8. Chapter 8 - The Missing Talisman

Chapter 8 - The Missing Talisman

Evelyn

A s we entered the dimly lit living room, the air in the Luminara coven headquarters was thick with the scent of herbs and magic. The first thing we saw was a group of powerful witches huddled around an intricately carved wooden table adorned with mystical symbols—the soft glow of candles cast dancing shadows on their faces.

I led Alexei through the room, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Evelyn, what exactly are we doing here? I keep asking but you won't give me a response." he asked, a note of skepticism in his voice.

I let out a small sigh. "Okay, the reason why I didn't say anything earlier is because I know you won't approve but I think we have a shot at solving this case with the witches on our side.

Alexei's eyebrows furrowed into a frown. "What do you mean?"

"I know you're upset but listen. The witches are responsible for creating many of the magical tools that nearly every supernatural community has, right? So, I figured they would have made the talisman too."

I paused, checking for Alexei's expression for annoyance. He seemed slightly annoyed by my words.

"And? What did you find out?"

"I was right. Karla said the witches were the ones that made the talisman. If anyone can help us track it down, it's them. There should be some sort of thing to help track down the talisman, Karla promised to search for it. Maybe we have a chance at finding our killer." I explained, hoping he would see the logic in seeking their assistance.

He furrowed his brows, still uncertain. ‘But we've been investigating on our own. Why involve your coven now?"

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Our investigation isn't getting us anywhere. The Luminara witches have a connection to the magic they infused in the talisman. They might sense something we've missed."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, let's see what they can do. But we can't afford any complications, Evelyn."

I nodded, appreciating his concern.

We approached the table, and I greeted my fellow witches. "Hello, everyone. I know this meeting was short notice, but we need your help."

The coven acknowledged us with nods, and Karla motioned for us to sit.

I took a moment to explain the situation – Mark's death, the missing talisman, and the looming threat to Harmony Grove. The witches listened attentively, their eyes fixated on me the entire time.

"The talisman," Karla began, her voice a resonant hum, "was a gift to the werewolf pack to maintain the delicate balance in Harmony Grove. It holds the essence of the moon's magic, a force that strengthens the pack and ensures their connection to their supernatural nature."

I leaned forward, absorbing every word. "But what happens if it falls into the wrong hands?"

Karla's eyes darkened with concern. "The talisman, when wielded by someone with ill intent, can amplify dark forces. It has the potential to disrupt the harmony between the supernatural beings in our community, leading to chaos and conflict."

My mind raced with the implications. The talisman wasn't just a trinket but a linchpin in the delicate balance we fought to maintain. "Is there a way to track it? To find out who took it and why?"

Karla nodded. "The magic infused in the talisman has a unique signature. We can attempt a ritual to trace its location, but it requires a connection to the person it was created for."

Alexei frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice. "How do we establish that connection? Mark is no longer here."

"Tracking a talisman requires delicate magic. But it's possible. We need a connection to the item, something personal. Do you have anything belonging to Mark?"

I frowned. "No."

"Okay. What about something he might have touched while he was here?"

I was racking my brain for what Karla said when Alexei spoke up.

"Um… will this help?" He said, bringing a handkerchief from his pocket and giving it to Karla. "He was very sweaty on the night of the peace treaty signing. I gave him my handkerchief to use. It's washed now so I don't know if it'll be of any help."

Karla examined the handkerchief, her fingers brushing over its surface. "Good. This will help us establish a connection. Follow me."

***

We had to wait until it was dark to start the ritual. We didn't want anybody catching a whiff of what we were about to do. Mark's death is still a closely guarded secret and the last thing we wanted was the wolves coming up against us. The whole peace treaty would be off the table then.

Karla led Alexei, the other witches, and I to a clearing for a ritual. The air buzzed with anticipation, the night holding secrets that seemed to whisper through the rustling leaves.

Karla and the other witches arranged symbols on the ground, their movements deliberate and purposeful. I exchanged glances with Alexei, a silent acknowledgment of the hope we invested in this ritual. If anyone could uncover the masked trail of the talisman, it was these witches.

As Karla started the ritual, her voice resonated through the night, a melodic chant that blended seamlessly with the rustling leaves and the distant howls of nocturnal creatures. The moon bathed the clearing in its silvery glow, casting an ethereal light on the symbols etched into the ground.

The air hummed with magical energy, and I couldn't help but feel a tingle on my skin as Karla's chants gained momentum. Her voice was becoming louder, and the rest were catching up too. We all stood in the dark with one unified thought, hoping they could establish a connection to the talisman and help us find the murderer before it was too late.

The other witches joined in, their voices harmonizing with Karla's, creating a symphony of enchantment that resonated through the night. Each symbol on the ground pulsated with a soft glow, responding to the magical currents invoked by the coven.

As I watched, a sense of hope and anticipation welled within me. It was as if the air held its breath, waiting for the ritual to unveil the hidden truths we sought. The moonlight seemed to dance with the rhythm of Karla's words, creating a celestial ballet that echoed the urgency of our quest.

Karla's movements became more intricate, her hands tracing patterns in the air. The symbols on the ground glowed brighter, their luminescence intertwining with the energy she was conjuring.

But then, Karla's chanting faltered, her brow furrowing in concentration. The energy in the clearing shifted, an unsettling undercurrent.

"What's happening?" Alexei asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.

Karla stopped abruptly, her expression turning grave. "I... I can't trace it. The talisman's trail has been masked. It's alive, I can feel the pulse, but I can't place it."

"Try forging a connection, maybe you'd be able to find it then," I urged. I desperately hoped she was able to. We needed to get things under control.

Karla stopped abruptly, her expression turning grave. "I... I can't forge a connection to it. The talisman's trail has been masked and they are teasing me. It's a technique only accomplished by a banshee."

A banshee. The word echoed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. They were known for concealing magical signatures, making them elusive and formidable.

"A banshee? How do we track something that's been masked by a banshee?" Alexei's frustration was palpable.

Karla sighed, her eyes reflecting the weight of our predicament. "Banshees are skilled at hiding magical imprints. It's a rare ability, and not many beings possess it. We'll need to find a banshee to help us unravel this."

Alexei ran a hand through his hair. I could tell he was frustrated and wished there was a way for me to help him, but I knew there wasn't.

"Can you try tracing it again? Maybe this time you will get a connection?" Alexei asked, frustration evident in his voice.

Karla sighed, "Whoever has the talisman knows exactly what to do with it, and they know it's being searched for. They let me find it on purpose before making it unable to be traced. I wish there was a better way to put this. The only other person that can help is a banshee and they were last heard of in Mystic Vale. Nobody has visited that town in years."

I could feel the defeat deep through my bones. There should be something that could be done. This is getting out of hand, and we need to stop it before things get worse.

"Whoever has the talisman is either a Banshee, a powerful witch, or someone with enough powers to wipe out the rest of us. The air is dark and sinister; they aren't joking with us," another elder spoke up for the first time since we started the ritual, and we all froze.

What the hell?!