Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  And made it out alive?

  Her gaze followed the smoke. It rose up into the starry sky. Was it possible all this happened on such a peaceful looking night?

  Tristan joined her in his natural form. Scrapes and bruises shone in the firelight, his body was covered in soot.

  His gray eyes focused on her. Her stomach flipped.

  “Morgan? Morgan!” Aidan’s hoarse voice called out for her.

  She shimmered into view next to him. “I’m here.” Her normally perfect visage was covered in ash, dirt, and a little bit of blood. Her hair hung in a matted mess that she absently pushed away from her face.

  Jackson held Katie’s limp form in his arms but he leaned near Lilli and spoke softly to her.

  Her face didn’t seem pale to Sophie after he was done.

  Maybe it was the soot. Maybe it was Jackson.

  Either way, Sophie was glad her friend felt a little better.

  They stood in that line, weary and a little battle hardened, making sure nothing crawled out of the embers. No one spoke. They were afraid that if they did, something would waken.

  Only when they heard the sirens did they make their way back to the SUV. Demetri cast a long look back at the smoldering ruins when they passed it. Sophie wondered if he replayed his meeting with Cairo.

  Ruth settled a hand on his arm and kissed his cheek.

  Demetri patted her hand softly.

  Sophie turned away, not wanting to intrude, and followed Tristan and the others across the meadow and over the fence.

  Police cars and a fire truck raced past and the group used the shadows to hide their trek to the SUV.

  Demetri swung into the driver’s seat, Ruth slid into the passenger side. Jackson laid Katie out on the second row and then allowed the girls to climb into the third.

  Aidan, Jackson, and Tristan climbed into the very back and pulled the hatch shut behind them.

  Once they were safely back on the road to town Sophie asked, “Why were some of the vampires beautiful and the others looked like they suffered from the plague?”

  Lilli leaned her head on Sophie’s shoulder.

  Ruth looked back. “Some of the humans, when turned, aren’t genetically matched enough to their parent vampire. It causes their bodies to partially reject the turn. They are more like hybrids, still immortal and craving blood but crippled in other ways. The tissues and joints that rejected the turn age much like a normal human’s would but the blood they drink keeps the rest alive.”

  “That’s gross.” Aidan shook his head. “That was unreal.”

  Sophie felt Lilli shaking next to her. Morgan stared out the window, eyes unfocused. She reached for both their hands and refused to give Morgan the chance to let go.

  Morgan squeezed Sophie’s hand but didn’t try to release it.

  It seems we’re more traumatized than we’d like to admit, Sophie thought. Her eyelids drifted shut.

  She shot them open a second later.

  When she closed her eyes, all she could see was Cairo’s blackened body crawling toward her.

  * * *

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You don’t look so good.” Aidan commented when Sophie walked into the symbol room the next day.

  Sophie bit back an angry retort. They were all tired, she knew that. After the vampire fight last night they’d finally gotten home around four in the morning.

  Once reaching the dorm, Sophie’s dreams had been full of nightmares and Cairo’s burnt form reaching out to her, so she was sure the sandman hadn’t sprinkled her with any of his magic dust.

  Needless to say, she was exhausted. Now, thanks to Aidan, she knew she looked it.

  He stuffed a handful of chips into his mouth and continued to look at her with an innocent expression.

  “I don’t ever want to see another vampire again.” Lilli sat next to Jackson. While she’d regained her color, she hadn’t really regained her happy-Lilli personality.

  Sophie watched her with concern. The last thing she wanted was Lilli becoming depressed or worried about being taken by vampires.

  “We won’t.” Jackson spoke with finality. Faint discolorations crawled up his arm from under the sleeve.

  Apparently they all needed more practice with their gifts.

  “You have to admit it was nice. Saving someone.” Tristan leaned back. A bruise rose above the neck of his t-shirt. He observed the others’ stares. “Not that I’m saying we join forces with them. I just understand why you and Lilli went out into that storm to find the girl.”

  Sophie’s face flushed at his comment. “Yeah, well, there were no vampires. We were only in danger of being stuck in the woods.”

