Forbidden: an Adult Paranormal Witch Romance: Othala Witch Collection (Sector 12)

by Shannon Eckrich

  It seemed more urgent this time, like it was a matter of life and death if I didn’t answer the call. I’d promised Kesi and Seth I wouldn’t go near the darkness, and I had managed to ignore it while I had been here, but my legs seemed to gain a mind of their own as I trudged toward it. The air around me seeming to grow heavier and heavier.

  I stood on the line between darkness and light, debating heavily. I didn’t want to break my promise to Seth and Kesi, but I needed to find out what was back there. It was as if my body were being torn in two. My mind and my heart didn’t want to cooperate with one another.

  I glanced back at Kesi. She was still sleeping. Maybe, if I just walked in and out real quickly, she would never know. I’d never have to tell her or Seth I went in there. Turning back around, I took a long, deep breath. Then I stepped in.

  The darkness was heavy. So filled with energy I could hear the buzzing in my ears. There was also a very load roaring, similar to the sound I heard when the sandstorm moved over the top of me and Seth. A dim light shone in the distance in front of me, and I focused my attention on that.

  As I approached, the light became brighter and brighter, lighting my way through the darkness. When I reached the source of the light, my heart jumped in my chest. Tingles danced over the surface of my skin.

  The room was massive, and the candle sitting in the center of the table wasn’t something normal. The light burned steady, never flickering, never wavering, and it wasn’t the color of fire, it was green. A green brighter than the grass. Although it was apparent I was still in the cave, with the stone walls and dirt floor, something was different. There were piles upon piles of books stacked on the floor and on the table, a small wooden chair in front of the table.

  There was another table, much longer than the other, stretched in front of the far wall to my right. Papers and more books. When I glanced to my left, my heart stopped, along with my breathing.

  Writing. Big and bold stretched the length of the wall.

  في هذا الظلام، يكون هناك ضوء.أنت الضوء.وليكن تلميع، صحيحاً ودون خوف، وتسترشد بالحب والقوة والرحمة للجميع.

  In this darkness, there will be light. You are the light. Let it shine, true and without fear, guided by love and strength and compassion for all.

  It was the old language. My mother had tried to teach me it when I was a child, but I could only grasp so much before it became too confusing.

  My attention went back to the candle. I walked over to the table and waved my hand through it. There was no heat at all, only coolness.

  I couldn’t imagine who could be powerful enough to create a place like this, or why they would even do it. The cave was in the middle of nowhere. But yet, it had been protected by magic in the first place, but only from ravagers, not people. And why, if it were just a room, couldn’t Seth or Kesi access it? Why only me? What made me so different?

  I placed my hand on one of the books. The cover was old and wrinkly, made of leather, but not a trace of dust was on it. Like it had been constantly in use or maybe a spell had been placed on it. I flipped it open and it appeared to be a journal of some sort. Lucky for me, it wasn’t written in the old language.

  The neatly written writing flowed over the page, filling the paper and continuing to the next. At the end of one of the pages, the entry stopped, signed at the bottom, Sabana with Number Twelve written underneath the name.

  Number Twelve and Sabana? No, it couldn’t be. Could I have stumbled across something the founding Regent had written? Could she have made and protected this place?

  I sat down in the chair, the energy not overwhelming to me now, it was comforting and warm. I flipped to the front of the book and began reading.

  The entry told about the destruction of the old world, and how sixteen witches had been chosen to save the planet, which had become overrun by ravagers. Witches had originally hunted them, but then the ravagers began multiplying faster than they could control them. The Sixteen split, went off and created their own places in the world, which were referred to as sectors.

  According to the text, the Sixteen could not have any further communication with each other, nor reveal where their sector was located. It was the only way to make sure Othala would survive if one of the other sectors should fail.

  She went on to write how she came to this land, and how it was nearly destroyed. The only way she could save her people, which consisted of only a few humans and less than one hundred witches, she had to create a sacred space until she was able to clear the area of ravagers and mend the land. She spoke of the two boulders, the spring, and the cave, which I was in now. This was where she brought them. She created a spell to ward off the ravagers.

  “My god,” I whispered to myself. “This place is where Sector Twelve originated?” I tried to image it. So many people gathered in this small area. Hundreds of them.

  I skimmed through a few more pages before I settled on another entry. This was about the old world and their technologies. Something about vehicles and phones. Roads, trains, airplanes, and things called sky scrapers. I had no idea what these things were she mentioned. She claimed they did nothing to help the world, and some of the things even harmed it. She wanted her people to appreciate the land and each other, so she would never reintroduce these things back to them. In turn, the want for them would disappear, and eventually, they would have never existed to the future habitants of the sector.

  I shut that book and picked up another. This one had different writing. Someone by the name of Malane. She told how the witches had begun mingling with the humans through the years, causing their offspring to lose their abilities. As this continued, most of the original magic was being lost. Some witches had to revert back to potions and spells, which weren’t as effective as the old, or natural power.

  I put that book down and got up, my attention being drawn to the writing on the wall. What did it mean? Who was it directed to? All the Regents?

