Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  The bus lurched as it turned a corner.

  “The missing girl was headlining.”

  Sophie nodded and she shifted her gaze to the others on the bus. Lilli and Jackson were adjacent to them, also in conversation. Morgan and Aidan were a few rows up and to the right, sitting quietly. “We were extremely impulsive back then. Lilli and I decided to go look for her ourselves. The police had no way of finding her. Not with the weather as bad as it was.” She swallowed. “We grabbed raincoats and snuck out of my bedroom window.”

  “In the storm.” Tristan’s eyes darkened. Much like the storm they’d been in.

  “Yes. We weren’t really thinking clearly.” Sophie flushed scarlet. In retrospect the idea was completely brainless. “We headed into the woods where the anchorman reported her last seen hiking. It was so cold and the wind blew the rain straight into our bodies. We couldn’t see a foot in front of our faces.”

  “Good thing you’re psychic.” Tristan smiled at her.

  Her skin slowly heated up at his look. It felt delicious to have someone appreciating her gift and not ridiculing her because of it. It encouraged her to keep talking. “I was so focused on making sure we didn’t end up in a ravine that it was the only thing I concentrated on. I didn’t realize we were in the middle of nowhere until it was too late. The storm had worsened and we were utterly lost. So, we found a small cave and hid out until it passed the next morning.”

  “Were your parents angry?”

  “Oh yes. The police located us trying to find our way out, soaking wet and starving.”

  Tristan grinned. “The girl?”

  This time, Sophie frowned. “She lied to her parents about going hiking. Turns out she was at a concert three cities over. I was grounded forever and caught the flu. I guess I’d been concentrating on the storm and wanting to use my gift for something good that I ignored what it was trying to tell me. That the girl wasn’t in the woods at all.”

  “So you learned your lesson?” Tristan leaned back in his seat.

  Sophie tried to disregard the fact that he smelled nice and that he looked sexy as hell. “I guess not, since I’m going into an alleged den of vampires.”

  He shifted to look her in the eye. “I won’t let you get lost this time.”

  Her heart fluttered in her chest. She was silent, then asked, “Why is Jackson so quiet?”

  Tristan considered the question. His gaze moved to Jackson and then back to Sophie. “Life hasn’t really treated him fair. His father, his real father, is a manipulative bastard.”

  Sophie’s stomach sank. Was that the reason Jackson’s shield was so strong? To protect himself from someone who was supposed to protect him? She watched the way he relaxed around Lilli, a far cry from how he was when he talked to them.

  Tristan followed her line of sight. “He’s head over heels for her. You don’t think it’s too early?”

  She shrugged. “Apparently we all knew each other from a previous life.” She thought of that vision from the past and blushed. Why would she think of that now? With him here, beside her. Before he could ask her why she blushed, she asked, “So, who’s Cecilia?”

  His aura left her abruptly to cocoon around him.

  She instantly regretted bringing the name up. It suddenly got cold and lonely without him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

  Ever so slowly his essence fanned out to join hers again. His jaw ticked when he looked at her. “No, it’s okay. Some wounds just take time to heal.”

  His carefree manner had evaporated and she knew she was completely to blame. Seriously, who brings up such a taboo subject?

  She wanted to change the subject, but since she couldn’t find the courage, the last half of the bus ride was silent.

  * * *

  Chapter Ten

  Sophie crouched down in the gravel of a ditch and stared at the beginning of the property she was sure Katie was being kept on. It held the same creepy vibe that she’d felt from the vision.

  A broken down, wooden fence separated them from the tall, waving grass. From their side she could see the field meet the lake and beyond that, the farmhouse.

  The others hunkered down on either side of her, watching the seemingly peaceful yard with wariness.

  “Do you think vampires are really in there?” Morgan whispered to no one in particular.

  The girl actually had on a pair of sneakers, something Sophie thought she’d never see. “I hope not. I forgot to bring my wooden stake.” She whispered back, her voice dry. The wind picked up and weaved through the tall grass.

