The Sapphire Talisman

by Brenda Pandos

  Grief surrounded me, pulling me under the suffocating water of agony as the air ripped at my hair. He wasn’t there to steal me away because he cared for me like I hoped. All he wanted was the talisman for his God-forsaken vampire mother.

  If only I could press rewind and go back to the time when Nicholas was sane, so we could run far away from the nightmare of the future. But the lies that created this chaos had taken over, leaving nothing but destruction in its path. The insanity made me chuckle like a mad woman. Here I was, being flown through the cold of night at four in the morning with a fever while my blood-crazed boyfriend chased us, all over a piece of jewelry. I should have been in bed recovering.

  Our bodies descended and I opened my eyes just enough to see we were back. Phil headed for the open window but when we entered, he stopped with a jerk, and I tumbled out of his arms onto the floor. With a loud crash, I plowed headfirst into the nightstand and knocked the lamp off the table.

  My hand went to my brow, expecting blood to start trickling down my forehead while flashes of white lights skittered across my ceiling. Phil remained half-inside and out of the window, trying to bring Scarlett inside.

  “I invite you,” he whispered in determination.

  When it didn’t work, he cussed; still trapped at the frame with his body inside and Scarlett’s out.

  “Invite her!” he bellowed, his face stern.

  I swiveled around, steadied myself with my hand, and flooded with a new sense of satisfaction. An evil smile crept on my lips.

  “No,” I said plainly. “She can finish what she was supposed to do earlier.”

  Phil wouldn’t let go or stop trying to bring her inside. “Julia, don’t do this. She has no strength to get away and Nicholas is almost here.”

  Scarlett leapt out of Phil’s hands onto the ledge, her legs wobbling beneath her.

  “No, you can’t, Scarlett,” Phil said, looking directly at her, as if she told him to leave her be.

  I gritted my teeth and remained silent.

  “I’m invincible but she’s not,” Phil implored. “For me, please.”

  I stared at both of them, feeling the anxiety grow to unbearable heights, amused their frustration didn’t bother me. But when Phil’s bravery burst open like a dam and he stepped outside and retrieved Scarlett, ready to confront Nicholas, I crumbled. Besides a debacle of that magnitude would surely get me grounded for the rest of my life.

  “Fine, come in.”

  Phil darted through the window with Scarlett in his hands right after I felt Nicholas’ loathing outrage.

  “You better be potty trained,” I mumbled, giving her a glare.

  Scarlett hissed.

  No one seemed to care I was injured on my bedroom floor. For a brief second, I contemplated escaping out the window myself. Phil brooded, watching out the window. Scarlett stayed perched next to him, still in cat form. When nothing happened, I finally got up and went to the bathroom to inspect the damage, noticing a large goose-egg forming just below my hairline.

  Within minutes, on the other side of the bathroom door, Scarlett’s concern swirled about, signaling she’d returned to human form. Their fretful emotions ebbed and flowed like a school of fish, echoing each other in a colorful rainbow of variety—telepathically discussing things, privy to Nicholas’ mind now. Instead, I chose to canvass the exterior of my house and found Nicholas close by, acrimoniously plotting as well.

  I wanted to reach out and remind him I loved him. When I projected my feelings earlier, the evil hold on his heart weakened. But with Flotsam and Jetsam guarding me, I didn’t know how I could sneak away.

  Unless . . . .

  I pulled out my cell phone and quickly texted Nicholas.

  - <

  As I waited, my heart began to beat faster with each passing second, hoping the change hadn’t erased his memories.

  Please respond.

  - 3

  The buzz of the phone sent shivers of joy through my body. At the same time, a disturbance happened in my room. I reached over and quickly locked the door.

  “Parker, what do you think you’re doing?” Phil demanded quietly as his hand tried the knob.

  “Fixing my head,” I snipped. “Remember the gash I got because you threw me into the table earlier?”

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  I chuckled caustically. “Why do I need to tell you? Ask Ms. Nosey. She’ll fill you in.”

  “Julia, you’re playing with fire. Open the door and give me the phone.”

