Full Bloom

By A.C. Virden

Full Bloom is the second volume of the Flower Child saga. With the imminent threat of Rachael’s return, Breanna and the others are living half-lives – constantly on the lookout and seldom dropping their guard. Being hunted for her power convinces Breanna that it’s time to hone her abilities to protect herself. But will that be enough to shield her from ultimate betrayal? Breanna discovers there is more to Sebastian’s past than he’s led her to believe. Just when she thinks she’s learned all of his secrets, another one unfolds. At what point will she decide enough is enough?

Thrown into the path of a mysterious stranger, Breanna struggles with which road to follow – the one leading back to the man she loves or the one heading into a future unknown. Is there hope left between her and Sebastian? Or has she made a mistake in trusting her new friend? Though Breanna’s powers have grown stronger, she quickly discovers their limits. Imprisoned and isolated from nature and the source of her strength, no one but Sebastian can save her now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.C. Virden
• Release date: May 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310736513

A.C. Virden

My name is Anastasia. I am a writer, dreamer, baker, wood worker and many things besides. For this, I’ve been called a renaissance woman and, though I’m usually modest, I most humbly agree. I love nature, live for coffee and enjoy food more than I should – particularly sweets.I live in Arizona on five acres with my husband, two horses, and feisty cat. In addition to writing, I love reading new books, especially when I can see myself in the character's world. Anything that stimulates my imagination is like food for my soul.

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by: A.C. Virden

Copyright 2016 A.C. Virden

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

DEDICATION

To my husband for his generous support and countless hours of editing. Words are not enough to express my gratitude or my love.

"Oh what a wicked web we weave

when first we practice to deceive."

- Sir Walter Scott

Introduction

Sometimes secrets can be good things. Like your mom not telling you what she got for your birthday, or being an anonymous benefactor to someone in need. These kinds of secrets are kept without malice. They serve to benefit others, inflicting neither hurt nor pain.

Other times, secrets can be bad – serving only as a means of prolonging the inevitable. Like, when you do something wrong, but let someone else take the blame. You’re not lying – you’re just withholding information. You know they’ll find out sooner or later, and when they do, the consequences could be worse than if you’d come out and told them in the first place. Though it would seem you’re benefiting by not getting caught, this kind of secret profits no one in the end.

But I’m not talking about any of those types of secrets. I’m talking about the deep, lonely secrets that you keep - the kind that you bury away from everyone, even yourself - too ashamed for anyone to discover it. They eat away at your soul, trying to escape. They burn fear into your mind, singeing your every thought. What if they find out? What if they already know?

You turn to lies to protect the truth. You hurt the ones you love, but yourself even more. You know you’d feel enormous relief if you could just tell someone. But your pride becomes your worst enemy – never faltering, denying you from easing your burden. Refusing to let the truth come out, you see this inner torment as a small price to pay if it can spare you your dignity. So you’re left with no other alternative. You must take this secret to the grave. But, what happens if you never die?

Chapter 1

Breanna, stop! Lance yelled after me.

But I just kept going, running out of the lodge towards the jeep I’d parked hastily in front. Lance and Benjamin were quick, already surrounding the jeep before I got in – one in front, one behind.

If you guys don’t want to help me, fine. But I’m doing this with or without you.

We didn’t say we wouldn’t help, Benjamin argued.

We just said we should wait until the others get back, Lance pleaded.

I curled my hands into fists, pounding them against my thighs.

He could be dead by then!

They exchanged glances, neither of them knowing how to respond.

Look, I’ve wasted enough time explaining everything to you. I have a short window and the hunters could be back there any minute if I don’t go now.

It’s too dangerous. What if they show up while we’re smuggling him out?

Then… I’ll… cause a tree to fall on them or something.

The seconds that passed felt like hours as I stood there waiting for Lance and Benjamin to make up their minds. The hunters I saw at the diner just moments earlier were bragging about a mountain lion they caught. I knew if I didn’t get to their cabin soon, they would return and I’d miss my chance to rescue it. Glancing anxiously from Lance to Benjamin and back again, it took everything I had not to explode.

Okay, I’m in, Lance agreed finally.

I’m sure I’ll regret this, but I’m in too, Benjamin said reluctantly.

