Broken: (Ignite, Book 2) Read online

  Jace scanned the whole room, memorizing every detail and began to move towards the tables that had lines of automatic weapons lined up. There were other tables that had batteries, cell phones, wires, duct tape, and small blocks of white playdough lined up, with men counting them and writing notes on paper.

  It looked like they were preparing for something big.

  Laura stopped to stare at Cherry. “What the hell are you guys doing here?”

  He shoved her forward. “This is none of your business. Just keep walking. Take that tunnel over there.”

  “It is my business. I live here.” She tried to turn around but he pushed her hard and she fell to the floor. Jace moved in a blur and pulled her to her feet. He leaned towards her ear and whispered. “Just do what he says. We’ll figure this out. They don’t look ready yet.” Laura looked at the table lined with guns and watched one Fallen inspect one. Then he strapped it over his back and moved towards another side of the room.

  She looked back at Jace. “One gun down. That’s enough for me to worry.”

  Cherry grabbed her arm, pulling her up. “Keep going, I said.”

  ❦

  Suddenly, Cherry grabbed Laura and she squealed as they stepped forward and disappeared. Laura’s stomach lurched and she braced for a landing. They landed softly, a level below. They were in a long metallic hallway, filled with doors. Jace was right behind them and he landed on two feet ready for anything. Cherry shoved Laura forward towards one of the doors and pushed her inside. Jace stepped in the room and the door slammed behind him.

  Jace swiveled and yanked on the door; it was locked. “Where are you going? Let us out.”

  He pulled harder, his muscles bulging through his shirt, as he tried to rip the door off its hinges. It wouldn’t budge. There was a glass window and he slammed his fist against it. It cracked but didn’t break. He slammed against it again, and again, and the cracks spread throughout the glass, but it still wouldn’t break.

  Finally he turned around to face Laura; she hugged herself, shivering.

  They were in a room, containing two single beds and a sink. Basic grey wool blankets were folded at the end of the bed. The room was very minimalistic, cold and sterile.

  “Laura.” Jace pulled on her hands and she released herself. Water dripped into her eyes and Jace wiped it away. He pulled her hands up, studying her wrists. Then he touched each of them and she felt a warmth spread through her arms. Jace wanted to make sure they were completely healed. He looked over her body, mending every scrape.

  When he was done, he stood quietly, staring on the ground. His emotions tumbling around him, considering what could have happened in that room with Cherry and the position that they were in when he eventually got there. Finally, he gently pulled her chin to look him in the face. “Laura, did he…?” He was desperate, his eyes searching hers. What if I was too late?

  She shook her head. “No, you got there in time. He didn’t.”

  His eyes steeled; anger and guilt roiled around his stomach. “And he won’t.” Remorse washed over him. “I tried to get there earlier, but I couldn’t find you. I had to ask Urban for help. And I had no idea that Cherry would be back, that he would even…”

  Laura put her finger to his lips but he spoke through it, “I should’ve known. Camilla is his sis… I—”

  “Stop. It’s not your fault. Don’t go there.”

  He stared at her, pleading shone through his eyes, begging for her forgiveness, and her heart tumbled. He could never do wrong in her eyes. She smiled, trying desperately to show him that she was okay. That she knew he did everything he could. That she was brave. Her finger was still at his lips and she traced them. She leaned into him, beginning to shake. So cold.

  “Here.” He grabbed a blanket and gently pulled off her dripping shirt. Goosebumps covered her torso. He wrapped her in the blanket like a butterfly in a cocoon and pulled her close. Her heartbeat picked up, being so close to him.

  “Laura.” He spoke the words softly, gently. She looked at him, a mixture of hope and despair showing plainly in her eyes. Jace closed his eyes and ran his fingers through her hair, breathing in her scent. Her shivering grew more violent and he pulled away from her. She’s afraid.

  “We’ll be fine, okay?” He needed her to know that. He would protect her at all costs.

  She nodded. He took off his wet shirt so the water wouldn’t seep into her blanket and guided her to one of the beds. He sat down and pulled her to his lap. She curled up, trying to relax, but failed to stop the shaking. What are they going to do with us?

