by S.E. Akers
I tossed the note on the bed. I can’t believe she thinks doing one load of laundry in twelve years will convince me to sell Shiloh Ridge. She’s nuts…
I didn’t have the heart to tell her the deal was no longer on the table. I wasn’t that cruel. I spotted several of my favorite tops and jeans lying in the basket, as well as the red ruby-dyed tracksuit Beatrix had given me the other day. I packed it and a few other things in my canvas duffle bag. Quickly, I ran to my closet to get Daddy’s shirt. I looked all through it, but my memento wasn’t there. I checked under my bed, under my covers, and under my pillows, but I still couldn’t find it anywhere!
A horrible feeling set in the pit of my stomach when my eyes fell on the laundry basket and THE NOTE. I threw out the remaining layers of clothes, one by one, until I reached the last item lying on the bottom. Sadly, there it was.
My shoulders plummeted into a defeated slump. BITCH…
My blood began to boil with rage. I picked up the blue and white striped shirt and held it up to my nose. My nostrils flared as soon as I realized Daddy’s musk and spearmint scent had been replaced with the smell of cheap detergent.
THE ONLY THING I WANTED! The last thing that helped me feel Daddy’s presence! There would be no more closing my eyes to smell him and imagining he was still physically with me. The heartless bitch had seen to that when she’d driven this final nail in my coffin. I picked up the note and focused on the last line. I stomped my foot on the floor. TOTALLY ON PURPOSE!
Seven minutes, I fumed as I paced uncontrollably around my room. My eyes fell back onto my blue and white striped keepsake that lay on the bed, now useless. I know I said I didn’t want any drama, but…SCREW IT!
I grabbed the shirt and flew down the steps on a mission. I was well aware of Charlotte’s issues with me, but this callous act was just as much of a slap against Daddy — maybe more? I searched the house for her relentlessly. Ace Barlow’s car was still parked outside. Right then, I realized where she was. I slung my purse down on the table in the foyer and charged back to her bedroom. I grappled with the locked doorknob for only a second. Even though it was brass, I decided to kick the damn thing open.
The door slammed so hard its knob was now firmly lodged into the room’s sidewall. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find Ace Barlow lying on Daddy’s side of the bed when I’d entered. However, I became more than a little unhinged at the sight of the sleazy bastard wearing the robe I’d bought my father for Christmas two years ago! My eyes narrowed like the blade of a knife as he shot straight up in the bed. That abhorrent image was all it took for the rowdy redneck in me to come out a blazin’.
“Git out of my father’s bed and take his robe off this instant, unless you want ’em to remove it AT THE MORGUE!” I raged.
“Oh, um, Shiloh . . . Um, this is awkward,” Ace Barlow muttered nervously as he sprang like a jackrabbit out of the bed.
I crossed my arms and let out a laugh. “For who, exactly? Me? My father, who’s lying in a grave? You? Or Kimberly . . . your WIFE?”
Ace Barlow scrambled to gather up his clothes that were scattered all around the room. “Hey, Charlotte. You’d better get out here,” he urged anxiously.
I averted my head while he wrestled on his pants. My eyes fell on Charlotte’s dresser. As soon as I spotted the tiny bottle of ruby cologne, I snatched it up and gave the dainty crystal container a quick swirl.
Charlotte, you certainly don’t need THIS, I affirmed as I tucked it into the pocket of my jacket. After all, it had been left here for me to find and realistically, a “lust potion” in the hands of Charlotte Wallace would be a recipe for disaster. I would be doing the married females of Welch a public service and probably save a few of them from some jail-time when her adulterous trysts came to light.
Charlotte finally emerged from the bathroom. Her bleach-blonde hair was all mussed, and she couldn’t have looked any more whorey if she’d tried, standing there draped in her bright red satin robe and lipstick to match. She scowled at me but held her head up immodestly high. Soon, her eyes sparkled with delight when she spotted Daddy’s shirt wadded up in my hand.
“Something on your mind, dear?” my mother asked, obviously shooting for innocent.
