Forbidden: Book One of Wild Sky Saga

by Tanna Marie Angers

  Israel got into his car and pulled out of his driveway to go and pick up Aira. As he drove, he looked ahead and to the right a bit. His vision went into slow motion, and he stopped the car dead in its tracks. He got out of his car, and walked into the forest. After clearing some bushes and branches out of his way, he saw a beautiful, massive, white wolf caught in a trap. The wolf was in pain and defensive, but just laid there. Israel looked and said gently, “I will help you.” He slowly approached the wolf, then he blew into the wolf’s face, and the wolf fell asleep. Israel took his time and pulled off the trap. Holding onto the wolf’s leg, he took his hand, and he placed it onto the wound. He then moved his hand away, and the wound was completely healed. Israel stood up, backed up a bit, and said out loud, “Wake up! Get up! ” and the wolf opened its eyes. The wolf stood up, looked at Israel for a moment, then turned and ran into the forest.

  Israel walked back out of the bush, got into his car, and continued to Aira’s.

  As he pulled up, Aira was sitting on her porch and he couldn’t help but smile. She wanted to avoid her mother making a fuss and embarrassing her, so she had decided to wait outside.

  She got up, and Israel got out of his car.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks,” Aira smiled blushingly.

  “There’s just one thing,” he gently moved some hair away from her face and he smiled.

  Aira didn’t say anything, she just smiled back at him.

  “After you,” he spoke.

  Israel watched her open the handle of his car. “Don’t worry,” he smiled, he could sense that she was worried. His smile calmed her, his eyes seemed so innocent, it made her breath easy.

  They got into the car and he pulled away from the sidewalk. Slowly their hands made their way to each other.

  When Israel pulled into the school parking lot, all eyes were on them.

  Jaidas stood with his friends waiting. He had noticed Aira’s truck was still at school and he had tried to get information from Avery. But she wouldn’t say anything.

  Avery and Joshua were standing by Joshua’s car watching. The air was full of tension.

  Israel got out, then Aira. Jaidas walked over to them and looked at Aira.

  “What’s this?” He spoke, trying to control his anger.

  “What’s what?” Aira replied. She honestly didn’t care what he thought any more.

  Jaidas felt Aira had a protectiveness over Israel. It made it worse. But Jaidas smiled, rubbing the side of his arm he walked closer to Israel.

  “You don’t belong here,” Jaidas said at him, and with a fiercely fast reflex, grabbed onto Israel’s arm.

  The moment that Jaidas grabbed onto Israel, he got a shock that travelled all the way up his arm and into his chest.

  Jaidas let go, held onto his chest and looked at him.

  “I belong everywhere… especially here,” Israel replied, deadly serious.

  Everyone stood wondering what had just happened. All they knew was that Jaidas backed right off of Israel. Jaidas looked at Aira, rubbed his mouth, then his chin, then walked away still rubbing his chest. His friends followed.

  “What happened, man?” Harlem muttered.

  “Nothing… don’t worry about it.”

  Avery and Joshua walked up to Aira and Israel.

  “That was awesome,” Avery smiled delighted.

  “Ya man… what the hell?” Joshua laughed.

  Israel lightly shook his head and smiled, and they started walking towards the school.

  Aira knew it was not like Jaidas to give up that easily, there was just no way. Something was definitely going on. She looked at Israel bewildered.

  He moved the hair out of her face. He could sense what she must have been thinking.

  “Hey, you guys wanna hang out with us after school, do something?” Avery asked them.

  “Ya, sure,” Aira answered still looking at Israel. “Do you want...?” she continued, still trying to wrap her head around what she had seen.

  He then rubbed the back of his neck with half a smile, somewhat uncomfortable knowing that Aira’s thoughts were burning a hole right through him. “Um, my mom, she’s putting on this last of season barbecue this evening. She kinda asked if you’d like to come?”

  “I’d love to… Maybe we can plan something tomorrow? Is that okay?” she asked, looking back at Avery.

