Broken Knights: A Paranormal High School Bully Romance (Gifted Academy Book 4)

by Michelle Hercules

  “I wouldn’t count much on the Knights getting anything out of that fu—I mean, guy,” Phoenix replies, glancing apologetically at his mother for his almost slipup in front of Theo. “Bryce and Rufio had blocks, and only Daisy was able to breach through.”

  I can’t believe that didn’t occur to me until now. “I have to go see him.”

  A shadow crosses Xavier’s eyes. I’m afraid he’s going to say no, but he knows we desperately need information on the Neo Gods. If I can find their secret hideout in the mountains, even better.

  “I’ll make the call,” he replies finally.

  Travis, who had been listening to the exchange silently until now, chimes in. “There’s a secure line you can use in the studio.”

  “Thank you. I’ll do it right now.”

  “Maybe you should also try to reach Mr. Silverstone,” Toby suggests. “We’ve heard nothing from him for a while.”

  I don’t need to read minds to know the lack of news from Gunther is weighing heavily on Xavier’s shoulders.

  “Things are chaotic in Hawk City as well. There have been several attacks in Norm neighborhoods,” Travis replies somberly.

  “Also schools?” I ask.

  “No, not schools, but just as devastating.”

  “And let me guess, the Idol police are doing nothing to deter those terrorists.” Rufio’s eyes seem to flash bright blue for a second, but I must be imagining things.

  “Not with the chief of police being a top dog in their organization,” I reply, remembering vividly that he was one of my targets. Too bad I didn’t have the chance to take him down.

  “The cops here aren’t helping either. The Neo Gods’ hold is deep in every branch of the government,” Travis says with a deep frown.

  Felicity hugs her middle, appearing smaller. “How can we win this war, then?”

  “Just kill the big bad,” Theo replies calmly.

  “The big bad?” I ask, amused by his statement despite our dire situation.

  He nods. “Yeah. If you kill the main villain, then his followers will fall too.”

  “Where did you learn that?” Leticia asks.

  “From cartoons.” He shrugs.

  “That’s actually not a bad plan.” Bryce rubs his chin.

  “Okay, but who is the head?” Phoenix asks.

  Bryce and Rufio trade a glance, but it’s Rufio who replies. “The master.”

  33

  Daisy

  There was nothing to do but learn as much as we could from the situation and then come up with a plan. After we heard from Travis, Morty, Ellen, and her Norm girlfriend—who also happened to be a teacher in one of the schools attacked—we now know most of the attacks were carried out by a team of two high-level Idols and five or six Fringes. Every single one of the attackers was armed with lightning-glass weapons, but only the Idols had protective vests.

  The meeting took around two hours, and then Ellen showed us around and introduced us to the other volunteers who were helping with the injured. None of them were Idols, which didn’t surprise me.

  The majority of the wounds were burns and glass cuts, and I could tell it killed Bryce that he couldn’t heal them yet. It was hard to look closely at those poor children and teens and maintain a serene expression. I was torn between blind rage and the deepest sorrow.

  While we were helping Ellen, Xavier snuck out with Travis, Mrs. Malek, and Leticia to get the supplies. We couldn’t risk exposure, but it was apparently okay if the adults did. That rubbed me the wrong way, but I was too tired to fight Xavier about it. They came back safe, and that’s all that mattered.

  Nighttime has fallen with no sign of Morpheus yet. We’ve all settled for the evening in an area separated from the makeshift hospital by a pile of empty cardboard boxes. Comfort is not to be found, since every single mattress and sleeping bag are being used in the hospital. Our hosts offered the leather couches in their studio to Mrs. Malek, Leticia, and Felicity. No one bothered to offer Jodie the courtesy. It seems her reputation preceded her.

  But they didn’t want the perk, and it took much insistence from everyone to make them accept the offer. Theo, who has grown attached to Phoenix’s mother, also slept with them. As for us, we’re making do on the floor, turning our jackets into pillows and trying to ignore the cold bite of the hard surface. It’s still better than the bungalows in the camp from hell.

