The Forbidden: A Huntress Novel (The Huntress Series Book 1) (10 page)

I hopped off of the bed. “Thanks, doc.”

“My pleasure. Take care of yourself, Athena.”

Taking care of myself isn’t on my to do list at this moment, I have other things to worry about.  “I will, so how is Eli?”

She gave a half-smile. “He is stable for now. We managed to stop the brain swelling before and now that he has suffered a seizure, we found and are monitoring the swelling he has now.”

I shook my head as tears stung my eyes, I could feel the sadness building up inside of me ready to be released, but I held my tears in. I didn’t want to break down in front of everyone.

I cleared my throat as I bowed my head. “How long is my dad giving him?”

She sighed and looked down, shaking her head. I knew it wasn’t very long and that is why she won’t say anything. 

“Not very long I see.”

“We are doing everything that we can. Last night a new girl was carried in here, part of her skull was smashed in and her throat was slit. The cut was so deep that it almost decapitated her. Obviously there was no saving her.”

“Exactly how many reapers have died with the same injuries?”

“More than I can keep up with.”

I shook my head. “Well I am going to do something about that.”

The attacks are becoming too frequently now and I refuse to ignore it any longer. I do not know what it is that is killing my hunters, but I will find them and they will die the same way they executed their victims.”

“Will you do me a favor?”

Her brows furrowed. “Sure, as long as it doesn’t have anything to do with risking my life.”

I chuckled. “It isn’t life threatening, but it might include you putting your job on the line. Only if my father finds out, but it is up to you to make sure that he doesn’t.”

She looked down, biting on her nail as she contemplated whether or not to help me. Biting her nails must be her nervous habit.

“I don’t know, I really don’t want to get caught by your father, he can be pretty intimidating at times.”

“All you have to do is lie to my father and tell him that Eli is progressing and you want to extend the deadline he gave you to see if he wakes up from his coma.”

“I can try, but what about Johnson?”

“He is your partner, he needs to be in on the plan also, or it will not work. He will tell my dad one thing and my dad will then here different from you.”

She sighed. “Okay, I can do this. I really don’t want to give up on him so this is the only option I have.”

I grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

I pulled up a chair next to Eli’s bed and sat beside him. I took his hand in mine.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you. Be strong Eli, I know you can pull through, your body just needs time to heal.”

The lights were turned down and all of the activity in the hospital wing and the lab had died down. I sat by Eli’s side talking away and enjoying the peace that surrounded me. I talked about Isaac and how he is insisting on having Cameron take his spot in the group. I told him about the nasty fight Isaac and I got into in my father’s office and how a rookie stepped in to defend me. If Eli could actually hear me I would be a little surprised if he didn’t have a heart attack knowing about the disputes with Isaac. He was always the peacemaker in the group and would never let our bickering turn physical. That all changed the night he was injured. I even let him in on my little secret…Lucas. If he could wake up he would scold me for spending my time with him and would without a doubt take matters into his own hands and end the relationship Lucas and I have. Whether that relationship is only friendship or even romantic he would not put up with it.

I laid my head down on the bed and practically talked his ear off until I got tired and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Eleven

I stood in my bathroom looking into the mirror as I braided my side ponytail. I was anxious to see Lucas again and because I didn’t know what the date would entail, I dressed safely. I was wearing a lilac purple silk shirt, that was the dressy part. I put on a pair of jeans and had my skull flats on because I didn’t want to risk breaking my ankle if I wore heels and had to go into the woods. I really wish he would’ve told me where he was taking me so I didn’t have to dress in a variety of styles, but I can’t complain I still look good.

I heard my bedroom door open then close.

“Hello, Athena.”

I smiled. “Taylor, what brings you to my room on a Saturday night? I thought you and Chelsea would be on a date.”

I walked in my room grabbing my bracelets from my vanity.

“Not tonight.” He jumped on my bed and stretched out resting his arms behind his head. “And where are you going?”

“Out.”

“Out with whom?” He grinned as he raised his brows.

“None of your business,” I crossed my arms and pursed my lips.

“It is my business, I have to check him out and make sure he isn’t some psycho.”

“He’s not some psycho, he is a vampire,” I rolled my eyes.

Taylor laughed and shook his head. “I am serious.”

Oh, believe me, so am I.

I crawled on the bed and laid beside him. “I have already been out with him before. Since when did you take on the role of the protective friend?”

“Since you started seeing a mystery guy that doesn’t live in the manor.”

