Forest of the Forbidden

by W. J. May

  It was going to be a painful session.

  “Go.” Ruth ordered.

  Morgan disappeared.

  Sophie immediately reached out with her senses. Before, Ruth had blindfolded her to get her used to using her power. Now, she had to use the rest of her senses in conjunction to keep track of where Morgan was.

  Movement to her left. Sophie swung up her arm and blocked a blow that would’ve hit her in the face. Morgan was really pissed about having to go home with Aidan.

  The mat creaked behind her. She whirled around, swiping her left leg out, and knocked Morgan’s feet out from under her.

  Morgan flickered into view for a few seconds when she hit the mat. A wave of frustration rolled into Sophie from below.

  The reason distracted her. Morgan didn’t like feeling helpless or weak. She didn’t like knowing that Akeldama knew where they were, or feeling like she wasn’t safe to fall asleep at night.

  It drove her crazy.

  “Pay attention, Sophie.” Ruth called from the sidelines.

  Sophie’s body snapped to the side when Morgan tackled her. The breath exploded from her lungs as her head smacked the concrete just off of the mat.

  Morgan pinned her down. Her body appeared in stages.

  Sophie was struck by the distress in Morgan’s eyes. She waited until Morgan scooted off of her before she asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Ruth came closer.

  “Did we upset you when we teased you about Aidan?”

  “No.” Morgan shook her head. “I expect that. I even get it from Aidan.”

  Sophie remained silent. If someone wanted to talk, it was best to not pressure them with questions.

  Morgan sighed. “I have this frustration and agony deep inside but I don’t know why. Or where it comes from. I’ve never felt it before and I can’t get it to stop.”

  “Maybe you’re still worried about the attack.” Ruth placed a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “We’re doing the best we can to make you ready for the next one.”

  Morgan nodded, disappeared. “I know.”

  Sophie knew their conversation was over. She readied herself for the next attack.

  For the next two hours, they both gave hits and received them. Ruth corrected Sophie’s form and instructed them on how to use their bodies as weapons. When Ruth called time, Sophie and Morgan were sweaty, bruised, and every muscle in their bodies burned.

  “Much better.” Ruth tossed them each a bottle of water. “You’ve come a long way in the past two weeks. Now, Morgan, we’ll practice your teleporting and then visit the guys. And don’t forget. Tomorrow is weapons training.”

  Sophie groaned. Weapons training was the worst. She never could get the gun to shoot where she wanted it to go.

  They rolled up the heavy blue mat and leaned it against the wall. Ruth drew an x on the floor in blue, red, and black chalk.

  From her vantage point on the floor, Sophie watched Ruth call red.

  Morgan’s emotions stretched. The air shimmered violently and then a pop. She appeared on the red chalk.

  Before, Morgan had to work on her precision and land on each x perfectly. Now that she had that down, she worked on her speed and agility.

  “Blue.”

  Pop.

  Sophie leaned her head back against the wall and forced her breathing to even out. Even with the training, she worried that they weren’t going to be able to stop Akeldama. She was full of hatred and malice. Her only wish was to annihilate the six of them.

  Their only wish was to stay alive.

  There was no balance there. She was immortal. They were mortals with extra gifts. How were they supposed to beat her?

  “Soph, let’s go.” Morgan waved her over. “I’m finished, so Ruth wants to go watch the guys.”

  A smile spread. “I’m okay with that.”

  Morgan rolled her eyes and pulled Sophie up. “Of course you are.”

  Sophie groaned as all the muscles in her body stretched. They walked toward the concrete room that Aidan used for his fire. As they approached, Sophie saw Lilli and Father Kent watching from the window a story above the training room.

  Demetri was off in a corner, cleaning weapons for tomorrow.

  Goodie, weapons, Sophie thought. She stopped next to Lilli. “Have you had any chance to train yet?”

  “A few times. Aidan scorched Tristan so bad earlier, it took me half an hour to heal him. Tristan was in bear form. The smell of burnt hair was awful.” Lilli wrinkled her nose.

