Read Online From the Ashes (Force of Nature Book 1) by Amber Lynn Natusch - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amber Lynn Natusch
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fear that a deep-seated need for retribution would overshadow the bigger picture,” he said tightly. “Do you understand what I'm saying, Piper?”
“I think so,” I said quietly.
“Jase and Dean adore you. I do not think you need me to tell you that. Their actions the other night along with Merc's are evidence enough.”
“You think they'll go after Kingston despite your direct order not to...”
“Though it pains me to admit it, yes. I do.” He fell silent again, and my anxiety with the situation grew. Just when I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin, he began to speak. “Piper, do you know why I took you in?”
“You felt sorry for me?”
“Hardly. I see something in you, Piper. I always have, but the trouble is and always has been that you yourself do not see what I do. I fear that your insecurities will be your undoing one day. Maybe the undoing of those that are closest to you as well,” he explained gently. “Our world is one without forgiveness, as you well know. One where the weaknesses of some are exploited for the benefit of another. Imagine what will happen if the treaty fails? If I am unable to hold together the very agreement that keeps such behavior within our community to a minimum—crimes punishable under the stipulations set forth?” I swallowed back my fear. “We cannot afford for things to go back to the way they once were, Piper, and so I am going to ask something of you that brings me no pleasure.”
“Okay,” I whispered, sensing what he was about to suggest.
“I need you to keep quiet about who was behind your attack.” My blood ran cold. “Rest assured that Reinhardt and I will be revisiting our previous agreement that resulted from the incident two weeks ago.” I still sat silent, my heart racing. “Please do not mistake this as my ignoring the despicable events that you suffered, Piper. Someone will pay dearly for that, but it needs to be handled carefully. Quietly. Say yes if you understand.”
“Yes...”
“Thank you for your compliance in this matter, Piper. You are a good girl in a harsh world. A world that you must one day learn to navigate.”
The line went dead in my hand.
I sat there speechless for a minute or two, trying to sort through the reeling emotions that replaced my fear and concern over my unhealed wounds. But before I could wrap my head around what had just happened, I heard the clacking of Doc's heels from across the room as she approached me.
“All done?” she asked, knowing full well that I was. She could hear the buzzing sound of the phone. “Is everything all right?”
I nodded.
“Is it about your attack?”
I nodded again.
“Piper, do you remember something?”
I looked up at her with tears in my eyes, then shook my head no.
“Let's not worry about that for now, okay?” she said, patting my hand sympathetically. “For now, we need to focus on helping you heal. I have to say, Piper, I'm at a loss. I'm seriously considering bringing in some others on this case to help me. Maybe the witches know of something—”
“NO!” I shouted, grimacing as the pain my outburst caused shot throughout my body. They couldn't know. Nobody could, for more reasons than I could count, not the least of which was the treaty. Nobody could know what had happened to me. “No. Please. They all hate me. They'll do nothing to help. If anything, they'll find a way to capitalize on the situation and make me more miserable.”
Doc's eyes grew dark at my words.
“They wouldn't dare.” Her tone was ice.
“Maybe not, but they certainly wouldn't help you even if they knew how. And the—” I cut myself off before letting loose the truth, lest I should start a war.
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.
“No. It's just that we need to find a way to fix this on our own. Without any outside help. Okay?”
She continued to eye me strangely. There was suspicion in her gaze.
“What aren't
“I think so,” I said quietly.
“Jase and Dean adore you. I do not think you need me to tell you that. Their actions the other night along with Merc's are evidence enough.”
“You think they'll go after Kingston despite your direct order not to...”
“Though it pains me to admit it, yes. I do.” He fell silent again, and my anxiety with the situation grew. Just when I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin, he began to speak. “Piper, do you know why I took you in?”
“You felt sorry for me?”
“Hardly. I see something in you, Piper. I always have, but the trouble is and always has been that you yourself do not see what I do. I fear that your insecurities will be your undoing one day. Maybe the undoing of those that are closest to you as well,” he explained gently. “Our world is one without forgiveness, as you well know. One where the weaknesses of some are exploited for the benefit of another. Imagine what will happen if the treaty fails? If I am unable to hold together the very agreement that keeps such behavior within our community to a minimum—crimes punishable under the stipulations set forth?” I swallowed back my fear. “We cannot afford for things to go back to the way they once were, Piper, and so I am going to ask something of you that brings me no pleasure.”
“Okay,” I whispered, sensing what he was about to suggest.
“I need you to keep quiet about who was behind your attack.” My blood ran cold. “Rest assured that Reinhardt and I will be revisiting our previous agreement that resulted from the incident two weeks ago.” I still sat silent, my heart racing. “Please do not mistake this as my ignoring the despicable events that you suffered, Piper. Someone will pay dearly for that, but it needs to be handled carefully. Quietly. Say yes if you understand.”
“Yes...”
“Thank you for your compliance in this matter, Piper. You are a good girl in a harsh world. A world that you must one day learn to navigate.”
The line went dead in my hand.
I sat there speechless for a minute or two, trying to sort through the reeling emotions that replaced my fear and concern over my unhealed wounds. But before I could wrap my head around what had just happened, I heard the clacking of Doc's heels from across the room as she approached me.
“All done?” she asked, knowing full well that I was. She could hear the buzzing sound of the phone. “Is everything all right?”
I nodded.
“Is it about your attack?”
I nodded again.
“Piper, do you remember something?”
I looked up at her with tears in my eyes, then shook my head no.
“Let's not worry about that for now, okay?” she said, patting my hand sympathetically. “For now, we need to focus on helping you heal. I have to say, Piper, I'm at a loss. I'm seriously considering bringing in some others on this case to help me. Maybe the witches know of something—”
“NO!” I shouted, grimacing as the pain my outburst caused shot throughout my body. They couldn't know. Nobody could, for more reasons than I could count, not the least of which was the treaty. Nobody could know what had happened to me. “No. Please. They all hate me. They'll do nothing to help. If anything, they'll find a way to capitalize on the situation and make me more miserable.”
Doc's eyes grew dark at my words.
“They wouldn't dare.” Her tone was ice.
“Maybe not, but they certainly wouldn't help you even if they knew how. And the—” I cut myself off before letting loose the truth, lest I should start a war.
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.
“No. It's just that we need to find a way to fix this on our own. Without any outside help. Okay?”
She continued to eye me strangely. There was suspicion in her gaze.
“What aren't
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