Phantom Quartz

by Barbra Annino

  “I saw that movie.” Tisiphone scrunched up her face. “Vulgar.”

  I didn’t bother explaining that I was referring to the song. “How does it happen? Gun shot? Stabbing? Strangulation? Please don’t tell me I slip in the shower and bang my head on the toilet. I don’t want to die naked in my bathroom.”

  Tisiphone said, “I cannot tell you anymore than I already have. Not the time, the day. Nothing. Don’t bother asking.”

  Vodka. I needed vodka. My mind was growing fuzzy and—damn Lolly’s drinking habits!

  The goddess reached across the counter and tapped my hand with her pen. “Calm yourself, Stacy Justice. This is no way for a Seeker to respond. Humans. Honestly, you all think death is like some horrible disease. It’s all doom and gloom with you people. It’s really not so bad.”

  I reached into the cabinet for a bottle of Absolut. “How would you know?”

  Tisiphone raised one eyebrow, considering. “I suppose I wouldn’t. Good point.”

  I pulled out two shot glasses and poured the vodka in each. Offered one to the goddess.

  She jumped back as if I had just doused her with gasoline. “Get that away from me. Terrible elixir.”

  I guess ambrosia was more her style. “No problem.”

  I downed both shots and reached for the bottle, intending to guzzle the rest. If I was going to go, I may as well go happy. Or unconscious. I managed to unscrew the cap before Tisiphone snatched the booze out of my hand and poured the remainder down the drain. She looked as if she was itching to slap me, and frankly, it wouldn’t have been the first time, but she opted to grab my shoulders and shake me senseless instead.

  “For Hades’ sake, Seeker, pull yourself together. You are a warrior, a fighter, a rebel crusader. Nothing is written in stone.” She paused. “At least not anymore.”

  I took a deep breath and blew it out, dizzy from her force. She waved her hand in front of her face. “Good lord, it’s like drinking turpentine.” She coughed.

  “I thought vodka didn’t have an odor.”

  “It does to me.” She frowned.

  “Sorry. I’ll go brush my teeth.”

  Tisiphone followed me into the bathroom because apparently goddesses have no sense of boundaries.

  She stood behind me as I brushed, rinsed, and gargled.

  “Now, as I was saying. Your name was on the list and when I requested permission from the Fates to call a special council they—”

  I spit the mouthwash in the sink and caught her gaze in the mirror. “They agreed to let me live?”

  Tisiphone said, “Actually, no. They laughed at me and spit on my sword. Poor Indigo was traumatized. Now stop interrupting and let me explain things.” She handed me a towel.

  “Go on.” I wiped my face.

  “Hades reviewed my query himself, and after I explained how helpful you had been in Las Vegas, he agreed to meet with the Fates in private. They discovered upon analysis that should your thread be cut, the lives of countless others would also be cut, long before their time. People who have a purpose in this world. Who have tasks that, if left unfulfilled, would lead to catastrophes beyond your comprehension.” She paused but I kept my mouth shut this time. “It was decided that if it were possible, your death should be postponed.”

  “I’m on board with that.” We walked out of the bathroom and I shut off the light.

  I pivoted to face the goddess. “So what do I do? And please don’t say ‘duck’.”

  Tisiphone furrowed her brow. “Why would I say that? What does a duck have to do with anything?”

  I shook my head. “That’s what Badb said when a ghost, er, shade was trying to kill me.”

  Tisiphone rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, Badb. My colleague to the North. Terrible poker player. They do things a bit differently in the Celtic pantheon.”

  “She’s mean,” I said like a three year old.

  “Yes, well war-mongering will do that to a goddess.” Tisiphone ran her fingers through her hair and then produced a clip that I recognized as mine. She rolled her long hair into a twist and pinned it up. “Now come. Collect your sword.”

  I trotted over to the wall where my sword was propped. “Where are we going?” She was already out the front door, her own weapon in tow, minus the dragon, who was still asleep on the counter. I jogged up alongside her and she circled around to the back of the cottage.

  “To train, of course.”

  If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s that when a goddess tells you to do something, you do it.

