Moonstone Page 4

  She paused, and her face tightened. "He always had plenty of money but he didn't like me asking about it. God, I was such a stupid kid. I loved Purdy. I thought he loved me.

  "So he dumped you?

  "Oh, yeah, he dumped me. When his family found out I was pregnant, they threatened to cut him off. He suddenly decided he wasn't ready to be a father. I went into labor the next day.

  "You could have asked for child support," I protested. "Maybe you still can.

  She released my hand. "I knew you'd say that. Listen to me, Allie. We're not going to ask him for money. His family tried to pay me off. I told them I'd never take a penny from them.

  I stared at my mother, speechless. I'd invested so much time being mad at her and mad at the way we lived, it never occurred to me she had a backbone. Granted, it had crumbled a bit over the years. But at seventeen and pregnant with no money and no hope, she'd kicked my father and his wealthy family to the curb. Pretty impressive.

  I swiped at a stray lock of hair and chose my words carefully. "Has he ever tried to contact you?" The rest of the sentence"and ask about me?" remained unspoken.

  "No." Her lip curled in disgust. "Not once.

  I studied the photo again. "Maybe he doesn't know where to find us," I said, still clinging to my dream of a fatherdaughter reunion.

  "You're hopeless, girl." Faye shook her head in mock despair. "Hey, enough about Purdy. Now it's your turn. How did you make that pen move?

  "Oh, that." I stood and stretched as if I didn't have a care in the world then plopped down and sat cross-legged on the spool table. "Promise not to freak out?

  Faye rolled her eyes.

  I took a big breath, blew it out and began. "Remember when Blaster ran backward?

  She nodded.

  "That's when it started. Kizzy thinks my third eye opened when I hit the electric fence and...

  I spilled my guts. The telekinetic power, the flying glass, the incident with Deputy Philpott. The whole thing.

  Faye listened intently. "You can really move things with your mind? Show me!

  "I can't do it on command. It has to be a desperate situation." Something glittered in Faye's eyes. Something crafty and sly. "Come on, Allie, give it a try.

  She pointed at the hose lying next to the trailer. "See if you can move that hose. Should be a piece of cake. After all, you made a bull run backward.

  I pressed my lips together and acted like I was trying to move the hose, stalling for time while I tried to figure out Faye's agenda. I was pretty sure she had one.

  Right on cue, the following scenario popped up in living color and played out in my head like a movie: Faye, fascinated with the prospect of easy money, forcing me into a life of crime. Twenty dollar bills flying out of cash drawers. Faye and I on the run, pulling our house behind us.

  Crazy thoughts. Totally illogical. Come on! Would the woman who refused to take one thin dime from my father's family use her daughter for personal gain? No way! But then again, life had smacked Faye right between the eyes. I desperately wanted to trust my mother but couldn't shake the feeling I'd made a terrible mistake.

  Thank God the hose didn't budge. Not even a tiny slither.

  "Told you I couldn't do it. Super powers are not to be taken lightly." I tried to sound all snotty and superior, like Mrs. Burke when she chews us out for goofing around in class.

  "Maybe something smaller," Faye said.

  When her gaze fell on the photograph, I began to babble in an effort to distract her. A torrent of words raced down the fast track from my brain straight to my flapping tongue without benefit of thought. Somewhere in that rambling conversation I must have mentioned the moonstone. Faye's eyes widened in surprise.

  "Did she give it to you? Where is it?

  "Under the couch," I mumbled.

  "Go get it!

  I trudged into the trailer hoping I wouldn't fall into the giant hole I'd just dug. Granted, I had no clue how the moonstone worked. I'd let Faye look it over, get it out of her system then tuck it away again.

  I lifted up the couch and retrieved the sock holding the moonstone pendant. My stomach did a strange little flip when I held it in my hand. It was warm to the touch, like it was alive. I could feel it through the sock. Too creepy!

  I set it in Faye's lap. She removed the pendant from the sock and set it in the palm of her hand.

  "Weird how it feels warm, huh?" I watched her face.

  Faye's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What are you talking about? It's cold as ice.

  I shrugged, not wanting to acknowledge the obvious. It only felt warm to me.

