Exposed (The Broken Soul Series Book 3)

by Jenny Phillips

  Taking a deep breath, I followed him out the door and down the stairs. I ran my nails along Kali’s door in passing. I hoped she somehow knew it was me. Past the formal dining room, the hall went on and only a couple doors down was a room with a thick wooden door.

  The boy knocked and I heard Stephen call for him to come in. The study was probably once lined with tons of books but now most sat empty and abandoned. A long, dark wooden desk sat in the middle of the room. The back wall was mostly inhabited by a large stone fireplace. More than one person could fit inside. It sat cold and as lonely as the empty shelves of the library walls.

  My grandfather sat behind the desk looking as menacing as ever. His red eyes were on me as I moved toward the desk.

  “Have a seat, Morgan.”

  “I’d prefer to stand.”

  “Sit,” he commanded, and his voice told me he wasn’t in the mood for my disobedience.

  I sat opposite him chewing on my lip, nervously waiting for him to talk. He took his time, watching me closely.

  “I realize we haven’t had a chance to catch up.”

  My eyes went wide. “You’re serious?”

  He smiled wickedly.

  I went on, incredulous, “The last time I saw you, you were beating up everyone I cared about—”

  “Ah. They attacked me first.”

  Ignoring him, I said, “Then you kidnapped me.” My voice shrilled, “You barely acknowledged me yesterday and now you want to catch up?” I shook my head. “You need meds.”

  “You’ve been spending too much time with your simple-minded friends. Picked up their biting wits I see.” Rising to his full height, he began to pace the section behind the desk. “Even your insults are ignorant.”

  “I’m not ignorant!” The blood rushed to my face. Who did this man think he was?

  “No, you’re not,” he agreed, surprisingly, but came back with another insult instead. “You’re weak.”

  “Wha—” I’d show him! “Who the hell do you think you are?” I focused on lifting a ceramic mug filled with pens so I could chuck it at his head. It barely wobbled. He smirked, clearly following my focus. I tried again, and this time put so much force into it my head throbbed, but the mug only lifted maybe an inch off the desk before clattering back to the surface on its side and spilling the pens onto the desk and floor. I stared at it, dumbfounded for a moment. What’s happening to me?

  “Well that was unfortunate.” He leaned against the desk. “Now let’s have a civilized conversation, granddaughter.”

  Resigned, I leaned back in the seat and folded my arms.

  “I’m sure you have questions …”

  I shrugged, fully aware I was acting like a spoiled child.

  “Okay then. I guess you get to listen to me talk. I didn’t plan on this being one-sided.” He came back around to sit in the desk chair. “As you know, you are very valuable to me. I need your help in completing something I set out to do—”

  “Before I was born?” I guessed.

  “Yes,” he praised as if I were a dog learning a new trick. “I need you, I need the amulet, and I need several other sacrifices—”

  “Sacrifices?”

  “Yes, well the ritual calls for Gifted to turn of their own free will …”

  “Why would turning be considered a sacrifice?”

  He stumbled over his next words, “Well, I-I suppose they’d b-be giving up a piece of themselves.”

  “But I thought turning was more like adding new Gifts?”

  “You’re giving up a soul-mate. Is that not a piece of yourself?”

  “You would know.”

  His face flushed angrily. “Morgan, are you not capable of a mature conversation?”

  “Are you not capable of convincing people by normal conversation? Do you have to hold people hostage to make them see your point?”

  “A little forceful persuasion is sometimes needed.” His voice turned playful. “You seem to be enjoying your stay.”

  I guffawed. “How would I be enjoying this?”

  “You seem to enjoy your time with Rylan.”

  I lifted my chin. “Your point is …”

  “You wouldn’t have this opportunity if I hadn’t—”

  “Kidnapped me?” I offered.

  He shrugged. “Call it what you will.”

  “I call it an asshole move,” I said.