  Lilli shivered. “I’d battle hunger and the rain any day over the supernatural.”

  As usual, they waited on Morgan to arrive so that they could formally deny the offer to join the Society’s team. Sophie sighed and wondered where Demetri and Ruth were. All at once, a couple more questions hit her.

  Were they a couple? Did they sleep together?

  She shook her head and forced herself to think about something else. Like, how the walls of the symbol room seemed colder now that they’d decided to say no.

  Tristan nudged her slightly with his shoulder. He winced immediately and rubbed where his bruise was.

  Sophie shot him a look of concern. When he saw, he lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and shrugged. She hated what that smile did to her insides. When she stared into his eyes, a steady gray, it felt like the calm before the storm. Lightning danced up her arms and across the back of her neck when he watched her.

  The door swung open and Morgan passed through it. The skirt of her yellow sweater dress danced around her knees when she stopped.

  Her entrance interrupted the connection between Sophie and Tristan. Sophie frowned and leaned back. The feelings he stirred in her overwhelmed her. She needed time to step back and analyze them.

  Aidan’s eyes traveled over Morgan. He let out a low whistle.

  Morgan shook her hair back and took a seat next to Tristan.

  Sophie narrowed her eyes at Aidan. Of course he’d whistle at Morgan. Morgan didn’t look like she’d been up fighting vampires all night. Her gorgeous curls framed slumberous eyes and a peaceful face.

  Aidan studiously ignored Sophie’s evil look as Ruth and Demetri entered.

  It seemed they had gotten enough sleep too. But once Sophie looked closer she saw that they both had dark circles under their eyes. Even so, Ruth’s pace was brisk as she rounded the table to stand at the head. She may have been dressed down in athletic pants and a tank top but her eyes blazed business. “You’re aware of why we called you here.”

  Demetri folded his arms and stood just behind Ruth. His stance lent her silent support.

  It took Sophie a moment to realize that she had to be the one to speak. With a lump in her throat, she said, “We’re very grateful that you, um, helped us save Katie. But we’re not ready for something like this.”

  “Who ever is?” Aidan shot off from his spot.

  Sophie sent him a look. “We have priorities that don’t include fighting vampires, or demons, or whatever happens to be lurking out there. It’s not a life we want to devote ourselves to.”

  Ruth waited and watched the others nod in agreement. Then she frowned. “This is, of course, your decision. We can’t persuade you either way.”

  Sophie almost sighed in relief at how well Ruth took it.

  “But mark my words,” Ruth continued and Sophie’s relief vanished, “Akeldama will not stop hunting for you. Her entire being is committed to wiping you off of the earth. For good this time.”

  So much for being let off easy, Sophie thought. If Ruth was trying to scare them into joining she could tell it was working on the female half of the group.

  Lilli twisted her fingers together. Her eyes widened and had a slight sheen of tears. Morgan’s face paled behind the narrowing of her blue eyes.

  Sophie imagined her own reaction wa
sn’t much better.

  Tristan and Jackson had identical, expressionless faces. Thin tendrils of smoke evaporated from Aidan’s shoulders.

  The tension grew in the room. It was so taunt that when Demetri shifted feet and unfurled his body from leaning against the wall, Sophie winced.

  Jackson stood, too, and pulled Lilli up with him. “We’re leaving.”

  Invisible lines seemed to be forming right in front of her. Sophie shook her head at the horrible feeling forming in the pit of her stomach.

  “Stop.”

  Everyone’s focus transferred to her.

  She rubbed her temples. “Can we at least part on good terms? You never know when we’ll need each other again.”

  Ruth closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re right, Sophie. I’m sorry. It’s just that we’ve been searching forever for you and now it feels like you’re slipping through our fingers. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”

  Demetri slowly relaxed his stance.

  Sophie’s face pleaded with the others to calm down. She had no idea why they were all so angry. Well, maybe she did. They all felt guilty.

  She turned her thoughts from that particular mine field to another when Tristan reached for her hand. Instantly, that electric feeling shot up her arm and down her body as their palms met.