  Rosie has thawed out toward Toby—finally—and is cuddled with him in a corner. Both fell asleep within minutes. Renata picked a spot as far as possible from us to avoid another conflict. No one can say she isn’t trying. We’re by no means friends, but days of running for our lives together has created some type of bond between us. I no longer resent her for all the awful things she did in the past. Rosie is another story.

  I’m sandwiched between Rufio and Phoenix. They went down pretty fast too, but I can’t sleep. Worry gnaws at my insides, carving a hole in my heart.

  Bryce said he was going to use the restroom, but that was ten minutes ago. I suspect he’s with the children in the hospital. He knows better than to try to heal anyone now, but he can also be stubborn as hell. Since it’s not likely I can sleep, I decide to go look for him. Getting up without stirring my human blankets is difficult, and for a moment, I think Rufio is waking up. But aside from mumbling in his sleep, he doesn’t do anything else.

  On my tiptoes, I mince away from our sleeping camp and veer toward the makeshift hospital. The place is dim; the only lights are from the small lamps on the walls. Ellen is awake, doing her rounds, but there’s no sign of Bryce. Strange. Maybe he did go to the restroom.

  I turn around before Ellen sees me and chastises me for not resting, but I don’t return to where the others are. My feet take me to the back of the warehouse where Morpheus went with the Zions earlier in order to ascend to his demigod status.

  The word demigod leaves a stain in my mind. I can’t believe Magia was one who chose to become mortal. I wish I knew why she did that when the vast majority of her kind are selfish and capricious. And why that important fact is not common knowledge. Even those religious freaks believed she was an Idol. I wonder if that antique book I got from the school’s librarian had that information. But if it did, I’m sure Jodie would have known. She wouldn’t have told Mrs. Wilkins to give me that book without knowing exactly what it contained. It’s a pity that it’s now probably in the hands of the new Neo God principal.

  But we have the Zions, who seem to possess a plethora of knowledge. I didn’t have the chance to grill the brothers today, but tomorrow that’s my top priority. I’m glad they decided to stay.

  I finally reach my final destination. This section of the warehouse is completely separate from the used area by sheet metal walls that go all the way up to the ceiling. The entrance is an opening big enough to allow a truck through. The sliding door is half open, but inside is not as dark as I expected it to be.

  It’s much colder here than it was in the main section of the warehouse though, and the reason is the huge hole in the ceiling. There’s a charred spot right below it, and my guess is a lightning bolt struck here. That must have been the awful noise we heard earlier. Moonlight is pouring through the gap, creating a small silvery area. I stand under it, glancing at the starry sky.

  “Oh, Morpheus. Where are you?” I whisper.

  My question meets with silence, which only makes the choke in my throat grow larger. I drop my head in my hands, fighting the despair that’s beginning to take hold of me. Tears prickle my eyes, but if I let them fall now, I don’t think I will ever stop bawling.

  I hear footsteps approach, and a split second later, I sense Bryce. I turn around just as he’s within reach. We both freeze for a moment with our gazes locked. A thousand thoughts are exchanged in that single glance, and then I don’t know who attacks whom first. I’m in his arms and my fingers are in his hair, making a mess out of it. I’m not kissing him; I’m devouring his mouth as if he’s the only sustenance I need.

  We f
ly out of the spotlight, disappearing into a dark corner. My back meets the wall while Bryce presses his body against mine. Our hands become impatient, eager, as they try to get us out of our clothes as fast as possible. My jacket and top go first; then my jeans are the next to disappear in the darkness. It may seem like we’re two careless teenagers who can’t go a day without sex, but that isn’t what this is about. After the cruelty we saw, the ordeals we’ve gone through, connecting skin to skin is the only way we can feel human again.

  We haven’t stopped kissing since we started, but when I feel Bryce’s erection press against me, I tense, pulling away. “We need protection.”

  Bryce’s eyes are glowing, giving him an even more otherworldly appearance. Hooded like that, they’re sexy as hell.

  “Do we?” he whispers, giving me pause.

  “Yes, Bryce, we do. I’m not on the pill.”

