Awakening: A Forbitten Novel

Copyright © 2011 by J. L. Miller.

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-6496-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-6497-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-6498-4 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 10/29/2011

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

vFor: McKenna, James, John and Joseph

Love your Sis

Chapter 1

Recap

To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, or at least that is what Newton thought; and go figure, he’s right. Let’s take a moment for me to recap, I thought sarcastically as I lay there, my face buried in the pillow trying to suffocate myself. I moved to Klamath Falls which is Hell on earth, without the fire, since it rains too much for there to be fire. It even has its own devil. Yep that’s right, one sure fire devil without the horns. Or I just call him Ben, aka, Ezekiel my new stepfather who is really my biological father.

Yep, my life is like the newest soap opera with me as the lead actress and Ben as the evil counterpart. You would think that the devil would be red with horns but in Ben’s case he is tall and good looking with dark hair and pale skin. My mother, whom I had trusted more than anyone in my life, has lied to me from the moment I was born regarding who I am and who my father is. Most people get to live one life and then they die. Yeah, well not so much in my case. Whatever happened to fate deciding what happens in someone’s life? Obviously they haven’t met my mom and Ben who think they can control me and dictate the path that my life is taking.

It’s been over a month since Prom and yet the wound in my heart is still throbbing. Like someone ripped out my heart, stomped on it and put it back in my body. I have managed to stay off the radar of everyone since the last month we were in school. Ignoring phone calls and refusing to see anyone until I learned to control the power that I have been so graciously given.

Being around people is not such a good thing right now especially since I blasted Ethan half way across the lawn. To be fair, I was aiming for Caleb and my aim was a little off. Okay, it was way off. I could have killed Ethan I thought and then shuttered trying to get the vision of Ethan laying there unmoving on the ground out of my head. For this latest ‘oops’, I shouldn’t be forgiven. Lucky for Ethan, Ben managed to erase his memory of that night so Ethan doesn’t remember what I did to him. But on the negative side, Ben sent Ethan packing and I haven’t seen him since. Ben might have erased Ethan’s memory but he hasn’t erased mine. The night of Prom and the night that I hurt Ethan will be branded in my mind and soul for the rest of my life.

Now to the present where for the most part I have managed to keep myself locked in my room for the past month except for school which had just ended. I refused to even look or speak to my mom or Ben. Since that night when they destroyed what little life I had here, my mom has tried to talk to me over and over. However being lied to for the past 16, almost 17 years, well let’s just say it’s going to take me a little time to get over this one. Ethan had not been in school for the last month nor had Caleb and the other boys. I wasn’t sure that I believed Ben that other than wiping Ethan’s memory he hadn’t harmed Ethan. But what could I do? Ben and my mom were watching me like a hawk. Ben had promised that Ethan would be fine and he wouldn’t remember anything.

Translation: not remember me, but when you love someone is it that easy to forget them? This Mage thing isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. The only thing that I was able to do was hurt the one person that I am in love with. The one person I could share myself with; the one person who knew all of me and loved me more because of it. Since then not a glimmer of magic, not even a spark, and don’t think I haven’t tried. So much for what Ben said about me being very powerful.

Mage! I scoffed out loud. Aren’t these teenage years sucky enough with just the normal teenager hormone problems? Now this! I took a deep breath and thought give me a break! I took another deep breath and then rolled over so that I was lying on my back looking at the canopy over my bed. It was the middle of the night and I couldn’t sleep. Maybe fate was paying me back for turning my back on Ethan; for turning my back on my second chance at love with my one true soul mate.

Yeah, I am one of those people that think that there is only one person, one true soul mate for another. By sending him away, I deserve any wrath the fates might deliver to me. I turned on to my side and grabbed the pillow from underneath me. I hit it a couple of times to fluff it out to try to make it more comfortable and then placed it over my face and let out one good scream. I would have pictured the pillow as my mom or Ben but I had a feeling that the pillow might not have survived.

Giving up on sleep, I sat up. I grumbled a few curse words that would have made the Pope blush, kicked off the covers and wandered over to the thick curtains that were closed. I used both hands to grip the red velvet curtains and pulled them open. For a moment I was blinded by the light coming from the moon. It was so bright you would have thought it was the sun but it wasn’t the warmth that would soothe the soul. It just made me feel cold like this freaking manor. It was then I heard a small knock on the door and I must have jumped a mile. Then I decided that it was the middle of the night and I still wasn’t up to talking to anyone. I folded my arms and just stood looking out the window deciding not to answer the door. Then the knock came again a little louder with the door starting to creak open.