  He began to hum and his voice vibrated in her ear. She smiled; he had a good voice. He shifted forward and his enormous wings extended, cocooning them. Suddenly the room was warm and bright and after a moment, Laura’s heart calmed down. She was safe with Jace by her side. She closed her eyes against the brightness and he stroked her hair. He lay his chin on her head, still humming, and closed his eyes. They lay like that, her ensconced in the safety of his arms, waiting for whatever came next.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The door burst open and Cherry barked at them. “Time to go. Contract your wings, Jace.”

  Jace grabbed Laura’s shirt, which was now almost dry. “Put your shirt on.”

  “Contract your wings Jace, or I’ll cut them off.” He pulled his knife from its sheath and Jace yanked his wings in, before Laura could get her shirt back on. Cherry smirked and, when he saw Laura, gawked at her. “On second thought, maybe I’ll just send Jace on.”

  Jace stood and pushed Laura behind him. “Over my dead body.”

  Cherry sneered. “I can make that happen.”

  Jace leaned close. “You could try.” His voice was low, dangerous.

  Laura pulled Jace back. “It’s on. Let’s go.”

  Cherry grabbed her arm, pulling her through the hallway towards the hole in the ceiling. He put his arms around her and jumped. They landed on the level above them. Laura looked towards the large cavern where the weapons had been; now most of the tables were empty. Cherry marched them towards another hallway with only one door at the end. Once they entered, three hundred soldiers in black uniform stood up and saluted them. One Fallen, standing in front of the group, faced them. “Welcome, Captain.”

  The soldiers followed his lead. “Welcome Captain,” they said in unison.

  Laura looked at Cherry, her mouth open. “You’re their Captain?”

  Cherry sneered. “They’re not talking to me.” He looked at Jace. “They’re talking to him.”

  ❦

  Jace’s eyes flashed. “Never.”

  Cherry pushed them forward. “I think you’ll change your mind.”

  A door in the back opened and a small group of Fallen walked into the room. The men didn’t move or even acknowledge that anyone new had entered the room, except the one standing in front of the group, who moved to join the rest. They all continued to stand straight at attention, their wings folded behind them, and stare at Jace. Laura shifted uncomfortably, it was eerie. Finally, she noticed one curiously staring at her. As soon as he saw her looking at him, his eyes darted back to Jace.

  Laura’s attention shifted to the three men who walked briskly towards the front of the room. They also wore the same black uniform as the others, except their enormous wings stretched out behind them. They were led by a woman and as soon as Laura saw her, she couldn’t take her eyes off her. Her long hair ran a silky mahogany-brown and her stature was petite but strong. She walked with a quiet assurance that everything she said and did, would be followed exactly. A flicker caught Laura’s eye and she stared at three small wings that fluttered over the woman’s shoulders. They looked animated, as if they were moving of their own accord, but they were obviously part of her uniform.

  Then they were at the front of the room, and approached Jace.

  “Jezzie.” He took a small step forward; his hands were fisted by his side and his face betrayed his anger. He was furious.

  Laura refrained fr
om rolling her eyes. What kind of name of a commander of an army is called Jezzie?

  The Commander didn’t answer him, or even acknowledge him, but stood at attention in front of the men. She ordered the men to take position. “Asento.” The men stood straight and stared above them.

  “Pledge your fidelity to your new Commander.”

  In perfect unison, the men stomped their foot once and then pounded their chest with their right fist. “We swear allegiance to our commandant. We pledge to obey his every command with exactness and precision, regardless of personal sacrifice or harm to others.” Goosebumps prickled Laura’s arms and fled all the way to her toes.

  They continued, “Our priority is to our mission and duty is to our God in fulfilling the plan from the Almighty below.” Then they were silent, still staring at Jace with their fists to their chest.

  Jace was silent, glaring at Jezzie. Jezzie turned and faced Jace. “You’re late.”

  “I’d rather not be here at all. What are you guys doing here? Last I recall, this area is not a hot spot.”

