by S. E. Akers
When all the smoke had cleared and the room was silent, Gallia waved her hand. “You may enter now, Padimae,” she insisted. The tribal woman looked at the sweeping medallion on the floor and cautiously extended her bare foot. After planting it firmly on the floor, Padimae nodded respectfully to both men and glided towards them.
“Adamas,” Padimae remarked, as if addressing an equal, and then turned to his willowy, robed companion. “Helio, it is a great honor to meet one as mighty as you.” Helio merely acknowledged her words with a raise of his head. He motioned to Adamas with a direct wave. Warily, the original Diamond Talisman handed the dull stone to Padimae.
“Let this day mark the dawn of a new hope,” Helio declared. “The fate of our existence rests in your hands, Adamas. May fortune cast is glow upon your battles, so the next time my spirit is called to wake, peace will be at hand.” Helio’s body began to flicker until its pace escalated into a fierce shimmer. His flesh-like form was replaced with thousands of glistening crystals that radiated with the hue and intensity of the sun. They swirled about haphazardly for a moment and then coiled through the room like curly tentacles. Spellbound by the awesome transformation streaking inches in front of me, I raised my hand in the air to see if I could at least feel its essence. A toasty sensation flowed from the tips of my fingers and shot through me, straight down to my toes. All of a sudden, the mystical stream burst into flames and scorched a trail towards Padimae. The fiery light diminished as it shot into the rough, dull stone. What lay in her hand now was a beautiful, reddish-orange sparkly gem. Its facets danced in the light while its core emitted a scintillating golden glow. Helio, or whatever it was that had transformed and amassed before my eyes, seemed to now be at one with the stone.
Padimae drew the gemstone up to her pale pink lips and whispered something into it while she stroked it with her other hand. One lonely flare began to rise out of the stone. Somehow she seemed to be guiding its movement. The glistening light floated gracefully over to a shiny metal medallion that Adamas was now holding in his hands. A burst of flames erupted from out of the flat, disc-like vessel when the light struck its surface. Now, all that remained was a strange sparkly stone and a curious fiery circle.
“The ritual is complete,” Padimae announced doubtlessly. She placed the stone in a suede pouch on her side. “It will be safe from any threat in here. No evil can feel its presence as long as it stays with me.”
Adamas placed the fiery metal disc on the altar-like table and then gruffly snatched Padimae’s arm. He forced the woman down to her knees as he drew the hilt from his side and released its diamond wand. Adamas then scraped the blade across her forehead with the speed and mark of a jungle cat. The woman let out a harrowing scream that eventually rolled into cackle-like laugh. Adamas yanked Padimae to her feet and spun her around brutally, leaving her pinned as his lips lingered next to her ear. Padimae cocked her eyes towards Adamas fiercely and grinned.
“If you cross me, Padimae, you will have more to worry about than the tip of my blade,” Adamas whispered, his eyes blazing furiously as he healed her scratch-like wound with his fingers. He released Padimae and shoved her towards Gallia. “See to it that she has safe passage along her way,” he ordered.
“I’ve already taken care of that,” Gallia said. “Dunamis will be escorting us. He insisted.”
Hearing the Onyx’s real name sent a shiver straight down my spine. I wanted to scream out to them, “No! Don’t trust him!” just like I was sitting on my couch at home watching a rerun of a movie as a climactic scene was about to unfold. Dunamis was the Talisman who had ultimately betrayed Adamas because of his desire to claim the diamond and ultimately, responsible for his demise.
“Excellent,” Adamas announced, seeming more at ease. He glanced out one of the windowless arches. “The light is fading…and there’s a full moon tonight. It will guide you on your way. Now, make haste and make no mistake of my wrath,” he added sternly, his warning aimed at Padimae.
“You have my word,” Padimae said boldly. “I swear to Gaia and even to you. May my blood be my oath.” Noting Adamas’ scowl, Gallia took Padimae’s hand and ushered her towards the door.
