NEVER FALL FOR THE FORBIDDEN (NEVER FALL SERIES) (21 page)

             
“A year ago, I found something, in exchange for keeping Annasara safe, I kept the secret safe. He promised that no vampires would come near her and I told him I would not interfere with him directly.”

             
“Jesus, brother what have you done?” Umbriel stated. Triton showed no remorse, “I did what I had to do.”

             
“There’s something else.” Triton whispered.

             
Umbriel stared at Triton, “What else could there be?”

Chapter Thirty-Four

             
Triton told Umbriel what he found in the diary. Triton and Umbriel talked until the dawn. Umbriel retired to the basement and the comfortable bed Triton had in his office, but not before Triton sticking his hand out the window to prove to his friend the sun no longer held threat to him. After making sure his friend settled in, Triton then crept silently into the bedroom to find his wife still asleep in her favorite position, on her stomach, one arm under the pillow, hair cascading over her bare back in unruly ringlets. Brushing them aside, he kissed the supple skin of her back, waking her with his gentle pecks across her shoulder and neck. It pained him that he could not taste the elixir of her life again. Only a thin layer of flesh separated his mouth from her divine juice. Opening his mouth wide, he spread his tongue flat and wide across her skin, his mouth covering as much as it could, coating his tongue with the salty tang from the ocean air resting on her throughout the night. Lapping her, as dog would water, Triton dampened her neck and shoulder. Teeth scrapping lightly made his change happen, as one would get an erection the vampire grew and rose inside him. He fought it; she was fully awake and giggling underneath him.

             
“That tickles.” She said squirming under him, absolutely making him mad with lust, lust for blood, and her sweet healing blood. His body went rigid, hard as stone, power surged through his muscles cause them to swell and fill tightly. The burning started in his belly, soaring out to every nerve, every inch of his being filling with intensity of lighting. He barely knew what he was doing pinning her down, face in the cushion; her protests unheard as the words went muffled into the pillow and quenched the desire.

             
Triton healed the puncture wounds with his own blood, dripping a few drops over her skin made the bite marks disappear in a few seconds and he let her sleep off the “hangover.” Pleased to no end, Triton left her alone, returning to his veranda, stared out over the sun-bleached sands to basking in the afterglow of his release.  Wanting to feel guilty, he tried but all Triton could feel was selfish satisfaction, swearing to him self it would be the last time. Retiring to the bedroom, he slept hard and through the day and into the night.

Umbriel’s eyes popped open in an instant, the unmistakable scream of a vampire in pain, ripped into his ears. Umbriel shot up the staircase and into the bedroom to find Triton running in to the nursery, staring into the empty crib, Triton knees started to buckle and give way.

             
“They’re gone!” Triton bellowed the sound reverberating throughout the whole villa. Umbriel rushed to his side to steady him taking his arm and holding him up. Not the reaction he expected from he most powerful of all the nocturnal warriors, but it was the response he did expect from a husband who has lost his wife and child.

             
“My son, they have my son!” Triton said in disbelief. Umbriel slowly looked up to the wall above the crib. Triton followed Umbriel’s face and too looked upon the portrait of Madonna and Child, the calling card left by only one person.

             
Umbriel continued to hold his friend, “We will get them back. I promise, my brother, I will give my life trying to help you.”

             
“I will kill every last one with my bare hands!” Triton’s eyes narrowed to slits the sorrow shifting to fury in an instant.

             
“And I will be at your side, my friend. This is Januar’s doing. How long do you think they have been gone?” he asked Triton who was scanning the room trying to get a feeling or vibration.              

             
“Anything?”

             
“No, the bastard is drowning us out.” Triton lied; he could sense the residual feelings but did not want to let on how powerful he really was just yet.

             
“What now?” Umbriel looked to his friend and asked.

             
“He wants us back on his turf. When I get there, I am going to tear his limbs off like pulling a fly’s wings and shove them down his throat.” Triton raged.

Umbriel stared with a doubt in his mind
Triton intended to do as he said, “We’ve a long journey, brother, let’s pack up, and be on our way.”

             
Taking only the necessary and most precious possessions, Triton raced to the airport, entering the private charter without looking back. Umbriel followed close behind as they started the journey back to the life he had turned his back on.  Ten hours of flight before they reached their destination, Umbriel slept the entire flight, but there was no resting for Triton. Racked with guilt, his only thoughts were of what Annasara and Brenden could be going though, were they safe, were they in fear, were they still alive? Triton barely could contain his resolve, and began pacing the aisle way, as a caged lion would, back and forth the same pattern and steps until he nearly jumped out of skin when the flight attendant tapped his shoulder tell him to take his seat they would be landing shortly. Triton bore his thoughts into Umbriel’s to awaken him. Triton read his mind a sexual dream involving twin vampire’s one blonde one redheaded servicing him naughtily.  Triton shook him hard, Umbriel woke, realizing he was in his mind.

             
“Get your own dream brother.”