  Neither Ruth or Demetri spoke up when they group left.

  The late afternoon sun had given way to twilight while they’d been inside. The cold, sharp air wove its way through the dark streets.

  Briefly, Sophie thought about the group of thugs that had attacked them on their first trip here. Would Tristan still be there to protect her if they were no longer tied by the same destiny?

  At the bus stop closest to the school the group parted ways. Aidan headed somewhere not on campus. Morgan stalked off with one glance back at them.

  Tristan and Jackson lingered for a few moments before exhaustion set in.Sophie watched the guys walk away. Her heart seemed to shrivel in her chest. Was this the end?

  Lilli turned toward campus and led the way to the dorms. After a moment, Sophie forced herself to follow.

  The night seemed darker as they came close to the dorms. The campus seemed deserted. All the students followed Dean West’s rules, all except for them.

  They climbed the stairs to their rooms. The stairwell felt like it was closing in, the walls suddenly tightened and then rippled.

  Sophie felt Lilli’s hand grab her arm.

  “Sophie, I’m scared.”

  Sophie smiled reassuringly and gently nudged her up the stairs. “We’re just exhausted. Mind’s playing tricks.” Still, she breathed a sigh of relief when they exited the stairwell on their floor.

  “I’m going to find something to eat.” Lilli told Sophie as they entered their rooms. “I feel all shaky. Maybe something edible will help.”

  “Yeah, I’m going to take a shower.” Sophie stopped in the doorway to their bedroom and looked back. “Will you be okay while I’m in there?” Her stomach clenched, like she’d eaten something bad, but she figured a shower would help her sore muscles.

  Lilli nodded slowly. “I’m going to try and study. If I don’t pass out first.”

  Sophie headed into the room and grabbed a change of clothes. Her slow, unsteady gait kept her from rushing.

  After making sure the water streaming down was the hottest she could stand, she undressed and stepped under the spray. It cascaded down her body and relaxed her aching muscles.

  Flashes of the night before danced behind her eyelids. Her muscles automatically tensed.

  Thank God they were able to save Katie. Guilt sprang up when she thought about the other students they weren’t able to help, or the thousands of lives they were refusing to save.

  Tears welled up and spilled over, mixing with the shower spray. She’d managed to keep it all down the past couple of months, starting with the first kidnapping, but because of her bone-tired weariness she couldn’t hold the remorse at bay.

  The heavy pain in her heart forced her to sink to her knees. She wrapped her arms around herself.

  A single sob escaped.

  Sophie hated crying, hated the weak feeling it gave her, but the torrent wouldn’t stop.

  Any one of them could’ve died. Could’ve been bitten by a vampire—a vampire!—and been lost forever.

  Before this, she’d only believed in the monsters that lurked deep inside human souls. Now, she knew that the other kind was real.

  There on the floor of the shower she wept away the fear that she’d denied since yesterday morning, when her only thought was getting Katie to safety.

  Her head suddenly snapped up. The tears were forgotten as a darkness teased at the edges of her mind. She reached out her senses and the violet of her eyes were swallowed by her pupils.

  All she heard was the sound of the water hitting the porcelain tub but she felt the darkness that surrounded their dorm. She cocked her head to the side, searching and the darkness grew more dense. It settled around them like an endless fog, full of hate and despair.

  It thickened. Her heart thumped in her chest. The hair rose on her arms when she became aware of the danger they were in.

  She stood, shut the water off, and slung the shower curtain open.

  A gargled scream escaped her throat. Sophie jumped back. Her head struck the tile wall behind her and she winced.

  Cairo perched just outside the tub, fangs gleaming against her cooked flesh. She sneered at Sophie, hunger shining deep in her red eyes.

  An odd whistling sound floated through the bathroom.

  Cairo breathed through the flap in her neck.

  Sophie kept her eyes shut tight while she pressed herself against the shower wall. Frigid air drafted over her wet skin and hair. She shivered violently.

