Page 32 of Broken Destiny

Bren? He’s a hoot. I don’t know if he acts the way he does on purpose, but I find him fascinating and funny. And even I, with my unknown sexuality, can see that the man is remarkably hot. He should be gracing the pages of a human magazine, posing in his underwear, rather than here. The things he knows though? They scare me.

“She’ll be okay,” I respond when they keep staring at me. “She doesn’t like the arrangements right now, though.” The goblins will hear me even if I can’t see the sneaky buggers. And the library? She’s always listening.

“Arrangements?” Avery asks with a frown, and I realize that could range from food to the exchange of blood that just happened. I wave a hand dismissively and float down to eye-level. It’s really annoying looking at everyone’s bald spots and dandruff all the time - not that these three guys have any. Their hair is perfect, even the big one who hardly has any with his short cut. I don’t even know what mine looks like. I can’t see my reflection in the mirror. But Zo said I was good-looking. She included me in her guards.

Garrett clears his throat. My brain is all over the place. It’s like that all the time, though. Without a heartbeat or a breath, I can’t control the way my thoughts bounce around. There’s nothing to anchor me. “Focus, Kodi. What exactly is the problem?” I think it’s the first time he’s actually addressed me. It’s not surprising that he’s just as bossy as he looks.

“It’s not you, it’s the rooms. She’s lonely.”

“That can be easily amended,” Duggar says. If I were flesh and blood, I might have jumped. He and the other little goblins are better at appearing out of thin air than I am, and I don’t exist. “We didn’t want to overwhelm her all at once.”

“A little late for that,” I say, shooting an accusing glance at Avery. Of course, he can’t see it. He still seems to understand though. The sheepish expression doesn’t fit his elegant, almost effeminate features. He’s beautiful in an ethereal way, the light to Bren’s dark.

“Before we start rearranging furniture, I need to know what’s going on,” the shifter interrupts. I could do without his swaggering arrogance. If he tries to go all alpha male on me, I’ll show him…somehow.

“Well, if you’d read the contract…” I needle him. To my surprise, he doesn’t get angry. Something indescribable passes over his face and he swipes a hand through his inch long hair.

As always, the blind vampire picks up on things no eye can see. “You can’t read,” he states simply, as if he were pointing out the fact that Garrett’s eyes are brown. Considering we’ve all remarked on his blind and born status, turnabout is fair play. Bren has his face turned away. I assume it’s so he doesn’t call out his brother.

“I can read,” Garrett argues, a touch of irritation on his rough face. He scratches at the dark stubble coating his chin and jaw. I bet he’s one of those manly men that can never get rid of the whiskers. My hand comes up almost reflexively, but I only feel static and a chill. I don’t know if I’d started to grow a beard before I died or not. I think I was about nineteen, but not all men mature the same way. It doesn’t look like Avery ever has to shave. His skin is smoother than a woman’s, but it works with the whole fae thing he has going on. I half-expected his ears to be pointy when I first saw him, and I wonder if there’s faerie blood in his ancestry. Fae can’t be turned, but Avery is a born vampire. All the usual rules don’t apply.

Garrett speaks, snapping me out of my thoughts yet again. When I can’t think about what I plan to do or bodily functions, all I can focus on are other people. It’s incredible how much time is spent thinking about food, sleep, or sex; I never realized it until I was dead. I still think about food and sex, but it only frustrates me. Sleep? Nah. I could do without that, although the weird half-sleep state I was in this morning still fascinates me. It was as if my mind had been elsewhere, which is sad because I would have loved to experience the pleasure of lying next to Zo.

“I can read. It’s just difficult for me. The letters bounce around, and it takes longer than it should. Is my contract still binding if I didn’t read it?” There’s a touch of guilt in his voice as he looks at the goblin, and it’s soon revealed why.

Duggar’s wings buzz with irritation. “Don’t act stupid, Master Garrett; it doesn’t suit you. You knew exactly what you were signing even if you couldn’t read it. The essence of the contract was transferred magically to your mind.”

“I didn’t think about it,” Garrett growls.

“Is that my fault?” Duggar argues, and I have to laugh. I don’t know how I create the sound without air, but it’s my favorite thing to do. It’s the only action that seems to send the tiniest shiver of pleasure through me. It’s hilarious watching the three-foot-tall goblin chastising the giant.

The shifter grumbles but looks away. “I didn’t realize I’d have to share,” he mutters. For some reason, that’s even funnier to me. He sends his frightening glare my way, but I shrug.

“Whatcha going to do? Punch me?” I taunt him.

“Now that we’re complete, we should talk about what’s going on.” Avery is as diplomatic as ever.

Bren seems lost in his thoughts. It’s almost like Zo’s presence changes him and makes him more present. Or maybe he’s just having a moment. The seer shakes his head like he’s rousing from a dream. “Yes. The term will start soon, and we don’t have much time. Zo needs to shift. It’s the only way to protect the library from what’s coming.”

Garrett sits down heavily. Apparently, he takes everything his brother says with the utmost sincerity. That means something. “What’s coming?” he asks carefully.

Bren shrugs and exchanges a look with the little goblin. “Trouble? War? The human-only movement grows stronger, but they’re not alone and not all human. We can’t dismiss them like the supernatural world believes. They’re being controlled and influenced by powerful supernaturals.”

Avery’s brow knits together. I hover next to them, occasionally swaying to a nonexistent breeze just so I can keep my brain rooted in the present. The glimpses of recollection I saw this morning keep me focused. There are answers in our memories - mine and Zo’s.

“Why would supernaturals be working against their own race? And with humans, no less?” There’s no recrimination in Avery’s voice. He has to be the calmest, most collected man I’ve ever met.

“They want power in numbers so they can rule.” It’s Garrett who speaks. He’s intelligent although his mind doesn’t process words like ours. I can still read; I just can’t turn the damn pages. It’s annoying reading whatever snippet is left open for me, like peeking into the windows of a stranger’s house. I never really know what’s going on.

Bren nods. “That’s a simple way of putting it. The humans may not have powers, but there is strength in numbers, and they can be turned. I’m sure many would pay handsomely for that power.”

Avery and Garrett both draw in breaths. I understand the importance of what Bren’s saying. If supes are turning humans in return for favors, they would be beholden to their makers. As far as I know, though, only two races can turn humans: vamps and shifters.

“Would imprisoning supes and torturing them be in this category?” The question is out of my mouth before I can stop it. Three pairs of eyes look at me: bright silver, pale green, and darkest brown. Zo said my eyes were greenish-blue. I hope I get to see them one day.

“Is that what happened to Zosia’s legs?” Garrett asks. I admire his blunt forwardness. I also appreciate the lack of judgment in his voice. If he doesn’t like the way Zo is built, I’ll find a way to sever his contract myself.

I nod. “She doesn’t have all her memories, but that’s the gist of it. She was experimented upon. They broke her legs and tried to take her wings. They’re still there, but it’s why she hasn’t shifted yet. The pain will be unbearable the first time, I think.” I’m just guessing from what I’ve overheard and what she’s told me, but Duggar and Bren don’t argue against my suppositions. “Not that she’s a stranger to pain,” I add. I can’t have them thinking she’s weak. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever met.