Broken (Keeper of the Flame Book 4)

by Lila Kane

  “Can we just…take a walk outside? Make sure the perimeter is safe?”

  “Sure.”

  I take Cheyenne’s advice and refill my wine before we leave through the kitchen doors. Diane is talking with James, completely tuned into the conversation, so they barely notice us as we go.

  “Do you trust her?” I ask Cheyenne as we head toward the gardens.

  The sun is buried behind the hills and brilliant rays of orange and red shoot across the darkening sky. It’s peaceful, despite the circumstances. As long as I don’t think about last night or look to the north, where the clearing is. Where I broke the spell that was keeping this whole town safe.

  “She’s scared,” Cheyenne says. “But not in a way that would make her lash out.”

  I snort. “She didn’t look scared to me. Kind of antagonistic, though.”

  “Coping mechanism.” Cheyenne shrugs. “I asked your mom. She…what do you call it? Checked her? To see what her intentions are?”

  Kind of like she’d one with Logan. I’d have to learn that trick someday. Unless after this whole thing I lost my powers as well.

  I’m not sure whether the idea relieves me or bothers me.

  “And?” I ask.

  “She said she seems safe. If anything, she’d try to run. To get away from us all. But with the border blocked, she’s on our side for now.”

  I nod, circling around a rosebush. I breathe in the evening air and feel around with my mind for the border protecting the house. It’s stable as far as I can tell. In fact, it feels strong. Impenetrable. That should make me feel better, but instead I feel like I’m trapped. Last night was supposed to be the end of this. And now…it feels like we’re starting all over and there’s nothing I can do because I’m trapped at the house again. Just once I’d like to be able to stay here with Logan of my own free will. Because we’re enjoying a life together. Because things are…

  Normal.

  Whatever that is.

  “So, you’re really engaged,” Cheyenne says quietly.

  I pause by the same brick wall Logan proposed to me at this afternoon, and touch the necklace with the ring on the end. “I know it seems crazy.”

  “No, it doesn’t. It seems normal.”

  There’s that word again. But it is normal, which is why it’s so strange. “We don’t have time for normal right now, do we?”

  Cheyenne narrows her eyes at me. “Are you nervous about this? Or just trying to justify your feelings?”

  I take a long swallow of my wine, debating before I speak. “Yes, I’m absolutely nervous. Because I’m young. Because I haven’t known Logan that long.”

  “Because he’s a vampire?”

  “Actually, that part scares me less than it should. He’s in control. I just don’t know what that means for us in the long run. We come from two different worlds. Maybe that’s what makes us compatible, but I’m scared of what that means for the future.”

  Cheyenne angles her head. “There’s more you’re not telling me.”

  I sigh and smile. Because despite it all, I’m in love. And I’m happy. “It’s just…right. I can feel it deep inside. Logan and I are supposed to be together. I should be able to enjoy that, right?”

  “You should. Absolutely. Tomorrow’s going to look different from today, and who knows where we’ll be standing next week. Enjoy it. Embrace it. And let us all enjoy it, too, because there’s not much else good going on for us to celebrate.”

  I nod. “You’re right. I–”

  We both freeze at the same time. I don’t know what’s going on in Cheyenne’s head, but I get a sudden jolt. Like something’s zapped me from within. Glancing around, I search the area as far as I can see.

  “The border,” I murmur, uneasy. I set the wine glass down in case I need both hands.

  Cheyenne nods. “Yes, but not this one.”

  “What?”

  She points north. “It’s the entrance to town. Someone else is here.”

  I don’t know why, but my stomach grows even more anxious. My eyes meet Cheyenne’s, and she nods again.

  “It’s Logan’s witch.”

  Chapter 9

  Why did she have to say it like that? Logan’s witch? I’m Logan’s witch.

  Tapping my toe on the thick rug in Logan’s room, I wait for him to return. He called after they finished with the hospital, and before I could ask him how everything went, he said he was going to meet his witch and bring her here.