We jumped into the jeep, me in the driver’s seat, and sped off. I only had a general idea of where this hunting cabin was from the conversation I overheard. I figured the guys could pick up the scent as we got closer. It wasn’t a well thought-out plan, but it was something.

The hunters were the same men that killed the cub of the bear I healed over spring break. I recognized them immediately from the vision I had – my glimpse into the bear’s memory. They were class-A jerks who hunted illegally. I don’t just mean off-season hunting. Having no care for the laws, they killed in large quantities and often just took the parts they wanted, leaving the rest to rot.

After a few tight turns along a steep mountain trail, we took a sharp right nearly plowing into a thick cluster of bushes. It was already dark out, but with the headlights shining on the shrubs, I could see that it was some sort of a roadblock.

Do you think you can move it? Benjamin asked me from the back seat.

I’ll give it a try.

Lance pulled himself over to take my place behind the wheel as I jumped out of the jeep. Raising my hands in front of me, I stared intensely at the fake bushes. I was feeling so anxious to get to the cabin it was difficult to focus my thoughts. Yet, finally, after a few failed attempts, the roadblock jumped into the air. I concentrated on keeping it there – levitating it until Lance could drive under it.

I ran under the roadblock and let it drop – listening on as it made an unsettling crunching noise when it hit the ground. Though it wasn’t a sound I often heard, it reminded me of the sound of bones breaking – like in a cheesy kung fu movie. Shaking off the chills it gave me, I ran to the jeep and got in on the passenger side.

After another quarter mile, I could finally see the faint outline of the cabin ahead of us.

This is the place alright, Benjamin confirmed as he sniffed the air. By the smell of things, it’s bleeding pretty badly.

Park over there, I said, pointing to a thicket of trees off to the right of the cabin. If they do come back, we don’t want them seeing the jeep.

After parking, we all set off toward the cabin. I sighed quietly to myself, relieved to discover it was dark with no lights on inside. In my haste, I hadn’t considered that the hunters might not have been alone.

The cabin wasn’t very big – just one large room from the looks of it. There was a wraparound porch that was only a step’s height off the ground. From the side of the cabin, we could see a window.

He’s there, on the floor in the corner, Lance said, peering into the cabin.

Do you think the door is locked? I asked.

Only one way to find out, Benjamin said just before darting off toward the front of the cabin.

Lance and I trailed quickly behind him – taking a right as we cleared the corner. With slight hesitation, Benjamin reached for the handle and, with a slow and easy turn of the knob, the door swung open. My heart stopped – envisioning someone on the other side of the door.

Sorry, I thought it would stick for some reason, Benjamin whispered nervously.

Lance and I exchanged looks as we followed Benjamin into the cabin. They stopped abruptly in front of me, staring down at the cabin floor. I pushed my way through to discover things were worse than I feared.

Laying there on the floor was a female mountain lion. Her legs were bound and she was barely breathing as three small cubs clung tightly against her. The cubs were unharmed, but very frightened.

The guys kept watch as I tended to the animals. I knelt down and comforted the cubs. Then I reached out and loosened the ropes binding their mother’s legs together. She stirred, too weak to move other than to look at me. I assured her everything would be alright and placed my hands on her.

Her heart beat grew stronger and her lungs expanded as she inhaled, regaining energy with each breath. Now alert, she turned to tend to her cubs, examining each of them to make sure they were accounted for and safe.

From the window behind me, a faint light trickled in, dancing along the wall in front of me.

Shit! They’re back! Benjamin alerted us from his post.

You guys have to get her and the cubs to safety.

What, and leave you? Hell no! Lance argued.

It’s the only way. I can’t move as quickly as you two can.

Exactly Breanna. You’ll be a sitting duck if they discover you, Benjamin urged.

The sudden bang as a truck door slammed caused us all to jump.

There’s no time to argue. You two need to transform… now!

The mountain lion was already rounding up her cubs as I mentally instructed her on my plan. Lance and Benjamin started removing their clothes and I averted my eyes as I gathered them up – stuffing them into a bag I found lying on the floor. When I looked over a second later, they had both transformed – Lance into an eagle and Benjamin into a tiger.

Okay, each of you take a cub – Lance, you take two, and go as fast and far as you can.

What about you? Lance asked frantically.

I’ll run out of here behind you and find a place to hide until I can get to the jeep.

