The Forbidden: A Huntress Novel (The Huntress Series Book 1)

by Adria Wade

  ****

  The room was pitch black as I sat up in Lucas’s bed and stretched my arms. Great, I slept all day while Eli could have been downstairs dying.

  I threw the covers off me and headed downstairs. The last time I saw him his dreadful screams were unbearable to hear so I ran away not even bothering to stay and make sure he was going to be okay.

  The sitting area was dark and the only lights that shined in the room were the candles that floated in the air. Lucas was laid back in the recliner sleeping. Eli wasn’t on the couch as I expected though. My stomach turned as it hit me that he could have died while I was asleep and I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye. My heart began to race as I ran my hands through my hair entering panic mode.

  “Why did I leave,” I said to myself.

  “We’re in the kitchen.” Violet called.

  I quickly walked to the kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Eli laying on the table. He wasn’t awake like I had hoped, but I would take his sleeping over death any day.

  “No need to panic, he is fine for now.”

  I joined Violet as the table and took Eli’s hand in mine. His body was covered in burn marks and his lips were terribly chapped. He must be dehydrated. Great, another symptom to add to the everlasting list of everything that could possibly go wrong during the change.

  “He’s strong. I’m actually surprised his body has been able to fight this long.”

  I closed my eyes and rubbed the back of my neck as the muscles in my neck and shoulders tightened.

  “You have a chance to help his body turn, yet you refuse.”

  “I don’t have anything against him.”

  “You’re afraid of dying, I know. It doesn’t help when your own mate died the same way.”

  She looked down and frowned. “He told you.”

  “He thought he owed me an explanation as to why you refused to help Eli. I didn’t realize it was a secret.”

  “It isn’t a secret. We don’t talk about him that’s all. Are you hungry?”

  She stood and walked to the refrigerator. “No, I don’t have an appetite.”

  “That’s not surprising, but you still need to eat.”

  She sighed and closed the refrigerator. Folding her arms, she leaned on the kitchen island. “I have to tell you something.”

  My heart sank to my stomach as I let out a breath. This isn’t going to be good. I know it’s about Eli, I can feel it. I just have to brace myself for the worse.

  “What?” I asked warily.

  “While you were sleeping I looked into Eli’s future. I was curious to see if he was going to make it.”

  “What did you see?”

  She looked down and scowled. “Nothing.”

  “And what is nothing supposed to mean?”

  “I can’t see his future because he is dying. So as of right now there is no future for him.”

  I stood from the chair and ran over to the sink as I threw up acid from my stomach. It burned my throat as more and more came spilling out of my mouth. There was nothing in my stomach to throw up since I haven’t eaten all day. My body grew hot as my pounding heart pulsated through my ears. I closed my eyes and put my head in my hands as tears dripped from my eyes.

  “I’ll make you some tea.”

  “Tea isn’t going to make me feel better.”

  I turned around and leaned on the counter. I had to think of another way to save him. I couldn’t accept that there was no future for him.

  “Violet, where is your venom?”

  She gave me a questioning look. “We have tiny holes in our fangs that open and releases the venom into the body. After we release our fangs from the skin, the holes seal back up. We also have it in our bloodstream. Why do you ask?”

  “So you wouldn’t have to bite him in order to infect him with your venom. You could feed him your blood.”

  “Well that’s what we do when we want to finish the change in a human that doesn’t have a reaper lurking inside of them. Lucas’s venom is having trouble getting him to the finishing stages, so I’m not sure if feeding him my blood will be effective. If I did it that way I would have to feed him at least two cups full and I don’t even know if his stomach will be able to process my blood.”

  “I don’t care how much blood you have to give him to get him to fully turn. This is our only way to get your venom into his system without you having to bite him.”

  Violet’s brows pulled together as she stood there quiet and still focusing on whatever it was her senses had picked up on. “Okay, I will do it and hopefully his body will be able to absorb my blood. We’ll do it later because someone is here. It’s Eliana, Lyla’s sister, and she is walking up the porch steps now.”

  I splashed water on my face and exhaled as I tried to compose myself for the sudden arrival of Violet’s friend.

  I heard the front door slam shut as a high-pitched voice called for Violet.

  She sounded as if she was crying.

  “I’m in the kitchen,” Violet called. She sighed. “Something happened, I can hear it in her voice.”

  “So can I.”

  A distraught blonde with black low lights in her hair walked in the kitchen wiping her tear-stained face. She ran into Violet’s arms and buried her face in her shoulder.

  “What is it?” Violet asked in a gentle tone as she stroked her hair.

  She lifted her head and sniffled. “Lyla, is missing. I have searched everywhere and I can’t find her. It isn’t like her to not come home.”

  I shook my head and smiled. I knew my hunters were behind Lyla’s sudden disappearance and so did Violet because she just so happened to look my way after being told that Lyla was gone.

  “Eliana, this is Athena Bram, Lucas’s mate.”

  She spun around and glared my way as her body grew tense and her hands fisted at her sides. “So, you are the one who had my sister come home all bloody.”

