Broken Promises (The Brianna Lane Series) (24 page)

The other weakness was the use of witch hazel and rowan branches—using them to create wands and staves. Apparently they’d been used in the past to break Fae glamour, but it wasn’t clear whether it could break a charm. The author wasn’t completely sure just how effective they were either. Seems for as helpful as the information was, it wasn’t.

My phone rattled on the desk counter and I snatched it up on instinct.

I know where you are. Won’t be long now, baby.

I was tempted to tell Quinn to stop harassing me. I’d made it pretty clear I wasn’t going to leave with him, but obviously he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Find what you want in the library, lover?

I barely managed to stifle my surprised squeak. Glancing around, I checked the main area for any telltale sign that Quinn was here. I scanned all visible corners and cubby holes—finding nothing.

“You okay?” Liam’s voice startled me. I’d tried so hard to keep vigilant, but Quinn’s last text had completely thrown me off guard and distracted me.

“See for yourself,” I answered, showing him the message.

Liam’s lips tightened into a scowl. “He doesn’t stop, does he?”

I shook my head, handing my phone over to Lacey so she could also see. “Maybe it’s his way of being romantic?” I replied, trying not to reveal how frustrated I was.

They both snorted, and I shook my head. “Sorry, bad joke, but yeah . . . can we go now? I wouldn’t put it past him to show up. Where are your books?” I looked at both of their hands, and saw they were empty.

“We couldn’t find them. I don’t know where they are either.” Liam raked his hands through his hair as he glanced about at the different shelves. “They could’ve been moved, but we don’t have time to do a more thorough search.”

He didn’t have to say it. I knew Quinn was the reason why. If he hadn’t sent that antagonizing message, we may have been able to look around more.

“I’m sorry, Liam,” I offered, feeling bad.

“Don’t worry. Something tells me they’re not here. Let’s get back to Noah and report.”

Lacey cleared her throat, and I turned to see her fingering through my recent reading. “Find anything unusual?” She grinned, holding up the Complete Idiot’s Guide.

“Hey, don’t mock. We weren’t all brought up knowing this,” I chuckled. “Do you think the librarian will mind if I take this?”

Liam shook his head. “What librarian?” He looked around as he zipped up his leather jacket. “Let’s go. We need to get back to safety.”

Before Quinn comes, maybe with some of his goons again.
I didn’t speak my thoughts out loud, but I knew I wasn’t the only one thinking it.

Exiting the building and meeting up with Marshall, we headed back to Rebel Central—the book I’d taken securely in my hand.

Chapter Twenty Five

The next two days passed in a series of stages. When I wasn’t patrolling with others, I was sleeping. When I wasn’t grasping tight to dreams that helped me escape the nightmares of reality, I was meeting with Noah and learning all I could. Minutes bled into hours, and my phone remained silent—Quinn choosing to leave me alone.

I spent most of the first day obsessing, checking my phone frequently and the anticipation almost drove me mad. I knew he was out there—expected him to reach out and continue his mind games. By the following morning, I realized he didn’t need to call me—he was torturing me just fine.

I was grateful for Lacey and Liam, who helped fill those quiet interludes. We’d become a tight trio in the short time I’d known them, spending most of our time together. There was an ease about our friendship that I relished, and a safety I desperately needed. Everything was manageable knowing I wasn’t facing this alone and had someone to confide in.

Liam was a surprise. After my confrontation with Quinn and his attacking Liam, I thought I’d lost his friendship—at least the warmth and closeness we’d been fostering. At first it was awkward and I found it hard to maintain eye contact, but after the hundredth stuttered apology, he’d laugh and pull me into a quick embrace. Peace was reestablished and everything flowed back the way it was.

Waking up from a brief nap, I ignored the way my body tensed and my muscles screamed. I’d done a lot of walking the past few days, and it showed. I stood and did the best I could to alleviate some of the pressure, stretching until I moaned with relief.

“Come on, sleepy head.” The voice came from my doorway, and I grinned at Lacey. “I’m not sure what’s on the schedule so let’s go see where everyone is. Liam . . .” She winked when she added Liam, and I resisted the urge to shake my head. Lacey understood I loved Quinn, but she had no problem teasing me about how attentive my new friend had been.

