Broken: (Ignite, Book 2) Read online

  Jace tried to back out. “Oh, no thank you. I’ll just go look for her at the hospital.”

  She gripped it harder and she smiled. “Oh no, I insist.”

  ❦

  Reece stared openly at Jace, who moved his eggs around his plate. “What’s your name and why are you eating breakfast with us?”

  “Oh stop, Reece." She looked at Jace apologetically. "Be polite. Just because you're almost an adult doesn't mean you can say whatever you want. His name’s Jace and I invited him in.” Laura’s mom scraped the eggs that were in the pan onto a plate. “He’s waiting for Laura to come home. Now sit down, your breakfast is almost ready.”

  Reece pulled out his chair and edged into his seat. “You’re that guy from the fire, aren’t you?”

  Jace looked up, startled. “You were there?”

  “Of course. We all were.”

  “Oh, yes.”

  Her mom set the plate in front of Reece and he began shoveling eggs into his mouth. Her mom studied Jace. “I knew you looked familiar. It’s so sad what happened dear. But you seem to be just fine, don’t you?”

  Jace nodded, watching Reece. Reece picked up a piece of bacon, swallowing his eggs. He looked at Jace and their eyes met.

  “Where are you from?” Reece bit into the bacon and chewed slowly, waiting for Jace’s answer.

  “Up North.”

  “He’s Canadian.” His mom took out some biscuits from the oven and placed them on the counter, brushing melted butter over them.

  “You’re Canadian?” Reece looked skeptical.

  Jace shrugged, moving his eggs about some more. “Something like that. Do you know where your sister is?”

  It was Reece’s turn to shrug. “I dunno. If she’s gone in the morning, she’s usually visiting Kayla, I guess.” His eyes slid away from Jace as he took the last bite of his bacon. “How’d you end up in that fire anyway?”

  “Oh Reece, don’t ask personal questions like that.” His mom placed the biscuits in front of the men and they both ignored them.

  Reece still stared at Jace but it was Jace who was studying him. What was he hiding?

  When Jace didn’t answer, Reece pushed his plate forward and took a gulp of his orange juice. “So, are you Laura’s boyfriend now?”

  Jace smiled. “Yep.”

  Reece frowned. “Matt’s not going to like that.”

  Now Jace frowned. “Who’s Matt?”

  Reece tipped the glass towards his mouth. “He’s the EMT who patched you up when you fell out of that fire.”

  Jace poked at his eggs. “Is he Laura’s ex-boyfriend?”

  “Now who’s asking personal questions?” Reece grinned at Jace.

  “I’m just trying to get to know my competition.” His hand gripped the fork and it bent slightly, but he grinned back at Reece. He leaned forward. “How’s your girlfriend?”

  Reece balked and his hand pulled his phone off the table. He scowled and leaned forward. “Shhh, man. My mom’s right there.”

  “You don’t want her to know?”

  Reece shook his head. “Are you kidding me? How’d you know about her anyway? Did Laura tell you?”

  “No, you kept looking at your phone. I figured you wouldn’t care that much about anyone else.” Jace leaned closer, making sure that Reece’s mom wasn’t paying attention. “I can’t find Laura. I think something might’ve happened to her.”

  Worry crossed Reece’s face as he studied Jace. Then he leaned back and took the last swallow of his drink. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you, does it?”

  ❦

  Jace and Reece paced the hospital hallway, waiting for Kayla to leave her patient’s room. As soon as she saw them, she dropped the cup she was holding.

  “Crap, crap.” She raced after it as it rolled down the hallway. “Good thing this has a lid on it.” She picked it up and showed it to Reece, avoiding Jace’s gaze. “Don’t want to have to ask Mr. Peterson to pee again. It took him long enough to relax his prostate just to get this.”

  “Gross, Kayla, we don’t want to hear that.” Reece faked throwing up and she rolled her eyes. “It won’t be long before you have to do the same thing.” She pat his cheek and he blushed. He coughed and let his hair cover the blush on his face.

  “Since you’re older than me, that day’ll come sooner for you than me.”

