Forbidden (Fallen Series Book 2) Read online

  My mother had just been released from the hospital and Jonathon and I had spent the day seeing the sights of Rome. At the end of the day he brought me here and told me what he was, a vampire, and that we were soul mates. At that same time I also found out that he had had to turn my mother into a vampire. It was a day full of strange events. But out of it I got Jonathon and I don’t doubt that he is my soul mate. We were made for each other. Our bodies fit together like a puzzle piece. We’re compatible in so many ways but I still find myself undeserving of his love.

  I felt Jonathon come up behind me.

  “It’s something isn’t it?” he says rhetorically.

  “How come the flowers aren’t shriveled up and dead?” I ask, motioning around me.

  “I’m not quite sure. Either the plants my mother grew with her powers are impermeable or my father somehow made them resistant to bad weather. No matter when I come here, summer or winter, they are always like this. Beautiful.”

  He walked over to a bush of lilacs and pulled one off.

  “For you my love,” he said handing it to me. I inhaled its smell, fresh but sweet. I felt his hand close around mine. “I want to show you the rest of the garden. You never did get to see it all,” He said leading me deeper into the garden until we were almost swallowed by all the flowers.

  They were everywhere and all kinds. We went by the bench that we had sat on before and the fountains that sounded and looked so beautiful.

  Deeper and deeper we went. The walls of flowers getting thicker and thicker but we continued on.

  It wasn’t long before I could see that the wall was opening up and the sound of water was getting louder.

  When we emerged into the opening I was shocked. This garden seemed to hold many secrets, beautiful secrets.

  The area was wide and opened but still surrounded by flowers like a dead end in a corn maze is surrounded by corn.

  But in front of me was a waterfall. True, it was a man-made waterfall but it was so beautifully made you could hardly tell. All the water coalesced into a sort of pond. The whole area looked like something out of a fairytale.

  “This is so amazing,” I said glancing around in awe. “How can anything be so effortlessly beautiful?”

  “It’s nature. Everything in nature is beautiful in its own way,” He said and then kissed me. I loved the way his cool lips molded to mine. Hot and cold. We were two sides of a coin.

  He led me to the edge of the pond and sat down. The grass surrounding the pond was an emerald green that seemed too vibrant to be real. I ran my fingers through the grass. It was thick and soft. I had a feeling that Katherine had made this grass. It was too perfect, too different, to be regular grass.

  Jonathon pulled me against his chest. His fingers skimmed my cheek, the side of my jaw, my neck, and then ran down the length of my arm. His nose skimmed the side of my neck and then he buried his face in my hair.

  “You always smell so good,” he said.

  I giggled. “I think the same about you,” I said and I felt the breath of his laugh against my neck. Jonathon always smelled of paint, sage, and citrus.

  He hugged me to his chest and said, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  I laughed. “I don’t know what I would do without you, Jonathon. You complete me,” I said.

  “We just think the same things about each other don’t we?” he chuckled.

  “Yeah, I guess we do,” I said.

  The water shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow.

  I felt like I was in a dream; everything was so surreal. I felt like I had set foot in a fairytale. Maybe I had. If that was true, I certainly hoped I never woke up.

  We stayed for hours at the waterfall. The time passed quickly. I felt like nothing evil could touch us here. The sun was setting when we finally stirred again.

  We had been sitting at the water’s edge; I was wrapped in Jonathon’s embrace.

  The setting sun reflected off of the waterfall; casting Jonathon and I in an orange and pink glow.

  I felt his cool lips touch my ear. “We should get going. You don’t want to be missed at your own party.”

  “I’m sure they’ll get along without us,” I whined. I wanted to stay here, by the waterfall, in Jonathon’s arms for the rest of my life.

  “True, but don’t you want to see what your surprise is?”

  “Ugh. I forgot about that,” I groaned.

  Jonathon stood up and gave me his hands; pulling me into a standing position. I wiped the grass and stray flowers from my jeans.

  He grabbed my hand and we began the trek back to the motorcycle.

