Oculus

by S. E. Akers

  “Bea said a peridot can clear the air about someone’s purpose in life,” I remarked. “It steers them in the direction of their true destiny.” Honestly? Who wouldn’t want a goof-proof compass by way of a lime-green stone to help them find their path? How many people go years or even decades without their feet touching its trail? Some never find it. This one magical gemstone could chop down a whole lot of shadowy forest and trees. Instant GPS to your destiny, I marveled silently. I was christened with the “the mountain comes to you approach”, literally — broken-bloody plummet and all. Yep… “You, going to the mountain” had a much nicer and far safer ring.

  Tanner nodded. “That one stone is a lot more powerful than that. Discovering one’s true purpose in life can trigger a chain reaction of various things. Heal an emptiness hollowed deep inside. Lift a fog that clouds your mind with no light able to break through. It can even bring forth bliss all on its own from that one discovery,” Tanner vowed. “No amethyst required.”

  “What’s the Talisman’s name?” I asked, not wanting to make another major faux pas based solely on its hue. After all, this one could easily go either way.

  “His name is Amando,” Tanner teased.

  “Gotcha,” I replied, my grin as tight as the squint seizing my eyes. “Does it claim any other lore that I should be aware of?” I posed, mainly to pretend I was over my humiliation from the mocking morganite.

  “Not lore,” Tanner shrugged, “but Amando has another somewhat popular use for it.”

  “What’s that?”

  “When its healing effects are reversed, it turns into one hell of a liar’s stone,” Tanner assured with a staunch nod. “Best truth serum around.”

  I kept my hand on the stone for a few more seconds, purposely immobile. Message to self: Stop touching freaking totem stones! With my scathing mental note complete, I casually released my hand and flashed an indifferent smile. Keeping my head as true as the most disciplined soldier, I moved further up the totem-dappled wall with my jinxed mitts securely at my sides.

  “Don’t stop now,” Tanner chortled. “Pick another, please. This has been quite telling.”

  I fought my muscles to hold back a guilty cringe. Even though the totems only possessed a tiny trace of their power, my diamond was unfailingly kicking them into overdrive. Now I felt a hundred times worse.

  In the midst of my embarrassment, I noticed several shadowy breaks along both walls. Being void of any eye-catching, colorful glows really made the lifeless totems stick out like blown-out bulbs in need of a change.

  I chose one of the spots closest and pointed to it innocently. “Why isn’t that one glowing?” I questioned.

  “Because its owner flung himself into a lava-filled ravine,” Tanner rattled off, sounding none-too-pleased about Federo’s suicidal move. The grit in his tone had to be coming from underestimating the Amber Talisman and the instructions he’d given him while under the influence of the tin belt. Federo may not have been able to defy the metal’s magic by physically getting up to leave, but the resourceful bastard sure found another way. I guess when you know your goose is inevitably cooked, rolling on into the oven seems like a reprieve. None of us saw it coming. I’m sure the fact that I wouldn’t have any claim to the turquoise he’d murderously robbed from his twin brother cranked up his desire to do it even more. That, or knowing Kamya was nowhere near finished with her payback version of “playtime” despite Tanner sending the raging Ruby Talisman off to her corner.

  Tanner let out a grunt. “And the amber, as well as the turquoise, will remain lifeless until fate bestows each of them to their new owners,” he concluded.

  I wasn’t so much concerned with the amber as I was the turquoise. And after considering the unknown hairiness of the matter, I left my “when will that be” question tucked in my bag. Definitely too much of an “are we there yet” vibe.

