The Forbidden: A Huntress Novel (The Huntress Series Book 1) (17 page)

“Well, before I leave I want you to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“What I did in the alley was natural for me; it’s in my nature to kill. I don’t kill them in cold blood, in fact I don’t enjoy killing them…not even for food. It’s the only way I can survive. The Lucas you know is the real me.”

“There’s a whole other side to you that I have seen, the ruthless side. You killed that girl to get back at me.”

“Because you hurt me, I was angry and I wasn’t thinking clearly. I wanted you to hurt too.”

“Oh I think I’ve hurt enough these past couple of months.”

He smiled. “It’s not easy being without me, is it?”

My brows rose in surprise, I couldn’t believe he was happy to know that I was miserable without him. “And you enjoy that?”

“No, I am happy that you finally see that it hurts to be without me.”   

“I won’t be miserable forever.”    

“Will you forgive me?”

There was a side to Lucas that I loved and then there was a side to him that I thought I would never see. The good in him made me forget the fact that he was capable of killing. I know he is a good person, but he is also a killer no matter how pure his heart is. After the fight I didn’t dwell on the dead girl, my broken heart had taken over and all I could think about was missing him. My problem was that I never accepted who he was and until I am able to accept the fact that he is an immortal I can’t be with him.

“I’m undecided.”

He nodded. “You need more time.”

He put the box on my lap. “It’s for you.”

“I figured it was,” I mumbled.

He narrowed his eyes. “I sure do miss your smart comments.

He looked over at my beside table and picked up the paper Taylor found in Aubrey’s room. “Where did you get this?”

“That’s a long story.”

“I need to know where you found this,” His brows furrowed as he scowled. He was serious; he wasn’t in the mood to play anymore…at least not when it came to that paper.

“I took it out of Aubrey’s room when I was snooping around. She is one weird girl.”

“Why were you snooping around?”    

“I became suspicious of her. I found out that she has been killing my hunters. Which reminds me; she let in a bunch of vampires tonight, do you know anything about that?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Well, she’s working with someone from your world.”

He exhaled as he shook his head. “What do you think this is?”

I looked down at the paper and shrugged. “It looks like ingredients to a recipe...wait, do you know what it is?”

He stood and put the paper in his pocket. “Yes, that’s exactly what it is. I have to go.”

He is lying to me, he is keeping something from me, and I don’t like it. I thought the paper had no importance at all, but now I’m not so sure about that.

I scowled. “You are keeping something from me.”

“Intuitive, are we?”    

“It has nothing to do with being intuitive; it was obvious from the way you reacted. You weren’t in a rush to leave until you found that paper.”

“It’s not a big deal; it’s only a piece of paper.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure it’s ingredients,” I said dryly.

He opened the French doors, but before walking out onto the balcony, he looked at me and smiled. “I hope to see you soon, but that all depends on you.” He walked out on the balcony and closed the doors behind him.

I pulled the blue ribbon off and opened the box. I took out the dress. It was red with a sweetheart neckline, a little too short for my liking but it was still nice.

A folded piece of paper laid at the bottom of the box. I opened it and read it. He said he was sorry for what he did and wishes I could forgive him. He wants me to give him another chance, and wants me to meet him in the very first spot we met for a date.

I sighed and placed the dress back in the box. Don’t give him another chance? Or give him another chance? I didn’t know what to do. I was undecided and I knew this problem would have me tossing and turning all night long.

Chapter Eighteen

I sat on my egg shaped chair gripping one of my pillows tightly while Chelsea wrapped a fresh bandage around my leg.

She glanced up at me giving me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I know it hurts.”

“It’s not that bad, it’s sensitive.”

Taylor was standing by the open French doors gazing at the sun as it set.

“Rumor has it that Mr. Taylor Maximus Jacobs challenged Athena Bram in a battle and whipped her little behind.”

I shook my head. “You gossip whore.”

Chelsea chuckled. “Little?”

“Yeah, you’re right it’s not little at all, it’s round and firm.”

I gasped. “You check my ass out!”

“I glance…occasionally.”

I don’t know why this surprised me so much. Yes, he is one of my friends but he is still a guy, guys can’t help but to look.

Chelsea smirked. “Women’s body parts are a magnet for the male eyes.”

“Okay, then. Who started this rumor?”

Taylor grinned. “Me.”

I smiled and rolled my eyes. “Of course.”

Taylor sat on my bed. “So, you and Brody.”

My eyes widened slightly from the surprise of his name being brought up…I didn’t want to think about him right now, I still regret what happened between us.

“What about Brody?”

“Brody as a rebound.” He grinned.

I narrowed my eyes. “Technically he isn’t considered my rebound because we didn’t go all the way. It was more like a brief kissing session that I ended very quickly when I found out that he had feelings for me.”

