“What’s that?” Phil asked, reaching forward.
Suddenly tongue-tied, my hand froze unable to stop him. He removed it gently from my fingers. Nothing happened.
“Wow. It looks really expensive,” he said, handing it back. “Is it yours?”
“Um, yeah,” I mumbled.
Our eyes met. With shaky fingers, I clasped the chain around my neck and waited for the stone to glow with welcoming warmth and turn blue like before. But the talisman remained the same.
I continued to freak out on the inside, trying to think back to what Nicholas had said about its powers. The protection worked when the talisman was freely given and if it accepted its new owner, it changed color. If not, the stone turned black and burned the unwanted recipient. But it wasn’t burning me or Phil.
What’s wrong with it?
“Quick, try to bite me,” I said in desperation and thrust my neck towards Phil’s mouth.
He jumped off the seat and backed up. “Whoa there, sister. Didn’t you just hear me a minute ago? I’m trying to avoid the delectable red nectar. You becoming a vamp isn’t going to help things.”
“No, I mean, try to bite me. Don’t actually do it.”
Phil twisted up the side of his face into a grimace. “What?”
“It’s an experiment.”
“Look, you’re tempting enough as it is,” he said and kept his hands up, increasing the distance. “Imagine being absolutely starved and someone puts your favorite food in front of you and says, ‘Here, take a whiff, but you can’t eat it.’ ”
“Oh.” I ran my hands through my hair and grabbed a handful, wanting to yank a chunk out. “That would be cruel.”
“Heck yeah.” Phil watched me like I was a lit firecracker that hadn’t gone off, unsure if I was safe to approach.
“Never mind. Sorry, I didn’t think about that.”
I slumped to the floor, overwhelmed with grief and information. My room swayed as new tears welled up in my eyes. The gaping hole where my heart used to reside felt raw and empty. I wanted to curl up and die. Then, my stomach lurched.
Oh, please dear God no.
I choked down the bile and squished my eyes shut, willing the contents of my stomach to stay inside. A sheet of glistening sweat burst across my goose-bumped skin.
“You okay?” Phil asked sweetly and put his arm over my shoulder.
His kindness and the fact I didn’t actually puke lessened the embarrassment, but I still felt like someone had punched me in the gut. From nowhere I completely lost all composure.
“I can’t do this,” I said with my palms against my face, suddenly overwhelmed with haunting memories of Nicholas’ cold hard green eyes. “I guess it all makes sense since he’s evil now, to fulfill my destiny but . . . but . . . now you’re all unevil so why would I kill you too?” I asked in mumbled sobs. “And the talisman is broken, my friend is a blood sucker, my boyfriend is addicted now. It’s completely a mess and utterly impossible . . . ”
“Parker,” Phil whispered while pulling my hands off my eyes. “Parker! Look at me.”
I sniveled and glanced up into his face. The calming darkness of his eyes invited me to come inside and relax within their satiny comfort.
“Nicholas isn’t lost, he’s just confused. I’m sure, after he’s had a chance to get off his blood-high and work with Scar, he’ll figure out he doesn’t want to follow Alora’s wicked plans. You’ll have him back in no time.”
I whimpered and nodded.
“Just take things one day at a time. I’ll watch your back and we’ll get this all straightened out.” Phil sat closer to me and rubbed my back and shoulders.
“But,” I said, voice quaking, “I’m supposed to.”
“Supposed to do what?” he whispered behind me, close to my ear.
“Scarlett’s former psychic boss said my destiny was to wipe out all the vampires.”
Phil laughed. “Oh, really?”
I pursed my lips. “She could see the future and I believe her. So does Scarlett.”
Phil swiveled me around by my shoulder so I faced him. “Listen to me. No one really knows the future, except for the Big Man upstairs, so don’t let their opinion wig you out right now.” Phil had a harder edge to his voice.
“I have to. It’s true,” I whispered, looking downward.
