Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) by Jen Wylie Page A

almost liked that thought.
    He smiled again, which was no answer at all. Not with
him. She glanced quickly at the others. Everyone had been so still, so quiet.
It surprised her, but she certainly wasn't going to complain. So far they had
avoided fighting, and having Damon in anyone’s mind.
    Damon continued to regard her silently, as if waiting
for her to speak.
    She didn't want to. Her mouth tended to get her into
trouble with him. Counting her heartbeats she waited, staring at him, watching
his strange eyes swirl.
    He smiled again suddenly, and took a step forward. She
tensed. He had moved close enough now, he could touch her. In the past he had
always done so just before he invaded her mind.
    Damon lifted a hand, but didn't touch her. He looked
down, behind her.
    Garen whimpered.
    Turning quickly she saw her friend had lowered
himself, his back arched, tail tucked between his legs and his ears flat
against his head.
    Even as a wolf she could see how frightened he was.
Whirling around, she stepped forward and smacked Damon’s outstretched hand
away. "Stop it!"
    The Dragos looked away from Garen and turned his
attention to her. He wasn't impressed.
    Clenching her jaw she fought back her fear and
prepared to fight.
    He laughed. "What is this? Do you think you can
stop me? I could kill you all with a thought."
    "If you wanted to kill us you've had plenty of
chances," she said levelly. A strange calm came over her. This was
important, standing up to him.
    He raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised.
    "You will not hurt my family," she
continued. "No more of this. I will fight you if need be and I will fight
until I die."
    "Aro, stop."
    She ignored Prince, keeping her eyes locked with
Damon's. Placing her hands on her daggers she spoke firmly, "Do you understand?
I will fight for them, and I will die for them."
    Damon tilted his head to the side, no expression on
his face. She couldn't tell how angry she'd made him. She raised her chin,
staring back at him defiantly even though her heart pounded frantically in her
chest. She meant every word, and knew he could see that.
    "Aro!"
    Clenching her teeth she glanced over at Prince, then
to Bo. Both had drawn their swords. She looked to Kei, whose eyes glowed
orange, almost red. Carefully channeling her thoughts she put as much command
and power behind them as possible. All of you stay out of this!
    Tightening her grip on her daggers she looked back at
Damon. "Do you wish to fight? Now?" His silence increased her anger. "If
not, I need to start cooking our dinner."
    She wasn't overly surprised when he burst into
laughter. "Very well. I shall leave you to your cooking then, little
queen. Today is not a day we will fight."
    Nodding her agreement, she took a step backward. She
didn't relax, not yet. She wouldn't until he was gone.
    "If you keep moving, and stay near the forest
boundary you should be able to avoid the Were." He turned slightly,
looking at Bo. "They do not allow humans in their woods. They will kill
you if they find you here." He turned and began walking away. "There
is a human army massed north of the entrance to Rivenward. Do take that into
consideration when you make further plans."
    She didn't thank him for the information as he
disappeared into the trees. Removing her hands from her weapons she did let out
a deep relieved breath.
    The others rushed up to her, gathering around and
talking all at once, reprimanding her.
    "Enough!" She glared at each of them in
turn, Bo and Kei and Prince. "I am not a child. Stop treating me like one.
I’ve had enough of it!"
    "Aro..." Bo began.
    She shook her head vehemently. "Why can't you
understand you're my family? You're all I have. I know you'd do anything for
me, some of you have..." the words choked her and stole away her anger. "Some
of you have died for me. I am not weak. I am not a child. Stop treating me like
I am."
    They stood in shocked silence at her tirade. She
turned and quickly headed back to the camp to cook dinner,