  It was hard to believe they were all here, Sophie thought. She glanced to her left and saw Jackson on the very end. His tense body angled toward Lilli’s, who looked over the grass with an anxious expression.

  Tristan was next, his eyes already yellow. Ruth lay in between her and Tristan, a small buffer from his intensity.

  Sophie turned her head to the right and met Aidan’s gaze. His lips turned up in a half smile and smoke curled up from his skin. On his other side was Morgan and then last, Demetri.

  “There’s no way to know for sure, Morgan, until we spot some. If we do, just go for the undead heart or behead them.” Ruth shifted in the dirt and brought her binoculars up to her face.

  “Go for the undead heart.” Lilli echoed.

  Sophie saw Jackson squeeze Lilli’s hand gently and felt a burst of fondness for him. He wanted to protect Lilli as much as she did. Not in a million years could she see her best friend hurting anyone. It went against her very nature.

  “Vampires wake up when the sun goes down.” Demetri stood, the movement full of predatory grace, and started toward the fence.

  Sophie forced herself to breathe normally and stepped up to the wooden barrier. The same dark aura that filled her vision was here. It wasn’t thick at the moment but she knew the closer they got to the farmhouse, the stronger it would become.

  Tristan jumped the fence before her, then turned and offered his hand.

  The air tingled around them. Did he forgive her for her stupid blunder earlier?

  She placed her hand in his. Without wincing, she absorbed the shock where their hands met. He pulled her over the fence, allowing her to brace herself on his shoulders, and then steadied her on her feet before he let go.

  Strange how they possibly walked into a den of vampires, close to sunset no less, and she felt safe because he was here.

  “This is so creepy.” Morgan walked closer to Aidan. He bravely placed a hand on her back.

  They made a line and walked toward the lake. In the night nothing moved but the grass as they made their way through the acreage. No animals scurried or called out.

  Just beyond, Sophie saw the farmhouse. It darkened against the setting sun and swallowed the disappearing rays fervently. Like a harbinger of evil. They neared the lake and the darkness closed in around Sophie.

  Something pulled at her, warning her to turn around and run.

  Through their connection Tristan sensed something wrong and asked, “What is it?”

  The others looked over at her.

  “Something’s pulling at me. It’s intense, too. It’s making it hard for me to take a step forward.” Sophie pressed a hand to her chest in an attempt to relieve the pressure.

  “It’s a normal protection spell that vampires use to keep themselves safe during the day. It should wear off within the next few minutes since the sun is setting.” Ruth explained.

  “Then why aren’t we getting the same feeling?” Lilli glanced around.

  Jackson took her hand in his and locked their fingers.

  “As Guardians these types of spells won’t affect you. It’s merely to keep humans away.” Ruth pulled out her twin kitanas and let the blades gleam in the moonlight.

  Aidan’s eyes bugged when he spotted them. Sophie had to admit they were pretty impressive. “And why isn’t it effecting you?”

  “We are trained to ignore the effects from an early age. Otherwise, we’d never acc
omplish any of our missions.” Ruth through an amused look to Demetri.

  Demetri peered at the barn and twirled a machete absently in his hands. “We should get moving. Vampires have a built in radar for their prey.”

  The sun set more and the pressure eased around Sophie. Demetri led the way around the lake. Tristan walked close beside her and although she knew she was an independent person and liked to believe she was strong, she felt protected when he was near.

  When they passed the lake, blue water gleaming, a different kind of pressure increased.

  A warning.

  “Something’s coming.” Sophie blurted out.

  Demetri jerked to a halt. Aidan moved to the left to keep from running into him. “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure.” Sophie concentrated. “It just feels like a warning, but not the same kind from a minute ago. Like a warning from our side.”

  Aidan cracked a joke about the dark side having cookies and everyone glared at him. “Sorry.” He mumbled.

