You Broke Me First Phoenix Mountain Series Book 3

I stand in the custody of Zander and Bear. Each holding my arms. Darcy’s body is loaded into an awaiting truck.

Titus stands in front of Zander. “I'm sorry. For the loss of your man.” His words hit my heart hard. My chest heavy in crushing pain.

Zanders mouth ticks up a bit. “Hopefully not for long. We have something in Phoenix that will bring him back.”

Titus looks at him with confusion.

Zander leans to him. “Talk to Bastian. Negotiate the Alliance. He’ll fill you in.”

Titus nods.

Zander looks at Titus. “Thanks, by the way.”

He smiles. “No problem. With her gone, Sterling will be easier to fight.”

Peter steps to Zander. “Hey…um…I’m going to stay. Look for the second piece. If that’s OK.” His eyes turn to Titus.

The girl behind Titus seems to get a pink flush on her tanned skin.

Titus crosses his arms. “Second piece?”

Zander nods. “My father’s prison. We’re searching for the pieces and one of them is here…in Atlas.”

He turns to Peter. “You can find this piece?”

“I can try.” He says.

Titus contemplates. “Ok. Lana will set you up in more permanent quarters.”

Peter’s eyes flick to Lana’s and she gives a little smile. He looks back at Titus. “Thank you.” He bows his head.

Titus acknowledges him.

Zander holds his chest up. “We'll be back. We both have a lot to discuss, King.”

Titus arches a brow. “Looking forward to it, King.” He smirks.

Zander turns to Peter. “Let us know the minute you find it.”

“Of course.” He smiles.

We load up in the SUV and leave for the long drive back to Phoenix.

The whole time, I’m racked with every emotion possible.

I almost killed him. I probably was the one who got him killed. I was supposed to protect, but I killed so many. Many innocent people.

The tribunal will await me and I’ll gladly accept my sentence. For Darcy.

I spent the trip by myself. Thinking to myself. Dealing with my demons.

My heart is broken. Can we come back from this. If the pool works, is there even hope?

Can I even fight the evil witch inside me? What if I do something to Darcy that he can’t be revived from?

I wanted to hurt him. Hurt him bad. I’m starting to realize that I’m only hurting myself.

I love him. I really do. It’s almost poetic. I let my evil side take over and I may now have lost any chance of the both of us repairing the damage we caused each other.

We pull into the parking lot of giant glass dome.

The truck carrying Darcy, pulls up by the front of the door.

Bear grabs his limp body and picks him up.

A huge lump develops in my throat and my eyes well. We follow Bear to the door.

Ricky met us and entered the code to the door.

Zander kissed her and my hurt increased because I know I won’t have that.

We stood at the edge of the pool. All lined up.

Trinity walked up beside me and rested a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry.” She smiles.

I manage a tiny smile.

Bear lowers Darcy to the edge of the pool. I watch as his body floats down under the surface.

Trinity kneels at the edge and I kneel beside her.

I look in the water and I can barely make out Darcy’s form in the dark pool.

Trinity rubs her hands together and places her palms just on the surface.

Red gold light comes from her hands and the pool starts to wave.

I look into the water.

From the side, a gold bolt of light hits Darcy’s body and it jolts.

Another hits from the other side.

His body is attacked from all angles until his body is surrounded in a brilliant gold light. The pool boils. The surface becomes violently choppy.

I sit back on my calves, looking all around the water for Darcy.

The water calms down and the gold light fades around his body.

It floats in the stillness.

I lean closer. “Please…” I whisper.

Then the twitch. His body flinches.

I suck in a breath.

Another…and another…

Come on, Darcy…

I hold my breath.

He jolts and looks around wildly.

He panics as he realizes he’s underwater. Bubbles break the surface as he swims up.

He breaches the surface and takes a large gasp of air.

I cry and smile, putting my hands together at my nose.

“What the fuck?!” He coughs and spits water. He’s looking around wildly.

The Alphas all laugh and shout yeah.

He swims to Brody and Zane.

“Dude! You were fucking dead! That was awesome!” Quinn shouts.

“Doesn’t feel awesome. Holy shit!” Darcy says as the Alphas help him out of the pool.

“Man. Welcome back to the land of the living.” Mateo claps his shoulder.

Darcy rubs his neck. “Thanks?”

The rest of the Alphas surround him to welcome him back and ask what it felt like.

I slipped out of sight and outside. Wrapping my arms around myself and crying a mix of happy and guilty tears. My emotions are all over the place.

I decided to wait in the truck for everyone.

I took a step and heard my name.

“Sam.”

I stop and bite my lip.

Turning around I see Darcy standing just a few feet off me. He’s soaked to the bone in a white t-shirt and black shorts. I swallow because I want to appreciate his amazing body being alive, but I can’t knowing how he died because of me.

He takes a few steps closer.

I hold up my hand. My breath hitches. “Don’t.”

“Samantha…” He says.

“I don’t deserve it, Darcy.” I cry. “I don’t deserve your love or forgiveness. Please…just stay away from me.” I cry.

He walks closer.

I suck in a breath. “I said don’t…”

He continued to walk to me.