  We headed off into the woods behind the Geraghty house.

  Chapter 19

  Tisiphone wove her way through the night as though she were the embodiment of darkness itself. Her long legs navigated through the woods expertly, and she ducked her head now and again to avoid getting smacked by a tree branch. The woods were barren save for the evergreens, and the moon was shallow. Stars hung high in the sky, and every so often one would twinkle and dash across the inky blackness as if bowing to the goddess herself.

  After a few brief instructions, we got to work. Despite Tisiphone’s assurance that I couldn’t kill her, I was still leery about what would happen if I accidentally stabbed a goddess. Surely the punishment would be far worse than just pissing one off, and even that had been enough to scar me for the rest of my life. However brief it might be.

  I was still holding back until she shouted, “For Fate’s sake, Seeker, swing it like you mean it! I do not offer my expertise to just anyone. Do not waste my time and do not waste this rarest of opportunities.” She narrowed her eyes as I bent to catch my breath. When she spoke next, her voice was low and deep, tinged with menace. “Should you fail, I will be most displeased. And when I am displeased, I make Badb look like Mary Poppins.”

  That got me into the groove.

  We sparred for hours, and I couldn’t help but admire the way she wielded a sword. It melded to her hand, an extension of her being, and I tried to emulate her confidence and skill. This was a true warrior. I could see the determination on her face, and I wondered how many monsters she had battled in her lifetime. I was honored that she would share her expertise with me—grateful too. She fought with intensity, instructing me now and then, but otherwise allowing me to forge my own path. Twice she sliced me—once on the cheek, the second time in the stomach. Each time, I dashed off to the secret garden in the forest to heal the wound.

  These weren’t magical woods, but they were Geraghty woods and the aunts and Birdie had planted a small patch of herbs where the tree canopy was thinnest. They grew beneath a glass solar-powered dome and were tended to regularly. This was their emergency winter stash lest they run out of the autumn harvest.

  The Druids used mistletoe to heal open wounds, and that’s what I reached for now, envisioning the blood clotting and my skin mending.

  Tisiphone said, “You’ll need that healing ability, Seeker, because you fight like an Avon representative.”

  I thought I had been doing pretty well so far, although I had yet to connect my blade to her flesh.

  “How would you know what an Avon salesperson fights like?”

  She smiled. “I don’t, to tell the truth, but I recently watched a movie called Edward Scissorhands, and you remind me of the shy, demure woman who played the mother.”

  I don’t know why, but this incensed me. I picked my sword up from where it had fallen the last time she’d wrenched it from my hands, and with a battle cry, lunged directly at Tisiphone. Her violet eyes flashed and she moved to block my blow, but at the last second, I spun around her like the earth spinning around the sun.

  Except, you know, faster.

  We locked swords for a moment, dancing in tandem until she thrust me away, and I stumbled back into a pine tree. I bounced off the prickly branches as she brandished her sword again. She came at me, quick as a panther, and I took inventory of the woods. I spun left, leapt into the air and catapulted my feet off the oak tree next to me. I somersaulted backwards, over her h
ead, and landed on my feet. Her back was to me and in an instant my blade was pointed at the tender flesh of her neck.

  She chuckled. It sounded more like a threat than amusement, but she lowered her weapon anyway. “You’re a good student, Stacy Justice.”

  I had to admit I was pretty damn proud of myself. I steadied my sword, panting. “You’re a good teacher.”

  Before I knew what hit me, two giant wings exploded from her back and smacked me to the ground. She flew straight up into the air, crouched on top of a giant oak tree briefly, then dove straight back down. I scrambled for my sword, but she batted it away like it was a tinker toy.

  To her, I suppose it was.

  The fury straddled me, the tip of her blade at my throat.

  “Rule number one. Expect the unexpected.” She smiled victoriously and I got the feeling she hadn’t been on the business end of a blade too often.

  I thought rule number one was probably don’t battle a goddess, but I catalogued the advice anyway.

  Tisiphone sheathed her sword and pulled me to my feet. “You let your guard down.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “A stupid mistake like that will get you killed.”

  “Noted.”

