Read Online The Forbidden: A Huntress Novel (The Huntress Series Book 1) by Adria Wade - Free Book Online Page B

but it sure cleared the room in a jiffy.
    “I needed to let off of steam.”
    “Because of Eli?”
    “He needs time to heal, and my father refuses to keep him on the machines for too long. He lacks hope so he is quick to assume that the person injured has no chance of pulling through.”
    “I understand completely, I know what you are going through. He is my friend, also and I don’t want to say goodbye either.”
    “That’s the point Chels, we might not have to say goodbye if he had time to fight.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “You are in here fighting with the dummies and hiding from the truth.”
    “What that he isn’t going to make it?  I already know the truth.”
    “That doesn’t mean you have accepted it. There are certain things that you have no power to change, it is out of your hands. Instead of facing reality for what it is, you are running from it.”
    I slammed the bow to the floor as my mouth set in a hard line and my frosted eyes glared her way. “Damn it, Chelsea!”
    “It hurts, I know,” She said soothingly as she took a step close to me.
    “Shut it!” I growled through my teeth.
    I turned away from her, wiping my tears with the back of my shaking hand. It was quiet in here before, sending me to a peaceful, relaxing world where I could take my mind off of Eli, take my mind away from losing my friend. Those painful emotions that I had abandoned hours ago came rushing back with a vengeance.
    She placed her hand on my shoulder and it automatically stiffened from her sudden touch. It took everything that I had to not turn around and shove her away. I was angry with her for ruining my peace and I had the urge to hurt her for it…but I won’t. She is my best friend and helping me through this is all she is trying to do.
    I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding until I let my body relax. I placed my hand on top of hers. “You’re stronger than I am.”
    “I am more of a suffer in silence type, Athena. I am good at hiding it. You, however, are not. When you are hurting, you let the whole world know it.”
    “I know what you need.”
    “Yeah?”
    “Yeah, you need a good fight.”
    I gasped as she shoved me forward. It was so unexpected that I fell on my face.
    I knew her game immediately, I won’t fight her because she is my friend and I won’t hurt her…she will have to make me angry for me to attack. I’m sure that is exactly what she will attempt to accomplish.
    She giggled. “Are you okay?”
    I pressed my lips together as I calmed my nerves. I got to my feet holding my already sore jaw. “Well, you sure know how to console someone in a gentle manner.”
    “I know you Bram, and I know that fighting is therapeutic to you. So let’s go. Don’t hurt me too much though; I know you have a lot of rage in you.”
    “Chelsea, I am not fighting you.”
    Her brows raised. “Yes, you are.”
    Her hand flew up ready to swat me in the face when I grabbed her wrist preventing her from making contact. My already aching jaw was relieved to be spared of another blow to the face, especially one of Chelsea’s hits. She has some major power when she strikes.
    She grinned. “Good girl.”
    I shoved her back, her eyes widened slightly as she stumbled backward, but was able to stop herself from falling.
    “You are trying to antagonize me…pissing me off must please you.”
    “I have no other choice but to try and upset you. You won’t fight me without being provoked and if I keep striking you, you will eventually get sick of it and defend yourself.”
    “Very smart girl, you are.”
    She swung her clenched fist, gasping, as she hit nothing but the air as I ducked. Taking my foot, I hit into the back of her calf, knocking her forward as she fell flat on her stomach. I grabbed hold of her foot and put her in an ankle lock, twisting her ankle and applying enough pressure to make her panic and squirm but not enough to make the pain unbearable and injure her.
    She gasped. “Athena!”