  We sped along the narrow roads. At one point I thought I was going to fall off the motorcycle. But the ride was still exhilarating. Jonathon’s care free laughter floated back to me. I could feel the engine thrumming beneath me. So powerful and gentle at the same time just like Jonathon.

  As fast as Jonathon drove it wasn’t long till we were home.

  We headed into the house hand in hand. My stomach was queasy anticipating what was behind the doors.

  Jonathon opened the door slowly.

  “Surprise!”

  I gasped and a huge smile lit my face. Surprise indeed.

  Chapter Two: Surprise

  “Adam! Aiden!” I squealed running into the open waiting arms of my brothers. “I can’t believe you guys came!” I exclaimed as they released me.

  “It’s all thanks to this guy,” Adam said giving Jonathon that half-hug that guys do.

  “Yeah, if it weren’t for him we wouldn’t have made it.” Aiden added.

  I looked over at Jonathon.

  “Surprise,” He said quietly; shrugging his strong shoulders slightly.

  “Thank you,” I said taking his hand and squeezing it lightly. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him despite my big brothers standing only feet away.

  I had wished to have my brothers here with me on my birthday but I hadn’t dreamed it would happen.

  “Where’s mom?” Adam asked.

  All the color drained from my face. My mouth went dry, my tongue like sandpaper. I could feel the sweat beading on my brow.

  I wracked my brain quickly for a plausible excuse. I had never been much of a liar but I had better learn fast.

  I bit my lip nervously, “Um… she’s sick. Yep, really, really, sick. Nasty infection. It’s… uh… contagious so she had to stay…um … home.” I said stumbling upon my words like an incoherent child.

  Adam looked at me quizzically. He knew I was lying and I squirmed underneath his gaze.

  Jonathon tried to cover for me.

  “Terrible sickness, it’s a wonder Kylie hasn’t gotten sick. But I assure you it is not a pretty sight but hopefully she’ll be better in a couple of days.” Jonathon said smoothly. Adam was looking at Jonathon completely dazed. I had a feeling mind control was being used.

  I had to do something. He was extremely suspicious. Sounded Jonathon’s voice in my head. Since Selena had kidnapped me Jonathon and I had been using our mental voices to communicate at times.

  I took the moment to look around at the house. They had kept it simple to which I was relieved. The theme was peacock feathers; they’re sort of my thing.

  Glass vases filled with peacock feathers were scattered around the cozy family room. A fire crackled warmly in the fire place. A cake shaped and colored like a peacock feather rested on the coffee table along with a pile of gifts.

  Happy tears threatened to brim over my eyes. I didn’t deserve this. They were much too kind to me.

  And who exactly is supposed to eat all of that? I asked Jonathon telepathically.

  Don’t worry we’ll put on a show like we’re eating. Danny and Mason will probably eat all of it anyway. He said back.

  You’re probably right. I said laughing silently in my head remembering how they devoured the pancakes this morning and how I had no doubt they’d do the same with the cake. It would be like watching semi-evolved c
avemen hunt. Minus the loincloths of course.

  We all hung out and talked. I was amazed at how well the Pulmer’s managed to act human. They managed to mingle with my brothers and have my brothers never suspect a thing. I was shocked at how my brothers were so at ease with them; I would have thought that my brothers would have thought it was odd how I always seemed to be with the Pulmer’s and not with our mother. But they accepted the Pulmer’s as if they were already family. Jonathon as if he were a brother. I would have thought that they would have run him through the mill because he’s my boyfriend and they’re my brothers and as brothers that’s what they do. But they approved of him and that warmed my heart.

  “Come on Kylie let’s have some cake and then you can open your presents!” said Diana standing up slower than normal; trying to give the impression of a human. She disappeared into the kitchen. She reappeared a moment later with a cake knife, candles, and a lighter. This time Jonathon wouldn’t be lighting them with his power.

  She placed the knife on the table and then began to strategically place eighteen candles into the peacock feather shaped cake. Jonathon took the lighter from her and lit the candles. They burned brightly in the dim room.

  They all gathered in a circle around the coffee table on which the cake sat.

