Bloodstone Page 17

  An overwhelming desire forced me to paint intricate leaves, debris, and mud, in an elaborate jigsaw puzzle of art. I painted trees and ferns, leaves and grass, rocks, and horses. In the centre of the canvas, I painted a lone person standing and looking lost. Her expressionless face stared at me as if she was in a trance. The girl could have just stepped out of bed, dressed in her pyjamas but ready to go for a walk in the woods.

  I carried on painting like a demon possessed. My brush strokes increased and became more deliberate. The ticking sound of the clock above the teacher’s desk magnified and echoed. Trickles of perspiration formed on my forehead. I wiped the sweat on my shirt and glanced at the clock once again. It was already twelve o’clock. Time was running out. I’d almost finished the piece, and my hands were shaking. One last stroke and I’d be finished. Done.

  A tiny whisper sounded in my ear. I knew it was the brushes congratulating me for a job well done. The pots released a gentle note, an almost flat coca cola fizz pop, expressing their delighted opinion. I smiled in relief and closed the lids. The silence was welcome.

  At lunch, I felt exhausted but exhilarated. Jade was the first to mention my manic painting. ‘Amelina, what’d you do, that was crazy. I’ve never seen you paint like that before. You’re drenched with sweat. No offence, but you look like you need a shower.’ Jade stepped back as if my unpleasant fragrance made her gag.

  ‘Thanks. A shower would be good. I can’t stop sweating.’ I mopped my forehead with a sodden tissue. ‘I don’t know what’s happening.’

  ‘What d’you mean?’ asked Ilaria.

  ‘It’s weird, and I don’t know for sure. The brushes, and paints, that, um… my aunt gave me are so peculiar. They give me this jolt of energy. It was strange, but I ended up painting a jigsaw puzzle. How weird! A jigsaw of art, but the pieces make little sense to me.’

  ‘Couldn’t agree more,’ said Ilaria with a giggle.

  ‘Amelina, what are you on? Oh, my God, your hands are trembling, and your eyes are as wide as oversized teacups.’ Joselyn grabbed my hands, trying to still them.

  ‘Too much of this,’ I replied, picking up my energy drink and taking a long drink from the can.

  ‘Yeah, I can see that. You’re totally charged. Are you sure you’re okay?’ added Joselyn, her concerned eyes searching for a clue to my current state.

  ‘I think so,’ I said, feeling anything but.

  The class returned to finish the exam. I wasn’t sure what to do. I fiddled around, pretending I was adding final touches. But it was all an act. At the end of the test, everybody huddled around my painting, looking to see what I had created. Nobody said a word. Perhaps the jigsaw painting had stolen their unspoken words and slotted them away.

  Puzzle Piece 28:

  Leanne’s Warning

  Time to understand,

  Leanne’s elaborate words,

  Whilst in the middle,

  Of life’s thunderous pathway,

  Guard those precious wizard stones.

  After the stress of the exam, I knew the perfect antidote to my adrenalin-charged day had to be the Crystal Cottage. So I returned home for a shower and a quick change of clothes.

  I rushed out of the house, and as I walked down the river pathway, a sense of calm enveloped me. I struggled to contain my excitement at visiting the cottage once again. Just as before, the cottage rose out of the ground with an enormous roar. The welcome mat shone, free from dust, and the cottage windows gleamed, anticipating my long overdue arrival.

  I knocked and waited to enter. The door creaked open. I took that as my invitation to slip through the opening and breezed inside. As before, my eyes searched out the sparkling crystals, and for a moment I almost forgot why I’d come. I stood motionless, in awe of the surrounding beauty.

  In the corner, I spotted Leanne unpacking new stones that must have recently arrived. As I watched Leanne at work, the crystals freed themselves from her protective hands. They flew across the room, whizzing, creating a trailing rainbow of spectacular light and sound. In no time at all, they found their allotted places, embedding themselves with ease in the walls.

  At last, I drew my eyes away from this amazing sight. I turned to face Leanne. ‘I need to speak to you.’

  ‘What can I help you with?’ replied Leanne in a dream-like voice.