“Why would you stop it? So what if he has feelings for you, you’re single. Date him and see where it goes.” Chelsea said.

I scowled. “I’m not over Lucas. Getting involved with anyone, especially when that person has feelings for me will end up in a disaster. The night I went into his room and came onto him, was the night I broke it off with Lucas, I wasn’t thinking clearly and I wish I could take it back.”

“I don’t consider your last relationship an actual relationship because it was with a dead person.” Chelsea said.

“I really don’t care what you think about mine and Lucas’s relationship.”

I snapped.

Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at me. She isn’t used to me snapping at her and I honestly was surprised myself after I said it. I couldn’t stop myself from defending what we had…still have.

She cleared her throat and stood. “Okay, then. I should keep in mind that you’re a little touchy when it comes to him.”

“So, any ideas for the Aubrey plan?” I asked. I had to steer the conversation away from Lucas, the tension in the room came on so fast that if I didn’t change the subject things wouldn’t end well between Chelsea and I.

“Well, I was thinking we should set a trap. Have her know that one of us is going hunting alone, lead her into the woods and bam, we kill her.” Taylor said.

“That’s not a bad plan.” I said.    

He smiled letting his pride show. “Thanks, I was working on it for hours.”

“Who volunteers to be the bait?” I asked.

They looked at each other, before turning their eyes to me.

I nodded. “I’m the bait.”

“Well, Aubrey will see that you are already injured and assume that you will be an easy kill. Besides, you have a reputation for living dangerously these days and you already angered her with the Brody situation so you will be her next target sooner or later.” Chelsea explained.

I shrugged. “Fair enough.”

I was not going to fight them on it; I had no problem being the bait. I am not afraid of Aubrey.

“I still think your father should know about it. He could possibly handle it better than us.” Taylor said.

I scowled as I thought about my father and the will. “I’m not on speaking terms with him, we can handle it ourselves.”

“You’re never on speaking terms with him.” Taylor said.

“Well her father’s a douche.”

“How do you know what happened, I haven’t told anyone.” I said.

“Brody told me about the will. You haven’t been acting like yourself for a while so I asked him what happened at dinner to try to figure out why you came home depressed. I thought at first it was your dad, but then I remembered about the guy you were seeing and thought maybe he was the problem…I was right.”    

Taylor brows pulled together. “What will?”

I sighed. “My dad tried to force me to marry Isaac by using a will he had made for bait. If I refused to marry him, I would lose the rights to his money, the manor, and the business. Isaac will get it all.”

Taylor scoffed in disgust. “That bastard!”

“I really could care less; he has nothing that I desire. Isaac can have it all.”

“So, time and place?” Chelsea asked.

“Tonight around nine, that’s the time we usually go out hunting.” I said.

My door swung open as Adam ran inside and slammed the door. He looked terrified and was bleeding from his nose.

I stood from my chair as he ran into my arms.

“Why are you bleeding, what happened to you?”

“I’ll get a towel.” Taylor said he walked to the bathroom.

“Bradley and Cohen, they won’t leave me alone.”

Bradley and Cohen were sixteen-year-old twins who had no business bullying a little kid… or anyone for that matter.

Taylor placed the rag over his nose and leaned his head forward. “How long has this been going on?”

He shrugged. “A couple of months.”

“Have you told Isaac?” Chelsea asked.

“I don’t see him that much anymore…not since Cameron moved in the manor.”

I wasn’t about to let Adam get bullied by a bunch of punks, if his own brother doesn’t have time to protect and defend him, then I gladly will. If they don’t already know Athena Bram, well after I get finished with them they will be well acquainted with me.

“I will take care of it.”

Taylor grabbed my arm preventing me from moving. “No, this isn’t your battle.

He needs to learn how to take care of himself in these kinds of situations.

You’re only going to make it worse if he has you to cower behind.”

“Taylor, he can’t defend himself against a bunch of teenagers, he is only twelve. Besides he doesn’t even have a lot of experience with fighting, it’s only his second year in training.”

“Yeah, but if he lets his reaper take over he won’t have a problem.”   

“Of course he will. Your strength grows stronger as you age. Bradley and Cohen’s strength is so much more advanced than his is.” I pulled my hair in a ponytail.

Chelsea sighed. “She means business, her hair is tied back.”

I grabbed Adam’s hand. “Come on, maybe I will let you get a couple of cheap shots in.”

“Wait you’re hurt,” Chelsea said as she grabbed my arm.

“I’m fine, my leg is sore that’s all. My stitches won’t affect my fighting skills. The worse that could happen is my stitches being ripped open and if that happens, well, I will deal with the pain.”

Chelsea folded her arms and scowled at Taylor.

“Hey, don’t look at me in that way it isn’t my fault she is so damn stubborn.”