I shook my head. “HERE!” I hurled Daddy’s shirt at her. “Before you open that mouth of yours again, plug it with that! That’s all it’s good for NOW . . . and congratulations, Mother. You’ve succeeded in every one of your attempts to antagonize and alienate me! But to trash Daddy’s memory like that? To just wash it away? You may have destroyed my memento, but my memories are still very much intact! I’ll always carry him with me — in my heart! Can YOU say the same?” I demanded as I pointed to Ace Barlow, who was grappling with the laces on his shoes.
Regardless of the strong front Charlotte was putting up, I could tell I’d struck a nerve by the icy look on her face.
“Are you FINISHED?” she growled through a set of gritted teeth.
“Yeah, that’s about it,” I replied as I headed for the door. I threw my hands against the wood doorframe and stopped. “No,” I announced abruptly. “I’m curious about something. Tell me . . . Which one of you is getting billed by the hour here?” I popped off and then stormed off down the hall just as Charlotte threw Daddy’s shirt.
After retrieving my purse, I slung it over my shoulder and grabbed hold of the doorknob. I stood there, clenching it for a moment (pretending it was Charlotte’s neck) and then inescapably my eyes darted to the living room. There was her wine bottle sitting on the coffee table. I’d always felt that her “drug of choice” had contributed to some of her nastiness over the years. Not all, but some. I walked over and picked up the opened bottle of Pinot Grigio that was practically full.
Okay, Charlotte… You took away MY security blanket, now I’ll take away YOURS! With that, I pulled my little amethyst out and dropped it into the bottle. After a few heated swirls, the stone dissolved into the wine without leaving the slightest trace. Bottoms up! Though I was pleased there wouldn’t be any remaining evidence, I had no idea it would dissipate like that. But right now, I doubted I would’ve shed a damn single tear if she were to have accidentally choked on it!
No need to leave a note — NOT NOW! I didn’t even see the need to go back upstairs to grab the bag I’d packed. That wasn’t what I’d really come home to get anyway. I wanted my keepsake!
I stormed out of the house and stopped on the front porch at the sound of the door slamming, halted by a revelation.
As one door closes, another one opens…
A whole new world was waiting for me. There was nothing keeping me from it, not anymore. Daddy was gone, and the notion of having a “home” had been buried with him. All that remained was a cold house with a stifling room that held insignificant things. My memories would always be inside me. They were all that truly mattered, and Charlotte could never take those away.
In that pivotal moment, I realized the only place I wanted to be was down in that cave, and the only thing I wanted to do was claim my diamond wand—my destiny—once and for all.
I looked at my watch. Three minutes, I assessed and then took off across the ridge, ready to embrace my future.
I arrived at the entrance to the cave within seconds. To my surprise, its secret door was wide-open. Ugh… Well, at least I’m not late. Disappointed that Tanner had already arrived, I waved my hand to seal the cave and casually trotted down the rocky spiral staircase. No need to rush now.
I carried on down the steps, winding past the flickering torches, and arrived at the bottom with a little over a minute to spare. I called out to Tanner, “I’m here,” though all I heard were my words echoing throughout the dimly lit cave.
That’s weird, I thought as I looked all around. A vague, restless feeling started to emerge, like I’d forgotten something important, but as soon as my eyes fell upon the wand, it completely vanished from my mind.
/> I threw my purse down and took a deep breath. Slowly, I climbed the rock formation where the wand lay still imprisoned. Once more, I watched its dazzling light dance under my fingers as I stroked its shaft back and forth. However, when I felt the diamond’s energy this time, it seemed noticeably different. Not only could I feel the sheer breadth of its power, but an equally strong sense of peace inundated my entire body as well. It was indescribable — like all the power in the world was lying at my fingertips, capable of anything I desired, but surprisingly its energy wasn’t the least bit forceful or seductive. My eyes fell to a close as I tightened my grip on its shaft. Its essence was tranquil and modest considering the magnitude of its awesome capabilities. I’d thought of this wand—this sword—as being just some brutal weapon that was solely meant to inflict harm…but it wasn’t. The diamond’s life force was pure and unpolluted by violent emotions, and the magical energy it held only sought shelter in this savage vessel for the sake of protection and that alone. And of all the people in the world, it had chosen me to reign over its powers and bear the burden of keeping it safe and out of the clutches of evil. Even if it took my last breath, dying to protect its benevolent virtue would be worth it. I knew it would…just as my father had known all too well.
