Forbidden

~Chapter Eighteen~

A/N: Good morning (my time), everyone! :-) I apologize for my extremely long absence...it seems like forever since I've updated Forbidden! If you read "Missing You," you know why I was gone--the short version, anyway. So, anyhoo, enjoy this chapter! Hugs & kisses to all!

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~Chapter Eighteen~

Arabella peered around the corner of the door, her fist falling from the wood as she took in River’s expression, one of mixed horror, embarrassment, and agitation. She inched into the room, her sandaled feet sliding soundlessly across the tile. She clutched the German textbooks closer to her chest, her protective shield against the mortification that was rapidly covering her face. Arabella could feel her cheeks flushing as scarlet red as her lips. As a distraction, she yanked her messenger bag’s strap further up her shoulder, though it didn’t need any correcting at all.

            “Hey…Erin!” River choked, his words sounding strangled as he fought an obvious battle against his humiliation. “We were just…I mean…I was only…I…” His voice faded; his cheeks reddened. Arabella averted her eyes, reminding herself not to acknowledge his godlike appearance.

            “Hi, River,” she murmured, remaining in perfect character. She stepped further into the room.

            The stench instantly overwhelmed her, to the point that her vision began to blur before her. She choked involuntarily, forgetting for a moment that humans were in the room. She suppressed the urge to curl up her nose against the scent. The fragrant smell of lilacs after a rain engulfed the small space, causing metallic swirls of silver to meander through the room. Luckily, the Elliots were too distraught by the sight of his Lining to recognize the odor.

            He was being much too reckless. Arabella’s gaze fluttered immediately to his position between the two chairs. Griffin, please, for the love of all, leave this room. And please be careful! she pleaded, her voice squeaking in her attempt at persuasion. Her fear of her mate had been increasing quickly lately: for what reason, Arabella still didn’t know.

            I can be as damn careless as I want! Griffin snapped, clenching his fists. Arabella winced impulsively as River and Layla’s gazes shot over to the Lining. What matters is this, Bella. This has gone too far…way too far. This…this…pathetic mortal is falling in love with you! We may need him and his equally pathetic sister, but this is too much. But the funny thing is, Bella…I don’t want to hurt him. I feel like this is your fault. So stop it! Stop it before it goes even further!

            Arabella gulped, masking her fear with an Erin-esque breathless chuckle. “So, River,” she whispered, gliding closer to him and Griffin, “is this your sister?” Griffin’s infuriation emanated from his presence, painfully singing Arabella’s skin. With his anger this intense, she feared what he might do.

            “Oh, uh…yeah,” River stammered, clearly still startled from her poorly-timed entrance. “Erin, this is Layla. Layla, this is Erin Folsom, my tutor and a friend from school.”

            The little girl leapt off the bed, trotting happily to Arabella’s side. “Hi!” she cried enthusiastically, grinning broadly. “You’re even prettier than what Rivvie says in his sleep!”

            Arabella smiled, but tears pricked her eyes. At the remark, Griffin had slit through her ankle with an abrupt burst of Light. The flash had easily slipped past the Elliots’ duller senses, striking into Arabella’s skin with a searing, fiery pain that was extremely difficult to ignore. It had swept effortlessly through her bone, just enough to cause severe pain, yet not enough to need attention. She fought against the tears, quickly sliding the ankle shyly behind her.