Talisman

by S. E. Akers

Low and behold, she stepped back and a beautiful, though extremely startling, golden-colored eye materialized in the middle of her forehead. It sparkled with the same intensity as Tanner Grey’s amethyst-hued eyes. I waved my hand in front of the strange wonder. It was dilating and contracting in response to every move I made.

  “By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you…Nice try,” she laughed.

  My eyes narrowed on the spot.

  Beatrix continued, “You came up with some pretty good ones the other day. You really kept me on my toes.” She tapped her finger on her chin and then pointed it at me. “I always knew you were smart and high-spirited, but I had no idea how creative and resourceful you were. Kudos,” she praised.

  “So you knew what I was up to?”

  Beatrix’s chuckles grew even louder. She quickly covered her mouth to muffle the noise. “Yes. I haven’t laughed like that in years! I almost spit out my cider when you flashed that light in my eyes, clever girl…That was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time…Well, until the ‘present’ Mr. Estell left in the trees for you.”

  My suspicions were confirmed. “So he did put that thing there, and probably the one in Mike’s car, too?”

  Beatrix nodded. “Good thing I have a serpentine ring. Not many Talismans do. It’s almost as rare as my tiger’s-eye.” She quickly pulled a marbled brown and gold stone out from under her blouse that resembled the one Tanner Grey had shown me during lunch the other day.

  “I saw the marks around its neck…The ones that match the design of your ring. What did it do to the snake?” I asked.

  Beatrix raised her finger and displayed the odd-looking stone band. “It turns a serpent’s own venom against it. They die instantly. Their muscles don’t even twitch. If you ever get the chance to obtain one, I highly recommend you do. Then you won’t have to wear your stilettos around all the time,” she added with a wink of her golden eye.

  A hush fell over the room not a second later, and her eyes hardened with sadness.

  “Shiloh, I’m very sorry about Caiden. I loved him so much. He was like a part of my family. I’ll miss him something awful.” Beatrix leaned in to hug me. As her grasp tightened, she let out a gasp. “Oh, Shiloh…I can feel the wand’s power,” she marveled and then released me. “Have you discovered anything new about yourself?”

  “Well…I can run pretty fast, and I heard Charlotte and Chloe’s thoughts this morning. Oh, and I um…tossed a few of Welch’s finest officers around like rag dolls yesterday. But the most surprising thing was that I didn’t rip off my hand when it rolled under the table saw this morning. Just those little things… Nothing much,” I replied sarcastically. “You know,” I laughed gruffly, “It’s kind of been like getting your period for the first time, except no one gave me the ‘birds & bees talk’. I don’t have a clue what to expect.”

  Beatrix smiled and placed her hand on my shoulder, not taking any offense to my griping. “It has to happen naturally, dear,” she giggled. “Like your period.”

  Cute. “Are there any other little surprises that I should be aware of?” I asked.

  Beatrix tapped her finger on her chin and grinned. “Yes, dear…but you won’t hear about them from me.”

  It seemed she was just as evasive as Tanner Grey. However, I thought of one question she might be willing to answer, or at least acknowledge.

  “Beatrix…why would my father have called out the name, ‘Adamas’?” The color began to drain slightly from her rosy cheeks, and her golden eye fell to a close.

  “Seeing how I know that your father whispered his name, and Tanner has already informed you of the wand’s original owner, it would be insulting to deny that Caiden knew about our kind. He did. Caiden helped us protect the location of the cave for many years. Shiloh, all I will, or rather all I can say is that he loved you and wanted to keep you safe for as long as possible. Caiden knew this day would eventually come.”

  I thought, He knew about the cave and about Talismans? That I was a Talisman?

  “Was he a Talisman?” I asked.

  Beatrix’s hands caressed my face. “No, Shiloh. Caiden was not a Talisman, or any other supernatural. Now, that’s all I’ll say on that subject. I’ll certainly get an earful from Tanner over this, but I understand your curiosity. However, no more questions.” Her tone was stern, yet empathetic, so I couldn’t resist asking one more.

  “Do you know who killed him?”

  “No, Shiloh. No more,” Beatrix scolded and turned her head away hastily.