  - I’d like to see you.

  My heart continued to pound at the words of his return text.

  - Me too.

  - Is it too early for coffee?

  My lips crinkled into a knowing grin. Coffee cryptically meant he wanted to meet at our secret beach.

  - I can’t. I’m sick.

  - You are? What’s wrong?

  I melted into a puddle, his concern slathering salve on my wounded soul.

  - The flu, I think.

  “Julia, don’t make me break down the door,” Phil said in a controlled voice.

  “If you break down the door, I’ll un-invite you,” I seethed.

  - I wish I was there to be able to take care of you.

  I swooned in glee. Nicholas was back. My actions earlier gave strength to his good side and overcame the evil, bringing this whole nightmare to an end. I could kick Scarlett and Phil out forever and replace them with the man who I wanted to be with, the one who loved me unconditionally.

  “He’s trying to trick you into inviting him in,” Phil said softly, brimming with distress. “Be careful what you say.”

  My hand froze over the keypad of my return text. I’d planned to say, “I wish you were here too.” Indirectly, it was an invitation to come inside. A bead of sweat rolled down my temple when I realized Phil was right. I’d been ignoring how he really felt, so desperate to have him back in my life.

  “I un-invite you Nicholas,” I breathed just in case, my throat thick with heartache. Then I turned off my phone.

  My lower lip quivered as I reached out to find him in my front yard. The sinister workings of his evil side gave me the chills. Phil and Scarlett had been right all along. There was no way I could be alone with him and not become his victim. He was solely fueled by manipulation and lies, aimed at taking back the necklace no matter the cost. I curled up on the floor, wishing I could pass out and escape.

  “Julia,” Phil said kindly, his hand rocking the door knob again. “Come out.”

  I pressed my eyes shut, keeping the tears inside. “No,” I choked out. “Not when she’s out there.”

  “Scarlett doesn’t want to see you suffering either,” he said calmly.

  “Yeah right.” I balled up the corner of the rug and squeezed as hard as I could. “She just wants to ransack my mind and use my secrets against me.”

  “Not at all,” Phil said sweetly. “She’s a good and decent person. We all misjudge situations. It’s normal. We’re both very sorry about all of this. Really.”

  I rested my head on my arm. The cold tiles pressed against my aching body, sending a chill across my skin. I didn’t know how long my stubbornness would outlast my humanity and glanced at the cupboard for any extra towels. There were none.

  “Please?” Phil begged. “I feel really rotten out here.”

  The last thing I wanted to do was walk out and admit defeat, but I started to shiver. A hot shower seemed like a better idea, but I’d forgotten to grab the clean towels out of the dryer. If Dad heard the water running at this time of night, he’d know I was awake—my actions adding to his already massive arsenal of suspicion. Resigned, I stood up and pulled up my sweatshirt hood.

  Phil got out of the way when I unlocked the door. With my eyes down, I brushed past him, and headed straight for my bed. Even though I knew my behavior was juvenile, I pulled the covers up over my head anyway.

  Phil sat next to me and rubbed my shoulder. Normally, I would have pushed him away but the ma
ssage felt soothing.

  “Just rest,” he said. “Nick’s gone for now and Scarlett’s sleeping.”

  I peeked out just enough to see her curled in a ball in the corner—the cat version again.

  “She’s really exhausted and I don’t expect her to wake for a while, so close your eyes too.”

  I looked up at Phil through my bangs, knowing I’d never be able to sleep with his affection floating about.

  “Do you want another sleeping pill?”

  “No,” I mumbled. I wanted to be lucid just in case something else happened.

  “How about if I read to you some more?”

  Jurassic Park would be a sufficient distraction. I nodded. He’d think about something else long enough for me to be lulled to sleep by his soothing voice and I could shut my brain off long enough to hopefully fall asleep.

  “Great.” He retrieved the book and flipped to where we’d left off. “Can’t get enough of the veloci“crap”tors; can you?”

  With a roll of my eyes, I laughed. “Guess not.” Among other things.

  If he wasn’t so darn adorable, they’d both be tossed outside on their heads.

