A Love Still Forbidden

By LunarDaffodil

Chapter 1

            Serena walked down the streets of LA, her music for the next concert drifting through her head. It was the only thing keeping her from insanity. Stanton was missing again, even though he promised to be there for her concert, which was only two days away. Just thinking about the concert made her want to cry, even though she was excited about her new solo. Word was that someone from the LA Philharmonic was going to be there scouting for new talent, but even that didn't excite her.

            Though anyone would think that the power to read minds was a gift, she considered it a curse anymore. She couldn't be with Stanton and then there was the whole thing with the transition. Even though that was over a year a way, she couldn't help what would happen after that. She had already made her decision to become Goddess of the Dark Moon, but everything would be different.

            "Serena…" A voice as soft as the wind that brushed across her cheek called to her. She turned around, searching for a source, but the street was empty. She turned back around and bumped into Jerome.

            "What are you doing down here Jerome?" She asked. She knew that he lived on the other side of town.

            "Looking for you. Jimena said that you had a cello lesson today." He said, running a hand through his hair.

            "Why were you looking for me?" She asked, she didn't feel like playing his games. Any other girl in school would be flattered that he waited around for her, but she knew things about him that they wouldn't even dream could be true. They had recently saved him from the followers, but that didn't mean that he didn't remember any of it. He knew that she was with Stanton.

            "I have a message for you." He said simply, placing an uninvited hand on her arm, which she quickly shook off.

            "Then why didn't you call me?" She asked, pushing past him and continuing towards her house.

            "Because I wouldn't be able to see you're pretty face that way." Jerome said, catching up and walking backwards in front of her, a grin on his face.

            "Cut the crap, you know I'm with Stanton." She said, making the grin fall from his face.

            "That's why I'm here." He said. Serena stopped walking abruptly.

            "Where is he?" She asked, dread running through her. There was no way he would have given a message to Jerome unless it was really important. Jerome had been part of the group of followers, called Infidus that were plotting to overthrow the Atrox.

            Jerome shrugged, "He just wanted to say that he was sorry that he can't make you're concert." Then turned and started to walk away.

            Serena dropped her messenger bag and cello and raced after him. She grabbed his shoulder and whirled him around.

            "Why?" She asked, she could feel the tears burning in her eyes, and quickly blinked them back. She was shocked by the depth of her hurt, even though she was thinking about that only moments before, but it hurt so much more to hear it in words.

            "I don't know, he just asked me to tell you that." Jerome said, trying to pull away, but she only gripped him tighter.

            "Why didn't he come and tell me that himself?" She asked.

            "Look Serena, I have no idea what was going on through his head. All I know is that he asked me to tell you that, now will you let me go?" He asked.

            Feeling defeated she released him, he turned and walked away, once again leaving her alone in the street. She couldn't push the tears back any longer, and they fell freely to the cold, unfeeling pavement under her feet.