Okay, I thought as I firmly grasped the wand. I just hope my destiny hears me knocking. I started to gently pull up on the wand when I suddenly heard the sound of approaching footsteps. I let go of it and whipped around to see Tanner at the foot of the rocks.
“Where have you been?” I asked.
Tanner looked at me curiously as he walked up the formation. “Where do you think? I’ve been out trying to hunt down Lazarus and Ferrol. Though I have to admit, I’m surprised you beat me here.”
“I didn’t. You got here before me,” I assured him.
Tanner’s eyes widened curiously. “No . . . What are you talking about?”
I pointed up to the entrance. “The cave’s door was unearthed when I arrived.”
“Shiloh, listen to me. I just got here.” Tanner’s brow began to furrow as he checked his watch. “The sun has already set. The enchantment I put on the cave has lifted, but that wouldn’t cause the door to open by itself.”
As soon as I heard the words “enchantment” and “door”, my brain scrambled to remember if I’d said the right phrase when I’d left this morning. The more I thought about it, I shamefully realized I hadn’t said anything at all. Between the blast and worrying about Samuel, I’d totally forgotten to seal it with the magic words. I’d simply waved my daggone hands at it as I ran off.
My stare crashed to the floor. Aw, Crap…
Tanner didn’t have to actually see the guilty look on my face; from the heat of his hover, I was pretty sure my regret was rattling his receptors with the roar of a lion just fine.
The Amethyst Talisman cleared his throat. “I’m sensing a lot, and I do mean, a lot of shame and remorse, Shiloh. Would you care to explain it?” he grilled.
“No. Not really,” I declined, my eyes painstakingly dodging his glare.
“It’s been open ALL DAY . . . Hasn’t it?” Tanner probed.
I shrugged my shoulders and lowered my head. “It would appear so.”
Tanner immediately headed back down the rocks, rambling out a few choice words. I followed right behind him with my tail firmly between my legs thinking, Ding, ding, ding… Here goes Round-Two.
“Well, little girl . . . I hope you at least remembered to leave a few breadcrumbs for Lazarus and Ferrol. We wouldn’t want them to get lost!”
Without warning, a menacing laugh echoed through the cave, and a voice called out, “That wasn’t necessary, though a gracious thought. I was able to find my way without the need for littering.”
Feeling more dismayed than outright aghast, we whipped our heads around on the spot, towards the direction of the uninvited and regrettably familiar voice. From out of the shadows strolled Lazarus Xcavare, twirling his cane and looking just as sanctimonious as ever.
Tanner stepped in front of me and took a protective stance. My reflexes kicked in, and I found myself clutching his fiercely pulsating biceps.
Lazarus laughed. “Now, Tanner. You don’t have to act so defensive. Why I consider anyone who saves me fifty-million dollars a close, personal acquaintance.” Lazarus removed a crisp white handkerchief from his pocket and started wiping the coal dust from his hands. “Forgive me, dear, if I don’t call you a friend, but I typically don’t make a habit of wanting to kill my friends. You understand, don’t you? It’s bad for the overall relationship.”
I glared back at him. He was just as smug as I’d remembered, but tonight, he had a particularly more sinister air about him. His ambience of haughty mannerisms and eloquence had been replaced with a wicked stench of sadistic intent. Warily, I watched him strut around the cave while he taunted me with a threatening look piercing from his steely blue eyes. Tanner was still standing in front of me, trying to shield me from his line of sight.
“You might as well go back to New York, Lazarus. She’s already claimed the wand’s powers,” Tanner revealed. “Even if you were to remove it by other means, it wouldn’t be of much use to you. Only the one who reigns over the diamond can summon its power, and I promise you, before you touch a hair on her head, I’ll see to it that you’re nothing more than a bad memory and a new ring on my finger. Personally, I’ve always been quite fond of the color, blue,” Tanner declared with a cocky smile.
