Broken (Book 1, The Watcher Chronicles, Paranormal Romance) by S.J. West Read Free Book Online Page A

obvious and conspicuous now.”  Lucian turns to look at me.  “I must be saying goodnight, Agent Riley.  Unfortunately, our time together was cut far too short.  Perhaps next time we’ll have a chance to get to know one another a little better.”
    Lucian phases, leaving Mason and I staring at an empty space.
    I slide my pistol in to the holster on my thigh.
    “Who was he?   Another Watcher?” I ask.
    “It’s a long story,” Mason says, looking up at me.
    “I have coffee,” I say, turning back to my door silently inviting my very first Watcher into my home.
     
     
     
     
     
    After I start a pot of coffee brewing in the kitchen, I find Mason in my living room looking at the Christmas tree set up in front of the large pained glass window which faces towards the backyard. 
    “This doesn’t quite look like your taste,” Mason says, examining a white crocheted angel, one of many, hanging on the tree.
    “That’s because it isn’t.  Mama Lynn put it up for me.”
    “She’s the woman who adopted you, correct?”
    “Yes. ”
    “You got lucky to find someone so generous.”
    “I know.  A lot of Tear children ended up on the streets or worse.  I kinda hit the adoption lottery.  I’m not sure what would have happened to me if I’d been sent anywhere else.”
    Mason turns to face me.  “Why do you still live here?” He asks, his eyes travelling around my home.  “You’re a millionaire.  Why not live somewhere else?  And why did you choose to become a Watcher agent?  You obviously don’t need the money.  You could do whatever you want.”
    “ I thought I was supposed to be the one digging for answers,” I tease, wondering why he’s asking me so many personal questions.  “Money can’t buy my parents back,” I say, deciding to answer his questions.
    “What if you never get them back?” Mason asks.
    I shrug.  “Then I don’t get them back.  But I have to try.  If I don’t try, I’ll always wonder if I could have done more.  I don’t want doubt following me around for the rest of my life.”
    “How old were you when the Tear appeared?”
    “Seven.”
    “You seem wiser than most twenty-two year olds I’ve met.”
    “I think everyone became a little wiser when the Tear appeared.  We didn’t have much choice.  It was either learn how to deal with the change s or go nuts.  Crazy doesn’t work for me.”
    I hear the coffee pot buzzer go off and head towards the kitchen.
    “How do you drink your coffee?” I ask.
    “Black.”
    While I’m in the kitchen, Mason asks, “Would you like me to start a fire in the fireplace for you?”
    “Sure.  Matches are on the mantel in the silver box,” I call back.
    I’ve never liked black coffee so I spend a little time adding in sugar and heavy cream to my cup.  By the time I get back to the living room, Mason is still crouched in front of the fireplace watching the flaming embers.  I walk up to him and hand him his cup.  After he takes it, he doesn’t make like he intends to move, so I sit down on the built up brick hearth and wait for him to speak.
    “So, it ’s my turn to answer your questions,” he finally says, dragging his eyes away from the flames to my face.  “What do you want to know?”
    “What are the Watchers?”   I ask.  It’s a question the regular people of the world have been asking for fifteen years but no one has provided an answer.
    “You’ll need to have an open mind about everything I tell you,” he says to me.  “ And everything I say to you can never be repeated to anyone else.  I must have your promise on that or I can’t tell you anything.  Can you make that type of promise to me?”
    I nod slowly, not sure I like the way this conversation is starting.   “I won’t tell anyone what you say to me.  You have my word.”
    Mason nods his head indicating he believes my promise to him.
    “The Watchers are angels.”
    Mason pauses like he’s waiting for his statement to sink into my