by S. E. Akers
I staggered backward and held my breath, trying to muzzle my scream from the intense shooting pain I’d received from the bump. I secured the hood of my jacket and resumed my pace, focusing only on the ground in front of me. Whomever I’d run into, the contents of their two grocery bags now littered the sidewalk. I didn’t care about manners — not today, not right now — so I kept on walking.
“Excuse me! How freakin’ rude!” a female called out.
The voice stopped me cold. I would know that bitchy tone anywhere. Katie. I turned around and knelt beside her, where she was gathering up her groceries from off the ground.
“Oh, don’t bother NOW! I’ve got it!” Katie snapped, not even looking my way. As soon as I reached over and placed a can of soup in one of the bags, she spotted my left hand, the one that donned the golden topaz ring. Katie stared at my hand for a second and then dropped the groceries she was bagging.
“SHI!” Katie cried out, just before she grabbed me. Considering my injury, the hug was really too damn tight, but she wasn’t about to let go.
“I’m so sorry, Shi! I shouldn’t have been so pissy about you not calling me this week. I was a real bitch yesterday! I just missed my best friend. I wanted to be there for you, and you wouldn’t let me! PLEASE forgive me! You have to!” Katie pleaded as she rocked me back and forth.
I was in so much pain from her pressing on my shoulder that I couldn’t even speak. It had taken my breath away.
Katie pulled away from me. “Shi? Shi? What’s wrong?” She looked curiously at the horrible expression on my face and then noticed me staring at her shirt. She glanced down to find blood all over the right side of her pink blouse. She gasped after realizing that it was coming from my shoulder.
“Shi, what happened to you?!?” Katie screamed out. “SHIT! You’re bleeding!” She quickly covered her mouth to contain her gags.
I shushed her. “Katie…I need help. I have to get out of here.”
Katie whipped out her cell phone. “You need an ambulance.”
I knocked the phone out of her hand. “NO!” I insisted.
Katie snatched up her phone. “But you need a doctor!” she urged.
I put my hand over her cell to block her call. “Are your parents…at the shop?” I asked, trying to talk through my pain.
“No,” Katie replied. “They went to Bluefield. They won’t be back until around seven or eight tonight. Why?”
“I need to lie down. Katie, just help me there. Please don’t call an ambulance…Please…Just trust me,” I begged.
Katie was wrestling with what she should do — Do what I asked or ignore my request. She let out a disgusted grunt as she threw her phone back in her purse.
“Aw, crap! Come on.” Katie pulled me to my feet. She carried her grocery bags in one arm, and wrapped her other around me, guiding my frail frame down the street.
“What happened to you?” Katie asked, still stunned.
“I sort of got…shot,” I answered frankly.
Katie stopped in a jerk and whipped her head around. “You got SHOT? How the Hell did that happen?”
“With a gun, Katie.” My pain didn’t seem to hinder a bit of the amusement I’d found in her question.
Katie continued, “Well, I figured that much, smartass…But where were you?”
If Katie was going to help me, I at least owed her the truth.
“I was at the Riversides’, I confessed.
Katie stopped abruptly again and cried, “Mike Riverside SHOT YOU?”
“NO,” I snapped. “One of Lazarus Xcavare’s guys, Karl, did.”
Katie didn’t move. “Why in the heck did he do that?” she asked, clearly dumbfounded.
“Because…I have something Lazarus wants,” I admitted reluctantly.
“What? You mean Shiloh Ridge? I heard your daddy left it to you, and that you weren’t selling it. Ace Barlow’s been runnin’ his mouth all over town. Hell, the whole town thinks you’re nuts for turning down the money. You mean they SHOT YOU over a PIECE OF LAND?”
I had to tell her. We were almost at her parent’s shop, but Katie wasn’t taking another step — not without a good reason. And unfortunately, the only thing that would satisfy her was “the truth”.
“No. Not for the land, but for what’s buried underneath it,” I confessed.
Katie rolled her eyes and resumed pulling me down the street. “What? COAL? Ughhh…I think there’s more than enough to go around. No one needs to go all ‘gangster’ over it.”