Brea…

Benjamin was cut off by the sound of drunken laughter. The two hunters were walking toward the cabin and getting closer with each second.

Go now! I whispered hoarsely.

The mountain lion darted out the door, followed closely by Lance and Benjamin. I was right behind them, pulling the door closed quietly behind me. The bright orange tip of Benjamin’s tail was the last thing I saw when I looked out into the woods.

My blood pumped fiercely though my veins at the fear of being discovered. I tiptoed away from the front door, but as I went to step off the porch, my toe caught on an uneven board and I came crashing down, face first into the dirt.

What in the hell? came the voice of one of the men.

A blinding light shined in my eyes as they approached. I scurried along the ground, crab walking toward the shrubs behind me. The back of my head collided with the trunk of a tree that now trapped me there.

Well, well, well… what have we here? one of them said.

I held up my arm, trying to block out the light and get a better look at the men as they came closer. One of them was tall and broad, wearing a faded red ball cap to match his ragged plaid shirt and tattered jeans. The other, standing several inches shorter, was stocky with the belly of an eight-month pregnant woman protruding from his too small t-shirt.

Ah reckon we have ourselves a trespasser, the tall one said in a thick, muddled voice.

Judging by his slow speech, I couldn’t credit him with being intelligent. But that didn’t make my circumstances any less intimidating. They stood several feet away, staring at me with guns drawn. Not daring to move, my eyes darted around, trying to see what I had available to me. My eyes rested on a pile of firewood sitting near the porch behind them.

What do you ‘spose we should do with her? the short one asked, nudging the other man in the ribs and curling his lip into a near toothless smile.

I could almost hear the gears in their head – churning and grinding as they thought. Though they didn’t seem the brightest of men, I knew they were capable of revolting things.

They each took a step closer - the barrels of their shotguns centered on me. Though my heart was pounding, I tried to stay focused. Knowing I couldn’t allow my fear to cripple me, I concentrated on the guns – hoping I could fling them away for my next move.

Taking a deep and steady breath, I raised a hand, as if to surrender. With a quick turn and flick of my wrist, the guns shot into the air. And with a backhanded wave, they flew off into the woods. With my other hand, I summoned the wood pile – flinging a large chunk and slamming it hard against the tall man’s head.

He fell to the ground, but the short one dove down, landing on top of me as he avoided being hit.

Gotch ya! he cheered as he wrestled and pinned me to the ground.

There was shuffling behind us as the tall man got to his feet again. I was beyond panicked now.

How’d she do that? he asked, dumbfounded.

The short one said something in return, but the sound of his voice was drowned out by the drum of my heart pounding in my ears. The short man hovered over me – looking down into my face with wild eyes, stinking of beer and meat. Every inch of my skin shivered at the thought of what he was planning. I had to do something! I had to get out of there!

Looking up beyond the man’s head, I could see a large branch that had been snapped off - likely during a windstorm. It was cradled in place by other branches on the tree. If I could get the branch to fall, I could probably knock the guy out and wiggle my way free.

My arms were pinned down – making me feel helpless. I’d grown so dependent on using my hands to move things, though I knew the power came from my mind. It was time I learned to do things without my training wheels. So, I stared intently at the branch, willing it to move. It budged a little, but it was tangled within several twigs.

As I focused, I squinted and mouthed "come on, come on." This got the attention of the man holding me down who now looked at me as though I was possessed.

What ‘n the hell’s wrong with ya, girl? he said, pulling his head back to get a better look at me.

There was a crackling sound from above as the small twigs broke – releasing their hold. The man looked up suddenly, just in time to see the large branch clobber him in the face. I pushed my way free and jumped to my feet.

Git back here you little bitch! the tall one yelled.

Like that’s going to happen.

Ignoring him, I grabbed the bag of clothes and took off running toward the jeep. I could hear the loud thud of his feet as he pursued me. The heavy, uneven fall of his stride had me imagining myself being chased by a giant. While they do move slowly, they cover ground quickly.

I tried to fight the urge to look back, but I knew he was too close. There wouldn’t be time to get in the jeep and drive away before he was on me. I had to stop him… to trap him!

An idea popped in my head. I stopped running, turned around and kneeled down. Placing my hands on the earth, I caused every manner of plant and weed to spring to life. He tripped over the long grass, crashing down like a fallen tree. Vines grew and curled around him – wrapping tightly about his body and pulling him firmly against the dirt.

