Forbidden (Fallen Series Book 2) Read online

  “I won’t lose you,” he said; his voice stern.

  “You might,” I said in a whisper. I’d rather die and have my death prevent another’s death. But nothing ever goes according to plan. And nothing about Selena ever went according to plan. Jonathon’s thumbs rubbed my cheeks in calming circles. His cold lips touched my forehead in a small kiss.

  My eyes closed from tiredness.

  “Let’s get you to bed, principessa,” Jonathon said; a small chuckle in his throat. We went up the steps; Jonathon went up at a normal gate while I bumbled along like a drunk. I had burned up all my energy preparing to tell the vampires about Selena and her latest note.

  Jonathon led me to my bedroom and I froze.

  “I’m not going in there,” I said; my voice stern and my arms crossed over my chest. My chin was upturned in defiance.

  “Why not?” he asked trying; not to laugh.

  “Selena’s been in there too many times,” I said; my expression scared. His eyes softened.

  “Okay, we can sleep in my room tonight,” he said.

  “Can you get my stuff?” I asked peering in the crack of the door like I might find Selena standing by my bed.

  He laughed again. “You and your stuff,” He chuckled rolling his eyes at me. “I’ll have Diana get it,” he said shaking his head at me.

  I followed him to the door that led to the spiral staircase that then led to his attic bedroom.

  His room was just as I remembered it. The old wooden floors were covered in paint splatters. The walls were dark blue and the wall that his bed was against was old brick. The bed’s headboard was covered in a golden fabric and the bed covers were a rich deep red color with hints of orange, gold, and blue woven throughout. The colors were rich and worked well together. Dark wooden beams crossed the high ceilings adding to the old nature of the house. His large mahogany wardrobe still stood between the two large windows that overlook the backyard. Jonathon’s large stately desk stood next to the fireplace and on the other side was the plush purple chaise. The painting of Jonathon’s whole family still hung above the fireplace, the faces of Baron, Katherine, Patrick, Joseph, Jonathon, and Diana smiled down at me, as they posed in front of their Italian mansion. Blank canvas’, paint brushes, and paint littered the floor; just as I had remembered and the old trunk sat in front of the bed.

  “I love your room. It’s reflects you so well,” I said seriously as I turned about the room taking it all in.

  “Oh it does, does it?” he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye. Apparently I was already forgiven for withholding the whole Selena issue.

  “Yes. It’s sweet, a little dark, and kinda dirty,” I giggled goading him.

  “You really shouldn’t have told me that,” he said; his teeth sticking out in points.

  “Ooh! Should I be scared?” I said smiling and a laugh playing on my lips.

  “Very,” he said.

  I mocked being scared. He moved so quickly that it did indeed scare me when his hard body suddenly slammed into me with a gentle force. He knocked me onto his soft bed. His mouth was at my neck. His teeth brushed against my neck sending shivers down my spine. His cold lips pressed pleasantly against my neck then my lips. I kissed him back.

  I didn’t tell him though, how this closeness, made me want to sink my teeth into his neck and then let him drink my blood. I didn’t want him to stop.

  “I’ll never let anything happen to you,” he said, still straddling me, his pointed teeth making the promise seem funny; he looked more like he wanted to eat me.

  “I know,” I sighed and wished desperately that I believed my answer.

  Chapter Six: The Coven

  Time passed quickly. I was surprised by the date. May thirtieth. I guess when your life could be ended at any moment it seemed like time was flying by in a constant flow. When your life could end tomorrow every moment was precious. I treasured every moment I spent in Jonathon’s arms and dreaded when he was gone on those brief occasions when he had to hunt. I still wouldn’t set foot into what had become my room at the Pulmer’s. All of my stuff, as Jonathon and I liked to call it, had been moved to his room. I felt really bad taking over his room like I had but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. I knew he hated to see my facial expression anytime Selena was mentioned. I knew he blamed himself for the fact that she wasn’t dead. I also knew that he knew that I did not blame him for that fact. But it made him feel like a failure. He felt as if he hadn’t saved me after all. But that wasn’t true. If he had come a moment later, Selena’s venom would have spread throughout my body and killed me. So, in essence he had saved me. He just hadn’t killed her. She had fooled him. Selena had fooled everyone. She was cunning and ruthless. Where we had numbers on our side she had nothing to lose and we had everything to lose. The thought of losing any part of my family made my chest constrict painfully and my breathing turn to harsh gasps.