“No, Katie…not coal. A diamond. A very powerful diamond…that’s in the shape of a long wand. That’s what they want. That’s what they came to Welch for in the first place. Not to purchase a mine, but to locate a stone…a magical stone.”
Standing in front of the store, Katie inserted her key into the lock and paused long enough to shoot me a “you’re flippin’ crazy” look.
“A diamond? A ‘magical’ diamond? That’s powerful?” Katie questioned cynically. “I thought you proved in class the other day that there aren’t any diamonds around here, Shi. Isn’t that right?”
I took a deep breath to rally what energy I had left. “Katie, I don’t have time for this,” I snapped. “It’s your choice to believe me or not. I’m not asking you to. All I need is for you to find something to pick this bullet out of my shoulder, round up some sea-salt, dump it in some water, and pour it in the freaking wound!”
Katie unlocked the door and shook her head at me. “What you need is a surgeon…and probably a shrink!” She pushed open the door and helped me inside. I hobbled over to a nearby jewelry case. Katie turned around to lock the door and quipped, “So, tell me…What kind of magic tricks does this ‘diamond’ actually do?” Her giggles continued as she turned back around.
Immediately, Katie stopped laughing. Bright lights began to radiate from all the diamond gemstones — in every jewelry case, throughout the store. The sparkling spectacle soon dwindled down to a soft, steady glow. Katie stood there, mouth gaped and virtually frozen, while her eyes scanned around the room. I called over to her several times, but she remained firmly locked in a stupefied trance.
Katie muttered, “What the f—”
“KATIE,” I yelled. She snapped to attention and stepped towards me, looking almost too scared to even touch me. “I think I’m about to pass out…”
Katie quickly grabbed me before I hit the floor. She helped me to the backroom and laid me down on the couch.
“Shiloh, I—I still think you need an ambulance,” Katie insisted in a low voice, looking nervously at my wounded shoulder.
I reached out for her and accidently grabbed her diamond pendant. I used it to pull her closer.
“No, Katie…I told you what I needed.” My eyes were starting to become heavy. “PLEASE, TRUST ME,” I begged.
Her diamond cast an intense shine while I held it in my hand. Katie noticed it too. Clearly alarmed, she quickly jerked away from me and grabbed the store phone off a nearby desk.
I struggled to pull the amethyst from my pocket. I didn’t know what Katie was going to do, so I gave the stone a tight squeeze and with my last ounce of strength, directed my thoughts to Tanner. The next thing I knew, I felt the tumbled stone release from my hand, and I watched it hit the floor as I helplessly lost all consciousness.
My mind drifted into darkness. Soon, I sensed a soft glowing light through my closed lids, though nothing more notable than a flame from a lonely candle. Someone then swept their hand up and down my face, caressing it gently. I opened my eyes, struggling to adjust them to the dimness of my surroundings. I was lying down on some sort of soft cushion while sheer panels of cloth draped down from the ceiling all around me.
A voice called out to me, “Shiloh…”
My head turned to follow the sound of the voice. To my surprise, I spotted Adamas sitting beside me. He’d called me by my name. I wasn’t a bystander, not this time. The wand’s former owner continued to stroke my face while he directed his words to me. His
touch was comforting, and it warmed my soul. It reminded me of Daddy. Somehow he must have sensed I needed it.
“Shiloh,” Adamas spoke, “the time has come for your journey to begin.”
Awestruck by his presence, I didn’t, nor couldn’t speak.
Adamas continued, “This wand and all of its powers, Shiloh, is your destiny. You must protect it the way I have done throughout the centuries. I know this gift will bring forth many challenges, so be wary little one. The diamond’s powers will keep your body strong and your mind clear. Let your soul guide your decisions, for it will never lead you astray. Many of them will be difficult, for this path you are taking is not a straight one. Every bend will force you to question yourself along the way.”
Adamas then took my hand and squeezed it passionately. The tone in his voice became somewhat grave as he added, “Guard your heart, Shiloh, and be vigilant with it. One day, it will deceive you…and you will be forced to pay a harsh price.”