  “I know, but what about the prophecy? What if the only way to truly end this war is to vanquish Chaos?”

  “Are you saying you believe our child would be the God-killer?”

  “I don’t know. It makes sense. And Morpheus had a vision about us being linked by the infinity band. What if our meeting was preordained?”

  “Preordained? I’m not sure about that.”

  “I never told anyone this, but I wasn’t headed to Poppy’s Joint that night we met. I didn’t even know it existed before I parked in front of it.”

  “But you said you came in because we’re notorious for our pies.”

  He shakes his head. “I got that from your poster on the window. I was driving aimlessly that night. Don’t get me wrong. I wanted pie.”

  “How did you know where to go, then?”

  “I had a vision of the place. It popped into my head unbidden. And somehow, I was able to find it without getting lost even though I had never been there before. It was as if a greater force was leading me there.”

  My heart is beating much faster now while I’m grappling with Bryce’s revelation. My mind whirls as it tries to connect all the pieces in this gigantic puzzle.

  “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “I didn’t think it was important. But then there were other details, such as how Gunther knew exactly how long to keep me locked away until you were in mortal danger, or how he and my mother knew I’d be able to heal you. I think a demigod or even a god is feeding them this information.”

  “And you think all that means those crazy fanatics were right about the God-killer?”

  He caresses my cheek. “I just think it’s not a theory we should ignore.”

  I bite my lower lip. “But what if it’s bullshit? I’m only eighteen. I’m not ready to… procreate. Besides, the world is crazy right now. It’d be irresponsible to bring a child into it.”

  He sighs against my lips, the hot air tickling my skin. “You’re right. We shouldn’t be reckless about this. Besides, I think if I knocked you up, Xavier would have my balls.”

  “Yeah, I think he would.”

  Bryce steps back and then picks up his jeans from the floor. “This is the last one.” He pulls a wrapper from the back pocket. “Maybe we should have asked Xavier to buy us more condoms.”

  Heat rushes to my face. “They risked their lives to get essential supplies.”

  “Well, I consider avoiding teen pregnancy essential.” He smiles cheekily.

  “I think Phoenix’s humor is rubbing off on you.”

  “Maybe.” Bryce tears the package with his teeth without breaking eye contact, then rolls the condom down his shaft. I’m still in the same spot with my back pressed against the wall when he cages me in by bracing his forearms on each side of my head. “Where were we?”

  I reach for his fine ass and pull his hips against mine. I’m so wet that he slides halfway in even in this awkward position.

  “About here,” I murmur.

  He grabs my hips, lifting me off the floor. I wrap my legs around him, hooking them at the ankles behind his butt, which grants him easy access for a home run. He fills me completely while searing my mouth with an ardent kiss. I dig my heels against his ass, squeezing him, which elicits a grunt from deep his throat.

  “Damn it, babe. Why do you always have to feel so fucking amazing?”

  “Would you rather I didn’t?” I pepper his jaw with kisses.

  “Hell no.”

  There’s no keeping the pace slow with us because the urgency from before has returned with a vengeance. Bryce pistons in and out of me like a man on a mission, quickly turning my body into mush. The delicious pressure between my legs builds up quickly, and I’m glad my mouth is currently busy or I’d scream from the top of my lungs. It feels so good, and I obviously have zero control of my body.

  Bryce’s grunts become louder as he increases his tempo. In this empty area, our lovemaking sounds, even if muffled, echo too noisily. I begin to worry Xavier is going to bust us, but my mind scrambles when the wave of cosmic orgasm finally hits me. Accidentally, I bite Bryce’s lower lip, drawing blood. Man, I’m savage.

  Bryce follows suit in the next minute, abandoning my mouth to hide his face in the crook of my neck. His body spasms almost violently as he empties himself in me, warm and sleek.

  Huh?

  I push him back with such force that he loses his balance and staggers back. “What’s wrong?”

  Ignoring him, I glance at the mess that’s trickling down my legs. “Bryce!”

  “What?”

  “Look!” I point at it. “What the hell happened to the condom?”

