Falling for the Forbidden

stopped, a low voice spoke above Anna's head. "Is it done?" Anna set down the teacup she had lifted to her lips. She didn't want the now cold tea, but even pretending to drink would reveal her sh

t to the mountain's dark depths. The thorns sprawled and scratched her small feet mercilessly, drawing blood and leaving dust on the wounds. A pain throbbed her face with each step, but she didn't stop running. "Jeriel Rash! If you ask for El Doram's forgiveness and return the blasphemous thing, you won't be banished from the village!" A shout followed her. She bit her teeth and moved her legs faster. Her lungs felt like they would burst and her throat burned like fire. Jeriel's eyes darted through the darkness. She lowered herself and started digging into the soil with her bare hands like a dog digging for a bone. She bit at the grass