“It will be,” Adamas avowed in a formidable tone as Padimae strutted proudly out of the chamber.
From out of nowhere, a shrill whistling sound blared in my ears. I rocketed right out of my mystical vision and practically my daggone seat as well. My desktop turned out to be the perfect seatbelt, hitting me smack in the gut. Just like someone rudely turning off the tube, that was the end of my dream. I looked over and up to spy Coach Hayes standing beside my desk, twirling the rope attached to his little silver peacekeeper around his finger and grinning smugly.
“Wake up, Sunshine,” he chuckled.
Jerk, I affirmed with a frosty glare.
“Now that we have everyone’s attention, we can finally get this meeting started,” Coach Hayes grumbled.
I stared at my gym teacher, wishing we were back at the football field so I could drop kick his body over the goal post with his soul in it, this time. The cocky coach tilted his head back towards the rear of my jacket and eyed its hideous patch.
Coach Hayes gave my back a firm smack. “It suits you,” he chuckled.
Ass!
“All right, students,” Ms. Fitzpatrick began. “I’ll turn the meeting over to our principal.”
“Thank you, Ms. Fitzpatrick,” Mr. Harless said as he approached the podium. “I’m sure you’re all curious about why you were summoned here today. So without further ado, I’ll get right to it. As you know, Xcavare Enterprises had promised Welch many generous contributions when they sought to purchase Riverside-Pocahontas Coal Mine. Now, even though their acquisition of Mr. Riverside’s mine fell through, and they backpedaled on several of the town’s offers that were already in the works, Xcavare has graciously offered to honor all the donations they pledged to our students and the school as a gesture of goodwill to our town.”
If I wasn’t awake already, the mere mention of Xcavare perked up my ears. I hated anything to do with them.
Mr. Harless continued, “Aside from the monetary funds for our renovations, one of the other slated gifts was a study trip for several college-bound seniors pursuing a major in the sciences. I’m pleased to inform you that our own Michael Riverside has been diligently working with Xcavare to coordinate this exciting venture. Based on your academic achievements and collegiate goals, we have selected you eight students to represent our school. The study trip is slated for the second week in March, during your Spring Break, so it won’t interfere with your classwork. You’ll be traveling to Mexico to tour several of Xcavare’s mining operations and even be allowed to get your hands dirty through a little fieldwork. And, just so you won’t feel that it’s all work and no play over your holiday, there will be some time allotted for sightseeing and other extracurricular activities. Ms. Fitzpatrick and Coach Hayes will be going along as your chaperones. They’ll be passing out packets containing all the information you will need. Your itinerary… A list of rules… Consent forms… Xcavare will be footing everything. Travel expenses… Your lodging… All of your meals… You’ll only be responsible for spending money and obtaining a passport. Are there any questions?”
“Looks like somebody’s headed south for a little siesta,” Katie joked.
“Are you kidding me? Not even if I was hogtied and dragged across the freakin’ border!” I snapped back mentally. “I wouldn’t take ANYTHING associated with Xcavare Enterprises! Not even a free trip!”
“I’m sorry, Shi,” Katie said, her voice heavy with regret.
“Mike wouldn’t be so eager either if he knew the truth,” I remarked as I stared at the cocky jock, mentally noting that the same member of the Xcavare’s family was just as responsible for claiming his father’s life as much as my own. With my gaze locked on Mike Riverside’s fishy smile, I focused on his thoughts (mainly because I was wondering where in the heck his head was at). Even though I’d z
apped his memories of my presence at the guesthouse that day, it was still an undisputed fact that an employee of Xcavare had shot and killed his dad.
Why is he facilitating anything with those bastards? Though his brain wasn’t really saying any complete sentences, it was churning with some pretty heated emotions. His brainwaves felt like a blazing ball of fire, fueled by rage and suspicion. However, I could make out one thought that repeated over and over — revenge.
Ah hah…
Mike Riverside had his own agenda for this trip, and it didn’t include anything to do with studying or sightseeing. He wanted to learn something all right — why his father was killed.