  I got the distinct impression that she knew the identity of my father’s murderer. Why won’t she tell me?

  By the hands on my watch, it was almost noon. Anxiously, the thought of missing my father’s service raced through my head.

  “Beatrix, I have to get back out there,” I insisted. “The service is about to start. Lazarus is probably gone by now. Surely he won’t stay for the funeral. I don’t think he cares to consort with us ‘townies’ anyway.”

  “You stay here. I’ll go check,” Beatrix instructed and then shuffled out the door. I waited alone on pins and needles until she reemerged roughly a minute later.

  “Okay, I didn’t see him, but be on your guard, Shiloh. Remember, you can’t be around him, and for goodness’ sake, don’t touch him! Even I could sense a trace of the diamond’s energy. You were destined to claim the diamond wand, the only stone that magnifies all other stones. You’ve had the makings of these abilities hidden in the recesses of your mind all of your life. Coming in contact with his ring the other day allowed a small part of them to surface. Lazarus is a Talisman who reigns over a stone that bears an enormous amount of psychic power. That’s why you were able to look into his mind and feel his emotions. You were like one, big ‘mental magnet’. He couldn’t sense yours because you hadn’t claimed your diamond birth-stone yet. But now you have so…BE CAREFUL!”

  “I will,” I assured her, trying not to sound too nervous. Beatrix grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.

  “Wait. Let me see your topaz.” I held out my left hand and watched while she inspected the tiny gemstone. “Tanner was right,” Beatrix confirmed as she patted my hand. “You really drained my little baby. You may have enough power left in it for one charm. Two, if you’re lucky. Sea-salt won’t be of any use to you, I’m afraid. Normally, a few moonbeams from any old moon would do, but you used so much of its power the other night in your humanly state… I’m afraid the only thing strong enough to charge it back to its original strength is the light from the next full moon.”

  “Is it…broken?” I asked apprehensively.

  “No, no. A stone is a living thing, just like you and I, Shiloh. It’s on the verge of going dormant, that’s all. It needs to be ‘refueled’, so to speak. But you’re in luck. The full moon on Friday night is going to be a true blue moon. They are very rare. The Talisman who reigns over the moonstone sets aside one night where the full moon shines with some of her stone’s powers. She does it so she can use the moon as her own personal telescope. She can see anything and everything that’s happening in the world, all at once. It’s an absolutely magical sight to witness. It’s like a supernatural’s Fourth of July, but these fireworks only we can see. You’re in for a real treat. But for now, I’m afraid your golden topaz’s power is scarce. Tanner ordered me not to give you another one. I’m sorry, dear.” Beatrix rolled her eyes. “He says it will teach you responsibility, so be careful,” she urged and then shoved me out into the hall.

  Oookay, I thought as the door creaked to a close. Beatrix couldn’t have alarmed me more even if she’d just announced that Lazarus was packing a Smith & Wesson underneath that long overcoat he was sporting. On a different note, I found myself both shocked and a little ticked that Tanner Grey had implied I was in some way “irresponsible”.

  I may lack the knowledge and experience when it comes to the intricacies of being a so-called “Talisman”, but I’m in no way “wet behind the ears” when it comes to being responsible for anything,
I fumed as I ran down the hall. I peered into the viewing room. Good…No signs of Lazarus.

  There in the doorway, I overheard the funeral home director announce, “We’re about to commence with the service, so those of you who aren’t staying should exit the room at this time.”

  Various attendees began to saunter down the aisle. I spotted my reserved seat, located in the front pew beside Charlotte and Chloe. I maneuvered up the aisle through the crowd of people, nodding at them as I walked past. Ty and Katie were sitting together a few rows away. Katie waved to me. They both had a mixed look of relief and puzzlement on their faces. It just dawned on me that I’d been talking to them, right before Beatrix had snatched me away. I waved back and flashed an apologetic smile in their direction.

  I found myself so distracted by my unintended rudeness that I wasn’t looking where I was going. After running into a few people who were coming down the aisle (and apologizing to them), I refocused my attention directly ahead of me. Then from out of nowhere, I spotted the one person I was cautiously trying to avoid, heading straight for me.