He’s now a foot off me. I shake my head at the ground. “I...don’t…”

He lifts my head with his knuckle.

I blink the tears out of my eyes. He looks into my eyes.

He slams his lips into mine. My lips part and his tongue finds mine. I try not to cry as I melt into his kiss.

He wraps his arm around my neck and his other around my waist. He holds me tight to him.

I can’t fight it. I can’t deny it. The itch in me was Darcy. The love I have for him.

I feel his love too. His forgiveness even though I know I don’t deserve any of it.

He slowly pulls away. His hand moves to my cheek.

“Hi.” He smiles.

My chin quivers and my chest hurts.

He holds my head in both hand. “No. No….shhh…baby, don’t. Ok?...don’t cry…”

“I’m sorry…” I say as I break down.

“No. I’m the one that should be sorry. I’m sorry for everything. None of this is your fault Ok. None of it.” He says.

I know he’s trying to relieve my guilt, but it won’t work.

“No, Darcy. If I had just been honest with you…” I start.

“If I hadn’t of been such a nosy bastard, this wouldn’t have happened, but I’m going to fix it Ok. I’m going to fix everything. Just please. Don’t push me away.” His voice was quiet.

“You can’t fix me, Darcy.” I say.

He rests his head on mine. “I know a weird magician who can.” He smiles.

His thumb runs across my bottom lip. “I love you, Samantha. Even if you don’t get fixed, I will always love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You do?” His brow goes up.

“I do.” I smile.

He raises his head to the sky. “Hot Damn!!” He yells.

He grabs my waist and spins me around. “Fuck, I love you so much!!” He yells.

He drops me down and I’m giggling. I wipe my eyes and he grabs my hand. “Ok. So we go see Azriel then get home quick.”

He pulls me to him. He places his lips on mine. “I’m going to make up with you so many times and each time will be sexier and dirtier than the last.” He drawls as I laugh.

****

I slowly lay on the medical table.

Ricky hooks me a heart monitor.

Darcy holds my hand and rubs my hair. “After this, you won’t have an evil bone in your completely edible body.” He grins.

“Um…right.” Azriel says from beside Darcy. “I'll remove the spot and your witch powers will be removed. Unfortunately, because you used your powers, the spot will be a bit larger than before. I can still clean it from your heart, but I’m afraid it will be severely uncomfortable.”

My face fills with worry. “Ok.” I squeak.

Darcy leans down. “I’m right here. With you the whole way.”

I nod.

“I’ll monitor your vitals so we can make sure things aren’t getting to intense.” Ricky says.

“Ok.”

“Right. Shall we start?” Azriel says holding up a stick.

“What’s that?” I ask.

He looks at it. “Magic infused willow. Think of it as a magical scalpel. Don’t worry, I have the hands of an artist.” He smiles.

I slightly giggle.

“Right. Just stay as still as you can.” He says.

He take the end of the stick and places it on chest where my heart is.

He whispers some words and the end glows yellow.

At first I didn’t feel anything, then it felt like it was being stabbed.

I pressed my lips together and arched my head back. My eyes slammed shut.

“Mm…God…” I grind.

“Hang on, Baby…” Darcy says. He grips my hand tight.

“It hurts!” I yell.

I start to squirm.

“Vitals are rising.” Ricky informs Azriel.

I pull my feet up. “Ah….please!”

“Alpha Bourne if you could.” Azriel says.

Darcy walks around and holds my legs down.

Ricky grabs my hand. “Her heart rates rising!”

“Almost there. Come here you dirty bugger.” He grits.

“Stop! Please!” I cry.

“Ok. Maybe it’s time for a break.” Darcy says.

“We can’t stop. We’ll lose it.” Azriel says.

“DARCY!!” I scream.

“I’m here, baby. I’m right here.” He lays his hand on my stomach.

“NOOOO!” I scream loud.

“Azriel, her rates are off the charts!” Ricky yells over my screams.

“One more second.” He grinds.

The next thing I know I’m surrounded by black smoke.

My vision returns to normal and I’m underwater.

I swim to the surface and spin around. “What?”

I tread water and my eyes widen.

I cannot believe what I’m seeing.

The chamber which looks like it was once under water. It is massive.

Jagged stone walls and ceiling filled with the remains of barnacles and coral.

The water I’m in is a the size of a small lake. It’s salt water.

The lake ends at a sandy patch of land. Crabs crawl across it and slide into the water.

About twenty feet off the water was something that should not be possible.

A very large tree. It’s trunk is at least three people around. It top hit the roof of the cavern at about thirty feet.

It’s green leaves seem to glow and light up the whole cave.

It pulses like a heart beat.

I watch it with curiosity. Then it’s glow stutters and goes out for a brief second. It comes back and resumes pulsing. I tilt my head a bit.

I’m not sure why I ended up here. I don’t even know where here is.

I hear a door open and I turn my head to the sound.

Titus with five of his guard storm into the chamber.

He looks around then spots me in the water.

He points to me with his trident. His face twists to a scowl.

“HOW DARE YOU DISTURB THE HEART OF ATLAS!” He yells. His voice echoes off the chamber walls.

I shrug. “Sorry?” I spit water as I shrink a bit under the surface.