“Okay, so maybe it is true, but don’t you think, if you are the Chosen One that when it came time, you’d have all the tools you need to kick everyone’s ass?”
His choice of words made me smile. “I guess so.”
“Great. So, let’s worry about that when the time comes. Right now, you need sleep. You’ve got to go to school tomorrow and also keep your dad’s suspicions down. We don’t need him freaking out anymore.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.”
“Well, I’ve accounted for that. Here, take these—” Phil put two pills in my hand “—and everything will be okay. I’m hanging out with you tonight anyway. I need a place to crash.”
“What are they?”
“Just take them and things will be clearer in the morning. Promise.”
I flipped the little white pills over in my hand and judged his aura. He smiled his knee-melting smile that I found difficult to resist. When I knew I could trust him, I popped them in my mouth. Within seconds, the world became fuzzy, taking away all my cares instantly.
“They work quickly,” I mumbled, feeling my body crumple to the floor.
“I know.”
Something lifted my body up and from there I floated under a rainbow towards paradise.
Chapter Fifteen
“Julia? Julia!”
The muffled voice of my father boomed from heaven, breaking apart the sparkly cloud I floated on. With all my might, I clung to each piece, trying to hold the fluffy filaments together.
“Ugh,” I muttered. “Leave me alone.”
“Julia, wake up.”
His agitation yanked me back into reality. Unwillingly I opened my eyes. Just beyond my father’s panic-stricken face the clock read 3:30 AM.
“I’m sleeping,” I said, yanking my covers over my head. “It’s flipping three in the morning.”
“Yes,” he said with a gruffness that made me cringe. “Maybe you should tell that to the police officers who are downstairs asking to speak with you.”
I sat up in my bed, instantly awake. “Police officers?”
“Julia.” He held me firmly by my arm and I flinched, the bruise from Phil’s playful punch still tender at the spot. “If there is something you need to tell me, I suggest you do it now.” He looked at me with worried eyes.
“No, Dad.” I shrugged off his grip. I hope not.
He stood up, angry, fearful, frustrated, exasperated. “Put on your robe.”
As we filed downstairs, the cockiness of the occupants in the foyer seemed to be a bit much for our little house. I knew whatever conversation about to take place would be interesting and my words would probably be used against me.
“Officers,” Dad said with a nod. “Let’s go into the living room.”
I scanned the two faces, neither of which I recognized.
“We just need to ask some questions,” the taller one with jet black hair and a cleft chin said.
“And we can do that in the living room,” Dad said firmly, holding out his arm to direct them towards the couch. I followed behind the shorter one who happened to dispense the most attitude.
They sat down after we did.
“We’re looking for this young lady,” Cleft Chin said, producing a photo of Katie. “Do you know of her whereabouts?”
The photo opened the floodgates of despair, Phil’s sleeping pills temporarily buried, confirming this whole nightmare to be real. I took a deep breath and fought the barrage of memories that threatened to drown me. The whole torrential storm of missing friends and worried parents from last fall flashed before my eyes. I’d completely forgotten the aftermath would happen again with Alora back in town.
While folding my arms, I refocused on the officer to try to remain calm and act like I had no clue where she could possibly be.
“Is she missing?” I asked, my eyes flickering between them.
“Possibly.”
I grabbed onto my dad’s hand so I wouldn’t fidget, faking I needed his support.
“We were supposed to meet at Mr. Pickles tonight,” I said with forced worry in my voice. “But she sent a text and told me her car wouldn’t start and cancelled our plans. Did . . . did she leave and not come home or something?”
“When did you see her last?”
A little bit ago.
I bit my tongue before I admitted the truth, thinking back to the time before tonight.
“Um . . . Friday, at school,” I finally said. “You didn’t answer me.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Miss Kennedy has been reported missing,” he said trying to convey warmth, possibly fearing I’d start freaking out. “Do you know where she was today?”
The two appeared to be watching my every move, but I felt their boredom instead of the intended intimidation. This must be routine questioning for all missing persons cases. Good thing this time I’d be dismissed as a suspect.
