Unbreakable

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Kasslyn.

Prologue

Demon World

H ow do we get to the girl? The tall man rubbed his temples. We’ve tried many things, but we keep failing. We captured her. We took her friends. We threatened her family. None of it worked. Failure is not an option this time!

They all stood in an uncomfortable silence, trying to come up with anything to get their boss to back off. He had been hounding them every day. Trying to come up with some harebrained idea on how to get the angel girl.

A blonde woman paced back and forth and then snapped her fingers. What about using the boy and his dreams?

Of course… He sneered. Why didn’t I think of that before? He stared out the window and an evil grin spread across his face.

Chapter One

Kassia

I glanced over to my roommate’s bed. Ash-blonde hair stuck out from under her new teal comforter, but no face could be seen. The clock sitting on the nightstand we shared read 10:08 a.m., so it was past her don’t you dare wake me up before ten unless the world is ending rule.

Giggling, I jumped on her bed. Time to get up.

Mira groaned in response.

Come on. It’s the last day of summer vacation. We start classes tomorrow, but today we’re free!

Then why can’t you let me sleep? said the muffled voice.

It’s not like you haven’t slept in every morning for the past month, I reminded her.

She sighed. Fine. Just get off me!

I hopped off the bed and checked my phone for messages. There was a text from my boyfriend, Daxton: Good morning beautiful. See you at lunch.

I smiled and sent a text back: Can’t wait. It was funny how lonely I felt without him nearby. Even though he was just across the courtyard, I felt like a part of me was missing.

Mira threw her covers off and sat up, her long hair cascading down her back. Happy now?

Yup. What do you wanna do today? I asked excitedly.

Sleep, but you won’t let me. Her hazel eyes bored into me. Why don’t you ever sleep in?

I thought back to the nightmare that woke me earlier—the same one that had been occurring for the past month. They were different from the ones I had a year ago. These were more vivid, felt very familiar, and had woken me up almost every morning like clockwork, but I didn’t want Mira to worry. Mornings are quiet. I like quiet.

She rubbed her eyes and squinted at me. Do you have something planned today?

Nothing specific. I just wanted to spend the day with all my friends. I threw my robe on over my white cami and soft, blue PJ pants. I’ll be in the shower.

I opened the door and walked down the pale green hallway to the shared bathroom. Living in a dorm was fun, sharing a bathroom was not. Thankfully we only shared with Auralee and Noe, our two best friends, who also happened to let us in on their secret romance.

I heard the door squeak open while I was in the shower, and Noe’s sweet giggling filled the room. Morning, Kassia.

Morning! I called back, shutting off the water and grabbing my purple towel to dry my body.

Back in my robe, which of course was purple, I stepped out of the shower stall. Noe was leaning over the sink applying her make-up. Her long, brown hair was flowing down around her oval-shaped face.

I looked into the mirror and checked out my own face and said, We make quite the pair.

She raised an eyebrow. Oh? Why’s that?

We both have weird eye color.

Noe burst out laughing.

Seriously. You have these awesome piercing amber eyes and I have violet ones.

I don’t think they’re weird, they’re beautiful.

I looked between our eyes in the mirror. Yeah, you’re right. I brushed on some light purple eye shadow. Glitter or no?

Always. She dabbed her lipstick.

I took out the glitter and dabbed just a little on my eyelids on top of the eye shadow. Mira hated when I got all glittery. She thought I was showing off, but really, I just enjoyed making my face sparkle.

Out of the pocket in my robe, I took out my necklace—the one my great-grandmother had given me. Beautiful gold wings dangled from it. It was still hard for me to believe my relatives were angels.

Let me help you with that, Noe offered.

Thanks. I handed her the necklace and she carefully placed it around my neck. What were you laughing about when you came in? I asked, leaning against the sink.

Something Auralee texted me. She spun around to check herself out in the mirror.

I was curious. What about?

Oh, something you’re gonna love. The corners of her mouth turned up. But you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself. She waved her fingers and hurried out the door, her long brown skirt floating behind her.

Hey! Come back! I threw the towel at the door as it closed. Ugh. I hated when people were cryptic. I bent down and searched for my lip gloss. The door opened again and Mira walked in. Her foot hit the towel. She rolled her eyes and kicked the towel to the side.

What took you so long? I asked.

She shrugged. Being lazy. Don’t wait for me. I’ll meet you at the dining hall.

Okay. I closed up my bag and walked back to the room, still in my robe. I checked the weather on my phone before rummaging through the closet and unearthing a purple T-shirt and pair of jeans. It was going to be a warm day here in northern California, but I still grabbed my sweatshirt. I got cold easily and never went anywhere without it.