“Aww, no James? Maybe we should hunt him down and make it a double date or something.” I chuckled at the red blush that flamed across her cheeks. I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed things since I’d arrived—one being the hopeless crush Lacey had on the quiet guy. I watched the way she discretely watched him from the corner of her eye when he was in the room, the way she nibbled nervously on her bottom lip when he approached. Usually she was a chatterbox, we both were, but whenever James joined in on the conversation, Lacey would clam up. She hated it, and I thought it was adorable.

“You wouldn’t!” she exclaimed, her brown eyes widening. I didn’t know why she was so worried about James finding out she liked him. Lacey held the kind of beauty women were envious over—thick, luxurious, chestnut hair that naturally cascaded into loose curls which framed her face perfectly. It didn’t matter how she wore it, it accented her features and made her oval eyes stand out. She turned heads wherever we went, but she was completely oblivious to it—her sweet nature and quick wit outshining it all.

“I will if you don’t. It won’t kill you to flirt a little. For goodness sakes, you knew him before all this!” I joked, shaking my head. “You don’t have to worry about the intimidating get-to-know-you stage. You can move straight on to the kissing!” I poked out my tongue and ducked away when she swung out to slap me. “You know I’m right.”

“I know, I know. It’s just not the right time. Later,” Lacey stammered, blushing further. “I don’t want to distract him.”

I nodded, understanding her concern. Things had become more critical since we’d seen the General’s display by the grove. People were scarcer—either hiding, injured, converted, or worse . . . dead. I tried not to think about that, my heart hurting too much. The last report we’d received were of bands of people following the Fae scouting the suburbs and cities away from Penshurst. They were widening their circle of influence. It made our jobs more difficult—finding those like me who didn’t know their heritage harder to find. Each day held small victories, however. A life saved was a life we celebrated.

“Okay. Just promise me sometime you’ll make a move. I think you guys would be perfect together.” I threaded my arm through hers, and we exited my room. “It’d be a shame that something good didn’t come out of all this. Plus, I have a sinking suspicion he feels the same way.”

“You lie. Whatever!” She butted her shoulder against mine, and rolled her eyes. It didn’t stop the look of hopefulness though. “He’s not interested. He just tolerates me.”

“Nope, I don’t think he’s as oblivious as you think. Yep, he’s quiet and focused, but nothing escapes his notice. Not even you. I bet sooner rather than later, something will happen. Then I’ll laugh and say I told you so,” I replied smugly. “Don’t try to argue. I’m right. I always am.”

I gently squeezed her forearm, and we made our way toward Noah’s meeting room. We didn’t have any set plans, but with it being the place most of us congregated, I knew we’d find updates there. I also wanted to see if Noah had spoken to my grandmother—she’d been busy the last time I’d called and I missed her.

Rounding the corner, Liam’s face broke out into a smile, and he quickened his steps to join us. “Afternoon, ladies. What mischief are you both up to?”

“Oh you know, a little of this, a little of that. Nothing you’d be interested in,” Lacey giggled, and I marveled at how relaxed she was. If this was James, I’d be hearing crickets.

Liam strode beside us, and I returned his smile. “We’re off to see the Wizard,” I confided. “Or was it the Emperor? I can’t ever tell with you nerdy types. Oh I know—we’re off to see the guy with the horned helmet . . . Thor’s brother.”

“Loki, and not cool, Bri. Keep up this relentless teasing and you’ll hurt my poor comic loving feelings.” Liam chuckled. Ever since he’d called the headquarters Rebel Central, we’d bantered back and forth—dazzling him with my impressive knowledge of all things superhero.

“You’ll survive,” I snorted, slowing down as we approached the small crowd that was milling around the opening to Noah’s office. I looked at Lacey, not sure what was happening, and she shrugged her shoulders.

Marshall came from behind, gently pushing past us, and hurried toward the door. He was carrying a large first aid kit and it caused an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Judging by the worried expressions on everyone’s faces, it wasn’t a good sign. Someone was hurt.

“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked, turning to Liam.

“No. But let me see if I can find out.” He jogged forward and disappeared into the room as well.

“I hate this,” Lacey whispered. “I hate knowing any one of us can go out and return injured.”

