Page 35 of The Shadows of Excess

He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the coin as if trying to read an unspoken language etched in its metal. Elijah seemed to be in a world of his own. His focus was so intense that the surrounding sounds of the shop faded into the background.

His slender, precise fingers reached out tentatively toward the coin, hovering above it as if he could sense the energy emanating from it. “Interesting,” he murmured, more to himself than to us. His voice was low, almost reverent, as if he recognized the significance of the item before him.

The psychic’s eyes flickered up to meet ours with a flash of something deeper in his gaze. Was it concern, recognition, or perhaps fear? “This is no ordinary artifact,” he announced heavily. “It’s steeped in energies both ancient and...” He paused, searching for the right word. “...unsettling.”

Elijah slowly withdrew his hand as though reluctant to make direct contact with the coin. “Where did you find this?” he asked urgently. His casual, almost aloof air had vanished, replaced by a serious and contemplative demeanor.

Damon smirked. “Believe it or not, we picked this up at the Twilight Tavern. Earlier that day, some creepy guy leaves it as a tip for the waitress. A few hours later, bam. It shows up in our change. Coincidence? I’m thinking more like a freaky supernatural Craigslist ad.”

Elijah nodded. “I agree with you. This wasn’t a coincidence. Please, come with me.”

He led us into a room that masterfully blended the practicality of a business setting with the intrigue of a mystical archive. In the center stood a large round table, comfortably seating six, its surface polished to a reflective sheen.

Dominating one wall was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase brimming with an eclectic mix of texts. Among them were mystical books, some of which I recognized from Tim’s office. Others bore titles in twisted, curled lettering I couldn’t decipher, their spines aged and worn by time.

Elijah tilted his head. “Please have a seat.”

Damon, Justice, and I did as he asked and sat in the red velvet cushioned chairs. I’d been in Elijah’s study before, and it always fascinated me. I glanced at Justice to gauge his reaction. He was quietly studying the bookcase with an air of familiarity, his eyes methodically moving from one title to the next as he took a seat. The subtle furrow of his brow suggested recognition, but he remained silent, keeping his thoughts to himself.

The rest of the room echoed the theme of scholarly mystique. On the walls hung framed artifacts and ancient maps, each telling a story of mystical lore. A globe, intricately detailed with astrological symbols, sat in one corner. A series of crystal orbs of varying sizes lined a side shelf, each glowing faintly. The room was a sanctuary of knowledge where the lines between the corporate and the arcane seemed to blur.

Elijah carefully selected a text from the shelf, its cover etched with characters of an ancient language, and placed it beside him on the table. He then drew a silk handkerchief from his pocket, unfolding it with a delicacy that suggested its importance. With measured grace, he laid the handkerchief on the table’s surface.

“Please place the coin on the handkerchief,” he instructed. “It possesses powerful magic, and I’d prefer not to have it directly in contact with my table. We must take precautions with such potent artifacts.”

Elijah gazed intently at the coin, his eyes narrowing. After a moment, he spoke in a voice laced with mystery. “This coin is steeped in shadows, not only of the present but echoes of the past. It’s a key, but also a lock, guarding secrets not meant to be easily unveiled.”

He circled the table, his fingers tracing unseen lines in the air. “In its core, it holds a riddle entwined with a name whispered by the wind. Seek out the one who walks with hidden knowledge, a witch whose sight pierces the veil.”

Elijah paused, his gaze piercing. “Lisa,” he murmured as if the name itself held a deeper meaning. “She is a beacon in this darkness, a guide to understanding the true nature of what you hold. But be wary, for the path to her is woven with threads of mystery and peril.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “The coin will lead you to her, but remember, every answer found may only lead to deeper questions. Trust in the journey, even when the road seems obscured by the mists of uncertainty.”

With those eerie words, Elijah stepped back, the intensity in his eyes softening. His cryptic guidance about the coin and the mention of Lisa left us with a sense of hope that we were on the right path.

“So, Mr. All Knowing, how do we use the coin to find Lisa?”

Elijah closed his eyes and drew deep breaths. “Take it to Hanging Rock and bury it with phoenix grass. Repeat these words: ‘Voca ad Lisa per vim phoenix.’”

Damon rolled his eyes. “And in plain English, that’s supposed to mean what, exactly?”

Elijah responded calmly. “It means ‘Call to Lisa by the power of the phoenix.’ But be warned, it’s not without its risks. I’m getting a vibe that Hanging Rock is under watch. The enemy’s already left their nasty fingerprints all over it.” He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Hang tight. I might have just the thing to help you dodge whatever nasty surprise they’ve got waiting.”

He exited and left us staring at each other warily.

Justice finally broke the silence, his fingers drumming an uneasy rhythm on the table. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this. It sounds like the demons know we’re coming.”

Damon rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration and released a resigned sigh. “Great, so we’re basically strolling into a demon party uninvited. Sounds like our kind of ambush.”

As the heaviness of the greasy burger settled in my stomach, dread built up. It churned and rumbled like a bowling ball, making me regret my decision to eat. I rested a hand on my queasy belly. “If that’s really the case, we’d better bring an arsenal with us.”

Elijah returned, holding three necklaces, each featuring a polished black stone pendant. He laid them out reverently before us. “This is black tourmaline,” he explained solemnly. “The crystal is renowned for its powerful protective and grounding properties. It’s often used in spiritual practices to ward off negative energies and psychic attacks, making it particularly suitable for combating demons.”

I took a necklace, and the weight of the stones felt reassuring against my palm. The dark, lustrous black tourmaline seemed to absorb the light around it, yet subtle energy emanated from each piece, like a silent guardian whispering strength and protection.

Damon examined his necklace closely, and a slight nod indicated his approval. “Looks like we’ve got our own mystical armor now,” he remarked, his bravado returning.

Justice turned the stone over in his fingers, seeming to consider its implications. “Let’s hope it lives up to its reputation,” he remarked quietly.

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