  She rubbed a finger across the moonstone. It caught the sun's reflection and flashed with rainbow sky fire. "Interesting setting." Faye pointed at the strange markings engraved in the heavy sterling silver that encircled the moonstone. "Looks like a pattern. What do you think it means?

  Faye thrust the moonstone toward me. I recoiled slightly but forced myself to look at it. Really look at it. She was right. There was a pattern. Three etched stars followed by three vertical, squiggly lines that looked like tiny serpents. Each set of symbols appeared three times.

  "No clue," I said. "Probably doesn't mean anything.

  "Sure it does," my mother said. "Otherwise it wouldn't be magic.

  She began to fiddle with the moonstone, examining the back, running her finger around the edge.

  It bothered me that my mother was so willing to suspend belief and leap into the wonderful world of magic. She needed a reality check. Maybe we both did.

  "Kizzy's mother had some bad things happen to her. She had to blame something, so she blamed it on the moonstone. It's just a hunk of rock, Faye, not magic.

  Faye looked up at me and grinned. "A hunk of rock that moves.

  She held the pendant by its chain and extended her arm. The moonstone swayed back and forth in the space between us.

  "What?" My head moved to and fro, following its arc. The strange shimmer of light on the round stone was perfectly aligned with the three stars directly above it.

  "Now, watch this." Faye's fingers closed around the stone. She turned it clockwise in its setting. I heard a faint click. "The stone not only moves to a new position, the light moves with it. Weird, huh?

  She was right. The light now pointed at the squiggly lines instead of the stars. My mind searched for a logical explanation. "Maybe it opens," I said. "You know, like a locket.

  "It doesn't. I tried.

  Before I had time to react, she slipped the pendant over my head. "You should be wearing it.

  "Yeah, yeah." I knew it was useless to argue. Besides, how lame was it to be afraid of jewelry? I slipped the pendant inside my shirt and felt its warmth pressing against my heart.

  "Time for lunch," I said.

  I stood, my mind now focused on my growling stomach. Suddenly, the ground under my feet shifted as if the world decided to change its orbit. I threw out my arms and yelped in surprise. The sensation was like stepping on a board thinking it's solid, but then it moves and a little thrill of fear shoots through your body as you try to regain your balance. Exactly like that.

  Faye rose to a half crouch. "Allie! What's wrong? You're white as a sheet.

  "I'm okay," I said. "Just hungry.

  On wobbly legs, I moved toward the trailer. I was fairly certain what had caused my Tilt-A-Whirl moment. But I needed to get out from under Faye's curious gaze. I stepped onto the cement blocks and into the trailer, my fingers reaching for the moonstone. I sat on the couch and carefully turned the stone counterclockwise one click. My world returned to normal.

  Since I wanted to keep it that way, I knew what I had to do.

  Chapter Six

  "Allie." Kizzy voice was muffled as she peered through the peephole in her front door. I couldn't blame her for being cautious. After jogging the three miles that separated our homes in record time, I'd charged through the gate, raced up the stairs and pounded on the door with a closed fist.

  The door swung op
en. Kizzy's hand shot out, grabbed my wrist and yanked me into the hallway. I leaned forward and rested my hands on my knees, gulping in air like an oxygenstarved guppy. A sweat-soaked lock of hair fell across my face. Kizzy brushed it back and tucked it behind my ear. "What's happened? Is your mother all right? Do you want some lemonade?"

  "No lemonade," I gasped, pulling the pendant out from under my shirt. "I'm giving it back. I'm just a kid, Kizzy. I'm not up for this."

  Kizzy glanced nervously over her shoulder toward the kitchen and put a finger to her lips. She led me into the living room and pointed me toward a chair. "My daughter's here. Not a good time to discuss the moonstone."

  "Okay, fine," I said, rising. "I'll give you back the moonstone and get out of here.

  Kizzy shoved me back into the chair, leaned close and whispered, "Did something happen? With the moonstone, I mean?

  I told her about Faye moving the stone to a new position and the sickening lurch as my world turned topsy-turvy.

  When I finished, she said, "You can't give it back. It says so in the prophecy.

  "Prophecy? What prophecy? You mean it comes with instructions, like a magic moonstone manual?