  Demetri scanned the yard leading up to the farmhouse. His gaze moved back and forth, catching no movement. Even the wind had died down, leaving the grass still.

  Morgan shimmered a little and stepped closer to Aidan.

  The pressure spiked in the back of Sophie’s mind. Then, it vanished completely.

  A raven soared over the farmhouse, the movement easy to spot in a motionless landscape. It circled the group and then swooped down to land a few feet in front of them. It pranced back and forth with its head cocked to the side. The eyes glittered.

  “Look at those eyes.” Morgan whispered.

  “They’re red. It’s not normal for them to be that color, right?” Lilli’s panic raised her voice.

  Jackson pushed her behind him. He glanced at Tristan, his avenging angel face shining through.

  Sophie recognized the stupid little bird from the church. “It’s the one we saw when we met Demetri and Ruth, remember?”

  “It is!” Aidan’s hands started to flame.

  Tristan growled low in his throat when two more ravens landed beside the first. They cawed and hopped around. Dirt and grass flew.

  Demetri and Ruth readied their weapons.

  Tension surrounded the group.

  The deafening sound of flapping wings filled the air. From behind the farmhouse rose a flock of ravens so large, it blocked what little light was left.

  “Holy...” Aidan’s mouth fell open.

  Sophie wanted to finish his sentence for him but her mouth was too dry. In small areas of the flock, the birds attacked each other as they bumped feathers.

  “Oh my God!” Morgan shimmered next to Aidan before solidifying again. “They’re coming right for us!”

  The flock dove.

  “Down!” Demetri yelled. He pushed himself and Ruth to the ground.

  Sophie hit the grass and groaned. Tristan landed next to her, pulling her in toward his body. The ravens flew right over them, feathers brushing her skin. She rolled onto her back and stared. The ravens rose back into the sky.

  Tristan pulled her up by her arm and pushed her closer to the girls. Fur quickly sprouted on his arms and face. His jaw elongated and he added two feet to his height.

  Sophie watched him transform into a massive black bear. It never ceased to amaze her that his body had the ability to reinvent itself at just a thought.

  The ravens took another dive at them. Tristan roared and batted them away like flies. The large, black paws knocked the birds to the ground in threes.

  Scores of them slipped past Tristan. The feathers touched Sophie’s skin and she cringed.

  The ravens swarmed them and cawing filled their ears. Sophie tried to fight off panic when all she could see and feel were black feathers.

  A talon nipped her arm and she cried out. Someone shoved her into Morgan, who latched onto her arm.

  The swarm picked up speed. The circle of feathers closed in on them. From her other side, Lilli grasped her hand and turned her face into Sophie’s shoulder.

  Sophie could sense the guys’ closeness, even though she couldn’t see anything but the birds. Ruth and Demetri were behind them, not able to use their weapons on the birds for fear of hurting one of the others.

  Just when she thought she was about to have a complete claustrophobic meltdown, even with Morgan and Lilli right beside her, the air heated up. Short flashes of light flared up a few spaces in front of them.

  The smell of burnt flesh and feathers filled the air.

  Morgan wheezed and coughed when the smell hit her.

  Sophie could make out Tristan, Jackson, and Aidan in front of them now. Tristan worked on getting as many targets as he could with his massive paws. Aidan threw fire balls into the swarm, clearing up a bit more.

  When it did, Jackson threw up parallel invisible walls, forcing the remaining ravens to tunnel into Aidan’s fire and Tristan’s paws.

  Finally, it was clear again.

  “Okay, that was horrible.” Lilli’s voice shook and her widened gaze took in the lifeless bodies of the birds strewn about the ground around them. Jackson hugged her to him.

  Aidan and Tristan gave each other a high-five. “Yes!”

  “Cool it, hot stuff.” Morgan said. “We need to rescue Katie quietly.”

  Demetri stood, staring at the farmhouse and beyond. Sophie shivered at the stillness on his face.

  “You said Katie was being kept in the barn?” Ruth asked. They started toward the house.

