NEVER FALL FOR THE FORBIDDEN (NEVER FALL SERIES) (13 page)

Chapter
Twenty-Three

              Arriving to the gates, Triton slowed his car as the armed guard stopped him with a halting hand in the air. Powering down his window, Triton greeted his comrade.

             
“It’s started.” He guard told him.

             
“So I heard. Is Nala here?”

             
“She’s just arrived.” The soldier said.

             
“Call for more guards up here, anything suspicious call Umbriel or me.”

The guard nodded, spoke into a walkie-talkie as
Triton drove into the compound.

             
The council chambers buzzed with chatter as Triton arrived to assess the situation at hand. Finding Nala, Umbriel and the other elders in a heated debate over the strategy, he walked in as the conversation stopped so abruptly, he almost panicked thinking they knew about Annasara. 

             
“Where have you been? I’ve been calling for you for hours.” Nala said furious. Triton looked to Umbriel who gave him the slightest but noticeable shake of his head as to tell him they had no idea about his human lover.

             
“What do we know?” Triton asked.

             
“Nothing new, I suspect Januar will send a message soon, until then we prepare.” Nala said. Every vampire and elder began to argue on tactics.

             
“We’re sitting ducks if we wait.” Triton piped in. About to continue, he was cut off as Nala’s boy toy James, ran into the room out of breath as if he had ran a marathon, he huffed out the news, “They’ve found bodies, burnt bodies, nearly forty-five so far.”

             
“That leaves them at roughly three hundred fifty strong; we are only two hundred twenty two.” Umbriel said. Nala turned to the group, “We have to find out what they plan on doing and when.”

             
“How many resisters do you think there are?” Triton asked the group.

             
“Ten maybe twenty hard to say.” Umbriel said.

             
“How quickly can you get a message to them?” One elder asked.

             
“They have no cell phones, so I will have to meet face to face.” Umbriel replied.

             
“I will go with you.” Triton offered. The Elders spoke among themselves for a few painstaking minutes and came to an agreement to allow Umbriel and Triton to go. As the vampires turned to leave, Nala grabbed Triton’s arm hold him back, “Be careful.” Nodding in agreement, he gave her one look over and left.

              Driving non-stop to the outer banks of their territory, Umbriel loaded his weapon as he steered. Triton shoved the magazine in his gun put it into his holster under his jacket and cranked up the radio. The silence spoke a thousand words between the two old friends. Hundreds of times, they went into battle with an unquestioning bond. Silently preparing for the mission, they knew each other had the others back to the death.

             
Arriving to the destination, Triton exited the truck putting out feelers for any vampire vibes. Triton gave the all clear signal to Umbriel who in turn exited the vehicle. Following closely behind his friend, they entered what appeared to be an old automotive factory. Triton sensed two maybe three not very powerful vampires. Umbriel sensed the same, stopping to give a quick whistle signal. Returning the signal, three very haggard looking bodies staggered out into the clearing.

             
“My brothers.” Umbriel addressed them. “Any word?”

             
One shabby unshaven man stepped forward to speak. “Januar plans to kidnap your clan as they feed in the Latin quarters as soon as three days from now.”

             
“Kidnap?”

             
“Until they get information, then they will slay them all.” Another one spoke up.

             
“When’s the last time you fed?” Triton asked the third vampire.

             
“Weeks, they’ve run out of humans to turn. The upper vampires have kept the rest of the humans to feed on.”

             
“We’ve brought you supplies, blood, guns, enough to last week, or so, until we can get back here.” Umbriel told them throwing a duffel bag in their direction.

             
“Come back a week from today. We will have more information.” One solider said, guzzling the blood like hungry lions on meat. They made arrangements, talked quickly and in an instant, all five vampires scattered like the wind.

             
Driving back, Triton checked his watch, “You think we can trust them?”

             
“If it was a trap, we’d be dead by now. They are on our side.”             

             
“We should bring them back with us next time.”

             
“We will, but for now we need someone on the inside. Information is a precious commodity.” Umbriel said and gunned the gas petal.

             
Meeting back up with the elders, the two friends reported on the findings. Telling all of the planned attack, they formulated a counter attack with careful construction.

             
“Send in the bait, and then we will surround them, from here and here.” Triton pointed to the map that lay out across the table.

             
“Who should we send in? It has to be some one strong enough and quick enough to take someone before strike. Two elders looked at each other, but did not volunteer.

             
“I will go.” Nala said.

             
“No, it’s too risky.” Umbriel said touching her arm.

             
“Do you doubt my abilities?” She growled at him.             

             
“No, my queen, I am just saying…” Umbriel said.

             
“I will go.” Triton said.

             
“Nala you should go too.” One elder called Rohian said and all agreed.

             
“We will mask our selves so they do not detect out strength.” She said.