It worked!

The man wiggled and moaned, but he couldn’t break free. As much as I wanted to enjoy my handiwork, I didn’t want to stick around for fear the other man would regain consciousness. Springing up from my knees, I ran to the jeep and sped off.

When I got to the roadblock, I just stared at it – willing it to fling out of the way. As I drove past it, I had one final idea. Just for good measure.

I spun the jeep around and stopped just beyond the roadblock. I stood on the seat and looked around at the trees visible with my headlights. There was a massive tree just off the side of the road that was clearly dead. I concentrated on making it fall onto the road – trapping the two men at their cabin. If they wanted out of there now, they would have to go on foot.

The mountain scenery flew by as I drove. My heart was still racing when I pulled in to the foundation. Lance and Benjamin came running from the woods behind the lodge, still in animal form. Anxious to discover if the mountain lion was okay and even more so to tell the guys how I defended myself, I jumped out of the jeep and ran to meet them.

The mountain lion… I said breathlessly.

She’s safe, Lance said.

We took her to the cave, Benjamin added, guessing what I’d ask next.

Leaning over, my hands resting on my knees, I inhaled and blew out several times in an effort to catch my breath. The guys, being in better shape than I was, were barely panting.

When I finally caught my breath, I straightened up, placing my hand over my chest and filling my lungs once more. I pushed the air out, getting ready to speak when I noticed Lance bowing his head submissively. Looking over at Benjamin, I observed his tail flicking as he stared severely in Lance’s direction.

What was going on? Were they communicating – arguing - telepathically? It was obvious by looking at the pair of them, which one was doing the yelling.

After a few seconds of their internal quarrel, Benjamin looked at me sharply.

Don’t you ever do that to us again, you hear me! he growled.

My head snapped to face him, the breath catching in my lungs. Wide eyed and trembling, I just stared.

You have no idea how sick it made me leaving you there to fend for yourself.

I…

"Sebastian would have killed us… hell, I would have killed us if anything happened to you."

Looking down at my hands, I searched frantically for the right words to say. Benjamin usually went along with anything, always up for adventure if it promised a good adrenaline rush. So it caught me by surprise that he spoke to me so severely.

I know, and I’m sorry, I said on the verge of tears.

Hugging myself, trying to hold back the emotion, I managed to look at him without completely losing it. Seeing my remorse, Benjamin walked over and nudged me with his head – looking up at me with a softened expression.

We stood in thoughtful silence for a moment. The adrenaline and excitement I’d felt minutes before died down. Though Benjamin seemed less agitated, I could tell there was still tension between all of us. Apparently, so could Lance.

So, what happened? How’d you get away? Lance asked.

I looked back and forth between the two of them. Though I was eager to tell them everything that happened before, I certainly wasn’t going to now.

I umm… well, I just ran behind the cabin. They were both so drunk, they practically passed out once they got inside. I giggled nervously, never being very good at lying.

By the way Benjamin narrowed his eyes, I wasn’t entirely sure he bought my story. He circled around me, inspecting me from top to bottom. When he came around to face me again, I looked away - avoiding eye contact.

Did you… oh, I don’t know, fall? he asked accusingly.

Fall? What? I asked, looking at him as though I had no idea what he was referring to. Only, in this case, I wasn’t pretending.

The blood on your face? The dirt on your clothes?

I looked down, seeing what a mess I was for the first time.

Oh, that, I giggled again. I tripped… over a big rock or branch or something. Clumsy me.

Wow, that didn’t sound suspicious at all. Lance and Benjamin looked at each other. After a moment of silence, and a few suspicious glances in my direction, Benjamin sighed.

Whatever, he shook his head. At least we’re all safe now.

It pained me to keep things from them, but if they knew the trouble I’d gotten myself into back there, they would never forgive me. They both turned away and headed for the lodge, one walking and one flying - leaving me there to think in silence.

When they were out of sight, and I had a moment to think, the weight of everything came crashing down, bringing me to my knees. I’d faced some pretty scary things since coming to the foundation, but never alone or without help. How I managed to focus and keep from locking up with fear was beyond me. Yes, what I did was really, really stupid. But knowing I saved four lives, I would most likely do it again.

