10. Protection

Suddenly, something her mother had always said to her came back to her mind. She often used to remind Lilja to stay safe, come back before 10pm, avoid suspicious parts of the city, don’t talk to strange people. But there was one memory, one of her very first memories most likely. She remembered her mother kneeling down to her and placing a hand just above her heart, the place where a small silver pendant lay on her skin. “Never take this necklace off, Lilja”, she remembered her mother saying. “It will protect you from harm, it will protect you from dangerous creatures”. Lilja looked up to Jyrki, who was still sitting on the edge of the bed with wide eyes. “I think I know why”, she whispered. “It’s the Ankh”.

“The Ankh?”, Jyrki asked, furrowing his brow. “What does an old Egyptian symbol have to do with that?” Lilja sighed. “It’s a necklace, I’ve had it like forever, I can’t even remember a time without it. But I do remember my mother telling me to never take it off, and that it would protect me”. Jyrki was still frowning, he seemed to think about what she’d just said. “So…”, he started slowly, “you think there is something about this necklace that made you seem human? And you are not wearing it now, nor have you worn it last Friday?” Lilja nodded. “I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always worn this necklace, I didn’t even take it off for showering. But I took it off last Friday, the reason was so stupid, I thought it didn’t fit the neckline of my shirt”. Jyrki snorted. “And you say that you have always worn that necklace when we have met before? Or in general you usually always wear it?” She nodded again. “Well”, he started, tapping his chin, “I have never heard of something like that specifically, but of course talismans that protect its bearer do exist. If it is really protecting you against us Undying, then your mother or whoever made it must have been extremely powerful. It needs an immense strength at mind control to create such an illusion through a mere necklace.”

“For me, she has always been powerful. But I don’t think that counts, does it?” Jyrki’s warm hand softly touched her shoulder. “Your mother must have been really important to you”, he said, showing that soft smile again. At first, Lilja didn’t answer. Of course her mother had been important to her, even though her overly protectiveness had always bothered her. But now she could understand her mothers reasons. “Of course”, she answered after a while. “She was my mother. Isn’t that natural? I mean, we weren’t the best buddies or something like that, but I always knew she would be there if I needed her.” Jyrki grimaced. “Not all parents are that supportive. Mine never were. Maybe it is a thing that runs in my family line or had something to do with their profession. But you should be grateful for everything your mother did for you. It looks like she saved your life over and over again.” Slowly Lilja tilted her head. “I know. She kind of gave me second chances over and over again. And I nearly destroyed one of them. Believe me, I will never ever take that thing off again”. To say she had a bad conscience was an understatement. She had been so unbelievably dumb. “Do not think about it too much”, Jyrki advised her. “I will go and get you that necklace back. But for now, I think you must be hungry. The others should be in the kitchen, maybe Vilho can answer you some more questions”.