  Jezzie stepped closer, an inch away from Jace’s face and glared. “Last I recall, you were being hunted down for being a spy.”

  “Oh, I think your soldiers must’ve missed, seeing as I’m still alive.” He smirked.

  “No thanks to you. I heard you had to call Mich—.”

  “While you guys discuss your plans, I’ll just take my prize and go.” Cherry grabbed Laura’s arm and pulled her towards the door. She looked at Jace, eyes wide.

  Laura couldn’t even see Jace move, but suddenly he was between Cherry and her.

  A growl emerged from deep in his throat. His eyes were black and threatening. Cherry looked uncomfortable but didn’t back down. “She was promised to me.”

  “There is no one here with the authority to promise that; she is not a prize to be promised to anyone.”

  Cherry sneered. “You have no authority over me here. I can take what I want. And I want her. For now anyway. You can have her when I’m done… if there’s anything left.”

  Jace punched Cherry in the face and Cherry staggered back. Bright red blood streaked down his nose and his eyes narrowed. “She’s mine.”

  Jace stepped closer. “She doesn’t belong to anybody.”

  “Boys, boys.” Jezzie’s voice rang clearly through the room. “Now is not the time to discuss this. We have more important things to work on.” She looked at Laura like she wanted to squash her under her high-heeled boots. “We can talk about the cockroaches later.”

  Cherry’s face turned red. “But you promised her to me. I kept my end of the bargain. Now you need to keep your end.”

  In an instant, Jezzie was an inch away from Cherry, a knife to his throat. “I don’t need to do anything. Is that clear?”

  Cherry swallowed hard, nodding quickly. She put her hand to her ear. “I didn’t hear you.”

  He stood straight at attention. “Yes, Commander.” He wouldn’t look at Laura or Jace.

  Jezzie circled him. “If I do remember correctly, this was a two-part bargain. Have you completed your other task?”

  Now Cherry looked down. “No, Commander.”

  She trailed the knife down slowly, cutting his uniform and leaving his chest open for everyone to see, and stopped just over his stomach. It would take a flick of her wrist for him to die a slow, agonizing death. “I suggest you complete your other mission then.” She raised her eyebrow suggestively.

  Cherry looked at Laura. Her face was blazing red; she couldn’t believe they’d just fought over her in front of all these people. None of the men moved, even so much as to scratch their nose, and Laura turned her back on them so they couldn’t see her embarrassment. Cherry turned up the corner of his lip. “I’ll see you later then.”

  Then he turned back without a word, marching out of the room, and disappeared. Immediately, Laura felt an immense relief. He was gone.

  She watched Jezzie give commands to the men who came in with her. Laura knew that they had just gotten out of the frying pan to jump into the fire. Jezzie was obviously very dangerous. How were they going to escape with all these soldiers around them? She leaned into Jace and he put his arm around her and leaned towards her ear. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  He grabbed her hand and she squeezed his fingers tight. He smiled warmly at Laura, but she was too afraid to smile back, and he pulled her closer. A door slammed shut and Laura noticed that Jezzie and the three men were gone.

  ❦

  “What do we do now?” Laura turned to at Jace, trying to ignore the men who were still watching them.

  He stared determinedly at the back of the room. “We find a way out of here.”

  Laura hesitated and gestured behind her. “What about them?”

  He shrugged. “What about them?”

  “Won’t they tell on us or something?” Laura’s cheeks pinged pink; she felt like the time she got caught trying to climb out of her window when she was fourteen.

  “Return to your stations.” Jace’s voice was commanding; Laura had never heard him speak with such… authority before. The men marched out of the room silently and they waited until they were alone.

  “When did you learn to do that?” Laura was dumbstruck.

  Jace grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the back door. “A long time ago.”

  “Oh? How long ago?”

  Jace glimpsed at her. “Nice try. Come with me.” He swung her into his arms and then sped towards the back door. Laura closed her eyes tight, not wanting to throw up at such an inopportune time. Jace jerked the back door open and tumbled into four Fallen keeping guard. One of them pulled his sword from its sheath and held it to Laura’s throat.