  Oh, no! Lazarus Xcavare!

  Straightaway, I lowered my head anxiously. I felt fairly confident he wouldn’t notice me in the crowd, but several people at my rear were pushing me directly into his path. A clever thought popped into my head as we inched closer to each other. If Beatrix was right, I had enough power for one more plea from the stone. Without further delay, I repeated over and over, Please don’t let Lazarus Xcavare see me…

  I lifted my head. We were merely a couple of feet apart. He was looking my way, but he seemed to be staring through me, not at me. I glanced down at the golden topaz ring that was glowing (as was I) and smiled, relieved that the possible calamity had been avoided. I observed that no one else seemed to be aware of the spectral golden glow surrounding my frame — thankfully. Feeling overly confident, I strutted right beside Lazarus Xcavare, only to have someone push me, once again. An ominous feeling consumed me when my arm rubbed against him, just as our paths crossed.

  We were being forced in opposite directions, but I found myself locked in a trance as the crowd of attendees pushed my body further up the aisle. A gruesome vision had entered my mind. I didn’t have to drink any magical emerald potion to obtain this one. It came straight from the source — Lazarus Xcavare.

  I was freezing. The wind was whipping, and snow was falling at an uncanny rate all around me. I heard someone chanting close by and then a set of hands appeared. I gasped and found myself trembling at the sight.

  Daddy! The hands were strangling him! Lazarus Xcavare’s hands were infusing my father with some sort of blue powder while he gagged and choked repeatedly. HE’S POISIONING HIM! Once Lazarus felt that he had administered enough of the toxin to eventually kill him, his men pitched Daddy into the back of his truck and threw the weathered tarp over his body. The person I loved most in the world had been discarded like garbage. He was alone and left to suffer helplessly in the frigid temperatures, until all the life in him had faded into the darkness of night.

  My frame hardened like a statue as the vision dwindled. The only sign of movement was from one lonely tear streaming down my face. I felt the weight of someone’s stare as they made their approach.

  “Shiloh, you need to take your seat. We’re about to start,” Bob Ramsey whispered. Unknowingly, I’d stopped in front of Daddy’s closed casket. Mr. Ramsey motioned me to the front pew where my family sat waiting. I’d heard what he had said, but I could neither verbally, nor physically acknowledge him.

  The startling revelation plagued me with various emotions. I was horrified by what I’d seen. All I wanted to do was to scream out to everyone that Lazarus Xcavare was my father’s murderer — but I couldn’t! I feared for my own life, as well as everyone else’s in the room. All of Lazarus’ evil intentions and the severity of his cruel nature had passed through my body. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. He would take out the whole town if he had to, just obtain the diamond wand and all its power.

  “Shiloh, please take your seat,” Mr. Ramsey repeated as he placed his hand on my arm.

  The moment I felt his touch, I snapped out of my hypnotic, stone-like state and jerked my arm from his grasp. I turned to the back of the room, where Lazarus and his entourage had just crossed over the door’s threshold. The attendants were starting to close the heavy wooden double-doors. My eyes were like daggers, transfixed on my father’s killer. Lazarus seemed uneasy and paused for a moment. I watched him lift his cane, gripping its handle forcefully, and then he began to slowly pivot back around.

  He can’t see me, but does he sense the diamond’s power, or is the hatred I’m feeling potent enough for him to pick up on the threat? The doors shut just as he completed his turn. Lazarus was now out of my sight, but he certainly wasn’t out of my mind.

  Charlotte grabbed my arm and pulled me over to the front pew. “Sit down!” my mother growled in my ear.

  I looked around the room. All eyes were on me. I turned towards my father’s casket and dropped down into my seat. My body may have been inert as I sat there, but my mind was whirling. As the music came to a halt, Lugand Hubble, the pastor from our church, began the service with a prayer.

  I’d heard Pastor Hubble speaking throughout the service, but I couldn’t concentrate on one single word. For the next thirty minutes, I remained willingly trapped in a trance. I couldn’t listen to anything but my own thoughts as I stared vehemently at my father’s coffin. I was so engrossed in the reality of what I’d discovered, I didn’t even look at the holy man as he spoke. It was hard to focus on his righteous words when every thought I had conjured was hell-bent on seeking revenge.