  Graduation was fast approaching. And with that I knew we would be leaving soon. The whole family was already preparing for the departure. Patrick had alerted The Coven and had another meeting with them soon. He had also spoken to some other vampires who wanted in on the fight. I didn’t understand why everyone was willing to risk their life. I wished with all my heart that Selena would perish on her own. But she was on a mission. A mission to end my life. And she wouldn’t be satisfied until I was dead. Most people would be comforted by our higher numbers. More people, or vampires, meant a better chance for me surviving, right? But to me it seemed like a better chance of people, vampires, getting killed. Killed to save something that isn’t worth saving. Dying to save me. What was the point of dying to save me? I was beyond being saved. I had been broken so many times it was a miracle I was still in one piece. Why someone would want to lay their life on the line for something as insignificant as me confounded my very being.

  The Pulmer’s house was turned upside down in the preparation of leaving. You would think I would feel relieved to be leaving. To leave the place where Selena had left so many of her little notes. But instead I felt immense sadness. I was going to have to leave the only place that felt like home to me anymore. I could see more and more relief on Jonathon’s face with every day that was passing closer to our departure date. But I couldn’t help but feel like we were running right into danger. My gut told me we were doing exactly as Selena wanted. I hoped desperately that my gut was wrong.

  I put my face into my hands and breathed out a long exhausted sigh. I felt Jonathon’s hand reach out and he began to stroke my back as I sat on the edge of his bed.

  “Everything will be okay. I will make sure of it. I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe. You have nothing to worry about.” I turned my head to look back at him since he was still lying on the bed.

  “I have everything to worry about,” I said my voice cracking. Did he not understand how broken I would feel if anyone died protecting me?

  “You don’t need to worry. Everything will be okay, I promessa,” he said pulling me into the comforting coolness in his arms.

  “You can’t promise that, Jonathon. So, don’t even go there,” I said getting mad now. I didn’t want him feeding me false hope. It was false hope that destroyed everything.

  “Kylie Elizabeth Lyons! I will die to make you safe again. I will not let anything happen to you. You are my one and only. I will never let anything happen to you if it’s the last thing I do,” he said his brow furrowing in anger.

  “Jonathon! Why do you do this to me? Why? Do you have any idea what it does to me when you say stuff like that? Do you?” I asked my voice raising to a high girlish pitch the more mad I got.

  Trying to lighten the now dark mood he raised his eyebrows and gave me a grin, “Does it turn you on?” I resisted the urge to laugh. I returned quickly to the serious matter at hand.

  “Far from it Jonathon Matthew! It kills me inside when you say something like that. I do not want you or anyone else risking their lives for me.”

>   “Someone has to kill her, Kylie. You know that. She’ll never stop. Ever since her soul mate, Andrew, died she has had only one thought. Killing my soul mate, you. I can’t let her do that. I almost lost you once and I’m not going to let that happen again. You are too important,” he said tracing the planes of my face with his smooth finger.

  “But I’m not,” I said in a small voice.

  “You don’t understand what you mean to me. You are my everything; my life. Without you there is nothing else for me. Without you I will become just as self-destructive as Selena. Only I hope someone will have the compassion to do what I didn’t do and kill me before I become a savage like Selena,” he spoke and his chest rose and fell heavily with his words like he was winded. Which obviously wasn’t the case since he didn’t need to breathe.

  “You are too good to become a savage, Jonathon,” I said softly and traced his mouth with my index finger. He had the most perfect lips.

