Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

said, his face crestfallen
    “And you’re frustrated?”
    “Well, I do enjoy a good fight,” he said with a wink.
    I’d never seen this side of him. I liked it. But before I could do or say anything else, he’d swooped me up in his arms and kissed me again. My mind went dizzy as my body fell limp; yet another part of him that I was powerless against.
    “What a day,” I said, breathless as he gently pulled himself away, brushing my hair out of my eyes again.
    “Yes and I should get you home, now that it’s over.”
    The guilt of pushing the limits overpowered everything now. I was sure everyone was looking for me by now. And before I knew it, we were back in the car driving stealth in the direction of my home.
    “But my car?” I said, realizing we weren’t going back to retrieve it.
    “If you give me your keys, I’ll bring it to your home for you. I have business there later, anyway.”
    I remembered he was going to burn the building.
    “Okay,” I said with a yawn.
    I guessed his plan was to park at my house, do his fancy vampire sprinting back to the building, burn it, then drive my Quantum home. The details weren’t of consequence to me anymore, anyway. We were both alive and everything worked out, the only things that truly mattered. I leaned my head on his shoulder suddenly feeling very tired.
    I felt the car stop; I groggily opened my eyes.
    “We’re here,” he said sweetly, kissing my forehead.
    I was home.
    I felt the atmosphere inside my house and it was peaceful. No panic, no worries. I was glad, considering it was now 2:20 AM. I smiled, thinking of all the times I’d awakened at this time to the aftermath of frightening dreams. I never imagined one day I’d be living the nightmare for real, but have it end like a dream. Just like the cat had promised.
    “I’m going to be toast tomorrow, look at how late it is,” I said, yawning again.
    “Late? Nah. It’s prime vampire hunting time.”
    I caught the twinkle in his eyes, the misty flecks in his eyes glowing.
    We walked hand and hand up to my door. Peace surrounded us like tiny petals fluttering in the wind. Nicholas would never run away again out of fear of what some retaliating vampire could do to me now. Every cell in my body wanted to sing for joy.
    “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said when we got to the door.
    “On what? My cell phone burnt up tonight, remember?”
    “Oh, well . . . Then I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, I guess.”
    He gave me a surly look. I jabbed him in the ribs, knowing he was joking.
    And the day after and the day after.
    But before I could object, he kissed me again, deeply and I swooned.
    “Good night, Julia. Pleasant dreams.”

23 - ROLLER COASTER
    W e waited together, a little nervous as the repeated clicks filled the air, followed by the chilling screams. The smell of grease and oil mixed with the sweetness of baking waffle cones and cotton candy. In the distance, the ocean waves could be heard intermixing with the sounds of people milling about, enjoying the evening. Nicholas and I stood in line, waiting our fate, his arms wrapped around me and his head resting gently on the top of mine. Gawking onlookers exuded annoyance for our blatant displays of affection.
    “I can’t believe I’m at an amusement park,” he whispered into my ear, while attempting to nibble on it just to annoy me. I shook him off, feeling the disdain change to disgust as we shuffled slowly closer to the front of the line. I tried to ignore inquisitive eyes focused on us.
    “Well, I can’t believe you’ve never been. It’s all the rage for humans you know,” I teased quietly, knowing my use of the word human would confuse eavesdroppers, but I didn’t care. Being daring seemed to be the theme of the evening.
    I felt a little awestruck as I recognized how closely my life mirrored the roller coaster ride we waited in line for. For a first timer, you hear the clicks and the screams unsure if they signify something good or bad. Once you take your seat, your heart races in anticipation as the bar is securely fastened across your lap, pinning you in place. The time to retreat suddenly becomes a point of no return when the conductor waves goodbye and the car moves forward plunging everyone into darkness.
    “You scared?” I teased as the ride started, jealous that it wasn’t my first experience riding a roller coaster.
    “Only if you are,” he chided back, putting his arm around me, transmitting excitement but playing it