Chapter 97 Black Sapphires

*Alpha Connor *

"No problem, Lucas. I'll give you a call once I find out from Emmett," I told Lucas and hung up. His father was on the run with a black sapphire. I had heard of them when I was young, but according to Nana, those who wore them became human and were banished by their pack.

Emmett decided to buy an affordable smartphone and was happy with his purchase. He saw a small cafe and guided Otis inside so they could have some tea. I  followed them in and ordered juice. I'll make sure to make a pit stop at the truck stop and grab a beer before we head back to Lotus Pack territory.

"Emmett, what do you know about black sapphires?" I asked him after we were served our beverages. He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Black star sapphires? According to the journal of my predecessor, he destroyed the black sapphires however it was rumored that a number of black sapphires were locked in a chest and buried somewhere near the home of the heir of the leader of the Black Resistance. A keeper was assigned to watch over the pup. However, the heir did not survive or so the journal says. Why the sudden interest, Alpha Connor?"

"Because Eric Lockwood has a black sapphire. Diana can't see or hear him," I said.

"I see," he said, digesting the new information. "I presumed he knew about the black sapphires, I, unfortunately, did not foresee he had them in his possession. His mother was said to have come from the pack who adopted the heir of the leader of the Black Resistance. However, her descendants, which I researched using her family tree, was not the keeper of the black sapphires nor was she related to anyone of the Black Resistance although I suspect the father of Eric Lockwood thought her to be... including maybe Eric himself."

"So how did he get the chest?" I asked, wondering how Eric Lockwood got the chest.

"He most probably knew the keeper," Emmett answered, his eyes looking up at the ceiling, apparently thinking, "or if the black sapphires were inherited from his mother, the keeper must have had a friendship with her. They must have changed their name to hide their true identity. The keeper, I suspect, used every ounce of magic to hide the chest from my sight as well as the black wolf's. I highly doubt the keeper wore a black sapphire. A black sapphire sucks out wolf essence from those who wear it, leaving only the human form making him or her vulnerable to wolf attack. That was what brought about the downfall of the Black Resistance. They could no longer shift and fight as wolves nor could their mages cast spells. And because they had become human, they were no longer welcomed within the pack. Some hung themselves in shame," Emmett said, sadly.

"Well, I'd hang myself too if I lost my wolf," I told him matter-of-factly. So what my Nana told us kids was true. "Do you suspect maybe Eric Lockwood's mother may have changed her name to conceal her identity?"

"No. Alpha Diana's blood is not tainted with dark magic. She would have not been blessed with the black wolf if that were the case," Emmett replied. Otis nodded his head in agreement. The Moon Goddess would know.

"So who was the leader of the Black Resistance? Do you know who the wolf was?" I asked. I wanted to know more about wolf history.

"Yes. Aranck was named in accordance to his Native American heritage. He was the leader of the Black Resistance, a half wolf just like my Alpha. Aranck, however, was too proud. He believed he was stronger a magus and could defeat the black wolf. In the end, he used most of his magic to deflect the effects of the black sapphire. When all his magic had left him, the Beta of the black wolf destroyed the black sapphires and Aranck was killed by the black wolf herself. The members who continued to fight were killed while those who valued their lives, disappeared into the darkness of the forest, never to be seen or heard from again."

"How long does it take for the black sapphires to suck the wolf out of one who wears it?" Otis asked. Emmett stared at him and paused. He looked up at the sky.

"Until the next full moon when Venus aligns with it. Venus mimics the phases of the moon and with both of them above us, the moon in harmony with Venus, will bring positive energy unto this earth," he explained. "I need to find the keeper. The black wolf has already decreed that no wolf shall leave the territory. My Alpha knows the keeper is near."

"So what you're saying is the keeper has been living on Lotus Pack territory all this while? Undetected? How has that been possible?" I asked. Surely, Diana would have known.

"As I said, the keeper must be using dark magic. Evil which inspires discord and strife, Alpha Connor, has many ways of cloaking itself on this earth especially when you are distracted and my Alpha, may you forgive her, has had much on her mind as of late. We must go back to Lotus Pack territory. My Alpha has sensed something among the wolves." He finished his tea and pocketed his new phone. "Evil, which lurks, may grant certain wolves a favor. And favors, my good wolves, are always repaid."

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*Andrew*

The doctor was finishing suturing my wounds in the infirmary when I was informed I had a visitor. I had a visitor? Who would want to visit me?

"Inmate, take this before you go. It will help with the pain," the doctor said before handing me two capsules and some water. I graciously took the medicine, praying the medicine would take effect as quickly as possible.

"Doc, before I go, I would like to know how Minerva Allen is doing. She's my aunt," I explained. The doctor sighed and shook his head.

"She's not doing so well, I'm afraid. She has become catatonic. She just stares out into space, sitting on her cot. The penitentiary psychiatrist will be coming in to check on her soon," he answered.

