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

by Shannon Eckrich

  Kesi slowly picked herself up off the floor. Geb had just went sailing across the room. This was my chance. My only chance. I forced my legs to move. They were slow and wobbly, but they were making progress. Seth saw me and turned his head, his cold glare centering on my face. Just what I was waiting for.

  He turned around, taking large strides toward me, his fists ready and waiting, the muscles in his chest and arms tightening as he approached. He reared his arm back when I came into reach, and at the moment of his release, I ducked down low, my arms out wide. As his fist sailed above my head, my arms came around his waist.

  “Layna, no!” Kesi reached her hand out, but she was too late.

  Seth and I stumbled backward away from each other. The stone in front of the small cavern caught the back of my knees and I fell onto it. Seth, on the other, hand, went into the waterfall.

  He came out, hands thrashing at the water, spitting water from his mouth and whipping his head around. He truly was a terrifying beast. “Where the fuck are we!” His cold stare centered on me and in three steps, he had the front of my shirt in his hand, jerking me toward his face. “I said, where are we?” His bronze face had turned a deep red and a muscle twitched in his jaw.

  “Where are we, Seth?” I asked him in a tired voice, looking into the depths of his eyes, searching for the man I loved behind all the raging fury.

  He didn’t like that response one bit. He slammed my head into the stone.

  But the cramping in my stomach was the one taking center stage. I couldn’t have cared less about the rest of my body. It was the life inside of me that I worried about. The thought that Zinna could have been wrong had me sobbing. “Seth, stop, please!” I cried out as his hand gripped me. “Please, Seth! No matter where we live or where we go. This will always be our place,” I recited his words back to him, hoping and praying that something would bring his memories back to him. He had to remember. He just had to.

  A flicker of recognition flashed in his eyes. He glanced down at my hand to the silver ring. Then the darkness returned. He was choking me, his hands clamped so tight around my neck he was crushing my airway.

  “Seth, please!” I choked out the words, crying so hard now my shoulders were shaking. Why? Why wasn’t he remembering? Why wasn’t he coming back to me?

  He let go for a moment, and my body dropped on the stone. Glancing at the palm of his hand, his expression changed. I knew what he was looking at. The scar on his hand.

  “Seth, please,” I kept calling his name over and over again. “Please stop.”

  He came at me again.

  “You’re going to kill our baby!” I screamed as loud as I could, it finally dawning on me that Zinna had to have been wrong. My insides felt as if they were splitting in two. The baby. My body. The blood rushing out. I knew it was coming from my womb. My baby, my sweet little girl who hadn’t had a chance to see the world. She was slowly dying and I could do nothing. Nothing. I went limp in his arms, not caring anymore. “Our baby, Seth,” I babbled, sobbing so hard I couldn’t even see anymore, not even sure if the words had made it through my lips. White lights exploded all around me as the darkness threatened to take over. I had to hold on, wanted to hold on, but I wasn’t sure if it was possible.

  “Layna!” Hands were all over me. On my face, on my shoulder, then on my arms. “Layna, talk to me!” Hands on my face again, the voice broken and so full of pain, reaching for me through the darkness. “No, this isn’t fucking happening! Please, Layna, open your eyes. Say something, please!” Loud sobs, heavy sobs, painful and heart-wrenching. They pulled at me, screamed at me to open my eyes.

  A sudden warmth shot through me, causing my body to jerk and shake. The energy. I had lost the voice to the buzzing in my head.

  “Fuck, Layna!” The voice came back, along with a sudden jolt of pain. “Please, I can’t lose you,” the voice broke up again.

  My eyes flew open and I screamed as the torch burned inside of me. “My baby,” my voice was so high pitched it pierced my own ears and set my throat on fire.

  “Baby…” the word got lost and I knew it was him.

  I focused on the face in front of me. It was him. The eyes, two oceans. They were his even though they were filled with so much pain. “Seth,” I managed to get his name out.