  I walked over to the longer table, shuffling through the journals. Picking a random one, I opened it and a letter fell out. Anonymous. Hmm…they didn’t want anyone to know they’d written it.

  It is a dark day in Sector Twelve. It is upon this day the council has seized all control over the sector. They have started hunting those with the ability to naturally use magic, deeming them a threat to the sector, and I have word they will soon be controlling the people as well. They shall assign tasks to each person, control their housing and whom they live with. The people will have no more say; thus, they will lose all freedom and choices. The council will control them, and weed out any who are a threat or seem to appear weak.

  I shall be the last Regent to carry out the wishes of Sabana, for after I leave this sacred spot, I shall take my last breath, but with knowing Sector Twelve may still have a future. My child has been left in the hands of someone I truly trust. One day, hopefully, the Sector will once again be ruled by a descendant of Sabana. Until then, let the goddess have mercy on all who inhabit this sector.

  “What the fuck?” I slammed the letter down. Who the hell am I? For years, I’d always been told the original Regent was my ancestor. According to this letter, she couldn’t be. Sure, this woman had a child and hid it, but that child wouldn’t have been able to grow up and claim the title. No. The title is only passed down from generation to generation. Which meant, whoever my ancestor was, had no blood relation to Sabana.

  I hit the table with my hand and walked away, seemingly drawn to the writing on the wall again. What did it mean? And again, why couldn’t Seth or Kesi enter this place? Why only me?

  I sighed deeply and turned back around. This was hopeless, I strayed back over to the table and randomly shifted the books. Then something really caught my eye. It was another letter.

  It has finally begun. The plan has been set in motion. Abayomi has been Ordained the new Regent, even though she has birthed two children out of wedlock. The council wasn’t able to find a
nother suitable replacement, so it had to be her. She is aware of what has to be done to save this entire sector. We are in good grace with the goddess, for she has fallen in love with my Adom, the true descendant of Sabana. As if that wasn’t enough, the seer, Kali, has seen their child. The babe will not only be a girl, but she will possess a power even greater than Sabana herself. She will possess all powers. There is hope in this darkness after all.

  I was…speechless. I re-read and re-read the letter. My parents, Abayomi and Adom. Their names were right there. In front of me. No, my mother wasn’t a true descendant of the founding Regent, but my father was. She never lied to me. She told the truth. It all made sense now. That’s why they hid me from the world, even from Tiahna and Zane. They were only my half-brother and half-sister. They didn’t have a trace of the founding Regent’s blood in them at all. I did. Only me. But what could this power be? What did, ‘possess all powers’ mean?

  I snatched the letter up. I had to show Kesi. Maybe, she would be able to help me understand this.

  I rushed toward the darkness, but when I reached it, I slammed into an invisible wall. I bounced back and looked around, stunned.

  Then the panic rose up inside me. No. Nononono! Seth and Kesi were right. They feared I wouldn’t be able to come back. They were right. What was going to happen to me? I’d be stuck here forever.

  The words on the wall suddenly illuminated, catching my eye and easing my racing mind. A sense of euphoria came over me, calming every nerve and cell in my body. My feet moved forward as if my body knew what it was doing, the paper dropping from my fingers and floating to the floor. I stood before the wall, hands in the air and palms facing the words illuminating on the stone.

  It’s time to wake up, Layna. You’ve been sleeping too long.

  Zinna’s words.

  Chapter 40

  Mypalms fell on the stone. A tremor of energy rushed through my hands, into my arms, and down the course of my entirety until it reached my feet. My body shook like mad, my head vibrating with such intensity it caused my teeth to chatter. The roaring, the pushing and pulling, and bright, white light blinding my vision was too intense. The energy more powerful than anything I’d ever experienced.

  Suddenly, with a great force, I was pushed away from the wall, and found myself stumbling backward. My vision returned, along with the rest of my bodily functions. That’s when I noticed it.

  Thin colorful lines floating just above each of my palms. Red, yellow, blue, and purple lights zigzagging, twisting and turning, and looping inside of one another.

  I screamed so hard it hurt my throat as I shook my hands like I had some kind of contagious disease. The lines never faltered. They remained steady and bright, my movements not disrupting them at all.

  I backed up, slamming my back in the wall and spinning around in a circle, but no matter what I did, they didn’t leave the palm of my hand.

  My mind was racing, racing, racing, along with my heart. “Help me!” I screamed again, looking around in desperation for any sign of a savor. But I was alone and Kesi wouldn’t be able to hear me.

  I stumbled to and fro, bumping into the tables and the chair. I swung around, my eyes never leaving the freakish lights on my hand. Then I stumbled backward, the lights illuminating the darkness. Then light.

  “Help me!” I screamed, turning around and holding my hands as far away from me as I could. And there she was. Kesi. Her face was completely white, her body stiff and unmoving as her wide eyes focused on the stream of lights floating just above my palms.

  “Seth!” Her scream was so high pitched it rung my ears and shook my brain, but all I could do was squeeze my eyes shut until it finished vibrating through me.

  He appeared out of nowhere, blue eyes seeking Kesi, but landing on me. Terror struck his face, leaving him speechless as he opened and closed his mouth multiple times, but speaking no words. His hands balled into fists at his sides. Pumping in and out in and out at a high rate of speed. “Fuck.” The word escaped slowly with his exhale.