“No.” I looked away and tried to muster up a few tears. Why can’t I cry when I want to?
“Has she done anything suspicious lately?”
Like kidnapping me or drinking blood from some guy’s arm? I’d say heck yeah! I fought a smirk that wanted to form on my lips. “No.”
“Do you know where she might have gone?”
Alora’s hideout maybe? Or stalking Tyler’s house? My heart thudded a few hard beats thinking of him. He’d definitely need some protection; I’d have to ask Phil later, if it wasn’t already too late.
“No.” I shook my head and took another deep breath, trying harder to cry.
“When did you receive your last text from her?”
“I’d tell you the exact time, but my phone’s busted. So, I don’t know. Some time around six?”
Cleft Chin shifted in his seat, dissatisfied. His suspicion alerted me my act wasn’t winning me an Emmy. I took another deep breath and refocused my energy on Phil’s funeral, imagining the look in Phil’s mother’s eyes. The memories came back like it happened yesterday. Katie’s mom would feel the same distress, but unlike Phil’s mother, she may never get closure unless we killed Katie. The realization sent shockwaves down my spine and like magic, the tears burst freely from the corners of my lids.
“Can you think of any information that might help with this case?” Cleft Chin asked, his demeanor softening.
“No.” I looked down, sniffling and wiping away the now endless flow.
“Well, okay then,” Cleft Chin said, rising to his feet.
The short, cocky one snapped to attention and stood as well. “Thank you. Here’s my card. If you hear from her, or find out anything about where she might have gone, please give me a call.”
I remained on the couch, slobbering in my snot while my dad took the card and nodded.
After the cops left, my dad returned to the couch and put his arm over my shoulder. My tears stopped, but the worry, regret and anxiety snaked around us, threatening to form a lasso and choke our necks.
“I hope they find her,” he finally said.
“Me too,” I said in an effort to give him some hope.
My heart hurt knowing Katie was as good as dead to me now and I needed to separate myself from caring anymore. She was no longer my friend, but a ruthless killer, unless Phil could show her the light. And then maybe Phil knew of a way we could stop this much easier than last time. I just hoped the whole “we need to move away from here” talk wouldn’t come up again.
I rubbed my eyes and leaned into my dad’s shoulder for comfort. The last thing I wanted was for him to worry, especially in his fragile condition.
“Katie’s been acting weird lately,” I said. “Maybe she just snapped and took off. She’s prone to do crazy things every once in a while.”
“And not call you?”
“Maybe she did call. I don’t have my phone.”
“I’ll get you one tomorrow. You’ll need to pay for it though.”
“I know.”
I closed my eyes and tried to push a little peace my dad’s way. It seemed to work, clearing up the emotional clutter. After a few minutes, I heard him snore somewhere within my own dreams. We’d managed to fall asleep.
“Whoa,” Luke said, standing in the doorway. “What’s with the slumber party?”
Dad woke up with a snort.
I groggily looked at the clock. “Oh, crap.”
I was supposed to be leaving in ten minutes for school.
Darting up the stairs, I flew into my room to find the shades drawn, blocking out the morning sunlight. The hall light illuminated Phil sitting patiently on my bed, a goofy smile plastered on his face. He jumped up and put his hand over my mouth to muffle my startled scream.
“Shhh,” he said quietly, shutting the door behind me. “I came back last night and you were downstairs with your dad. Looks like everything’s on the up and up. Nice work.”
“Not exactly,” I muttered, scrambling blindly in the dark to find something clean to wear. My heart rate returned to normal but my vision was a few seconds behind. “They know Katie is missing, so today is going to be interesting.”
“Who?”
“The cops. They must have come sometime after you left,” I said, looking at Phil. My eyes had adjusted to the dark and I tried not to notice his dimples.
I scooted into the bathroom to change, flipping on the light. “It’s like your disappearance all over again,” I said softly from behind the cracked door.
