Flawless//Broken Read Online Free

fast-motion, like he’s made of sand being blown away instead of flesh and bone. It takes a second, and all that’s left is a pile of pale dust. The man looks to me. His soft gold eyes are suddenly hard and sharp, like twin sabers, daring me to judge him, daring me to say something.
    “That’s quite enough, Darius,” A woman’s voice interrupts the tension, the beautiful woman from the club walking towards us. Her silver dress slithers behind her, and her smile is benevolent.
    “I apologize for Darius’ rude behavior,” She sighs, her voice like crystal bells. “He’s not very good with people.”
    “We shouldn’t linger, Genevieve” Darius says gruffly. “More of them will come if they smell you.”
    Genevieve just rolls her eyes and smiles at me. She walks over, patting Ellie’s head. “I’m so sorry. You must have been so scared.”
    Ellie shivers against me in response, and the woman looks up at me.
    “And you…you are quite the brave one. Not many would face down a homunculus with only a purse and their courage.”
    Behind her Darius frowns, even that expression of his beautiful, if unpleased.
    “Why did they attack these two?” Darius asks her. “Neither of them have Flamel’s blood, or I would’ve smelled them.”
    Genevieve stares at me and Ellie, as if expecting something to happen.
    “Do you mind explaining what the hell you guys are talking about?” I snarl. “My friend and I almost got killed by that…that thing !”
    The woman smiles. “How inconsiderate of me. Of course we’ll explain everything. But first, you two should have something warm to drink. Your friend here looks like she’s going into shock.”
    I look down at Ellie, whose face is so white it practically blends into her white leather jacket. I nod, and the woman pulls out a flask from her purse, offering it to me. I hold it up to Ellie’s pale lips.
    “Hey, El.” I try to make my voice as comforting as possible. “El, stay with me, okay? Drink this. It’ll help.”
    Ellie’s vacant green eyes look up at me, and then at the flask. She drinks slowly, and gradually a flush returns to her cheeks. Genevieve smiles wider.
    “There. Much better. You drink too. You’re as white as a ghost.”
    I lock eyes with Darius, who’s watching me intently. His whole body is on point, like he’s a tiger waiting to spring on the nearest weak thing. And right now, I’m that weak thing. The trembling of my hands is from a combination of his unnerving stare and my own fears come back to life. The violence, the thought of almost losing Ellie, it all shook me down to my bones. I smell the flask - it’s the strangest mixed scent, like pine sap and warm, milky coffee.
    “I can’t,” I say. “I don’t drink.”
    “It’s non-alcoholic,” The woman insists. “It will help you focus, darling. Let me call you a cab, shall I? I wouldn’t dream of leaving you to walk home after all this. I’ll explain everything in the car.”
    She pulls out her phone and dials a number. Ellie looks to me. A dark, nasty bruise is slowly forming on her cheek from where the frat boy punched her.
    “It’s okay. It helps, and it tastes good,” She assures me. I raise it to my lips and take a sip. She’s right - it tastes better than anything I’ve had in a while. It’s strong and hot and sweet, but with a tiny tang of bitterness that goes down smooth. I feel my stomach stop fluttering, and heat return to my fingertips. I try not to look at Darius, but I can feel his eyes riveted on me. What’s his deal?
    “I’m sorry, El -” I start to apologize, but when I look over she’s passed out on the sidewalk. “Ellie?” I shake her. “Ellie!”
    A sudden wave of weakness washes over me and I wobble. I’ve been drugged. The drink was drugged.
    “You…bastards -” I grit out. Genevieve turns to look at me, and smiles apologetically.
    “I’m sorry. But this is how it has to be.”
    My legs give out, and through my blurry vision I see the