The Crying Wolf Chronicles: Forbidden (Book 1)

Colleen: Uncle Mark...a suspect?

Colleen: Uncle Mark...a suspect?

"So, explain to me how is this gonna work again." I walked hand in hand with JT behind Steph and Phyllis.

The sky was dimming navy blue as the sun was setting behind the earth. The misty air caressed my steamy skin in a cool kiss. His hand warmed mine like a heating oven. My body rattled as I felt my skin rise in bumps. He was just amazingly sexy. If making love to him wasn't enough, I don't know what is. He was more amazing with helping us find my best friend. I think, somehow deep inside himself, he feels responsible for how Lily turned out. If he hadn't bitten her, she would've died from the apparent amount of blood loss. He did. He saved her. He saved her for not only for her, but for me. That's something that I will always admire him for. I love the guy.

"Phyllis will go into Lily's dorm to see if she can finds something to help find her."

"What if she doesnt?" I said.

JT squeezed my hand with his killer vampire grip. I felt his hot breath in my hair.

"She will. She has to." He whispered.

I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes and hoped he was right. He was always right.

"Come on, we don't have time for the mushy stuff. Lets get down to business." Phyllis was so energetic. Kinda like me. There was a definite possibility that we could work as sisters. I'm not gonna count my chickens though.

Lily's buliding had the same set up like mine. A large crescent, wooden oak desk sat along side the east wall. Papers were stacked neatly on the corner of the desk. There was a desk, but no security guard. That's a perfect time to have no damn security when a student went missing upstairs. Good gracious.

Lily's hall was on the third floor. Phyllis lead us up the stairs and into the entrance doors of the floor. She skipped down the hall brainlessly. Steph clung to Jayce's arm. The poor guy looked like he was in pain. His forehead had deep creased lines in it. I stuck to my lover's side, never letting go. I tilted my head and frowned.

"Uh, sis, do you even know her room number?" My stomach churned when I realized I had said the word.

She turned her body half way and stared at me with her indigos. I think she was more shocked that I called her sis than I was. The only person I called sis was LIly. She's not even around for me to call her that. Phyllis is next in line for the title of little sister. Especially since she is adopted...like me.

"Yes. I know her room number. Her door is covered with flowers and teddies at the end of hall." She rolled her eyes and pointed ahead of her. Lily's door was covered in white sunflowers and large stuffed teddy bears. They made it seem like she was already dead. I scoffed at the decorations.

Phyllis stood in front of the door while we all stood behind her. This girl is weird..

"Um, can we go in?" I asked from behind Steph and Jayce.

"Yea, sorry." She turned the decked out knob and pushed the door open. Lily's ember and sweet pea scent slithered from the room. I bet we were all trying to control ourselves. Jayce was the only one that couldn't smell the embers. He was one lucky bastard.

Lily's stacks of chemistry homework were sitting on the corner of her desk. Her bed was very messy and very slept in. Lily, where are you?

Phyllis scrutinized the room for a bit before finally saying something that wasn't sixteen year old language. "Where should I start first?"

"Her bathroom." Steph said. I stayed silent next to JT.

I watched as Phyllis turned the corner to Lily's small bathroom. She disappeared for awhile, then returned and shrugged.

"Nothing?" I asked.

"Nothing in the bathroom." she said.

She moved toward the bed and leaned her face over the bright, baby blue comforter. She slipped her eyes closed and inhaled one deep time. She held it, then let it go. Her eyes opened, staring at ours. She rose a brow and automatically we knew something was off.

"What you pick up?" I asked.

"A different scent." She frowned.

"How different?"

"Like I smell sweet pea and that ember stuff, but I also smell chamonmille."

Steph quickly turned her head to me. My vision was right. Uncle Mark had something to do with this. If he didn't, then how come his scent is on her bed. There's more to this than we think.

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"So, what are you saying, honey?" Mom asked me.

"Mom, I'm saying that your brother is involved with Lily."

"Impossible. Lily wouldn't hurt you. That letter she sent you proved otherwise."

"That might be just a cover up mom. He might be holding her against her will."

"No. Mark will never do that."

"Well, then explain to me how my visions show me his face and why Phyllis can smell his scent."

"You included your sister in this?" Mom sounded liked she was yelling now.

"We needed her help, mom."

"I don't care. We need her safe. You know how your father can be."

"I know. I didn't make her. She volunteered."

"Volunteered or not, I don't want her to be out there without proper protection."

"Okay, mom. I'm sorry."

"Where is she?" Mom walked past me with the most sour, unpleasant look on her perfect rosey face.

"Outside." I mumbled.

Mom didn't say another word to me. She disappeared through the back door.

Oh, great. She made me feel stupid. Just because Phyllis wants to help out, it's my fault. You know, my mom can be a massive bitch sometimes.  An even bigger bitch than Auntie Janet. At least she does her thing because Steph is an only child. Im not an only child anymore and that sucks ass, big time.

The sun fell across my face. I didn't care that it was out to get me. I really wanted to apologize for what I supposedly had done.

Mom and Phyllis were out on the patio under the big ugly green awning dad put up a few years ago, sitting at the marble table.

Mom looked into her face and without words, placed a solid hand over hers'. There's no way in hell Mom would replace me. Well, fuck, I don't need her or Phyllis. Steph and Lily are my sisters and they are the only family I know. I will find Lily without Phyllis. All I need is Steph.