Shattered Read Online Free PDF

mid-stride and was suddenly pushed back hard enough where he stumbled and fel backwards. I turned to Jocelyn. “Get Melanie.
    Hurry!”
    She ran to Melanie, giving Dr. Sanz a swift knee in the ribs that left him sprawled on the floor.
    Matthew hurried to Jocelyn’s side and helped Melanie to her feet. With a firm arm around her waist, he held her up.

    “Hurry,” I shouted.
    They al ran towards the door, but Matthew and Jocelyn were quickly caught by Magical Ones, leaving Melanie to sway in semi-consciousness. She final y found stability, became acutely aware of the urgency of the moment and sprinted on to the door.
    I ran after her. The open doorway so close within reach to freedom. I lunged forward trying to cross the threshold of the door. I jumped as far as I could, but smashed hard into something invisible.
    Blood trickled down from my nose where I had smashed into the invisible barrier. I crumpled to the ground just in time to see Melanie cross the doorway.
    Beyond the barrier Melanie’s strength came back by sheer adrenaline she bolted for the main entrance. Through frustrated by the missed opportunity, I was happy she’d at least escaped…
    for now.
    My joy was short-lived. Matthew and Jocelyn were slapped and pushed, the Magical Ones holding them, taking out their anger on them. With a harsh hold on both of them, they pushed and shoved the pair around.

    pair around.
    Looking defeated they were brought back to the center of the Conference Room, the big Magical One at their side grinning like an idiot.
    “Think you're smart, don’t you? Smarter than the genies around you.” Dr. Sanz glanced over their shoulder and Melanie. “Don’t worry. We’l catch up to your sister in law. As weak as she is, she won’t get too far. If we’re lucky, she’l probably col apse before she reached the street.”
    “Of course she’l col apse. You’re deliberately starving her.”
    “She starved herself wh F>
    “She’s barely eaten more than a piece of fruit in two days.”
    Dr. Sanz grinned. “And who gave her that piece of fruit, dear? We did. We’re not the evil monsters you seem so intent on portraying us as.” Jocelyn growled her anger and frustration.
    “Take them away. I’m tired of their insolent manners and stranger odor. They’ve been tainted by those who have been outside of Arcadia. They reek of it.” He sniffed arrogantly at the air around Jocelyn and Matthew.

    Stil struggling to get out of the Magical Ones’
    grasp, Jocelyn and Matthew kicked and fought as much as they could to escape having to go to the Coliseum. It was futile, the two large djins holding them easily subdued them until the couple was exhausted, their energy spent. The Magical Ones laughed, a little amused that the couple would even think about trying to escape. It was a good show for them, but the Magical Ones anticipated seeing a better show later on at the Coliseum. “Come on,” the largest of the Magical Ones’ Enforcers said next to Matthew. “Let’s go.” He easily lifted Matthew and Jocelyn from the ground, and the pair was escorted out, no doubt hauled directly off to the Coliseum.
    My heart sank. Jocelyn tossed a frighten look at me, her face ful of fear. I could feel her trembling al the way across from where I was struggling to get up. I knew I had to get them out, but also knew my thoughts were being closely monitored. I silently thanked Torrid for training me to block my thoughts. If the Committee got wind of my intentions, I’d never be able to help Jocelyn and Matthew.
    Dr. Sanz wandered nonchalantly over to me.
    “Tsk, tsk.” He shook his head and gazed at the band on the floor. “To waste a perfectly good leather band. I should have you punished just for that, but…
    I’ve got other things to tend to. The magic of the Magical Ones in this room is enough to subdue you without the band for now. And if that doesn’t work, there is something else.”
    For a fleeting moment, I al owed an optimistic