Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

I kissed him—” I turned away.
    Nicholas tensed up and his jealousy surfaced. I closed my eyes, dreading what he’d say next, expecting him to hate me.
    “Yes, but you tried to kill him too.” He gently lifted my chin up and greeted me with understanding eyes. “It’s been a busy day.”
    I couldn’t believe he wasn’t angry, and to be so easily forgiven shocked me. And then the jealousy? Could it be that he actually cared deeper for me? His arms enveloped me and I stopped worrying, knowing my feelings were always for Nicholas and never Phil. Though I was tempted, Phil and I could never have what Nicholas and I shared.
    “But we don’t have much time. I need you to be strong for just a little bit longer,” he said earnestly as he gently squared my shoulders to face him. I gulped as I looked into his tender eyes. “Can you do that?”
    “What do we need to do?” I asked, my voice quivering.
    “Whoever sired Phil knows he’s dead and they are going to come after us. I actually want them to come but I don’t have time to get you someplace safe, so I want you to wear this—” He unlatched the chain to his beautiful medallion and held it towards me. In the light, the stone shimmered and almost seemed to sing as I watched it change from its vibrant green to a bloody crimson.
    “How?” I started to ask but stopped as he put the medallion into my palm. It was feather light and icy to the touch, but then it warmed up turning an electrifying blue.
    “Good, it likes you,” he said quickly before placing his cell phone in my hand.
    I stood confused holding both the necklace and the cell phone wondering what his plan was going to be against the vampires and how these feeble objects could possibly protect me.
    “Put on the necklace, Julia,” he prompted, noticing my frozen stature.
    “I don’t understand,” I finally said.
    “I’ll explain everything later. Just put the talisman on and don’t take if off for anyone or any reason. And if something happens to me, call my dad. Just press two then send.”
    I obeyed and put on the necklace. It was hot against my skin. I lightly touched the edge of the stone that now adorned my neck. It sparkled brilliantly as I looked down at it, but now it seemed smaller, more feminine. It was the most exquisite piece of jewelry I’d ever seen.
    Before I could say anything more, Nicholas ushered me to a dark corner in the room and hid me behind some boxes.
    “Just stay here. Don’t move and keep hidden,” he said, his voice tense.
    “Yes, but won’t they know I’m here.”
    “No. Not anymore, but I’ll explain that later.”
    “Okay,” I gulped and then felt the hunger feelings swoop down upon the building like a sudden hail storm.
    “They’re here,” he said, looking up at the roof. He straightened up, flipped a stake off the ground with the toe of his boot and caught it in his hand while he walked to the middle of the room.
    My heart started thumping loudly in my ears while I crouched down in the corner, scanning the doorway for their appearance. The chilling quiet sent ice up my spine as we waited, watching. It wouldn’t have been that bad if Nicholas was confident like he always had been, but for the first time I sensed fear, real formidable fear.
    Instantly they appeared in the room, their black shark-like eyes darting about with Bettina’s lone blue eyes shining like beacons in a sea of darkness. She was accompanied by Toth, Justin and four others I didn’t know.
    A woman with Bettina’s likeness stepped away from the crowd, flanking Bettina’s right side, same sable hair, high cheek bones, petite nose but with obsidian eyes—an identical twin. My breath caught in my throat. The fact that someone chose to make both girls vampires was disturbing. On her right stood a stocky brunette male with a square face and hard charcoal eyes, locked on Nicholas.
    Toth’s smirk hid his tension as he puffed his chest out, standing guard at Bettina’s right. Behind him stood the dark haired boy from the beach and a waiflike platinum blonde with maroon highlights in the lower half of her hair; deep sultry eyes peered out from within her bangs. Justin hovered behind Toth. They stood tightly together, uneasy.
    “Where is he?” Bettina barked out, glaring at Nicholas.
    “Jealous you didn’t get an invitation?” Nicholas said, sounding very cynical. “You should know, or do I need to spell it out.”
    “Very funny,” she said sarcastically, darting her