  “What have I done?” He was shattered, finally realizing the blood all over me had come from his hands. “No, god no.” He held my face.

  “Our baby,” I whispered, ignoring his mental breakdown. I swallowed hard, trying to form more words. “Zinna said she was protected. But the blood, Seth. There’s so much. And, god, the pain. Please… just save the baby.” I could care less about me. Let me die, as long as my baby would live.

  He leaned down and moved my arms so they were situated around him. Then he picked me up. “Hold on, love. We have to get some more help.”

  Chapter 48

  “Kesi!” Seth yelled as he held me tightly in his arms, his chest now sticky and wet from my blood. We were in the cave.

  “She’s not here.” My voice remained low as another wave of pain struck. “She’s in the temple. Tiahna…she pulled the force field back.” I swallowed, fighting to form words. “The only thing protected is the temple. Everyone will die when the sun sets.” I sighed deeply. “Take me to the temple.”

  “I’m not taking you anywhere, Layna.” His voice remained soft, but I could hear the edge in it. “And I’m not leaving you.”

  “They’ll die.” I rested my head on his chest, fighting the wave of vertigo threatening to pull me under.

  “You’ll die,” he came back. “And I cannot lose you, do you understand that? You are more important than anything.” His chest rumbled under my cheek, his heart beating fast and furious in my ear.

  Even through the pain, I felt the tug of the energy pulling me toward the dark part of the cave. It was urgent and demanding. I wouldn’t be able to crawl, let alone walk. But I needed to get in there. “Seth, take me to the back of the cave.”

  “No, absolutely not. You’re not going anywhere without me. I need to heal you, Layna.”

  There was no time for this. I shook my head slowly, and lowered my arm, touching his hand which rested under my knees, hoping it would work.

  “What the hell!”

  I lifted my head from his chest, peering over at the stone wall. The letters were glowing again. “Take me.” I mustered all of the strength I had left and pointed to the wall.

  He looked down at me, to the wall, and then back at me. “Are you sure?”

  All I could do was nod.

  Seth walked slowly over to the wall. Then crouched down and set me on the floor in front of it, but his hands remained on me.

  “Let me go,” I said, gazing at the words.

  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.

  He released me and I pressed my palms to the stone, the energy coming into me with a vengeance. Yes, it made sense. I was the light, and I would let it shine, true and without fear. It would be my strength and compassion which brought the sector back, just like I brought Seth back. It was time to shine.

  The heat wrapped around me, healing me and nurturing my very soul. The pain had begun to fade, my wounds mending and my heart bursting with love. My baby, my Seth, they were the ones who kept me going. They were the ones who made me fight for a future, to bring this sector back.

  An intense amount of energy pushed me away from the wall again. The lights floated above my palms, just as they had before. I turned to Seth, and his blue eyes were terrified.

  “Layna, you’re glowing.”

  “Yes, my hands—”

  “No. Your body. Your entire body is glowing!” He held his hands out as though he wanted to touch me, but he didn’t move.

  I glanced down, my eyes widening at the freakish lights dancing around me. “Yes, I’m glowing.” I looked back up at him, my eyes capturing the t
wo orbs of blue I loved so much. I reached out my hand and smiled, silently letting him know I wouldn’t harm him. “Let’s go reclaim our sector.”

  He took my hand and we were in the Regent’s Chamber in the temple. It was empty.

  “Tiahna must have went downstairs somewhere. That’s where Zinna said the council was.” I glanced over to where I watched her body fall, and she was gone, a tear fell from my eye. Kesi and Geb must have taken her. Hopefully, they’re safe.

  “Layna, the sun will be setting soon. We have to make a choice. Go after your sister or try like hell to save everyone in Sector Twelve.”

  “We need to split up.” My mind was racing out of control. As much as I didn’t want to be separated from him, I didn’t have a choice.

  “No, I’m not leaving you.” He stood firm, his eyes desperate to keep me by his side.