"I see. Well, do tell her I'm doing quite well if she becomes... uhm, lucid. Thank you, Doc. I have been told I have a visitor." I stood up from the bed, the chain on my legs making a clanging sound as it hit the floor.

The Wolf Troop ushered me into a small cage of silver that had wheels on the bottom so they could push me towards the visitors area. I sat down in the small chair and held on to the leather arms to protect myself from touching the silver just in case we encountered a bump along the way.

The infirmary was at the other end of the penitentiary so it took a good long while before we reached the visitor's area. The Wolf Troop parked the cage infront of the glass that served as a divider. I peered through the glass and I saw a man wearing a nice suit however his face was hidden by his scarf and he was wearing sunglasses to hide his eyes.

"You have five minutes," the Wolf Troop said before leaving the room. I coughed to grab my visitor's attention.

"I'm sorry, do I know you? What business do you have with me?" I asked. I only had five minutes so I wanted to go straight to the point.

"Mage, what do you know of black sapphires?" the mysterious visitor asked. His voice sounded a bit familiar. Was it One?

"Black sapphires? They are gems mainly mined in Australia," I answered. He shook his head.

"What I'm pertaining to are the black sapphires of the Black Resistance. Someone mentioned you had a secret collection of gems in your vault. I came here to ask you what you knew of the black sapphires used against the black wolf when she first arrived," he said, clearly irritated I was wasting the time we had with nonsense chatter. He knew of my gem collection in my vault. The only people who have seen my collection was One, Second and Jonathan. I looked at him more closely. He must be one of the Lockwoods.

"It was mentioned in a book that all black sapphires of that time were destroyed by the Beta of the black wolf," I said.

"Not all. Ten black sapphires are still in circulation," he replied. So there were some left. There was a story that a keeper of the heir of the leader of the resistance had kept a number of black sapphires. The Beta of the black wolf went on to search for the group banished to live without light as well as this so-called keeper, however he was unsuccessful in his search.

"Well, Sir, if it is true there are ten black sapphires still present, may I warn you, using gems of the mages of the dark arts have grave consequences. All so-called magical gems with links to darkness have a way of hiding their true nature. I have not come across any further data regarding the ill effects of the black sapphires on wolf kind. It is believed all the wolves who wore the black sapphire and fought the black wolf disappeared. Even the pup of the leader. It was told the pup did not survive," I told him. I saw him squirm in his chair. "You have one don't you? Is it true you are invisible to the black wolf?" I asked gently, hoping he would answer.

"Yes. I no longer hear her in my thoughts, but I do not hear my wolf either. Do you think the black sapphire has an effect on my wolf as well?" He asked, concerned. I chuckled. This was the problem with wolves who did not understand magic. Certain things are better left untouched if you do not truly understand them.

"You mentioned you know of my gem collection. I have been collecting gems linked to magic, especially dark magic. Do you know I do not handle any of my gems without gloves? And even then, I use a special tool when I need to pick them up. Because even with the slightest touch, the curse begins. It does not matter if you throw it away, the gem will find its way back to you to finish what was started. You may attempt to destroy it, but only a powerful mage can." I noticed he shook his head. He obviously did not have the means to do away with his burden. 

"Is there any other way I can counteract its effects?" His tone sounded sorrowful.

"Yes, there is a way for you to counter the effects. That is, if you can come across an artifact linked to good magic. However, only a number remain. The most popular is the Alpha Ring of the Lotus pack as well as the Green Emerald of Harmony. But it will be impossible for you to get them," I said, sneering at him. "There are other artifacts though which may help you. One belongs to the right hand of the black wolf, another the High Lord Wolf has in his possession and one other may be in the hands of this so-called keeper or he may know where to find one. If you know who the keeper is, you may ask him for help." I heard the door of the room open and the heavy footsteps of the Wolf Troop.

"Time's up," he said sternly.

"Wait! Where do I find this keeper?" He yelled out the question before the Wolf Troop could wheel me out.

"Ask the person who gave you the black sapphire. He must undoubtedly be the keeper," I answered. The Wolf Troop maneuvered the cage around slowly so I would not touch the silver.

"But how about if the keeper is dead?" My visitor was getting on my nerves. Why can't wolves do the research on their own?!

"Then you are out of luck. Tell One, I'm waiting. I want out." The Wolf Troop chuckled when he heard the name One come out of my mouth. He jerked the cage suddenly and it took all of my strength to keep myself from hitting the silver bars of the small cage.

"Watch it," I hissed at him as he rolled me out of the room.

"That's for believing a rogue will get you out of here," he said and suddenly jerked the cage once more. "That one was for trying to kill the High Lord Wolf, mage."

I really need to get out of here.

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*Diana*

I walked into the study and closed the door behind me. Ethan was calling his mother and making plans to pick her and his sister up so they could join us later tonight. My father and Uncle Mike were in New York while Alpha Connor and Emmett were checking on Second. Those who stayed behind enjoyed a long breakfast.