  He glances at his dick, which is still at half mast but also bare save for the ring of rubber around the base. “It broke.”

  “How could it break?” My voice rises to a pitch, ringing around us.

  “Shhh. Do you want to draw everyone here?” he hisses.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck. This can’t be happening.” I pull my hair back, yanking at the strands. Then I begin to jump in place.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Helping gravity.”

  “Do you think that will work?”

  “I don’t know, Bryce. I’m freaking out here, can’t you see?” I grab my discarded shirt from the floor and clean myself to the best of my ability.

  Bryce steps closer and takes the shirt from my hand. “Let me help you.”

  He drops to his knees and runs the cloth up my legs, sending tingles down my spine. Damn it. I’m not supposed to get aroused when there could be millions of sperm traveling up to my womb.

  “Maybe I could lick it clean,” he says with a smile.

  I hit his shoulder. “Bryce, come on. This is serious.”

  His grin wilts to nothing, and finally his expression reflects our predicament. He unfurls from his crouch, looking incredibly guilty. “I’m sorry, Daisy.”

  “You didn’t do this on purpose, did you?”

  He quirks both eyebrows. “Of course not. How can you even ask?”

  I shake my head, dropping my gaze to his neck. “Shit. I know you wouldn’t do it. It’s almost like we jinxed ourselves by talking about making a God-killer.”

  “Maybe we did.” He steps back, running his hand through his hair. “Or maybe we have zero control over our lives, and this was supposed to happen.”

  I hear voices just outside, and that prompts me into getting dressed. There’s nothing we can do about our situation in this moment. Bryce offers me his shirt since mine is unwearable now.

  “Daisy?” Ellen calls from the entrance.

  “Hey, Ellen.”

  “And Bryce. I’m not going to ask. I just came by to let you know that Xavier is looking for you, and he doesn’t seem happy.”

  Crap. “Okay. Thanks.”

  Her silhouette disappears from the door, but before I can take a step forward, Bryce takes my hand, halting me. “I want you to know that whatever happens, I’m here. We’ll face it together.”

  Tears fill my eyes as several emotions compete for space in my chest. I’m remorseful for accusing him
of tampering with the condom, afraid we did make a god-killing baby tonight, and filled with unmeasurable joy that this amazing guy loves me so much.

  I rise on my tiptoes to kiss him softly on the lips. “I know. But first, we might have to face my pissed-off uncle.”

  34

  Morpheus

  With my unrestrained demigod powers, arriving at my destination took a mere thought. Eris, my half sister, tagged along, but I could have come without her. I returned to the Church of the Bold and the Fearless camp to take care of loose ends. Those motherfuckers tricked us, tried to kill us. They deserve what’s coming for them. From my vantage point, I can see the miasma surrounding the area, but I can’t glimpse past the smog. However, the discomfort I felt when I was inside the cave isn’t present now.

  “Why did you bring me here?” Eris asks.

  “There are very wicked people down there who deserve punishment.”

  “Oh, you’re taking the wrathful god approach?”

  “When it comes to those people, yes.”

  “I love that you’re fully embracing your dark side, brother.” She scrunches up her nose. “But this place reeks!”

  She’s right. The miasma does have a smell. I didn’t notice before, but maybe it’s because I wasn’t a true demigod yet.

  “You know why that’s the case?” I quirk an eyebrow.

  She slings her arm over her nose and glowers at me. “Obviously. I may be your half sister, Morpheus, but I’m a full-fledged god, not a halfling like you. There’s a lightning-glass reserve down there. One of Magia’s last acts of rebellion before she turned her back on her legacy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Magia was a difficult child, stubborn as hell. I should know, I gave birth to the brat. She hated the way Idols treated Norms and Fringes, so I gave her the power to unmake them.”

  “She wasn’t born with it?” My eyes widen.

  “No. She did use her gift to punish Idols who misbehaved, giving me great pride. But Chaos soon set his eyes on her, wanted to use her to further his wicked games of war. He tricked her into unmaking innocent Idols, including the man she had fallen in love with. When she found out, she was heartbroken, and the rage consumed her.”