  Stephen slammed his fist on the desk. “You’ll watch your tone with me! I know Loretta taught you better than that.”

  “Yeah, she taught me to respect people who respect me, not someone who changed my life and put me in danger for their own selfish needs!” I stood to glare down at him, ignoring his glowing red eyes. I would not let him intimidate me. “And certainly not someone who continuously hurts those I love, including breaking my grandmother’s heart!”

  He looked wounded but only momentarily before he rose slowly, towering over me and glared down.

  “I will not tolerate your disre—”

  I cut him off, “You have to earn my respect.” I said it cool and even, and set my jaw stubbornly.

  “Zachary!” he boomed, and the boy reappeared. “You may escort this child back to her room.” He spat the word child like it would offend me. The truth was I gave zero cares what that man thought.

  Zachary started for my arm and then thought better of it. Instead, he motioned for me to lead the way out, following behind closely.

  “Why do you look so smug about making him mad?”

  “I’m not smug.”

  Zachary shook his head. “You definitely seem pleased with yourself. You get that he’s scary, right?”

  “You know who I am, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you know I share his genes. I’m just as scary.”

  Zachary coughed out a laugh.

  “What? Is it the red eyes?” I joked.

  “You’re crazy.”

  I shrugged. “He needs me.”

  “True.” Zachary appeared to be contemplating something, then said, “But he doesn’t have to make you comfortable; he can make your time here miserable.”

  “He’s already doing a good job of that.”

  Zachary lost his laugh. “You think fancy dinners and picnics on the beach are miserable?” He started up the stairs. “I’ve got to see what your life was like before this, then.”

  Huh. I guess I’d thought about that, but it hadn’t really registered until I heard it out loud. I pointed at Kali’s door as we walked by.

  “I’m assuming Kali doesn’t get those things?”

  Zachary looked surprised at first, and then probably assumed Rylan had just said more than he was supposed to.

  “I’ve never seen her out of her room. I’ve actually never seen her at all.”

  “She’s been here for a long time.”

  “Longer than I have,” he admitted. He stopped outside of my door. “I’d bet you won’t be leaving your room until Rylan gets back.”

  I don’t know how I’d managed to just now notice this, but Zachary’s eyes were still sapphire. He hadn’t turned yet.

  He gave up waiting for my answer and shrugged. “They don’t tell me anything either.”

  He turned back toward the stairs as I entered my room. My empty home away from home sat waiting for me; exactly the same and as dull as ever. I may put on a brave face in front of Stephen, but I bit my cheek to fight back the tears. Lashing out, I attempted to use some of my Gifts in an attempt to relieve some of my emotion.

  However, I was unable to do little more than an average child. The solid wood dresser budged but that was it. I tried using my strength, speed, and even Glamour … Nothing! It was like a switch had flipped and my Gifts were gone!

  Chapter Nine

  I sat pitifully on the wood floor with my back against the wall. My arms were wrapped around my legs, drawing them in while I sobbed on my knees. That’s how Rylan found me.

  “Morgan!” He raced to my side and dropped to the floor. �
�What’s wrong? Who did this to you?”

  “No one. Everyone. You. Stephen.”

  “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

  “You helped him do this to me.” I looked up at him. “You know my Gifts are gone?”

  Realization dawned on his face.

  “You brought me here. You’re helping with his plan … What are his plans for me, Rylan?”

  He reached for my hand but I yanked it away and he looked as if I’d just slapped him.

  “What happened while I was gone?”

  I shrugged. “Stephen just wanted to remind me who’s in charge.”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “No,” I looked at Rylan through blurry eyes, “not physically.”

  He sat next to me. “Your Gifts aren’t gone.”

  “It’s not just about my Gifts. I mean, I’m glad they’re not gone. I was just getting used to them. But he’s going to treat me like Kali.”

  He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “How do you know about Kali?”

  “Rylan, I can’t live like that!”