  “Absolutely, we’ll probably go see a movie anyways or something,” Avery answered. “Are you kidding me, you have to go.”

  “Okay,” Aira smiled at Israel.

  He could tell she had a million questions.

  “Okay,” Israel smiled.

  “I just have to stop at my house and let them know first.”

  “Ya, of course,” Israel replied.

  “They probably want to meet you, anyways.” Aira shook her head a bit and chuckled.

  The day went by reasonably fast. After first break she didn’t see Jaidas. He must have gone home. After school, Israel walked to Aira’s locker as she was grabbing out books and putting them in her bag.

  “I’m a little nervous,” she said, closing her locker.

  “My parents, they’re fine, I promise. My mom is a little extreme sometimes,” he said playfully.

  “It’s not your parents… it’s mine,” she spoke, dreading their unrelenting teasing.

  Israel smiled at her and they walked out of the school.

  “I’m sure they’re fine.” Israel opened the car door for Aira and she got in.

  He got into his side, and pulled out of the school parking lot. On the drive to her house she was pretty quiet because she was thinking of a way to ask him questions. She didn’t know how, so she didn’t. She turned her head and looked over at him. Being with him was enough. Every time she looked at him, it was like the first time. It was always new, but somehow the same.

  He could feel her looking at him. He turned his head to look at her and reached his hand over and held onto hers.

  They pulled up to her house and Israel put his car in park and got out.

  Aira, a little nervous, slowly dragged herself out of her seat.

  Israel grabbed onto Aira’s hand and they walked up to her front door. Just as Aira went to open the door, it opened. It was her younger brother.

  “Hi Aira, who’s this?” David asked curiously.

  “Israel, this is my brother David.”

  “Hello, David,” Israel smiled at him. “That’s quite a heroic name you have there.”

  David looked down, “Not really, it’s my dad’s middle name.” David ran back over to the T.V and plopped himself in front of it. Israel looked over at David curiously, and Aira walked into to the kitchen.

  “Mom?” Aira called, looking around for them.

  “We’re out here, honey.” Her mom’s voice came from the back deck. Aira walked out back with Israel.

  Maddy and Barry were sitting in their chairs reading, and enjoying a drink on the deck.

  “Hey, this is Israel. His mom asked if I could go for a barbecue,” Aira said, looking a little tense.

  “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Bellen, It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s actually Valentine,” Aira whispered quietly.

  “Well hello there, Israel!” Maddy got up out of her chair and smiled at Aira. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” She moved Aira out of the way and shook his hand. “I’m Maddy, Aira’s mom, and this is my husband Barry, Aira’s stepfather. He’s sure handsome, isn’t he handsome?” Maddy looked at Barry excited.

  Barry looked up, pulling his sunglasses up.

  “Aren’t they all?” he suggested, pulling his sunglasses back down, and he took a drink. Maddy looked back at them and smiled.

  Israel smiled to himself and shook his head.

  “Well honey, it’s okay with m
e.”

  “Great,” Aira said, grabbing Israel’s hand pulling him inside the kitchen.

  “It was nice meeting you,” Israel called back while being dragged through the house. “See you later, David,” Israel shouted over the blaring T.V. as Aira pulled him out the front door and closed it.

  “That wasn’t so bad,” he smiled. To her it had been the most awkward thing ever.

  They got into the car, Israel pulled out and they started driving to his house.

  “So what’s up with David?” he asked curiously.

  “Ah…” Aira felt a little caught off guard, “he just keeps to himself. After our dad left, he hasn’t been the same. He doesn’t really get close to anyone except me. It’s kind of hard on my mom and Barry. He doesn’t accept Barry. David still doesn’t understand. My dad started drinking a lot, blaming everyone for his unhappiness. He became really angry… mean. David doesn’t remember how awful he was. Then my dad went out and had an affair, and left my mom. David was only five then.” Aira went silent.

  “I see... and how do you feel about Barry?” Israel seemed curious.

