Kiss Not Forgotten
Silence fell like a heavyweight after my question. The tension in the air seemed to shift as all eyes turned to rest on me. Abigail’s dark gaze flashed with surprise and a bit of irritation, while Caleb and his twin stared at me as though I’d grown a second head.
Khalid on the other hand was nowhere to be found. But it was Ethan’s reaction that hit me hardest. His perforate green eyes locked onto mine, unreadable but persistent in their intensity. It felt like he was searching for something beneath my defiance.
His jaw tightened for a brief moment before he finally spoke. “You don’t have a choice.”
The bluntness of his words flared a spark of anger in my chest. “Excuse you!” I retorted. “Of course, I have a choice. I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be dragged out here, to be tossed around like someone else’s problem. If I don’t want to go, I simply won’t go.”
Ethan stepped closer, his footsteps measured, almost seemingly in a manner that suggested he was approaching a cornered animal. The butterflies in my stomach twisted uncomfortably, their fluttering turning into a heavy knot. It was unnerving.
“You think staying here is safer?” he raised the question with faux curiosity, his tone sharp like the edge of a blade. “With that sorceress out there looking for you? With who-knows-what-else coming after you now that you’re exposed?”
“Exposed? Exposed to what exactly?” the words flew out my mouth in an incredulous tone.
Ethan took another step closer, his voice dropping lower. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with. None of us do. Yet you want to risk finding out why? Staying here means you’re a sitting target, you do realize that?” he sounded annoyed to some measure.
I opened my mouth to retort, but the words died in my throat. The image of the sorceress, her menacing gaze and that agitating, almost predatory smile, flared through my mind.
My anger wavered, replaced by the creeping weight of apprehension. He was right. I had no idea what I was up against. But I hated feeling like my life was no longer my own.
“Why should I trust you?” I challenged. Though, my voice lacked the malignancy it had earlier.
Ethan’s jaw tightened again, and I caught a furrow in his brows as his eyes reflected a realization. It must have just dawned on him that I actually didn't know him. “You don’t have to trust me,” he said quietly. “But if you want to survive, you’ll come with us.”
The earnest sincerity in his words seized me. My chest tightened, and I hated the way his words stirred my discomfort away. What was so reassuring about him?
Abigail stepped forward, breaking the charged moment. “Harlyn,” she said, her voice gentler than I expected, “none of us are forcing you but Ethan’s right. If you stay, you’re putting yourself in danger. And maybe... others, too.” She finished off with a tint of caution laced in her voice.
Her words hit a sensitive spot. My parents, Becca. My gaze shifted to Khalid who entered the scene from the back of the plane, Caleb, his twin, and even Abigail, and back to Ethan. They all looked exhausted, and stiff with vigilance, like they’d been fighting a battle long before I’d ever been dragged into this mess.
Early on, there was something about the way Caleb had looked at his brother, the anxiety in his voice when he said his brother was hurt, disturbed me. If they were willing to risk themselves for me, didn’t I owe them at least a shred of trust?
I sighed, the fight draining out of me. “Fine,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest, my gaze falling. “I’ll go. But I’m not promising complete submission.”
Ethan’s expression didn’t change, but I thought I caught the faintest hint of relief in his eyes.
“Good,” he said simply, turning toward the waiting plane. “Let’s move. We’re losing time.”
As the group began to head toward the aircraft, I lingered for a moment, my feet rooted to the gravel. I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to see my family emerge from the shadows to see me off. But there was nothing—just the quiet hum of the night and the distant rustle of trees in the wind.
I turned back to the others, following them reluctantly. Whatever I’d been roped into, I had the sinking feeling it was only the beginning. It would be best if I could find out as much as I could while I stayed with them.
The plane's interior was surprisingly spacious upon entry. It was fitted with sleek brown leather seats and gold dim lighting that illuminated softly. I trailed behind the others, still wrapping my head around everything that had happened. My gaze kept flicking to Caleb and his twin.
I wondered what his name was.
“Abel,” Ethan suddenly muttered, catching me off guard. Had he just read my mind? “You should get some rest and have Khalid help you heal,” he continued.
I blinked at the coincidence but it was quite convenient. The massive black wolf with silver streaks was Abel, in his werewolf form. If he transitioned and the poison persisted, he was more in danger than he was as a wolf.
“Harlyn?” Abigail motioned me toward a narrow hall at the back of the plane. I held on to the jacket wrapped around my body as I followed her.
We entered a small chamber-like room. Inside was a modest bench, storage compartments, and a neatly folded stack of clothing. I caught sight of leggings, a plain T-shirt, a warm hoodie, and sturdy boots. It was obvious someone had been preparing for this exact moment. I tried not to think about it.
"Change into these," she instructed briskly, her sharp peer lingering on me like she was making sure I wouldn’t argue. "We’ll be in the air soon."
“Okay,” I nodded stiffly and waited until the aluminum door clicked shut behind her before I exhaled. My sandals and worn hospital clothes felt suffocating now that I was finally alone.
After I slipped out of the thin hospital gown, I put on my leggings first. As I tugged on the soft cotton T-shirt, my fingers brushed against the birthmark on my left shoulder—an odd faded mark in the shape of a messy circle etched faintly into my skin.
A sudden, sweet tingling sensation bloomed beneath my fingertips. It felt sharply warm as it radiated through my fingers like the ghost of a fading lightning bolt.
I froze, my breath hitching as something surfaced—hazy, fragmented... a memory. The kiss.
The same I remembered in the hospital room. The same soul-deep, electric connection that ignited my veins. I could almost feel the press of some lips against mine again. My knees felt weak just from remembrance.
But... who? The question burned my mind yet again.
The face remained blurred like oil slipping through my grasp. A figure unreachable but achingly familiar. My heart raced, the phantom feeling still brushing against my lips.
Suddenly, the aluminum door creaked open.