NEVER FALL FOR THE FORBIDDEN (NEVER FALL SERIES) (15 page)

             
“What's it like?" Umbriel asked, “Being in love?”

             
“You've never been?" Triton replied.

             
“No, I was turned before I ever have the chance."

             
“It is like being addicted to the strongest, most perfect drug. It consumes your thoughts, make you insane but in a good way. A rush like you get when your first taste of blood from a kill that you’ve had to work hard to get.” He said. Umbriel smiled, “I hope someday to experience it. The rush.”

             
“I hope you do too.” Triton said, “Rest now, I will keep guard.”

             
“Alright brother.” He said and closed the glowing eyes. As Umbriel slept, Triton sat reliving every single moment from when he met Annasara until they said goodbye.  The hours passed like seconds. Checking his watch, dusk had set and it was safe for them to venture out of the make shift tomb. Triton roused Umbriel and the two set out making their way up the stairs carefully moving through the halls along the cells cautiously checking every one for the enemy.  At the same time they both stopped, the close cell door caged the coal outline of what was once the young strapping James. Stopping only for a second, both of their senses heightened as the vibrations reverberated thickly through the halls. 

             
“Are you sensing what I am?" Triton said alerted.

             
“Prepare yourself brother. I sense many.” Umbriel said just as the attack ensued. Fists pounded, teeth snarled, metal crashed metal as Umbriel and Triton fought off the attacker’s one vampire at a time. In a never-ending stream of the immortal, they came after the two but Triton and Umbriel quickly admonished all but one young fledgling. Caught by Umbriel as he tried to run to the exit, Umbriel’s swiftness was no match for the young ones sprint. His high-pitched squeal quickly faded out as Umbriel clamped his mouth down locking on him. As he drank in the liquid of life he also drank and the knowledge and thoughts of the young one. What he had acquired he kept himself information that would be useful later. This one was turned by Januar himself.

             
“Are you alright brother?” Triton yelled.

             
“Fine. Let’s go.” Umbriel said and gave Triton a glance. Umbriel stared at his friend, wondering if what he just learned could be true. His heart ached, his stomach wretched. This could be the end of centuries of unity.

Chapter Twenty-Six

             
Making their way back to the carefully hidden vehicle, neither Umbriel nor Triton spoke a word as they raced back to the mansion to report on their findings. Umbriel went straight to the arsenal to check in their weapons and Triton headed directly to the council member chamber and found Nala sitting alone. Deep in thought, Nala raised her head to see who was entering. Face lighting up Nala stood Triton approach to the table, “You're back.” She said with a smile, which quickly faded as Triton’s face held no positive emotion.

             
“Umbriel?” she asked frightened.

             
“No, James.” Triton told her. Nala closed her eyes and cursed.

             
“Was it a swift death?” she asked.

             
“He said he loved you and then sun.” Triton told her bluntly. “I should have been watching him. We were ambushed and they dragged him away before I had realized.”

             
“I had great hopes for him you know.” She said and took her seat again. Triton balled his hands into fist and leaned knuckles first onto the table, “I take responsibility for his death.”

             
“Do not blame yourself Triton; he wanted to go, to prove his manhood, if you will, to me. I knew he wouldn’t survive.”

             
“Yet you to send him.” His voice sound contemptuous.

             
“Every war has its casualties. At least you’re back safe.” Nala said standing and rounding the table positioning her self in front of him. Triton was no fool and knew what she was up to.

             
“I need some time to myself. I’m going away for awhile.” He said.

             
“I need you here.” She said demandingly yet, seductive in her manor that in the past made him unable to resist. Triton mouth went dry, he tried to moisten his lips but his tongue offered not relief. He had not drunk for days and his anger, hunger and frustration teetered on the thinnest edge. She sensed his urge for release, the slight stiffening of his sex, appetite for the dark drink. Desire coursed his veins, but he thought of his love, not the tempest offering the wildest fantasies come true. Nala slinked to him, her palms flat against his chest slid down his abs over his belt and down lower. It took every ounce of his resolve to resist her.

             
“Nala, don’t do this.” Triton said.

             
“Do what?  Offer you the world on a plate? Ecstasy beyond comprehension? More power and knowledge than you could realize was possible. Together we could rule over all the clans, I want you, at my side.” She said trying to undress him. Triton snatched her hands stopping her groping.