Mike, you have no idea what you’re getting into…
Thankfully the meeting soon came to a close. Mr. Harless instructed us to collect our informational packets as we left. While the others hung around, making chitchat and full of excitement, I made a beeline for the door, only to be stopped by Ms. Fitz.
“Shiloh, you’re about to forget your packet,” Ms. Fitz said as she waved the navy blue folder in the air.
“I don’t think I’ll be going,” I replied respectfully.
“Why not? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’re attending Yardley University next fall…majoring in Geology. I figured you, of all my students, would be the most excited about going,” she assessed, utterly confused by my abrupt decision. Knowing I didn’t have a good rebuttal to the ironclad case she’d just made, I wrestled with coming up with a reasonable excuse. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one.
“I—I, um —”
“Why don’t you take some time to think about it, before you give us your definitive answer,” Ms. Fitz insisted as she placed the folder in my hand. “I’d really hate for my best student and most likely, the school’s valedictorian to miss out on this experience. Agreed?”
“Okay,” I mumbled as I placed the folder in my backpack, conceding only temporary defeat. I didn’t want to appear rude or unappreciative by what — in any other case — was truly a great opportunity. However, my mind was still set. “Thank you, Ms. Fitz.”
The always-beaming teacher gave my shoulder an encouraging pat as I exited the room. A loud grumble roared through my stomach, forcing me to glance at the hallway clock. At that moment, the bell rang. Lunch period was officially over. There wasn’t even enough time for me to snag a Diet Coke or a measly bag of chips from the vending machines in the cafeteria, so I headed straight for the gym. Though my tummy was reeling with disappointment, my nostrils led the way — yearning for the smell of Dial soap. At least I could satisfy one of my cravings.
While the other girls suited up and trotted out to the gym, I lagged behind, anxiously waiting for them to clear out. The communal shower facilities in the girls’ locker room left little to be desired. Even though the school issued a basic toiletry pouch to all of its students at the beginning of the year, no one ever, ever took a stab at using them. The crumbling, formerly white tiles were in desperate need of an overhaul, the volume of water that shot out of the ancient showerheads was downright sucky, and their valves only permitted two settings — “scald” or “freeze-your-ass-off”. There wasn’t even a decent place hang your towel. All the hooks were either missing or their ends had corroded off. Very institutional. Very asylum-esque. But today, it was very necessary.
I whipped off my graveyard digs as soon as the last girl had officially split. With my break-in-case-of-emergency toiletry bag and towel in hand, I stood in front of my locker, faced with a dilemma.
What should I do with my hilt?
The diamond wand stayed on me AT ALL TIMES, either invisible in my back pocket or hidden in my purse. I even slept with the thing under my pillow. I would usually set it on the back of the toilet with a hand towel over it when I showered at home. It was always with me, always tucked out of sight. I couldn’t leave it in my locker. Not for five or ten minutes. Not one of the most powerful weapons in existence. Paranoia wasn’t my motivating factor, reality was. The Onyx or any other sinister Talisman would give their right arm to get their hands on it. AT NO TIME could I drop my guard and let that happen. Even though I was the only one who could summon the diamond from its hilt, whoever snatched it would have the wand in their possession. That would leave just one more thing for them to do — kill me.
With a shrug of my shoulders and a locker slam later, I headed for my watery sanctuary with all of my necessary gear (which now included an ancient, mystical weapon) in tow.
Gross, I shuddered as soon as I rounded the last turn. They need to use some of Xcavare’s money to renovate this room. Now, all that remained was choosing the least nauseating spot. There was only one soap dish that hadn’t rusted off the wall, so I opted for the formerly-chrome showerhead above it.
That’ll do, I surrendered as I laid the hilt’s base on the cruddy soap dish and propped it against the dingy tile wall. With one squeaky turn of the old lever, I stood under a yo-yoing stream of hard water, wishing all of my troubles could be washed away just as easily. Katie’s body… Gallia… A missing fire opal… Another baffling vision, and now, I had to concoct a good enough reason why I couldn’t go on this “once in a lifetime” trip to appease my favorite teacher. Anything but the truth — that I’d killed the sponsor’s son.