              Having only two days to prepare, Nala and Triton formulated a plan, every move, and scenario carefully plotted. Executed with perfection and perfect timing, twenty-six were killed, and fourteen captured, interrogated, and then disposed of. Triton and Nala strength was unmatched, tested many times over as the battled raged for days that turned into weeks into months. Months that seemed an eternity. An eternity that took him away from his true passion, Annasara, who he could guarantee was safe. His deal with Januar secured that. But trusting Januar took every ounce of Triton’s resolve, each day tortured his soul until he felt nothing, he made himself not think of Annasara, erasing her as much from his mind as possible. Only concentrating on war and fighting. Death and enemy blood. Destruction and survival.

              Nala let Triton lead their early evening raid relishing in his natural leadership abilities. She rarely got to see this side of him. He did what had to be done with perfect timing and execution and silent she adored him for it.

             
Why does he shine like this and never want to lead? He could easily be the lead of us al. Greater than Januar, at my side of course. Soon
, she thought looking at Triton sideways.
All in time.

             
Cold winds blew slowly through the abandon warehouse. A rotten stench wafted through, carrying the scent of death and dead blood.

             
“They’ve been here recently. The air is too cold. These humans would have frozen by know.

             
Triton agreed, “But no scent of vampires…” his word cut off as from under the pile human rubble burst out three vampires. Sharply they cried and hissed ready for fierce battle. Nala and triton stood stunned. These were no ordinary vampires; they seemed ravenous, fearless against two elders, drone like. This breed had no sense of hierarchy, reverence, or conscience. Clawing and swiping the drones attacked viscously. More piled out, coming from all directions. Firing her gun, Nala aimed, hitting one with several shots to the chest. The bullets seemed to have no effect in slowing the onslaught. Triton pulled his sword from his trench coat, as did Nala.

             
With weapon drawn, Nala quickly admonished several of the drone vampires, cutting their heads off; their bodies instantly turning to ash. 

             
“There’s more coming!” Triton yelled as he continued to extinguish the charging undead. Nala leaped out of the way as two drones ran across the room, trying to ram her with an over turned table. Nala’s foot landed on the edge of the table, she teetered as she swung taking off both of their heads on one swoop. The table collapsed under her, toppling her to the ground, her sword scrapped across the cement floor. Spring up to chase the weapon, a vamp caught Nala’s boot, sliding her back towards him, clawing her across the thigh. She cursed out in pain. Triton turned, to see her on the ground her weapon twenty feet away. One welded a switchblade, slicing through her leather into her flesh of her upper arm. Kicking one square in the chest, the drone stumbled backward but quickly recharged. Three drones nearly fought each other trying to get the blood that oozed from her wounds.

             
Triton spun around not seeing Nala until he looked down at entanglement of leather and flesh. He feared they would kill her before he could get to her.

             
“Nala!” he yelled as Triton spring over to her, killing the attaching vamp.

             
“Behind you!” she shouted. Triton lifted his sword over his head splitting the skull of the drone behind him. Regaining her sword, Nala continued her slaughter one after another.

             
“Agggh!” Triton groaned as metal pieced his shoulder blade. Reaching back Triton tried to pull the blade out, but could not grab it. Suddenly Triton’s feet were in the air, the drone fell on top him and they thudded hard onto the concrete together. The blade dug into Triton’s bone, the pain unbearable even for an elder vampire.

             
The drone’s head rolled off and turned to ash as Nala stood over Triton, extending her hand down to help him up.

             
“Close call.” She said. Triton grimaced in pain, turning to let her pull the knife from his back. He cried out as the metal exited.

             
“Not the ordinary breed.” She said.

             
“Have you ever seen anything like that?”

             
“Long before you were turned, a pet project of Januar’s, a breed of drone like vampires were created. Centuries ago, he said he stopped creating them. He could not control them; they were like a rabid dog.”

             
“We should get out of here. I had enough of them.” He said in pain.

             
“Let me see, you’re bleeding heavily.”

             
“Stitch it up later, we need to go.”

             
They had gathered enough information; but were unsuccessful at finding any trace that would lead to Januar. Finally, making it back to the truck they hid, Triton peeled off his jacket gingerly.

             
“You should have healed by now.” Nala said examining the wound.

             
“Hurts like a son of a bitch. That blade hit bone.” Triton barked and growled as she touched the area. His head felt dizzy, his knees buckled. Nala caught Triton’s body pushed him into passenger seat and examined his face.

             
“You’ve lost too much blood, when did you feed last?”

             
“I can’t remember.”

             
“You’ll have to feed to regenerate.”

             
“No-just stitch it up, I’ll be fine.”