  “Seth, we really don’t have a choice here. Both are a priority. Tiahna and the council need to be taken down, and the people need to be protected from the ravagers. There is no compromising. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  He studied me for a moment, and then he finally took my hand and twisted the silver ring around with his fingers. “Go after your sister. I’ll take care of Sector Twelve.” He grabbed me by the back of my head, pulling me toward him and kissing me hard. “You better not get yourself killed.”

  “Like wise,” I said, forcing a smile upon my lips as he released my hand. Then he was gone.

  I wasted no time running out the door and down the hall, thinking I should have used Seth’s power before he left me. It would have been much easier. When I reached the stairs, I went down them two at a time, almost falling on the bottom step.

  The glowing had ceased as I made my way through the temple. I wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing or a good thing. Not sure if it meant the power I held only moments ago had faded away.

  As I ran through the corridor, something blurred out of one of the other doorways, into the hall in front of me. Kesi.

  She stopped directly in front of me, she was covered in blood, her arms and legs shaking. “They’re…dead.” Her voice jumped all around. “All…of them.” Her eyes stared at me, her pupils dilating in distress.

  “Who, Kesi?” Fear rose up inside of me. “Our Naturals? Tiahna’s Naturals?”

  “No,” she sobbed the word. “Not that I know of. I managed…to shut off the source…of power controlling them. Geb’s out there. But…I told him I’d find…” She shook her head back and forth. “They’re…all dead.”

  I grabbed her by the arms and shook her. “Who. Is. dead?”

  “The council,” she answered, the color drained from her face. “I…I killed them. I couldn’t help it, Layna. I really couldn’t. I saw them and something just snapped. They killed my parents. They took my entire world away from me.” Her body finally broke down, tears spilling from her eyes and rolling down her face.

  I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight as her body shook against mine. “Shh…Kesi. It’s okay. I understand,” I said, keeping my voice soft to soothe her. “What about my sister? Where’s Tiahna?” If she did happen to stop whatever was controlling the Naturals, then there was only one thing left. My sister.

  “I don’t know.” She sniffed and took a step back. “She wasn’t with them.”

  Damn! Where could she have gone? There were only so many places she could hide, and she sure as hell wouldn’t risk going outside. Then the answer smacked in the face like a gust of wind. The tunnel under the temple.

  “Kesi, go help Seth and Geb. Tell them to get whoever is left,” I choked on the word, not wanting to know how many casualties we had, “and gather them in one spot. There should be enough Naturals to create a powerful enough shield to protect everyone from the ravagers.”

  “Where are you going?” The color in her face returned, but the rims of her eyes were red and swollen.

  “To find my sister.”

  “No, Layna. I can’t let you go by yourself. Let me come with you.”

  “Sorry, Kesi.” I touched her arm and blurred off before she could react.

  Chapter 49

  The tunnel was darker than I remembered. It took me a few times, feeling along the side of the wall, to locate a torch. I pulled it off the wall and waved my hand over it, igniting the end.

  When I walked through the tunnel before, I had no worries, except which door I would enter. This time, though, my demented sister could be hiding anywhere in the shadows, and my light only extended so far.

  The passageway twisted and turned, and besides the loud thumping of my heart and the patter of my feet over the ancient stone, I couldn’t pick up any other noises. I couldn’t think of where else she could go, where else she would hide. Tiahna couldn’t, wouldn’t, risk going outside the temple. Not only would she be exposed to the ravagers after the sun set, but people would be looking for her.

  I continued down the path, wanting more than nothing to rush through, but knowing I had to take it slow. I had to make sure I searched every crack and crevice.

  Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck prickled, and I had the sensation of being followed. I swung around and let out a scream, my heart falling into my stomach as my eyes locked onto the man standing a short distance away from me.

  “My, Layna.” His lips curved into a smile as he watched me. “You have turned into a very beautiful young woman. You look just like your mother.”