  “Barry’s amazing. He tries really hard to be what my dad wouldn’t be. He doesn’t push David, though. He’s hoping David will come to him when he’s ready.”

  “Anything’s possible.” Israel reached over and held onto Aira’s hand.

  Eventually they pulled into Israel’s driveway, and all around the house was lit up with garden lights. She could see smoke from the back which she assumed was coming from the barbecue. His home felt warm to Aira.

  “I love it here.” She just blurted out what she was thinking.

  Israel smiled, parked his car and they got out.

  He held onto Aira’s hand, and they walked up to the front door. Aira was a little nervous. Israel opened the door.

  Everything in his home was immaculate. There were old paintings and small sculptures, the furniture was beautiful, and there was an old desk with papers, a pair of reading glasses, and a small lamp in the living room. For some reason it seemed unusually quiet to Israel.

  “Ready?” he asked, still holding onto her hand.

  She nodded nervously as Israel led her through the kitchen and out to the large back deck. The railing was only half built where the steps led down to the backyard.

  Israel was stunned and he started to squeeze Aira’s hand a bit.

  “Hi sweety,” Israel’s mom said, smiling and standing up at a large wooden table beside his father. She had invited some of Israel’s family to the barbecue.

  “Israel!” said a young man running up to him. He was about the same age as Israel, maybe a year older, around the same height, but had a thicker build. He had sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. He picked up Israel, squeezed him, and put him down. “Israel, who is this beautiful creature?” He seemed delighted.

  “Aira,” Israel answered, a little put off. “Mom… what is this?”

  “Well, we haven’t been able to get together for a while, and I thought it was perfect timing.” She smiled and walked over to Aira.

  “I’m Abby, Israel’s mom. We’re so happy you decided to join us.” Abby excitedly took Aira’s hand, and she walked Aira towards everyone to introduce them. She stood beside Israel’s father, and put her hand on his shoulder. “This charming man is Israel’s father Nehemiah. Over there is his sister Olivia, and his other sister Naomi. You have already met Amos, Israel’s closest thing to a brother and best friend. He’s been away at college. This is Israel’s Uncle Sam and his wife Isabelle, and over there, running around, are their two beautiful twins, Sarah and Zachariah.”

  The twins were six years old. Samuel, Israel’s uncle, was extremely handsome. Mid forties, brown hair, dark blue eyes. He was Nehemiah’s younger brother, and loved Israel like his own son. Israel, being the first born grandson, was cherished very much.

  Aira smiled and looked over to the end of the table to the right. There sat a girl who was quite postured. She was smiling at Abby, waiting for Abby to introduce her to Aira. Israel noticed her right away, and that was why he had started to squeeze Aira’s hand when they had first walked out.

  Abby looked at her, and then looked back at Aira trying to smile like she wasn’t nervous.

  “Lie,” Cleo spoke into Abby’s thoughts.

  Abby looked back at Cleo. “And last… this is Cleo.” It was easy to tell everyone was uncomfortable. Cleo was very pretty. She had dark black hair and piercing green eyes. Israel wouldn’t even look at her. Abby looked back at Cleo who had a very small, telling smirk. She wanted Abby to lie better than that. Abby continued, “Cleo has stayed pretty close to our family. She was quite heartbroken when we decided to move, and when she found out we were having a get together, she was adamant about coming.” Abby smiled nervously, and quickly changed the subject. “Aira, we are so pleased you’re here, please sit down.”

  Israel smiled at Aira and pulled out a chair for her. They sat around asking Aira questions about herself while the food was cooking.

  Cleo watched intensely at Israel enjoying Aira, her emotions inside quickly grew hotter and hotter, until finally the glass Aira was about to drink from exploded and fell all over her.

  “I’m… I’m sorry,” Aira said, confused about what had happened, but secretly the others knew. Aira could feel the tension.

  Israel quickly grabbed some napkins to try and dry her off, picking pieces of glass off of her lap.