  She smiled at him. “Women don’t have prostate problems, Reece.”

  His face glowed bright now and this time, he couldn’t hide it. “Oh.”

  Jace cleared his throat and there was silence in the hallway, except for the sounds of machine beeps and a TV blaring. The smell of cleaning solutions burned his nose.

  “Hi Kayla.” His voice was soft and she stared into his eyes. A tear trickled out of the corner of her eye. Jace wiped it gently. “It’s okay, Kayla. Laura forgives you.”

  She turned her face towards the floor.

  “What happened? What are you guys talking about?” Reece reached for Kayla but she took a step back.

  “I don’t think we should talk about that right now; Kayla needs some time to process things.” Jace held Reece’s shoulder. “But I think one day she’ll want to talk about it and I think you’d be the perfect person to speak to, okay?” Reece nodded.

  Jace turned to Kayla, who was staring down the hallway. “Kayla.” His voice was soft, gentle. “It’s okay to feel this way. It’s okay to take your time.”

  Tears streamed down her face and she nodded. Reece stepped towards her and she fell into him. He wrapped his arms around her.

  “Kayla?”

  She looked up at Jace. “We’re here because we don’t know where Laura is. Did she come here to see you?”

  Her eyebrows knit. “No, she hasn’t been here to see me.”

  Jace clinched his fist and Reece walked towards him.

  “Reece stay here with Kayla.” He grabbed his keys out of his pocket and put them in Reece’s.

  “You’re going to let me drive your car?” Reece looked like he couldn’t believe it. Jace took his shoe off. “It’s Laura’s car, but yes, you can drive it.”

  Reece stared at him in shock while Jace pulled off his other shoe. “I’m going to go find her.”

  “But I can help you. I know all the places she hangs out.”

  Kayla took a step towards Jace. “I’m okay. If something’s happened to Laura, Reece can help you find Laura. I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re fine for now, but I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” He looked at Reece. “Stay here with her, will you?”

  Reece hesitated and Jace shoved his shoes in Reece’s hands. “Be careful, okay?”

  Reece nodded, a mixture of fear and doubt on his face. He raised his eyebrow at Jace’s shoes.

  Jace grabbed his shoulders, staring into his eyes. “Promise me.”

  Reece nodded again. “I promise.”

  ❦

  “Alexander, I know you’re here somewhere! Where are you?” Jace stood in the open field behind Laura’s house, yelling at the sky.

  It began as a small dot in the sky until Jace could see the outline of Urban. As soon as Urban landed, Jace marched up to him. “What did you do with her? You made your point okay? Now just tell me where she is.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you do.” He pummeled Urban and they rolled around in the field with Jace landing on top. “She’s missing and you’re the only one who could’ve taken her.”

  Urban pushed his legs forward and Jace fell to the ground. Now Urban was on top, breathing heavily. “I wish you would stop tackling me. Can’t you just ask me, like a normal Angel?”

  “I did, and you refused to tell me.” He frowned. “Where is she?”

  “I’m not the only one who could’ve taken her, Jace. Don’t you get it?”

  Jace froze. “What do you mean?”

  “I told you there were others and to watch out for them. If she’s missing, it’s your fault fo
r not keeping watch.”

  Jace sat up and pushed Urban off of him. “Tell me what that’s supposed to mean. I don’t understand your cryptic messages.”

  “There are other Fallen that came. They’ve set up here.”

  “Why?” Jace couldn’t believe it.

  Urban frowned. “Why do you think, Jace?”

  Jace shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Urban stood up.

  “Alex, tell me.”

  “They’re here for you, okay. As always. It’s always about you.” Bitterness seeped through his voice and he refused to look Jace in the eyes.

  “No.”

  “You didn’t think they would follow you? What did you think you could do? Just turn your back on everything and expect everyone to forget about Jacob’s favorite grandson? About the future leader of our Dominion? How did you even get Jacob to agree?”

  Jace looked up. “He was pretty mad.”

  Urban laughed. “I bet.”

  “He didn’t have a choice. I have free will, especially after everything that—” He stopped.

