Broken Compass: Supernatural Prison Story 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

emotion flowed through the jagged pain in my center and I couldn’t stop myself from going to full vamp speed and crossing the space between us in seconds, to tackle the figure who had been waiting a mile out for me. Strong arms caught me and I let the bond of my brothers ease through my wounded soul.
    As we pulled apart, Braxton’s energy kicked me in the face, which was not unusual. He’d always been strong; his dragon was an energy like no other I’d ever experienced. And now he was even stronger. Being council leader came with certain perks.
    We all took some of the energy of our people, and in return we provided them with stable leadership and kept the prison towns running smoothly. The supernatural prison communities were in a bit of a shambles right now. Larkspur, the dragon king, had destroyed so many of the leaders in his bid for control. There were a lot of new faces on the councils across the globe, and most of us were learning the hard way.
    As happy as I was to see him, I still had to ask: “What are you doing here, Brax?” 
    I hated the probing nature of his electric blue eyes as they drilled into me. He saw right into your soul. Mine was dark. It was angry. I was likely to destroy anyone who tried to pry there. My brother got a pass for now, but since my control was shot to shit, that was likely to end very soon.
    Braxton's expression was hard, giving nothing away. “You need to get your ass home. Jess is upset.”
    That very short statement told me everything.
    Jessa had turned her beautiful sapphire eyes on him and he had caved like a poorly constructed house. It was nice to know some things hadn't changed in my absence. 
    “I’m on my way home, brother. I don't need an escort. I know the way.”
    My feet were already moving. The fact that I was distressing my pack was enough to kick me into gear again, and this time I wouldn’t screw around. I would make it back to Stratford today. A strong hand landed on my shoulder and I was relieved to see not an ounce of pity in Braxton’s face. It would have been on then. I didn't deserve pity, and I sure as hell did not want it.
    “I’ll keep you company,” was all he said.
    The rest of our journey was quiet. I had no energy for talk, except to make sure that Jessa and her young were doing okay. Braxton assured me, with that damn proud smile on his face, that they were already giving his mate hell and they hadn’t even been born yet. Flutters of something happy and light twinged the dead space in my chest. Followed by an empty, aching pain. There would be no young for me now. My mate was gone, and with that my chance for a child.
    Some of my grief was set aside as I focused on the occasional odd pauses in Braxton’s explanations. He would start to say something and then stop. I swear I heard him murmur Mischa’s name more than once, but then he didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t want to ask any more. Jessa’s twin was not a place I let my mind go very often, for a multitude of reasons, and none of them I was proud of.
    Even with Braxton’s speed slower than vamp, we still made good time, and by early afternoon were nearing the edge of the securities surrounding Stratford. I could feel the energy humming inside my chest. The connection we had to the Book of Guidance was now a direct link to our town. Our energy reinforced the power that protected our world and protected the humans from us. I wasn’t sure I’d ever felt the witch’s barrier so strong. It was an impenetrable force intertwined with the energy of the five races, and Louis’ sorcerer power as well.
    “It’s good to be home,” I found myself saying as we slowed to walk the last few yards.
    Braxton nodded. I could tell he’d been uneasy leaving Jessa alone even for such a short time.
    I halted him before we went any further. “What’s really up, Brax?”
    There was something else going on, more than the bear shifters, who were yet to make a move. Apparently it had just been