Talisman 2 - The Sapphire Talisman (30 page)

“I needed to know,” I whimpered. “I have to stop getting my hopes up. Just in case.”

“That’s a good idea,” he said, but not for his benefit. He seemed to know something I didn’t—something bad. Something that would break my heart forever if I knew.

I cringed and continued to cry.

He continued to smooth my hair, emitting worry, obviously unsure what to say to fix my aching heart. “I’ll just stay until you fall asleep, okay?”

I nodded my head, unable to speak. I didn’t want to be alone.

Chapter Thirty
-
Four

“
S
o? Has Nicholas called yet?” Sam asked, looking up at me through her bangs, obviously afraid to ask.

I let out a huge sigh while dissecting the uneaten Jell-O on my lunch tray. “No.”

A month had passed since the incident at the storage place without a word from anyone. Sam thought Nicholas had undertaken some reconnaissance mission and couldn’t contact me, which allowed me some leeway to grieve publicly to her.

“Are you allowed to call him?” she whispered, as if an undercover spy might overhear us and figure out his location.

“His phone’s disconnected.”
And so is my cute little keychain one.
I bit my lip. My guess was he didn’t pay the bill.

To avoid Sam’s sorrowful eyes, I looked away. The truth burned on my tongue.

“Why can’t I tell her?”
I spoke partially to myself and partially to
Scarlett
, if she’d listen.

“The more people know, the more danger you put them in,”
Scarlett
whispered back from somewhere in the cafeteria.

She’d made school visits a regular habit, not just to keep track of me, but to have something to do. High school drama apparently scored high on the entertainment scale.

My shoulders sunk down anyway.
Scarlett
was right. The only reason I wanted to tell Sam was for my own selfish pity party and I already had friends to share my pain with. I just hated that Sam wasn’t in the
know
like the rest of us and was tired of holding up the lame façade.

“Sorry,” Sam said again.

“Yeah, me too.” I curled up the corners of my lips. “Thanks.”

Off to the side, Morgan and Dena lovingly fed each other their lunch. As of late, their decadent display of affection sickened me, which they must have sensed because they’d taken a more permanent residence at the end of our table. Cameron sat with his new redheaded girlfriend, Savannah, and her friends—their new devotion less obnoxious.

My glance happened to casually land on Tyler who watched me back. These days I hid in my own feelings, unable to cope with much. The slightest bit of loneliness sent me spinning.

He responded by wrinkling his brow. I shrugged in return.

Sam watched the interaction. “You two
—
?”

“Just friends,” I interrupted.

But unbeknownst to Sam,
Tyler and I spent quite a lot of time together back at Nicholas’ house with the Fab Five Coven—two humans, two vampires and a half-vamp shape-shifter. We’d collectively decided to give Tyler a choice. Red pill he gets his mind wiped, returning to a normal life or the blue pill where he keeps his memories. And without the beguiling temptation of the secret vampire kiss looming over his head (‘cause we’d forbidden Katie), he began to think clearly. Well, as clearly as a hormone driven high school boy could think. Surprising to all of us though, he chose Katie and the dangers of hanging with those of the surreptitious vampire lifestyle. He became our fifth member.

So every day, Tyler and I faked we didn’t know one another at school
. . .
until today. Suddenly, Tyler and Todd were on their feet, walking in our direction with their lunch trays.

“Did you do this,” Sam whispered between unmoving lips, her face appalled.

“No,” I said, just as surprised as Sam was.

“Can we join you?” Tyler asked, sitting down next to me. Todd took his place next to Sam and put his arm over her shoulder. She swooned.

“Sure.” I smiled with a thankful look into Tyler’s eyes. He knew exactly what was wrong. Our whole Fab Five knew. Daily I begged Phil to fly me to Harry’s in L.A. to which he refused and I sulked.

“Cool,” he said, giving my shoulder a quick hug.

At least my new coven knew why I was so melancholy. Joy for me was fast and far between. Mostly, Phil’s antics would get a laugh and visiting my new cousin, Emma always was a highlight. Her sweet little feelings were so very contagious. But things trudged on as usual leaving me boyfriendless, hopeless
. . .
endless.

