by S. E. Akers
Tanner gave his head a few dismissive shakes, exactly like a typical professor who’d been asked the world’s stupidest question would. “Because I trust you to guard it,” he replied and then placed it in my hand. “That’s why.”
I held up the crystal lifeline. I felt like I’d just reached into an ice-chest and grabbed some transplant recipient’s long-awaited heart. “And you’re sure you don’t want to keep it hidden? Somewhere closer . . . or safer?” I stressed.
“I can’t think of a safer place than with you,” Tanner vowed with an arresting stare. “And I’m your mentor. You’re never far from my reach . . . or my thoughts.”
I pointedly looked away so his words wouldn’t trick my cheeks into a full-on flush. Of course I wasn’t far from his “whatever”. I was here within the magically warded bounds of his house. The worse thing that could happen was if I accidently flushed it down the toilet.
“I don’t know,” I muttered, still doubtful. “It doesn’t feel like much of a punishment.”
“It will when you take it with you to visit your friend,” he clarified.
His surprise announcement threw me for a loop. Aside from the stabbing, I’d become a millionaire, been issued an all-inclusive key to his castle, and now granted a shore leave in a little over a day. Fortune never rained down on me like that.
I lifted my head, still stunned. “Are you serious?” I breathed out.
“Yes,” Tanner replied as deadpan as ever. He took the phantom crystal out of my hand and then fastened the chain around my neck. “You can leave in the morning.”
I eyed his soul-carrying crystal lying against my chest. I didn’t know what I wanted to do more: jump for joy or throw up.
Tanner grunted a laugh. “As punishments go, you look pretty spanked to me.”
“You’re sure about this?” I asked nervously.
“Yes,” Tanner stated. “I trust you’ll keep it safe, and I think a break is in order.”
My head slumped into a leery tilt. “Even after Dunamis’ stunt?” I posed.
Tanner nodded, refraining from a verbal response. Too bad it wasn’t quick enough for me not to notice that telltale twitch his neck was known for. Now there was the one percent doubt I was searching for. He actually looked like someone standing there with his sleeve rolled up and waiting for a shot he needed but didn’t want.
“I don’t—”
“You’re going,” he insisted. “Even if I have to drive you straight to her doorstep.”
“All right,” I agreed, having reached my blinding limit for spotlights on my omissions. One thing was certain, given the gravity revolving around this extension of trust: I had to commit to no more secret keeping — no more doing it to make people happy or to keep them from getting pissed or because I didn’t want them to worry. I couldn’t and wouldn’t take on anymore of them. I didn’t need any more pesky nips eating at my soul. The amethyst was bound to come out eventually. I wasn’t crazy. But the witch-thing was up in the air. I only had a little more than a month left before the whole mistake would be just a memory. I still planned on telling him, but I preferred to do it once Katie was snugly inside the walls of her dormitory — far away from any witches and incident-free. That would give me a better defense to plead.
That is, if the house big-mouth keeps his trap shut…
“You need to call Katie and get packing,” he said and turned to head off.
My stare followed him to the doorway. “Tanner,” I called out. “Thank you.”
He simply smiled back at me and then disappeared down the hall.
I pulled out my cell to text Katie, more hesitant than excited. Though I was grateful for a chance to see my bosom friend, a huge part of me was nervous as hell about holding on to something this critical. And I was still uncomfortable about leaving with the dungeon not down a single monster. My taps to the keypad on the screen were more forceful than usual.
It didn’t matter how many smiley faces I’d tagged to my message. They couldn’t sunshine-away the crappy suspicion simmering inside me. This gift just seemed too out of the blue. Something had triggered it.
And I wasn’t delusional. He would have eyes on me, especially with me carting his crystal kick-starter around.
CHAPTER 15
My bags were already packed and propped beside my bedroom door at dawn — dreamcatcher included. Knowing that thing held as much priority as my toothbrush, I wasn’t about to go anywhere without it. Now, all that remained was running a brush through my staticy tresses and I would be just as good-to-go.