I sat down behind the desk and scanned the room. I was going to be Alpha. I couldn't believe it. Just last week I was a high school student helping my father wait tables. Later, I will become Alpha of the Alphas. Queen as they called me. It was a lot to take in. I sighed. I needed a moment of peace and quiet to think.

Uncle Chase seemed to have softened a bit when he found out I was the one who made Nana come out from hiding. Apparently, he loved his mother very much and missed her. They had made plans to spend the afternoon together to make up for lost time.

My cousins, on the other hand, were happy to be back at the mansion with their mother. Even with their mouths full of pancakes, they rambled on regarding their father's, ah...infidelities.

"Mom, I think Dad has a girlfriend," the youngest said with maple syrup on the edge of his mouth.

"What have I said about speaking while your mouth is full?" Aunt Athena said sternly.

"Who cares about my mouth! Didn't you just hear what I said?" The young boy asked incredulously. Harley moved to sit beside him. Instant playmate.

"Yeah, Mom. Her name is Juliet." Aunt Athena's eldest said. "She's so irritating. Buy me this, I want that. I think Dad bought her a new car."

"He did, did he," Aunt Athena said. The tone of her voice had changed from cheery to angry. All eyes were now on her. "I will call the bank and cancel his credit cards and suspend his bank account before he uses all of MY money. Finish your breakfast and I'll go make that phone call now. Excuse me." Aunt Athena stomped out of the dining room. Oh boy.

My phone began to ring, bringing me back to the present. It was my dad. Calling me so soon?

"Your grandfather has escaped!" Onyx exclaimed before I could answer my dad's call. Great. I paused and concentrated, focusing on the sound of his thoughts, but I could not find him. Strange. "He wears a black sapphire of the Black Resistance. You can not hear him nor will you know where he is," Onyx said angrily. Well, I had to inform my dad of the bad news.

"Onyx, you and I need to have a talk about these black sapphires. Let me speak to my dad first and tell him what I know." I swiped the screen of my phone to answer.

"Diana, my father has escaped," my dad said. "Do you know where he is?"

"Dad, about that, uhm, I just heard from Onyx that he's gone. Unfortunately, I can't hear him and there is no way for me to find him as of the moment. He's wearing a black sapphire of the Black Resistance which makes him basically invisible to me. Knowing him, he'll probably go see One at his building on 48th and 7th on Broadway. If you see him, just follow him and see where he goes, Dad."

"Thanks Diana. We'll see what we can find." He hung up.

"Okay Onyx, you need to tell me what you know." I suddenly felt sleepy. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was on a shoreline near a lake. It was night time and an aurora borealis floated above my head. It was so beautiful. I heard a twig snap and I quickly turned around to find a huge black wolf with glowing green eyes  approaching me. Onyx quickly licked my face with her huge tongue. When she finished, my whole face was wet with her saliva. I laughed merrily as I wiped her drool off of my face. She laid down along the shore so I wouldn't have to look up at her.

"Diana, the black star sapphires were found in Asia and were said to bring luck to those who carried it. Unfortunately, those who practiced magic had used the black sapphires in ancient rituals bringing out evil which masquerades as good. This evil imprinted itself on the sapphires. During ancient times, the black sapphires were used to cure humans however, the humans would become thirsty for blood and kill... for every favor needs to be repaid in blood," Onyx explained. I stroked her nuzzle and she closed her eyes, enjoying my touch. My hand was so small compared to her nose. She licked my hand and continued with her explanation.

"During the Eurasian Migration, the black sapphires were carried by the natives as protection. The black sapphires were wrapped in cloth, placed in jewelry boxes and were hardly touched. For years, the natives believed the black sapphires brought them peace. Little did they know the darkness that resided in them. Finally, it made its way to wolf kind," Onyx said.

"What happens when a wolf uses it?" I asked her.

"If a wolf were to use it, the black sapphire would destroy the wolf inside, making him completely human. Although there is nothing wrong in being human, many wolves will not allow them to co-exist with them within the pack. The wolves of the Black Resistance who wore the black sapphires eventually lost their ability to shift thus, they were banished from their pack. Some killed themselves in shame, the others, were killed by me for they had continued to cause chaos, while those who wished to survive, pledged they would disappear into the darkest recesses never to be heard or seen of again. Yet, they have obviously defied me without my knowledge. It seems evil has been very cunning."

"So what do we have to do then?" I asked her.

"The keeper of the black sapphires is here, Diana. We must find the wolf who was entrusted with the black sapphires. We must learn if the group that had pledged to disappear will return. As for the wolves who wear the black star sapphires, the time their wolves have left in their earthly bodies is running out."

I suddenly woke up and found myself back in the study. I mind linked every wolf in the territory...

"No one leaves."

I felt something strange, like I was being purposely blocked out of a wolf's thoughts. Onyx felt it too. I smirked. The keeper is indeed near.