youâll still be vulnerable. His own death must show you that. More important than mastering his Gifts, you need protection. You need something that will make you invulnerable, something that will keep you safe. You need the Vardian amulet.â
âOK. I admit Iâve no idea what that is.â
âItâs an ancient and very powerful item. Believed to date back to the earliest days of witchcraft. All amulets protect those who hold them, but this one was something unique. It was created by a Black Witch called Vardia. Times were different then and Blacks and Whites lived together.â Van smiles, almost as if she canât believe it herself. âVardia fell in love with a powerful man, Linus, a prince, some say, but he was also a White Witch. He had little magical power, though, and he wanted Vardiaâs protection. He told her he loved her and she created the amulet to protect him. He won many battles with the amulet pressed against his skin over his heart. He fought those stronger than himself but he was never hurt. He became more and more powerful. Linus was grateful to Vardia but he didnât truly love her and knew he never could. Eventually he grew tired of his deception and told Vardia the truth: that he didnât love her. He sent her away. But, despite his betrayal, Vardia still loved him and so, before she left, in desperation she ripped the amulet in two and gave Linus half, keeping half herself, saying that when he wanted her protection she would return, that heâd be safe when they and the amulet were reunited. But Linus never asked her to return andhe was killed in the next battle he fought.â
Of course I have once seen half an amulet. It wasnât a metal or jeweled ornament as I would have expected but a piece of worn, old parchment with strange writing on it laid out in a series of circlesâwell, semicircles because the parchment was ripped in half.
âThe half of the amulet that Gabriel gave you?â I say. âThatâs one of the pieces?â
âYes.â
âBut not much use without the other half.â
âNo. However, many years ago I learned who had the other half and since then Iâve been searching for that person. A witch called Ledger.â
âAnd now youâve found him? Her?â
âYes.â
âAnd have you got the other half of the amulet?â
âItâs not quite as simple as that. But I do believe the way to beat Soul is by using the amulet. If you have it youâll be protected as Linus was. Youâll be indestructible.â
âIf the amulet is ripped in half, how do you know itâll work? How do you even know these pieces are part of the Vardian amulet? It might all be a stupid old story anyway.â
Vanâs blue eyes seem to explode with sapphire sparks as she says, âThere are no guarantees, but I think Ledger will know how to make it work. Sheâs a powerful witch. Possibly the most powerful ever.â
âMore powerful than my father?â
Van takes my arm again and says, âLedger is verydifferent from your father. Sheâs unusual for a Black Witch and most people havenât even heard of her. Sheâs extremely private, though I was honored to meet her a few days ago. She has many Gifts and a vast knowledge of magic. She may be able to help you access your fatherâs Gifts as well as find how to make the amulet work.â
âBut why would she help me? And I canât imagine sheâs going to hand her half of the amulet over for nothing, if at all.â
âShe might be persuaded. I told her about you and she was extremely interested in meeting you.â
I look at Van. Sheâs as cool and sophisticated as always. The scars from her battle with Mercury are all but faded. Sheâs not in one of the pastel-colored suits she used to wear but dark casual trousers, jumper, and winter jacket. And sheâs as hard to read as ever. I