Abby, can I come in? I heard my mother’s voice. Rage surged through my body; just hearing her voice set my nerves on edge and fury running through my veins.

Abby, please, my mom begged, we really need to talk.

Give me a break, I thought. It’s late and obviously her guilt was making it hard for her to sleep.

Good! I thought. If I can’t sleep and I am made to suffer, at least she is down in hell with me. I turned to glare at her as she crept through the door and then I turned back to look out the window pretending that it was a breeze that opened the door.

Alright, she said, if you won’t talk to me then at least listen. I could still hear the pleading in her voice but I was too angry to even acknowledge her.

Abby from the time you were born, we have done everything in our power to keep you safe. I huffed at that one.

Really Abby, your dad and I love you. That was all she had to say and in one second my fury mounted and consumed me.

I exploded, You love me! I said with a wicked laugh. When someone loves you mother, I said with acid, they don’t lie to that person. You and Ben have been lying to me from the first breath I have ever taken.

To keep you safe, she started to interrupt; I held one hand up, palm out to silence her.

You will let me speak! I yelled.

She sauntered over and sat on the edge of the bed and shut her mouth preparing to listen to me. It took me another second to calm my nerves so that I could speak in my calm voice so I wasn’t waking up the whole house. I took a deep breath, and then began to speak.

I realize that you are my mother and I realize that you think you did the right thing by keeping the truth from me. But you were very wrong and families don’t keep secrets; they don’t lie to one another. And right now I have to decide if I can forgive you or if I am going to avoid you until the day I get the hell out of this place!

Abby, I am so sorry I lied to you, she said with a look of compassion on her face. I could see that she truly believed that she had done the right thing but she couldn’t turn back the hands of time and fix things. She couldn’t make my life normal again and she couldn’t give me back Ethan.

YOU’RE SORRY! YOU’RE SORRY! I yelled getting louder and louder and shaking my head trying to keep what was clawing through me from coming to the surface. I could feel the heat running throughout my body. I could feel the vibration starting to shake me then the next thing I knew the curtains behind me were engulfed in flames. I turned around, my mouth dropping, eyes popping in horror to what I had just done; but I was too frozen to move. The next thing I knew I was being pushed onto the bed and my mom’s hands were in the air, palms towards the flames. The minute she did this, the flames started to recede until the flames died out completely. The curtains looked back to normal like nothing had happened.

She lowered her hands and she turned to face me. For a second I was frozen, I couldn’t speak I couldn’t even move.

Abby are you alright?

I couldn’t believe it! I just barbequed my rock star curtains and she is asking me if I am alright.

Um… . Wha… ? Um… . How? Um… ,  I sputtered out.

Abby, you didn’t think you were the only one that had gifts did you? I was just too stunned to say anything. I was one giant life-sized statue.

Like I said Abby, we need to talk. Abby, you are still very young, and your new gifts, well let’s just say, you are going to need a lot of guidance. Accidents will happen but with the right teaching and directions you will be able to keep the damage to a minimum.

Is this what happened to you? I asked my mom. I was still angry but I wanted answers and if I continued to be nasty to her she might not want to answer them.

Abby, I was young once, and believe me when I tell you I know what you are going through. When you are ready, I mean really ready for the answers Abby, your father and I will tell you everything.

Don’t you mean Ben? I asked scowling.

Now she looked a little agitated. Abby, like it or not he is your father and if it makes you more comfortable to call him Ben then go ahead but you will show him some respect.

Respect, I said repeating my mom. For what? For lying to me or for the stuff he did in the past?

Stuff he did in the past? she asked looking clueless.

Yes mother, I said spitting out the words. I know about Ben, the wolves, and Elizabeth.

What?

Ethan told me.

Then you only know one side of the story. You should wait until you have all the stories before you make up your mind.

And you are going to tell me your side? I said as I rose from the bed, walked over to the windows and stood next to the curtains. I am not ready to hear your side yet, I said crossing my arms. You will have to give me some more time.

I do understand Abby, my mother said, but there is another reason that I have come up to see you tonight. I was waiting for the right time to tell you.

What now? I said getting hostile again; she looked a little uncomfortable like she didn’t want to tell me something but that she didn’t have a choice.