“So aggressive, Tanner,” Lazarus mocked as he raised his brow. “Then it’s a good thing I brought some back-up,” he bragged with a ruthless gleam in his eyes.
Ferrol stepped out from behind a large boulder and approached us, holding a large reddish-orange staff. He was carrying something else in his other hand. My Golden Knights sweatshirt. The one I’d left down here when I’d changed into the ruby-dyed tracksuit.
Ferrol tossed my shirt across the cave to Tanner. “Thanks for the help. It was nice to have a name to go with the face,” he replied with a foul smirk.
I grabbed it out of Tanner’s hand and held it up. Sure enough, it was the one that had my name embroidered on the arm. Disgusted, I threw it down on the ground. I didn’t have to look at Tanner. I could see his head shaking from out of the corner of my eye.
“Yes, it wasn’t hard to figure out that the young lady who kept turning down my millions was the same girl Ferrol had been chasing around town yesterday,” Lazarus confirmed. “In fact, the very same girl who had been mirroring the diamond’s signature vibe he recognized. Personally, I would have been more discreet about it, but some people just like to show off,” Lazarus cracked brazenly as he snapped his handkerchief in the air and tucked it back inside his jacket. “Too bad you didn’t have, I’m guessing a . . . tiger’s-eye to hide behind, like your friend, Tanner Grey. Isn’t that right?”
Tanner’s grin widened, confirming Lazarus’ suspicions. My focus intensified as I stared back at Lazarus. His chilly intimidation tactics weren’t going to work on me. Each word that came out of his mouth and every one of his gestures only fueled the hatred that burned inside me.
Tanner’s gaze was locked vigilantly on Ferrol. I could tell he was about to jump out of his skin as he tried his best to remain composed and by my side. Even Lazarus noticed.
“Oh, Tanner. You must be wondering what Ferrol is doing here. I didn’t formally introduce you to my friend yesterday.”
“We’ve met before,” Tanner spoke up crossly. “No introductions are necessary.”
Ferrol scrutinized Tanner intensely for a moment. Soon, his cold eyes flickered wittingly. “Pompeii, right?” Ferrol posed to Tanner.
Tanner gave him a slow, confirming nod. My mouth dropped open, astonished by the disclosure that this Talisman (as well as Tanner) was that old and by my guess, somehow involved in a volcanic eruption that had killed so many innocent people almost 2000 years ago.
“I th
ought you looked familiar,” Ferrol confessed.
Tanner let out a bold laugh. “You missed all of us in The Guild.”
Ferrol frowned. “That was unfortunate. But hey, it was one for the books.”
Tanner was struggling to contain his emotions. Though I couldn’t see his face directly, I sensed every time his glare blazed by the way the muscles in his arms tightened.
Lazarus seemed fascinated by Ferrol’s culpability for one of the world’s worst natural disasters. He turned to his cohort. “That was you?” Lazarus asked inquisitively.
Ferrol extended his arms and flashed a boastful grin.
Lazarus patted him on the back. “Very impressive. I had my doubts about you at first, but now . . . I couldn’t be more pleased with my decision to acquire your services. Yes, very impressive, indeed.”
Ferrol laughed and directed his stare to Tanner. “I try . . . Though I did have a little help from a few others. But the location was solely my idea,” Ferrol bragged.
Lazarus sneered at Tanner. “It’s nice to see I have at least one loyal employee who measures up,” he remarked crossly.
“I wouldn’t put too much trust in him, Lazarus,” Tanner laughed. “Do you really think he’s going to let you walk out of here with the wand and all of its powers? You just heard about his last attempt, and he didn’t want just the wand. No, no… The reach of his greed stretched far beyond that. What makes you think he won’t try it again?”
Ferrol sharpened his glare as he looked down at the purple stone on Tanner’s hand.
“Hey, Tanner . . .” Ferrol interjected with a grumble. “Your birth-stone is the amethyst, right?”