  Urban stared at him. “Everything that happened with us.”

  Jace nodded his head. “He figures it’s only for a short time anyway. It’s not like I’m taking over anytime soon.” A soft wind blew, ruffling their hair.

  Urban looked away and a silence descended over them. “Is it for you?”

  “Is it what?”

  “Is this temporary?”

  “No.” Jace’s look was fierce and Urban knew Jace would fight for her.

  “Why her, though?” Urban stared hard at Jace and his voice caught. “Why her?”

  “You know why.” Jace’s face was hard. “Camilla should’ve let her go. I’d already seen everything at that point. Why did you have to tell her your name?”

  Urban’s eyes flashed. “I wanted to know what Camilla’s life was worth.”

  The men stared intently at each other. “And now you know.” Jace cocked his head. “Is that why you’re looking for redemption all the sudden?”

  Urban turned his back on Jace and stared out over the field, with his hair blowing in the wind. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Jace laughed harshly. “I saw the look on your face after you told her your name. What I don’t understand is why you commanded Cherry to—” Jace stopped and the blood drained from his face. “It’s Cherry, isn’t it?”

  Urban whirled around. “No.”

  Jace grabbed his shirt. “Is that it? Does Cherry have her?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since he tried to kill you. You knew he would be ruthless after you killed Camilla.”

  Jace gripped Urban’s shirt tighter and he growled. “Does Cherry have her?”

  Urban’s eyes darkened. “He knew I wouldn’t be able to kill you, so he went rogue. He wants you to suffer.”

  “And you just let him take her?” Jace’s voice was a snarl.

  “I had no idea. I told you, I haven’t seen him since that day.”

  Jace shook him. “Where is he?”

  Urban jerked his shirt out of Jace’s hands. “I might know of a place. But if I show you, you have to promise you’ll try to get me redemption.”

  “You know that’s not possible.”

  Urban glared at him. “What’s Laura’s life worth?”

  The silence stretched between them, far off in the distance a coyote howled.

  “Fine.”

  Urban stretched his wings. “I’ll meet you here in an hour.”

  ❦

  Jace raced through the barn, shoving around equipment, bags of seed and fertilizer and anything else in his way. Anger and desperation threatened to burst from him. He wanted to burn the whole barn down. Where is it? Where is it? He scanned the room, looking for any sign of his sword. He marched towards the house, slamming the barn door behind him. He’d already searched every room in Laura’s house while they were sleeping, except for one.

  He slipped quietly through the window. Reece was in a chair at his desk, across from Kayla who was sitting on the bed with her legs tucked under her. “…He’s had forty-four concussions. He lives very close to me. A stone’s throw away, in fact.” Reece grinned as Kayla laughed at his joke, then jumped up, startled. He put his hand to his chest. “Jeez, you scared me, Jace.”

  Kayla jerked around. “Why are you going through the window, man? Just walk through the front door, no one will even notice.”

  “I prefer the window.” He walked towards Reece and kneeled in front of him. Reece sat back. “What are you doing?”

  “Reece, is there something you’re keeping from me?” Jace kept the desperation out of his voice, he didn’t want Reece to worry. But he needed to know where his sword was. Cherry was crude, crass and heartless, but he was a formidable enemy.

  Reece avoided Jace’s eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about man.”

  “Reece? What’s he talking about?” Kayla stood up and joined Jace. “Whatever it is, tell him the truth.”

  Reece stared at Jace, then he looked at Kayla. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.” He lifted his head stubbornly and crossed his arms across his chest.

  “Reece, I think you saw your dad with it.”

  Reece stared at the door, then he looked at Jace. “I need to protect her.”

  Kayla nodded her head and pat his hand. “I know exactly what you mean, baby.”

  He shook his head and anguish broke out on his face. “No. You don’t. I mean, I need to protect her.”

  “And that’s what you’re doing now. You trust me, don’t you?” Kayla tried to soothe him.

  Reece nodded. “Of course I do.”

  “And I trust Jace. Just tell him what he needs to know.”

  Reece looked at Jace, a bitter look on his face. “Why do you even have a sword?”