  “Then cross over, Morgan!” He reached for my hand again, and this time instead of jerking away I met his eyes pleading. “Join us. You could be the most powerful being to ever walk this Earth—”

  “Rylan, you don’t get that about me, do you?”

  His brows only furrowed in confusion.

  “I don’t care about power.”

  “What do you care about then?”

  “What’s right. Being kind, being loved.” His expression softened and he caressed my hand. “Making a difference in the world and other people’s lives. Most importantly being there for the people I care about.”

  Rylan hung his head but didn’t let go of my hand. “I wish we could’ve met before.”

  “Why? Were you different?”

  “No, not really. Turning didn’t make me a bad person, Morgan. I just feel like you would trust me more if you had met me then.”

  “What do you think your mom will say?”

  The muscles in his jaw twitched. “She won’t ever see me like this.”

  “Why?”

  “As far as she knows I’m dead.” His voice was flat.

  “You don’t think the Council will tell her?” I asked, staring down at our entwined hands. “I mean, why wouldn’t they?”

  “Have you talked to her?” He seemed surprised.

  “Yeah.” I nodded slowly. “I used to check in more often but I still do.”

  “I guess I should’ve seen that. That’s just the kind of person you are.”

  “I don’t get it, though. I would do anything to have either of my parents back … my Gran. I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found Aunt Carolyn. Why, no, how could you let your mom think you’re dead? You didn’t know me so it didn’t mean much to hurt me. Your mom, though …” I shook my head in confusion, searching his eyes for some hint that I was getting through to him. Some remnant of the person he used to be.

  He seemed to be lost for a moment, and then dropped my hand, standing while rubbing his hands on his jeans.

  “Well let’s get out of here. The sun is shining—”

  “Wait. The sun’s up?”

  “Yeah.” His eyes studied my face. “Morgan, have you slept?”

  I just shook my head.

  “Maybe you should stay here and get some rest.”

  Panic overtook me and I grabbed at him hysterically. “No,” I sobbed. “Please don’t leave me in here!”

  Rylan narrowed his eyes but gently cupped my face in his hands after squatting back down to my level. I clutched at his gray T-shirt. His thumbs glided up my cheeks until they reached the fleshy parts under my eyes. He pulled down gently checking for something in my eyes, and then swore under his breath.

  “I knew I couldn’t trust anyone here.”

  “What’s going on, Rylan?”

  He finally met my eyes and asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “Of what?”

  “I’m too tired it’s not … normal. All I want to do is sleep. I’m afraid if I let myself fall asleep … I won’t wake up.” My voice had fallen to a whisper on the last part.

  “Your Gifts, the exhaustion … it’s because you’re being drugged.”

  “Drugged?”

  He nodded absently but had removed his cell from his pocket and was punching away at a text. He shoved it back into his pocket and pulled me to my feet.

  “Come on.” Still tugging at my arm, he started pulling me toward the door.

  “Where are we going?’

  “To see Stephen.”

  “No.” I shook my head and dug my heels in. “I can’t deal with him right now.” I felt something wet running from my nose. Embarrassed, I tried to wipe at the snot before Rylan could see, but brought my hand up to find a crimson pool already puddled in my palm.

  “Morgan!” Rylan tore me out of the room and across the hall to the bathroom. He stuck my head over the sink and ran cool water. Cupping the water, he helped me clean my face while I watched the swirling pink water get sucked down the drain.

  “It’s starting to slow.” Grabbing a towel, he dabbed and blotted until all that remained were the hot tears stinging my eyes.

  “Does anything hurt?” He scanned his eyes over me worriedly, assessing for any injuries. “This has Tessa written all over it.”

  He led me back out into the hall and Justin was watching us curiously. We started toward the stairs and were met by Tessa carrying what was probably my tray of lunch.

  Rylan smacked it out of her hands, and she had just opened her mouth to protest when he grabbed her roughly by the arm.

  “Hey!” She practically growled, “You do not get to touch me!”