             
Triton threw his duffle bag at Umbriel, “Let’s go!” Umbriel’s SUV was waiting at the airport when they landed; Triton was at the door before Umbriel stepped off the plane in to the chilly night air.  The compound was ten miles away and Umbriel sensed Triton’s uneasiness climbing.

             
“Having reservations brother?” he asked Triton.

             
“No, they have no idea of my powers; I shall act humble and sorry.”

             
“While you do, I will search the elder’s quarters for info.”

             
“Good.” Triton agreed, then grabbed Umbriel’s arm. “Thank you, brother, I owe everything to you.”

             
“No, it’s I who owe you a great apology. My visit I believe brought this on.” Umbriel said. Triton stared ahead. “No one to blame but myself.”

             
Short and silent the ride ended as Umbriel pulled to the gate of the compound and Triton stepped out of the truck. Two guards gave him a silent once over, shocked as hell to see the renegade elder back before them. Triton stared so intently at one guard it made the poor bastard shake in fear. Walking out of his way, the guard let Triton pass with out further interruption. Umbriel hand closed the other guard’s mouth as they strode towards the front doors. Triton went to the chamber to find only one elder. Banished to his room, Nala came to visit. Triton weaved his tale and she made her way back to the chamber to council with the rest of the elders.

             
“Showtime.” Triton said making his way directly towards the council chambers, his long legs not hesitating as he approached. Stunned did not come close to begin to the utter shock that registered upon the faces of Nala and the other elders. One elder fell back into his chairs as Nala’s mouth gaped and with a quick snap curtly closed. The elder Cletuis pointed a long pale finger at Triton, “You! How dare you show your face in this house?”

             
“My lords, I have come back to beg your forgiveness, I have made a terrible mistake.”

             
“You’ve fallen for a human. You shared your bed with food!”

             
“I was weak; my carnal pleasures took hold of me. Nala, you can understand?” Triton said directly at her.

             
Nala glared intently at him, folded her arms, walking back to her throne, and took her seat in a slow careful manor. The second male elder barked out.

             
“You have broken the law of the clan, you must be punished.”

Triton faced registered a lonely remorse.
“I will accept your decision; she’s gone, gone back to her world of light. I have lost her forever. I have nothing more to live for…”

             
“We don’t live, we survive, have for centuries and I have never seen anything like this.” Cletuis shouted to him. Carefully studying each elder’s reactions, body language, and mannerisms Triton accessed them.

             
“Why now?” Nala said bluntly.

             
“A coward needs to own up to his failures. I am tired of running.” Triton said.

             
“You’ve hardly jogged.” She scoffed.

             
“You seem out of breath.” He said low enough for only her ears to hear. Nala reeled with ire and the rosy flush of anger pooled the porcelain white skin that stretched over her cheekbones. Cletuis stood, “Tell us your story from the beginning.”

             
Triton obeyed, spinning his tale meticulously leaving out major components and details that were unimportant for them to know and planting the seed of the ideas he wanted inside their brains. As he finished, the elders stood, trying to exude their superiority.

             
“You will be judged, tried. We will convene in one hour and pass along your fate.”

             
“Fine.” Triton said and watched the male elders who turned to leave.

             
“Aren’t in the least concerned of about your human?” Nala smirked sarcastically as he passed her.

             
“She wants nothing to do with me because of what I am, what you made me.” He said. Nala spewed at him, “You went willingly; you wanted this power, to seek revenge for your young bride.”

             
“You made me to be your pet, for your own self interests, or should I say indulgence.”

             
“We both got want we wanted.” She quipped.

             
“I’ve lost what I wanted.” He said, leaving her reeling with envy. “I think you did too.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

              It only took a half hour before Triton found himself summoned back to the elder’s chambers for his sentencing. Acting afraid and nervous, he stood before the council of elder with his head hung in shame.

             
“You have broken the laws, unforgivable in your crime, what say you before we pass along your sentence?”

             
“Only that I am not sorry. Not sorry for falling in love with a human. My only regret is that I lost her, she was the absolute love of my life. She made me feel human again.”

             
Upon hearing his final words, Nala sprang to her feet, yelling, “You shall be put to death…by sunlight!”

             
Triton viewed her fury. The wounded heart she portrayed he knew was as black as coal. He nodded his head, “Fine, the sooner the better.”

             
Nala’s eyes pooled as she stormed from the room knocking over a chair in her attempt to release her frustration. As soon as she left two guards entered dragging Triton from the chamber and into the room where they performed torture and executions on the less fortunate and wayward vampires. Attempting to restrain Triton’s wrists proved to be easy for the guards as he sat unresisting, letting the two vampires buckle the chains that were built into the armrests of the large metal chair. After securing him, the guards nodded towards the four inch thick smoky glass that separated the elders and Nala from what was about to be the end for human loving traitor vampire. One elder pulled a pocket watch out, checking the time. Triton read his mind,
only a few minutes left of this world for him, too bad, he was a good solider.
Time ticked away as Triton stared straight ahead to the glass, knowing Nala and the others watched with baited breath.