  The darkness pressed in, suffocating her, twisting its way along the fine hairs of her skin. Even with her eyes closed she could feel Cairo move closer by the draft of frosty air that preceded her.

  Sophie knew she should just open her eyes but the terror of seeing Cairo there already had her heart beating in overdrive.

  Then she became aware of Lilli’s growing fright. It rooted in her stomach and blossomed like a deadly, storm-tossed sea. It spread through her chest and arms. She realized that she had to help her friend. No matter what she saw when she opened her eyes.

  Deep breath, mental pushing, then open eyes.

  Sophie peeked around, her body tight and ready to jump out of the bath tub.

  Cairo was gone. Vanished. Just like that.

  Sophie moved with shaking hands, first one foot and then the other out of the tub. Lilli’s fright had vanished as well, leaving nothing but her own fear inside.

  Her eyes searched the bathroom for any sign that the vampire was still there. When she saw that she was truly alone she grabbed the towel and rushed to dry herself. By the time she was dressed in her boxers and tank top, Lilli was knocking on the bathroom door.

  Sophie jumped, even though she’d expected it.

  “What was that?” Lilli cried out when Sophie stepped inside the bedroom. “I was just heating up pizza rolls and then I turn around, and Augustus is there. Leering at me!” Her voice broke. “I knew he’d come to take me.”

  “Did he hurt you?” Sophie forced her own voice to stay even.

  “No,” Lilli shook her head, eyes filling up with tears. “not physically. I’m just a little freaked out right now.”

  “Me too. I saw Cairo.” Sophie steered Lilli into the living room and guided her to the couch. “I thought she’d come back for revenge because we’d destroyed her coven. We need to call the others, make sure they’re okay. I don’t think this attack was just for us.”

  Lilli got up to grab her phone.

  Someone knocked on the door. Sophie and Lilli stopped what they were doing. Sophie wondered who stood on the other side. Was it one of the guys or a demonic adversary?

  As Sophie approached the door, Lilli stayed where she was.
>
  Sophie wished she hadn’t opened the door and her mind went blank.

  “Hey, Sophie.”

  Her mind jump started, taking her back to her high school years.

  Roman stood in front of her, his dark hair still falling across his forehead. His blue eyes traveled over her body.

  It made Sophie aware that she was still a little wet from her shower and that it was beginning to soak through her pajamas. She crossed her arms and glared at him. “What are you doing here?” And now, of all times, she wanted to shout.

  He smiled at her as if nothing had ever happened. As if he’d never made the school believe she was crazy. When he brushed past her and into the dorm, she shivered at the sick feeling in her stomach.

  Sophie blinked at his arrogance and shook her head. She recovered enough to shut the door and repeat the question.

  “I came to see you.” The smile came easily. He stopped and looked around. His mud streaked jeans and dark splattered polo stood out.

  Seeing them caused her stomach to drop. Something was off about him, and it wasn’t just the fact that he obviously had amnesia and forgot the past two years.

  Lilli narrowed her eyes and mirrored Sophie’s arms-crossed stance. “What is he doing here?”

  The hatred brewing off of Lilli surprised Sophie because her friend was never hateful. But then again, Lilli probably remembered how much of a mess Sophie was after Roman threatened to tell the entire school about Sophie’s gift if she didn’t sleep with him.

  Since Sophie refused to do it, he’d followed through. Made her look certifiably insane. Everyone had laughed at her for months.

  “I think you should leave.” Sophie walked around him, feeling a slight chill as she brushed past, and came to stand beside Lilli. She felt better if they showed a united front.

  She wasn’t sure, but something about Roman made her uneasy and it wasn’t just because of their past. How did he know where they lived? Why was he even here?

  Roman’s smiled back while he took in the dorm.

  It was so wrong, him being there. Especially when she compared him to Tristan, which was automatic. Tristan was real, earthy, caring.

  Roman was fake and selfish. How could she have missed that the years she crushed on him? Hadn’t there been warning signs? Like, how they always did what he wanted? Or how the night always ended with pressuring her to take their relationship to the next level?