The Sapphire Talisman

by Brenda Pandos

  “There, see? No harm, no foul.”

  Whatever. Reluctantly, I tried to plug in the address but my finger tips wouldn’t register on the screen.

  “Ack,” I cried out.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My fingers are too cold.”

  “Try putting them in your mouth.”

  “What?”

  “I’d do it,” he said, his voice sexier than normal. “But I’m not warm enough. Just suck on them.”

  I grumbled, feeling totally juvenile. With a roll of my eyes, I put my index finger in my mouth, trying not to worry about germs. Phil moaned in delight.

  “Shut up,” I mumbled.

  After a minute of defrosting I touched the screen. Like magic the phone worked. I quickly input the address. Suddenly, the GPS lady’s voice chirped out of my speakers and I turned up the volume as high as it would go. She sweetly barked out orders and we zigzagged accordingly, following her every command.

  “This is cool. I’ve never done this before,” Phil said in amusement.

  “Well, if you go the wrong way, she gets very upset with you.”

  “Really?” Phil’s curiosity peaked.

  “Don’t even think about it. We can play with it later, let’s just get there so I can defrost, pee, and turn off this blasted phone,” I barked.

  Phil sobered up and stopped wasting time. Within minutes, we were hovering over Hung and Harry’s house. I shut off the phone, hoping for a miracle.

  “That’s it.” I pointed to show Phil. “How do you want to do this?”

  “Well, let’s land and knock on the door. I’ll wait until you are safely inside, then I’ll hover up here until you are ready to go.”

  “And what if someone sees you?”

  “I’ll deal with it. Ready?”

  “Yeah.” I held my breath and Phil descended into the alley.

  With anxious hands, I rapped on the door. Inside, the general uneasiness resonated outward. I tried not to look frightened when the peephole became darkened from the eyeball peering at me.

  “Hung, it’s me, Julia,” I assumed.

  Recognition rang out and the sound of the locks unlatching one-by-one filled my ears. I finally let my breath go.

  “She’ll let me in,” I whispered to Phil. “You can go now.”

  Phil stiffened, radiating an ocean of fear right before the alley filled with a cornucopia of lustful sundries—power, revenge, and desire for blood.

  Before I could see them, Phil was in front of me, sandwiching my body between his back and the wall. My heart hammered in my chest as twin sets of black eyes attached to ferocious blood-sucking beings stepped into the alley entrance, their beautiful bodies illuminated. On the left stood a buff guy in a white tank top sporting an orange Mohawk that shot upward like flames. Next to him was a buxom blonde curled tightly with snakelike arms onto his shoulder. I might have been a little more confident if I knew Phil had more experience in fighting.

  “I come in peace,” Phil said with a voice full of courage though his insides rattled like chains.

  “You’ve been warned, fledgling, never to return and yet here you are—with a human no less,” the buff guy said. His arms were covered with tattoos decorating his skin like clothing.

  The cackles bounced off the walls around us as two more vampires appeared from the shadows like cockroaches behind them. A dark-haired, heavily made up Emo girl sauntered forward accompanied by a black-haired Goth boy, both dressed in black.

  “Listen,” Phil said, holding up his hands. “I’ve broken no rules. I’m here on a mission of mercy. To make amends for my past,” Phil argued.

  Blondie, who wore tight leather accentuating her assets, removed herself from Mohawk man’s shoulder and crept forward, closing the small space between us.

  A sly smile crossed her crimson lips. “Look, Slide,” she said, her voice gruff yet sexy “He’s trying to be honorable now. Is that what you tell all your pretty little snacks?”

  My fingers gripped Phil’s shoulder tighter on their own, ready to jump on piggy-back if he needed to shoot into the sky.

  Phil shifted his weight, concern swirling around him. “I’m serious.”

  “And so are we,” Slide said firmly.

  I stood plastered to Phil’s back, trembling, recognizing the V attack formation from the fight I’d witnessed with Nicholas in the past—someone distracts while the others spread out with a surprise attack. Phil remained poised, ready to spring into the sky at any moment, maneuvering his arm closer to my waist. With our botched arrival, we’d managed to lose our only opportunity to warn Hung and Harry about Nicholas and managed to attract nasty vamps into their alley instead, putting them in more danger.

