Cover art by Jeffrey Kosh https://jeffreykosh.wixsite.com/jeffreykoshgraphics
An excerpt from The Gemstone Tear, part of Hallowed: The Collection - Volume 2
Seeing
his apprehension, the old man grinned. “All those years, she kept you from me.
But now, here you are.” He scowled once more. “Why have you come?”
The
young man bowed his head. “I wanted to see you.”
His
grandfather gave a rasping chuckle. “Well, now you have. Was it worth it?”
Eric
shook involuntarily, and then his eyes were drawn to something on the man’s
chest beneath his dressing gown. “What’s that?”
There
was a hiss, and the old man clutched the object in question. “It is nothing,
merely a family heirloom.”
The
young man’s eyes became wide and staring. “Can I see it?”
“No,
it’s mine.”
Eric
noticed the silver chain around the man’s neck. “It’s a pendant. Show me.”
His
grandfather started to tremble. “No.”
The
young man’s hand shot out, and he managed to pry the object from its owner’s
grasp. It was a large ruby in the shape of a teardrop.
Fear
could be felt in the old man’s voice, which softly demanded, “Give it back.”
Eric
stood there mesmerized as the jewel started to pulse with a crimson glow.
“Beautiful.”
The
old man struggled feebly, but to no avail. “No, please. Don’t leave me. I need
you.”
With
a smirk, Eric pulled the pendant from the man’s neck and placed it on his own.
The jewel had stopped pulsing. “Sorry old man, it now belongs to me.” He
carefully concealed it beneath his shirt, wondering if there were security
cameras in this room. Deep within, he felt an assurance. No one saw. It’s mine now. With a last look at the shriveled
creature before him, he placed a finger over his lips. “Remember, this is our
little secret.”
Dismay
was etched on the weary face, as the old man nodded reluctantly.
Eric
patted him on the shoulder, turned and left the room.
Hallowed: The Collection - Volume 2 is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN5WLBK7
