Page 86 of Broken Fate
And just like that, it was over.
We had done it.
Chapter Forty
Arcadus fled the chamber in a hurry. I saw the coward’s back as he ran. Kiel didn’t go after him but instead rushed to my side.
“Andi,” I said, pushing him off. “Help Andi.”
“She doesn’t need it,” he grunted. “She’s busy gathering your parents. I’ve got you. Come, we must go. We lingered too long already. We have to get out of here before the guards get organized.”
Gingerly, Kiel helped me to my feet with my right arm. I cradled the left to my stomach, the pain still throbbing from the puncture wound, beating against my temples with every step we took.
“How are you still alive?” I asked. “The Alpha, Arcadus, he’s so fast. So strong.”
“Lots of training,” Kiel said.
I frowned. “He knew you. You two have met before.”
“A long time ago,” he conceded. “I’m sure he thought I was dead since I’ve kept to the shadows mostly since.”
“He wasn’t happy to see you.”
“No, I shouldn’t think he was,” Kiel said with a snort. “Now, come.”
We made it back to the sewers with only one encounter. The pair of guards had taken one look at us and lowered their weapons, but Kiel made quick work of them. Then we ran on, Andi supporting one of my parents with each arm and Kiel ensuring I didn’t fall over dead.
Eventually, we reached the safe house.
“Andi will ensure your parents are safe,” Kiel said. “But we must go on. Arcadus will be after us with a vengeance. We need to draw his attention away from your parents.”
In other words, they couldn’t keep up with us. Even with my arm the way it was, I was in far better shape than either of them.
“Okay,” I said, hobbling over to them as we paused. “Mom, Dad, I’m so glad you guys are alive.”
“Oh, Jada,” my mom sobbed, flinging her arms around me. “We’re just happy you’re okay. After your Fate Night, when we didn’t see you, we feared for the worst. Then those men came, and they said all these horrible things about you.”
“I know,” I said, squeezing her with my good arm, locking eyes with my dad as he enveloped us both. “I know. It’ll be okay. You guys have to get better. Then, Andi here will find a way out of the city for you, somewhere safe. I’ll find you then.”
“We’re not going home?” my mom asked.
“No,” I said gently. “Not yet.”
“Oh,” she said a little hollowly. “I’d like to go home.”
“Once you get better,” I said, glancing at Andi.
She nodded. After my mom overcame the shock, Andi would bring her up to speed about the house being gone.
“Thank you,” I said to the other woman before giving my mom another hug and then my dad.
“You be careful,” he urged. “Take care of yourself, and don’t do anythingelsestupid.”
I smiled. “I’m your daughter.”
“I know,” he said somberly. “That’s what scares me. Just be smart about it, Jada. I believe in you.”
“Jada,” Kiel rumbled. “We must go.”