I started to leave, but had a nagging feeling I was forgetting something. I twirled my auburn hair around my finger, running through my routine in my head. Ah! I crossed the room to my dresser and picked up my body spray. One squirt of the lilac scent would be enough. Now I was ready. I left the room and took the stairs two-by-two, reaching the door in no time. I squinted as I stepped out into the sunlight.

Glendale Institute was made up of a cluster of gray stone buildings. The three largest were the two dorms and the academics building. The shorter ones were faculty housing, the dining hall, and the gymnasium. There was also a courtyard, garden, training field, and parking lot. The protective, invisible shield that extended beyond the perimeter of the campus had only been breached once. It was home to gifted kids from ten to eighteen. I had been dropped off years ago after a shaman and warlock unsuccessfully tried to help me control my gift.

I walked into the dining hall. Long tables filled the room and windows lined the walls. The smell of bacon and burgers filled the air. I licked my lips in anticipation. Unlike many cafeterias, the food here was pretty good. My eyes searched the room and landed on our usual table. Daxton was already there chowing down on his lunch, probably a bacon cheeseburger, one of his favorites. Sitting across from him was my brother, Nik.

The door on the opposite side of the room swung open. My eyes widened as Arian walked in. The girl who hated my guts had dyed her normally black hair red and was wearing a purple shirt very similar to mine. What the… I muttered.

Arian had feelings for Daxton, feelings that Daxton didn’t share, and she had a difficult time accepting that. My breath caught as I watched Arian walk over to Daxton, who was too immersed in his burger to notice her. She placed her hand on his shoulder and he jerked his head up. His jaw dropped as he laid eyes on her new ’do. I took a few steps closer so I could hear exactly what Arian was saying.

Hey, Dax… She smiled flirtatiously. You look good today.

Daxton looked dumbfounded. He was dressed in Bermuda shorts and a white T-shirt. His sun-kissed hair looked like it hadn’t seen a brush in a few days, but I knew that was just his style. Hi…um…Arian. What’s up?

Do you find me sexy, Daxton?

He started coughing and pounding his chest. His face turned bright red and his eyes teared up. I have a girlfriend.

Arian ignored his words and flipped her hair back. I hope you like my new look. You can admit it, Daxton. I’m much prettier than her. Nicer too.

I mashed my lips together and crouched forward, my hands closed into fists by my side.

She thinks she’s all that because she saved the world a couple times. Big freakin’ deal! And all the little clowns that follow her around are no better than she is. She made a face.

I narrowed my eyes as my body filled with anger. I wanted nothing more than to unleash my power and knock her on her ass. Even though I knew I couldn’t use it, I sure wanted to. The other students seated nearby stood and backed up. Not all of them trusted that I had complete control of my gift now. As much as I wanted to put Arian in her place, I controlled myself. If I used my gift on her, I would be the one in trouble. I was better than this now.

However, I was not above telling her off.

Off to the right, Noe and Auralee exited the lunch line. I’ll call Mira, I heard Auralee say.

Noe shook her head. No need. Noe was at an advantage because she was a predictor—she could see the future.

I stood back, watching Arian try to get Daxton’s attention. I supposed I should go rescue him, but I liked watching her show everyone how pathetic she was.

I could tell that Mira had come in the room because everyone around me seemed to breathe again. Mira was the only one immune to my power and because she was a compeller, she could force me to back off. She walked up and stood next to me. Seriously? This again? she said in an annoyed tone.

I got this, I told her, making sure she knew I wasn’t about to lose it.

I know, she answered nonchalantly. Sheesh, look at her. Like I need two of you walking around.

I elbowed Mira before crossing the room and standing in back of Arian, who was still going on about how she would be so much better for him than I was. I tapped her on the shoulder, and she spun around.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she sighed. What do you want?

I want you to get away from my boyfriend.

Maybe we should let him make that decision?

I glanced over at Daxton, who rolled his brown and gold eyes. Daxton?

You know I’ll always pick you, Kass. The look in his eyes changed and made me ponder for a second if any guy had ever looked at a girl the way Daxton looked at me. Like I was the only girl alive.

Snapping out of my thought, I turned back to Arian. Happy?

Arian pouted and told Daxton, But I made myself like her.

You’ll never be me, I said in between my teeth.

You are such a bitch. Arian’s eyes flashed and her nostrils flared.

You say that like it’s a bad thing. I took a few deep breaths. It took everything in me not to use my gift on her. This is an excellent time for you to become a missing person.

A few kids snickered around me. Arian didn’t budge. She kept batting her eyes at Daxton like it was going to change his mind. I was glad she was only a lie detector. If she was a compeller, we’d be in trouble. I could see her using a gift like that for the wrong reasons.