Tanner didn’t confirm a thing. He seemed to be bracing himself for something, and I didn’t have to wait too long to figure out what it was.
Ferrol’s dark eyes swirled with a fierce shade of gray as he glared at Tanner. “How’s your sister? Adean, isn’t it?” Ferrol asked and gave the carnelian strung around his neck a pointed tug. “Oh wait, I misspoke . . . Wasn’t it?”
Once I realized that the original Carnelian Talisman who’d been killed by Ferrol turned out to be Tanner’s sister, it took all of my strength to restrain him (and that was almost not enough). Tanner’s eyes blazed a dark shade of violet that at first glance appeared almost black. I had to resort to pressing my fingernails into his skin for him to pull himself together. I accidentally used too much force and ripped some of the flesh on his arms — but at least it got his attention.
Lazarus cut in sharply, “I’m afraid this reunion is getting a little too personal for my taste. Can we get down to business? The wand?” Lazarus turned his stare towards me. “I bet all those millions you turned a deaf ear to are sounding very sweet right about now, aren’t they, Ms. Wallace?”
I remained silent, holding on to Tanner’s arms.
Dead-set on provoking me, Lazarus continued, “I would even be willing to bet that your own father wished he had taken his offer, too. But alas, he didn’t . . . and neither did you.” Lazarus seemed amused and shook his head. “Now there I go, making things personal. Excuse my infraction.” He tilted his head in a malevolent manner. “Nothing left to do but hammer things out . . . the old fashion way,” and with that, the Talisman who reigned over the air waved his hand and threw a gust of wind our way. The breezy blast sent both of us sailing across the cave and hurled us into one of its hard, jagged walls.
As soon as we crashed onto the floor, Tanner grabbed me and whispered, “Shiloh, remember . . . Don’t let any of his poison inside your body — by any means.” Tanner removed both his silver hilts from the holster on his back and then handed one to me. “You’re far from ready for this, but what the hell . . . Little girls have to grow up sometime.” He brandished the handle with a flick of his wrist to reveal the sword’s glowing and razor-sharp, six-sided amethyst blade.
I jumped to my feet, just in time to see Lazarus and Ferrol swiftly approaching us. My head became overrun with Bea’s words of wisdom. I thought ironically, Where’s the decision? Don’t draw it unless you intend to use it, my ass! More like, draw it unless you have a death wish.
Both Ferrol and Lazarus had me locked dead in their sights. Ferrol hurled one of his carnelians my way, but fortunately Tanner pushed me out its path. Lazarus became so enraged by the fact that his partner-in-crime would betray him so quickly that he sent a whirling funnel of air towards the Howlite Talisman. It wrapped around his body as it twisted him violently up to the ceiling of the cave. After Ferrol had been thrust into one of the stalactites hard enough, Lazarus waved his hand, commanding the funnel to vanish in thin air. Ferrol came crashing down fast and smacked the rocky floor with enough force to shake the entire cave.
While Ferrol struggled to get his bearings, Lazarus pointed his cane at him and growled, “SHE’S MINE, FERROL! Don’t you forget that!” Then he lifted his cane in the air and removed the ornate wood sheathing to reveal its true nature. The exposed walking stick was actually a blade — a royal blue blade with random flecks of white and black, obviously carved from his origin stone, the lapis lazuli. Though his weapon wasn’t glowing, I had a sneaky suspicion it packed a nasty punch, just the same.
Tanner took full advantage of Ferrol’s disoriented state. He charged towards him, sword blazing. Ferrol quickly rolled out of his way and averted Tanner’s first strike. Violet sparks flew from the sword when it struck the ground. Clearly pissed and ready for battle, Ferrol took his carnelian staff and slammed it on the ground. Instantly, the staff became engulfed in flames. Then he started rotating the flaming stick in front of Tanner, hell-bent on protecting himself while he goaded the Amethyst Talisman with a ring of fire lent by the aggressive spins of his staff.
Lazarus seemed pleased with the turn of events. Since Ferrol was now preoccupied with fending off Tanner, that was one less worry for him. Now he could get back to the job at hand — killing me. Lazarus paused to rub his fingers along the wand’s shaft. Still, the wand lay lifeless as he touched it.