             
“This is no time for being stubborn, damn it Triton, feed.” She ordered pushing up her sleeve, sticking out her wrist. Too weak to bite, Triton watched as Nala pulled a knife from her boot, drew it across her forearm and held it to his lips. Drinking only enough to heal his wound, Triton watched her skin close it self and heal in less than a minute. Every time he tasted her blood, he grew stronger, more powerful, he loathed it so; he knew how she enjoyed giving her strength to him.
This is the last time
, he told himself. Nala read his thoughts,
if he only knew.

Chapter Twenty-Four

             
“We need shelter. The sun is almost up.” Nala said, checking the clock on the dashboard.

             
“We’re a two hundred miles from home. Any suggestions?” Triton turned off the radio and looked out the window.

             
“Motel Hell?” she said.

             
“It’ll have to do.” Triton pulled the truck off the highway into the barely lit parking lot. A few dew-covered cars parked set idle in the lot as Nala surveyed the area while Triton went to the office to pay. Only the hum of the vending machine broke the silence of the early morning dawn. No scents or vibrations filled the air. Nala followed Triton in to the dingy room, “Not quite my usual accommodations but it will do I suppose.”

             
“Damn I’m tired.” Triton said plopping down on the king size bed. He sighed realizing there was only one bed in the room. Nala sat at the edge of the bed removing her boots, and stuck her foot towards Triton.

             
“Will you?”

             
“I’m not James.”

             
“You’re certainly not.” She said and took her foot back. They laughed and fell into a much needed deep slumber.

              Nala’s eyes popped open wide.
What day is it? How long have I slumbered? Where the hell is Triton?
She glanced around, her eyes scanning the darkened room. His jacket and boots still piled on the floor; Nala called his name and got no response. Panic set in, she rushed to the bathroom, flicked on the light. Empty.

             
“Shit!” Quickly grabbing her weapon, she rushed for the door.
Captured? Kidnapped? Worse?
Nala swung open the door, shocked at the sight before her.

             
Triton turned around slowly; a lit cigarette in his mouth.

             
“What’s wrong?” he said throwing down the butt.

             
“You were gone-I thought something happened.” She huffed.

             
“I didn’t want to wake you. I need to clear my head.”

             
“How long have we’ve been asleep?”

             
“Four days.”

             
“Since when do you smoke?” she said taking the pack from his hand, lighting herself one.

             
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

             
“Like what?” Nala blew a white stream of smoke into the dark night.

             
“Like-I finally acquired the Cezanne, I’ve been chasing literally for two centuries.”

             
“I could have got that for you.”

             
“I like the thrill of the chase.”

             
“You like it again. Been literally centuries since I heard that.” She teased.

             
“Can’t believe I’ve been alive for centuries. Relatively speaking.”

             
“I’m twice as old as you. I’ve seen a lot of things. Times change, people change, we do not.”

             
“I know.”

             
Nala took a deep draw, “This war with Januar, it’s personal you know. His vendetta is against me. He could never get over my branching off and starting my own clan.”

             
“Why not reconcile? Sign another peace treaty. Maybe he is only fighting for the sake of fighting.”

             
“Things have changed, if he wants war, will have war. I fear not Januar. My army is strong. My will is solid. Or am I wrong?”

             
“No, you’re right, he has many, but we have more qualified, if you will soldiers.”

             
“I just can not understand why he has not entered the city. Unless he is planning something big. Something…” She pondered.

             
“No.” Triton regretted the tone in his voice. “I mean, I think he knows it is too much exposure, too many humans. If he starts shooting and slaying in plain sight, he risks baring our existence. I think he would rather scale back the fighting than risk being discovered.”

             
Nala reflected upon his words carefully, “Januar has gone to great lengths to keep us in the shadows. I’ll give him that-but…” she cut Triton off, “But that is all I will give him. That bastard.”

             
“Well, let’s head out, things seem calm.”

              Entering back into the motel room Nala gathered their things as Triton stepped into the bathroom. The cold water gave his face a jolt as he plunged his face into the bowl. Triton snapped his head up as a thunderous crash came from the other room.

             
Gasoline fumes permeated Triton’s nostril. The pungent smell seared the lining of his nose. As he tried to comprehend the situation, Triton choked for air. Exiting the bathroom, a wall of heat and flame rushed him.

             
“Nala!”

             
The fire raged quickly. Flames shot up from the bedspread, up the wall to the ceiling.
Firebomb!
Grabbing towels from the rack, Triton hurriedly ran them under the tub spout. He draped wet towels over his shoulders and head and rushed to the door. He slammed his shoulder against the door but something barricaded him in.

             
With no time to ponder and flames licking his back, Triton held his breath and leaped through the picture window. Sharp shards cut his flesh as he toppled down onto the hard sidewalk. He stood as quickly as he would be expecting vampires to be pouncing on him. Looking around, Triton readied himself, but no attack happened.

             
Where’s the truck?
He spotted Nala at the wheel, driving through the lot towards the exit.
She is leaving me!

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