Read Online Chaos Broken by Rebekah Turner - Free Book Online

boys.
    I hesitated, wondering if I was supposed to let her deal with school bullies, or if this was my cue to be the adult and yell at them about manners.
    â€˜Get out of our way,’ Sabine said, hands going on hips. ‘You lot aren’t even supposed to be on school grounds. I’m going to tell the Headmistress.’
    The boys exchanged uncertain looks. Then the narrow door swung open and a kid walked out, wrapping a long object in a hessian bag. He was smaller than his buddies, but his pale yellow eyes held a certain authority and the others snapped to attention.
    â€˜Kalin,’ Sabine gasped. ‘What are you doing here? You were told never to come here again.’
    The kid shrugged the hessian bag onto his shoulder and didn’t answer. An uneasy sensation rolled through me but I was at a loss for what to do. It didn’t feel right to draw steel against a group of kids. I felt as if I’d been whisked back in time to when I was a chubby girl who always got picked on. With my white hair mistakenly marking me a Witch Hunter, the school children had been merciless. I’d learned to defend myself, both verbally and physically, but the memory still cast faint horror through me. Then I got over it.
    â€˜Is Lady Poulter back there?’ I asked him.
    Kalin shrugged. ‘Didn’t see her.’
    â€˜Sure you didn’t,’ I said. ‘Now, how about you boys do the right thing and run along.’
    Kalin’s yellow eyes roamed up and down my body. ‘What do we have here? Bit of mutton dressed as lamb?’
    â€˜Hey! Just how old do you think I am?’
    â€˜Too old for school, that’s for sure.’
    â€˜I’m not too old for anything,’ I said, then stopped when I realised I wasn’t making sense. ‘Look, just get out of my way.’
    â€˜This is Lora Blackgoat,’ Sabine said. ‘She’s a Runner working for Lady Poulter, so you better move.’
    A muscle around each of Kalin’s yellow eyes twitched. ‘I’ve heard of you. The Witch Hunter who isn’t a Witch Hunter. Whatever does that old bitch need a Runner for?’
    â€˜Missing cat,’ I said. ‘You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?’
    â€˜Lose her precious kitty, did she?’ Kalin’s lips parted in a nasty smile, exposing alarmingly grey teeth. I suddenly noticed flecks of blood on his chin and neck, and registered that he didn’t quite fit the bill for impressive shaving nicks. Kalin saw something in my face and his smile widened. My fingers fumbled at my belt, but then my arms were grabbed and twisted. Too late, I realised one of Kalin’s goons had snuck around behind me.
    â€˜Son of a —’ I struggled, but the hold just tightened. I couldn’t believe I was about to get into a fight. It was like the ghost of school past come back to haunt me.
    â€˜You shouldn’t get involved in things that don’t concern you, Runner.’ Kalin adjusted the bag on his shoulder.
    â€˜Look kid…I’m pretty sure I’m already destined to spend eternity in the Pit. Doesn’t bother me if I add beating up children to my sins.’
    Kalin grinned at one of his friends. ‘Give her some school spirit, why don’t you.’
    The big guy approached me, fists curling. Sabine grabbed at his arms.
    â€˜You leave her alone,’ she cried.
    The guy gave her a shove and Sabine sprawled back into the dirt.
    â€˜Real tough guy,’ I snarled. ‘Beating up little girls.’
    The one holding me yanked my arm up harder and I dropped my cane with a pained shout, right as a fist slammed into my stomach. Then I was free and I sank to the ground, trying to catch my breath. Boots entered my vision and someone crouched down beside me.
    â€˜I have no idea what he sees in you,’ Kalin whispered. ‘The old man must be blind.’
    Then the boots were gone. After a moment, I could breathe