             
“I’m sorry I can’t.” he said. “I will not fight your war anymore.”

Nala flashed red with anger. “This is all of our war. Our survival depends on defeating Januar. He wants to
make our clans one. He wants me to be his servant. I will not bow to him.”

             
“Make peace with him. Call a truce before we are all extinguished.” Triton said.

             
“That will never happen.” She said and looked sideways as Umbriel slipped into the room.

             
“I won’t be a party to this any longer.” Triton said.

             
“I order you to stay! We are in the middle of a war.” she shouted.

             
“Fuck your war.” Triton said and turned to leave. Nala never seen such defiance from Triton, “If you walk out you are no longer blood oathed to this clan.” She screamed. Triton looked over his shoulder snidely, “Fine.”

             
Passing him, Umbriel stood back, holding up his arms as Triton blew past him. Umbriel knew him well enough not to stand in his way when he was in this mood. Ducking as a glass paperweight came crashing at him, Umbriel righted himself to find Nala in full change, glowing brightly, emulating such strong vibrations he had not realized he turning.

             
“Stop him!” she ordered. Umbriel held up his hands to calm her rage.

             
“Let him go cool off. I will talk to him.”

             
“No, its fine, he wants to be unoathed let him.” Nala snapped.

             
“He wants peace.” Umbriel stated but it was not the words Nala wanted to hear. Flying at him, Nala rage was so intense she knocked him to the ground, pinning him tightly against the marble floor. He could feel her raw anger, lust, and frustration emulating out. Flipping her off him Umbriel, tumbled back on top of her with one quick motion tore her blouse open, exposing the firm lush breasts. They kissed roughly. Reaching between his legs, Nala rubbed his throbbing hot cock and freed it from his leather pants. Fucking like rabbits in heat, they made a strange sound as flesh squeaked across the floor from their wild bucking. She cried out passionately as Umbriel brought her to the brink. The thirst had to be satisfied. Nala secured her mouth on his shoulder. She sucked on his flesh, pleasure jolting through every nerve like tiny electric bolts. Umbriel attempted to taste her flesh but she kept pushing his head away. She tore her mouth from his skin, blood dripped over her lips. She licked it off and craned back her head, finally allowing him to get his way. Umbriel’s desire tripled as he bit into her. He drank the precious powerful liquid hungrily. The act strengthened his power as well as his immortality and position. Umbriel was now a full-blown elder Triton’s equal in power and strength. Both beneficially satisfied, Nala and Umbriel parted ways for the evening with knowledge revealing more truths and lies than they each thought the other had. A new era emerged. An old bond severed as a new one sealed. The clan would never be the same.

Ch
apter Twenty-Seven

              Around eight o’clock in the evening, Umbriel’s number flashed onto Triton’s cell screen. Triton had left the mansion after the fight with Nala and found a sleazy motel to hibernate in for a few days. Triton peeked out the curtain to check for any strange activity, but nothing seemed out of place. Surprised when Umbriel told him the news, Triton questioned Umbriel for details.

             
“I wouldn’t call it a victory but a temporary lull in the action. Januar is licking his wounds, but do not think for a minute he has given up.” Umbriel said into his cellular talking to Triton as he drove through the downtown city streets.

             
“Nothing Januar does surprises me.” Triton said.

             
Triton listened to the screeching of tires on asphalt as Umbriel stomped on the brakes.

             
“What’s wrong?” Triton asked.

             
“Holy shit! Get down here, NOW!” Umbriel yelled. He had to see it with his own eyes to believe it and now it was staring Umbriel in the face.

             
“Where are you at?” Triton asked.

             
“Main Street. Downtown. Hurry Brother! ” Umbriel said disconnecting the call in Triton’s ear. Triton’s guilt for leaving Umbriel left to fight the war he started jolted Triton to go to Umbriel’s side raced downtown pushing the sedan to the limits. Blowing through stoplights while trying to load his gun and steer at the same time, he pulled the car into the alley in front of Umbriel’s SUV. Umbriel leaned stiffly against the front of the truck. Jumping out of the car, Triton noticed Umbriel how pale he was, even for a vampire of his stature.  