  “Let’s go,” I whispered with a shaky voice, hoping our retreat would lure them away.

  Suddenly, I felt hands, warm and inspired with courage, grasp my arm, and jerk me backwards.

  I yelped and disappeared within the walls of the structure, watching Phil’s face twist into a panic. He shot his hand towards me only to bounce off the invisible force field between us and the door jam. I reached back only to be quickly separated by Hung who closed the door. She turned and greeted me with terrified eyes, sighing in relief as she flipped the locks one by one.

  “Safe now,” she said with wild eyes and a ghostly pallor, followed by a string of Vietnamese and hand gestures. The one I understood all too well—the pointing towards the alley and making like she had fangs—translated perfectly.

  “Yes,” I said, nodding my head. “I know there were vampires in the alley. But the one I was with was good.” I made the sign of the cross. “He’s good . . . Phil, he’s my friend.” I touched my heart. “Friend.”

  She turned and brushed her hand across the circular jade pendant hanging off the wall, repeating the familiar rhetoric from before.

  I got up and touched her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, don’t worry.”

  She frowned, expelling confusion, still guarding the door. I didn’t know what else to do, so I invisibly pushed my comfort towards her through my hand. She responded by relaxing, percolating more peace.

  I closed my eyes, reaching with my mind into the alley, no longer feeling Phil nearby. He must have been successful at getting away due to the lack of a clear confrontation and struggle. There were still two stragglers in the alley, confused and agitated, meaning the other two had left. Possibly trying to follow him.

  “Hung, is Harry home?”

  She peered into my eyes, worry etched into her weathered skin. “No. No Harry.”

  “Where is he?”

  Hung lowered her head. “Harry no here.”

  “Did Nicholas come here? Did something happen?”

  “Nicholas.” She shook her head rapidly. “Yes, Harry go Nicholas.” She made a hand gesture of a bird flying in the air.

  “He went to Nicholas or did Nicholas come here?” I pointed to the ground.

  “Nicholas,” she shook her head. “Harry go.” She closed her eyes and wiped away a tear, erupting tremendous grief. “Tôi đang lo lắng.”

  I took her hands. “What happened?”

  Confusion lingered. We weren’t communicating at all. She opened her brown eyes as far as they could and began speaking feverishly, flapping her arms wildly.

  “I . . . I don’t understand, Hung,” I said to try to convey she could stop trying to explain.

  She continued a little longer then waited, as if for an answer.

  “Vâng?” she asked.

  I looked back somberly, wishing I could understand. Something horrible happened and I didn’t know if Nicholas came and took Harry, forcing him to make weapons under duress or something worse.

  “I’ll find him, both of them.”

  Hung finally smiled, her tense shoulders dropping. “Come, eat.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Filled with nausea, I sat in Hung’s kitchen and pushed my food around with a fork, while Nicholas’ new self kept flashing bef
ore my eyes. I had no way—without Harry to interpret—to convince her to un-invite him so he wouldn’t come slaughter them in their sleep. Where was Harry anyway?

  Earlier, I’d gotten the brilliant idea to write a note until I remembered Harry was blind. The internet could have helped translate, but then again, the only access I knew of was on my phone. My eyes swept the book shelf for a translation dictionary but I couldn’t read the spines. How was I to tell her?

  Hung watched me quietly with rapt attention, thirsty to communicate. I’d mentioned Nicholas’ name and made the vampire fangs gesture again. She stared back, completely bewildered. Why would she believe me that Nicholas had changed? I gave up the charades after that.

  But our language barrier wasn’t my only problem. I literally had no way to get home without Phil, unless I accepted getting into mondo trouble and called my dad. How the heck would I explain how I ended up in Los Angeles of all places?

  The uncertainty, coupled with two dark chocolaty eyes watching my every move, stole the very breath from my lungs, making me feel claustrophobic. I needed Harry. Now.