  “Ready? 1, 2, 3,” said Diana as they broke into singing happy birthday this time in English.

  “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Kylie, Happy Birthday to you!” They sang. All the Pulmer’s had perfect voices. The song was only marred by my brothers rather loud, very off key, voices.

  “Make a wish,” said Diana and I did, blowing out the candles.

  Two wishes? Was that okay?

  Patrick began cutting pieces of cake and placing them on the white, glass, square plates that Amelia carried in. Danny and Mason dug in looking like fools as they devoured their pieces of cake in seconds and requesting seconds. Amelia, Patrick, Joseph (Seph), Jonathon and Diana picked at their pieces of cake, making it look like they were really eating but really just making a mess. I took a bite and flavor exploded in my mouth. The cake had an orange flavor with thick butter cream icing. It was the best cake I have ever had.

  “Where’d you get this cake it’s delicious?” I asked Diana.

  “Jonathon got it,” she said shrugging her shoulders so I turned to Jonathon for him to answer my question.

  “Luigi made it. He doesn’t usually make cakes but he said he’d make an exception for you,” Jonathon said with a smile. I remembered Jonathon and I’s first day out on the town together and how he had taken me to Luigi’s Bakery.

  We finished eating the cake and Diana was more than thrilled to move onto the presents.

  “Open ours first because we know it won’t top what they’ve gotten you,” said Adam and Aiden jokingly. Aiden handed me a box that looked like it had been wrapped by a five year old. I unwrapped it slowly avoiding the inevitable. I opened the box and found a Yale sweatshirt lying inside. It wasn’t much but I loved sweatshirts and it looked like one that would be good for snuggling into. The small gesture warmed my heart. This was the best gift my brothers had ever given me. When I turned five they gave me a bag of worms, for my eighth birthday they gave me a slug, and the list of disgusting birthday presents went on and on. I hugged them both.

  “Thanks you guys, this means so much to me. This is the best thing you guys have ever given me,” I said with a smile.

  “I told you she would like it,” Aiden said to Adam.

  “Of course she likes it. It’s better than a bag of bugs.” Adam said as they started bickering.

  “Guys, we’re still here.” I said waving my hand in front of their face to bring them back to reality. They always got into conversations or arguments and forgot that there were other people in the room. They snapped out of it, grinned sheepishly, and said sorry at the same time. I guess it’s a twin thing. I noticed Danny and Mason tended to be the same way.

  Diana scurried over to me with a medium sized box wrapped in metallic purple paper. “Open mine next,” she said handing me a box. I opened it up peeling away the aqua colored tissue paper I found a pair of shoes. They were flats and appeared to have peacock feathers on them. They were the cutest pair of flats I had ever seen.

  “Thank you so much, Diana,” I said moving into give her a hug. She moved away from me sticking her hands in front of her. I would have been hurt by the gesture if not for her words.

  “Wait, don’t thank me yet. There’s more.” She said. I glanced down into the box and saw a gift card to the store Aqua lying on the aqua colored tissue paper. I opened it up and saw that the card was for five-hundred Euros. My eyes bugged out and I nearly choked.

  “Diana this is too much. I – I can’t accept this.” I stuttered.

  “Of course you can. It is a gift after all,” she said and shrugged. She flipped her pale blind hair over her shoulder and smiled at me.

  “Thank you.” I said trying to compose myself this time she accepted my hug. I put the gift card and shoes back in the box which I then set back on the coffee table. “Better be careful with that,” I said more to myself than anyone else.

  Joseph handed me a neatly wrapped gift also in the metallic purple paper. “Diana wrapped it for you. She said my wrapping was an insult to humanity,” he said breaking out in a grin that made dimples appear in his cheeks. I unwrapped it and laughed out loud; bringing tears to my eyes. “I know how much you love my Corvette so I got you one. Well, more specifically I made you one. So you can look at it as a magnificent sculpture by the amazing Seph Pulmer.” He said in a dramatic voice making me laugh harder. In my hands I held a model of a Corvette, it was medium sized, and as close as I’d probably ever get to owning my own. It was navy blue with red leather interior just like Joseph’s own Corvette.