He tugged on my spaghetti strapped shirt. “This shirt is too low cut.”

“It is not!”

“Yes, it is. I can see your cleavage, it is too revealing so go put on a turtle neck.”

I gasped. “I am not a grandma, Taylor.”

“And there are rips in your jeans.”

“What is wrong with that?”

“I can see your skin through it, that’s what is wrong with that.”

I chuckled. “You are being ridiculous and overprotective.”

“And you smell too sweet, sweet like candy, you should fix that. Guys don’t like that kind of smell.”

“You think I smell good, so you want me to take my perfume off so the guy that I am going out with tonight won’t smell it.”

“Now that is ridiculous.”

I ran my hand through his hair and pulled gently. “Taylor, go bother Chelsea.”

“Not the hair,” He pulled my hand from his hair.

“I have to go, wouldn’t want to be late for my date.”

“Wait,” He jumped up from the bed and retrieved an envelope from his jean pocket. “You father told me to give this to you.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t send Owen to deliver it instead.”

“Owen is visiting his family.”

I sighed. My father was the last person I wanted to think about right now. I didn’t want him to spoil my good mood.

Taylor opened the letter and read it. “He wants you and Isaac to have dinner with him.”

“What?” I snatched the letter from his grasp and read it. “He never gives up, does he?”

Taylor shrugged apologetically. “One day he will I guess.”

“Yeah when I move far, far away from here.”

I ripped the letter up and threw it in my trash bin. Taking a deep breath in I decided I wouldn’t let my anger surface before I go on my date. I wasn’t going to let my father ruin my night.

“Okay, I’m leaving now.”

“Yeah, have a good time and keep your clothes on.”

I stopped halfway out of my bedroom door, turned around and smacked him in the arm. “Taylor, shut up.”

He laughed and shook his head. “See ya later.”

****

I walked down the pathway that led to the tall, black metal gate, holding onto my stomach as it fluttered in excitement from the sight of Lucas standing by the closed gate.

He beamed. “Looking good as always.”

“Likewise,” I put the key in the lock and opened the gate.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me against him, kissing me slowly.

“Come on; let’s get out of here before the reapers spot me.”

“Good idea.”

He walked to a black sports car and opened the passenger side door.

“Where is your bike?”

“Oh, I thought it was best to leave it in my world because of what I did on our first date.”

I sat in the passenger seat and ran my hand over the smooth leather. “Is this your car?”

He chuckled. “I have the ability to fly; I don’t need a car…only with you I do, but no it’s not mine.”

He started the engine and sped down the road, forcing me to fly back in my seat.

“Whoa, slow down, you are not a race car driver.”

He eased up on the accelerator. “Sorry.”

“Well you have a bike.”

“Yeah, well that bike belonged to my brother. I ride it from time to time to clear my head, other than that I really have no use for it.”

“You never mentioned a brother.”

“That’s because he is dead.”

I bit down on my lip as I looked out of the car door window. I knew my hunters were the reason he was dead.

I grabbed his hand. His brows pulled together as he glanced my way.

“I am sorry.”

“Are you really?”

I shrugged. “I’m sorry that you’re hurting over it. I lo—care for you, I don’t want to hurt you.”

My cheeks flushed as I widened my eyes and looked away from him. I almost told him I loved him, shit! Okay time to play it off now.

He smiled. “You almost let it slip.”

“Let what slip?”

He smirked. “Don’t be coy, Athena. You almost said you loved me.”

“I did no such thing. I was going to say like, but then I thought care would be better.”

He laughed showing his pointy fangs. “I’m not buying that one, although that was a pretty slick explanation.”

“So, what was your brother’s name?”

He exhaled and scowled my way. “Why?”

“I want to know more about you.”

“His name was Paul and he was my older brother, my sister Violet is the baby.”

He feels uncomfortable talking about his family and I don’t think it’s because I am a huntress.

“Not really. What about you, do you have any brother’s or sister’s?”

“I don’t have any blood siblings. I think of my best friend Chelsea as my sister, we grew up together. I do have some pretty awesome friend’s to make up for the sibling part though.”

He nodded and focused straight ahead biting on his fingernail. He was drifting away from me, I knew it. Talking about his brother put him in a mood.

“I ruined the date already, didn’t I?”

“Of course not, why would you think that?”

“You seem bothered about Paul.”

He brought my hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of my hand.

“You didn’t ruin anything. Talking about Paul brings back memories that I rather not think about.”

“You miss him.”    

“We all have someone that we miss. I’m not the only one.”

