Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

to murder myself, Nicholas’ father and Nicholas in the process unless . . .
    I closed my eyes and felt the world sway as the worst thought crossed my mind.
    I would do it to avenge Nicholas’ death.
    The terror overwhelmed me and I struggled to stay lucid.
    No! Never! She had to be wrong!
    “Julia? Answer me!”
    I felt warm calming hands grasp my shoulders firmly. The sensation felt like he pulled me up and out of the horror I was drowning in. I forced my eyes open and met his, a piercing effervescent green.
    “I’m fine,” I choked out.
    His eyebrows pressed together.
    “I guess it’s good I have a body guard since I’m a magnet, right?” I said hoarsely, lifting the corners of my mouth a twinge, trying to force a smile.
    Nicholas’ expression didn’t change, as his gaze flicked from one of my eyes to the other.
    “I’m fine, honest,” I said, feeling a little bit more in control of myself and my voice. “It just scares me someone has that type of power over your life.”
    Nicholas relaxed a tiny bit and studied me one last time before drawing me into his chest. My breath became short as his touch sent me into oblivion, and I welcomed the distraction.
    “You don’t have to worry. I’ve got it under control,” he said softly, gently caressing the back of my hair.
    I let out a gust of air in response. His confidence infused my body and I let go of the unknowns of the future. Her prediction couldn’t be true. First, she was crazy and I doubted her abilities. Second, I lacked athletic ability and therefore incapable of fighting anything, especially evil. And if I did have some special power, Nicholas would be the first I’d save.
    But I didn’t care. I didn’t want to entertain the thought of being some heroic avenger. I just wanted to be there.
    In his arms.
    Forever.

16 - FALL OUT
    T ime flew by. Before I realized it, we’d spent the whole day together—a perfectly glorious day, far better than any dance I could’ve attended. But as I watched the sun make its way closer to the horizon, a pang of dread filled my stomach. Its light controlled my destiny now and he’d have to take me home. I already started to miss him.
    “So what are your plans for tonight?” I asked, trying my best to sound indifferent.
    “Finding their lair and keeping an eye on you.”
    He glanced over at me wistfully, his face slightly bronzed from the sun. I couldn’t help but smile back.
    “Well, if it will help, I promise not to do a repeat of last night,” I joked in an effort to cover up my concern. “Actually, I’ve got a ton of homework to do.”
    “That would make my job easier.”
    I turned towards the window and watched the world zoom by. We’d broken the rules today by being together. As we drove, I felt the warmth he had at the beach start to fade into something cold and distant. He was changing back to his serious self.
    “We can’t do this again, can we?” I finally muttered, still looking out the window, deciding to just get it out in the open.
    “No,” he said despondently.
    I took a deep breath and leaned against the headrest. I didn’t need to study his face to know his feelings.
    “It doesn’t seem fair,” I uttered softly in an even tone.
    “Nothing we can do about it.”
    The frequent appearance of his cynical side began to annoy me. I knew there was a way to still see each other and not get caught, like today. Why wasn’t he willing to try?
    “I don’t want to go home,” I said in a whisper, secretly hoping he’d change his mind.
    He reached over to grab my hand. Excitement and pain flooded directly into my heart and I broke under the strain. The tears spilled down my cheeks.
    “Please, don’t cry,” he said, instantly feeling sorry.
    “I’m trying not to. It just hurts, you know?”
    I tried to stifle my tears by biting my lip. Secretly, I was glad we hurt together. To know he cared for me on a deeper level comforted my spirit.
    “I never meant for this to be difficult for you,” he said with remorse.
    “It’s not your fault. You have no control over this hopeless situation.”
    “Well, I shouldn’t have made it harder on you.”
    He let go of my hand to take something out of his pocket. I stared down at his palm and recognized the familiar piece of worn journal paper. I looked at his face in shock and then anger.
    “How did you get that?” I said, snatching it out of his hand, wiping away my tears.
    “I saw you throw it over the cliff,” he confessed.
    My