FORBIDDEN by Megan Curd, Kara Malinczak Read Free Book Online

favor here, buddy. Just let her go and things will be fine. We’ll figure things out.”
    I couldn’t decide if he was actually being nice or not. His eyes had cooled and he even extended a hand to pull me up. He started again. “I’m sorry I lost my cool. You just pushed me, man.”
    It was true. I nodded. “It’s all good.”
    He shoved me against the car once more, buckling it in even further. He barked out a laugh. “You’re sturdy. I like it. Just get through these 24 hours and we’ll talk. No need for you to lose your wings.”
    He began to walk away, but I called out to him. “And why do you think that’d be necessary?”
    “Because I have a feeling you’re going to do something incredibly dumb. I’m warning you ahead of time, don’t do it.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    NINE
     
     
    Owen disappeared before the man came barreling out of the house, shotgun in tow. I managed to disappear before he got close enough to see anything. He whirled around in a circle, then caught sight of his car. A strangled cry came out as he ran toward what was obviously his baby.
    I ducked out just in time before he got there and ran the rest of the way to Hannah’s. It wasn’t time to meet her, but there wasn’t any time to wait. Literally, our time was running out. What was I going to do?
    The sane, rational part of me said it was better this way. She’d be gone and I’d have a chance to move on to bigger and better things. The overwhelming, emotionally charged majority of me said there was no way I should let her go. It didn’t feel right for her to die on any level.
    They were in the kitchen playing Monopoly, just like she said they would. I could see and hear their happy banter. Family. Something I’d never really known. No time to sit and think about the past. I ran up the stairs and hit the doorbell.
    A tall man came to the door. His dirty blonde hair was cut in the military “high and tight”. His eyes were weathered, but kind. I could tell he had a good soul. Good. Hannah was taken care of. He smiled and nodded. “What can I do for you, Son?”
    I bowed a little, giving the sign of respect that had been customary in my time, then extended my hand. “I’m Levi, Sir. A friend of Hannah’s. I apologize for coming over unannounced, but I was wondering if Hannah was around?”
    The man’s handshake was firm and long. He eyed me with a father’s protective gaze. “We were just finishing up our game night. Come on in. Have you eaten?”
    “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
    He grinned at my attempts to impress him. It seemed to be working. He led me into the kitchen and I tried not to look like a deer in headlights.
    Hannah’s surprised smile gave me a second of relief. Then I remembered that tomorrow she’d be unable to smile. Her heart that fluttered right now would be silenced forever.
    I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat. “Uh, hi, Hannah.”
    She grinned and waved me over with a look that was much more loaded than her greeting. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
    Translation: what in the heck are you doing and why are you letting my family see you?
    “Just in the neighborhood. Thought I’d swing by.”
    Translation: you’re going to die and I’ve come to stop fate from doing its job, possibly to my own detriment.
    We smiled at each other and Hannah’s mom introduced everyone to me. “Well, Hannah’s friend, do you have a name?”
    “My name’s Levi.”
    It was awkward. I didn’t know how to deal with humans. They all looked at me like I was a science experiment for a minute, then went back to the game. I kept thinking, where would I take her? How was I supposed to stop fate when I didn’t know what was going to happen?
    “So, uh, Hannah. I was wondering what your plans were tomorrow?”
    She looked at me confused. “Just school. Why?”
    I nodded. “Huh. Okay. Who’s gonna drive you home?”
    “Probably Angie…”
    Hannah’s dad glanced my way. “Do you drive,