“Oh?” Phil questioned, seeming far away and lost in thought, like he’d returned to that time in his mind.
I shimmied out of my jammies, brushed my teeth, threw my hair up into a pony tail and put on jeans and a tee shirt. “The school is going to be wallpapered in missing fliers and I can’t say anything.”
“Well, I’m kinda stuck here until tonight but we’ll figure something out.”
I came out of the bathroom and glanced around my room. Not much for a vampire to do all day.
“On my bookshelf is my romance novel collection, or if you want, you could write my history report.” I gave him a cheesy smile.
“I’d rather read romance.”
“Your funeral.” I threw my backpack over my shoulder. “I’ll get you something from the library later. Be good.” I gave him a stern motherly look along with a firm point of my finger.
“Trouble is no longer my middle name. I’ve been reborn,” Phil said, making the sign of the cross followed by two fingers for scouts honor.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re a dork.”
The dewy air rushed my nostrils as I squished across the grass to my car. Phil had successfully earned my trust again and I felt confident leaving him unattended in my house, until I could return.
Coach Hoffman hated tardy students and often made them run the whole class period instead of detention (which I’d take over running any day). I couldn’t be late. But once I arrived, I found the entire class sitting on the bleachers engaged in a discussion. Kara was sharing about Daisy, her Chihuahua dog, and how she’d run away and its affect on her trust of animals ever since. Once someone saw me walk in though, the whispers started along with a rumbling of empathy.
“Oh, Julia,” Coach said getting up and holding out her arms for a hug. “I’m so happy you came to class today. We were worried you’d stayed home with the news of Katie.”
At the mention of her name, three girls burst into tears. I caught Sam’s glance and noticed worry etched across her face.
“Yeah,” I grunted, suffocated from the pressure of her bourgeoning bosoms, waiting for the hug to be over with.
More than anything I wanted to sit by Sam, but Coach walked me over to sit between “huggy” Maya and “cryie” Beth. It took all the effort I had
to endure their concern and affection.
At the end of class, I bolted to history to avoid the mob and buried my face in my book.
“It’s happening again, isn’t it?” Sam asked, sitting down next to me. “The mysterious disappearances, the dea—” Her sudden distress finished the statement for me.
The desire to tell her the truth burned in my stomach, forcing bile up my throat.
“I don’t know.” If Phil and I can stop it fast enough, no. “Maybe.”
“Katie’s mom called last night after she didn’t come home. I mentioned you two were meeting up. How did that go?”
“We didn’t. She cancelled and said she had car trouble.”
“She called you?” Her eyebrows knit together.
“No.” I looked away. “Texted me. I was the last to hear from her I guess.”
“Oh. I was hoping she didn’t, like, kidnap Tyler and head for Mexico. He’s not at school either.”
“He’s not?” My voice echoed throughout the classroom, creating an avalanche of curiosity behind the eyeballs peering back at me.
“Keep your voice down, Miss Parker,” Mr. Marshall said, looking up over his glasses with his beady eyes. Fortunately, class hadn’t started yet.
“Geez, Julia. Chill.” Sam puckered her lips as her cheeks reddened. “Tyler’s got the flu. I was kidding about the Mexico thing.”
Internally, I breathed a sigh of relief. He’d have to stay home and indoors until he was better—hopefully for longer than the usual twenty-four hours. “I didn’t know that.”
“Miss Parker,” Mr. Marshall said, motioning me to the front of the room. “Come forward.”
I gulped once I saw Sarah, the T.A. from the office, standing next to him, relishing in her importance. Begrudgingly, I walked to the front, while students stared at me like I had some contagious disease, though expressing great interest in my business. The last time I was called to the office, Mr. Brewster torturously interrogated me over Phil’s disappearance. I didn’t think I could endure that again. Luckily, this time, the cops had already questioned me and I wasn’t the last to be seen with her like I’d been with Phil.
But the only thing Sarah handed me was a note.
The Sapphire Talisman Page 12
