Chapter 10: Amulet Delivered

Words : 1799 Updated : Nov 13th, 2025

"Christina, wait a second!" Stefan tried to call her back to warn her. She didn't even flinch, walking out of the visitation room without a backward glance. "No. I can't let anything happen to her." He thought quickly, grabbed a sheet of printer paper from the table, and traced a tight skein of sigils across it with a flicker of power. He folded the page into a neat little triangle and pressed it into Anya's hand, urgency sharpening his voice. "However you do it, make sure this amulet gets to Christina." His tone was grave, his face set. Anya didn't ask questions. She turned on her heel with the amulet. From behind her, Stefan called, "Don't tell her it's from me." Anya nodded. She looked down at the paper charm and couldn't help thinking how ridiculous it was. A few quick squiggles on copy paper, and that made an amulet? Seriously? At least use yellow talisman paper, she thought. If you're going to bluff, at least make the prop look right. But then she remembered the uncanny way he had healed a patient, and doubt crept in. What if this amulet actually worked? She had no idea that it wasn't just effective. It left those mass-market yellow charms sold by fakes in the dust, way beyond them. Anya caught up with Christina in the parking lot. "Ms. Scurr, could you hold on a moment?" "What is it? Does that homicidal maniac have more to say to me?" Seeing it was the female guard from earlier, Christina's tone softened, though anger still burned in her eyes. "He..." Anya stopped herself, remembering Stefan's instruction. She switched gears. "Ms. Scurr, please don't take this the wrong way. I heard what happened to your family. I'm shocked and heartsick. How can a man be that twisted? But don't worry. I'll make sure that bastard Stefan doesn't have it easy in there." Christina's stare softened into gratitude. "Thank you." Sensing the moment, Anya offered the folded triangle. "Ms. Scurr, I picked this up at a temple. It's designed to keep you safe, and it is intended to be highly effective. I want you to have it. It's not worth much, just a small token from me. Please, take it." "Uh... all right." Christina hesitated, then accepted it, holding it like it might warm her palms. "Thank you. What's your name?" "I'm Anya Halenkamp." Anya smiled and reached out a hand. "No need to thank me. I hope we can be good friends." "I'm Christina Scurr." Christina shook her hand and managed a strained smile. "Let me buy you dinner sometime." "Deal. Drive safely." Anya waved goodbye and watched as Christina got in her car and drove away. A sour ache rose in her chest. Such a good woman, and disaster still found her. Life can be so unfair. Back in the cell, Stefan asked immediately, "Did she take the amulet?" Anya nodded. "She did. Why not let her know it came from you?" Stefan gave a rueful smile. "Can you believe it? If she knew I sent it, she'd not only refuse it, she'd chew you out." Anya found that easy to believe and nodded again. "But does that amulet really work?" "Of course it does." Stefan's brows knit. He had just seen the inky shadow between Christina's brows; it was an ominous sign. In the coming days, real danger would shadow her. The amulet he'd inscribed with his own power would deflect disaster for her, but only for three days, and it would weaken each day. After three days, the peril would return. "No. I can't let her be harmed. I need a pass that lets me move in and out of the prison, and I need it fast." He was still turning it over in his head when a guard approached. "Stefan, the warden would like to see you." The guard's look was strange. The warden had emphasized the word "please." Why treat a death row inmate so politely? Stefan straightened. "Lead the way." He'd already used divination to know that Carlos wanted him for something important. It would be a good time to name his price. In the warden's office, Carlos was brewing tea. He looked up and beamed as Stefan entered. "Stefan, my friend, come, try this Eclipse Tea. The good stuff. Over a thousand dollars a pound, and it is hard to come by." Stefan didn't stand on ceremony. He sat across from him, lifted the cup, and took a sip. "Mm. Fine tea. Did my treatment help yesterday?" Carlos perked up right away, eyes bright. "Help? It worked wonders. Stefan, you have no idea. I hit the club and was unstoppable, had those girls begging for mercy. Honestly, I've never been that vigorous. Stefan, I owe you." Stefan drained his cup and smiled. "Good. If it worked, that's what matters. But I doubt you called me here just for tea. Say what you need. If I can do it, I won't refuse." Carlos shot him a thumbs-up. "Straight shooter. I like that. Then I'll be blunt..." His expression turned serious. He asked, testing the waters, "Stefan, your methods are uncanny. Can you treat late-stage cirrhosis?" His gaze burned on Stefan's face, hope tangled with nerves. He dreaded hearing no. The answer would decide whether he could take the next step in his career. He was already past fifty. If he didn't move up soon, he'd be stuck at his current rank forever. The former warden had been his mentor and was younger to boot, yet the man was now head of the city police. He had a powerful father who had fought in a war, a big shot. Now, that big shot had late-stage cirrhosis. If the person Carlos brought in could cure him, Carlos might not rocket to the top overnight, but he'd definitely climb another rung. It all hinged on whether Stefan nodded or shook his head. Stefan didn't disappoint. He smiled and nodded. "I'm not bragging. Forget late-stage cirrhosis. If someone's down to their last breath, I can get them back on their feet. Mr. Lapwood, do you believe me?" "I do, I do." Carlos nodded like a bobblehead. "Others might not know, but I do. You made me a beast again. Who else could pull that off?" "Good. Enough small talk. I can help you. But you'll have to agree to one condition."

Chapter 10: Amulet Delivered

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