The Guardians of the Relic
Chapter 13

For the next month Emily spent a great deal of time at the antique shop. It wasn’t that she was afraid of spending her nights at home alone; she just had a lot of questions that needed answers. Izdel was always more than happy to oblige and she enjoyed his company. Glohone also engaged with her now and then, but she could tell his mind was elsewhere. One night she asked Izdel about it.

“He is worried about Athena,” said Izdel.

“But why? Isn’t she evil?” Instead of a chair, she sat on a cushion on the floor next to him. They sat in a room at the back of the shop. It was small, but cozy.

Izdel shook his head. “No, she isn’t evil. She’s just gone astray,” he sighed. “She and her sister were once our dear friends.” He sounded disheartened. “Glohone became attached to her. He doesn’t like to admit it, but he has fallen in love with her.”

“I didn’t know wizards fell in love,” she said curiously.

“It is very rare. Of course we are always advised against it, especially with humans.”

“Why?”

Izdel didn’t say anything. She waited. Finally he said, “It’s complicated.”

Emily felt sorry for Glohone. “So have you ever fallen for anyone?”

“Yes, I certainly have.”

Surprised, she asked, “Oh, who?”

“Well, you of course, pretty lady,” he said and nudged her. She laughed. She stopped when Erhan came into the room. He had a concerned look on his face. Izdel got up immediately.

“There has been an incident,” said Erhan. His eyes moved from Izdel’s face to hers. “I think you should go home now. Glohone will escort you and make sure you are safe.”

Startled, she scanned both of their faces. Izdel put a hand on her shoulder. “Please Emily, do as he says.”

She shrugged off his hand. “No. I will not leave. I am as much a part of this now as you are. I have a right to know what’s going on.”

Erhan and Izdel exchanged a look. Erhan finally nodded. “Come with us,” he said.

Alastair was talking to Glohone when they walked in. When he saw her he just sighed. “So what do we know so far Erhan?” he asked.

“The victim was a young man, a rookie cop. He just started the job a few weeks ago.”

Victim? People were being murdered? Emily felt a chill run up her spine.

“What was the cause of death?” asked Alastair.

Erhan hesitated. Alastair moved towards him. “It is her choice to be here. Speak freely.”

“His body was found in two halves just outside town. Police are confused as to what happened. They found no murder weapon.” Erhan looked truly pained at the news.

Alastair covered his face with his hand. She could see the fine lines on his face crease. When he lowered his hands again she could feel his anger which radiated through the room. “Is it him? Are you sure?”

“Yes my Lord. It is him”

Alkron. They didn’t even say his name. She guessed they didn’t have to. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach.

“But why now? He risks exposure,” said Izdel.

“He grows impatient. Restless. However, it means he is no closer to replaceing the pendant than before,” said Alastair.

“This is the second incident where he lost control,” said Erhan. Glohone began pacing. The tension in the room was mounting.

“Second incident?” she asked, her voice shocked.

Erhan took off his glasses. His eyes said it all. Emily sensed he didn’t want to say anything. He lowered his head. “The first incident was at the annual parade.” He made eye contact with her briefly. “Not far from the gallery.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Oh god, Michael. “My brother,” was all she managed to say.

“He is fine Emily,” said Izdel. Instantly she felt relieved. She then realized that she hadn’t spoken to him in a long time. Too long.

“The victim was a young woman. Police say she was strangled because they could replace no other explanation for her death.”

There was a momentary silence in the room. Everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. Emily thought of her meeting with the sheriff. The murder was probably the reason he had been so spooked that day. Elgin was a quiet town, and murders were almost never heard of. Her parent’s death was the last ‘big incident’ to rock the town. The sound of Alastair’s voice suddenly broke her line of thought.

“We must move fast. We cannot allow this to happen again. Erhan, what is the latest on Athena?”

“Zugast is handling it. She hasn’t left her apartment in days,” said Erhan.

“But that doesn’t make any sense,” said Izdel. He was leaning against a wall in the corner of the room. Emily sat at the table next to him.

Erhan shrugged. “That was his last report.”

“So it means she didn’t have anything to do with tonight’s murder,” said Glohone and looked at Alastair.

“Yes, it seems that way,” said Alastair as he rubbed his chin.

“So what’s the plan?” asked Emily. Alastair just stared at her. She wondered what was going through his mind.

After a minute he said, “You have heard what you wanted to hear Emily. We will take care of everything. You don’t need to worry. Please go home now.”