I stared at my reflection in the cheval mirror as I tamed my strands with several long, pensive strokes. Maybe Tanner is right? Maybe this weekend getaway is what I need? A good BFF-fix always boosted my mood, and I desperately needed the pick-me-up. If anything, I figured it would offer me a little stress relief, even with my guilt piggybacking me like an iron knapsack. My thoughts shifted as soon as I hit a bumpy snarl. Or maybe he’s the one who really needs the break? I plucked the knotty spot faster, hoping to rid my entire head of both messy tangles. I couldn’t blame him. He couldn’t have possibly foreseen a summer full of THIS MUCH FAILURE, with or without any emerald’s aid. I’m sure Silas is thrilled. He’s probably upstairs dancing around the dining room table right now. The longer the mental picture played in my head, the harder and faster I brushed. I finally had to stop and drop the hairbrush out of fear I would end up bald.
Tanner emerged from his bedroom no sooner than I’d stepped into the hall. He immediately relieved me of my bag. “Not staying for breakfast?” he questioned.
“I’m not hungry,” I replied. I honestly wasn’t. Yeah, my stomach had been growling its pleas for the past hour, but I couldn’t fill it for the life of me. And that wasn’t like me — AT ALL. I’d always been a little jealous of people who claimed they couldn’t eat when they were blue. My worries always had me steering a path straight to the kitchen, trolling the fridge and all the cabinets like a starving bear. Sadly, now I realized just how truly miserable they really were.
We headed up the steps together, neither of us exchanging any meaningful conversation or chitchat. That was nagging enough, but the crystal reminder lying against my chest really sent my nerves into a tornadic-twist. I hadn’t taken it off since he’d placed it around my neck last night. Something as important as his lifeline being physically out of reach would have to be churning a few of his doubts, whether it was a punishment / confidence-boosting exercise or not. Even I didn’t have that much faith in myself right now.
“Now, are you absolutely sure you want me to take your phantom crystal?” I blurted as we stepped into the foyer, offering him a courteous out. “I can leave it here.”
“Don’t be absurd,” he said. “I gave it to you for safe keeping, and I trust you will.”
“Okay,” I sighed, “but I promise I’ll keep it on me, so you don’t have to worry.”
My mentor’s earnest gaze hit my eyes like heat. “Do I look worried?”
I stepped outside after a flush unfolded, hoping the air would temper my reddened cheeks. “No,” I acknowledged. Not up front, at least. But the Amethyst Talisman was a master at concealing his emotions, unlike me. He could be quaking in his boots this very second and I wouldn’t know it.
Silas had already brought my Charger around to the front of the house. Tanner placed my bags inside the trunk and then handed me the keys. “Try not to think about anything supernatural over the next couple days,” he instructed. “Just focus on having some fun.”
“That’s the plan,” I said as I opened my car door.
Tanner stopped me before I could slip inside. “Hold up.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out my moonstone ring. “You’re forgetting this.”
“Hopefully, I won’t be needing it,” I said. “I don’t intend on taking any more flowers from strangers ever again — or candy.”
“Wise decision,” Tanner grinned and then raised his other hand. “So I guess you don’t want this
either?” he posed, whirling my ruby cuff around a couple of his fingers.
I extended my hands like a caught & captured criminal. “Slap them both on there. The more, the merrier.” In a weird way, I felt like he was sending me off to summer camp. Arming me to the hilt was just his version of a parental safety-chat. And though I would love to officially christen my ruby cuff, I needed these next few days to be as incident-free as possible.
“I guess I’m ready to go,” I said.
“Not quite.” Tanner lifted my dark blonde strands and fastened my amethyst pendant around my neck before I could spout the first protest. “You might need it to get in touch with me.”
My stomach completely bottomed out. “Can’t I do that with the crystal?” I asked, silently cringing.
“No. It doesn’t possess the same powers to communicate . . . just like it doesn’t evoke any bliss,” he explained. He leaned against my Charger. “I’m afraid the only thing it offers is a piece of my soul.”