Adamas leaned over and kissed my forehead, tenderly.
“For now, I leave you with this. Keep the wand safe, and it will do the same for you. Those who seek to claim it will be watching your every move. Know that the painful decisions you will be forced to make are not selfish ones. They never are. You must never think you are making these burdensome choices out of greed, but to protect it…as well as those you love. There is a difference. Far more wonders await you, but understand that the wand itself can only divulge these secrets, when it feels you are prepared and worthy of its trust. Share your thoughts with it and hear its pleas. Never fear them, for they will guide and comfort you along your way. Know that even in your darkest hour, when you feel all hope is lost, it will always seek a way to protect you…The wand will always be watching out for you.”
And with that, he was gone. I may have been alone in the room, but for some strange reason I could still feel his presence within my heart.
Gradually, I roused from my comatose state. My eyes fluttered and finally opened to find Katie hovering over me. She was sitting there, attentively rubbing a rag drenched in salt water over my shoulder. I didn’t even sense the slightest twinge of pain anymore. I looked over to see that not only had she cleansed my wound, but taken out the iron bullet as well. I closed my eyes and smiled. My best friend had trusted me. She had believed me — beyond the realm of reality — and for that I was truly grateful.
Katie tapped my shoulder. “I think it’s all healed. Are you feeling better?”
My eyes panned down my arm. Katie had even wiped the sea-salt & water elixir over the spot where I’d carved out the diamond for Samuel earlier.
“Yeah, it is. Thank you, Katie…Not just for pulling out the bullet and cleansing it…but for believing me.”
“Your welcome,” Katie replied with a heartfelt grin. “You owe me one for digging that thing out,” she added as her body did a quick shake. “That was gross…Seriously!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. She’d always been easily nauseated by the sight of blood. Asking her to remove a bullet must have been more than a stretch. I was strangely curious about what had changed her mind.
“Why did you believe me?”
Katie smiled and stroked a few lingering strands of hair from my face. “I saw it in your eyes,” she replied honestly.
“What? The truth?” I asked as I pushed myself up to a sitting position.
“No. I mean, I saw it for real! These bizarre white streaks started swirling in your eyes…and I freaked. At first, I thought you were having a seizure or something, but then they glowed…like my diamond when you grabbed it, right before you passed out and then well…I just knew,” she announced, beaming the most sincere smile I’d ever seen.
Katie tossed me a shirt. “Here. You can change into this and get rid of that bloody one. You’re lucky I had to pick up my dry cleaning before I came into the shop today.”
“Thanks,” I replied as I whipped off my blood-soaked tee and put on her navy blue button-up shirt.
Katie plopped down on the sofa beside me. “Okay…Now that you’re healed and all cleaned up…Spill it!” She pointed to me and demanded eagerly, “And don’t leave out A THING!”
Just as I’d told Samuel, I revealed every crazy thing that had happened over the past week. Katie was floored. I was actually surprised by how she took it. As chatty as what my BFF normally was, all she could say whenever I’d stop to take a breath was, “Damn”.
When I’d finished, she threw herself back against the sofa and announced, “I’m soooo jealous.”
I let out a laugh. “Jealous? Because I’m a supernatural with powers, or the fact that I’m on two Talisman’s Most-Wanted list?”
“Hell no! I’m jealous because you’ve been gettin’ to run around with that hottie Professor Grey all this week,” she sighed and added, “Damn…”
I shook my head. “Yeah, well…I think there’s more to Professor Grey’s charm than meets the eye. I’ve noticed too many females are quick to fall under his spell.”
Speaking of Tanner Grey…
I searched my pocket for the amethyst, but it wasn’t there. I dug my hands down into the sofa cushions looking for it.
“Katie, have you seen a tumbled purple stone? I think I had it in my hand earlier.”
Katie pointed over to the desk. “It’s over there. You dropped it right before you passed out. It was glowing a couple of times while you were out.”
I cringed at the thought of Tanner receiving the image I’d sent him of me lying on Katie’s parents couch all bloody. I felt even worse knowing I hadn’t returned any of his mental messages because I’d passed out. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind — he was livid. I grabbed it without hesitating. Might as well get this over with.
