Page 11 of Crystal Iris
“Right. So what does that have to do with my necklace?”
Lloyd smiles, his eyes glinting with something I can’t place. “May I see it?” He gestures toward the necklace with his hand.
“I’m not taking it off,” I say, placing my hand protectively over it.
“Iris!” Akira gestures for me to hand it over.
“You don’t have to take it off, but I need to touch it. To know.” he says, extending his hand.
I hesitate. I lean over the table, and just as his hand gets an inch away, a sharp pain shoots through my head. I gasp, and Akira quickly helps me sit back down.
“I see,” Lloyd says, taking another sip of his tea, his gaze never leaving the prism. “How did you come across it?”
“It was a gift,” I answer, still feeling the lingering pain.
“So, how do we fix it?” Akira asks, concern edging her voice.
“There’s nothing I can do,” he tells us.
“What?” Akira stands up, her voice rising.
“I’ll give your money back,” he offers.
“I don’t want my money back,” Akira snaps. “I want you to fix it.” She shoves her chair backward in frustration.
“Some energies are best left… undisturbed,” he says softly.
Akira slumps back into her chair, exhaling a frustrated breath.
“I recommend you get rid of it and never look back, while you still can.” He looks directly at me now.
“What do you mean, ‘while she still can’?” Akira grabs my arm, her voice urgent.
“When I sense a lingering entity or energy,” he continues, “I can often convince it to go elsewhere. Sometimes they just need a nudge, a reminder to let go. Other times, I need to offer something to incentivize the transfer. Whatever is in that necklace, though—it has no intention of leaving. In fact, it’s the opposite.”
I swallow hard.
“Do you hear him?” Akira practically pleads. “You have to get rid of it.”
“And what if I don’t?” I turn to Lloyd, challenging him.
“Then I suggest you learn to control it. Or else.” His voice hardens.
“Is it possible? To control it?” I ask, my voice quieter now, my mind racing.
“All in the universe is energy,” Lloyd replies. “Some believe controlling it is our original and only purpose. But to do so, you’ll have to fight your senses. Go against everything you’ve ever known to be true. If you’re willing to go that far, to lose your sanity for the sake of something greater, then yes, everything is possible. Including mastering the mystique of life.”
I sit in bed, watching my friend drink.
“This isn’t a movie, Iris,” Akira says, her tone sharp. “Thiswon’t end well.” She’s leaning back against the pillows, sipping from a mini vodka bottle. I feel too queasy to partake.
“I can do this,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “You heard the guy, it’s possible to control it.” But...is it?
“Oh, now you trust him?” Akira raises an eyebrow. “The online charlatan? Isn’t that what you called him?”
“I said that before I met him.”
“I’m pretty sure he said you would lose your mind before learning to… manage this thing. Shit, this conversation is making me lose mine already.”