             
Sunlight crept so slow into the room, the rays inching lazily from the open ceiling as gave way from automatically opening panels. At snails pace the yellow light moved towards Triton’s foot until the panels opened completely quicken the pace the flood of light washed over him. Creeping over his boot and up the leg of his pant, he writhed as the sunbeam seduced its way across his body. Nala could not hold back the pent up emotions she tried to suppress. Tears streamed down her cheeks, spilling over the lids as she cried out to her creation. “Triton-NO!”

             
Holding her back, the elders restrained her. Triton knew the tears she shed come out of guilt not love and smiled as the rays washed up his chest to his face.

             
“No, stop this!” Nala screamed, pounding on the glass. She closed her eyes listening to the terror of Triton’s shouting until it stopped abruptly. Looking up, Nala expected to see his charred remains but said confusedly, “What’s happening?”

             
“Why is he not burning?” one elder shouted, looking at the others. Nala froze, “No, it can not be.”

             
Standing, snapping the chains as easily as matchsticks, Triton changed to his full elder status, the intensity so overwhelming, the elders on the other side of the glass shuttered in fear and fell to their knees. Nala stood still, so in shock realizing he knew what she knew. Fear turned to flight as Nala ran from the room swiftly just as Triton burst through the glass plate knocking one elder from his bow, catching the other with his hand. Draining one dry as the other squealed like a pig at slaughter, Triton drunk in all the knowledge and power contained in the bodies since the beginning of their kind, discarded the corpses and reveled in the sheer unadulterated bliss. He had every thought, idea, and memory the two vampires has ever had. Now Triton was unstoppable. They unfortunately did not hold any knowledge of Annasara and Brenden’s whereabouts. The one person who did fled the room moments ago.

              “Umbriel!” Nala cried out, “Help me!” Umbriel burst into her chamber ready to drain the life from her. “You bitch, how dare you call for my help.”

             
“Umbriel, please, you have no idea, Triton he is immune from the sun.”

             
“And you think I do not know of this?” he sarcastically replied.

             
“You know? How did he get this power?”

             
“Why would I tell you, so you could obtain it and destroy him?”

Nala stammered her words, “Tell me and we could share this power, together we could rule all clans,
and you would be my king.”

             
“
Your
king?” Umbriel acted as if he was considering it.

             
“With you at my side and in my bed, we would be gods, revered by all. Think of the power we would share.”

             
“Share?” he said as she fell to her knees, holding tightly onto his legs as Triton burst into the room. Umbriel dragged her up to her feet. “Stand up and face your fate traitor.” He said the pushed her towards Triton.

             
Nala stared at Triton who was slowly approaching them. “I will ask one time and one time only. Where are my wife and child?”

Nala looked at him with a blank expression, “Child, wife,
Triton please you’re joking, we cannot conceive. It is impossible among immortals.”

             
“My human wife and child were kidnapped. Tell me where they are!”

             
“I swear I do not know.  Please Triton, I love you, I and always have and never touched Annasara…” Nala’s slip sent Triton over the edge. Grabbing Umbriel’s weapon she fired six shots at Triton. Bullets riddled his body but barely affected him. Nala cursed and threw the piece at him. Sprinting towards the door, she ran with quickness and agility. Umbriel looked to Triton, “She’ll lead us straight to Januar.” Triton responded unsmiling, “To my wife and son.”

Umbriel held him back, “It may be a trap,
and she wants you to chase her.”

             
“I know she does.”

             
“Brother, there is something I want to confess.”

             
“What’s that?”

             
“Januar’s dead. Has been for months.”

Umbriel
watched the look on Triton’s face, “How do you know?”

             
“Because, I killed him. For Nala.” Umbriel said. “It was one of her tests.”

             
Triton smiled smirking at him, “She tests all her toys; Nala wanted you to prove your loyalty. The elder you killed was not Januar it was Rohian. She must have mind fucked you.”

             
The light bulb went off and shone in Umbriel’s eyes. “Right after you left. She told me where and when to find him. I had no idea. She knew all this time. She let the war continue! But why?” Umbriel’s rose with each word that spewed from his lips, “She wants to unite the clans, rule all of them.”

             
“She wants the power. She will need them to defeat me. But Januar’s clan is blood oathed to me now.” Triton said. Umbriel nearly spilled tears over his lids, “I allowed her to use me to get to you. Some friend I am.”

             
“Do not beat yourself up, she powerful and cunning. She would use anyone to get what she wants. And right now she is using my son and wife: we need to go.”

             
Umbriel’s rage became so uncontained, so raw. Changing to full vampire status, quicker than he ever had, he shouted demandingly, “After we find Annasara and Brenden, I want you to leave Nala to me.”

             
Triton agreed, held out his offering, “But before you do, you will need this.”