“What are you doing?” Katie asked.
“I need to contact him,” I answered as I waved the stone in the air.
Katie looked puzzled. “What? On that?”
“Yeah. I can speak to him with it and send him my thoughts.”
“Really? How’s the reception?” Katie quipped.
I jabbed her with my elbow. “Funny,” I laughed dryly. “I’m really dreading this. I’m sure he’s way past furious right about now.”
“Don’t worry about it. Tell him there wasn’t a tower where you were…or better yet, that you went over your minutes,” Katie teased.
My eyes narrowed as I shrugged off her cracks and directed my thoughts to Tanner. I felt the overwhelming need to express a deep feeling of regret as I apologized to him. I let him know I was “okay” and would be heading back to the cave “pronto”. I ended the transmission with another apology. I figured it couldn’t hurt, but I doubted it would help.
Suddenly, the store’s doorbell started buzzing. We both jumped in unison. Seeing how silly we looked, we started laughing uncontrollably. Katie hopped up.
“I put the ‘closed’ sign in the window. It’s probably UPS. The driver called earlier to make sure someone was going to be here to sign for a delivery. It’s an engagement ring that Charlie Fisher ordered. I think he’s going to give it to that waitress, Naomi. I’ll just be a second.”
As Katie headed off to the front of the store, I sat there grinning. I knew there was something going on between those two…
Katie charged back into the room in a huff.
“It’s not UPS! It’s Lazarus! And some creepy, pale guy with long black hair!” Katie blurted frantically.
I sprang to my feet. “SHIT! They have to know I’m here or can at least feel something. That Ferrol guy’s a hunter!”
I looked at the clock on the wall. I’d been here for almost a half-hour. No one saw me leave the guesthouse…Something must have led them here? But what? My energy?
Katie rushed me over to the backdoor.
“Go, Shi!” Katie urged. “I’ve got this. I’ll distract them, so you can get a head start.”
“No, Katie! They’re too dangerous! Lazarus already killed Daddy. Who knows what he’ll do if he finds o
ut that I’ve been here and thinks you’re trying to trick him. NO WAY!”
“Didn’t you say he killed your dad because he saw the rough diamond around his neck?” my BFF posed with a gleam.
I reluctantly nodded back. “Yeah. So?”
“Well, I don’t have a diamond from Adamas…or you. See…I just have this one.” Katie held up the little cut and polished diamond pendant that she’d had for years. “I’ll tell him that we closed up early for the day and go straight home. Simple.”
“NO! I can’t let you do that!” I protested.
Katie put her hand on my cheek and smiled. “You’re not letting me do anything. I’m doing it because I want to help my bosom friend, because I know in my heart…she would do the same for me.” Katie kissed my forehead and pointed to the backdoor. “Now, shut up and get out of here. Just call me later, so I’ll know you’re safe.”
I nodded back as she headed for the front of the store. If she was dead set on helping, I couldn’t let her go out there defenseless.
“Wait,” I called out. “Come here and let me see your diamond.”
“Why?” Katie asked, confused.
“I’m going to try to transfer some of my protection to it. Lazarus will never suspect it, since its didn’t originate from a Talisman.” I took hold of her diamond pendant and closed my eyes.
“Can you do that?” Katie asked.
“Tanner said ‘I shouldn’t do it’, because sometimes they were unpredictable — he never said I couldn’t,” I affirmed confidently. “Hell, I’ve got to at least try.”
“Okay, but hurry up,” Katie pleaded. “The longer I keep them waiting, the more suspicious they’ll be.”
With that, I closed my eyes and focused on my psychic powers of protection and sent them into Katie’s sparkly diamond stone. All I could think about was making sure Lazarus stayed out of her head and keeping her precious soul safe. However I did notice it felt a little different this time. I sensed the diamond being charged and the powers transferring, but the gemstone vibrated in my hand — the others born from my flesh never did that. Once the light had faded, Katie threw me my jacket, gave me a hug, wished me luck, and hurried off to the front of the store.