Broken Promises (The Brianna Lane Series) (16 page)

Suddenly I felt nervous, my hands started sweating as my stomach dipped and churned. I had no idea what was on the other side of the door, but I hoped there’d be answers. Whoever this Noah was, I was positive he held them.

Knocking on the wooden frame, a strong baritone voice called for us to enter. Nodding at Liam that I was ready, he turned the knob and pushed it opened. My heart skipped a beat as I dug deep for courage before following him in. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but what I found wasn’t it.

I stepped into what must have been the former company’s boardroom judging from the large table gracing most of the space. Plastered on the walls were city maps and someone had taken a marker—crosses, circles and arrows drawn on them. They’d also divided them into sections, evidence they were keeping track of everything.

Seated in one of the chairs sat a man who was in a heated discussion with two other men. From the words I could here, they were disagreeing on an order they’d been given. One look and a firm word from the man at the head was all it took before they nodded in agreement and made to leave. Surprise covered their faces when they saw me, almost like they recognized who I was. They turned back to the figure I assumed was Noah, who shook his head and they continued out, smiling as they passed by and offering a small greeting.

“Bri, I’m glad to see you’re safe and in one piece. I’m Noah.” He stood up from his chair, a grin on his face as he strode toward me.

I was confused again. I took a good look and although he seemed familiar, I couldn’t place where I’d seen him before. Something niggled inside me and the truth hit me hard.

“You used to visit my house when I was younger. I remember coming into the kitchen one night and you were sitting there talking with my mother.” My voice caught and tears threatened.

His voice was filled with compassion. “Yes. I used to come by and talk with her whenever I needed help with things. We had to be careful, but she was a great listener and always had a kind word for me. To this day, I don’t think I’ve met anyone with a sweeter heart. Well, other than your grandmother.”

“You know her too?” I was floored. All this time there’d been a friend here in Penshurst and I hadn’t realized.

“My family is deeply connected with yours, Bri. We share a heritage that goes back countless generations. A legacy I know you’ve only just learned about. Your grandmother is also the High Priestess. We answer to her as our leader, and follow her guidance.” He paused and gestured to the surrounding chairs. “I gather she didn’t mention that either. Let’s take a seat and see if I can answer any of your questions.”

I was amazed. “I had no idea she was so important.” Moving around the table I found a place that gave me full view of the room. My phone vibrated inside my jeans pocket and a quick glance showed Quinn had resumed his texting.

Where are you babe? Missing me yet?

I placed the device on the mahogany surface and turned my attention back toward Liam and Noah. They both raised their eyebrows, questioning the interruption. I shook my head, signaling I wasn’t ready to share.

“So . . .” I looked between them. “I’m gathering you’re both part Fae as well?”

“We are. Everyone here shares the same lineage. I know it’s rough having it all thrown at you at once. Because of your father, your family thought it might be better if you were kept in hiding, which unfortunately meant you weren’t told anything. It was a difficult decision, but we all wanted to keep you safe.” Noah leaned over and rested his hand over mine. “I’m sorry this has come as a shock. I was just getting ready to send a team to look for you when Liam brought you in. You were in quite a battle.”

Instinct whispered I could trust Noah and it was okay to share what I’d been through. As I looked at him, everything I saw proved he was genuinely trying to help—from the gentle way he touched me to the kindness radiating from his brown eyes.

Brown eyes. I would never underestimate that color again.

“It’s been like a nightmare I can’t wake up from. One minute everything seemed so normal, then my boyfriend turns into this . . . monster and I had to run. Everywhere I turn people are attacking each other, and I’m finally told the family secret. Yeah, I’ve had quite the experience.” I slumped into the chair and stared. “I’m still expecting someone to jump out and tell me this is all some kind of sick, twisted, joke, but I’ve seen too much for it not to be true. I just . . .” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

“You need rest,” Liam chimed in. He leaned over and took hold of my hand, squeezing it gently. The gesture was reassuring, and I smiled.

“I can’t though. Quinn is out there and he needs me.”

“He’s the boyfriend you spoke of?” Noah asked, and pointed to my throat. “Was he the one who left that bruise around your neck?”