  My voice had risen to a screech. I knew I was being snotty but the words just kept pouring out. "Where is this stupid prophecy? What does it say? Why didn't you tell me about it on Thursday?

  Kizzy gripped my arm. "Keep your voice down, Allie. I don't want Carmel to hear.

  "Why?

  Kizzy tucked the moonstone back inside my shirt with shaking hands. "It's complicated. Come back when she's gone and I'll answer your questions.

  I folded my arms across my chest. "Tell me now.

  Once again Kizzy's gaze darted toward the back of the house. She bit her lip and pointed toward the front door. "Veranda.

  I followed her outside and leaned against the railing. Kizzy settled into a wicker chair.

  "If Carmel wants the moonstone, she can have it," I said. "After all, she is your daughter.

  Kizzy shook her head. Worry lines furrowed her forehead. She plucked at a loose thread in her skirt. "Before my mother died, she was drifting in and out of consciousness. Her last words were, 'The moonstone prophecy ... you're meant to have it ... so sorry.

  I stared at Kizzy, mouth agape, trying to figure out where I fit in this strange scenario.

  "At the time, I thought it was nonsense, the babbling of a dying woman," Kizzy said. She pointed up at the tall gabled roof. "I boxed up her things and stored them in the attic. After all, the moonstone was gone.

  My fingers flew to the moonstone. I could feel its heat through my shirt.

  "Mother wanted it out of the house. She gave it to Trilby, her housekeeper's daughter.

  "Trilby?" I repeated. Could this be my Trilby? "What happened to Trilby?

  "She had a string of bad luck. Blamed it on the moonstone. By that time, Mother was dead so Trilby returned it to me. That's when I remembered what Mother said about a prophecy. I found it under the lining of her jewelry box. It's written on paper so old and fragile it's coming apart where it's been folded. The original owner, the man who cut the stone, had a dream, a prophecy, really.

  "Can I see it? Where is it?

  "In a safe place. But I know what it says, and I know you're supposed to have it.

  I gritted my teeth in frustration. "How do you know that?

  "He wrote it down exactly the way it appeared to him in the dream. The moonstone has passed from person to person exactly as predicted. I'm number five. It ends at six. Clearly, you, not Carmel, are number six.

  "Clearly?" I said. "According to who? Is my name on it? Does it say Alfrieda Carlotta Emerson?

  "No.

  "Then how do you know it's me?

  Her eyes rolled upward as she thought for a moment. "I know because I'm 'the Guardian.'

  This made absolutely no sense to me. "And the Guardian...

  Kizzy smiled. "Seeks the girl whose palm bears the sign of the star. That's you, Allie. Giving it back is not an option. Ignoring the prophecy would create an unbalance in the universe. Terrible things could happen ... death, disaster.

  Whoa! This was getting way too weird. "Death? Disaster?" My voice was shrill with anxiety. "Wha ... wha ... who ... who?

  I sounded like a demented owl but couldn't stop stammering.

  The front door burst open and a willowy blond stepped through, her pale blue eyes flicking back and forth between Kizzy and me. She wore a sleeveless white tee shirt tucked into skin tight jeans, black motorcycle boots and moved with the long, sinuous movements of a beautiful serpent. She struck a pose, draping her body languorously against the door frame, hipshot, one arm folded across her body, the other pointing directly at me.

  "You must be Mother's little friend, Allie? Am I right?" Her voice was high-pitched and breathless, like a little girl waiting for Santa Claus.

  Her eyes did the up and down thing as she assessed my body, my clothes and possibly what I'd eaten for breakfast. One corner of her mouth lifted slightly in a brief, insincere smile.

  "Yep, that's me," I said. "Allie. You must be Carmel." We locked gazes. Remembering my manners, I added, "Um, it's nice to meet you.

  "Likewise.

  During this exchange, Kizzy shrunk back into her chair, her head rotating back and forth between Carmel and me.

  In a series of fluid movements, Carmel peeled herself off the door frame and glided to a chair next to her mother. She crossed her long, long legs and began to swing one boot-clad foot.

  I suppose Carmel was a beautiful woman if you liked tall, thin blondes with perfect features and swan-like necks. But something in her eyes was so cold and calculating, it sent a shiver of apprehension scampering down my spine.