  One of the last totems arranged on the walls called to me like a pick-me-up from providence. It couldn’t have boasted more symmetry if a mystical voice had called out, “Cheer up! See now, there’s one you managed to kill!” and then smacked me with a swift pat on the back. I approached the royal blue lapis lazuli with a slow stride. I wouldn’t say intimidation was shrouding my steps, just unpleasant reminders regarding one of its former owners, Lazarus Xcavare. Daddy’s death was still so fresh, though I doubted reaching the one-year mark in November would make it any less of a bitter pill to swallow. At moments like this, I tried to see the stone as only ever belonging to Ganji, the Talisman originally beholden to the lapis lazuli and someone who cared deeply for Beatrix. I liked to envision the two of them reunited in some metaphysical way, like they had become completely whole and were now melded into one soul because I claimed both of their prized gemstones. Of course I just conjured a mental image of a passionate vortex of energy that churned endlessly (no actual bodies or anything), and that was mainly because I didn’t know what Ganji looked like. I’d never seen his face or even been shown the first picture of him. Though if I had to nail down any defining characteristic, my mind was drawn to the image of a striking and tender man who was equally as strong and caring as Beatrix and let her shine in every way; a perfect partner to complement her soul and shared a love so akin that no degree of troubles could ever trample. His adoration would have to be that devoted. After all, I myself had fallen victim to the torture of her backseat-driving (every nerve-grating, aggravating bit of it)…and hey, I still loved her.

  Tanner maneuvered by my side while I stared at the opaque royal-blue stone. The gleam from the golden flecks splattering its surface prompted a promising thought. Lessons and training aside, there was something else I hoped to accomplish before the summer’s end — reading Lazarus’ entire secret journal that I’d stumbled upon months ago. Half of it was written in some crazy language. I felt like a time-traveler who’d been zapped into a cave carved with an endless stream of riddling symbols and no Neanderthal around to grunt out the first clue. So seeing how I couldn’t decipher anything unless I happened to stumble upon some handy-dandy decoder here at Tanner’s, I would have to go fishing from a memory. I was just leery about what I would catch dangling on my line. Though regardless of what ended up taking a bite, this was something the big girl Talisman in me was hell-bent on doing — on her own. Yes indeed. Private sessions of self-issued supernatural therapy with the hope of discovering what the mystery book contained and putting everything regarding Lazarus behind me, once and for all.

  “You should practice pulling memories,” Tanner advised like he’d been reading my mind. “The longer you’re bonded with your other stones, the easier it will be to manipulate what you want to see.”

  Good to know. I turned away from the lapis lazuli and headed towards a grand arched opening, lured by a brewing curiosity. I soon discovered a striking sculpture resting within the secluded confines of the sweeping alcove. The intricate life-size piece depicted all the Elemental Guardians, carved in the silkiest smooth marble I’d ever seen. My eyes trailed each of the four flawless figures. Despite the graceful aura each Guardian radiated, a fierceness practically boomed from their milky-white stone likenesses that commanded your greatest heed. The two men and two women surrounded an elaborate stone pillar rising from the floor. A round medallion bearing a cross-like design identical to my hilt had been etched on its surface. A diamond totem served as its centerpiece, looking just as imposing as its real counterpart, while a medley of select elemental totems representing the members of The Guild circled the emblem. I lifted my gaze to the only figure I recognized, Helio. The masterful-looking elderly male appeared exactly as he had in the flesh, right down to his streaks of long kempt hair framing a willowy but wise face.

  Tanner nodded to my former squatter. “I don’t think you need any introductions.”

  “No,” I smiled, grateful beyond words that he’d vacated without leaving me extra-crispy — BELIEVE ME. His warning about all those diamonds I sold still made me queasy. And I wouldn’t have blamed him f
or the first fiery burst.

  Tanner pointed to the emblem lying in front of him. “And these are the first fire stones he crafted,” he announced, directing my eyes towards the three totems. “Kamya’s ruby . . . Reiki’s garnet . . . and Fray’s citrine.”

  I knew they all held the same physical elemental abilities. Conjuring and manipulating fire… The power to teleport using opposing flames… Altering their female appearances by changing their features, though they couldn’t clone into an existing being… And like any other Talisman, wicked strength and speed. Beatrix had described them all as “spitfires”. If the other two fire elementals were anything like the Ruby Talisman, then one could affectionately call these three the PMS of stones.

  “Are they really all like Kamya?” I inquired.

  “Worse,” Tanner grunted. “Reiki is much more reserved but twice as headstrong, and Fray is simply obnoxious.” He paused and gave his head a disdainful shake. “She’s like a tiny stick of dynamite with a hell of a big boom. And trust me, she’s all in-your-face.”

