by S. E. Akers
Silas immediately started divvying out our salads. “Why nothing at all. They’re on behalf of Ms. Wallace.” He pointed to the beds of spinach dotted with grapes that he’d placed on our chargers. “She adores fresh grapes.”
“Oh,” Tanner smiled. His confident expression pointed to him thinking that the two of us were finally mending our fences. Unbeknownst to my mentor and his high-hopes, the only thing polished on that rickety old thing was the sharp points of its pickets.
“I’ve also prepared a braised pork with pearl onions and grapes and a lemon tart with a side of grape sorbet for dessert,” he added.
I kept waiting for him to embellish his disclosure, but that was all he revealed. I found myself at a loss for words over that one, though I did finally mumble out a “Thank you” before Silas returned to the kitchen. Maybe this truly was my lucky day? I did score those dragon claws and my flying went much smoother… That had to be what it was because I sure didn’t get the memo that Hell had frozen over.
Tanner suggested another movie as soon as our napkins hit the table. I didn’t mind. I kind of liked the closeness the sofa offered.
“I’m picking,” he announced on our way to the parlor.
“You picked last night,” I objected.
“No. You forfeited your choice,” he corrected. “There’s a difference.”
“So what’s on tap for tonight?” I asked, eyes rolling. “More kingpins?”
Tanner couldn’t have looked any guiltier. “What can I say? Watching Pacino has put me in a the mood for a Godfather marathon. I’m guessing you haven’t seen any of those either?”
“No,” I mumbled, now feeling a little weak. I gripped the arm of the sofa to steady myself as I sat down. “How many are there?”
Tanner held up three fingers, which added an extra fifty pounds to my eyelids.
Kill me now… “We’re watching all of them?” I questioned, attempting to smile.
“That’s why it’s called a marathon,” he quipped with a grin and then went to fetch the remote.
All of a sudden I realized why my eyes truly felt so weary. The effects of the tourmaline were wearing off. With all the vigor draining from my muscles at such a rapid rate, surely the makings of a big Shiloh-puddle was starting to pool on the floor. Crap! I hurried to fight back a yawn before Tanner turned back around. Now I wished I’d thought to sneak downstairs and grab another one to have on hand. Within a matter of seconds, Tanner was sitting at my side (much closer than last night too) while my lack of sleep came gunning for me with the rage of a stampede. I couldn’t see myself lasting through one movie, let alone three. I was well on my way to the Land of Nod or possibly somewhere scarier.
I had to fight this off. I stretched my lids up to my brow and down to the tops of my cheeks. And even that took some serious effort. Invisible toothpicks couldn’t keep them from fluttering.
I bet they’re all over three hours each too, I groaned silently.
The last coherent image that passed through my bobbing head was someone being mowed down with bullets at a tollbooth. The next thing I knew, the sputtering “rat-tat-tat” of machine guns had been replaced with the spine-chilling sounds of starving howls crying out. My eyes flew open, and I sprang into a sitting position feeling just as jarred as an old screen door. I knew I was back in diamond-dreamland immediately by the dismal and barren blackness all around. I had enough of my wits about me to realize I’d fallen asleep on the sofa, well out of the dreamcatcher’s reach.
My head crashed into my hands. All that hard work…
The howls were getting louder, much closer I affirmed as I scrambled to my feet, and they were dripping wet with hunger. I focused my stare on the heavy mist weaving through the withered forest. The “cracks” of snapping branches pricked my skin. I looked down at my thigh. Of course I didn’t have my weapon, though my holster had made it through security again without the slightest hitch. That was probably karma’s side-job — mystical TSA agent and diamond pickpocket.
A ravenous growl wrenched my ears. I traced its fade to a set of hair-raising red eyes burning through the misty veil that had me locked in their sights. I took a cautious step backward. Suddenly more pairs of the fiery orbs drilled through the haze. I panned the scene from left to right. There had to be at least fifteen sets of them sizing me up as they inched closer and closer. I didn’t need to check my rear. I’d seen plenty.