I looked down at both of his stones lying against my chest. His “soul” resting there had tortured my willpower enough. An utterly desperate version of myself would demand he kiss me from the power it held alone, but I couldn’t do it — not when I knew it wasn’t genuine. That would feel even worse than the kordthistle-kiss he’d planted on me the other day. And now I had my amethyst back, along with all of its stress alleviating and blissful powers. But there was one problem with it being there: TEMPTATION. I didn’t want it doing a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. I wanted my emotions to be real, no matter how rapturous or raw. Was it a stupid decision? Probably… Was I being stubborn, considering my funk? Definitely… But no matter how much bliss I chose to drown myself in, I couldn’t hide from the truth. And yet, the sweet smell of delusional relief was right at my fingertips. This was like someone on a diet being forced to walk around with a daggone cupcake on the end of their nose. Trying not to lose “his soul” would be a breeze compared to the bumpy action my wagon’s horizon held.
“All right,” I mumbled and slid down into the driver’s seat. I’d barely turned my head when Tanner shut the door. The abrupt “thud” forced my keys into the ignition quicker than I’d planned. Humph… I guess he is ready for a break. I seem to remember giving him a hug when he left. Trying to hold on to what shred of self-respect I could, I gave my engine a stout rev. I turned to him and drummed up a swift smile. “See you Sunday” were the last words I muttered before speeding off down the drive.
With no one behind me, I parked my Charger at the bottom of the mountain and sent Katie a quick text.
My bosom friend’s reply was as immediate as it was direct.
It could have just been all those exclamation points fooling my mind or the open road that lay before me, but I was starting to feel better already.
Maybe…
To ensure I wouldn’t dwell on the past few weeks, I docked my iPod, found a clear enough radio signal, and dialed up one of my favorite playlists. No slow songs… No sad melodies… Just an endless mix of hard-core rock. My plan had worked so perfectly I didn’t realize I was already on the outskirts of Boston until I’d stopped at a convenience store, thirsting for an ice-cold Diet Coke. No more therapeutic tunes were needed; my building excitement would carry me the rest of the way.
Although there wasn’t a single parking spot outside Bethesda’s building, I did stumble upon one just two streets over when I was circling. Score. And if that didn’t make me feel like my bad luck might be giving me a break as well, the flashy digital parking meter took credit/debit cards, which was great news. Despite my recently acquired wealth, I didn’t have so much as two quarters to physically rub together if my life depended on it. I just hoped the good luck kept on coming.
I whipped open the door of 467 Shellise Cove and bounded up the five flights of stairs like a racehorse. One “knock” was all I’d managed to thump out when Katie threw open the door.
My BFF’s heartfelt version of a long-time, no-see greeting was to abruptly shove me back further into the hall.
“GO! GO! GO!” Katie rattled off in a huff. The door hadn’t even closed when she snatched my arm and jerked me towards the staircase. Good thing I was already warmed up and wearing my running shoes, because my bosom friend was hauling some seriously-heated ass.
“Is the place on fire?” I laughed, amused, but still trying to shake off the fact that I hadn’t gotten my ceremonial bosom-friend hug.
“No,” Katie grumbled. “Bethesda saw your text. She called up all of her coven-buddies and invited them over. I didn’t think you would want to hang around for a recruitment-drive.”
“You’re right about that,” I huffed. Of course I had to give the sneaky ole witch credit for her latest attempt. However, I wasn’t planning on tossing my name into her pointy conical hat anytime soon.
Katie’s cell phone rang no sooner than the sunlight blinded our eyes. She whipped it out, squinted at the screen, and commenced with a pissy version of an Irish Riverdance right there in front of the building.
“Turn invisible, get your car, and pick me up — and HURRY!” Katie tilted her stare up towards the fire escape. “Before she sticks her head out the window and sees you’re already here. This is OUR TIME!”
