed my car…when I pulled out of the parking lot,” I mumbled apprehensively.
“That’s all?” Tanner asked. “That’s not the worst news in the world. Well then, not only will you have to stay away from him, but I’m afraid you’ll have to ditch your car as well.”
My appearance stayed the same, still deeply troubled by my numerous encounters with Ferrol, and I was positive Tanner would be none too pleased by them either.
“Don’t be upset,” Tanner encouraged. “I’ll get you another one. Something nice…Maybe a white Beamer? How about that? Nothing too flashy, of course…A 3-Series. I can’t have you getting spoiled.”
I heard Tanner talking, but I wasn’t listening. I remained still while my head swirled with panic and dismay. He quickly noted my reaction.
“Not the response I would expect from someone who was just informed that they were getting a new BMW as a gift,” Tanner remarked with a distinct raise of his brow. “Shiloh? Shiloh?” He instantly picked up on my escalating panic. Tanner swiftly grabbed my shoulders and demanded, “WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?”
I watched the violet hue in his eyes intensify as one of his brows began to arch. There was no use in putting off my blunder any longer.
I lowered my head and mumbled, “He may have seen me in town…sitting at the red light when he walked past my car as he was crossing the street.”
“What do mean by ‘may have’?” Tanner asked, fearing my answer. My face remained blank. “He didn’t he see your face, did he?”
/> I lifted my head. “I mean…he did,” I confessed.
“Dammit, Shiloh!” Tanner yelled. “WHEN did this happen?”
I flinched. “Sometime between noon and one o’clock, I think,” I replied sheepishly.
“I thought I told you to go to school! Why didn’t you listen to me?”
“I did,” I snapped back, “but I got suspended and sent home. I thought it was too risky to go to my house. I was afraid Lazarus might show up on my doorstep, waving another check. I couldn’t find you or Bea. I didn’t know where else to go, so I ended up hiding out at the Drive-In.”
“What in the Hell did you get suspended for?” Tanner grunted.
“Fighting,” I muttered. “I kind of beat up Mike Riverside.”
The Amethyst Talisman rolled his eyes and stormed around, spitting out a few expletives under his breath. His steps were so quick and heavy I thought the daggone roof was going to cave in any second. Abruptly, Tanner stopped dead in his tracks.
“Wait… If you were hiding out at the Drive-In, then how did you end up at the football field?”
My confession was almost complete. I didn’t think Tanner could possibly get any more livid than he already was. Might as well just let it rip.
“Ferrol spotted my car parked there, so I took off on foot through the woods. I was on my way to the Heritage Inn when I saw the lights on at the stadium. I figured I could hide out there for a while.”
I underestimated the limits of Tanner Grey’s threshold of anger. I watched as his mouth tightened and his eyes squinted into a nasty scowl. The widow’s peak that seductively dipped down along his hairline looked a lot less alluring with all those lines popping out on his forehead.
“You took off…on foot,” Tanner laughed angrily. “That’s what you’re telling me? You think you lost a Talisman — who’s a supernatural ‘hunter’ — ON FOOT?”
My head nodded, somewhat insecurely. “Yeah…Didn’t I?”
“No, Shiloh. You didn’t lose him. I’m sure once he realized you weren’t at the Drive-In, he followed your trail of energy straight to the football field!”
