Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

and rapturous. A part of me wanted him too, enjoyed his attention, and craved his company. It alarmed me that I wasn’t afraid when he confessed his intentions. Probably only because I was relieved to know it wasn’t my blood he wanted.
    I started to feel like I wasn’t in control of my feelings anymore. That I was losing myself into his wants and desires. His power called to me to try it; conveyed it was safe, fun. And the worst part, my rational thoughts remained apathetic.
    I could see we were getting closer to my home, which was good. I needed to get away from him before all was lost. Plus, I started to shiver uncontrollably in my thin blouse, from the thrill and the bitter wind.
    He gently set me down in a concealed thicket close to my house. I stood awkwardly for a minute, at a loss for words, trying to encourage myself to at least plan an exit strategy.
    “What’s happened to me is not a bad thing,” he began. “Really, I’m not a monster.”
    “I know you aren’t, I’m just—” I quivered.
    He walked over to me and gently held up his index finger to my lips in a motion of silence. I froze as my heart threatened to pound right out of my chest, but he slowly slid his hand and found the small of my back and pulled me into him. I stood there shaking, enjoying his touch.
    “You’re so beautiful.”
    His smiling eyes pulled me in and I felt mine slowly close as he tipped up my chin and touched his lips to mine. The iciness of his skin and the sweetness of his breath disoriented me as I gave into his charisma. I parted my lips ever so slightly, as he sucked on my lower lip jerking my body tighter into him. I gasped and my breath became uneven as our lips hungrily caressed one another’s. I never would’ve believed that my first kiss would be so passionate. I almost lost my footing when I felt him ever so gently bite at my bottom lip. His hunger spiked and I threw open my eyes, pushing him away quickly.
    “Sorry,” he said, chuckling a little.
    “That’s not funny.”
    “I just got carried away,” he purred.” You’re just so . . .enticing.”
    I felt like my legs were going to collapse at any moment, so I locked them in place in a last-ditch effort to stay upright. I didn’t know what to say, but I knew I didn’t want him to bite me, at least not yet. The fact that I gave in to him so quickly made me question everything about myself. Then the guilt surfaced. How would I explain this to Nicholas? Was I considering giving him up to be with Phil? To be a vampire?
    I staggered back to gain my composure. My head swam and I needed to figure out what I was doing, and do it in a place where I didn’t have his presence seducing me.
    “I need to go,” I finally said, as I looked away from his charming, Delphian eyes, secretly not wanting to leave.
    “Okay, love. Me too. I have something to take care of.” He flashed a big smile and was gone.
    “I’ll see you later.” I heard whispering to me in the wind.

20 - BAIT
    D izzy, I walked home, proceeded upstairs to my room and closed the door. I flopped on my bed, stared at the ceiling and touched my lips. The weight of what I did began to bear down on my chest and I cringed at the thought of what Nicholas would do if he knew.
    How did I let this happen?
    I sucked in a deep breath and let the air out slowly. He’d never understand and would probably hate me forever. I’d kissed his mortal enemy. I rolled over, tucking myself into a ball. But the images of Phil’s hungry lips locked with mine played behind my closed eyelids. My stomach lurched at the conflict of emotion, elation mixing with remorsefulness.
    If only Nicholas and I hadn’t fought, then this would never have happened.
    “Ahhh!” I groaned as I stuffed a pillow over my head trying to escape reality.
    I wanted to hide, forget it ever happened, but I couldn’t. For some reason, I enjoyed it. There had to be a reasonable explanation. Phil must have tricked me somehow with a secret vampire spell. I had feelings for Nicholas, strong feelings. We were going to be together in the future; at least that’s what I believe the cat predicted.
    Maybe Nicholas would never find out. It was Phil’s vampirishness that affected my senses. Period. It wasn’t real, and once I separated myself from him and thought rationally, I knew it was wrong. Or did I?
    But kissing him wasn’t my only problem. There was a huge part of me that couldn’t give up on Phil. I knew he needed my help, especially