One of the creatures crept out of the fog, boldly revealing itself. My breaths came to a swift halt. It looked like some freakish breed of wolf and was roughly the size of a motorcycle. And not one of those crotch-rockets either. This thing had the reach of a chopper and rumbled a roar that sounded just as fierce. A coat of hair stained as black as oil stretched over the creature’s muscles. The closer the beast prowled, the tighter its brawn flexed. This thing was s-e-r-i-o-u-s-l-y cut. Its face was wooly and wide, snout long and piercing, and claimed a ferocious-looking mouth that gripped a set of teeth capable of ripping off a leg with one chomp — bone and all. A twinge of twisted pride swept through me when I recalled what this thing was from my creature-lessons. They were shadow hounds—the scouts of The Darklands—creatures magically shackled and bound to patrol the savage realm. Knowing that they were confined to existing in only one place, that frightful fact confirmed exactly what hellhole the diamond had dropped me into.
My eyes swelled with alarm. I am so freaking screwed.
More of the shadow hounds slipped out of the murky haze following the alpha’s lead. I arched my fingers to prepare the only sparkly cutters I had on me. These things weren’t the least bit intimidated, not with claws the length of steak knives jutting out of their furry paws. The others held back as the pack leader moved into striking position. I dug in my heels and brazenly flashed my own diamond choppers right back at it. And I was fully game to use all thirty-two of those little mothers too.
The shadow hound came charging straightaway, hungry for the first taste. I drew back my arm just as it lunged into the air, only for half of the beast’s body to soar over my head. The rest of it passed completely through me like a ghostly apparition. Once the initial shock had worn off, I whirled around and immediately caught the glimpse of a familiar silvery-white sheen. It tore into the creature, skewering the shadow hound straight through its back. With a quick thrust, the glow disappeared for a second and the beast fell to the ground dead. The diamond wand’s radiance captured my eyes when it came into view. I staggered back a few steps. It was safely resting in its former owner’s hands and keenly awaiting what it was crafted to do.
Adamas… Though he was a much younger version of how he’d appeared to me before, every inch of his face brushed with my memories. His choice of dress had me just as taken aback as his presence. The warrior’s powerfully-built frame was outfitted in a modest cloth tunic, arms freely exposed, and his legs were wrapped only up to their ankles in leather, strictly to clench his sandals. He wasn’t wearing anything to protect his flesh from being sliced by these creatures — not a trace of Veil-blessed magical armor or scrap of metal to use as a shield. But despite his unguarded appearance, he looked ready to lock horns with even the most terrifying and blood-thirsty creature just from the fierce streaks of white scorching his eyes.
With the alpha down, the others pounced on their chance to claim both their prize and a new title. Adamas’ head stayed as true as a rule, his tireless gaze directed towards the three beasts and their high-speed approach. One kick and three masterful cuts was all the effort the former Diamond Talisman needed to take them down. Five more rushed towards him. They aligned themselves in a circle, hemming him in. Adamas never shirked an inch. He took the reins and then charged at the two in front of him, severing both their heads. Then he shot into an instinctive duck just as one of the shadow hounds tried pouncing from his rear. It ended up careening my way and rolled a path straight through me once it had landed on the ground. I looked back to see the warrior snatching up the shadow hound to his left and then the
other one to his right. He gripped their front paws and bashed their heads together with a harrowing “smack”. He severed both their hind legs and then sought out the remaining pack members to finish them off. Once all of his calculated hacks into their wooly hides were finally complete, he returned to the two he’d left rattled and then drove his blade into their chests with two mighty thrusts.
My mouth came to a slow close as I surveyed the carnage. Thirty seconds, I marveled quietly. If that…? I turned back to Adamas, awestruck and wide-eyed. I hadn’t seen this degree of perfectly-coordinated spot-on ass-kicking since Uma killed Bill. He didn’t even break a sweat, let alone taken more than a couple of breaths. I was completely blown away — doors off and everything.
He retracted his blade and holstered it with the most intriguing air about him. It was kind of cocky and yet boldly modest to a degree. I’d never seen someone exude such an exorbitant amount of confidence. Not Tanner or Bea… Not even Kamya.
I slowly walked towards Adamas, aiming to get his attention. He never passed the slightest glance my way. I was standing face-to-face with the former Diamond Talisman, and he couldn’t see me at all. Just to be certain, I gently nudged his arm, only for my fingers to slip into his biceps like nothing was there. Now I was plain ole crazy confused. After being physically swallowed up by the corpsey hands, I wanted some kind of interaction with him, some kind of contact. I needed him to see me. Talk to me. My curiosity demanded to know why the diamond had hauled me here. There had to be a reason. My stone always had one any of the other times it had graciously opened its ever-so guarded doors.
