Read Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman for Free Online

weak smile, trying to reassure him I was all right, but I was still confused as to how we had this mysterious electric connection.
    “My dad’s going to freak when he sees me like this. How bad do I look?”
    A smile appeared on his face. “You’re a little banged up, but I think you’ll survive.”
    As he stood on the porch waiting for an answer to his knock, I took the first real opportunity I had to look at him. His chiseled face with dark brown hair and olive-toned skin perfectly framed his dazzling green eyes. He wore a long, brown floor-length leather trench coat over a dark-colored, button-up shirt, faded blue jeans and some mean-looking boots. His face had a certain youthful, yet rugged appearance. A shimmering emerald green stone peeked out from under his shirt hanging from a gold chain around his neck.
    Nicholas noticed the focus of my gaze and tucked the medallion back under his shirt, out of view.
    Looking up at his beautiful face made all the pain fade away and I blushed as the butterflies flew around in my stomach. I knew my eyes must be red from crying and dirt covered me from head to toe, not to mention my clothes were torn, but he acted as if he didn’t see any of that.
    Nicholas bent forward and looked directly at me. Seriousness crossed his face. “Promise me you won’t wander alone in the woods again. Promise me,” he quietly demanded.
    “I promise.”
    “And no mention of the mountain lion, okay?”
    “Okay, but . . .”
    Luke opened the door. His eyes went from Nicholas then to me. When he saw my disheveled appearance, he gaped in horror.
    “What the hell?” Luke said.
    I clenched my teeth preparing for a barrage of questions. I must’ve looked pretty bad.
    Luke rushed to me.
    “What happened?” he demanded, glaring at Nicholas.
    “I fell and twisted my ankle and Nicholas kindly helped me home,” I said calmly, trying to reassure him that Nicholas was indeed a friend and not a foe.
    “You what?” Luke snapped, his eyes squinting into slits. “Where?”
    “The trail,” I cringed, choosing my words carefully. “I ran out of gas and my cell phone died. I thought taking a shortcut through the woods would be better than walking around.”
    “You took the trail?” His faced screwed up like he’d just smelled something rotten. “In the woods? In the dark? Alone!”
    Luke acted angry, but I felt a wave of frustration and powerlessness come over him; I instantly felt guilty.
    He took a deep breath and swore. “Julia!” he growled.
    “It’s okay Luke. I’ll be fine. I just twisted my ankle.”
    “And how did that happen?”
    “I tripped and fell.” I forced a smile.
    “I think she needs medical attention,” Nicholas interjected, shifting the subject.
    “I think you’re right. I’ll get the Blazer. Wait here.”
    I blinked and became horrified when the words medical attention registered in my mind.
    “No,” I bellowed.
    My sudden insistence startled them.
    “Why not?” Luke asked.
    I would rather eat shards of glass than go to a hospital. They had no idea the personal hell it would cause me, forced to feel everyone’s pain and angst—especially in the emergency room.
    “I’m fine, really. I’ll heal. Nothing’s broken, see?” I tried to stand up and then almost toppled over, wincing in pain. Nicholas prevented me from falling.
    “You’re NOT fine and you’re going!” Luke insisted.
    I stared them both down and clenched my jaw. I knew neither would budge and I couldn’t get myself into the house without help, so like it or not I’d be forced to go.
    “Fine.” I snapped, surrendering.
    Luke left the porch and headed in the direction of his Blazer. Alone with Nicholas, I didn’t want to waste my last chance to avoid a trip to the ER.
    “I’m really not that hurt.”
    “I think it would be best for a doctor to check you out, just in case.”
    Why did he have to be so sensible? This maddened me. It was my body. I should be able to decide when and if I