“But I…”

“I will not ask you again,” he raised his voice this time.

Emily jolted at his tone. The room seemed to echo his words. She dared not protest when she looked into his eyes again. She got up slowly. He turned away so only his back faced her. “Glohone will escort you,” he said. Irritated, she didn’t say a word.

Glohone left her right at the door of her apartment. She thanked him kindly. He was quite the gentlemen. She thought about asking him more about Athena, but then decided against it. It would only upset him. According to Izdel his temper wasn’t any better than Alastair’s. She thought of the way he had told her to leave. It was cold. She didn’t know why, but she felt hurt by it. She really wanted to help. People were getting killed. Surely there was something she could do.

Emily got into her pajamas and made herself comfortable on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. She switched on the TV. The murder was all over the news. She watched intently and took a sip. A picture of the dead police officer appeared on the screen. She gasped and dropped the cup on the floor. The hot chocolate spilled all over her white rug. She just stared at the screen. It was the skinny cop she had met at the station when she went to see the sheriff. She didn’t know him, but he was young and innocent. Now he was dead. She felt terrible. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door and she jumped up. Scared, she didn’t move. Again a knock.

“Who is it?” she asked nervously.

“Emily, thank God. Open the door, will you?”

When she opened the door Jessica grabbed her instantly. She hugged her so tightly she couldn’t breathe. When she finally let go she punched her shoulder. “Where the hell have you been? I have been worried sick about you.”

Emily didn’t say a word. Jessica studied her face. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks,” Emily said sarcastically.

Jessica looked past her at the spilled hot chocolate on the floor. “Emily, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Why haven’t you answered any of my calls or messages? Every time I stop by here you’re never home.” Jessica walked in, picked up the cup carefully, and placed it in the kitchen sink.

“Sorry, I’ve been a little pre-occupied lately.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.

Jessica folded her arms. “Occupied with what exactly?” She gave her the look. Emily knew that look. Jessica had always been very intuitive, even when they were teenagers. It was probably what had made her a great lawyer. She always picked up on the little things.

Emily avoided eye contact and looked down at her rug. “Just work stuff. That’s definitely gonna leave a stain.”

“Stop avoiding the question. What’s going on? Is it Jason?”

“No, Jason and I are fine.” She made a mental note that she really needed to spend more time with him. “Nothing is going on, Jess, really. It’s just work stuff.”

She didn’t say anything else, but she didn’t look convinced, either. Emily turned the volume up on the TV. Jessica’s eyes shifted to the screen. “It’s just terrible what happened to him. I thought Elgin was a safe place.”

“Yeah, me too,” said Emily as she stared at the screen.

Jessica plonked herself right next to her on the couch. “Scoot over.” Emily moved a little to the other side of the couch. They both watched the news in silence.

“Who do you think did such a thing? I mean the way he was killed, it’s really brutal,” said Jessica.

Emily didn’t look at her. “I don’t know. Maybe it was just an accident.”

Jessica turned to face her. “An accident? A cop’s body is found in two pieces and you think it’s an accident?” She raised her eyebrows at her.

Emily shrugged. “I’m just saying it could be an accident. The police don’t have any leads or evidence.”

Jessica said nothing. Emily nudged her shoulder. “I know you want to say something. Just say it.”

“Well, this wasn’t the only incident. Maybe the two murders are linked.”

Emily sighed. She was treading on dangerous ground here. She had to change the topic. Jessica could be really persistent when she got hold of something.

“Maybe. So how’s your new place?”

Jessica’s face changed instantly. “Oh it’s great. I love it already, although I’m still at a loss about what I really want to do with my life.” She pouted. “Any ideas?”

“No clue,” said Emily.

“Thanks for the support, bestie.” She grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at her. Emily caught it and laughed.

“I didn’t mean it like that Jess. I am sure it will all be okay.”

Jessica smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. Did you know I’m still getting cases from my old office?”

Emily raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yep. They want me to come back. Plus my mom got me a job working at Elgin’s Court House.” She rolled her eyes.

Emily shook her head. Their persistence was amazing. Parents were like that sometimes. She wondered what her parents would have thought about her choice of careers.

“Are you going to take it?” asked Emily.

Jessica looked at her like she was crazy. “Well, of course not.” She yawned and stretched a little.

“Jess, why don’t you sleep over tonight? It’s late anyway. It will be like old times.”

“Sure Ems.”

Emily felt relieved. She really didn’t want to be alone.