Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

me, Nicholas,” I said calmly, feeling a high as the adrenaline pulsated through my body.
    “I’m serious. Put it on now!” Phil interrupted, his voice sounding more ominous, his irritation increasing due to Nicholas’ incompliance.
    “Nicholas, don’t!” I insisted, feeling a little braver, squirming to loosen his grip on me.
    “Be quiet,” Phil said as he hugged me closer, pressing the blade a little deeper into my skin. I felt my blood pulsating against the serrated edge and struggled to breathe under the pressure, my neck dangerously close to being slit open.
    “Please stop,” I whispered.
    But it was too late. Nicholas had retrieved the cuff, clasped it on and Phil was laughing hysterically, proud he’d won the standoff. Instantly I felt the pressure cease as he released me, and I stumbled forward to catch my fall.
    From the ground, I watched in slow motion as Nicholas took advantage of my freedom and pounced in our direction, but Phil had already pulled a small black square from his pocket. A little red light flickered on the cuff and in midair Nicholas was yanked backwards and pulled towards a nearby pole. When the metal of the bracelet collided with the pole, it let out an earth shattering clang that shook the entire building, sending down more debris on our heads. Nicholas struggled, but couldn’t get his arm free. He let out a supernatural growl.
    “Well, that’s much better—” Phil said with an evil smile as he stood just out of reach of Nicholas, who cursed obscenities under his breath. “—and from the looks of it, just like the guy promised. You’d never believe this metal is one of the strongest alloys on the market—just perfect for capturing our kind.”
    “When I get out of here, you leech, you’ll be sorry you ever involved her,” Nicholas hissed.
    I saw a glimpse of the animal within Nicholas that wanted to rip Phil’s head off, his teeth slightly bared, wild-eyed and fists clenched.
    “Promises, promises,” Phil said with a cluck of the tongue.
    “Let him go,” I said forcefully, but cringed at how meek my voice sounded in comparison to their powerful ones.
    “Why?” Phil sang. “But wait. I thought you two didn’t know each other. Parker, I didn’t believe you to be such a cunning liar.” He winked and shot me his alluring smile. “That will come in handy later.”
    I looked angrily back at him, annoyed by his gloating.
    “What are you planning to do, Phil?” I asked, feeling outraged.
    “Let me deal with him, Julia,” Nicholas said as he yanked against the cuff again. It moved only a fraction of an inch away from the pole before snapping right back into place.
    “Look, our brave hero still thinks he has control of the situation,” Phil said full of bravado. “But you’re wrong! News flash, Nick! This isn’t about you anymore. It’s about me. And now that I’ve got you where I want you, I’m going to get what’s rightfully mine and you won’t have anything to say about it!”
    Nicholas’ chest heaved up and down as he seethed quietly, his unblinking eyes never leaving Phil’s side.
    “What are you talking about?” I asked.
    “Just like I told you earlier, Parker, we’ve got the world at our fingertips. And now, with Nick out of the way, we’ll be unstoppable.”
    He triumphed like he’d just won the lottery.
    “I don’t understand,” I said with a furrowed brow.
    Phil shot me a haughty look before laughing uncontrollably, his eerie voice echoing throughout the building.
    “I guess I have some explaining to do,” he said in a sneer, acting very melodramatic. “So when was it? Oh yes—” he partially turned towards me as if to remember, “—right after the bonfire, I just got finished kissing up to the cops when I spotted this totally hot chick motioning to me just beyond the trees. So, like any idiot would do, I went over to see what she wanted. I think she thought I was a big player at school, so she asked me about you, Nick. And when I didn’t know anything, she bit me before I knew it.
    “I attempted to fight, but her venom paralyzed me. After a few seconds I didn’t care anyway. I closed my eyes and felt my body drift into the night sky. That’s when I heard your gentle voice telling me it’s okay and to hang on.
    “So, you could imagine my shock when I woke up and found myself inside a hospital room, IV’s plugged into my arm, and annoying people asking me stupid questions. I had no idea what was happening to me.