  Kayla breathed in sharply. “Reece, do you know where his sword is? He probably needs that, hon.”

  “Why does he need it?”

  “To protect Laura, of course.”

  He fisted his hand to his chest. “I’m protecting her now.”

  Jace touched Reece’s forehead and warmth spread through it. He didn’t like to take shortcuts but he had to move quickly. “What do you mean Reece?”

  Reece stared at him, his eyes wide. “How’d you do that?”

  Jace stared into his eyes. “You can trust me.” When Reece didn’t answer, Jace’s desperation broke through. “Please!”

  “She always protected me,” he burst, and looked at Kayla. “You both thought I didn’t know.”

  Kayla’s mouth dropped open. “No we didn’t, we just—”

  “You did. You thought I was too young. You thought I couldn’t see. But I do.” His voice dropped to a whisper and his voice broke. “I see it through the crack in my door. I see it when she takes me to your house and leaves me there. I see it when she winces when I touch her.” Tears pooled in his eyes and he slammed his fist on his thigh. “And I was weak. I was too weak.” His face scrunched up. “I was supposed to be the one to protect her, but I was too scared.” Kayla gathered him in her arms. “I was too weak.”

  “No, no. You weren’t too weak. You were young.”

  He pulled back, his face vulnerable. “So what’s stopping me now? I’ll be eighteen next month. I’m not a child anymore.”

  “You just need to find your place, is all.”

  His eyes steeled, and the vulnerability within him disappeared. “And that’s here. Right now.” He turned to Jace. “Why do you have a sword? Why’s Laura missing? Is this your fault?”

  “It is my fault.” Jace was desperate. “I’m the reason she’s missing.” He took a step back and stumbled. “It’s all my fault. They took her right out from under me.”

  Kayla steadied him. “What are you talking about?”

  Jace ran his fingers through his hair. “Reece, please.”

  “Reece, tell him where your dad put the sword.”

  Reec
e shook his head and one last tear fell. “I don’t know.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  They flew over the landscape and Laura didn’t dare struggle. She was shaking, scared and freezing. She saw a large lake and they descended; her stomach dropped as they raced towards the ground. She squeezed her eyes shut, worried that they would crash, but Cherry slowed right before touching down and they landed softly.

  As soon as they landed, she struggled and pushed herself out of his arms. She ran away but he just laughed. “You humans are so funny.”

  He spread his wings and flew over her, grabbing her again and pulled her off her feet.

  “Take a deep breath.” He shot towards the lake. She grasped a breath of air before her face hit the water and her body froze in shock at the cold. His arms, still iron clamps around her, held her still while he kicked deeper and deeper into the water.

  Her lungs burned. She needed air. Still, he dove deeper into the blackness and her thoughts grew fuzzy. She pushed against him, kicking and pushing, trying to break him of his hold. Why do they have to be so strong?

  Her face grew blue and her lungs screamed for air. She swallowed, fighting her natural instinct to take a breath. She pounded his arms and still he dove deeper.

  Finally, her instincts took over and she gasped, breathing in water. Her chest was heavy and her brain felt foggy. Her hair floated around her and she noticed the way it moved with every kick. And then she was gone.

  ❦

  Laura awoke, shaking and wet. She looked around the room, her heart beating wildly. She tried to move and a pain seared up her arm; she was tied to a chair. She studied the rope, it was as thin as a piece of hair and she pulled against it. It cut her skin and a drop of blood pooled at the cut.

  She tried scooting her chair to the door but it was too heavy. She tried to stand up, maybe she could shuffle to the door. She fell over, crashing to the ground.

  The door flew open and Cherry strode inside. She looked at him; her face was halfway smashed against the cold dirt and it smelled like iron. Where was she?

  He laughed at her. “Angel’s hair. One strand is ten times stronger than rope. But sharper.” He picked her chair back up and squat in front of her. He reached forward and she winced, afraid of what he was going to do. He ran his hand through her hair and pulled her head back. He raked his eyes over her body; her neck lay exposed and he traced a finger over it. “So vulnerable. So weak.”