Spit it out Mom, what are you trying to tell me?

Abby, Ben and I have asked a friend of the family to come and help with your training.

How can some stranger help me? I said with the acid still in my voice.

Well, he is a Mage and he has been descended from a long line of strong Mages.

I couldn’t even fathom why it was so important to her, for me to meet this complete stranger. I don’t think so, Mom.

Abigail, she said using my whole first name, you can’t learn to control these powers on your own. You will need help. You will need guidance. That thing that happened with the curtains is just a preview. That was nothing. She was using her hands when she talked almost like she was a person on the tarmac trying to land a plane. It’s going to get worse. Your powers are tied to your emotions and if you don’t learn to control them someone will get hurt.

Well if that’s the case, Mother, I said turning to her, then you should really leave now. Oh, and tell your friend don’t even bother. I don’t want or need your help or anyone else’s in this house for that matter. Now, if you don’t mind, I am tired and want to get some sleep.

Alright Abby I will let you sleep but this won’t be our last discussion on this matter.

I just rolled my eyes and kept looking out the window. I heard her move to the door. Good night, Abby, she said. I do love you, she added and with that she headed out the doors and shut them with a light thud. I waited a moment staring up at the moon, thinking about Ethan and wondering if I would ever see him again. I grabbed the curtains and pulled them closed then headed off to bed to try to sleep without dreaming.

Chapter 2

First Encounter

I awoke with a start, just like every morning. The dreams continued to intensify. Every night, I would go to sleep and hope for a pleasant dreamless sleep. Every night, I would be disappointed and wake startled; my body sweating and shaking. Every night, I would see Ethan so close and yet unattainable.

I rolled over to look at the clock; 7:00 a.m. No doubt Mom and Ben would be awake. Why take the chance of seeing their lying faces? On the other hand, I had been stuck in this house since Prom except for the last few days of school. I decided that getting up, getting ready and getting out of the house was a better option than being stuck in this museum for one more day. I decided that slumming would be the way to go today. So once I was out of the shower with my damp hair semi dry and up in a pony tail I grabbed an old grey t-shirt, some grey sweats, and quickly had them on. Not fashionable, but very comfortable. After all, who was I trying to impress anyway? I hurried to gather my socks and tennis shoes then after they were on I headed very quietly to the stairs. I slowly slithered down the stairs trying very hard to remain unnoticed but I had a feeling that creepy butler was slinking in the shadows somewhere.

It was then I heard my mom and Ben’s voices coming from the living room. It almost sounded like they were having a disagreement. That is pretty unbelievable since I had not seen them disagree on anything since they had gotten married.

Ben we have to tell her, I heard my mom say.

No, not yet it’s not time yet.

Look, is she talking to you? she asked. With acid in her tone and with no reply from Ben she continued, Well she isn’t talking to me either and I don’t like it!

Rebecca, she is a teenager; it will pass.

Things aren’t the same as before. She isn’t the same as before. You might have saved her soul but it’s not our sweet little Abigail.

It is our little girl, don’t worry Rebecca, Ben said trying to comfort her. She is just having a lot to deal with; give her some time.

Time! my mom said her tones getting higher and higher as she continued to wail. Then there was a moment of silence like she was trying to calm herself. Ben, she set her curtains on fire and almost burned down the house last night.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I was going to but then we got talking on other matters and I hadn’t gotten to it. It’s been a month and all she worries about is that damn dog.

At this point my anger got the better of me and I barged into the room seeing red. Ben was standing by the overstuffed sofa in khakis and a knit shirt and my mom had a pale pink v-neck blouse and a skirt and wore two inch heels. Their faces mirrored in shock; my guess is they were wondering what I had overheard of their conversation.

HIS NAME IS ETHAN!! I said yelling at the top of my lungs, and he isn’t a dog! He is a wolf and if you don’t like it then maybe you should blame yourselves! Ben, if you weren’t so greedy and taking things that didn’t belong to you then maybe none of this would’ve happened and maybe I would get to sleep at night.

They didn’t even try to interrupt; they just let me yell which made me angrier. I wanted them to interrupt so that I could yell at them for that, too. I am so out of here.

Wait, my mom said. As I turned for the door she made the mistake of grabbing my arm. I whipped around with such a force it almost knocked her to the ground but she still didn’t let go.

Get your hands off me!

Abby, last night was a preview. It’s going to get worse, she said as she let go of my arm.