  My eyes widened. The snarl and jerky hand gesture that had accompanied the Citrine Talisman’s description left no room for any doubts. No cozy hugs or cuddles there.

  “They sound just like Bea described,” I replied. “Especially Fray.”

  Tanner’s head fell into a dubious tilt. “Yes, well . . . speaking of Bea, I suppose now would be a good time to find out how much she actually taught you in my absence. See how much slack I have to pick up.” My arms had no sooner locked into a curt cross when he added, “I’m not complaining. I know she wanted you more physically prepared than anything, for your safety.”

  That was true, and boy did that old woman like to fight.

  “So?” Tanner probed.

  I nodded to the collection of fire stones, relieved that she’d covered these at some length. “Physically citrines heal an out-of-whack metabolism. They can abate a fever. Even soothe a nervous stomach. And just like all the other fire stones, they can heal physical burns, old scars included,” I added.

  “That’s correct, but the power a fire elemental pulls directly from their stones will only erase a burn caused by a flame,” he stressed.

  That I didn’t know. “Understood,” I replied.

  “And mentally?” Tanner prompted.

  “Bea said a citrine is the only stone that can help a person conquer their fears.” A suspicious feeling crept over me as I eyed the varying shades of yellow swirling inside the totem. Oddly enough, its wavering hue reminded me of egg yolks, shifting intermittently from a perky sunny-side-up color to a putrid shade that resembled a rotten, hard-boiled core (hardly eye-pleasing by any means). I was actually surprised I didn’t catch a nauseating whiff of sulfur. “And I’m guessing a citrine can probably incite a few fears as well?”

  “That’s correct. Any healing power a Talisman claims can be reversed if they choose,” Tanner affirmed.

  My gaze fell upon the rusty-red hued totem lying to the left of the citrine. I stroked its face, recalling the hands-on lesson Beatrix had given me regarding the garnet all too well. One of her Bingo-buddies had suffered a massive heart attack a few days before my fateful class trip. The Golden Topaz Talisman marched into her mystical armoire and emerged a minute later with a tiny garnet clenched in her hands. Then she had me drive her to the hospital where we invisibly snuck into Abigail Blaine’s room for what she deemed a hands-on “field trip”. One pulverizing smash (along with an ample diamond-boost), a tall glass of water, and one hellaciously long chug was all it took for the fragile and pale woman to spring out of her bed like a teenager who’d just hit their first beer-bong. That’s when I learned a garnet could restore an ailing heart to that of a healthy child. The experience of giving someone a new lease on life was the pinnacle of cool — especially without the lingering side effects. Any lost memories regarding little ole me came without any consequences, this time. The only other person more shocked than Mrs. Blaine by her speedy recovery was her physician, Dr. Carson. But after collecting a fresh round of lab work and reading the now spry, seventy-five-year-old’s final EKG, I think even Mr. Walk-on-Water started to open his mind to the idea of genuine miracles. Possibly? At least it served to dial back the arrogant cardiologist’s god-complex to a more tolerable level.

  “Reiki’s garnet embodies the heart, not just physically but also in regards to one’s wisdom and strength,” Tanner explained. “It centers your emotions with the world and empowers you with contentment. So many people dwell on what they don’t have, going to their graves angry and obsessed because of wants they feel they were due but never granted. A garnet shields you from the pitfalls of what jealousy and envy can bring and in turn, magnifies your blessings.”

  A few of my covetous encounters rolled through my head. “She should make garnet bullets,” I remarked. “I would have a lot less enemies.”

  “Oh, if it were only that easy,” Tanner ragged. “Its effect doesn’t last very long on supernaturals. Depending on who you’re dealing with and the strength of the garnet, maybe a second or two?” His head tilted thoughtfully. “Though it may score you enough time to turn around and stick them with your blade.”

  With that encouraging suggestion dropped in my mental file, I moved on to the last stone in the line. I nodded to the fire engine-red totem. “Is there anything else I should know about the ruby?” I questioned. I still felt like there was something he wasn’t telling me. “Any other emotional effects?”