  I pursed my lips as I looked her up and down comparing her to her sister. She had on a dark blue, silk dress that stopped a few inches above her knees. Yes, she is the classier sister.

  “No, I had nothing to do with her injuries, that was all Lucas. I was busy battling it out with Violet.”

  “Whatever, you were the cause of the fight. I know your people have Lyla, so tell them to give her up and you won’t get hurt.”

  Even though her hostility toward me wasn’t the least intimidating, it still awakened the reaper in me as it came out alert and ready to snap her neck before she could even throw a punch.

  “Honey, if my hunters succeeded in capturing your sister then she is already dead.”

  She hissed at me as she used her speed to close the distance between us and grasped my throat. I grabbed her arm and squeezed, putting all of my strength and the strength of my reaper in it. She screamed as she dropped down to her knees and squeezed her eyes shut as the bones in her arm cracked.

  “Stop it!” Violet yelled.

  A gush of wind hit into us both, it was so powerful that it sucked all of the air right out of me and knocked me back against the counter. Eliana flew across the room and crashed into the curio cabinet, shattering the china plates.

  “I fall asleep for a couple of hours and I wake up to this.” Lucas stood with his arms folded and frowning at us all.

  “Well, it wasn’t me this time. I just broke the fight up. Athena, seems to have made enemies with both Perry sister’s now.”

  “It wasn’t my fault, she attacked me.” I said.

  Eliana slowly stood on her feet as she cradled her bruised and broken arm to her chest.

  “I can fix that. I have a potion that will heal the broken bones.” Violet said.

  “Don’t worry about it,” She mumbled as she stormed away and left the house.

  Lucas opened a door where cleaning products sat on the shelves and mop and broom leaned against the wall. He grabbed the broom and swept the broken plates in a pile.

  “We all know when Athena Bram
is present in the house she leaves broken glass and furniture while she visits. It’s a good thing she has decided to end our relationship so our house doesn’t get destroyed anymore.”

  I scowled. “Your sister can fix the broken glass and I never said I ended it.”

  “Yeah, well, you really do a great job with leading me on then pushing me away.”

  “I was afraid I wasn’t good enough for you. My doubts had nothing to do with not loving you.”

  He stepped away from the pile of glass and put the broom back. “Do your magic.”

  With a swish of her hand the broken glass floated in the air and mended back together as the plates stacked itself on the island in a pile, while the curio cabinet was pieced back together.

  “His guard is up because you hurt him.”

  He glared at her. “Stay out of it!” He hissed.

  I closed the distance between us and grabbing his waist, I leaned forward and placed a kiss on his neck. His body shivered as goose bumps formed on his skin.

  “I’m sorry. If you say that who I am now is enough, then I’m not going anywhere.”

  He gazed down at me and sighed. “You being a huntress and me being a vampire always seems to get in the way.”

  “Not anymore,” I assured him.

  I kissed him on the corner of his mouth, took his arms and wrapped them around me. He made no effort to hug me back. He was still upset, even though I apologized and assured him I was here to stay. He doesn’t believe me, but with time he will see that I am here and I don’t ever want to leave his side.

  I backed away. “Thanks for the hug,” I mumbled.

  I didn’t have the strength to bicker with Lucas anymore tonight. I just wanted to focus on Eli. Hopefully Violet’s blood will be able to help weaken his immune system.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  I slowly paced around the kitchen while Violet filled two cups up with her blood. The air in the room was thick, filled with hostility and anger. I glanced over at Lucas for the hundredth time feeling my insides crumble in sadness every time. Lucas has made it a point to ignore me and he won’t even look at me, which is driving me crazy. He has chosen to distance himself from me and I can’t say I blame him. This was the second time I almost gave up on our love, so I understand why he is upset and has his heart guarded. It wasn’t my intention to hurt him this time. I was trying to do what I thought was best for him. Now I know that leaving him would be the worst thing I could ever do to him.

  “Finished. I hope two glasses is enough.” Violet said.

  She licked her bleeding cut on her wrist until her skin sealed itself shut. Grabbing the glasses, she walked over to the table to Eli.

  “His body may react badly to my blood, so don’t be surprised if he spits it back up.”

  I climbed on the table and kneeled beside him as I opened his mouth while Violet slowly began to pour her blood in his mouth. Her blood coated his tongue and teeth as it slid down his throat.

  “Please let this work.” I said.

  Her blood was our only hope now and if this way doesn’t work then I am all out of ideas. I don’t want to see him suffer anymore and if I have to— as much as I hate to even think it—I will give Lucas and Violet permission to put him out of his misery.

  “How long will it take for your venom to change him?”

  She sat the first empty glass down and picked up the second.

  “It will take at least a couple of hours for his body to digest it, then the venom has to become one in order to be as strong as we need it to be to weaken his immune system. After the venom takes over his immune system, it will take a couple of hours for his body to fully change.” Lucas said as he sat at the kitchen table with his arms crossed and his head leaning against the wall.

  He has been sitting in that position with his eyes closed for a while leaving me to believe that he was sleeping. Now I know the reason he was pretending to sleep was so he didn’t have to deal with me.

  “He talks,” I muttered under my breath.

