Broken Butterflies by Shadow Stephens Read Free Book Online

thought we agreed you would be open with me from now on.”
    “I’m asking you to trust me on this.”
    Feeling there was something that wasn’t right with the things he was keeping from her, she started the car. Ilisha turned the corner and pulled up in front of her mother’s house.
    “I’ll trust that you’ll give the answers soon; that’s all I can do.”
    “Agreed.”
    She walked to the front porch, but Bram didn’t follow. “Do you wanna come in?” He followed her inside. “Sit,” she said, motioning for the couch.
    “Where’s your mom?”
    “Work.”
    Bram slid back on the cushion and put his hands on his knees.
    “So, if you never had a human existence, where are you getting money, food, and shelter?” she asked, sliding her coat off and laying it on the back of the couch.
    “There’s an order of priests who help the fallen. They’re fallen themselves.”
    “And there just happens to be one in the Denver area?” Ilisha asked, smiling.
    “Yes, they’re all over. Once I get this thing with Damon settled, I’ll find a job, and you know, be normal.”
    “Why did you choose this priest?”
    “I knew you would come back here. It seemed logical.”
    “How can you still have your power if you have fallen?”
    “Fallen just means that we can’t go back. We’re disgraced.”
    “This must be completely different for you.”
    “Yes and no. It’s not like I was thrown into a reality I knew nothing about.”
    “So where are you staying?”
    “There’s a barn close by with an apartment in the loft.”
    “You’re sleeping in a barn?”
    “It’s nice.”
    “I’ll take your word for it,” she replied half rolling her eyes.
    “Come on,” Bram said, standing up.
    “What? We’re going there?”
    “Yes, miss priss. Get your coat.”
    She trailed after him. “There aren’t any animals in said barn, right?”
    She heard him chuckle, but he ignored her.
    Ilisha drove the car down a steep dirt and rut filled road. “Didn’t know we were going off-roading,” she said facetiously.
    “We’ve gotta loosen you up a bit.” Bram said.
    “I’m loose.” She paused. “Okay, that didn’t sound right at all.”
    They both laughed.
    Ahead was a large, red barn where she parked and followed Bram inside. There was a large open space on the first floor with stables on both sides and antique farm equipment along the back wall. A punching bag hung from the rafters. Bram bounded up the stairs two at a time. At the top was an old wooden door. The handle was tarnished brass with engravings around the keyhole, which fit a skeleton key. The stain had faded long ago, which left it looking weathered. Bram turned the handle and a loud click echoed through the space. The door creaked as he pushed it open.
    “This is nice,” Ilisha said, stepping inside.
    The apartment was a one-bath studio. A full kitchen met the living room, and his bed sat along the other side. Two French doors opened up to a balcony looking out on the forest. Bram walked around picking up dirty laundry and shoved it in a closet. Rope rugs covered the wood floor, which groaned as Ilisha walked across it. She plopped down on the couch and grabbed a large pillow, holding it in front of her.
    “Told you it was nice,” Bram said, sitting beside her.
    “So who’s the priest that helps you?”
    “Father John is my contact, but like I said there are many.”
    “Tell me more about Damon.”
    “Are you sure you want to know?”
    “Yes, of course. The guy wants to kill me. I think I should know everything about him.”
    “You can’t defend yourself against him. He won’t stop—it’s not in the nature of a demon to lose. What he did the first time, when he revealed himself to you, is nothing. And, every time I interfere, he grows more angry and vindictive. If he gets the chance, he’ll torture you to death as a penance for your survival.”
    “If I have no chance of defending myself and winning this, why did you save me?”
    “You