  “Yes. From the pictures and my vision, there’s supposed to be one around the back.” Sophie couldn’t help but stare at the farmhouse and its broken windows and crooked shutters. Evil and darkness surrounded it, making even the most desperate of small animals willing to take their chances outside. Her heart sank at the thought of Katie being held by whatever supernatural creature gave off these vibes.

  Her feet crunched in the dead grass and her hands shook slightly. What if there were really vampires here?

  The barn was nestled beside a corral that circled near the woods.

  Sophie inhaled quickly. Just like the one from her vision.

  Demetri reached the barn doors first, which lay open and not so inviting. The shadows beckoned for the stupid or recklessly brave to enter.

  Sophie wondered which category they fell under.

  Everyone stood behind Demetri and listened for signs of movement beyond the doorway. None came forth.

  The wind creaked through the slats of wood that served as walls. Demetri and Ruth walked in, immediately swallowed by the darkness.

  Sophie slowly followed. Lilli had a samurai-death grip on her arm. Morgan came close behind.

  The guys headed up the rear.

  Sophie focused on breathing. She thought she might choke on her dread.

  Demetri stood a few feet inside the barn. “Aidan.”

  Aidan brushed past Morgan. When he reached Demetri, he lit up his hands and allowed the fireballs to float in the air. The light expanded out five feet around them.

  Ruth peered into the darkness beyond. Her kitanas hung loose in her fingers but her shoulders tensed.

  Sophie wasn’t so sure the light made things any better. Sure, she could see, but it just made everything seem starker. Scarier.

  What used to be stalls were now torn to pieces and covered in blood. Sophie fought the urge to vomit when she saw a half eaten hand lying on one of the bales of hay. She saw other body parts sticking out of saddles and hanging from the tack board and she paled.

  The others gagged.

  “There should be a watchdog vampire close by.” Ruth told them. Jackson and Tristan flanked the girls. “They usually have one lackey that guards. There could be more depending on which queen is in the nest.”

  * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  Nausea rose in Sophie’s stomach. She focused so much on keeping her dinner down that it took her a minute to notice the pressure in her head that came from the darkness.

  Whatever touched her mind
was still and measured the Guardian’s intentions. It contained malice and a deep, unquenchable thirst.

  She drew in a sharp gasp when she sensed three more.

  Tristan, Aidan, and Jackson shifted to stand in front of the girls.

  “How many?” Demetri asked without turning around.

  Sophie started when he repeated the question sharply. “Four.” Four ungodly entities pressed into her mind. Shared space inside of her.

  “That’s the most I’ve known to guard.” Ruth shifted on her feet. Sophie could tell the number made her uneasy.

  Demetri took a step forward.

  Sophie felt the guards slink back and tried to pinpoint their locations in the barn through the connection. She shoved harder with her mind.

  Unexpectedly, she saw herself. The image came so clear and sharp that it made her queasy. She saw Tristan standing halfway in front of her with a fierce expression on his face.

  Darkness invaded her every sense. She tried to swallow against the dryness in her throat. She was so thirsty. Anger and bitterness rose in her so swiftly she barely had time to contain it.

  Then she figured she’d pushed a little too hard. Now she was the one invading minds.

  She looked through the eyes of the guards.

  Sophie swayed on her feet. The sensation of looking into four minds at once disoriented her.

  Lilli released Sophie’s arm and placed a hand to her back to keep her steady. “You okay?”

  Sophie nodded. The warmth and the question jerked her back into her own mind. A hint of darkness still lurked though. It made her wish for a hot shower to wash the unclean away.

  “Go away.” One of the guards hissed.

  Morgan shivered. The voice rasped again.

  Aidan shot fire up his arms.

  “We’re not going anywhere. We want the girl.” Ruth answered.

  Jackson nodded.

  “She’s dead.” The guard rustled the straw on the ground to the left and then rapidly moved to the right. He kept out of the light.