  Indigo came fluttering through the woods and landed on Tisiphone’s shoulder. The tiny dragon twittered in her ear. She listened intently, her eyes glowing a brilliant purple for a moment. Her jaw clenched and she said, “Very well. At ease, my pet.”

  Indigo curled around Tisiphone’s sword, alert and ready for a mission. She blinked her huge eyes at me, then lifted them skyward.

  “I’m afraid our session is over, Seeker. Duty calls. It appears there’s some nasty business in New Orleans I must attend to at once.”

  I thought about the clown who’d tried to steal Cinnamon’s engagement ring when she visited the Big Easy. She didn’t need a goddess to fight that battle, but I suspect there were more hardened criminals there than, well, guys wearing floppy shoes, rainbow wigs, and big red noses. “I understand. Thank you for everything. I appreciate your help.”

  She regarded me for a beat. “I like you. You fight pretty well for a mortal.”

  There was no way to respond except, “Thank you.”

  The fury dug into her leather jacket and pulled something shiny out of the pocket. She walked toward me and reached for my hand. “I truly hope I don’t see you soon, if you catch my snowdrift.”

  I let that one slide, just smiled.

  She placed a heavy ring into my hand. It was in the shape of a raven’s head, with a bright silver beak, onyx eyes and painted black feathers.

  “Wear this. Should you need the aid of a goddess, all you have to do is open the bird’s beak.”

  I slid my fingernails between the silver halves of the beak.

  “Not now! I’m right here.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Sorry.” I stuffed the ring in my pocket.

  “Only if you are in danger, and only if it’s an emergency. Either myself or Badb will come to your aid, but be warned.” She met my eyes with such intensity I couldn’t help but think she could kill a man with just one look. “It can only be used once. Choose wisely.”

  Indigo sputtered and squawked on top of Tisiphone’s sword.

  “Yes, little one, we go.” She shook her head. “Dragons can be so impatient. Good luck, Seeker.”

  With that, the fury’s wings erupted and she flew straight up into the night sky, up into the starry abyss, and past the moon until she faded from sight.

  I sighed, centering myself. After a few deep breaths, the adrenaline from the match was slipping away and I felt a calm, confidence seep into my bones.

  That is, until something crackled in the woods behind me.

  Chapter 20

  I spun around, sword at the ready, to find Leo, chief of police and my former beau, standing near a pine tree, flashlight shining on the ground.

  “Jesus, you scared the pants off me,” I said.

  Leo’s eyes took a walk down my body. He smirked. “Nope. Still there.”

  I clipped my sword to my belt loop, ignoring that remark. “What are you doing here?” My nerves couldn’t take another unexpected visitor this weekend. It was a good thing tomorrow was Sunday, because I could very well open fire on the next person who set foot on my property without an appointment. And I really liked my mail carrier.

  “I was on my way to the Shelby Farm. Someone duct-taped all the goats together in the shape of a Christmas tree.”

  I chuckled. “You have to admire their perseverance.”

  The Shelby Farm goats had been the target of shenanigans for a while. No one knew who was behind the hijinks, but Heaven help the fool if Leo ever got hold of him. The man lost more sleep over those goats than anyone ever should for someone else’s farm animals.

  “Yeah. And the stealth. It’s really hard to imagine that Shelby never sees or hears anything when these pranks are taking place. I’m beginning to wonder if the old man does it himself just to piss me off.”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “Gave him a ticket once for driving his tractor down Main Street. He swiped three parked cars and didn’t even notice. The beast is too damn big for a one way street.” Leo smiled. “Small towns, eh? Anyway, your door was wide open and the lights were on when I drove by. Wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “Oh. I’m fine. Just...um...went for a walk. Must have forgotten to lock the door.” How stupid of me not to make sure that the door was locked and latched. I guess when you’re in the presence of a goddess who’s there to tell you you’re about to bite the big one, you forget about the little things. I stuffed my hand in my pocket, grabbed the raven ring, and slipped it on my middle finger.

  “What are you doing out here?” Leo asked. “It’s the middle of the night.”