  Here.

  It makes sense, I know that far back in the rational part of my brain. But the irrational side wants to insist she stays at a hotel. Far away from me and Logan. Until we can figure out if we can even work with her. But Logan trusts her, so I should too.

  When I hear the front door, I stand. James’s voice floats up to me, sounding excited. He had to alter the protection spell to let her in. And now he’s already charmed by her?

  I should go down to meet her. But on the other hand, she might be overwhelmed if everyone bombards her all at once. She might think we need her. Which we do. But still. I don’t like bringing outsiders in here. And Faye said to be careful.

  What’s that supposed to mean? That she doesn’t trust her for some reason? Or just that, like me, she’s worried about bringing someone else into our group. We already have Diane, the werewolf, and that puts us on shaky ground as it is.

  There’s the low murmur of only a few voices, and then footsteps coming up the stairs. Logan’s voice reaches me briefly, a short conversation. I’m about ready to leave the room and seek him out when he comes in.

  He looks refreshed. More than that. Less tired. More alert. Happier, even.

  I stay where I am on the bed.

  He walks to me and pauses a few feet away. His eyes are still dark, but they’re clear. Most of the tension has left his shoulders and his jaw. I wonder if I’d see fangs when he smiles or if they go away when he isn’t…hungry.

  “You look like you feel better,” I say.

  “I do.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  He sits on the bed next to me, his arm and his thigh touching mine. The contact makes me sigh. I don’t want to say that I’m losing my independence with him, but I’m definitely learning to share responsibility. To share parts of myself that I’d never shared before. Before, I could and did do most things on my own–especially after my dad died. Now I want to share the burden with Logan, and it doesn’t scare me as much as it used to.

  “If you don’t want to hear it,” Logan begins.

  I face him, pulling my legs up on the bed with me. “I do. Was it horrible?”

  He rubs a hand over his eyes, but I’m relieved to see a smile. “Yes and no. I thought…I thought it would taste bad. That I would–get sick off of it, maybe. But it wasn’t like that. Myra just dove right in. She said, ‘Let’s get this done.’ Ryan didn’t seem to know what to do with that. But once Myra started…it was easier. I…”

  He doesn’t continue, and I squeeze his thigh. He sets his hand over mine, warm fingers linking.

  “What?” I whisper.

  His jaw clenches. “I can see why Kane’s so addicted. Once you get going, it’s hard to stop. And for him, there’s no hesitation. No reason for him to care how far he takes it. This is what he wanted. I have a feeling he’s enjoying it.”

  He words drop a weight on me. If that’s the case, it puts us in a terrible position. Kane’s not going to give this up. So, either we have to stop him or…the other alternative.

  The one I can’t drum up the words to.

  Logan touches my cheek, thumb brushing along the bone. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “No, you don’t,” I murmur.

  “I do. And it’s a possibility you don’t want to consider because you’re afraid of what it means for me and Myra.”

  My head comes up. Nerves race through my stomach. “You…Logan, did you get any other powers after the spell was broken last night? Can you…hear my thoughts?�
�

  He doesn’t blink. Just holds my gaze and nods slowly. “I hear things here and there. But mostly just get a feel for your mood.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Grinning, he kisses me briefly on the lips before getting off the bed. “In what spare time? Besides, I thought it was just…I don’t know. A fluke. But Myra said the same thing tonight.”

  “And I bet she already told Ryan before this,” I mumble, kicking off my shoes.

  I climb off the bed to go to the bathroom, and Logan intercepts me in the blink of an eye. My breath whooshes out, and I frown at him. “I need to brush my teeth.”

  “Where’d you get a toothbrush?”

  “Myra. She gave me some clothes, too. And pajamas, since all my stuff is back at the house. I should really–”

  “No, you shouldn’t. We can get you whatever you need here. And who says you need pajamas anyway?” He grins.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “That reading my mind thing is going to get annoying if you use it too much.”

