Praised By Magic: Unbreakable Series, Book 3

Chapter 1

Tyler

I lean on my shoulder against a tree a few feet away from Kris. She sits on the ground with her arms resting on her bent knees. She pokes at the fire in front of her. I wish I could take her pain away. The crushing pain of losing family members is unescapable. Kris doesn't deserve to bear it, yet there's nothing I can do to take it away.

I remember the pain I felt when I lost my parents in a terrible car accident. The one I walked away from with little more than a scratch. The guilt I carried from being the lone survivor was and still is overwhelming at times. It wasn't that I didn't want to be alive, but I missed my parents and longed for their guidance in my life. If they would've survived, maybe my sister, Mykala, wouldn't have gone off the deep end.

Ever since their passing, she has been a handful. I tried my best as her big brother to keep her out of trouble, but I've failed. I hoped she would come around and make the right decisions, but she hasn't. She picked Angela's side. Not ours. A part of me worries for her because she's my little sister and my blood, but the other accepts her choice and pushes me to move forward without her. No matter how difficult it is.

Angela has never been a desirable person to be around. When she became our leader at Arrowhead, I was shocked. The way we were trained changed dramatically. I should've never trusted her, but when she was appointed as our leader I felt I didn't have a choice but to follow her. Going against her would've been treason and I would've been kicked off my land.

The land the underground camp resides on belonged to my ancestors and now to me. My grandfather, a Chief, told me to do as she instructed without question. I'm loyal to him, but I found myself doubting his words at times. Angela's unhuman ways of training have served me well physically. Mentally I still find myself struggling.

Angela is the one who brought Kris and I into each others lives. She has had her eyes on her for years. Waiting and anticipating the moment when they'd meet. All that I knew was Kris was special and a person of interest. Little did I know just how special Kris's soul is. If I would've known Angela's intentions with Kris, I would've never allowed her to come close.

I refocus my attention on Kris. I could get lost in my head if I stay in it too long. I want to hold Kris and tell her everything is going to be all right, but I can't do that. She knows better. My heart aches for her and her mother, Molly. I don't understand why the world works as it does. Death is inevitable for everyone, yet it is a shock to our system when it happens.

The last time I saw her this upset was after she found out her oldest brother, Sam, was killed by Angela. It took all I had to bring her out of that, and now she's right back there again. Not only is she grieving for Sam, but also for her father and Janet. Janet was Kris's agent, beyond that, she was a close family friend who Kris considered as a second mom.

I shift my weight back onto my feet. I can't take it anymore. The healer in me drives me forward to her. I can't take seeing Kris this way. I want to help her, even if it's in a little way. I kneel behind her. She leans back and rests against my chest. I wrap my arms around her. Her body feels like skin and bones against mine. She's tense and I can't say I blame her. When I hold her like this, I know it brings her relief. I've felt it many times before. I keep her hugged tight against me until her body finally relaxes.

"Do you need me to do anything?" I kiss her head and release my grip.

"I'm okay." She sighs.

I know she isn't okay, but okay is her go to word when she doesn't want to talk about it. I don't know how much my presence comforts her, but it's the only thing I have to give.