  Sophie swallowed against the thought of Tristan being hurt. “I guess if they didn’t get hurt, you wouldn’t be able to train.”

  Lilli laughed. “As long as they don’t try to kill each other, I’ll do my job.” She looked over at Morgan, then nudged Sophie.

  Morgan’s gaze followed Aidan as he paced on his side of the room. He wore a grim frown and fire danced up his arms. Every so often the flames would dance out like a solar flare.

  The door to the training room opened and Tristan sauntered out.

  Sophie’s breath caught when his gaze met hers. His eyes were stormy, like the frown on his lips. He’d removed his shirt because of the heat from Aidan’s flames and wore only a pair of jeans. Black soot marked his chest and neck and he smelled of smoke.

  “Hey.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

  Her mind went blank. She couldn’t think of anything to say. Instead, she offered him her water bottle.

  His lips turned up slightly and he took it. “Thanks.”

  She watched him guzzle it down and forced herself to breathe. His strong jaw line made her stomach flip.

  Lilli nudged her again.

  She swung her gaze back to the training room.

  Jackson stood at the opposite end of Aidan, palms in front of him, perfectly still. Sophie could almost imagine massive white wings unfolding from his shoulder blades, he looked that much like an avenging angel.

  Useless pieces of furniture sat waiting to be used at his command.

  Aidan still paced. His restless energy enveloped the room. Sophie could feel his deep frustration. His helplessness.

  Her fingers curled into fists. It was keen, running deeper than she could’ve imagined. It also was identical to the frustration Morgan had felt.

  When she saw the tears streaming down Morgan’s face, she knew. The two of them were linked on a primal level. Morgan shared Aidan’s emotions.

  Lilli gasped. Sophie forced her attention back to the room.

  Aidan fired off several globed flames. They flew hot and fast.

  Jackson formed a mental wall with his mind.

  The fireballs slammed into it. The room echoed with the explosions.

  Aidan’s desperation heightened. Sophie could feel it clawing at his insides. It suffocated him.

  The smoke cleared and Jackson lifted a few chairs. He whirled them around in a figure eight pattern. Faster and faster they turned, until it looked like one long piece of furniture.

  Aidan’s eyes narrowed. His flames burned hotter.

  The chairs rushed toward him.

  His fire incinerated them immediately. Ashes floated to the floor. Aidan’s chest heaved.

  Ruth and Demetri had joined them now. Everyone seemed to realize that it wasn’t an ordinary training session.

  Tristan made a move to go stop them.

  “No. Let them finish.” Demetri ordered.

  “Aidan’s going to kill him.” Tristan growled.

  No one risked a glance at Morgan. Her shoulders shook.

  “Jackson can handle it.” Demetri nodded at the window.

  Sophie bit down on her lip to keep Aidan’s emotions from overwhelming her. The group didn’t need two crying women at the same time.

  Jackson closed his eyes. Beams creaked as the baby grand piano and the desk levitated behind him.

  Aidan’s jaw clenched when they charged him. The flames heated higher than Sophie had ever seen them burn.

  It
split the piano in two. The sections skimmed on either side of him.

  The blast of heat from the room was intense.

  The cold look of triumph was wiped from Aidan’s face when the desk hurtled into his midsection.

  Morgan gasped and placed a hand against the window. She snatched it back when the heat seared her palm. Her shared frustration evaporated in the face of her worry.

  Jackson quickly moved the pieces of the desk. He bent down and hoisted Aidan over his shoulder, fireman style, and carried him up the stairs.

  Tristan had the door open for him when he reached the top.

  “Oh my God.” Morgan slid down to the floor when she saw the blood covering Aidan’s body.

  White bone stood out against his stomach and wrists. A desk leg impaled his right shoulder and a large gash scuffed his face.

  “I see a few of his ribs, Lilli.” Jackson gently laid him on the floor in front of her.

  Aidan’s labored wheezing caught Sophie off guard. From her spot a few feet away she could feel the heat wafting off of his body.

  Lilli knelt down and pressed her hands to Aidan’s ribs. He moaned when the golden energy traveled from her palm into his body.