  “It happens to all of us. But I’m not worried about myself I’m worried about you,” he said and his silver eyes glowed with emotion.

  “Not this again,” I moaned. “Jonathon, there are more important things in this world than me.”

  He looked thoughtful. “You’re right,” he said and I thought I might finally be getting through to him. He continued, “Chocolate gelato,” he grinned.

  “Jonathon,” I whined. “You never take anything seriously. You can’t even eat chocolate gelato!”

  “Yes, I do. I understand what you’re saying, I do. But I won’t lose you,” he said sobering.

  “Don’t you see my point? I don’t want to lose you either. Or anyone else. I don’t want your family putting their life on the line for me.”

  “Kylie, she has to die,” he said deadpan.

  I let those words sink in. He was right. Until she’s killed Selena won’t only hunt me but hunt those I loved; she had already proved this fact by killing my dad. Fighting her or not fighting her there was always a chance of losing someone. Someone I loved. I sighed.

  “You’re right. Like always,” I said in a grim voice. His face too, was set in a grim line. He put his hands on both sides of my face. He did not kiss me or move towards me. His eyes roved over my face and mine did the same to him. Memorizing every feature of it. After all, we might both be dead in a few weeks.

  I had been running a tad late to school this morning but with Jonathon’s driving we had made it in plenty of time. I now sat in my science class wondering where Isaac was and trying to forget the serious talk about Selena, Jonathon and I had had this morning.

  Just as the bell was ringing Isaac came running into class and toppling into his seat which he then proceeded to nearly fall out of. I steadied his chair before it fell over.

  “Thank you, for that lovely entrance Mr. Friedmont,” said Ms. Cappet trying to stifle her laugh. Isaac blushed and looked around at the class who were all giving him curious glances. He shook his hair out of his face and placed his book bag on the desk.

  My hand shot out and grabbed his arm. A gasp escaping my lips.

  “Isaac! What is this?” I shrieked in a whisper, referring to the black lines snaking along the inside of his arm in an elaborate pattern.

  “A tattoo,” he said.

  “Well, that’s obvious. But why?” I begged to know.

  “It was for my birthday,” he mumbled under his breath.

  “Isaac,” I whined, “why would you want to ruin your body with a bunch of meaningless ink?”

  “It isn’t meaningless. You wouldn’t understand,” he snapped. Clearly, something was bothering my only human friend and I intended to find out what it was.

  “Try me,” I said giving him a small smile and looking at him in understanding.

  “I can’t tell you. If I told you what it was for I would be breaking the oath,” he said in all seriousness.

  “You’re joking right?” I looked into his blue eyes and knew the answer before he spoke it.

  “I wish I was,” he sighed, his hair falling into his face and covering his blue eyes. He flicked the dyed dark blue strand over his eye so he could see me better. I had always like the way the dark blue strand blended in to his dark brown, almost black, hair.

  “So, you can’t tell me what it’s for, then?” I said softly, trying not to call attention to us.

  “No,” he said simply, looking down at his feet. Normally, I would have pressed the matter but I believed him and he didn’t need me asking a bunch of questions about something that was obviously none of my business.

  He looked sad and withdrawn, his facial features looking gaunt. He looked haunted. I wanted that look to go away.

  “Hey, I got you something for your birthday. Well, actually I made it.” He seemed to brighten marginally at my words. “Yeah, hang on a second and let me find it.” I dug through my bag looking for the drawing that I had framed. It didn’t take long to find the wrapped package.

  The green paper shined in the fluorescent lighting, the silver “happy birthday,” words reflecting about the room.

  “You didn’t need to do this.” He said grinning like a five year old.

  “I know but I wanted to. That’s what friends are for.” He smiled when I said friends. Didn’t he know by now that I saw him as one of my best friends? I guessed not. After all, he had Tyson, Wayland, and Colton and I had the Pulmers. But Isaac was my only human friend I had made here. He was important to me.

  Ms. Cappet was so engrossed in her lesson that she didn’t even notice that Isaac and I were completely ignoring her.