Abby, Ben said starting off where my mom had ended her sentence. These powers you have, they are very powerful and this is just the beginning. I rolled my eyes at him to show that I really didn’t care but my insides where screaming because I knew he was right. I could feel the power from my head to my toes. He continued not even realizing I was having an internal debate. These powers are tied to your emotions, and the more upset you get about things the more bad things are going to happen.

Can you get to the point? I almost screamed at him and then I raised both hands to the top of my head and used my fingers to massage my temples. I was getting a major headache and I was hoping this would help.

Are you alright? my mom asked with worry in her voice taking a step toward me.

I stepped back. I’m fine. I said. I just need to get out of here.

Abby wait, Mom said as I turned to leave again.

No, Rebecca, Ben said and that immediately got my attention.

What secrets and lies are you hiding now? I asked with a little venom in my voice and also giving them the death glare. You know that look that some people give when they are wishing they could set someone on fire with just a glance. Remembering that I probably could, I averted my gaze to one of the glass mirrors above the sofa.

Ben, Mom said looking at him. No more lies, Abby needs to know. Ben just shook his head.

Do you mind? I said. I really, really want to leave.

You can’t, Ben said.

What? I asked.

You can’t go, Abby. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. We have a guest coming.

I already know, Mom told me last night. I folded my arms and tilted my head, my posture showing my impatience.

You don’t even want to know anything about him? Ben asked.

I rolled my eyes to show that I really didn’t care but still, Ben continued. His name is Alexander Blackstone.

So what does that have to do with me? He is your guest not mine.

We asked him to come here for you. He is doing us a great favor and he will help you, Abby.

Whatever, I said. I could feel the burning sensation running up and down my veins; it felt like my head was going to burst into flames. I knew exactly what they were saying. They had asked this stranger to come and babysit me. Remembering that I must control myself or I might end up setting my mom or Ben on fire, I took a deep breath and quickly turned around then headed for the door trying not to see their faces or hear their voices as they called after me. I grabbed my keys from the table which was by the front door where I always left them and then I went to grab the door handle.

The minute I even thought about opening the door it busted open with the wind surrounding me twirling my pony tail up and loosening it. My mouth dropped. Did I just open the door by thinking about it? It couldn’t be that simple could it? Since school had ended I had tried to learn how to use my powers and nothing! Was I over thinking it? As the wind blew I ran out the door and headed to my Jeep without even a backward glance leaving the doors wide open. I opened the door to my Jeep and jumped inside, jammed my keys in, started it, and then hit the gas squealing the tires and probably leaving tread marks on the drive. Not even caring about making a scene, just desperate to get away; to get away from the manor, Ben and my mom, and to escape from the life that I was dumped into.

As I got to the end of the drive and turned onto the highway thoughts raced through my mind, of Ethan, of Ben, of my mom and of the new stranger that was coming to the manor. I can’t believe the nerve of them! I thought angrily to myself. I don’t need a babysitter. Haven’t they done enough to me? I thought, longing for the old days in Florida; my old friends and the normality that eludes me now. As I reached the turn that would take me off the road and to the Cliffs (the local hangout for underage minors), I took a deep breath trying to collect myself. I hadn’t even realized where I had been driving. Before my brain caught up with my actions, I was already at the Cliffs. I pulled onto the small gravel drive while opening the windows to take in the fresh air.

As the air blew in there was a fragrance of flowers mixed with a pine smell from the trees that were on both sides of me. The smell took me back to the first time I was here. Back to the bonfire and to the day I first heard the story about the Moores and werewolves. It all seemed like a lifetime ago. Wishing I could go back and change the events that had happened, I wandered over to the lake edge and crumpled to the ground. I bent over to look in the water at the reflection that was staring back at me. It was a perfect copy of me except it didn’t look like me. I was more pale than normal almost looking like a ghost. I had dark bluish circles under my eyes and the hopelessness shown on my face. I looked bad, and I knew it. I am sure that the last month or so not having any sleep didn’t help with my appearance but what could I say?

Life seemed stale now. The reason that had made life wonderful here in Klamath Falls was over; Ethan was gone. I stared at the water, and the more I thought about Ethan, the water started to circle like it was in a whirlpool until my reflection was gone all together. In the next moment water was shooting out like it was a fountain spraying over me, leaving me dry and landing behind me. It was then I realized I was not alone.