  “I didn’t have to read anything to know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking about going back to the rental house. You’re thinking about a million other things, too, because that’s who you are, Willow. You’re always trying to figure out a puzzle. But right now, there are pieces that don’t fit. It’s okay to take a break.”

  He squeezes his arms tighter around me and he nuzzles my neck. “I’ll help you relax.”

  I sigh in frustration, but it comes out more like pleasure. Even in my irritation, my body responds to his. Angling my head away from his, I say, “I can’t stay here forever.”

  “That’s why Morgan’s here.”

  “I was wondering when you were going to tell me about her.”

  Instead of releasing me, he takes my chin to look into my eyes. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  I shrug.

  “You’re backing out, is that it? Don’t want to marry me now that I’m a vampire?”

  “No.” Instead of amusing me, it hurts. “You know I wouldn’t do that. No matter what. We’re in this together, and I don’t care if it means you’re a vampire or–”

  “Willow, sweetheart, I was joking.” His eyes search mine. “What’s wrong?”

  I hesitate long enough, he loosens his grip and takes my hand, guiding me to the bed. “You’re tired still. We don’t have to talk now.”

  “I’m worried about her,” I blurt out.

  He leans against the headboard and sets his hand on the bed next to him. “Come here.”

  I curl up against his side, resting my cheek on his chest. I can barely hear his heartbeat, but I hear the blood rushing through his veins. Like he’s been replenished.

  “This can be reversed, right?” I ask. “You’ll still be able to go back if we end the spell, right? Unless you want to be a vampire…”

  “Is that what’s bothering you?” He brushes his hand down my hair. “I want whatever’s going to be safest for you and Myra and the whole town. If that means I have to stay a vampire, then I will. But it’s not what I want. I want a normal life with you. I want to be able to travel with you and live with you in this house, or wherever you want. Have kids–”

  My chin jerks up. I stare at his jaw. “Kids?”

  He smiles. “If you want. I’m just saying, I’ll do what it takes. But my ultimate goal is to be with you.”

  “You’re already with me.”

  “Marry you.”

  “I said yes.”

  “It’s not enough,” he says quietly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, it won’t be done. Complete. What it needs to be. Not until we do it. Not until you say yes and I say yes and we’re married.”

  “I didn’t know you were so traditional.”

  His shoulders move in a shrug and I rest my head against him again. “It’s important to me. I didn’t–I didn’t do much else the traditional way. But after Myra got sick, my priorities changed. I still regret bringing you here–”

  “I understand why you did.”

  “Still. I shouldn’t have done that. It was selfish. I don’t want to be that person anymore. I want to make it up to you. To give you the rest of the life I almost took away from you. Which means Kane…”

  I look up again. “What?”

  “He’s not going to stop until someone gets hurt. Until this over.” His fingers brush my cheek. “We have to protect ourselves.”

  “Even if that means…hurting him?”

  Logan releases a slow breath, like he’s thinking it over. And coming to a hard decision. “Yes, even then. If it means keeping you safe and Myra safe, and saving lives. Yes, we do what it takes to stop him.”

  “Is that how Myra feels, too?”

  “Yes.”

  “She told you that?”

  “Yes.”

  I swallow hard. But he’s your brother. That’s what I want to say. To tell him that family is everything. It devastated me to lose my dad. But Kane is evil. Plain and simple. Is Logan really willing to sacrifice him for the rest of us?

  Logan changes the topic. “I think you were about to ask about Morgan.”

  “Was I?”

  “You said you were worried about her.”

  He’s right. And he probably hadn’t had to read my mind to figure that one out either.

  “She didn’t want to say hi to everyone?” I ask. Even I hear the sarcasm in my voice.

  Logan’s chest rumbles with laughter. “She’s been driving since yesterday. She wanted the chance to rest before she met everyone. I put her in the bedroom at the end of the hall.”

  “Is she blonde?”