  “You’re going with us to see Stephen!”

  “Like hell—” she started, but was cut off by Rylan whom I’d never seen so livid.

  “You’re going to have to answer for yourself. I can talk to him first without you …”

  “Whatever! I’ll walk on my own, thank you!” She jerked her arm back and stomped down the stairs ahead of us. Rylan helped me down the stairs on wobbly legs.

  Outside of Stephen’s door, Rylan knocked once and walked in.

  Stephen appeared to be expecting us. He sat at his desk expectantly. To his credit, he seemed a little surprised to see me in my current state. I leaned against Rylan, fighting the urge to crumple right then and there and sleep wherever I landed.

  “This is completely unacceptable,” Rylan yelled.

  Stephen sat up a little straighter, then eyed me before turning his glare on Tessa.

  She shrank a bit under his scrutiny. Holding her hands up, she said, “Hey, I only followed directions.”

  “You poisoned her!” Rylan accused.

  “What?” She laughed it off. “I only doubled her dose.”

  “You what?” Rylan looked unhinged.

  “She was clearly skipping meals so I started doubling her dose to make sure she got enough in her system.”

  “It doesn’t work like that,” Stephen spoke up now. “Doubling a dose is too much at once.” He had more patience with her than Rylan, but sounded more tired than anything. “It can overdose her system.”

  Tessa gave a little hmph and Rylan exploded. “Tessa is not to have any more contact with Morgan! I will bring her all of her meals from now on!”

  “Are you asking me or telling me?” He shot Rylan a stern look and my once soul-mate’s anger diffused slightly.

  “Sir, I’m pleading with you to please keep Tessa away from your granddaughter.”

  Stephen simply nodded in agreement and Tessa said, “Thank God.”

  I was thoroughly confused but now past exhaustion and had no fight left in me. I followed Rylan out of the study and he led me to the kitchen.

  “We’re skipping a dose since you need to recover.”

  “You can explain that later,” I told him.


  He thread his fingers through mine and set to work in the kitchen, pulling boxes and bags out of cabinets. He found cold pizza in the fridge and settled on one of the boxes of crackers from the cabinet.

  He handed me the box of crackers and balanced the pizza box with his free hand, refusing to let go of mine.

  “This should help soak up some of those meds.”

  I followed him, heading back to the stairs when I stopped dead in my tracks. Cold, black eyes stared back at me from the foyer. A sneer somehow made her eyes even more malevolent. They should’ve been the same shade as Rylan’s who I was getting used to seeing but somehow they were very different.

  “Well hello, old friend,” Raven spat. “I was so hoping I’d run into you again.”

  “You can get the hell away from her.” Rylan practically yanked my arm out of my socket as he threw me behind him.

  “Relax, lapdog. I’ll save that for another day. I’m here to see the big guy.”

  “You know where he’s at.” Rylan didn’t relax in the slightest and only continued to position me behind him as he followed her movements across the room.

  She laughed at his protectiveness. “I can show myself to his office you know.”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  “You’re not even her soul-mate anymore. Why do you care about her?”

  Rylan’s eyes flashed, and I thought for a moment he may be debating tearing her head off. I don’t know if she hit a sore spot with him or if he was already in a mood after dealing with Tessa, but he wasn’t playing around anymore today.

  “Raven,” Stephen spoke up from behind us, “why don’t you meet me in my study?”

  She bowed dramatically, excusing herself from us. She mussed her spiky, black hair and headed the way we’d just come from.

  Stephen lingered behind for a moment. “Morgan.” He waited for Rylan to move out of my line of sight. “I know we don’t necessarily see eye to eye. However, I will be sure to keep both Tessa and Raven from bothering you.”

  “Thanks,” I said dryly.

  He gave a nod to Rylan and then retreated back toward his lair … er, study. Rylan tugged on my hand and I eagerly followed him all the way to my room this time. Once in the confines of my own room I collapsed onto my bed.