Chapter 2

Lance and Benjamin were still out of sorts when I saw them at breakfast the next morning. Aside from making me swear not to breathe a word of what happened to Sebastian, neither of them said much to me or each other. It was bad enough knowing they were upset with me, but it appeared I caused a rift between them, making me feel all the more miserable.

With little appetite, I got up from the table and put my tray away. I decided to call the ranger station to let them know about the hunters – hopeful that they were still trapped at their cabin. I wasn’t sure what the rangers could do, if anything. But it made me feel better telling them and optimistic that the hunters would likely move on now that they’d been identified.

After ending my phone call, I hiked down to the cave to check on the family of mountain lions before I was expected at the greenhouse.

Sebastian still isn’t back? Lila asked when she came in – seeing me already hard at work.

No, not yet, I groaned.

Sebastian’s four-day trip turned into three weeks. I never really knew what he did on these trips. I knew that he attended seminars and spoke on behalf of the foundation. And some trips were to visit the other foundations like ours. But, most of the time, he never really talked about them, telling me he didn’t want to bore me.

This is the longest he’s been gone, isn’t it? she asked rhetorically. What does he do on these trips anyway?

Foundation stuff, I shrugged, giving Lila a puzzled look. He never really goes into detail.

Why don’t you ever go with him?

He never asks.

Oh, Lila said, appearing to understand my predicament.

I did often wonder why Sebastian never invited me along. I never came up with plausible reasons – only scenarios that sent me down the road to paranoia or self-pity. So, I tried not to dwell on it for too long.

Regardless of Sebastian’s absence, I still had a job to do and kept busy while he was gone. Aside from conducting poorly planned animal rescue missions, I helped around the foundation, often working on projects with Lila and JJ. In fact, that’s what brought me to the greenhouse that morning.

The foundation was asked to assist in re-planting a large parcel of land recently burned in a fire. So, we planted and grew over two-hundred saplings of various evergreens. With the aid of Nicholas, Lance and Benjamin, we loaded them into a couple of large trucks, and drove out to the burn site later in the day.

When we got there, we were met by several volunteers and forest workers. Looking across the landscape, at all of the devastation, was heartbreaking. There were barely any trees left, and those that remained were badly charred. I walked around and checked the trees while everyone else gathered to discuss the plan.

As burned as the trees were, they were still alive. Having spent so much time practicing and ultimately growing the saplings, I knew I had the ability to heal every one of the damaged trees. But, there was no way to use my powers with the others around. I hated that I couldn’t restore them, but I didn’t have a choice.

There were fifteen of us all together working at the site. Among the forest workers and volunteers was one man who immediately caught my attention - a tall, burly man named Adam. He was only in his early twenties, but looked much older with his thick beard and mustache. He was attractive in a mountain man sort of way but what made me notice him was the way he often looked over at Lila, admiring her. This didn’t exactly sit well with JJ, but he took it in stride.

Our tasks were divided so that the men did the digging and the women removed the saplings from the pots and planted them. With Lance and Benjamin still avoiding me, I teamed up with Nicholas. Not that I minded working with him though. With his strength, I had a huge advantage over the other teams.

Slow down! Benjamin shouted over to Nicholas.

Yeah, you’re making us look bad, JJ teased.

Nicholas laughed and stopped digging, straightening up to wipe beads of sweat from his forehead. He rested his arms on the handle of his shovel and watched me work.

I’m sorry I’m so slow, I said, looking at him with guilt. I could do this so much faster if I could…

Shh, Nicholas hushed me as one of the volunteers came over to offer us water. Don’t ‘vorry about it, he continued after she left. I’ll just go and help de others until you’re ready for me to dig some more.

With everyone working together, it was incredible to see our progress by lunchtime. We had over thirty trees planted by then and several more were going in when I glanced up to check. As much as I wanted to use my powers, just being able to plant the new trees was a good start to returning the forest to the way it once was.

Replanting the forest took three very long, hard-working days – made all the more difficult by the awkwardness between me and the guys. They had obviously made up, but continued giving me the cold shoulder. With Lila and JJ going off on their own each night, I felt friendless. Though, it did allow me to get to know Nicholas better.

We camped at the site overnight so that we could start work early each morning. It had been a while since I last went camping. So, though my circumstances weren’t ideal, it was nice to be sitting next to the warmth and glow of a roaring campfire.

I