  “Do I know you?” I squinted into the darkness, trying to make him out.

  He took a couple of steps forward until he reached the full brightness of my light. He was an older man with deep lines under his eyes and on his forehead. His hair, which may have been all dark at one time, was being overrun by thin strands of silver. He sort of reminded me of Re.

  “I would say that you should.” His smile faded and he pressed his lips together. “You took to me very well when you were a child.”

  “Darius?” The name just came to me as my mind recalled the fading memory. “You were there that day. With my father, Kali, Re, and Seth. You were there when they attacked the oasis. You wanted to take me and Seth, but Kali didn’t want us to be together. She told you to give Seth to Re, his father. Then you left.”

  “Well, I guess they couldn’t keep the memories from you after all.” Darius’s jaw tightened and he quickly threw up his hand. “I’m sorry, Layna. I really did like you.”

  Everything went black.

  ***

  “It’s almost time. Are you sure she’s secure?”

  I could clearly recognize my sister’s voice through the darkness. Where had she come from? Where were we? I could tell my body was in an upright position. And I was sitting on the damp ground. We had to be out of the temple. But why would she risk exposing herself? And what did she plan to do to me?

  “Yes.” The male voice again. Darius. “She won’t be able to escape the ropes. I’ve enchanted them.”

  “And the others?” I couldn’t help but to pick up on the anxiety in her voice.

  “They are preoccupied right now. They have split up and are rushing to shield the exposed villages. We’ll take care of them once we’re finished here.”

  Finally, I was able to open my eyes. I was in the middle of nowhere, half of the sun peeking out over the horizon. It wouldn’t be long before it disappeared. I struggled against the ropes, knowing the ravagers would be present soon. I had to get out of here. “Let me go,” I screamed, directing my anger on my sister.

  “Layna, it’s about time you woke up.” A smile stretched across her face, but her eyes remained cold. “I didn’t want you to sleep through this. I mean, you just won’t die no matter what I do.” She shook her head. “You escaped the ravagers I’d let loose, and that man. Which I have no idea how you did that. I have to say, killing our mother and your father was much easier than dealing with you.”

  I drew in a quick breath, my eyes widening as I looked at her. “No,” the word was but a whisper on my lips. I couldn’t hold ba
ck the nausea flooding through me. I leaned over, puking on the ground.

  “Sorry, Layna.” Her eyes locked onto mine. “Well, not really. I had to do it once I found out my mother was not only harboring a Natural, but married to him as well. I know everything, really.” She walked over to Darius and stood beside him. “The prophecy, what you are— I couldn’t let you ruin this for me.”

  “You fucking bastard!” I directed my anger at Darius this time. “They trusted you! The council wasn’t responsible for the attack or for Kali’s death. It was you. You betrayed them!” I struggled harder to get out of the ropes, but they only sliced into my skin. “I remember now! You wanted to take me and Seth. You had no intentions of saving us. You were going to deliver us to the council, weren’t you?”

  “Yes.” Darius’s body stiffened, his face now contorted with anger. “And I would have had no problem doing it. All they cared about was you and Seth. And that prophecy. The council wanted to create a new race, get rid of the humans, who are worthless anyway. Not to mention they promised me a seat on the council.”

  “Sorry,” I grinned, “I guess you won’t be taking that spot. They’re all dead.”

  Tiahna gasped and Darius’s color in his face darkened to a deep purple.

  He clenched his jaw together and kicked me hard. Pain shot through my side and I fell over, my shoulder smacking into the ground. I brought my knees up to my chest, unable to do much else since my hands and feet were bound by his enchanted rope.

  “Come, Darius. You’re wasting energy on her. The ravagers will be coming out soon. We need to get out of here.”

  I heard the sound of their footsteps walk away. The light around me was fading fast, only a small tip of the sun showing behind the horizon. I fought against the ropes, wiggling my wrists and attempting to pull them apart. But it was no use. They wouldn’t budge.