“Let’s keep positive. We don’t know what the situation is. It may be harmless.” I didn’t hold out much hope though as we joined with the crowd. Standing at the back, I craned my head to catch a glimpse, but all I could see was a worried Noah exchanging words with Liam. A moment later, he came to the door and motioned for me to come.

“You need to hear this, Bri. Bring Lacey.” There was an angry tone to his voice, and his forehead was wrinkled into a frown. Not giving me a chance to speak, he returned to Noah, forcing us to press through everyone. When we finally entered, Marshall offered a sympathetic smile and gestured for us to close the door.

“Hey,” he said, pulling me into an embrace. Confusion filled me, not sure why I was suddenly on the receiving end of attention. When he released me, Noah strode over and clasped my shoulder with his hand.

“Hi, Bri. I was just going to come find you.” I studied his features and found the same look of sympathy.

“What’s going on?” I asked, gazing around. There were two others in the room—Peter and Heather—their focus suddenly on the floor. Uncertainty was replaced with panic. “Please, someone answer me. Did something happen to my grandmother?”

“No, she’s fine. It’s . . .” Liam tried to explain, but something else had caught my attention—a loud gasp escaping before my hand covered my mouth. Stretched out on the far end of the conference table lay someone, and at first glance I couldn’t tell who, their body badly beaten and their facial features barely recognizable.

“Who?” I uttered, moving toward them, watching the small tremble that constantly pulsed through their body. James was the one providing aide, slowly wiping away blood and testing to see what was broken.

“We don’t know who he is. They brought him in and said they came across him being attacked. He hasn’t been able to speak coherently enough to make any sense,” Noah answered. He let out a short sigh, and crossed his arms across his chest. “He looks familiar, but until we get him cleaned up, I won’t know.”

“I say we go out and find his attacker and beat the hell out of him. Leave him in this kind of mess.” Liam grunted angrily. “Douche.”

Noah placed his hand on Liam’s arm and shook his head—silencing him. But that one word answered my next question and set my world spinning.

“You mean Quinn did this? My Quinn?” I looked back at the broken body of the stranger and my mind went blank. I refused to believe it was possible. Black and blue bruises were already visible, streaked with dried blood from cuts. I tried ignoring the painful angle of the man’s leg, but it was like avoiding an elephant hiding in a corner.

No one would speak.

“Liam?” I stared, willing him to reply. The angry expression from before melted away, and he nodded. I felt something inside me snap, the thread that had tied me to Quinn compromised. “Tell me . . . I need to know everything . . . no sugar coating. Just the facts.”

He started speaking but Noah interrupted, pulling out a chair for me. “Please, take a seat. Now remember, we don’t have all the details, just what we were told when they brought him in.”

I nodded. I couldn’t take my gaze away from James as he continued dressing the wounds in silence. They looked so brutal and suddenly, I felt very, very cold.

“When we asked about the scene, we were given a description of everyone there. I’ve been keeping them on file so we can know who’s who. You’ve told us enough about Quinn, Liam filling in the missing pieces, to know he matched one of the descriptions.”

“But are you sure, I mean absolutely sure it was him?”

Marshall shuffled on his feet. “We’re positive, sweetheart. The guy who delivered the final blow asked that a message be brought back to whoever was in charge here.”

“And?”

“Tell Bri I’m bored.” The room began to tip as all doubt was removed—Quinn had been involved in this, and was now sending brutal reminders.

“This my fault. If I’d just gone with him, he wouldn’t be hurting people.” My body crumpled as I buried my head into my hands. “He wanted me to leave and instead I stayed. I defied him. What have I done?”

“You did the right thing, Bri,” Noah comforted. “You didn’t know he’d do this and even if you did, you’re not responsible for his actions. He is.”

I felt someone crouch beside me, their hand on my back. “He’s right,” Lacey added. “Plus, you know this isn’t truly Quinn. This is the Fae’s influence. Once we figure out a way to break its hold, we’ll restore him.”

“You really believe that?” I whispered, unsure of how I felt. I’d been so strong and determined, but this was just too much. Words, although they hurt, were nothing compared to the physical proof on the table. Jabs and taunts I could handle, this . . . this hurt. “Maybe he’s right. He’s not worth saving.” The whispered admission devastated me.