  If it were Chance, I might have told him the truth. Maybe not the death march part, but the sword lesson anyway. But Leo didn’t know my little secret, and seeing as how he seemed to have an aversion to the kooky mischief of the Geraghty Girls, I wasn’t about to explain that I had just been practicing my fight skills with a Greek goddess. Although Leo’s heritage was Greek, so that might have impressed him.

  I said, “I woke up and Thor wasn’t in his bed, so I came out here looking for him. Then I remembered I left him at Birdie’s house.” I smacked my forehead. “Stupid, right?”

  Leo narrowed his eyes at me, his full lips pursed. His I don’t buy it look. “Do you always carry a sword while you’re looking for your dog?”

  I looked down at my sword like I didn’t know how it had gotten there. “Um...it makes a great walking stick. Also good protection against coyotes.”

  “Uh-huh.” He shook his head and ran his strong hand through his rich, dark hair. “Come on. I’ll walk you home.” He reached for my arm, but I jerked it away.

  “I can find my own way home, Leo.” One of the reasons our relationship didn’t work out was because he treated me as if I had the words ‘handle with care’ stamped on my forehead. That and because it’s really hard to do my job with a cop around all the time. I’m not saying I break the law on a regular basis, but I do tend to skip over it from time to time.

  “Fine. I’ll walk ten paces behind you. You won’t even know I’m there. I’ll treat you like a grown up and everything. Happy?”

  “Well now you’re just making me sound absurd.” I kicked a rock.

  He raised his eyebrows. “I could ask Scotty to beam me up.”

  I shook my head. “Come on, smartass.”

  Back at the cottage, I made Leo some coffee and poured it in a plastic to-go cup. This was both a peace offering and a security measure. While the coffee brewed, I swept the whole place for signs of intruders. Thankfully, it was clean.

  Leo accepted the coffee, our hands touching briefly and he jumped. “Hey! You shocked me.”

  “I have that effect on people.”

  Leo smirked. “I’ll bet.”

  He thank
ed me and swaggered out the door, stealing one look back. “Just be careful, okay? Lock the door behind me. You never know what kind of crazies are lurking around.”

  Ha! I knew exactly what kind of crazies were lurking around. Most of them lived next door. I saluted him and watched as he backed out of the driveway. He waved, and I returned the gesture.

  I dead-bolted the door tight behind me and turned on the security alarm. I started off for my bedroom, paused, then checked the lock again. I considered shoving the couch in front of the door, maybe setting some booby traps, but decided that Thor might come home and I didn’t want to traumatize my familiar for the rest of his life. How he got in through the locked door was a mystery I didn’t even pretend I could solve.

  I double- and triple-checked every orifice in the cottage. I even considered sleeping in the Seeker’s Den that night, fear of my imminent demise lurking in the back of my brain, but while I was in there, deciding how best to arrange the cot for a swift escape, something rumbled deep in my belly.

  An overwhelming sense of pride crashed through me. Words that had been whispered around me all of my life pierced my ears. Seeker, fighter, warrior, witch. Meagan’s passages in the Blessed Book also sang in my head. Geraghtys past, present, and future. Holds the key. Two shall become one.

  No, I wasn’t going to hide. Not from a thief. Not from a murderer. Not from anyone who wished harm on myself or my family. Or anyone, for that matter, who robbed the world of peace.

  If I was going to die, it wasn’t going to be as a coward.

  Sleep was elusive for a long time as I lie awake listening for the tiniest creak from a floorboard, a gush of wind from an open window. Footsteps.

  Finally, my eyes refused to stay open any longer. With my sword at my bedside, an athame beneath my pillow, and two tasers on the nightstand, I began to drift off.

  But not before another thought seized my brain.

  What other shapes could the shifter take?

  Chapter 21

  Someone was in my house—again. I cracked one eye open, and the light streaming through the curtain practically blinded me. I snaked my hand above my head and beneath my pillow for the dagger. I gulped in some air, briefly considering moving into a fallout shelter fifty feet beneath the earth, when the scent hit me. My eyes squeezed shut, feeling for my senses. Juniper and sawdust. A hint of sunshine and the fresh salty scent of the ocean blue, like his eyes.