“Don’t worry. You’ll shine for me . . . soon,” Lazarus proclaimed boldly.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I announced as I waved the mystical amethyst sword and took an offensive stance.
Lazarus let out a laugh as he gave his lapis lazuli blade a quick twirl. “I’ve got a lot more up my sleeve than just hope, child,” he vowed and then sent a quick blast of air directed towards my hand, attempting to knock the sword from my grip.
After Bea’s little schooling the other day, I was fully prepared for any underhanded tactics. I’d already tightened my grasp around the silver handle and held on to the sword without fail. The Lapis Lazuli Talisman seemed rather vexed that his sneaky trick hadn’t worked.
“You might want to check your other one,” I remarked and flashed a cheeky smile.
“Well, anything worth having doesn’t come easy,” Lazarus grumbled and then charged towards me.
Before I knew it, I was fully engaged in my first official sword fight. Unfortunately, he was quite skilled. Our blades clashed repeatedly, and I was able to block all of his strikes successfully, that is, until I lost my footing on some rocks. When I tried regaining my balance, I adversely lost sight of his blade for only a split-second. I found it soon enough — slicing across my thigh. The harsh sting of the diamond-dust heightened my reflexes, so I was able to retaliate with a slice of my own to his forearm. As I staggered back, I realized Bea wasn’t exaggerating when she told me to “expect to get cut.” Though the diamond-dust allowed the blade to sever my skin and stung like a mother, I could tell from the open rip in my jeans that the wound wasn’t that deep.
While Lazarus grappled with the pain from the lash I’d inflicted, I checked on Tanner, who was still locked in a heated battle with Ferrol. I realized I’d become too engrossed with their fight when I redirected my attention back to Lazarus, only to see his lapis lazuli blade about to strike my arm. I jerked it away quickly, b
ut his sword knocked the amethyst blade right out of my hand. It ended up flying across the cave and landed in-between Tanner and Ferrol (almost nailing both of them). Unarmed and defenseless, I stepped backward, only to run into one of the cave’s walls. Regrettably, I couldn’t be any more trapped.
With an overconfident stride and a vain smirk leading his way, the Lapis Lazuli Talisman prowled towards me. “You see, child . . . This is what happens when little girls think they can play with the big boys.” He cackled and added, “The Diamond Wand of Adamas is too powerful and grand. It was never meant to be in the hands of someone so young and feeble.” Lazarus scoffed pompously, “Even the wand must think so, or else it would be in your hands right now. It must not like common trash either.”
From out of the corner of my glaring eyes, I caught a glimpse of Ferrol’s flaming staff, which triggered a hopeful thought. The carnelians that Tanner gave me at Bea’s… I still have them in my pocket.
Lazarus drew back his lapis lazuli blade. “Give my regards to your father for me,” he announced mercilessly.
With that, I quickly pulled one of the reddish-orange milky stones from my pocket and threw it at him as he lunged forward.
Lazarus’ eyes lit up with fear when he spotted the stone and tried to jump out of its way. His success was limited. He’d managed to avoid the initial blow, but the force of the blast threw him back across the cavern. I watched jubilantly as his body smacked one of the walls and then dropped to the ground in a daze.
I allowed Lazarus’ words to roll around in my head while I watched him struggle to his get to his feet. It was just a matter of seconds before he would be on me again.
The wand… That’s my only option. I climbed the rocky base and looked down at the dormant wand. Then I began clearing my mind with the help of one seriously controlled and deep-reaching breath. As I exhaled, I pictured every reservation I’d ever had about the nature of the wand and cast aside every one of my negative thoughts. Focusing on accepting my destiny and its will whole-heartedly, I wrapped my hands around the shaft, just as I had done when I’d arrived earlier. Instinctively, I glanced back to check on Lazarus, who was now rising to his feet.
