Broken Skies by Theresa Kay Read Free Book Online Page A

going on? Let me help you.”
    I shake my head. “I think the only person who can help me now is about to be taken into custody.”
    “Jace?”
    “Nope.” I take off toward my house at a run. Emily calls out behind me, but I ignore her, my mind set on figuring out my next step. I need that alien in one piece in order to get my brother back and I will do whatever it takes to keep him that way.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    FIVE
     
     
    Please be wrong. Please be wrong. The chant repeats in my head with each pounding of my feet as I run back to my house. I dart in between houses, through yards and around people. Maybe I can beat them there?
    No such luck. By the time I near my house, I can already see the soldiers milling about. My feet skid with my sudden stop and I take a detour behind the row of houses across from mine. I travel through backyards until I am directly across from my front door, which is wide open and flanked by two soldiers.
    Great. Just great. How the hell am I supposed to get around them? My luck doesn’t improve. Daniel exits between the soldiers, his hand around Lir’s upper arm, just as Flint rounds the corner and jogs closer.
    “I told you that girl was crazy,” says Daniel, shaking Lir’s injured arm roughly. “I knew a trip over here would be…what’d you call it?… productive. She’s brought one of those things in here. And where’s her brother? That twit is probably in on it. They’re working together to—”
    “Shut it, Daniel.” Flint’s words are quiet, but the tendons in his neck strain against the collar of his uniform as he clenches his teeth and his hands are in fists at his side. “I will take it to my father and we will find out what’s going on. I’m sure Jax has an explanation… leave Jace out of it.”
    Daniel steps closer to Flint, sneering. “What is it with you and that idiot and his nutso sister? Not even you can protect them from this. You know the rules. No outsiders without permission and this erk’s about as outsider as you can get. Why I bet Dane’ll even let me be the one to pull the trigger if I ask nicely.”
    Lir chooses that moment to break out of Daniel’s grip and start running, heading right toward my hiding spot. The alien may be quick, but he’s no match for the five soldiers that have him surrounded, especially injured and with his hands bound in front of him. One of the soldiers easily trips him, sending Lir to land face first on the ground. He struggles to his knees, but Daniel moves forward, stepping onto Lir’s back, slamming him to the ground. Before I can move, Daniel brings the butt of his gun down onto the back of Lir’s head.
    Daniel stands, raising the barrel of his gun to point at Lir. “Let’s just go ahead and take care of this problem now.”
    “No!” I step out from behind the house, raising my hands slowly. “I need him.”
    Daniel turns, bringing his gun around to point at me. “So I was right. You’re a traitor on top of being crazy.” He grins. “Dane’s going love this.”
    Flint steps forward, pushing Daniel’s gun toward the ground as he does. “Knock it off Daniel.” His eyes meet mine. “What the hell is going on, Jax?”
    I focus on Flint, ignoring everyone else. He will understand. He has to. “Flint, they took him. They took Jace.”
    “Who?” Flint’s eyes widen and his gaze travels back to Lir. “The erks? What the hell?”
    “I’ve got a plan. I’m getting him back. But I need his help.”
    Flint’s eyes narrow “You’re trusting the erk? Why? Do you really think it’s helping you?”
    “ He is helping me.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Something you’re not right now. He and I have a deal. I get him to the city and he gets me inside so I can get Jace. Just let us go.”
    Flint shakes his head. “I can’t do that. I’m going to have to bring it in… There are other things…Nevermind.” He grasps my arm and pulls me forward. “Come on.”
    “No.” I plant my feet and