  ‘Recently things have been happening that are beyond my usual level of acceptable peculiarity. I wondered if you could help.’

  Leanne’s eyes widened, and she nodded her head. I explained about how my new paint set seemed to have a mind and purpose all of its own. I described the strange events that had happened since I used my aunt’s gift. She listened but made no comment.

  I stomped my foot and thought I would burst with frustration at her lack of response. ‘Leanne, what shall I do?’

  ‘Embrace these events.’ Cupping her hands together, fingertips touching, Leanne rocked on her heels. She turned back to her unpacking duties.

  ‘Whatever do you mean?’ I wailed, shocked at her response.

  ‘This is happening for a reason. You must not be fearful, Amelina. Welcome all that’s happening, and the truth of who you are will dawn on you.’

  The room was quiet except for the rustling of paper as Leanne unwrapped the remaining crystals. I listened but was unsure what to do next. I walked over to the wall of gems, ensnared once again in the magical beauty they exuded. Three crystals twinkled more brightly than the rest and caught my eye. I carefully removed the Black Obsidian, the Bloodstone, and the Merlinite and weighed each gem in the palm of my hand. An aura of light burst from the stones and encircled me. Each crystal’s field of energy exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour and joined together, forming a solid beam of brilliant intensity. I felt an invisible energy force rush through me, shooting all the way into my fingers. I glanced down, and my fingertips were glowing the brightest pink I had ever seen.

  I had never felt such raw power. I could tell something beyond my comprehension was taking place. I staggered back, filled with wonder, and my mouth dropped open. The experience made me feel complete, as if something elemental had been missing from my life all this time, until now. I had no doubt these crystals were the perfect choice to give me the answers I sought.

  I stumbled over to Leanne, who winced from the brightness of my aura. I gently handed her the gems. She inclined her head and pondered over my selection. ‘Interesting… such a choice of crystals, Amelina. I’m sure these gems will set you on the right path towards discovery.’

  The patter of rain punctuated by rumbles of thunder interrupted my thoughts. The cottage darkened, highlighted only by flashes of lightning. The crystals lining the cottage walls shrank into their protective spaces, their colours dull, seeming to hide from the suddenly approaching storm.

  Leanne’s face darkened, mirroring the impending storm. She paused under the boom of thunder. ‘You must take extra care with these stones, for all three hold immense power. Guard the Wizard Stones, the Black Obsidian, and the Merlinite. Keep them safe, and remember, the power they may unleash could overwhelm you.’

  The luminosity surrounding me swirled and intensified. I swallowed and asked my question carefully. ‘How?’

  Leanne peered at me from the darkness. ‘These are Wizard Stones. She pointed to the gems still cupped in my hand. Used without care they can drive you mad, make you hallucinate, or even provoke seizures.’ Her forehead creased and her eyes blinked as the lightning flashed through the windows. ‘You must protect them from damage, taking particular care to avoid scratches, blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperature. Don’t forget to cleanse the Bloodstone if it comes in contact with anyone else.’

  ‘What happens if I don’t follow your instructions?’

  Leanne leaned in close to my face and whispered, ‘The crystals will become impure, open to evil manipulations, wielded by darkness and used by black-hearted, devious souls.’

  I whispered back a scared, ‘I promise.’

  ‘A pr
omise is more than words spoken,’ replied Leanne, a serious expression shadowing her gentle face. Her anxious eyes darted around, searching every nook and cranny of the cottage. I felt a chill in the air and wondered what she was searching for. ‘In the Middle Ages, the Bloodstone’s special powers were legendary. The stone is a powerful cleanser, a binding force in family love, and a powerful tool in weather magic,’ she whispered.

  I blinked. ‘A binding force in family love. A cleanser. Does that mean I should use it to heal my dad from the curse?’

  ‘Perhaps. However, only you can discover whether that will be the case.’

  After her last words, the fury of the storm subsided, and rays of sunlight trickled through the windows. The crystals relaxed their tight grip on the walls and resumed their natural appearance stuck to the walls.