  Chapter Twenty

  When I woke up, Phil was sitting in the same place, staring at me intently. I looked away feeling invaded, then worried about my morning breath.

  “Hi,” I said awkwardly, sensing his boredom bloom into happiness.

  “Hi,” he said with a smile in his eyes. “Sleep well?”

  “Yeah.” I slowly picked my head up off the pillow to sit up.

  The pounding pain radiated in all different directions. I didn’t know what was worse, the beginnings of a caffeine headache about to slam sledge hammers in my temples or the dull throbbing ache from the bruise on my forehead.

  “Oooh.” My voice made a funny whoosh sound as I carefully touched my wound.

  “Yeah,” Phil said with a wince. “Sorry about that. You’ve got a nasty bruise.”

  “I bet. It really hurts.”

  I glanced around the darkened room to search for Scarlett, noticing the sunlight trying to peek around the curtains Phil had obviously drawn them to protect himself. But Scarlett wasn’t on the floor where she’d fallen asleep the night prior.

  “Where’s the fleabag?”

  “Easy girl.” Phil pursed his lips. “She needed to eat. She’ll be back.”

  “I hope she’s not eating Aladdin’s cat food.” I smiled, maybe bigger than I should have. “Breakfast of champions?” Phil glared at me. “Sorry, I’m not cordial until I get my caffeine,” I bit my lip and dangled my feet off the bed, taking my time to stand. “Is my dad still home?”

  “He just left, but your bro’s here—still sleeping though. Does he ever do anything?”

  “Apparently not.” I stifled a chuckle. “His activities circle around Amber his secret girlfriend, college classes at night, and now tattling, but that’s about it. Did you happen to hear if my dad called school to tell them I’m sick again?”

  “He did and he checked on you too. I think he left a note.”

  Phil didn’t think; he knew (the little snoop). I’m sure being locked up for seven or so hours, even with the riveting stack of books I brought him, would make anyone stir crazy.

  Phil made me sit back down. “Here, I’ll get the note and a cup of coffee for you. Okay?”

  I looked into his sparkling eyes and let out a sigh of thankfulness.

  “That would be perfect,” I said sheepishly, ashamed after being so cruel the night before. “Everything should be easy enough to find. The coffee beans are in the fridge.”

  “I got it.” He pulled on his black robe and disappeared out of the door.

  I stood and walked to the bathroom, desperate to brush the fuzz off my teeth. The light hit my eyes, worsening the pain in my head. I fumbled in the cabinet and found some Advil, taking two pills before examining the battle wound. The bump looked better than it felt and could be hidden under my bangs, if I styled them just right. I’d definitely need an excuse for this whopper though, if anyone saw it.

  Upon leaving the bathroom, I ran directly into Phil, who stood smiling with his arm outstretched. He held a pink painted “It’s good to be Queen” mug in his hand. I smiled back and took the hot mug between my palms, inhaling the rich aroma. But before taking the first delectable sip, I cocked my head, and wondered how he brewed the coffee so quickly. Obviously he was trying to hide something.

  “Okay, I didn’t make it,” he confessed. “Your dad left some in a thermos downstairs and . . .”

  He shyly handed me a crumpled note.

  Julia,

  Out to run errands.

  Call if you need anything.

  Enjoy the coffee.

  Love Dad.

  “Makes sense,” I said with a generous laugh. My dad did brew some stellar coffee. “I didn’t think you could make coffee this good.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. It couldn’t be that hard, right?” He laughed.

  I smiled. Little did he know the disasters an amateur barista could invoke upon a helpless little coffee machine.

  “Truth or dare?”

  I crinkled my brows together. “Did you just say you wanted to play ‘truth or dare’?”

  “Yeah.” Phil raised his right eyebrow and got comfortable on my bed, with a coquettish smile. “Wanna play?”

  I snickered when images of Phil skipping through sprinklers with women’s clothing on or knocking on my neighbor’s door to ask if his refrigerator was running floated through my head.

  “You must be incredibly bored.”