  Something crashed to the floor in the other room and Hung darted towards the debacle, leaving me alone. My heart beat wildly unable to feel who the intruder was.

  Hung yelled something inaudible as a flash of white shot past the doorway towards the back bedrooms.

  I let my breath go, realizing their cat had knocked something over.

  If only it was Scarlett.

  My mind wandered to how horribly I’d treated her the past few days. She could have helped in this situation, if I’d let her come along. I sighed, hating that I actually missed her.

  “I’m here.”

  I straightened my shoulders and whipped my head around to find the black cat associated with the voice in my mind. “Where are you?”

  “Outside,” Scarlett replied.

  I looked towards the window and locked on the blue eyes framed in obsidian fur peering through the glass. “Is Phil will you?”

  “No, but I’m here to take you to him.”

  “Is Phil okay?”

  “Yes, for now. There isn’t much time.”

  I got off the chair and picked up my backpack. “But what about Hung?”

  “Tell her goodbye. I’ll do the rest.”

  Hung entered the kitchen with a dustpan full of white broken ceramic pieces, mumbling angrily under her breath as she tossed them into the trash. Whatever the cat broke seemed sentimental.

  “I’m leaving now,” I said while putting on my backpack and pointing towards the door.

  Hung straightened up from leaning over the garbage and pressed her eyebrows together. “Go?”

  “Yes,” I pointed towards the clock. “It’s late,” almost midnight. “I need to go home—sleep.” Hopefully.

  Hung emanated distress but tilted her head in a gesture of understanding as if everything suddenly made sense. But one thing was for sure, she didn’t want me to leave.

  “I’m sorry. Tell Harry I was here.” I grabbed a piece of paper and scratched out my phone number. “Have him call me.” My fingers formed a phone.

  Hung took the paper and nodded again; a warm smile formed on her lips. We’d connected finally.

  She walked me to the door and looked out the peep hole before opening it. In overwhelming concern, she grabbed my arm. “You—” Her hands formed around an invisible steering wheel, rotating back and forth.

  “Yes,” I answered, wanting her to think I drove.

  Relief flooded her tiny frame as she drew me into a tight embrace. Surprisingly her maternal tenderness enveloped me, giving me a connection with what Nicholas must have experienced growing up. She’d been his true mother, raising Nicholas into the wonderful man he was today, and I grew angry, determined not to let the red-headed tyrant ruling our town receive any benefit from Hung’s devotion. Hung and Harry—if anyone—deserved his loyalty implicitly. I planned to remind Nicholas of just that, if I ever got another chance.

  My chest ached once we let go of each other, feeling like a vulture sat on it, slowly pecking away at my dying heart. How would we ever handle it if he never returned to us—to me? After all, Alora’s image sat on his dresser, not Hung’s.

  “Don’t worry. He’ll come back,” Scarlett whispered ever so slightly, prickling the back of my subconscious.

  I gritted my teeth, recognizing her intonation instantly, figuring she was cleverly trying to manipulate my thoughts so I’d be more compliant. Having to fake a smile, I returned Hung’s bow.

  With my lips pressed tightly together, I turned and walked into the alley, searching for the nuisance. Scarlett sat perched on top of a dumpster.

  Fitting.

  “Goodbye,” I said, waving my hand while Hung eyed the darkness and me in disquiet. I disappeared out of her sight.

  “Okay. Where is he?” I stared at Scarlett, keeping my mind blank, unable to hide myself within anyone’s aura.

  She jumped off the dumpster and morphed into a woman, dressed in a snug black jacket, tight jeans and leather boots. The ensemble contrasted against her pearly skin and blue eyes.

  “Would this suit you better?” she asked, radiating compassion.

  “Yeah, whatever you want to be.” I looked at the filthy ground and kicked a rock. Even though her human form allowed me freedom to finally read her emotions, growing my confidence, her beauty quickly counteracted it, leaving me filled with insecurity. “Can we go now?”

  She nodded and walked towards the neighboring street. I followed closely behind, unsure of our surroundings and kept my personal radar on a heightened alert. Thankfully, we blended easily into the shadows with our dark ensembles. But my eyes darted back and forth, feeling the environment with each step we took.