  Leanne stood rooted to the spot. She stared at me with eyes focused on something far away as if she was unaware of the change in the atmosphere. Drawing breath, she continued. ‘The Merlinite is a conjurer’s stone; a spiritual stone that allows one to journey into past lives. Placed under your pillow at night, it can transport you to Arthurian times.’

  My heart thudded in my chest and my breath caught in my throat. ‘Arthurian times? You’re kidding, aren’t you? Next thing you’ll be telling me the crystals can turn into a Tardis.’

  ‘A time machine? Hmmm, that would be interesting. Unheard of, but with magic, nothing is impossible. I never jest, dear Amelina. You will see. I only speak the truth. Believe in the crystal’s power, and they will take you places you have never imagined.’

  Leanne continued to stare straight ahead, her gaze transfixed and unwavering on a spot in the distance. Her words tumbled out. ‘The Black Obsidian hails from volcanic rock and is a source of a different power. It is a Wizard’s Stone, a traveller’s stone by night and is also called the Stone of Truth. When you gaze into the gem, our true nature cannot be hidden. Due to its extreme powers, the crystal must be used with extreme caution and respect.’

  Leanne swayed. The effort of surrendering so much information had visibly drained her face of all colour. I moved to help her. Her trembling hand pointed towards a pocket on her long skirt. I reached inside and found a sugar pastille. I ripped off the wrapping and passed it to her. The sugar revived her in seconds. I let out the breath I had been holding, worrying about the elderly woman’s mental status.

  Leanne’s hands shook as she returned the crystals to my outstretched hands. The aura had ceased, and the gems were back to their natural state. ‘Amelina, beware the river pathway, as many shadowed souls pass by the area.’ The old woman walked away and returned to her unpacking.

  My time with Leanne had come to an end. Clutching the crystals close to my heart, I left the Cottage with a heavy heart. I knew I would have the wisdom to use them wisely. I had no other choice. I had listened to each of Leanne’s wise words, spoken in great detail. I had to find the strength to become the rightful guardian of these powerful crystals. As usual, my body felt heavy, and my movements were weighed down by the overwhelming responsibility that fell on my shoulders. Would I remember each detail of Leanne’s instructions?

  My next problem was that today happened to be the day Ryder had asked to get together with me, but I had the crystals in my possession. I didn’t know what to do, and I had to figure out a plan, fast.

  Puzzle Piece 29:

  Ryder’s Shadow Is Angry

  I hoped for a kiss,

  Have a bad feeling, somehow,

  I’m a known psychic,

  Anxiety’s bubbling up,

  Making it all seem much worse.

  Ryder didn’t sound pleased when I called to tell him I’d be late. I had rushed home the long way avoiding the Riverwalk like Leanne had suggested. I wanted to lock the crystals away. By the time I arrived at the riverbank, I was a good half an hour late. Ryder’s grim face matched his fiery, unapproachable eyes. The sunny day had turned, and long shadows lingered everywhere I looked.

  ‘Sorry I’m late, Ryder, I had something important I had to take care of.’

  ‘I’m sure you did,’ answered Ryder with a stony expression. I lowered my eyes and wondered why he was overreacting. I was only half an hour late, and I had apologised.

  I kicked a pebble on the path with my foot. ‘I’m sorry. Shall we take a walk down the river?’

  ‘Yeah, right. If you have the time,’ said Ryder, taking long strides, marching in the other direction. His shadow stretched behind him, taut like an elastic band, struggling to catch up with him.

  ‘I can’t keep up, Ryder, you’re walking too fast,’ I said, breathing hard like I was power walking in an enforced military drill.

  ‘Sorry.’ Ryder slowed down and in no time, I reached his side. We walked together, stepping in time to some strange dance.

  At last, he broke the silence and asked, ‘How did your exam go?’

  ‘It was stressful,’ I confessed, still panting. Not as stressful as you, though.

  ‘Oh. What did you paint?’ Ryder relaxed and slowed down even more, which gave me the chance to catch my breath.

  ‘I painted a weird scene. It wasn’t what I had planned at all.’

  ‘Sometimes it’s better that way.’