I tucked Adam under my arm and walked out of my room in search of two bimbo’s who more than likely are bullying another defenseless kid.

“They saw me coming out of my room; Cohen’s room is right next to mine.”

“Well that won’t matter, after I get done with them they will be avoiding any contact with you.”

“I hope so.”

“Do you know where they are?”

“I know where they hang out because I avoid that area.”

“Taylor is right, you know. I can’t fight all of your battles for you. This fight is exceptional though, but when it comes to kids your own age you have to stand up for yourself. If they see that you are afraid they will keep attacking you.”

He grabbed my hand. “Yeah, I know. Come on, I’ll show you where they are.”

He took me outside in the backyard where two tall, strawberry blonde identical twins stood around surrounded by their group of friend’s as they made fun of a helpless little boy.

“That’s my friend they’re picking on.”

I pushed their friend’s aside and shoved Bradley and Cohen away from the little boy.

“What’s your problem?” Cohen said as he glared my way.

“Idiots like you two who have nothing better to do than pick on little kids who are half your size!”

“Chill, we’re just messing around.” Bradley said.

I grabbed Adam and pulled him in front of me. “I heard you messing with my boy here.”

They glared down at Adam folding their arms in front of them.

“I thought you two were sixteen, not six. You both are nothing but disrespectful, cowards.”

“Cowards!” Cohen yelled.

“Yes, cowards…in fact, I think I am going to make an example out of you two.”

I backhanded Cohen; he stumbled back holding his mouth as he looked at me in shock.

“How does that feel?!”

His nostrils flared in anger as he licked the blood from his split lip. He took a step forward, but Bradley pushed him back and came after me instead. I threw a punch and he caught my fist. I shoved my foot in his stomach and yanked my hand from his hold as he fell back on the tree. Cohen grabbed my arms and put them behind my back, I rammed my head into his. He gasped as his head fell forward and rested on mine, but he tightened his hold on my arms.  Pushing my feet off of the ground, I leaned backward and kicked Bradley in the face. His head snapped back as he fell back on the tree and slid to the ground. I grabbed the back of Cohen’s neck and flipped him over top of me. As I swung my leg to kick him on the side of head, he grabbed my foot and pulled me down. I gasped as I fell, doing a split feeling the burning sensation start in my calf. My leg stung as I felt a warm liquid run down my calf. I ripped my stitches open. As his big fist swung for my face, I moved my head and caught his wrist.

“Hey!” Kyle yelled as he stood glaring down at Cohen.   

Cohen turned his head and Kyle decked him in the face.

Kyle helped me to my feet as he shook his head. “I should have known you were the cause of all the commotion.”

“I’m just taking care of business. Now the fun part begins.”

“Athena, why in the hell are you attacking a bunch of teenagers?”

“I’m teaching two bullies a lesson. Want to help?”

He smirked. “I thought I already was.”

“Well then, start stripping them.”

He chuckled as his brows rose in surprise. “Seriously?”

I grinned. “Oh  yeah.”

We stripped them all the way down to their underwear as they struggled to fight us off.  By the time we got all of their clothes off, every hunter that lived in the manor was crowded around us laughing and enjoying the show.

I turned around facing the crowd and held up Cohen’s clothes. “This is what happens when you decide to bully anyone in the manor. I would decide wisely the next time any of you get your laughs out of pushing people around. You will have to deal with me if you do.”

I looked behind me and smiled, satisfied with my work. “Enjoy the rest of your night boys.”

I threw their clothes over my shoulder, grabbed Adam, and walked away.

“I have to go to the hospital wing now, I broke open my stitches.”

He smiled up at me and wrapped his arms around me.  “Thanks, you’re the best.”

“No problem, kid.” I leaned down and kissed his head.

****

My calf was throbbing from enduring being stitched up a second time.

Dr. Johnson wasn’t too pleased with having to stitch me back up again. He lectured me about taking care of my leg and even suggested that I refrain from any hunting until my leg was healed. He practically talked my ear off with his scolding me while I was laying on my stomach squeezing my eyes closed from the pain. It took all of my will power to not kick him in the face.

I was annoyed with the pain and him talking so damn much only added to the growing frustration I felt brewing in my stomach. Needless to say, I was relieved to be free of Dr. Johnson as I rode the elevator up to the second floor. It was nine-thirty; I was supposed to meet Taylor and Chelsea an hour ago. So far our plan hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to and that was all my fault.

I quickly walked to my room where Taylor and Chelsea stood by my door with their weapons in their hands.

“You’re late.” Taylor said.

“I know.”

He held out his sword for me. “We don’t have any time, Aubrey already left.”

I took his sword and turned, walking down the hallway to the staircase in a hurry with Taylor and Chelsea tagging behind me.

“Don’t think for one second that I don’t notice that blood stain on your pant leg.”