To top it off, there was another vampire reprieve over the city. And since Katie,
Scarlett
, and Phil didn’t really have anywhere to go, they took up residence at Nicholas’ place. I figured once he got back, he could kick them out.

We also cleaned up what little mess Alora left, which was minimal. The blood slaves had escaped and skipped town, possibly with Aden and Tony.
Scarlett
wiped Mandy’s memory too, which made her seem a little day-dreamy and forgetful. But at least she was happier.

So, like before, we all had nothing to do except hang out and wait. But for what, we weren’t sure. I knew eventually
Scarlett
would preach about my prediction and try to start an uprising. There was no other reason for her to hang out with us youngins. But without Nicholas, I wasn’t doing anything of the sort.

“You holding up?” Tyler asked under his breath as the bell rang.

“I don’t know,” I said, holding back my tears, feeling extra weepy for some reason. “I don’t know how much longer I can stand this. I have to know something. It’s killing me.”

“Let’s talk to everyone later,” he said quietly. “Maybe someone can go and get word.”

“Yeah.” I looked into his concerned eyes but knew the truth.

I didn’t trust
Scarlett
to go alone. Phil couldn’t go because he was
wanted
. Katie would get lost, feeding on some cute, frat boy or captured by the bad vampire gang. My only option was to drive myself, or write Preston another letter and beg for information.

Something had to change.

After school, I walked into the house and slammed my book bag on the counter.

“Rough day?” Luke asked apprehensively, sitting at the kitchen table.

I turned and scowled, betting the next question would revolve around my period or something. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t. I just thought I’d say something since you haven’t talked to me or been around in weeks.”

“Humph
.
” I went to the fridge and
found it barren as usual
. I finally settled on an orange.

Luke felt bad and so did I. After Alora and Nicholas threatened his life, I felt extra close to my family but couldn’t verbalize it. Luke finked and I couldn’t make myself apologize since I felt he needed to first.

“Nicholas hasn’t called, has he?” Luke said with a sympathetic look on his face.

I swirled around, ready to spit fire balls at him but Luke wasn’t trying to start a fight. He’d known something was up for a while and just guessed correctly, emanating genuine concern.

I gulped, holding back the tears. No one had mentioned Nicholas by name since
that
day. “How’d you know?”

Luke looked away and took another bite of his cereal. “I could just tell something was bothering you. I guessed. It’s too bad. I’m sorry.”

I sat across from him and peeled my orange. “Yeah, I’m sorry too.”

We exchanged a glance and Luke smiled. We’d finally managed to make up. Then, unable to withstand the sappy silence any longer, Luke jumped up and washed out his bowl.

“Hey,” he said, just before leaving. “You’ve got a letter.”

He pointed towards the counter.

I rose and spotted a manila envelope on the counter. My heart flip-flopped as I picked it up and studied the front. My name and address was typed and the stamp had a Los Angeles imprint on it. My heart raced as I opened the flap on the back.

Three pieces of paper fluttered out into my hand: the lyrics to the song Nicholas was working on—the one I’d found in his house the night we’d broken in, along with a letter.

: : :

Down by the
 
ocean tide
the still of the moonlight
Its come at the right time
The moment we caught eyes
The sun hits your eyelids
an hour too early
and your heart starts racing
too quick for the morning
Ill equipped
for pretty sights
we're just ships
passing in the night
Just say the words
and I'll be right over
I'll meet you
at your bedroom roof top
The porcelain doves
chime above the highway hum
serenade the setting sun
I’m caught in your balcony breeze
Turn around
the winter jasmine crowns are born
they're waiting for a head to adorn
a pretty little head like yours
a pretty little little head like yours.
Ill equipped
for pretty sights
we're just ships
passing in the night

: : :

Julia,

I’ll be home soon.

Missing and thinking of you often.

Keep the faith.

<  N.K.

: : :

I stood, mouth agape, and reread the
beautiful
words. Then, I spun around in the kitchen and let out a whoop, holding the papers to my chest.

He was coming home.

Finally.