  There’s amusement in his voice when he says, “Do you want me to go knock on her door so you can get a look?”

  I wrap my arm around him. “No. Stay here.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  It’s quiet for several minutes before I ask one more question. “Is she good?”

  He laughs. “At what?”

  “Being a witch? It sounds like…she knows what she’s doing. That you’ve been able to talk to her about things and get answers.”

  To my surprise, Logan shifts on the bed, easing me up so he can look in my eyes. “She’s a friend, that’s all. She was helpful when I needed it, and I appreciate her for that. She’s been a practicing witch all her life, so she has valuable information. But that’s it. There’s nothing else between us.”

  “I know,” I say gruffly. But that’s exactly what worries me. That she knows better what to do. How to deal with this. That she can support Logan better. That she can lead this group better, because I’ve clearly not been doing a good job. I’ve gotten us into a big mess.

  He cups my cheek, leaning in to kiss me on the lips. “Are you tired?” he asks.

  “A little.”

  “Good. Let me help you get a little more tired.” He smiles. “And then you can sleep.”

  Some of the tension melts away. “How are you planning on doing that?”

  He reaches over, dimming the light from the lamp, and then pulling off his shirt. “First,” he says, turning back to me, “I’m going to take of all your clothes.”

  And he starts right there, pulling my shirt off so I’m in my black, lacy bra. He breathes out, tracing the edge with his fingertips until I shiver. Then he undoes my pants and tugs them off, letting them drop on the floor.

  “What else?” I breathe, my heart racing.

  He chuckles. “I’m not done with your clothes yet.”

  My voice hitches when I say, “I’m impatient.”

  He moves so fast I barely see him. In a split second, he has me flat on my back, my head against the pillow. My hair’s spread out beneath me, and Logan runs his hand over it. “I’m going to kiss every inch of your body.”

  My back arches as he makes good on his word and starts at my neck.

  “And then?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

  “And then,” he says as his lips
travel lower, “I’m going to love you.”

  When I wake, sunlight is streaming through the window. A loud bang makes me jerk to a sitting position. I glance around, searching for Logan or the source of the noise. Then I hear muffled laughter and blow out a breath.

  It sounds like a few of us are awake and down in the kitchen. It makes me smile. Amidst all that’s gone on, we’ve all found each other–and we can still laugh. That’s better than I would expect us to be doing. Then I remember Morgan and my smile fades some.

  I haven’t even met her yet and already I don’t trust her. What’s wrong with me? Or maybe it’s that I haven’t been able to have a lot of faith in strangers lately. All of them have been trying to turn this town into some sort of paranormal free-for-all, and people are getting hurt.

  The sound of running water from the bathroom pulls me out of my thoughts. I lean across the bed to peer into the room, and find Logan standing bare-chested with a towel around his waist. He’s at the sink shaving.

  I watch him for a moment, letting the sight of him melt away my stress. Then I think back to the first time I met Logan and the undeniable attraction. Even when I found out what his motives were, it was hard to hate him completely. There was that vulnerable side. The side I knew wouldn’t hurt me despite what he might say. And when I discovered he was doing it all for his sister, I couldn’t be too upset with him. He cared about Myra. Took care of her. And since then, he’s been trying to take care of me, too.

  So, it’s my job to trust Morgan, right? Because he trusts her. Because he did what it took to deal with this situation. But on the other hand, I was the one who’d encouraged him to call her.

  My bad. But still, we needed her.

  Logan glances over and sees me staring at him. “Hey there.”

  His grin makes me sigh. That’s my fiancé.

  I lie on my stomach, propping my hand under my chin, and smile. “I’m going to marry you.”

  He wipes his chin with a towel and abandons his task to walk to me. “I’m sorry if I woke you up.”

  “You didn’t.”

  He sits on the bed next to me. “How’d you sleep?”

  “Good.”

  He lifts his eyebrows. Yep, always taking care of me.