I just need to figure out what it is, I sighed.
Another roar thundered in the distance. And with that, Adamas took off in its direction, charging with the determination of a relentless hunter in search of more challenging game. I started to follow him when I noticed a hooded figure standing to my right, bathed in a veil of tattered brown cloth. It was watching Adamas as he disappeared into the woods. Though the cloaked figure’s appearance looked as creepy as all get-out, particularly the way the blackest of shadows was hiding its face, it wasn’t going after him and didn’t exhibit any signs of aggression. Whatever or whoever it was simply stood there. Cautiously I waved my hands to see if I could get its attention, but it didn’t flinch the first bit either. Somehow I was straight-up invisible this go-around. The figure soon took off in the same direction Adamas had headed. I trailed the apparition’s steps into the forest, cluelessly bringing up the rear. Creatures aside, I really did want SOMETHING to freaking acknowledge me.
I was lagging merely a few steps behind the hooded-figure when it abruptly turned and grabbed ahold of my arms. I belted out a gruff scream when it pulled me towards its frame. With no other weapon, I dug my nails into its limbs and then tried jerking out of its clutches. I was struggling to break free, twisting and tugging, and then not a second later I was smacking the floor of my bedroom with a “thump”. The breaths heaving from my lungs exploded with panic. Granted they were nowhere near as booming as any thunder, but they were still loud enough for someone outside my door to hear. I focused on the length of the grain striping one of the hardwood planks, hoping to hush them. That’s when I noticed something clenched in my right hand. I fanned my fingers to find a scrap of worn and dirty cloth lying in my palm. I lifted it up to my nose. It even reeked of the same brimstone smell that laced my nostrils less than a minute ago.
There’s something “real”…
I glanced up at the dreamcatcher. The diamond I’d tied to the center of the web was gleaming a curious glow. I’d never seen one ignite on its own before, not without my touch or without a bolt of lightning fueling its fire.
I rose to my feet while confusion continued clouding the processors in my brain. My puzzled stare found its way over to the clock beside my bed. Two-Thirty. Tanner had to have carried me to bed, though I didn’t have a clue exactly when. I wasn’t even sure if the dreamcatcher had worked or not. Adamas and the creatures couldn’t see me. I held up the piece of cloth. But something sure did…
All of a sudden one of the black tourmalines emitted a sharp flare and then disintegrated right before my eyes. I inspected the dreamcatcher, noting that it now only claimed seven of the black air stones. They were what the spell claimed kept the “bad stuff” within the web and away from me. Maybe it did work? A little? That could have been why the creatures and Adamas couldn’t see me, though it didn’t explain the other hooded-being. I sat down on the edge of the bed. What did it want? To hurt or help me?
I was only certain of two things right now. One, I wasn’t as “on top of things” as my willful inner-voice had proclaimed and Two, that I was tearing the library apart for a spell that afforded me the luxury of a daggone carry-on bag for my next hellish trip!
CHAPTER 10
Lightning streaked across the stormy skies above, singeing the clouds with its white heat. My listless gaze didn’t falter from the cascading sheets spilling from the courtyard fountain while I waited for the lagging crash of thunder to catch up. The water’s tug was so hypnotic, and I wanted it to pull me down right along with its fall.
Tier… After tier… After freaking tier.
Though I’d greeted my fourth week with the same optimism I’d held when I first charged out of the starting gate, I found myself at the tail-end of yet another one on this Friday evening — slumped on a cold stone bench in the courtyard garden while the bitter rain pelted my frame. And this wasn’t just some random summer sprinkle that had made its muggy appearance late in the day. This downpour had come straight from the source, the depths of my dismal spirits.
A heaviness weighed my frame as I sat here, despite the hollow feeling bobbing inside that desperately sought to carry me away. All I wanted was for the rain to batter me with its pounds. I kept waiting for its sting to force something to spark inside me and pleading that my inner-voice would whisper some sort of inspirational words that could help me shake off my worse week yet. But I was pretty sure that get-up-and-go traitor had abandoned me or was possibly too busy packing her bags to respond. Nothing was stirring except the howl of the wind and the rain streaming down all around. And oddly enough, the dreary atmosphere lent the air all the teary cries my eyes were unable to shed. Aside from my lax pose and drenched cotton clothes, I could pass for any of the other lifeless statues standing amongst the leafy boxwoods, I felt that numb.