  His look frightened me more. Why weren’t they doing something? Why were they just standing there? I bent my body forward, bringing my arms in slightly, but keeping my hands at a distance. “Help me!” I screamed again.

  Kesi blurred. Then she was in front of me, taking my arm.

  I took off like a rocket, the world blurring by me faster than my heart could beat. I could see them. Kesi and Seth. Both their heads trying to keep up with me, but failing miserably. I couldn’t control how fast I was going or where I was going. I just circled around them, unable to stop.

  “My god.” Kesi’s jaw almost dropped to the floor. “How the hell—”

  “I don’t know,” Seth said, his eyes still trying to keep up with me.

  I felt like I was going to die. I could no longer feel my legs, feet, or arms. I was pretty sure I no longer had a heartbeat. The movement caused my nausea to return, and I felt like I was going to hurl.

  “Stop her.” Kesi looked at Seth impatiently.

  I was moving so fast I couldn’t even open my mouth to scream again. It was like I had no control over my body, only my mind. I could see, think, and hear, but I couldn’t stop.

  Seth shifted closer to the path my body was on, his eyes appearing as if he were debating or calculating something. Then on my next loop around, he held his arm out and braced his legs.

  I hit so hard it knocked the breath out of me. But then the cave was gone.

  We were in the berry patch. Seth holding onto me tightly.

  Gone.

  We were in front of the spring.

  “Seth, let me—” I couldn’t even finish before we flashed again.

  “Go!” I said at the same time he released me.

  We both stumbled back, away from each other, and fell on our backsides.

  I struggled hard to catch my breath, my heart beating so rapidly I was sure it was going to leap out of my chest. I kept my hands away from me, the strange lights still dancing over my palms.

  Seth jumped to his feet and rushed toward me, his face stricken with horror.

  I began hyperventilating and scooting backward until my back hit the wall of the cavern. “No, please.” My words were rushed. “Stay away from me. Please.”

  Seth stopped in his tracks, his body still wanting to lunge forward, but he fought hard to hold himself back.

  Kesi stepped up beside him, looking down at me in shock. “What the hell happened to you?”

  “I—I don’t know.” Tears poured down my face as I looked at my hands again. “I touched a wall. That’s it. That’s all I did. What’s wrong with me?”

  “I don’t know,” Seth answered this time. His voice empty and flat. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

  “What is back there?” Kesi struggled to maintain control over her voice.

  “Books. Lots of books and journals from Regents. That’s it. And the wall.” I slowly glanced up at them, sniffing. “In this darkness, there will be light. You are the light. Let it shine, true and without fear, guided by love and strength and compassion for all,” I repeated the words written on the wall. “But it was in the old language. The one my mother and father tried to teach me. The words starting to glow and I couldn’t stop myself from touching it.”

  Seth and Kesi looked at other, then back at me.

  “Books and journals?” Kesi asked in amazement. “Are you sure they’re from the Regents?”

  I shook my head. “Yes, but some weren’t Regents. They were descendants of the founder. Sometime in the past, the council took over. They got rid of the Regent who had the bloodline of the founding Regent, but she had a baby and was able to hide it. It was the same time they started hunting Naturals.” I attempted to blink away the tears, but it didn’t work. “The council has lied to the sector. All the Regents after, including my own mother, are not descendants. They want the people to believe they are.”

  “Why?” Kesi asked, looking dumbfounded.

  “I t
hink so they could control the sector. One letter said the council will control where people work and live, which they do now. It also said they will weed out anyone who seems weak or a threat. That might be what Tiahna is doing now by pulling back the border.”

  Seth walked toward me without a word, his eyes soft and gentle.

  My hyperventilating began again, and I pushed my back further into the wall.

  “Don’t worry, love.” He smiled, but it was weaker than normal. “I promise not to touch you. I just want to look at you. I need to know you’re all right.” He crouched down on one knee in front of me, and I swallowed hard. “It seems…” he paused, looking at my hands. “You have gained Kesi’s power as well as mine.” He glanced up at me from underneath his lashes.

  “You’re right,” Kesi said from behind him. “I didn’t even think about that.”

  “When you touched her,” he continued, ignoring her, “you gained her speed, and when I stopped you, we teleported. Do your hands hurt at all?”

  “No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s just freaky.”

  He reached out to my hand.

  “No, Seth! Don’t touch me!” The hysteria rushed back at me. “I don’t want either of you to touch me. I don’t know what it is, and I don’t want it to end up hurting you.”

  He drew his hand back, and the pain reached his eyes. Then he stood up and walked away, leaving me trembling with hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

  He told me not to go in the darkness, he made me promise. Now, I’d not only broken that promise, but I’d shattered his heart as well, and I had no idea how to put it back together again.

  Chapter 41

  I wasn’t sure how long I had stayed against the wall curled in a ball, but somehow I had awoken with a blanket over me and a plate of food next to me. Fresh cut berries and fruit. My stomach growled at the scent. It was like I hadn’t eaten in days.