  “Come with me,” he said as he gave a quick glare to Cleo and took Aira inside.

  The family all looked at Cleo.

  “I think it’s time for you to leave,” Nehemiah spoke calm and seriously to her.

  “Cleo… it’s not what you think. You need to let this go,” Abby said.

  Cleo was angered. She felt that Abby was insulting her intelligence. She tried to compose herself as she stood up and straightened her black dress. She looked around at all of them. It was dead silent. Cleo put her hands on the table, leaned in a bit, and very calmly said,

  “Oh, but it is,” Cleo smiled. “He belongs with us… and if you think you, or even she, will ever change that, you had better think again. When he opens, and he will… I will be there, and I will be the one, and there’s nothing you will be able to do about it.” As she spoke her face became covered with a black vine down to her neck and her eyes turned pure black. The vines continued to wrap down her body until they reached off the deck and onto the ground. They stretched out behind her, making their way into the forest and, with that they pulled her. In an instant, she was gone.

  Nehemiah closed his eyes, and with a breath of relief, opened them. Everyone was looking at him.

  “Nehemiah… they found us,” Abby spoke, shaking her head, obviously worried.

  Nehemiah, with his one hand and his elbow on the table, rubbed his forehead. He moved his hand down over his mouth to his chin. He couldn’t even speak.

  Aira and Israel were in his room. As Israel looked for clothes for her to change into, she looked around his room, then made her way to sit on his bed.

  “Israel,” Aira paused for a second, “is there something I need to know?” She couldn’t hold it in anymore. She couldn’t pass these strange occurrences off as nothing anymore. She wanted to know if he would say anything to help make sense of everything that was happening.

  Israel stopped. He looked up to his wall for a second and then started to look for clothes again.

  “We all know what we’re supposed to know at the time we’re supposed to know it.” He turned around, smiled at her and handed her one of his shirts and some sweatpants.

  “Thanks,” she smiled at him hoping he would say more, but he didn’t. Not thinking anything of it, she started to unbutton her shirt.

  Israel didn’t know what to do, so he turned around.

  Aira looked up. She smiled feeling awkward, and then let out a
small laugh.

  Israel smiled to himself and shook his head, feeling just as awkward.

  She looked over at him standing with his back turned towards her, rubbing the back of his head.

  A little hesitant, she got up off the bed, and walked towards him. She waited for a second, then moved her hands around his rib cage until she was hugging him from behind.

  Israel closed his eyes, then opened them and slowly turned around.

  She was looking down, and he lifted her face up towards him putting his hand onto her cheek.

  Aira looked up at him. There was nothing but love in her eyes.

  Israel moved forward, bringing his mouth to hers and he kissed her. Pure connection, and a pull so strong was all it took. In an instant he lifted her off the ground and he walked over to his bed. Laying her down, he gently crawled over top of her.

  Israel took his face and brushed it underneath her chin, along her jaw line, and moved down to her collar bone. Aira closed her eyes, it felt like every part of him that touched her was falling into her.

  Israel moved up and he brushed his lips against hers, and just as he was about to kiss her again —

  “Hey, Israel!” Amos ran into the room and they jumped up. “Aw man,” Amos said nervously, “I’m sorry,” he said, as he looked down and rubbed his forehead. “Your parents sent me to get you.”

  Israel smiled at Aira.

  “Tell them we’re coming.”

  “Ya dude, I’m starving and they won’t let anyone eat.” Israel laughed and Amos walked out.

  “I’ll change, you go.”

  “Okay,” Israel smiled and he got up off the bed.

  He walked to the door and stopped. He took his hand and moved it down the side of the door frame, then continued walking out.

  Aira smiled to herself and finished unbuttoning her shirt.

  Israel walked out to the back deck. He stood there for a second, then walked over to his father. He put his hand on his father’s shoulder, and leaned over to his mother kissing the top of her head. Israel walked over to his seat, sat down and there was a heavy silence.

  “Israel,” his mother spoke lightly.