Grinning, I popped off a military-style salute and headed off with my General-Bestie’s marching orders. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Bethesda, but I was one-hundred-percent on board with this one. This was Bosom-Friend Day, less the parade. As crappy as I’d been feeling, I wanted to be around her and her alone — at least for one freaking day. This was what I’d been missing. What I’d been craving. What I desperately needed. Time with Katie was better than a swimming pool full of sea-salt or a moonstone the size of a boulder. We had one of those recharging relationships full of unconditional love, good times, laughter, and unlimited solace. If she couldn’t coax me down off my ledge, then her stubborn rear would climb up there with me. And I would do the same for her without the slightest hesitation. That’s what true bosom friends were — cellmates for life, no matter how hard the haul.
Katie was standing on the curb when I pulled around, waving up to Bethesda who’d already climbed onto the fire escape. I’d barely slowed to a stop when she yelled up to her cousin and threw out her arms innocently, “No place to park,” and then darted into the car like a bank robber.
“Whew! That was close,” Katie exclaimed, pretending to wipe some sweat from her brow. “Can I tell you how excited I am that you’re finally HERE!?!”
“I would never know it,” I teased with a pucker-fueled frown. Katie sprang towards me and locked her arms around my chest with a squeeze. My Charger swerved to the tune of honking horns blaring from all directions. “Easy!” I laughed, hands struggling while I lined my vehicle back in the appropriate lane. “I can’t have you wrecking another one of my cars.”
She may very well be my till-the-end-of-time bosom friend, but I was NEVER letting her forget that one.
Since Katie was the now established resident of Bean Town, I followed her lead. All I requested was that we went somewhere relaxing. I wasn’t up for any shopping yet, though I did have something special planned for later that I’d googled and mapped out last night. She happily obliged and directed me straight to Boston Public Garden. Like the most astute tour guide, Katie went on and on about the city’s extensive chain of picturesque parks. Apparently they had been dubbed the “Emerald Necklace”. I was fine with that — as long as there weren’t any foretelling “eyes” involved. No supernatural thoughts, I repeated to myself. But that was a toughie when you happened to be draped in magic rocks and carried a voodoo sack that served as a glaring reminder.
The park turned out to be just the breath of fresh air I needed. Grassy green fields rolled throughout the grounds amidst a patchwork of beautifully landscaped gardens, bursting with colorful flowers. A cluster of boats sat docked on a quaint lagoon. Each of them boasted a large swan attached to their sterns, where the operator pedaled the cutesy-looking watercraft. I figured
a peaceful fifteen-minute voyage would be the perfect kick-off to my mini-vacay. Boy was I wrong. We’d no sooner hopped aboard when Katie started hounding me about “secret supernatural stuff”. I’m glad I didn’t hold my breath. Then again, I couldn’t fault her curiosity. I hadn’t told her much of anything that I’d been doing at Tanner’s. One, because I didn’t know who was listening… Two, because our conversations weren’t that long… And three, because I didn’t want to drag her down with my mood. So I agreed to hit the highlights if she swore not to bring it up again. My BFF promised, a little too quickly. I knew at that precise moment the witch-wannabe would be my biggest hurdle.
My gaze fell to the sparkling water, head shaking wearily. No Talisman time-off for me.
Since we were completely surrounded by passengers, I opted to telepathically convey my rundown of hot-topics. I started with Tanner’s version of a Bat-Cave stocked with various baddie-beasts and kick-ass weapons. Then came all of my bitching about “Alfred” and what a pompous ass he was. I followed that with a jaw-dropping revelation about the monster-spewing Darklands that lay beyond The Veil and then topped it off with just how screwed our clueless Gotham really was. All in all, she took it rather well — at least she didn’t fall out of the boat.
“DAMN…” my struggling-to-speak bosom friend spouted dazedly. I could feel all the other passengers’ judgmental eyes on us like tiny red laser beams. The woman in front of us even covered her child’s ears when her curses shot to the S’s. The woman shouldn’t have been that shocked. From the brainwaves I’d picked up from the youngster, he’d heard way worse from both his parents. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the least bit guilty about returning her nasty glare.
Katie sat quietly while she stared at the water in a somber trance-like state. I finally had to give my bosom friend a poke. “Katie? What’s wrong?” I asked, though I could have easily found out for myself.