Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

Julia the keys to my car first so she can leave.”
    Nicholas turned and gave me a knowing look with imploring eyes. I didn’t understand. I didn’t need his keys because I drove.
    “Take the keys out of my back pocket, Julia,” he said while edging a little closer to me, as far as the whips would allow.
    With my free hand, I reached up under his coat and searched for his keys, but didn’t find them. All I felt was a wooden stake within the folds of his coat.
    “He wants you to stake Angelia” I heard a familiar voice say in my mind.
    I froze. When I discovered the stake, the thought crossed my mind. But I was too afraid Angelia would stop me, lose her patience for sure this time and we’d both die.
    What? . . . I can’t . . . How? . . . I already tried once. Are you sure?
    The chaos in my brain moved a mile a minute, unable to focus on one complete thought to ask what I needed to know.
    “Take a deep breath.”
    I inhaled as instructed.
    “You can do this. Our lives depend on it.”
    Her words miraculously centered me as I focused on channeling her confidence. My heart started to pound, as I visualized my task, the stake firmly in my hand. Then I closed my eyes and in one fluid motion, I swung my arm forward aiming directly for Angelia’s chest.
    Her sudden surprise caused me to open my eyes and I watched her beautiful snowy face and inky-colored eyes change to an ashy black within seconds. Nicholas was ready once Angelia’s whip vanished. He had a stake in his hand, yanking Bettina towards him with her whip. She let out a screech, and morphed into a white cat, darting into the bushes. Nicholas cried out in frustration when the stake bounced on the pavement behind her paws.
    Suddenly the sound of a freight train rushed in my ears and the world went topsy-turvy. My body felt weak as my eyes were being pulled into long shadowy tunnels of cold darkness, and something hard whacked my face.
    “Julia!”
    In the distance, deadly cat screams echoed against the mountains. Then strong, warm hands scooped underneath my body, lifting me upright. My head flopped around on my neck like a puppet, finally finding support in the crook of his arm. The close contact made me feel safe and whole again as he rocked me gently. I felt my trembling subside.
    “Is it over?” I whispered, realizing I had my voice back.
    My eyes met his tender gaze as he smiled down on me, face full of concern.
    “Yes, for now,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    I mentally assessed my condition. My cheek felt a little raw from catching my fall, but other than that nothing physically hurt—not even where Angelia tried to crush my arm. For a second I contemplated exaggerating my pains so he’d hold me longer.
    “I think so,” I said with a sigh, trying to get up.
    “I just don’t think you should stand yet,” he said “You’ve taken a nasty fall.”
    Relief abounded from his body as he drew me into a tighter embrace. I felt him lean over and kiss the top of my head. My joy swelled at the gesture.
    I looked up into his wonderful face as he pushed a lock of my hair away from my eyes. He lowered his lips to my forehead—soft and warm. Then he kissed the tip of my nose and my heart quickened. His fingertips wove gently around my chin, tilted my face toward his and he kissed me, deeply.
    A small moan escaped my lips as I surrendered to his warm mouth gently caressing mine, his sweet breath filling my nostrils. My hand found its way behind his neck, our lips moving in perfect harmony.
    We parted and I felt light headed again. Afraid I’d faint, I slowly opened my eyes to meet his—crystalline, sparkling like a green sea, clear, happy.
    “I’ve wanted to do that since our fight on Sunday.”
    “Really?” I said, surprised, trying to catch my breath.
    “Please, we can’t fight like that again.”
    I nodded my head and snuggled into his arms afraid my voice might break the heavenly bliss we shared.

22 - MISSING PIECES
    I t was at that moment, I knew Nicholas was the only one for me. The pull he had on me was stronger than any force I’d known—stronger than hunger, stronger than survival, maybe even stronger than love. And the more time we spent together, the more the intensity of that bond increased. I wondered if it was healthy to be that drawn to someone. I did know one thing for certain; I’d fight heaven and hell to be with him. No crazy prediction would control our happiness. I’d change fate.
    I relaxed in his