Hey! I heard a deep voice behind me. I started to turn around and then I froze; standing behind me was a tall stranger with black hair, a chiseled face, deep green eyes and dripping with the water I had accidently stirred up.

Chapter 3

Air Dry

It took a moment for me to realize what I had done. But when I finally collected myself I opened my mouth to speak, while the stranger in front of me was trying to shake the water from his hair and ring out his shirt of any water. Um, I started to say. He looked up staring into my eyes. I couldn’t find the words.

Well, I didn’t really need another shower but thanks, he said.

I am so sorry, I began.

Don’t even worry about it. It won’t take long for me to air dry, he said with a laugh.

For some reason his laugh seemed familiar. So did his face and there was something about those deep green eyes. Well, cat got your tongue? he said looking at me. You do speak, right? Since you have already told me how sorry you were.

Yes, I said going on the defensive, I do speak. And yes I really am sorry. It was strange he hadn’t even asked how I managed to soak him or what I was doing out here by myself. The pieces started to come together like a puzzle. Who are you? I asked while starting to squint my eyes.

Well, I was going to introduce myself to you before the typhoon hit me. Hi my name is Alex, he said while reaching out his hand for a proper handshake.

Oh this is great, I thought to myself. Alexander Blackstone? I asked.

Yep, that is me but you can just call me Alex. You must be Abigail Watson. Can I call you Abby?

This wasn’t happening, I continued to think to myself. I don’t care what you call me as long as you leave.

Well, you don’t have to get on your high horse. I was asked to come here on behalf of your parents.

Don’t you mean Mom and Ben? I said with hostility.

Well they told me on the phone that you might not be too receptive but I think they far underestimated you. You’re damn right hostile.

Wouldn’t you be? I blurted out. When a person has been lied to from the day they were born wouldn’t you just be a little, um… . I don’t know… . pissed!? Yes that’s the word I want to use, pissed!

Abby, have you ever wondered why they kept things from you.

No and I don’t really care.

Abby like it or not I am here to help.

Well don’t be! How did you even know where I was?

Let’s just say you aren’t the only one that is gifted. But unlike you I know how to use my powers.

I was starting to see red! This guy was really started to make me angry. The next thing I knew Alex was on his back being held down by an unseen force and I was standing over him. I don’t need your help, I said in an almost demonic voice. Realizing what I had just done I stepped back releasing Alex and raising both hands over my mouth in horror.

He sat up. Do you see what I mean, Abby? You need help. What if that would have happened to someone normal, to someone that is human? You could have killed them. Knowing he was right and hating myself for what I had done I started to turn to head in the direction of my jeep. The next moment he appeared in front of me. Shocked, my mouth popped open. How did you do that? I said.

Abby, I told you, you’re not the only one that has powers.

I tried to protest. I don’t have powers like that, I said running my fingers through my hair and staring out toward the direction where my jeep was parked. I realized that he was much faster than I was and I never would make it to the truck without him catching me.

Alexander what do you want? I asked putting all the pleasantries behind me. In this case it was probably better that I was up front.

I want to help you and I am doing your family a favor.

A favor? I scoffed so low that I wasn’t sure he heard me until he cocked his head to the side and raised one eyebrow.

Abby, he began, I realize you are quite angry. Your parents filled me in about what’s going on.

Yeah right! I interrupted.

Look, he began again ignoring my comment, I only want to help; nothing more.

There is always more, I said. All I want is to be left alone.

He started to say, I understand where you are coming from.

But before he could finish I turned to move around him and head to my Jeep. And to my shock he let me leave with one final comment; I am sure you will learn to get along with me. We have loads of time.

Don’t hold your breath, I said not even turning around to look at him.

Everything is different now, I thought on the way back to the manor. No Ethan, no wolves, which honestly, I didn’t really miss them much but where they were Ethan would be. He would have no memory of me. But that’s what I wanted, I reminded myself. I wanted Ethan to have peace after all these years. If he didn’t remember me how could it hurt him like it was hurting me? From the minute I wake up until the time I close my eyes he is all that is on my mind. Even my dreams are haunted. Maybe our fate was similar to Romeo and Juliet and our lives would end in somewhat the same fashion. No, I whispered. It can’t be that way. Why would fate be that cruel to give Ethan and me a second chance after 500 years and now not let us be together?

As I stared straight ahead looking at the road with my thoughts elsewhere, it