Arian, I’m not interested in you that way. He tried to let her down easily…again. This girl didn’t take no for an answer.

When she still didn’t budge, I placed my hand on her shoulder and tried to pull her back from our table. She raised her fist, but Mira stepped in front of me and compelled her, Put your arm down, Arian.

Arian dropped her hand to her side. Mira stepped back next to me. I don’t like messing with people’s emotions, she said to Arian, but if this happens again, I can compel you to forget your feelings for Daxton.

You wouldn’t dare. Arian’s mouth quivered.

You’re a lie detector. You can tell if I’m lying or not.

Arian was quiet for a minute. I’ll go to the headmaster.

Are you always this stupid or making a special effort today? I asked Arian.

Her jaw clenched. I hate you.

The feeling’s mutual.

She pressed her lips together, stared at me for a long minute, and then spun on her heels and stormed out of the room. I was pretty sure if she was a mind-blower like me, I’d be dead, and she wouldn’t feel an ounce of remorse.

Well, that was fun. I leaned over and grazed Daxton’s lips with mine ever so softly. A tingling heat spread through my body as I pressed my lips to his, tasting the bacon.

A sharp, purposeful cough brought me back to reality and I pulled away. My eyes lingered on Daxton for a minute. He had come into my life a year ago and swept me off my feet. I fell for him the day I met him and even now my heart takes off every time I see him. Suddenly I didn’t care who was interrupting us. I leaned back in and drew him into another long kiss.

Daxton sent me his crooked smile showing off the dimple on his right cheek and swept the bangs out of my eyes with his fingers. Morning.

I turned around to see Noe and Auralee sitting down at the table. Can you believe she’s trying to look like you? Noe laughed.

Is that what you were laughing about in the bathroom earlier? I plopped in the chair next to Daxton.

Yeah. Auralee saw her and texted me.

Freakin’ hilarious. Auralee rolled her green eyes. I can’t believe she’s not over him yet. She had a pair of dark jean capris on and one of her awesome graphic T-shirts: Oh crap! You’re going to talk to me, aren’t you?

How do you think I feel? Daxton asked, handing me a plate of food.

I loved that he knew exactly what I would want and had it all ready for me when I got there. I bit into the greasy cheeseburger, letting the wonderful taste fill my mouth.

Zane, Mira’s boyfriend, approached the table looking perplexed. He scratched his head of dark hair and adjusted the glasses that sat on his pointy nose. I think I just saw Arian with red hair.

We all laughed and filled him in on what he missed.

Chapter Two

Kassia

After lunch, Daxton and I walked hand-in-hand toward the gardens and sat on a bench. The sun was shining high in the sky and felt warm on my face. He closed the space between us and let our noses touch for a second before pressing his lips against mine. The world around us spun and I could feel both of our gifts rising up—mine amplifying his—and within seconds we were high on a mountaintop…and then on a boat in the middle of the ocean…and then in a place that could only be described as looking to be from another planet. The ground was an orange-red and there were spiky plants everywhere with funky-looking flowers. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in his kiss again until we were back on the bench in the garden.

He pulled away first and I felt his lips move down to my neck. Oh, how I wished I could stay in his arms forever, but I swallowed hard and pushed back the urge to throw myself at him.

Can you believe Arian? he asked.

Should’ve left her back at River Oaks, I teased him. There had been four of them that transferred into our school together.

He chuckled. If only I had known the problems she’d cause…not that I had a choice.

She has definitely made my life more interesting. I gazed into his eyes and thought about how happy he made me.

Have you talked to your mom lately? Daxton asked as he traced my hand with his finger.

A couple weeks ago.

How is she doing?

I sighed. My mom was a hard subject. My parents had disappeared years ago. It had only been about six months since I found out I had a brother and together we found our mother, who had been captured by demons. Our father had been killed and taken over by a demon. We killed him, but we hadn’t told our mother. It was very hard for me to keep something like that from her, but I couldn’t tell her. It would break her heart. She was better off thinking he had died.

Mom was living nearby now, getting used to life again. She was volunteering at a local school and she visited on family day like other parents did. It was still something I was getting used to.

She’s doing okay, I answered.

You and Nik going to tell her?

Not yet.

Daxton had been with me when we faced our father, so he knew our secret. Because of her mind-reading skills, Auralee knew the minute I got back. I assumed she told Noe, but she never brought it up to me. I told Mira what had happened. She thought I should bring it up to Dr. Frost, the school counselor, in one of my mandatory sessions. This was one thing I didn’t feel like talking about. Nik and I didn’t want to tell anyone else. There was nothing anyone could