Then with one swift yank, I pulled straight up on the wand. To my amazement, the diamond broke away from the rocks and released itself to me, finally. The coal encasing it crumbled away effortlessly, like it was nothing more than brittle ash. The wand lay firmly in my hands, glowing vehemently with magnificent rays of white light that illuminated the entire cave. The wonderment of the miraculous sight halted everyone’s movements. Awestruck, their attention shifted to the magical spectacle that lay before their eyes.
The next thing I knew, Tanner cried out, “NO, SHILOH!”
I turned to him, confused by his reaction. Tanner had an alarmed look on his face. Ferrol’s expression was blank, but his eyes flared as his stare shifted towards his evil conspirator.
Curiously, I followed Ferrol’s gaze to Lazarus, who was unwrapping the strap that had been wound around the handle of his lapis lazuli cane. Once he’d finished removing the leather strip, Lazarus yanked the stone blade from its handle and cast it aside.
Lazarus cackled and announced, “FINALLY,” as he lifted what was now a gleaming silvery-blue metal handle in the air and extended it towards me.
I looked at it closely. My face froze once I’d realized what he was holding in his hands. The HILT! The wand’s platinum hilt! Despite the fact that the ancient and elusive handle was missing its horizontal cross-guard, it was the same size, had the same markings, was cast in the same metal, and held the same cut diamond stone fastened to the pommel of its base, just like in my dream. It had been hidden on the end of his cane this entire time. The next thing I knew, the absent cross-guard magically stretched out of the hilt’s sides like the wings of a bird, and then straightaway, the diamond wand I was clutching began to vibrate violently in my hand. I felt it slipping from my grasp, so I tried desperately to hold on to it with all of my strength.
Just as Tanner screamed out for me to “drop it”, the wand flew right out of my tightly locked grip. I SCREAMED! Both my hands had been sliced open and blood was shooting out of them. The sting from the diamond’s slash forced me down to my knees, and I watched virtually paralyzed from the agonizing pain as the wand sailed across the cave and thrust itself straight into the platinum hilt. The two pieces were reunited once again and unfortunately they now rested as one, clenched in Lazarus Xcavare’s evil hands.
Tanner rushed to my side. The look on his face shifted into a horrible grimace as he checked the gashes on my hands.
“Shiloh, all you did was charge the wand, you still have its powers. Even though it’s in his possession, its power is not his. The wand is feeding off your energy because it’s near you. It will be useless to him the farther you’re away from it. We need to get out of here — NOW!”
Lazarus seemed too engrossed with the power the Wand of Adamas was exuding to notice that Tanner had helped me to my feet.
“GO!” Tanner urged. “Head for the stairs! I’ll be right behind you.”
Still struggling to shake off an agonizing amount of pain, I rushed over to the bottom of the winding rock staircase and started to make my assent. I looked back to see the light starting to dwindle from the wand. Its energy was fading with every step I took away from it…and adversely Lazarus and Ferrol noticed it too.
Ferrol was the first to spot me, but Tanner was on him before he knew it. Lazarus breezed past them both, his eyes transfixed solely on me. I raced up the stone staircase. Halfway up, I grabbed the last carnelian from my pocket and hurled it down at Lazarus. I watched as he used the diamond wand to bat the fiery stone away from him effortlessly like a major league hitter. The carnelian didn’t explode upon impact with the diamond blade but instead, it was redirected towards Tanner, who had barely gotten out of its path before it struck the ground in front of him.
Crap, I grumbled and then hurried on up the staircase.
Lazarus had made it over to the bottom of the stairs and was now starting to climb up after me. The diamond wand’s energy intensified with every step he took. Anxiously, I charged towards the mouth of the cave. Within a second, I was there and quickly waved my hand to reveal the cave’s earthy portal. I held on to the sides of the opening and paused to see how close Lazarus was trailing. He was already halfway up the stairway. Even though he was nowhere near as fast as I was, the Lapis Lazuli Talisman was making pretty good time. I immediately turned to exit the cave, but before my foot even crossed its threshold, I jumped back in terror. Unluckily, waiting outside the mouth of the cave was none other than the fiendish, billowy-black form of the Onyx, hovering fiercely and blocking my escape.
Chapter 26