  Sweat beaded on his brow when Lilli moved to his shoulder.

  “Jackson, I need you to remove the wood. Tristan, hold him down.” Lilli placed a hand on the side of Aidan’s face. “What were you thinking?”

  Ruth, Demetri, and Kent watched silently. Morgan crawled over and placed Aidan’s head in her lap. She ignored the blood on his face and stroked his hair. The gentleness calmed him and the heat dissipated. Sophie felt the frustration lighten.

  Jackson kept his eyes trained on Aidan’s and gripped the desk leg.

  Aidan nodded.

  Jackson wrenched it out and Aidan’s body arched in pain.

  Lilli went to work instantly, relaxing him as she did. She moved on to his wrists and then, finally, his face. When she sat back, Jackson wrapped an arm around her.

  “Would you guys give us a minute?” Sophie spoke to Ruth, Demetri, and Kent.

  Ruth nodded, “Of course.” She placed a hand on Demetri’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  Kent tilted his head to the side before he followed them out.

  Sophie was, too. What had caused that much heartache that not only Morgan felt it, but Aidan couldn’t control it? “Morgan, that frustration you felt earlier?”

  “I know. It was his.” Morgan sighed when she looked down into his face. “What happened?”

  Aidan forced himself into a sitting position. Morgan helped him lean against the wall. He pulled her close when she went to move away.

  His emotions surged through him. They reached out to Sophie, wrapped around her.

  “My mom,” his voice faltered, “My mom has cancer.”

  Lilli covered her mouth with her hand.

  “Aidan.” Morgan put her arms around him.

  The pressure in Sophie’s chest grew.

  “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Jackson asked.

  “It’s spread to her lymph nodes.” Aidan swallowed. He blinked a few times. “She’s basically in a drug induced coma to keep her from feeling the pain.”

  “I could—-”

  “No, Lilli, you can’t.” Aidan smiled weakly. “The cancer is...everywhere. I thought of that, too, but it’s metastasizing rapidly. So, unless we can give her a new body...”

  “But, I could try.”

  Sophie, knowing Lilli’s gift as well as she did, shook her head. “It would kill you.”

  “Thanks for the offer, though.” Aidan’s sincerity sliced through Sophie. “I know you would if you were able.” He stood, eyes haggard. “I’m going to shower.”

  They watched him walk away. He held his head high and his back stiff when he left. Only Sophie and Morgan knew how badly his heart ached.

  * * *

  Chapter Seventeen

  Laughter reached her ears while she made her way down the marble staircase. The sound filled her with joy. It had been so long since her society rejoiced. Now that the war was over, her people could sleep in peace.

  The ballroom was a vision of candle light and flowers. White and gold ribbon, the island’s colors, wrapped around the pillars circling the dance floor. Already many couples weaved in and out with the music. No one had noticed her yet, so she had time to search the crowd for him.

  Her red silk dress hugged her body. It made her feverishly wish that Thane was here. It’d been five years since she’d last saw him. Five years to realize that every time they argued she fell more in love with him. Then, he’d been off in the Dark War to fight for their country, for their island.

  Did he miss her? Did he burn to see her as she did to see him?

  Sofrina knew all the young men would be there to dance with her. And, of course she would dance with them since it was her duty. That wouldn’t change the fact that Sofrina only had eyes for Thane.

  How much had he changed? Aediva wondered as her hand slid down the banister. Her brother Julius was home as well and he’d changed much in the year that he’d been gone. No longer was his face bare. His beard covered the stubborn set of his chin.

  The short announcer waited at the base of the stairs. He bowed low before calling out her entrance. “The Oracle, Lady Sofrina.”

  She hadn’t been the Oracle when he left. Would he find her title intimidating? Heads turned to catch a glimpse of her and she was uncomfortable with the attention. What she wouldn’t give to be a normal woman tonight.

  As soon as her slippered toe stepped off the staircase her best friend, Lilah, was at her elbow. “You’re brother is so handsome.”

  Sofrina flicked her an irritated glance. “He’s my brother. What do I care if he is handsome or not?”

