Free Broken Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 3) by Kara Jaynes Page B

women and children, away from everyone. My breath came in whimpering gasps, so I bit down on my lower lip, hoping to stifle them. It didn’t work. Fear threatened to engulf me like a wave; it was only Aaric’s presence that kept me from completely losing my head. I momentarily thought of my father, and hoped he was all right, then we broke through the edge of camp and moved farther into the forest.

24
Adaryn
     
    W e sprinted away from the camp and battle. I knew Aaric hoped to take me to safety, but where, I wasn’t sure. The thought of Kingsley made my blood run cold with a blistering fear. The cruel magistrate was the last person I wanted to face. Even Matias and his overwhelming power hadn’t scared me like Kingsley did.
    The sound of fighting dwindled and I felt a flicker of hope until I risked a look over my shoulder. Several men were on our trail. “We’re being followed.” The words were a breathless pant.
    Aaric answered with a strangled snarl. He unsheathed his sword while we ran, holding the weapon in a white-knuckled grip.
    I heard a bang behind us, and a flare of red light hissed overhead. I didn’t know what it was, but Aaric’s grip on my wrist tightened convulsively.
    We staggered on, but within a few minutes our pursuers caught up to us. Aaric whirled around and attacked, his sword a blinding flash. He and Bran had continued sword practice on our return, and Aaric’s skill reflected that. Two men went down and another fell back, clutching a now useless arm. I slammed the magic into a fourth, and we circled the remaining Oppressor. He was breathing heavily, whether from running or from fear I couldn’t tell, but I began to feel a glimmer of hope. We were going to escape.
    I heard the sound of approaching hooves and several horses came into view, their riders circling us. A hiccup of fear escaped me when one of the riders pushed back his hood, familiar green eyes looking down at me with startling intensity.
    Kingsley.
    Aaric didn’t miss a beat. He turned smoothly from his opponent and launched himself at Kingsley. The magistrate twisted and dropped from his saddle with a startled yell, landing so his horse stood between them. Kingsley’s horse reared, front hooves lashing the air. Kingsley and Aaric leapt clear, facing each other. At a motion from Kingsley, his men closed in on us. Two men had guns, raising them toward Aaric. Enchantment exploded from my fingertips, shattering their muskets. Someone grabbed my arms from behind and I shrieked in fear, trying to wrench my arms away. Aaric turned and stabbed the man in the throat, freeing me.
    Kingsley shouted to his men, and several of them surround Aaric. I turned back toward the camp that was now impossibly far from us. Maybe I could somehow get some help in time. Even as the thought came to my mind I discarded it. I couldn’t abandon Aaric.
    Ember stepped out from behind a tree, facing me, her hands behind her back. I ran toward her. “Ember, you’ve got to help us. Go get Bran. He’ll know what to do.”
    The fiery haired woman stepped forward, closing the gap between us, and before I could react, clamped a collar around my neck.
    I put a shaking hand to my throat. “Why?” I whispered, looking at her collar-free neck.
    “Because,” Kingsley’s voice said behind me, “she never had a choice in the matter.”
    I darted a glance at Aaric. He was lying bloody and motionless on the ground a few paces from me.
    “Forget him, Adaryn.” Kingsley laughed triumphantly. “You’re mine.”
    I was a slave. Wordless howls ripped from my throat before the pain even began.

25
Bran
     
    A series of gunshots rang through the air, and just as suddenly as they had come, the Oppressors retreated—those who weren’t already dead. Bran looked around him at the slain and injured men with disgust. The Oppressors had brought more men than normal, but the nomads had easily won with the added power of the sky jewel.
    Donell came up to him, his red hair