Read Online Broken by Erin M. Leaf - Free Book Online Page B

beside Jaxt . They’d both dressed, Jaxt putting his black armor on for the first time in days, and now they loomed over
her. She grabbed her axe and stood up.
    “I
was born and raised in a city,” she said, gesturing to the east. “When the
flooding became worse, we had to abandon our home. My parents died almost
immediately. I disguised myself as a boy and began to work for food among the
refugees. That sucked.” She hooked her axe into its loop. “As I grew, it became
obvious I was a girl, and some men thought they could take advantage of me.”
She frowned, not enjoying this little trip down memory lane. “I picked the
strongest and nicest guy I could find, and offered myself to him in return for
protection. We lived in a smugglers’ settlement.”
    Jaxt growled under his breath, but Zoen held him back with
a hand on his arm. “What happened?”
    She
shrugged. “I saved up, and when I’d gathered enough shit together, I took off.
Found an old gem mine.” She pointed to the back of the cave. “Amethyst, beryl,
and tourmaline aren’t plentiful around here, but there’s enough for me to
survive on. I only use them when I can’t kill for food or I need stuff I can’t
make myself.” She eyed them, trying not to focus on how very much she wanted
them to stay. Last night had been outside of any sexual experience she’d ever
had. And she’d somehow grown fond of Jaxt … when he
wasn’t being an asshole. Zoen frightened her, because
he was just enough nicer than Jaxt that she felt
herself falling for him, hard, in just one day. And since they seemed to be a
package deal, she knew if she let her control slip at all, she would cave in
and follow them around for the rest of her life, like some sick little slave
who didn’t know any better.
    “We
are sorry for the hardship in your life, Sky,” Zoen said softly, ever the diplomat.
    She
shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Life isn’t fair.
Everyone knows this.” She rolled her shoulders, checking the weight of her
weapons. “So, just one power cell?” she asked.
    “Let
us come with you,” Jaxt said, looking angry. He
always looked angry, though, so he didn’t scare her.
    “No.
I can’t risk it. These humans are dangerous.” And also, they would kill me
on sight if I came strolling into their settlement with two Xyrans .
    “You
think we are not dangerous?” Zoen asked, the hint of
danger she’d sensed in him yesterday coming to the fore.
    She
snorted. “I know you’re dangerous, that’s the problem. There are only
two of you, remember? And the treaties between humans and Alpha mean you’re not
supposed to be here. If anyone sees you, they will shoot first, ask questions
later.”
    “They
will not see us,” Jaxt said, triggering his gift. His
skin and armor suddenly shifted colors, blending in with the walls of the cave.
    Sky
blinked. She didn’t know his armor could change color like that, but also, she
could still sense him, even though she couldn’t see him. It made her
feel claustrophobic. She would not be bound. “How about this,” she said
belligerently, getting angry now, too. “I just don’t want you to come. I don’t
need any other reason than that.” Forget convincing them; she needed to get
away from these two, pronto.
    “ Jaxt , stand down,” Zoen said.
    Instead
of listening, Jaxt strode forward and grabbed Sky by
the arm. “You are being unreasonable.”
    She
pressed the phase blade’s tip into his stomach. “Back off.”
    He
let her go slowly, obviously making sure she understood he wasn’t releasing her
because of the weapon. “You lie to yourself.” Abruptly, he pivoted and stalked
out of the cave.
    Sky
watched him go, throat tight.
    “He
cares for you,” Zoen murmured.
    She
glanced at him, frustrated. “I thought Xyrans had no
emotions.” His stark beauty surprised her all over again.
    “We
are raised to show no emotions, but that does not mean we have none.” he
said, shifting his weight uneasily. “ Jaxt