We pulled into a parking spot not far from the movie theaters.

“I haven’t been to the movie theaters in quite a while.”

“I thought you would enjoy a particular movie.”

“Oh, and what is that?” 

He grinned. “It’s about your favorite creatures.”

I scowled. “It’s about vampires.”

He laughed. “You look enthused.”    

I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the car door. “Oh, I’m just thrilled,” Sarcasm dripped from my voice.

He walked to my side of the car and shut the door with a grin glued on his face.

“I thought you would be.”

He intertwined his hand with mine as we walked passed a group of teenagers carrying on by their cars. That was when it hit me Lucas is going to be in a crowded theater with humans, and I don’t even know if he will be able to resist their blood. He acts so normal and I forget that I am spending time with a vampire in an instant.

“Lucas, are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You don’t have the urge to fulfill your blood lust?”

He chuckled and patted his stomach. “Well I am full right now, but maybe I will consider having a snack later on.”

I gasped and hit him in the stomach. “Lucas!”

He laughed and placed his arm around my waist. “Really I made sure I fed before I picked you up. I told you I can handle the urges when I am full.”

“Good.”

He reached into his pocket and took out two tickets. “I don’t like to wait in long lines. It’s a Saturday night, this place is always pact on the weekends.”

I smiled. “I am so glad you bought the tickets earlier, I get impatient waiting in long lines, also.”

“See, we are made for each other,” He winked my way and held the door open for me.

“Quite the gentleman, you didn’t seem to know what manners were on our first encounter.”

He scoffed. “I beg to differ.”

I pursed my lips as my brows raised. “Oh really, well correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you tackle me to the ground?”

He shook his head. “Nope, I think you have mistaken me for someone else.”

“Oh, okay,” I giggled.

After buying popcorn and soda we settled in our seats ready and waiting for the movie to begin.

“So, vampires actually do normal things, like go to the movies.”

His lips twitched into a smile. “What kind of activities do you think we do for our entertainment?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, compete against each other to see how many humans you can suck dry?”

He laughed and shook his head. “You are good.”

“Good as in making you laugh good?”

“You certainly know how to make me laugh, but I was talking about our recreational activity.”

“Eating is not a recreational activity.”

“It is when I hunt my prey first.”

I scoffed in disgust. “You actually compete to see how many people you can feed off of?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I only did it once,” Grabbing a handful of popcorn he stuffed it in his mouth.

I grinned knowing damn well that he loathes human food and still he sits here and stuffs his face with it.

“Is it good?”

He shook his head as he forced himself to swallow the popcorn. “Eating human food is part of convincing everyone that I am actually human.”

I chuckled. “Lucas, no one actually believes that vampires are real, they already think you are human.”

“I have to take precaution; you never know what could happen.”

“You call that taking precaution, I call it being paranoid.”

The lights to the movie theater went off and the screen began to play the previews. I laid my head back on my seat and looked at Lucas, smiling as butterflies swarmed through my stomach. I am quite aware that every second I spend with him my heart falls deeper into the love spell he had conjured over my heart.

“Athena.”

I jumped, snapping out of my thoughts as I looked up. Cameron stood before me with her arms crossed as she glanced at Lucas then back at me shaking her head in disapproval. I was amazed with how one second could actually turn my life upside down.

“What are you doing here? Where is Isaac?”

Oh, please tell me he is not here. Isaac is the last person I want to deal with right now.

“I came alone, what are you doing here with him?”

“Cameron, please.”

She backed away grinning. “I wonder what daddy would think about your sneaking around with an immortal.”

She walked out of the theater in a haste. I jumped up and ran after her aware that Lucas was following right behind me calling my name, but I couldn’t stop, I had to get to Cameron before she visited my father. I ran out of the entrance door, coming to an abrupt stop when I saw Cameron’s car speeding away.

I exhaled. “Please tell me this isn’t happening to me.”

Lucas’s firm hand grasped my arm, turning me around. “Everything will be okay.”

“No, everything is not going to be okay, not unless I stop Cameron from going to my father. I need to go home, now.”

“How does she even know what I am?”

I turned and showed him my tattoo. “It is the reaper tattoo, it is laced with some experiment my Uncle Nolan and Livi made so we could feel the presence of a vampire. It triggers the reaper side in us to come out so we can protect ourselves.”

He grabbed my hand and sighed. “This was not how I thought our date would turn out.”

We ran to the car and before I could even shut the door, Lucas already had the engine on and was speeding off.