  He tore the paper off as quietly as he could in the almost silent classroom. “Ky! I love it. This is an awesome gift,” he whispered under his breath the excitement ringing in his voice.

  “You’re welcome,” I said smiling. I had wanted to do something special for Isaac that he could have forever. He was my friend. And if Selena had her way I might not be around much longer. Giving him this was something that he could keep forever and remember me by; it was a keepsake and not a material item.

  I had drawn him a poster for his band, The V Hunters. He was in the front, the lead, and his friends, the other members of the band, were in the background. It was a charcoal drawing and the only burst of color was the blue in Isaac’s hair.

  “This is really awesome, Ky. You couldn’t have done any better.” He said kissing me on both my cheeks.

  “I’m really glad you like it,” I said pleased. I had been worried he wouldn’t like it and it had taken a long time ago. But I figured, in a sense, he was an artist too and therefore would appreciate it.

  “I’m keeping this forever,” He said putting the framed picture into his book bag.

  “I hope so! I worked really hard on that. I’ll have you know,” I said with mock indignation.

  He chuckled, “In that case I think I’ll just throw it away when I get home.”

  “Ha, ha, Isaac you’re a comic genius.” He grinned back at me and bumped his shoulder with mine in playful banter. “We better start paying attention or Ms. Cappet is going to fail us,” I laughed.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. We might have to endure more boring lectures and that’s something nobody wants to have to hear again,” He said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. I put my hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh.

  We tried really hard to keep quite throughout the class but with Isaac and me that was impossible. We did receive a few death glares from Ms. Cappet but that only made us worse. At one point I would swear that I heard Ms. Cappet mumble, “Why did I have to seat those two together?” under her breath. This then proceeded to make both of us laugh harder.

  When class was over I met Jonathon outside of class and Isaac stalked past a glum look on his face. This happened every day. I constantly wondered why Isaac acted like this. I didn’t think it was because he liked me in that way, which I know he does, but it seemed like there was some kind of underlying tension between him and Jonathon. Something that I didn’t understand, some law o
f the jungle, that being female, I was not aware of.

  Jonathon and I went to our next class, that we shared with Isaac, and Isaac continued to ignore me as if we had never met. It bothered me that he acted like this but I tried not to let it show. I didn’t want him to know I was hurt and I didn’t want Jonathon to say anything.

  At lunch, Jonathon, Danny, and Mason were discussing battle strategies and where we should go after graduation. Diana hummed to herself and read a book, occasionally putting the book down to pick at the food that she wouldn’t eat.

  I put my water bottle down on the white plastic tray. “I’m going to go sit somewhere, else,” I said to no one in particular at my lunch table. Diana stopped mid page and looked at me, and the boys stopped their conversation.

  “Why?” Diana asked, shocked like I was committing some kind of crime.

  “Because I’m sick of having to hear you talk about how you are going to kill, Selena. I don’t want you going anywhere near her and getting yourselves killed,” I said looking at Danny, Mason, Diana, and Jonathon last. Diana looked hurt since she hadn’t actually been a part of the ‘killing Selena’ conversation but I didn’t have time to feel bad about my actions. I was too upset to care. I picked up my tray and stalked off.

  “Ky! Are you okay?” a voice yelled across the lunchroom. I looked up from staring at my feet to look blindly around the lunchroom for the source of the voice. I saw Isaac standing up at a table; his friends were still sitting but looked like they were ready to spring for a fight at a moment’s notice, with a look of annoyance on his face that was directed back at the table I had come from.

  I walked towards him trying to compose my face into a normal expression devoid of all emotion instead of the scared, upset, angry one I had been wearing.

  “Hey, Isaac. Colton, Tyson, Wayland.” I said, nodding to all the boys. They nodded their hellos.

  “Are you okay?” Isaac asked again.

  I nodded yes.

  “Can I sit with you guys?” I asked, nervous energy coursing through my body. I hated to impose myself on their guy time.