Chapter 73 The Tarnished Ring

Chapter 73 The Tarnished Ring
By Monday night Shayne was not really any closer to finding the answer to the only question that seemed to matter. Brian had managed to find the broken locket chain fairly easily. He said that it was glowing purple like it was just waiting for him to come along and pick it up.

Shayne, Kevin, and Brian had been holed up around the table as much as possible reading the old journals. Jeffrey had luckily been very focused on converting Grandma Rachel’s office into a nursery for Baby Bean. He had been so fired up about some of the things he learned and saw at the expo, he hadn’t really had much time to pay attention to what the others were doing.

Jeffrey had barred Shayne from entering the new nursery because he wanted to surprise her. She had been curious about what he was doing but she honored his wishes and gave him his space. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she had already caught glimpses of it, in her vision of putting the crib together alone. Instead she watched appreciatively as he lugged arm loads of wood and buckets up the stairs and listened to him whistle happily as he worked.

By dinner time Jamie had begun to complain about the copious amounts of books piled on the kitchen table. She noticed that something has changed in Jamie and she didn't think it was for the better. He was no longer charming or funny. He spent most of his time being grouchy or surly. He didn’t spend time hanging out with them much anymore. He seemed to always be at work, with Shawna or alone in his room. If Shayne didn't have more important matters to be concerned about, she might have been worried about him.

After dinner, Jeffrey kissed her on top of the head and apologized for being so preoccupied with the nursery. Shayne hugged him tightly and told him she understood. He was just about to leave the room and return to his painting when he pointed to the large stack of journals.

“Is there something in particular that you are looking for?” Jeffrey said with a dismissive shrug.

“Kevin and Brian are helping me to look for information on the other pieces of jewelry that my grandmother had. We became curious about what they did, but decided we didn't think it would be a good idea for me to be randomly trying them on.” She lied.

Shayne felt bad for lying to Jeffrey. She didn't want there to be any secrets between them. But she was running out of time. In just a few days, he was going to die, and she didn't have the heart to tell him. Instead, she rather he focus his last bit of time on something that he loved. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes hoping he didn't notice that she wasn't being honest.

“I agree,” Jeffrey said. “I prefer you don't randomly acquire powers until you know what they are.” She could feel a bit of concern coming from him.

“I'll be careful she said. It's one of the reasons that we're doing all this research. I'll let you know if we find anything.”

“Well if you need me, I'll be in the nursery. But no peeking, though!” He said with a huge smile on his face as he headed to the stairs.

Shayne hated this. She hated the secrets. She despised the lies, and being apart from him was painful. She couldn’t help but think about the calendar. She was down to three days before the date of the obituary. She refused to let herself cry again. Instead she opened the next book in the stack.

Shayne heard Jeffrey pause on the bottom step. She heard his footsteps as he returned to the dining room. “I was thinking, didn’t you once tell me that you were able to summon a lost key for the safety deposit box? Would it be possible to do the same for the information that you need?” he asked with a shrug.

“Thank you!” She said as she lightly slapped herself on the forehead. Shayne felt like a complete idiot for not thinking of that herself.

“I’ll try that in just a minute. You are a genius!” She praised him as she waved him out of the room.

As soon as she heard Jeffrey enter the nursery and close the door behind him, she turned to Brian and Kevin. “I can’t swear this will work, but I think it’s worth a try.” She said sheepishly.

“I say we try it. My eyes are crossing from reading all these tiny words.” Brian grumbled as he held up the journal he was working on.
Kevin chuckled. “Are you sure it’s the books making you tired and not all the late-night emails and secret phone calls?” Kevin teased Brian.

“Hush,” Brian snapped and shot Shayne a look. “What do you need from us?”

“I suggest you hold on to something.” Shayne said.

Both Kevin and Brian grabbed the edge of the table. Shayne took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“Wait!” Brian said. Shayne looked at him surprised. “I think you should hold the locket and chain.”

Shayne nodded her head and took the pieces from her pocket and placed them in her hand. “Do you really think it will matter?”

“I do,” Kevin said. “I know you think the magic comes from your grandmother’s jewels, but I think it comes from you. I think the jewelry only helps to enhance and let you control what is already inside.” Kevin explained.

“I’m glad you have faith in me,” Shayne said as she clutched the locket in her hand. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She began to focus on the locket and her need to save Jeffrey’s life.

She suddenly felt like her whole body was on fire. She opened her eyes as the metal of the locket burned her palm. The pain compelled her to release it but she held it with all her might. She felt the braided ring begin to burn her skin but she did not relent.

Shayne focused every ounce of her strength and power into the locket. The entire room glowed in an eerie purple light as she began to lose consciousness. She thought she heard her grandmother call her name as the world faded away.