  “Vampires can hear very clearly. Our ears are sensitive to any sound, even talking, so don’t think I didn’t hear that. She is distracted so she wouldn’t have answered you anyway. I’m not talking anymore, though.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re acting like a child.”

  He shrugged and shut his eyes as a slight smile kissed his lips.

  I narrowed my eyes. He’s smiling like it’s all a big game to him and he’s enjoying angering me. Well, I can play too.

  Violet poured the last of her blood in his mouth. “How are you going to handle him when he reawakens?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “The last thing he is going to remember is being a reaper. Now he’s going to wake up and have to deal with being the creature he loathes. Fireworks are going to fly and they are going to be aimed at you.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m actually anticipating it. He is going to hate me and after I tell him it was only to save his life, he still won’t forgive me. He can hate me all he wants, I just want him alive.”

  “It has to be tough going against your own kind. Do you feel guilty, or even regret what you are doing?”

  Lucas opened his eyes and looked my way. Of course that particular question caught his attention.

  “No, I have never felt guilty for betraying my kind. I was actually afraid and slightly paranoid that I would get caught, but that doesn’t matter anymore because I intend on telling him and leaving. As for regretting everything I am and have done, the answer would be no because Lucas makes it all worth it.”

  He smiled and leaned his head back against the wall. “He won’t stay mad at you for long. He’s actually fighting to stay mad at you now, that’s why he’s ignoring you.”

  He glared at Violet. “Quiet,” He hissed.

  She stuck her tongue out at him, then grabbed the glasses to place them in the sink.

  I hopped off of the table. “Well, I’m relieved to hear that you won’t stay angry with me for the rest of my life.”

  I was in the mood to play and this was the perfect time to join in on his little game.

  I grinned. “I think I want to join in on your game.”

  His brows furrowed as he shook his head.

  “You’re going to continue to annoy me by ignoring me and you’re having a little too much fun with that. It’s time to burst your bubble. You want to ignore me, then I will ignore you and we will see who gives in first.”

  He stood up grinning. “Are you sure you want to do that?”

  I folded my arms and pursed my lips as I looked him up and down. “Why not, you’re already playing. I’m just joining in on the fun.”

  His brows raised as he grinned and nodded. “Okay, I hope you’re not a sore loser.”

  I smiled and shrugged as I walked out of the kitchen. He had no idea that I intended on getting on his nerves so he would slip up and talk to me first. I don’t have to talk to him to annoy him, it’s all about my actions.

  ****

  I sat kneeled on a pillow beside the couch as I poured water in Eli’s mouth. His dehydration was worrying me and I thought although I wasn’t sure if having water in his system would affect the change I really had no other choice.

  The food that Violet was busy cooking in the kitchen lingered in the air making my stomach growl and my mouth water. I haven’t had a proper meal in two days. Worrying about Eli was giving me a loss of appetite and food has been the last thing on my mind anyway.

  Lucas was sitting in his recliner reading a book. I suspect he’s only reading to keep his mind and attention off of me. He can’t stand being mad at me for too long, so I know he won’t be able to stand my ignoring him. He will crack first, if I have to cheat to win, I will.

  I crawled over to where he was sitting and ran my hand up his leg. He caught my hand and shook his head. I smiled and shrugged. He smirked as he returned to his book. Well if reading was his way of succeeding in ignoring me, then I guess I will have to do something
about that.

  I grabbed the book and placed it on the table. He exhaled as his eyes narrowed. I smiled sweetly at him while batting my long eyelashes his way. He shook his head, stood from the chair and walked to the kitchen. I followed behind him, skipping and grinning away. I was trying to be as annoying as I possibly could and I actually was enjoying this game a little too much.

  Violet was stirring mashed potatoes when she looked up and saw us. “Are you guys still ignoring each other?”

  “Vi, tell her that I know what she is doing and she can’t cheat.”

  “Oh no, I’m not getting in the middle of this. Athena, could you grab the biscuits from the oven?”

  “Sure, and you can tell Lucas, that I am not cheating. I’m just simply giving him my undivided attention.”

  Opening the oven, I breathed in and sighed as the smell of golden brown biscuits blew in my face.

  Sitting the biscuits on the counter I took my oven mittens off and threw them at Lucas as they hit him in the chest. He picked them up and chucked them at my head. I ducked as they went flying over my head and landing on the counter behind me.

  “You guys aren’t going to be throwing any food at the table.”

  Lucas grabbed his glass of blood and took a drink.

  “Hey, no eating yet! Violet scolded as she took his drink away and smacked his arm.

  “I’m starving.”

  I placed the biscuits on a plate while Violet poured the mashed potatoes and gravy in a bowl. “You know it will take less than two minutes for me to drink this, right?”

  “Drink slowly.” Violet said.

  The kitchen was quiet as we sat down at the dinner table eating our food. Lucas and I stared at each other while Violet scowled down at her food. I could see the amusement dancing around in his eyes as he sipped on his blood with a big grin on his face. I smirked as I tore a piece of my biscuit off and popped it in my mouth.

  “Wow, what a great dinner this is. I just love eating in silence.” Violet said as she ate her ham.