I lifted my fingers and gingerly touched the soft skin there. I hadn’t been able to look in the mirror since I’d left my apartment, but I could only imagine the kind of marks I’d see. His grip had been tight—painfully so. I nodded, not meeting Noah’s gaze.

“He wasn’t himself. The Quinn I know would never lift a finger to hurt me. He’d rather die. I need to figure out a way to save him.”

“And if he doesn’t want saving?”

I shot a dirty look at Noah. “Don’t judge. You don’t know him. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Quinn.”

It was his turn to nod now, and he wore a pensive look. The room became silent and I wondered what would happen next.

“I think Liam’s right. Try and get some sleep, then come back and we can talk more. I’ll do what I can to help you with your boyfriend, but I’m not going to sugar coat it, this situation is bigger than just him. The Fae are trying to take over and if we don’t find a way to stop them, your Quinn will be the least of your worries.”

“I’ll show her to one of the empty rooms,” Liam offered, and pushing back from his chair, he offered his hand to help me stand. “I’ll make sure she has everything she needs.” Noah cocked his eyebrow, but said nothing.

Liam leaned to the side and rested his hip against the doorjamb with his arms folded. “I don’t want to state the obvious, but it’s a madhouse out there on the streets and this is only the beginning. The sooner we can stop the invasion and put an end to the threat, the better. Each minute the Fae hold influence, humans are being attacked.”

Noah stood and made his way over to where we were standing. “That reminds me. I’m assuming your grandmother told you that even though we share blood with the Fae, this glamor can also affect us. It doesn’t take hold as strongly or as quickly as it does with full blooded humans, but sooner or later we do succumb if left unprotected.”

“She told me I needed to retrieve a family heirloom she’d placed in my apartment.” I answered. “I know I felt something earlier . . . violent, but then it stopped.”

“Are you wearing it?” Noah asked, and I could see Liam scanning my neckline for the telltale sign of jewelry.

I shook my head. “I haven’t had a chance yet. I didn’t think it was wise to go home alone.”

“I hate doing this because I know you’re tired, but you need to go do that now. I’ll send Liam and a few others to escort you. It’s really important we keep everyone safe.”

“We all have something.” Liam raised his hand and flashed a signet ring on his finger. I turned to Noah, who revealed his own chain. “The silver is charmed with Fae magic and places a defense shield over the wearer when it comes in contact with their skin.”

My stomach sunk. I was all for getting whatever my grandmother had prepared for me, but the idea of returning to where Quinn and I had spent so much time together made me ill. A voice in the back of my mind also whispered there was a good chance I could find him there—waiting. It was this thought that spurred me into action. If he was there, then my new friends could help subdue him and bring him back here to keep him safe. He couldn’t hurt anyone if he was under lock and key.

“Okay, let’s go then. The sooner we leave, the quicker we can return and I can sleep.” I didn’t bother stifling the yawn that escaped. The excitement and worry from the night was quickly turning into fatigue.

“Come find me later, Bri. We have more to talk about,” Noah added.

I let him pull me into a side hug, his hand squeezing my shoulder twice before letting go. Liam and he exchanged a few brief words, and when Liam nodded in answer, I followed him from the room.

I sighed. It was time to head out into the madness again.

Chapter Seventeen

The trek from Rebel Central to my apartment had been a series of terrifying near misses—eye opening moments. It had been less than a day since I’d left and a lot had changed since then.

It had been a nerve wracking five minutes as I waited downstairs while James and Marshall did a thorough check of my apartment. We weren’t sure what I’d find when I entered—a trashed home or Quinn himself, but they weren’t willing to have me walk into danger. Liam and I stood at the curb in silence, my heart beating while he kept a vigilant eye on the street.

“You’re good to go, Bri,” James said when they finally returned. “It doesn’t look like it’s been disturbed, but I wouldn’t waste too much time.”

Liam nodded at his assessment. “I think if each of us stands guard, we should be good. I’ll go inside with Bri, and you two stay in front of the building. Holler if you see anything unusual. Any sign of possible trouble, we’ll leave and come back later.”  He looked at me, concerned. “Without you though, if that’s the case.”

Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I was anxious to get moving. I didn’t like feeling so exposed, and I knew it was going to be hard enough entering my apartment with all the memories of Quinn. “Sounds good to me,” I agreed. I gave him a quick smile and entered the building.

We ran up the stairs, taking the steps two at a time. When we were finally standing at my door, I pushed it open and a whoosh of familiar air hit me. I was home.

Stepping inside, I was relieved by how normal everything appeared. Even though the others had said nothing had been trashed, I hadn’t believed it until I could see for myself. The room looked like an organized kind of chaos, same as everyday, and I felt a sudden twinge in my heart. I closed my eyes, hoping when I opened them I would somehow find myself back to how it should be—coming home from work, in a hurry because Quinn was on his way over.

It hurt how desperately I wanted it, but I knew as I reopened them it was foolish to wish for something that was gone. The apartment might look the same, but it was the only thing that did. Outside the world was still in turmoil and somewhere in the city lurked Quinn.

A recognizable wave of loneliness washed over me. I missed him so badly it ached, but I was gradually coming to the realization he was gone as well. The fact he was trying to kill me drove that painful point home.

“You going to be okay?” Liam’s voice was filled with compassion and his hand touched my elbow.

“Yeah. It’s just rough. We had so many good memories here. I want everything to go back to the way it was . . . we were happy.”

“It’ll happen, hopefully . . . it just might take some time. First we need to get you protected though. Right now that’s the most important,” Liam added. He looked around the apartment, gazing at the different mementos I used to decorate. “I’ll stay in here while you go get the necklace.”

“It shouldn’t take long. Grandma said she hid it in my closet, in the box of keepsakes I have on the top shelf.”

Liam nodded again, and smiled. “I’ll just stand here and wait.”

I took in a deep breath and crossed to my bedroom. My hand brushed over my furniture as I passed as if I was memorizing each piece. I didn’t know when I’d return or even if I would. Everything was so uncertain and I was quickly learning things I’d taken for granted could change from one moment to another.

I entered the room, only to be stopped in my tracks as the smell of Quinn’s cologne flooded my senses. He was everywhere in this space, and I cursed myself for not remembering it sooner. If there was any place in my apartment where I was fully aware of his presence in my life, it would be here.

Photos were hung randomly on the wall, snap shots of happy moments we’d shared. Each picture was a reminder of how in love we were. I could see it in our wide smiles, the sparkle in our eyes, and the way we naturally gravitated to each other. Looking at those images served as a painful reminder of everything we’d lost.

I reached for a specific frame on the wall, tenderly tracing Quinn’s face with my finger. He was so happy on the day I’d captured it on film. He’d come over grinning from ear to ear, scooping me up in his arms to spin me around in the air.

“Bri, you’ll never guess what happened,” he said, the excitement in his voice contagious.

“Um, let me see. You’ve just received news your favorite cereal company has accepted your suggestion for making chocolate covered strawberry tipped banana chip corn flakes.” I’d desperately tried keeping a straight face as I looked him, knowing I wouldn’t be able to do it for much longer.

Calling Quinn a breakfast fanatic was a definite understatement. He was obsessed when it came to his cereal and was forever thinking up new concoctions. Countless mornings had been spent experimenting, he appointing me as his official taste tester. I had learned real fast to smile big while looking for a way to hide my bowl. Some of those “adventurous” attempts still made me shudder.

He abruptly stopped, long enough for me to see him roll his eyes. “Noooo,” he replied, drawing it out in a long breath. “Smarty Pants.” He sighed, kissing the tip of my nose before continuing. “Mock me all you want, but that was a pretty good idea and you know it. Just think, each mouthful is like a mini banana split.”

I cupped the side of his face with my hand. “What’s your news?” I knew it had to be something good because he looked like he would burst at any second. I had a rough idea what it might be and it caused a butterfly sensation in my stomach. I offered up a quick prayer, mentally crossing my fingers as I watched him—waiting.

 “No wait, don’t guess. I’ll tell you. Are you ready?” He held the letter in his hand, now opened, his eyes lit up with excitement.