  “Yes,” Tanner answered quickly, almost at the ready. If there were any pensive tells to be found on his face, his speedy confirmation had covered them well. “When its lustful effects are reversed, it can prevent even the most lecherous wandering eye from straying.”

  “Maybe she needs to start bottling that one to sell instead?” I remarked, thinking about the pricey little bottle of Lust Potion No. 9 the Talisman marketed to the general public. Just think of how many couples would be spared from the pains of cheating heartbreak. True-Blue de Toilette, I pondered with a smile. And talk about the potential for revenue. She could have made a fortune off Charlotte alone.

  I pulled out of my musing to find Tanner eyeing the collection of fire stones with a far off expression. “Is there something else?” I questioned, unable to get an answer. “Tanner?”

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “What?”

  “Is there something else any of these can do?” I repeated, slowly this go-around.

  “Yes,” the distracted Amethyst Talisman finally admitted. “Any of The Guild’s stones you see here can be combined with others to do specific things . . . except your diamond of course, since it strictly magnifies the powers of all the other stones.”

  It wasn’t exactly the illuminating ruby answer I’d been poking for, but it was intriguing nonetheless. “Oh? Like what?” I asked.

  “Things I’ll teach you at a later date because we’ve got a lot to cover today,” Tanner stressed and pointed to the remaining array of totems circling the cross medallion that were waiting to be addressed.

  “What happened to ‘I will tell you everything’,” I challenged.

  “First things, first,” Tanner advised, “ . . . Little girl.”

  He’d called me one, so I figured I would give him a good taste. “Name a combination,” I badgered. “Just one and I’ll hush.” Really? He was the one who’d established the borders of my playground this morning at breakfast. What little girl wouldn’t kick a ball towards the fence to see how far it could go?

  Despite Tanner’s unwavering front, he eventually yielded an accommodating sigh. “Anything to keep you from a temper-tantrum,” he affirmed.

  “The one you were just thinking about,” I specified. Something had triggered his thoughtfully absent gaze. “You were looking at one of those fire stones awfully hard. Which one?”

  “The citrine,” he replied.

  Though it still didn’t appease my curiosity about the ruby, my need-to-know charged onward. “Finish your lesson,” I r
equested in my most diplomatic of tones. “What other stone can you combine with it?”

  Tanner’s lids hovered over his glaring eyes at half-mast. “Mine,” he stated as bold as a girder of steel. “When the two are forged together with a special flame under a full moon it can preserve anything, for an indefinite amount of time.”

  “Thank you,” I replied. It was impressive without a doubt, but I really didn’t think it warranted such a poignant stare.

  “And the reason I was looking at it so ‘awfully hard’, as you pointed out, is because I was thinking about how lucky you were to have found your friend’s body when you did. Amethysts can preserve something for a while, but not forever. I remember regretting not having a citrine that night at the hospital to give you more assurance. I never said anything because I didn’t want you to worry.”

  A shudder rocked my spine. Crap… Truthfully, I was glad he’d kept me in the dark. My stress-level was already high enough at the time. Thoughts of my bosom friend’s flesh rotting away on top of trying to find her body would have rocketed them clear to the moon — T-minus countdown clock included.

  My brow arched astutely. “It seems someone else is pretty good at evading.”

  “It sure looks that way,” Tanner concurred, sounding just as shrewd. “Can we get back to business . . . or does the willful little girl have any other demands?”

  My nose and I opted to let that one slide, considering how close Katie could have come to looking like a Walking-Dead Diva. “Proceed,” I urged innocently.

  Tanner brushed off my whim and pointed to a collection of three familiar stones. I knew which ones the totems represented immediately — his amethyst, Seraphina’s moonstone, and the sea-bitch’s aquamarine. The marble figure of a beautiful female hovered over them, who I assumed was Nerina, the Water Guardian. Though the woman looked undeniably statuesque, the roundness of her voluptuous features yielded a very gentle and loving persona. Even all those tight & tiny curls spiraling around her face seemed to fill your heart with a buoyant sense of warmth. The loosely draped toga wrapped around her frame solidified the nurturing feeling, cradling your senses like a swaddled baby.