  Lilah’s blond curls bounced when she laughed. “Oh, stop your nonsense. Your brother is handsome no matter what you think.”

  Sofrina nodded politely to an elderly couple walking by, her eyes darting back and forth, searching for even one glimpse of Thane. The couple bowed their heads in respect to the Oracle.

  “Look, Morgana and Ash are dancing!” Lilah’s eyes sparkled and she nodded toward them.

  “I believe she actually missed arguing with him while he was gone.” Sofrina pushed down the jealousy at seeing the married couple smile at each other. At first, Morgana and Ash had hated each other and their arranged marriage. Now, it didn’t look like they hated anything. She nodded to a few soldiers. They bowed and turned away. “I wish I’d never been born with these powers.”

  Lilah stopped walking and faced her friend. “Sofrina, you mustn’t speak like this. It’s who you are. Embrace it.”

  Sofrina lowered her voice to a whisper so that no one could hear them. “People fear me. They respect me only because I could give their secrets away. They don’t come close to me.”

  “I do!” Lilah waved a hand to encompass the people. “They don’t fear you.”

  “I know you don’t.” Sofrina fought the impulse to cross her arms in a most unladylike way. “But what will Thane think?” The question was out before she’d finished thinking it.

  “I thought you hated him!”

  Sofrina blushed. “That was then. Besides, I’ve told you of the visions I’ve had about him. About all of us.”

  Worry darkened Lilah’s eyes. “Those visions must be of pure fancy. It would mean that someone around us is possessed by the Demoness.”

  The musicians started up another tune. Courtiers began to dance more. Sofrina ignored Lilah’s statement as Julius approached.

  “Sister, you wouldn’t mind if I stole Lilah for a dance?” Julius held out his arm for Lilah to take.

  “Of course I wouldn’t. But be mindful not to step on her feet, Brother.”

  Julius grinned. “My footwork has improved over five years.”

  Sofrina held her smile until they’d joined the others on the dance floor. She felt her common pang of loneliness and knew she had to get out of this crowd. Seve
ral people stopped her, chatted inanely, but finally she made it outside onto the balcony.

  She knew she was alone. The only light was from the full moon that hung over her beloved city, so the shadows hid her while she leaned against the balustrade.

  Below she could see several carriages as more people arrived. She let her attention wander to the buildings, over the fountain in the center of the city, to rest on the Temple.

  She felt a warmth run through her veins. That was her home, where she felt the most normal. It stood out, smaller only than the palace to the left. The tip of the spires were lit with giant torches. They beckoned to her.

  The warmth in her veins burned hotter. Her power shimmered.

  “It’s been a long time.” A deep voice caressed the back of her neck.

  She knew who it was before she turned her head to look. “Yes, it has.”

  Thane stood in the black of his full dress uniform, minus the armor. He leaned insolently against a pillar. His hair was darker, and the stubble that shadowed his chin caused her stomach to flutter. He’d never looked so...solid. Sofrina didn’t need her power to tell that he was different. Contained but lethal, dangerous and protective at the same time. Definitely not the carefree boy who’d left. She trembled and despised herself for it. She wanted the upper hand here.

  Thane stepped closer, his eyes roaming over her body. “I’ve been waiting to see you, Oracle.” His warm hand enveloped hers, he brought it to his lips.

  “Sofrina.” She blushed. “You can call me by my name. We’re friends..” Oh, how she wished to be more!

  His lips twitched. “Thank you for your permission.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “May I have this dance?”

  The vision danced on the edges of Sophie’s mind throughout the next few days. It distracted her with the subtle hint of danger, with the not so subtle hint of love and desire, and with the reason it was tied to the present. Was there an order to the things she saw? Did everything have a purpose or did her past self, Sofrina, surface the longer she was near Tristan?

  That was a distraction all its own. Whenever he was near, she could barely concentrate on anything other than the way his eyes darkened when they looked at each other, or the way his body looked when he moved. When she saw how aggressive he was in training, it caused a fire to melt through her blood. And now, being in the close quarters of his truck, with him so near, was almost unbearable.