Page 59 of Broken Lands

Crossing the room in a few steps, I grabbed the frame, turning it over in my hands to examine its contents.

A soft whimper escaped me as I saw myself staring back. Running my finger along the glass, I traced the edges of the picture. The photo was candid, my hair was blowing in a phantom wind, and I was laughing—at what, I couldn’t tell you.

When had James taken this photo? How had he taken it? Our community hadn’t possessed this kind of technology, so much of it was destroyed in the Last War. My hair seemed longer than it had been before James ascended and moved to Danann. How could that be?

“Garner?” There was no chance of hiding the tremble in my voice as I called his name.

He was off the sofa and by my side instantly, faster than I had expected.

Holding the photo frame in front of me, I gestured for him to take a look. “This photo isn’t old. It’s more recent than it should be. Like, after he moved here recently. How? Tell me how?”

Garner sighed heavily. “He snuck out once, to see you. Nearly had his head ripped off by his handler—the person assigned to be his buddy while he settled in. He told me you looked too happy to disturb, that he didn’t want to turn your laughter into tears just for the sake of numbing his own pain at being separated. I didn’t know he took this, though; he must have commissioned one of the cameras at the Academy.”

Vines began to wrap themselves around my hands, winding their way up my arms as I shook, furious at my brother for the first time since he’d left me alone in Sommers. How could he be so goddam short-sighted? I’d been dying to see him, had begged and begged for him to visit or if I could visit him. The answer was always no. I’m too busy. You aren’t allowed in Danann unless you’ve ascended. I’ll come and see you soon. But he never did.

Balling my hands into fists, I slammed them down on the counter. My whole body trembled with rage that I’d been bottling up for the longest time. My heart had ached for him, missed him with every fiber of its being. He was the only family I had ever known. Why would he do this to me?

“How dare he? How dare he have the nerve to visit and not see me? That he can just up and leave me on my own, and then fucking disappear into the dead of the night?” My flames were burning inside me now, begging for release, the heat of them singing the vines still winding up my arms.

Snatching the frame from Garner’s hands, I tossed it across the room. It smashed against the open doorway, leading to another room, glass flying everywhere upon impact.

Time slowed as I watched the glass shatter into a thousand tiny pieces, as the frame itself snapped at the corners, the photo of myself fluttering to the floor. I almost didn’t see the other, smaller piece of paper floating down with it.

Rushing forward, I dodged Garner’s arm as he reached for me, trying to halt me, stop me from whatever it was he thought I was about to do, and fell to my knees on the floor.

The shattered glass sliced into my knees and my shins, leaving tiny cuts all over my legs, but I didn’t care. Didn’t register the pain. My rage subsided, the charred vines around my arms retreating, leaving my hands clear as I reached for the note. It was folded so carefully, so familiar, in a way that turned the paper into its own envelope. The same way James had folded any note he’d ever left for me back home.

My heart was beating wildly against my rib cage as I carefully unfolded the page. This was it. The clue I’d been so eager to find. The thing that might lead me to James.

Riley,

Know I would never leave willingly. Everything I’ve done has been to protect you.

If you are reading this, I’ve failed. The Resistance has taken me, and theywilluse me to get to you.

I will find my way back. I promise. Give me time.

Don’t come after me. Don’t risk yourself. You are too important.

You hold the key, Riley.

Love you forever,

James

“I don’t understand what he’s talking about,” I said, standing and handing the note to Garner. He’s silent for a moment as he reads the words James has left me, his expression a mixture of concern and thoughtfulness.

“He always told me he didn’t want you to come here, Riley. That you wouldn’t be safe. I’m starting to think he knew a hell of a lot more than he ever let on.”

“Me too.” The realization that he’d kept something for me broke something deep inside of me. I ignored the pain, considering the note, and my brother’s warning. “You hold the key. Why do I keep hearing about a goddamn key?”

Garner quirked an eyebrow, looking up at me. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a long story,” I said as I moved into the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards. Pulling out a dustpan and making my way back to the shattered frame, I explained the prophecy to Garner as I cleaned up the mess I’d made.

“Maybe James was aware of the prophecy,” Garner mused thoughtfully from where he’d plopped himself down on the couch. “Is there any chance you might be the daughter of shadows the prophecy refers to? That might explain what James means.”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and reached down deep into my well of power, searching for the shadows I’d inadvertently used in my air tutoring session with Stefan. Once I summoned them, they flowed freely through my body, reaching my fingertips with ease. I let them flow out and wrap themselves around me, moving similar to that of a gentle wind twisting around my body.

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