  I’d finally gotten my answer, but it had come at the most inopportune time. I couldn’t go to the police with what I’d discovered. Who would believe me? Officer Pete Ryan would lock me up for sure. Charlotte would surely attest that my commitment to an asylum was in order. The only people I knew I could tell were Tanner Grey and Beatrix (though I had a gut-feeling they already knew).

  Why wouldn’t they TELL ME?

  I rose from my seat after the closing prayer and watched the pallbearers position themselves around Daddy’s casket. They were all of his close buddies and co-workers. Samuel was standing at the rear of the coffin. His eyes looked unmistakably pink and misty. Charlotte, Chloe, and I followed behind them as they carried him to the black hearse parked outside. I looked at no one. My eyes stayed locked in front of me.

  I climbed into my car by myself, but I was far from alone. My thoughts tormented me as I followed the hearse to Roselawn Cemetery. My suffering continued on through my father’s graveside rights. The rain was falling even harder than before. The pastor hurried through the ceremony as the sound of ear-splitting thunder rolled around us and violent streaks of lightning lit up the sky. As I watched my father descend upon his final resting place, I removed a white lily from a nearby standing floral spray and tossed it into the open grave. Just as the flower landed on his casket, I made my father one final vow.

  Somehow and sometime soon, Lazarus Xcavare will pay dearly for what he’s done.

  He had taken what I loved most away from me, and now I claimed what he desired most. And I was going to make sure he “got it” — Every powerful, blow I could summon from the mystical, diamond Wand of Adamas…

  Chapter 15 — Catch!

  As soon as the graveside service had concluded, everyone piled into their cars and headed over to the Welch Annex, where a luncheon was being held for family and friends. I’d already lost my appetite and had absolutely no desire for small talk. The thought of standing around watching folks shovel lasagna onto their paper plates and unfamiliar faces scrounging for the last deviled egg made my stomach turn. I opted to head back home where I could pine for my father in silence — and mull over what to do about Lazarus Xcavare. That’s what I craved.

  The rain was still coming down in sheets, which made my drive home take much longer than what I’d hoped. I debated ab
out pulling over several times, but the rain would always subside as soon as I veered off the road and returned with full force when I pulled back onto it. So, I just carried on down the highway at a slow and steady pace through the treacherous, inclement weather.

  I tuned the radio to J104.5 FM and caught the tail end of the Black-Eyed Pea’s latest song. One of their DJ’s started rattling off some news and local events. When his barrage of general announcements had concluded, he shifted his report to the weather. One notification was of particular interest.

  He broadcasted, “Hate to be you guys down in McDowell County. There’s a stationary low-pressure system that’s been churning over your area since yesterday morning, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, anytime soon. Y’all sure have had some freaky weather down there over the past few days, what with that record-breaking snowstorm Saturday Night. Totals have been coming in around 10 to 12 inches that fell in less than an hour. But here’s the real kicker…Welch was the only town to get it…Like I said, FREAKY! Don’t forget your umbrellas today. Y’all are gonna need ’em.”

  I reflected, That snowstorm was pretty freaky…but nowhere near as “freaky” as the rest of the night.

  I thought about the weather some more. All the snow from Saturday night had melted. The heavy rains had seen to that. Sadly, not only was the abysmal precipitation making the driving conditions particularly hazardous, it wasn’t doing anything to help my horrible mood. I felt just as dreary and dismal as the rain. Surely it couldn’t rain forever? It has to stop sometime. The sooner the better, I thought. Maybe that will lift my spirits?

  I noticed the old farmhouse appeared particularly cold and desolate as I pulled onto our gravel drive. I suspected it would feel even worse once I was inside. With my purse slung over my shoulder and my bound umbrella in hand, I made a mad dash for the porch. I saw no need to raise it. I was home and could dry off inside.

  Cautiously, I trotted up the slick porch steps as I searched through my purse for my keys. As I stood in front of the door, still looking for them, a voice called out to me from the left side of the porch, “Home so soon?”