  “Sir, I think you have the wrong door.” His eyes glared menacingly at Jace but Jace stared him down. Suddenly, the sword was on the floor and Jace’s hands were around the soldier’s throat. Now, three other swords were all pointed at Jace.

  Jace pushed the soldier against the wall and his face turned blue. Jace leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You ever threaten her again and I’ll cut your throat.” The man pulled at Jace’s fingers, trying to pry them off his throat, with horror on his face. Jace felt his fear.

  Jace breathed heavily and regret seeped through his skin. Here, with Laura, he was going to be tested like never before. She posed a risk that he’d never experienced before. Vulnerability. She was a flower petal in a shredder; soft, gentle and so easily cut into pieces.

  The man nodded and Jace let him go. The soldier wheezed, breathing in deeply, and rubbed his throat. The other soldiers still held their swords towards Jace but he ignored them.

  Jace grabbed Laura’s hand again and they walked back into the room towards the other door. Neither one of them talked as they walked across the room until they reached the door they’d first entered. When she saw soldiers milling all over the place, a wave of despair washed over her. “How are we ever going to get out of here? There are soldiers everywhere.”

  Jace grabbed her hand and circled her skin with his thumb. “I promise you. I will get us out of here.” Laura nodded and pushed her panic down. She trusted him.

  ❦

  One of the Fallen who’d stood with Jezzie was leaning against the wall, waiting for them. He was tall and athletic, with dark hair and even darker eyes. As soon as he saw them, he jumped up and smirked. “The other way didn’t work out for you?”

  Jace rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Kean.”

  Kean's eyes narrowed and Laura could smell his particular stink roll off him. She moved her head to the side and held her breath.

  “You’re not my commander, Jace,” he poked Jace in the chest, “so I have the privilege of doing what I want, when I want, and I’ll take you down if you even look at me wrong.”

  Jace laughed. “Like you could.”

  Kean grabbed Jace by the shirt, pulling him in. “The only thing holding me back right now is Jezzie’s orders. I hate spies and I despise moles even mor
e.” His fist tightened on Jace’s shirt and he grit his teeth. “If it wasn’t for her, your face would be mincemeat right now.”

  Jace grinned at him. “There must be a reason why Jezzie is so intent on keeping me alive then.” At this, Kean released him, grimacing, and Jace straightened his shirt. “And yet, she sent you to keep an eye on us. I wonder what you did to deserve that.”

  Kean’s mouth opened but only an exhale of air came out, then he turned away from them. “Follow me.”

  Jace took Laura’s hand, and they followed Kean down a hallway of metal doors. They stopped at the end, where a large glass door revealed Jezzie typing on a computer. The screen was whisper thin, like a hologram, and Laura wondered if her finger would go right through it.

  As soon as they entered, an overpowering odor hit Laura. She kneeled over gagging and coughing. She felt liquid rising in her throat, threatening to spill out.

  Jace bent over. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head.

  He looked at Jezzie. “She can’t stand your aura.”

  Jezzie grinned. “What a great benefit of my aura, then.”

  Jace pulled Laura’s chin to look at him and blew in her face. She breathed in, taking in his scent and she swallowed her bile. He took off his shirt and handed it to her and she covered her nose and mouth with it. Breathing in deeply, she began to relax.

  “What’s that smell?”

  Jezzie’s smile was genuinely pleased. “That’s me, of course.”

  Laura gagged, even through the shirt, but she swallowed hard and stood up, looking straight into Jezzie’s eyes. “What do you want? Why are we here? In fact, why are you here? What are you doing with all these weapons?”

  Jezzie laughed. “You’re funny, cockroach.” She looked behind Laura at Kean, who stood at attention, unaffected by Laura’s reaction to the smell. “Kean, you’re dismissed.”

  He nodded once. “Yes, Commander.” Then he turned on his heel and left. The air brought in by the open door gave Laura a respite from the smell, although it didn’t last long.