Libra Ascending: An Epic Urban Fantasy Romance (Zodiac Guardians Book 1) by Tamar Sloan (adult books to read .TXT) 📗

know the truth?” Brielle yelled, stomping her foot in aggravation. “They didn’t reject me, I rejected them. I saw the horrible things that Mr. Sinclair had done. He hurts women, Cass! He likes inflicting pain. I didn’t want to have to live with a father like that, so I outed him and begged Sister Agatha not to let him adopt anyone here. He’s dangerous.”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes into slits. “What do you mean, you saw?”

A lump instinctively constricted Brielle’s throat, her body’s natural defense against spilling her secret. She’d never told anyone, not even Cassandra. She didn’t want Cassandra to think she was crazy. But now, she had to, to save her friend.

“I get…visions,” Brielle confessed, the soft volume of her voice such a contrast to the yelling of a moment ago that her ears rang. “I see the bad things people have done, things they feel guilty about. You know how I can always tell when you’re lying? Well, it’s not always just a sense. Sometimes, I see the truth, like it’s happening to me.”

Cassandra’s eyes gradually widened as Brielle spoke, her head shaking harder and harder. “You’re crazy,” she whispered. “The other girls always told me things about you, but I never believed it. I defended you. I don’t know you at all.” Her doll face furrowed into the nastiest snarl Brielle had ever seen. “You’re not my sister, you’re not my friend, and I truly hope the Sinclairs move me far away from here because I never want to see you again.”

The sheer hatred in Cassandra’s voice took Brielle’s breath away, and she’d stood frozen, heartbroken, as Cassandra grabbed the bag she’d been packing and stormed out of the room for the last time.

Brielle shrugs. “I think in the end, Cassandra was happy that they didn’t move her far away, because it meant she got to torture me every day.”

“That’s awful,” Adalind says, the fry she’s been holding during the story likely cold and dry now. “So the folks that adopted her are bad news? She seems happy with them. Or at least with their money.”

Brielle nods. “I’m glad I was wrong about them. I really am. I worried about her for a long time. But after a year or so of the hazing and turning everyone at school against me, I got over it. I just wish things had gone differently.”

“Why? You actually wish you were friends with that hateful cow?” Adalind throws her fry onto her tray.

“If we’d stayed friends, she might not be so hateful,” Brielle says.

“Or you might be just as nasty as she is. That’s not a trade I’d make.”

Brielle smiles, wondering if Adalind is right.

“How did you know the guy was bad?” Adalind asks, the familiar spark of intrigue in her narrowed eyes. “Cassandra’s father? You said you found out what he’d done and told on him, but how did you find out?”

Brielle had vowed to never tell another friend about her curse, and she isn’t going to start now. “Just rumors I’d heard,” she lied. “And when I got close to him, I don’t know, I just sensed he was dangerous. I like to think I’m a good judge of character.”

“Well, no offense, but you don’t have such a great track record so far,” Adalind teases. “First, you were best friends with the most heinous girl I’ve ever met. Then you got the hots for the new guy who’s clearly a weirdo.”

Brielle chuckles. “You do have a point.”

She remembers her burger, whose top bun is still off, so she places it on top of the condiment-smothered patty and takes a bite. Of course, it’s cold. Figures.

“I am curious, though,” Adalind says, crossing her arms in front of her tray. “Ever get a sense about me?” She flares a playful eyebrow.

Brielle smiles with her mouth full of cold burger, then swallows. “I haven’t, but I’m pretty sure you’re a good egg.”

Adalind puts her hands against her chest and blows out a breath through tight lips. “Good, I was afraid I was going to turn out to be some villain.”

Brielle laughs. Adalind is the furthest thing from a villain she’s ever known, and she’s so grateful to have her as a friend. Glancing over at Cassandra at the popular table, Brielle is sure that the best friend change is an upgrade.

11

Tristan

As he strides to the front doors, Tristan knows he just went up a notch on Brielle’s crazy meter. Considering he’s supposed to pretend such an instrument doesn’t exist, making sure she’s safe then hightailing it is the last thing he should’ve done.

At least he didn’t mention that humans possessed by dark matter intent on killing anyone they suspect is a Zodiac Heir could be after her…

But he had to make sure she and Cassandra were okay. Cassandra had readily agreed to a date.

Brielle agreed to being friends out of politeness.

Knowing he’s done all he can for the moment, Tristan climbs back into the truck.

Tess glances at him, gripping her cell like it might ring any second. “They’re both here?”

Tristan jams the truck into gear. “Both accounted for, both at school.”

“Good.” Tess lets out a breath. “Once we get Zarius back, we can figure out what to do.”

Once we get Zarius back.

Pulling out of the school parking lot, Tristan sets his jaw. Damn straight they’re going to get Zarius back.

The drive to the warehouse is a tense one. Zarius’s cell has gone straight to voicemail since midnight. Tristan knows there’s no way he’d let it go flat without contacting them.

If he’s not here, they have no idea where he is.

If he is, it’s hard not to worry about what they’re going to find.

Tess’s hands are a tight knot in her lap. She keeps glancing at the map on her cell as they head there, as if she’s worried the little red pin is going to disappear any moment. Tristan focuses on the road. No matter what, they’re getting Zarius back.

The houses of Mirror Point fall away