Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

Phil finally said, head bowed, eyes low.
    “Phil, you’re right. She’s so charming and full of potential,” she said with a captivating smile, letting go of my hand. “Don’t be afraid, we mean you no harm.”
    Even though her beauty conveyed innocence, she was the epitome of evil. I could feel her empty, shallow heart, and godlike quest for ultimate power. I was appalled Phil trusted her, but I understood why. On the outside, she looked very deceiving. Her name fit her to a tee.
    But why did he bring me to her? Was I an offering? My heart leapt in fear as I tried to figure out both of their intentions.
    She eyed me for another second and then glanced towards Phil, reaching out her hand to him. He took it and kissed it.
    “Well done,” she said, her startling blue eyes looking deeply into his eyes.
    Phil’s pleasure abounded with her words of praise.
    I waited uneasily as neither spoke and Phil continued to hold her hand. They stood stiff like statues, eyes interlocked, unmoving for several minutes. I expected at any moment a discussion of their imminent plans for my future, but only eerie silence lingered. The unsettling part was I could sense growing satisfaction and excitement coming from them both. I just didn’t understand how they could feel it in unison.
    But when the feelings peaked into a euphoria, laced with evil intentions, my skin broke out in goose bumps. I had to get out of here now. My mind willed my feet to run and I subtly shifted my body weight in response, but Phil’s other arm shot out and grabbed my hand.
    The trance between them was severed when Phil dropped her hand.
    “It was nice to meet you, Julia,” she finally said, melodic and soft. “Do take care.”
    Still unable to speak, she moved closer, eyes probing mine. And then unexpectedly she pushed back a lock of my hair behind my ear, took her finger and ran it up the ridge of my jaw, stopping just under my chin. I tried my best to remain calm, my heart pounding so hard I thought I’d start convulsing.
    “You’d make a nice little addition to my collection,” she said in a whisper, her scent swirling across my face, smelling sweet like honey.
    I gulped, wondering when she planned to sink her teeth into me.
    Suddenly the pressure of her finger was gone. My legs swayed anticipating my life ending, but we were alone again. Confused, I shot Phil a look, wondering what happened.
    “Let’s go,” he said, with an abrupt tug. I stumbled forward, my legs still locked in response to Alora’s touch.
    “Where?” I asked, my voice shaking but resurfacing. Somehow I’d survived.
    “I’m taking you home.”
    “You are?” Home sounded like a beautiful, glorious place, but very far away—impossible—a trick. I didn’t believe he intended to let me go free.
    “Yes. You don’t want the others to think I’ve changed my mind. Do you?”
    I was out of the warehouse office door first, but ended up flailing miserably behind him as he impatiently pulled me out of the building. Outside, I breathed the night air deeply into my lungs, thankful to be alive. All I needed was one minute to recover, but without asking, he drew me into his body and launched up into the sky.
    The quick, forceful actions took my breath away. I gasped painfully, struggling to pull air into my lungs. Only after I relaxed did my breathing stabilize. I found it easier to trust Phil this time, having experienced the flight before but he seemed unaware of my distress.
    My mind raced. If Phil took me home like he said he would, then I could immediately tell Nicholas the location of the hideout. Nicholas would have to quickly forgive me, considering the magnitude of the find. I felt pleased to be such an instrumental part of foiling the vampires’ plans.
    But I needed to keep my cool. I had the advantage at the moment, so if I just played my cards right, I knew Phil would think I was on his side.
    “Who is that woman?” I asked loudly over the wind that blew against our faces.
    “She’s the leader of our coven.”
    “Why did you take me to meet her?”
    “Actually, I wanted her to meet you,” he said with admiration.
    I paused, confounded by the rearranging of the statement. It was almost like I just met his mother.
    “But why?”
    “To see if she approves of you.”
    Approves of me?
    “How come?”
    “Because . . . I want you,” he whispered in my ear. I almost fell limp against his arm when he spoke it, but he encircled me tighter, his feelings raw