  “Where is Phil anyway?” I whispered.

  “On the outskirts of town, trying to stay incognito. He’ll find us soon,” she said gently in my mind.

  “How did you know where we were anyway?”

  “I followed you.” She spoke plainly, like her feat was no big deal.

  “You followed us?” I let out a quiet chuckle of amazement, imagining her as a cat scampering at lightening speed over the Grapevine. “But what about Tyler?”

  “He’s fine for now,” she said matter-of-factly. “Katie has another mission to regain favor so Alora will fulfill her promise and allow Tyler to be sired. Her hope is to find Nicholas and assist in helping him come back to the coven—quite unsuccessful so far I might add.”

  I shuddered at both the fact she stalked Nicholas but also that she hadn’t given up on changing Tyler. “Does she know where to find him?”

  Scarlett snickered. “Katie’s not even looking in the right place.”

  My shoulders relaxed. Good thing Nicholas was smart enough to elude the venomous snakes that turned him into what he’d become. Scarlett’s dual aura distracted me though. She’d mentioned that she and Nicholas were connected by blood because of the bite and this still infuriated me. I pushed aside my jealousy and concentrated on finding the place where the connection lived. Buried deep within her being, was overwhelming anguish, loathing, and insatiable hunger that had to be coming from Nicholas. I grieved at the discovery.

  “He’s suffering,” Scarlett said, reading my intentions, responding greatly with disgrace. “I’m afraid the taste of my blood has made things terribly worse for him.”

  “How?” I balled up my fists. “What did it do to him?”

  “A vampire’s blood is the most decadent substance on the planet, and you already know how wonderful a sensation human blood can give.”

  I closed my eyes and remembered the euphoria all too well, secretly craving it myself.

  “Wait? You’re a vampire?”

  “Half—like Nicholas . . .”

  I gasped at the confession. In all my interactions, I hadn’t suspected her powers came from a vampire lineage, never sensing her bloodlust. Suddenly everything made sense. Did she have similar circumstances as Nicholas?
Who were her parents?

  “I don’t know my parents—I was adopted. But that doesn’t matter. What I’m concerned about is his battle. He needs to overcome his desires and choose which side to give allegiance. I fear your presence could push him over the edge and we’ll lose him—and you forever.”

  I didn’t want to believe her. “What do you mean?”

  “It would be much easier for him to sire you and join Alora than to deny and overcome his desires.”

  “Why do you even care?” I stated in malice, amazed she’d been so careless with him to allow such a disastrous blunder.

  “I care like Nicholas cares. We both abhor the lives we’ve been given, living in the middle between good and evil. But it’s not our fault our lot was picked for us by our parents, as naive as that may sound. Most vampires do not choose their lives either. But unlike most of them, I’ve retained my soul, therefore I ultimately want to see good prosper.”

  I pursed my lips, secretly agreeing. That was the only fine, thin thread that bonded us together—our desire for good to win over evil. “And if Nicholas doesn’t pick the good side?”

  “Actually, it doesn’t matter. We’ll all be destroyed in the end anyway.”

  My throat suddenly became dry. How dare she? Not if I can help it.

  “They aren’t my rules. It’s the laws governing the universe. Your destiny.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you that I’m supposed to eliminate all the vampires?” I asked, feeling very indignant. “Even you?”

  “I’m prepared to meet that fate. Being immortal, tied to the evil one, isn’t all red carpets and fanfare. I suffer the curse daily and choose to deny it.” Scarlett meant every word she said—radiating actual happiness that my destiny meant the end of her life. “But in the end, it’s actually better for everyone.”

  “That may be fine and dandy for you, but I know for a fact Phil does not want to return to Hell. And what about Nicholas?”

  “I do not think any of us has a choice.”

  Something shifted in the street behind us followed by a catcall. My feet stumbled forward, rushing to get away from the source and closer to Scarlett. I’d kept my feelings’ monitor so close to her aura that I’d not sensed any danger lurking around us.