  Today, Ryder’s vibrant eyes were dull and empty. His words sounded forced, and apart from asking about my exam, he spoke little. For the rest of our time together, he sulked. We stopped at the country park for an ice-cream, and we ate in silence. As the afternoon wore on, long shadows cast on the ground by the filtered sunlight hid behind the trees. The light and dark shaded lines reminded me of uncertainty, and I shrank from their appearance.

  To my great surprise, Ryder turned and said, ‘Amelina, give us a kiss.’

  No boy had ever asked before. Usually, boys grabbed me and stole a kiss. But this was different, and because of his asking, it made me more anxious. Ryder was taller, so after a moment of thinking, I stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. He clutched the small of my back, carving his body into mine, as he pressed his lips hard against my mouth. The kiss left me breathless. My knees went weak, and I felt giddy. There was a fierceness about this kiss, and it frightened me. I couldn’t explain why, but it felt like an angry kiss stolen for the wrong reason.

  I gasped for air and we parted. Ryder remained silent, but I saw a cruel curl to his lip that I’d never noticed before. I sensed there was something dangerous about Ryder, undiscovered and unexplained. I shivered, and a jolt of excitement surged through me. I had to admit that against my better judgment, I found Ryder to be exciting.

  I blamed myself for this whole mess. It was true that I’d managed to get Ryder all to myself, and then I’d spoiled it. I should have gone to the Crystal Cottage on another day. I should have known better than to mix the two together in one day only hours apart. Right now, I despised myself.

  Yes, it was true that I’d had my kiss, but instead of a passionate embrace, it had felt like a slap in the face. I closed my eyes as I felt that kiss tingle beyond my lips. A haunting sensation remained, urging me to plead for it to never leave me.

  Puzzle Piece 30:

  The Devilish Embrace

  I wanted a kiss,

  Sometimes you should be careful,

  About cute wishes,

  Crazy tattoos invading,

  Isn’t really what you need.

  The outing in the country park with Ryder had been a disaster, and apart from the strange aftermath of the kiss and the sensations that followed, nothing good had resulted from our tryst. Yet, I tried to rationalise it. The kiss had expressed his hidden anger, so it wasn’t surprising that apprehension gnawed at my heart when Ryder turned up at my door the very next day.

  The clamour from the bell startled me, and I peered out of the window from the top floor landing. No invitation, yet there was Ryder, standing and looking at the door. I didn’t answer straight away. He rang the bell again. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him again, so I continued to ignore him. At this sli
ght, the knocking began. I listened for a few more minutes, and the thought crossed my mind that perhaps he intended to apologise for his behaviour.

  I sighed and traipsed downstairs to see what his story would be. As I passed the hall mirror, I caught sight of Esme peering out at me with curiosity shining in her eyes. I opened the door, and Ryder’s warm smile greeted me. Shadow brushed past my legs and sat down between the two of us. His black tail curled around his body. Ryder’s face fell at the sight of the cat.

  From inside the house, I heard Esme gasp. I ignored her, and with a flip of my hair, I sized Ryder up. ‘What’s up?’ I asked, trying to act cool. Esme’s antics were making me nervous.

  ‘I came to see you, Amelina. Felt I’ve neglected you. Besides, I’ve been an idiot.’ Ryder had the decency to glance down at his guilty feet before looking up.

  Anger churned in my gut, and I gazed at Ryder’s face. ‘I can’t figure you, Ryder. You keep on playing with my emotions and then flirting with Jade or disappearing to do homework with Emily. How do you expect me to feel?’

  ‘Jade and Emily are gorgeous, but they’re not you, Amelina.’ He reached over and brushed a loose hair away from my face. His fingertip traced a line down my cheek to my chin and neck. It was almost imperceptible, the gentlest of caresses, yet it lingered there long after his hand had left my face. My heart thumped, and I feared he could hear my rapid heartbeat. Shadow circled around my feet determined to provide a protective barrier between Ryder and me.

  ‘Forgive me for being an idiot. I’m sorry I behaved in such a miserable way the last time I saw you. I behaved badly. I’m a wretch.’

  ‘You said it.’ I stood my ground, and Ryder sensed my anger. I could see it on his face.