I breathed out a somber sigh. I never expected any of this to be easy—especially the monsters—but I never dreamed it would be so hard. I trained my stare to the naïve face of the child-like cherub frolicking atop the marble fountain while my mind replayed the past six days. A part of me wished I felt that carefree and innocently unaware again. The other part just longed for its wings so I could fly myself out of the depressing funk I was stuck in right now — hanging onto the edge my proverbial cliff and kicking my feet over rock-bottom.
I should have known something was off this past Sunday morning. Tanner was unusually quiet throughout breakfast. Even when I joked about him possibly pouting because I’d fallen asleep during his sacred Godfather marathon, all I got in return was a quiver of a grin, nothing more. He could have been muffling a burp his response was that heads-or-tails. And his demeanor didn’t improve as the morning went on. His lectures carried more of a dire tone, like me not recalling what he’d said word-for-word five seconds after it was first mentioned would blow up the whole daggone Veil. If he asked me if I was faithfully attempting to connect with Bea’s memories once, he asked me a million times. And I answered, “yes” to every inquiry, only to set my watch to the fact that he would be posing that very same question later — AGAIN AND AGAIN. He doubled up on my lessons and even requested I start delving into the volumes on the ninth floor promptly after dinner. So there went my chances for any intimate moments with him in the evenings. He had Silas pile so many books in my bedroom I couldn’t get the smell of leather to leave my nostrils at night. The professor’s determination was gainin
g more and more momentum with each day that passed until all of a sudden it felt like someone had flipped his overdrive switch. His engine may have been cruising along at maximum speed, but the race of mine was barely keeping up. I could blink my eyes and still see words scribed on the insides of my lids I’d read so many spell books and journals. It was painfully evident that my grace-period had come to a close, and it was strictly life-or-death from here on out.
The shift in his attitude was even more noticeable during our afternoon bouts. I wouldn’t say he was gruff, but I could tell from his added demands and rigid direction that his tolerance was being tested. I was beginning to believe I’d imagined that candy-coated pep-talk he had given me at breakfast the other day when he’d bragged about how skilled I was with the Veil weapons and combat. Not one flattering remark crossed his mouth the entire week. That well of praises was as dry as a desert…and I was feeling mighty parched.
And I desperately needed to hear some.
Then there were all of my “glorious” monster-matches throughout the week. That’s where his criticisms took an even sharper turn. Of course other than me walking out of the creature’s cells alive, there really wasn’t anything praise-worthy to shout about. Tanner even kicked the number of those up a notch — like one daily humiliation wasn’t enough. He felt confident I could handle the increase. Me? Um, not so much. Thing-One and Thing-Two were just as sightless as ever and much bigger too, regrettably. I kept the oculus open at all times, hoping I could catch something that acted like eyes, even if they were invisible. Knowing I had to be careful with any cuts made my sword about as useful as a butter knife. Trying to banish a creature that lacked the very things the oculus needed to work seemed totally unachievable and I’d made accomplishing that feat twice as hard. The only sticker-worthy thing I had to show for my efforts was that there were still only two of them swimming around down there and that I’d avoided getting swallowed. So I gave myself an A+ for that. My attempts to match the balegore’s strength proved just as much of a lost cause and whirling tornadoes its way only pissed it off even more. The creature pummeled me until tears came out of my eyes and then it would casually tromp off back into the forest once its amusement was gone. I wished I could say the same about the imp. I’d faced that merciless monster three times this week, and come the end of every fight, I looked like a red & white striped zebra. It wasn’t even the least bit fazed by my gusts anymore. The damn thing just dug in its claws and latched on that much harder. I’d tried to outsmart it by caking my skin and clothes with Vaseline before our last bout. The only thing my plan succeeded at was giving the imp a much smoother glide around my frame and making it nearly impossible for me to keep a tight lock on my sword. Nothing I attempted with any of the creatures ever worked. I wasn’t swift enough, strong enough, or clever enough to magically poof anything back to where it belonged. Sadly, the only thing disappearing down in the dungeon was the layria bark. I cringed every time Tanner scooped more out of the barrel. I wasn’t stupid enough to think the daggone thing didn’t have a bottom. The scrape of wood was coming. I could feel it.