Fractured (Josie) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 0065 

#25 BONUS 

Theo’s room is decorated more modestly than the rest of the house, with plain blue walls and curtains. It’s a typical teenage boy’s bedroom apart from the lunge bed that takes up almost the whole floor space. The bed is like the one we had at the apartment and I wonder if it’s a standard bed in this realm. 

“She could have let us keep Sophie’s room,” Theo grumbles when he struggles to move around the bed. 

“This is fine,” I reassure him. I’m just grateful we have somewhere safe to stay together. 

“I’m going to do a perimeter rum,” Axel says from behind me. I turn to him and I’m concerned with the change I can see in him. His face is no longer the sweet shy one, his expression is hard and fierce. His posture is tense and on high alert. It’s the kind of change you can only car from trauma, and I did that to him. I wrap my arms around him and feel a little comfort when he holds me back and kisses the top of my head. 

“Come back to me,” I whisper to him, hoping he understands the double meaning of my words. 

“Always,” he responds before releasing me and walking away. I look at Luke and Theo wanting to discuss the change in Axel when I notice their changes too. Theo is checking out of the windows before closing the curtains, whilst I Luke is searching under the bed. They seem paranoid. 

I thought we were safe here?” I frown, because their actions are not giving me safe vibes. 

“We are, well as safe as we can be,” Luke reassures with an unconvincing smile. 

“The truth is we are not safe anywhere,” Theo sighs. 

“Theo,” Luke scolds. 

“What? Hiding this from her is not protecting her. Her safety is more important than her comfort,” he shrugs. 

“You’re right, but I just wanted her to have at least one peaceful night before we drop this on her,” Luke sighs. 

“Hello, I’m right here, can we stop talking like I’m not,” I fold my arms over my chest a stare at them expectantly. 

“Sorry, Babe. It’s just whoever is trying to take us out is very powerful, like Deacon level powerful and that’s bad. We have to be sure no one has been compelled to plant something in here that could harm us,” Theo grimaces. 

“You mean me, they’re targeting me, not you guys. I’m putting you all in danger,” I breathe. I want to run, get away from them all so they’ll be safe. 

“No, we believe they’re trying to take us all down, but you are the easiest target. Not because you are weak but because it’s the smartest move. If your heart stops beating then so does ours,” Luke explains and I feel instantly sick. They came so close to killing us all. 

“What do you mean by Deacon level powerful? Are we talking about Mr Collins or is Deacon also a power level?” 

‘Mr Collins, he’s crazy powerful. He has all of the rarest and strongest gifts, which makes him dangerous,” Theo 

says. 

“Then why the hell is he a headmaster?” I snort. 

“This is what all of us have questioned, he was in the military and he gave it up to run the academy,” Theo shrugs. 

“If these gifts are so rare then how sure are we that he isn’t the one trying to kill us?” I don’t want to believe that but it’s the most logical explanation. 

“Mason accused him, I thought they were going to kill each other at one point. Deacon was furious, but then he 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0065 

did something that earned Mason’s trust and he’s never questioned him since. It’s weird, those two seem to be getting close,” Theo huffs and his words are dripping with calousy. 

“What did Deacon do to earn his trust?” 

“No cluc, he won’t tell me. He doesn’t tell me anything anymore,” Theo looks pained. I have to get Mason back for him. “Deacon has been here a lot, he’s been screening all staff and family for signs of compulsion and he’s been trying to train us to resist it, but shit is so hard. He tells me I’m a chicken and no matter how hard I fight it I still end up clucking around, trying to peck the ground, 

I burst into laughter, I can’t help it. The mental image of Theo acting like a chicken is hilarious. 

“It’s not funny,” he scowls, “he doesn’t make anyone else chicken!” 

“He made me a chicken,” Luke protests. 

“No, Luke, he made you a rooster, there’s a difference. I didn’t see you trying to lay a fucking egg!” Theo curses and my stomach aches from laughter. 

“Hey, he didn’t specify the gender of the chicken, you chose to be a female one,” Luke shrugs. 

drest.” 

“It’s so good to hear you laugh, even if it’s at my expense, Theo smiles, “but you really should rest. “I’m tired, but not a sleepy kind of tired, my body wants to rest but my brain is fully awake now,” I sigh. 

“Then let us take care of you, we’ve become quite skilled atmassage these last few weeks,” Luke says, coming close to me and unzipping my hoody. 

“Massage?” I raise an eyebrow. 

“Yes, it’s the only care we were allowed to give you. We kept your joints moving and massaged you every day,” Theo explains.