  "Allie was just leaving." Kizzy gave me a significant look.

  Okay, I wasn't totally clueless. I knew Kizzy wanted me out of there but I didn't budge. Not even a tiny twitch. I felt uneasy about leaving her alone with her daughter. How weird is that?

  "Oh, darn," Carmel said in her little girl voice. "I was hoping Allie and I could get to know each other. Have a little girl talk.

  "Sure. I'm in no hurry. Talk away.

  Kizzy frowned at me and jerked her head toward the gate. I ignored her.

  Carmel's pale gaze swung over to Kizzy then back to me, coming to rest on my faded, pink Fighting Pea Hens tee shirt and my hand covering the lump that was the moonstone tucked inside. I narrowed my eyes and held her gaze, lowered my hand and jammed it into my pocket. Her foot continued to swing back and forth. Back and forth. For a woman who wanted girl talk, she was remarkably silent. Though tempted to fill the dead air with idle chatter, I bit my lip and waited.

  Finally, her foot stopped swinging, she unfolded her legs and stood. One long stride brought her into my personal space. I heard Kizzy give a little hiccup of alarm. I braced myself. Was it menace I saw in her face or was she about to engage in the promised "girl talk?" A fashion consultation or a whap upside the noggin? Not knowing the answer, I prepared for the worst. After all, I had broken the nose of the biggest bully in Peacock Flats. A tall, skinny blonde should be a piece of cake.

  I couldn't have anticipated what happened next. She extended long bony fingersher nails were bitten down to nubs, not a good look for a glamour chickand chucked me under the chin. Swear to God.

  "Well, aren't you just the cutest thing ever," she said with a winsome smile. It looked like a real one.

  I exhaled loudly, relieved I wouldn't have to flatten her perfect nose. "That's me. The cutest thing ever.

  She stared intently into my eyes. "Are you wearing green contact lenses? That color of green isn't natural.

  I didn't know how to respond, so I batted my freakishlycolored eyes and shook my head.

  Kizzy said, "Green eyes see things other eyes cannot see.

  Carmel gave an unladylike snort. "Yeah, right, mother." She leaned closer and whispered, "Magic bullshit. Right?

  I tittered nervously. Hadn't I thought the ex
act same thing?

  "So what do your eyes see?" Carmel asked.

  "Oh, just the usual stuff." I resisted the urge to tell her about Blaster and Deputy Philpott's pen.

  She picked up a lock of my hair and studied it curiously. "Have you ever considered streaking your hair?

  "Uh, no." I looked around for hidden cameras. This had to be a reality show.

  'TEDDY!" Carmel yelled.

  I started violently. She continued to cling to my hair.

  "Get out here!

  I heard a raspy baritone answer, "Yeah, babe. Whatcha need?

  I peered around Carmel which wasn't easy considering she had a death grip on my hair. A tall, well-built guy with dark hair pulled back into a pony tailnot unlike my ownstrutted through the door, a burning cigarette clutched between the fingers of his right hand. His faded blue jeans clung to muscular thighs and he wore a leather motorcycle vest over his bare chest. He checked out my body with heavy-lidded brown eyes. Frankly, I was getting a little sick of the whole body-assessment thing.

  Carmel released my hair and stepped away. "Get the bike. I want to give the kid a lift home.

  Teddy smirked. "No way, babe. I'll take her. You can't handle the bike. Way too big for you." He gave her a crooked grin and added, "Unlike some other things.

  Kizzy clucked her disapproval and Carmel bristled while I imagined Teddy and I astride his motorcycle, me clinging to his naked chest, my un-streaked hair whipping violently back and forth across my face as we zipped down Peacock Flats road.

  Carmel marched over to Teddy. She didn't stop until they were toe to toe. "Listen, you big jerk! That bike's half mine! You think I can't handle it? Well, handle this!

  She extended a middle finger and thrust it in his face. Teddy blinked and took a step back.

  I pushed away from the railing. "It's okay. My mom would kill me if I got on a motorcycle. I appreciate the offer, though." I spoke the truth. Faye didn't have many rules but "no motorcycles" was a biggie. "I'll just jog on home. Really.