  “Thanks Seph,” I said giving him a hug.

  “No problem,” he said smiling. “I’m pleased that you like it. Diana said that you wouldn’t.”

  “Well, I do. Don’t listen to Diana.”

  “I never do,” he said with a laugh and a glimmer in his eye.

  Danny and Mason stepped forward. Both grinning from ear to ear. They had to be up to something. They handed me a small box wrapped haphazardly. Obviously Diana hadn’t been allowed to wrap their box. Mason handed it to me as he grinned like a fool, I accepted it rather reluctantly. I glanced at Jonathon and saw that he was looking at the twins quizzically. Obviously he didn’t know what it was either. He glanced nervously at me and shrugged.

  Amelia looked at her sons in a scolding yet lighthearted way, “Boys I hope you haven’t done something awful for Kylie’s birthday. If you ruin this for her I can promise you that you will be in deep trouble.” Neither Danny nor Mason commented but just kept smiling.

  “Come on open it,” said Danny. I unwillingly began to unwrap the present. Inside was a small white box. I slowly lifted the lid off. Stuffed inside were what looked like many different small plastic wrappers. Then I read the label and understood what it was. Condoms. My cheeks flamed a brilliant red and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

  Danny, Mason, Adam, and Aiden, all busted out laughing; it must be a twin thing.

  “We weren’t sure what size Jonathon would need so we got one of each,” said Mason through bouts of insane laughter. Oh dear, I thought I might be ill.

  “Yeah, they’re for later tonight,” added Danny. My cheeks became an even more unflattering shade of red. I glanced at Jonathon and saw that his pale white skin had become just slightly pinker.

  “They’re for never,” I said glaring at the two angelic vampires.

  “Good one,” said Adam and Aiden giving Danny and Mason high fives. “We usually give her gag gifts too. But this year we thought we’d be a little more practical.” said Adam.

  “Boys,” said Amelia as she and Patrick stepped forward with the last gift, “Can you never give anyone anything useful?”

  At the same time Danny and Maso
n broke out into grins and said, “But those are useful.” Amelia shook her head, her blond curls cascading beautifully around her.

  “Here sweetheart. We hope you like it.” She said as she handed me the last package. She and Patrick stood in front of me, his arm wrapped around her waist gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes obviously as in love today as when they first met. I was lucky to have found that same love in Jonathon. He stood behind me and every so often his hand would brush against my arm or shoulder or waist as if he had to reassure himself that I was real.

  I took the paper of slowly, enjoying my last gift. A small robin’s egg blue box landed lightly in my hand. I read the label over and over again not believing my eyes. Tiffany and Co. was clearly labeled across the front. I swallowed. “This is too much,” I said to Amelia and Patrick.

  “Open it,” Amelia said smiling. I lifted it and inside found a delicate gold chain and hanging from it a heart. “Open the heart,” said Amelia. I did and inside the small locket I found the smallest picture I had ever seen. It was of me and my new family. “Look at the back,” said Amelia. Engraved on the back in small block letters it said, We’ll always be there for you, Love A and P.

  Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you so much,” I said hugging both Patrick and Amelia.

  “We’re so glad you like it, dear. I know the only piece of jewelry you wear is your key but we thought this suited you. We just want you to know that we consider you as part of the family. You’re practically a daughter to us,” said Amelia.

  “Put it on me,” I said turning to Jonathon and lifting up my hair. He put the delicate necklace around my neck. I let my hair fall back down and gazed at the necklace. It sat just above the key I always wore. The key was worn and antique looking, whereas the heart was modern and simple but somehow they seemed cohesive.

  “Thanks all of you,” I said looking at them. “Well maybe not you two,” I said jokingly at Danny and Mason.

  We cleaned up the wrapping paper and cake leaving the family room spotless.

  Jonathon pulled me into a corner away from my brothers. “You’re brothers will be staying here. They think you’re staying here too because of how sick your mother is. I thought you should know since you were sort of out of the loop.”