Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

is that I can’t seem to get you out of my mind, and something inside keeps pushing me to care for you. But I refuse to give in to your fake charm and I will learn to shut it off.
    So, for what it’s worth, I’m done with you. I will be forever thankful you saved me. But that’s it. I won’t let you hurt me anymore and from this point forward, I will stop missing you and wishing you’ll come back into my life!
    GOODBYE and good riddance.
    ~ Julia

    I folded it back up, studying the wrinkled corners. The note looked like it had been reopened many times. A large part of me wanted to rip it into tiny pieces, erasing how silly I’d been. Instead, I played with the paper.
    “I was tempted the next morning to leave a note on your car to say sorry, but I chickened out,” he said while putting his hand over my fidgety fingers, holding them still, taking the note back.
    The day after came to mind. I’d forgotten about the anonymous note I found on the ground, left by mistake. Deep down inside, I’d hoped he’d left that note for me. Maybe the gesture kept me holding on until I could discover the truth.
    Within my own pocket, I took out the piece of wood I’d carried around ever since that day and held it in my palm, reminiscing. Suddenly, he cupped his hand under mine and placed the other half in my palm, fitting them together.
    “I wondered what this was,” he said sweetly, taking the newly formed wooden token closer to read the inscription.
    “I needed a memento,” I said with a chuckle. “I guess that seems funny, since I was trying to say goodbye.”
    “Well, I’m glad you couldn’t.”
    “Me too.” I blushed.
    “Well, then I’ll keep your half and you can keep mine for a while—” He handed me his half, forming our hands into a ball. “—and make a promise.”
    I looked again into his lustrous eyes.
    “A promise?”
    “That no matter what, we’ll always trust each other, even when it seems unexplainable. No matter what I have to do or say, I’ll always be loyal to you. From now until the end of time.”
    Relief flooded my heart while I turned over his half in my hand. I could finally let go of my worries and trust that one day he’d understand. The time would come when the timing would be right. He’d promised not to jump to conclusions.
    “Good, because I don’t think I could ever let you go.”
    Suddenly, his lips were tight on mine, gentle yet fierce, a kiss that launched an unquenchable yearning with an intensity of force I could never have dreamed of. My trembling fingers reached for his face to pull him closer, his arm drawing me in at the small of my back. I swooned, because for the first time I felt just one emotion shared between us.
    Love.

The Sapphire Talisman, the second novel in Brenda Pandos’ addictive TALISMAN series, where destiny rules over desires, is on sale now.
    Read on for a special excerpt.

The Sapphire Talisman
    Book 2

Chapter One
    I sat in the waiting room together with my older brother Luke, my dad, and Erin, my uncle’s sister, in upholstered chairs with wooden arms, my internal experience vastly different from anyone else’s. Our scenery consisted of four white walls adorned with pastel flower paintings, and a TV hung in the corner, playing a late night talk show. My eyes kept drifting to the large red “NO SMOKING” and “NO CELL PHONE USE” signs, reading them over and over, wishing I didn’t have the ability to read other people’s emotions, especially in a maternity ward. When another wave of pain would arrive, I’d close my eyes and place my hands under my legs to grip the edge of the chair where no one could see, desperately trying to ignore the stifling agony. Relief only came when invisible explosions of incredible elation burst forth, sweetly followed by Brahms lullaby tinkling throughout the corridors.
    With each passing episode though, I hoped the next birth announcement would be for us. Suddenly, my uncle John appeared in the hallway, dressed in a blue smock and booties, overflowing with love.
    “It’s a girl!” he exclaimed.
    We all jumped to our feet simultaneously. The wait was finally over.
    “A girl,” Dad said in jubilation while putting his arm around my shoulder.
    “Yes.” John’s eyes were moist. “Our little Emma Mae is finally here. Come. Jo would like to see everyone.”
    When John turned, motioning for everyone to follow, I nudged Luke in the ribs. We’d had a bet whether it was a boy or girl. Luke’s wrong