             
“My friend, please prepare yourself. I thought you should see this.” Umbriel placed both hands on Triton’s shoulders bracing him stiffly. Triton’s blood boiled, his first thought was that Nala had met her fate.

             
“Is she dead?” Triton asked. Umbriel spoke still stunned, “Just the opposite.”

             
“You make no sense. Tell me what is going on.” Triton demanded.

             
“Go see for your self.” Umbriel said pointing towards the street. Walking out of the alley, Triton took in all the sights of the night, not seeing anything out of the ordinary, people walked about in the night air, steam poured from the sewers, the city seemed unaffected by the war that raged around it.

             
Triton looked until his eyes rested upon the gallery. Large windows did not obstruct his view of the entire storefront. White walls bore black and white photographs tastefully hung in the middle of the starkness. For months Triton avoid coming here, he did not want anyone to connect him or her, but now he was here and she was there. Six months of separation seemed a mere second; he nearly cried he was so happy to see her again. Annasara’s back was to him. She hung a frame on the studio wall and straightening it. Triton’s heart pounded so hard against his rib cage that he nearly fainted. Triton’s smiled as he looked back to Umbriel. Umbriel’s face now was somber, confusing Triton. Turning back, he saw his love, only fifty feet and glass windows separating them. He was overjoyed and started to run in when she turned around. Triton fell backwards to the pavement, gasped for air horrified by the sight. Annasara stood belly swollen and sticking out.

             
Triton froze staring at a very pregnant Annasara. His words stammered off his lips, “What, how?”

             
Scrambling to his feet, Triton ran towards the gallery. Umbriel came up behind him knocking him out of the view from the window just as Annasara looked out into the empty night seeing nothing.

             
In the alley beside the gallery, Umbriel’s superior strength launched Triton against the wall. Stomach wrenching, Triton bent over. One hand braced the brick wall to support his body, which wanted to crumple into a ball on the ground.

             
“How can this be?” Triton shrieked. “We, I…” Umbriel straightened him up and belted him one to bring him back to his senses.

             
“When I learned of this tonight, I could not believe my thoughts. There have never been any impregnations between humans and immortals.” Umbriel said sharply.

             
“She carries my child.” Triton said stunned.

             
“Are you sure it is yours?” Umbriel snarled. Triton’s change was instantaneous, fully a vampire elder, rage burned inside him like never before. With one swift movement, he pinned Umbriel to the wall by his throat. His clutch and might had his friend shaking with fear. Umbriel never once saw Triton this angry or powerful. Triton’s spoke with the voice a mad man. It was definitive and obvious. Triton could have killed Umbriel. Triton’s anger was so raw and uncontained. Only fraction of a second from squeezing the life from Umbriel, Triton spoke slow and clear. “There is no doubt it is mine.”

             
“Brother, please I meant no disrespect. I am just as shocked as you.” Umbriel said in great fear he had just signed his own death warrant. Umbriel pleaded again, “Triton, my brother, please.”

Triton
loosened his grip and checking his temper. Staring at him, still pissed, he glared. “The child is mine.”

             
“Are you going to talk to her?” Umbriel said rubbing his throat.

             
“What would I say? She had no idea what we are. She would not understand.”

             
“If anyone finds out.” Umbriel reminded him. Triton’s brain caught up with his heart. “You knew. How did you know? You said you learned in the prison.”

             
“I had bit one of Januar’s soldiers, drank from him, took in all his memories. He had seen Annasara in Parkville, he was a cab driver, and he had seen her when he snuck in to our area, the downtown to look around and remembered her. He planned to go back and drain her. Then I saw it, the image of her with child. I had to bring you here, brother to see for your self.”

             
“I have to hide her.”

             
“You have to talk to her first. She may be angry as a bee in a bonnet. She’s with child, emotions run high, and you’ve been gone for months. I can wait here for you, go, and talk to her now.”

             
“You have chambers tonight.” Triton reminded him. “There would not be enough time.”

             
“Let me worry about that, you’ve enough on your plate.” Umbriel offered.

             
“Tomorrow I will go to her. I need time to think. She is safe for now. You are a loyal friend; I apologize for getting out of hand with you.”

             
“No worries.” Umbriel said but thought he should worry.
This could rock the entire foundation of our empire.
Umbriel’s thoughts filtered into Triton’s mind, “This will destroy the foundation.”

             
“It already has.”