Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

into his strong chest and inhaled the sweet aroma of his skin. His arms were warm and comforting. He rested his chin on the top of my head and took a deep breath.
    “It’s going to be okay, I promise,” he said, as he held me tighter.
    I vowed not to cry anymore in front of him, but I couldn’t help it this time. A little tear trickled down my cheek.
    “So, now what happens? I mean, I know I’m not supposed to be seen with you, but how can I contact you?” I asked softly, not wanting him to let me go. “What if there’s an emergency?”
    He held on for a second longer before pulling away to look down at me.
    “You can call me,” he stated simply.
    “You have a cell phone?”
    I didn’t know why I assumed he didn’t and scolded myself.
    “I don’t get many calls, but I do have a phone,” he said with a snicker.
    My cheeks grew hot and I felt sorry I doubted he’d be part of the 21 st Century like everyone else. He ignored my faux pas and quietly told me his number and I told him mine.
    “Memorize it. Don’t store it in your phone. Call me only in an emergency. I don’t want anyone to find out we are connected in any way.”
    He scanned the forest line again and then ushered me closer to the house. I reached out with my own powers too. As far as I could tell, we were alone.
    “Do you think we were followed?” I asked once we reached the porch, wondering if he sensed something I didn’t.
    “Not tonight. But you can never be too careful.”
    He looked at me wistfully and put a stray hair of mine back into place. My heart erupted in a flutter when his hand brushed my cheek and I tried to control my breath, which came out a little quicker than normal.
    “But one thing I forgot to tell you. Never invite a vampire into your house. They cannot cross your threshold uninvited. Understood?”
    “Really?” I said with a snort. “Like I’d do that.”
    “It’s just a precaution, and during the evening, stay in heavy-populated areas, just in case.”
    “I will.”
    “Try to get some sleep,” he said as he gathered me to his chest once more and kissed the top of my head. His feelings were paternal at the moment. I took in a deep breath and hugged him back, hoping we could stay like this forever.
    “I need to go,” he whispered and loosened his arms.
    I looked up at his chiseled face and frowned.
    “I’ll see you soon, I promise,” he said in response.
    His tender eyes made my stomach burst into a nervous flutter once again.
    “Okay,” I choked out, unsure how he was going to keep that promise, but knew he meant to.
    “Bye,” I nervously said and let myself into the house. I shut the door quickly, hoping it would lessen the sting this time.
    In the hallway I stood with my eyes closed and felt the bitter separation. The tremendous sense of loss flooded my senses like it did the first time and I ached. Luckily, this time I didn’t get the warning Nicholas was never coming back.
    I tried to analyze why it physically hurt so much to leave his presence. Maybe it was because he helped me survive the nightmare of my mother’s death that connected us, or some other weird nuance of my secret power. Whatever it was, I knew I would always need to be a part of Nicholas’ life.
    “Julia, is that you?”
    My insides jumped at the sound of my dad’s gruff and half-awake voice.
    “Yes. Did I wake you?”
    I walked over to the foot of the stairs and fearfully looked up.
    He stood at the top in his pajamas and a frown on his face.
    “Julia, you’re late. Where were you?”
    “I was talking with my manager. I know, I’m sorry,” I said, my rehearsed speech rolling easily off my tongue.
    “You promised to call.”
    “I didn’t realize the time, Dad. Sorry.”
    He turned, mumbled something and shuffled back to his room. I heard the door shut.
    I stood in the dark and realized I hadn’t heard Nicholas pull away. When I went to the window to look out, the only car that remained on the street now was mine.
    Exhausted, I drug myself up the stairs and got ready for bed. I knew I’d have issues falling sleep. My raw hands ached and my body felt fatigued, but my mind was alert, racing with new information.
    I decided I’d try to fall asleep on my own before taking a Tylenol PM. I pulled the covers up to my neck and turned off the light. The moonlight shone into my room and I turned towards the night sky.
    My phone buzzed with a message on my nightstand. It was from the number I’d just tucked into my