  Phil nodded, fortified with intrigue. I squinted my eyes in return, just as curious to know his deepest secrets as he obviously was of mine.

  “With ground rules, I will,” I said confidently.

  Phil gave me his sexy smirk. “Okay. What rules?”

  “Nothing painful, illegal, dangerous, noisy or embarrassing,” I said quickly.

  “Pfft. No fun.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “Seriously—”

  “Fine, but this is going to be boring.” Phil faked a yawn, fanning his mouth. I punched him in the arm with my right hand, which he grabbed, swirled me around and pinned me against his body.

  “Truth or dare,” he whispered, his lips dangerously close to my neck.

  My body electrified, feeling the warmth of his breath, and I swallowed hard, trying to ignore his strong chest behind me. I liked being within his arms and the thought scared me.

  “Truth,” I squeaked out before wriggling out of his grasp.

  Phil let me go and sprawled out across my bed, evidently prepared. “When did you and Nick start dating?”

  I gained composure and sat on my desk chair, looking at the floor, holding my mug for security.

  “Uh . . .” I stammered, wanting to talk about the subject de-licately. “Not officially until after the incident at the warehouse. Nicholas was worried about vamps finding out and thought someone might come after me to get to him . . . you know?”

  My eyes darted back up to his. I hadn’t quite satisfied his question.

  “I see,” he said, deep in thought, radiating a smidge of envy. “He lacked faith in his ability to protect you.”

  “No,” I defended. “He was just being cautious. He’s had other situations that ended poorly.”

  “All those broken hearts . . .” Phil clucked his tongue.

  My anger welled up. “Not exactly,” I said, my tone terse. “My mother was murdered.”

  Any color Phil possibly had drained from his cheeks. “Dude, I’m sorry.”

  “No worries. Your turn,” I said, trying to cover up the uncomfortable situation. “Truth or dare.”

  He paused for a minute, still feeling horrible when enlightenment suddenly danced from his eyes.

  “Dare.” He licked his lips.

  I wanted so badly to choose something that would knock the sassy off his adorable face when the little stream of late morning light caught
my eye, highlighting the frolicking motes in the air besides us.

  “What would happen if you put your hand in the sunlight?”

  Phil’s eyes grew big, his angst heightening. “Imagine putting your hand on the burner of a stove—”

  I gasped.

  “—times a thousand.”

  “Oh.” I cringed. “Never mind then. Definitely breaks the danger rule.” I bit the corner of my lip and tried to think of another dare.

  “I can think of one,” he said, full of ardor.

  “I bet you can.” I felt flustered and tried to appear unfazed.

  Deep down though, if he did try to kiss me, I knew I’d let him because I really wanted him to. In nervousness, my hand unconsciously made its way to the talisman which yanked me back to reality. Nicholas loved me enough to give up the one thing that protected him in his dangerous job. To allow a kiss, even an innocent one would disrespect that sacrifice. Though the stone was dead—why I didn’t know—it still symbolized his concern for my safety and love for me. “Um . . . how about . . .” I continued to fidget. Nothing was coming to me. “Crap. I can’t think of anything.”

  He got up and walked towards me with a shameless expression, turning on the charm. “How about . . . a nice back massage? Or—”

  “How about cleaning my toilet?”

  His charisma faded into disappointment. “Yeah, sure.”

  Literally ten seconds passed in which I heard something swipe the bowl and the water flush down the drain. He returned, humbled, and smelling of Pine Sol.

  “Done. Your turn.”

  My heart beat a little faster. I gulped, unsure what to choose. “Um . . . Truth?”

  “Are you sure?” The flicker in his eyes drove me crazy. I couldn’t help but enjoy his undivided attention as our chemistry naturally sent invisible sparks flying across the room, healing a part of me that felt vulnerable and wounded. The fact that we could be together so easily made me worry my attachment to him was growing into something I might not be able to live without if Nicholas never recovered.

  “I don’t trust you with a dare.”

  “Really?” His dark snicker gave me shivers, but in a good way. His bravery spiked and I knew this question was going to be a doosey.