Of all the dilemmas that swirled in my head, oddly, the vision stuck out and puzzled me the most. I had no idea why the diamond had revealed that particular memory, but at least I got to see Gallia alive and kicking. That was comforting. Beatrix and Tanner told me that a stone only reveals something important, when “it” sees fit.
Maybe I needed to see her one last time? Maybe the diamond sensed it? Just have to wait and see, I pondered as I stared down at the grungy shower floor. The dull hunks of baked clay that lay at my feet were a far cry from the glistening, colorful tiles in my vision. As I watched the water swirl towards the drain, I found myself dwelling on the intricate mosaic designs that had been crafted in the center of the chamber’s floor. Adamas, Gallia, Helio, and even the woman, Padimae, had acknowledged the mysterious symbols respectfully, like they were more than just decorative ornamentation.
They mean something, I mused as I closed my eyes and tilted my head back under the watery stream.
The water pressure took a sharp drop. Suddenly, the showerhead to my left turned on — all by itself. I reasoned that an “old shower” meant, “old plumbing”, trying not to get too worked up. Not a second later, I whipped my head around. The one to my right was shooting out water too, unexplainably. Fully alarmed, my eyes traveled around the tiled room. All the showerheads were popping on at full force, one after the other. The shower bay may have appeared to be flooding with tons of water, but as far as I was concerned, it more like impending doom.
I snatched my towel off the nearby showerhead where I’d hung it and scrambled to wrap it around me. I tried turning my lever to “off” but nothing happened. The water still gushed out of the rusty chrome head. It was pointless to try the others. Their levers had never moved. A heavy cloud of steam was now blanketing the room. The suffocating, opaque mist limited my visibility. The water pressure increased and was now beating out of all the showerheads. Its touch felt like sharp pricks even against my diamond-infused skin. As I jumped out of the water’s path, a harsh “click” roared through the entire locker room. It was now as black as night.
Not good…
I used the soft glowing light from my golden topaz to guide my hand towards the hilt. With a firm lock on its handle and a cautious gait, I stepped out of the shower and edged my dripping body towards the locker room. I didn’t know what fresh Hell lay around my next turn, but I was prepared to summon the diamond blade and use every deadly inch of it, if need be.
Chapter 5 — All-Around Shutout
The lights flashed on abruptly as I rounded the corner, blinding me for a split-second. I jerked back as a figure came into view.
Kara Leighton.
I guessed I’d expected something more fiend
ish, more sinister. All things considered, if I had to be startled by someone or some creature, a redheaded super-bitch would do. By the way she was staring open-mouthed at my left hand, I’d undoubtedly extinguished my golden topaz a little too late.
“What was that light?” Kara demanded.
Play dumb. “What light?”
Kara’s baffled expression soured into a scowl. “The light that was shining right there,” she pointed. “On your hand! Coming from your ring!”
I breezed past her. “It is rather sparkly,” I teased with a wave, “but it hardly shines like a light.” Kara catching my ring illuminated was the least of my troubles. I scanned the locker room. Something had been in here reeking havoc on the plumbing and messing with my head. Was it still here?
“Is that a cross?” Kara asked, darting around me quickly. Luckily, I conjured an invisibility spell before she could grab my hand.
“What are you talking about?” I asked while I flashed my now conveniently empty hands.
“I know what I saw!” Kara snapped through a set of firmly clenched teeth.
“Whatever,” I dismissed. Still unsure if the threat was gone, I continued with my less-than-subtle search of the room. I couldn’t have cared less that Kara was watching me like a hawk, keeping stride with my gaze, each and every different direction it took. It didn’t bother me in the least that she was on my heels like a begging stray either. I had other things to worry about at that moment — namely, my own ass.