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Witness of a Broken Heart: See
Witness of a Broken Heart: See
Witness of a Broken Heart: See
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Witness of a Broken Heart: See

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I’d awoken a beast. Legions of dark angels now knew I existed. They’re coming for me. Threatening all that I love. My father told me the answers are everywhere, if only I could see them…
I saw and felt nothing beyond the unbending will to survive. They’d all bow before I was done. Swear.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherJamie Magee
Release dateApr 1, 2016
ISBN9781519951175
Witness of a Broken Heart: See

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    Witness of a Broken Heart - Jamie Magee

    Copyright © 2010 Jamie Magee

    Smashwords Edition

    All Rights Reserved

    This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

    Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book. This purchase allows you one legal copy for your own personal reading enjoyment on your personal computer or device. You do not have the right to resell, distribute, print or transfer this book, in whole or in part, to anyone, in any format, via methods either currently known or yet to be invented, or upload this book to a file sharing program. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

    WHERE TO FIND JAMIE ON LINE

    authorjamiemagee.com

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    EDGE SERIES READING ORDER

    Alphas Rise

    Dark Lure

    Sacred Betrayal 

    Risen Lovers

    Fall of Kings

    Queens Rise

    COMBINED WEB OF HEARTS AND SOULS READING ORDER:

    Insight

    Embody

    Image

    Whispers of the Damned

    Witness

    Vital

    Vindicate

    Synergy

    Enflame

    Redefined

    Rivulet

    Imperial

    Blakeshire

    Derive

    Emanate

    Exaltation*

    Disavow

    The Witches

    Revolt

    Scorched Souls

    *If you are a fan of Adult Paranormal Edge can be read with the Web of Hearts, before of after Exaltation—the stories share the same characters.

    INSIGHT READING ORDER:

    Insight

    Embody

    Image

    Vital

    Vindicate

    Enflame

    Rivulet

    Imperial

    Blakeshire (Drake's Story)

    Emanate

    Exaltation

    Disavow

    SEE READING ORDER:

    Whispers of the Damned 

    Witness of a Broken Heart

    Synergy of Souls

    Redefined Love Affair 

    Derive (Aden's Beginning)

    A Lovers Revolt 

    Scorched Souls

    ––––––––

    CONTEMPORARY NOVELS

    Deploy

    Disengaged

    Impulsion

    Friction

    Chapter One

    Chapter Two

    Chapter Three

    Chapter Four

    Chapter Five

    Chapter Six

    Chapter Seven

    Chapter Eight

    Chapter Nine

    Chapter Ten

    Chapter Eleven

    Chapter Twelve

    Chapter Thirteen

    Chapter Fourteen

    Chapter Fifteen

    Chapter Sixteen

    Chapter Seventeen

    Chapter Eighteen

    Chapter Nineteen

    "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." Carl Jung

    For Grace and Jayden: the two souls that ignite my passion for life...

    Chapter One

    ––––––––

    I’m an insomniac. It’s been just over four months since my accident. Since I made a promise to the darkness that haunts me every moment of my life—four months—you would think by now that I could close my eyes without seeing the bridge collapse, Bianca, the empty, dark souls begging to be set free.

    My eyes are always burning. The slightest movement from anyone or anything around me makes me jump. I’ve been increasingly sarcastic, and at times just downright rude. I’m growing impatient—impatient for the perfect song...a perfect resolution. I feel like a prisoner in my own life.

    My mother insisted that I never be left alone. If she wasn’t in town, or even when she was, I was supposed to stay with the twins or Madison. I didn’t mind being sentenced to stay at Draven’s side. In fact, the nights we managed to find an excuse to have a sleepover were the only ones I found any sleep. In his arms as his hypnotic voice whispered a lullaby sleep came without effort.

    Recently, those nights have become isolated, almost nonexistent. I haven’t seen him for more than ten minutes in the last three and a half weeks. The two of us hide behind the excuse that we need to write apart to gain new inspiration, but I knew we were having a silent fight. We didn’t see the damned the same way. We didn’t see leaving the same way. Not agreeing kept us in place.

    Austin has returned for us three times; the last time was almost two months ago. He told us the one guy he knew could help us, someone named Landen, was here in our dimension, in Montana, I think. It was a bad week when Austin showed up. One swarm after another of the damned came for us. No one felt right bringing the out of control power we had to anyone’s doorstep. We drug our feet, Austin read the writing on the wall and left us be.

    Over the past few days, I’ve struggled with the idea of just booking a flight to Montana and going to find Landen on my own. I wanted a one on one face off. To tell him straight up how damaged we all were. I didn’t want Austin to downplay our attachments.

    One on one had gotten me into trouble before. I still battled the anxiety of what happened the night I lost my memory.

    So I stayed.

    Madison had pretty much moved in with me. I was really worried about her. She slept even less than I did and was constantly staring into space. When she did sleep, she would violently toss and turn, then finally wake and pace the floor until exhaustion took over and she found a way to fall asleep again. Someone lurking in the undercurrent of her mind was breaking her heart. The balance of my personality wouldn’t let me hate him for it. I wasn’t passing judgment until I knew he was real and what his side of the story was. I didn’t think he was alone in her dreams.

    Madison creates as wildly as we play. Entire rooms of her place are covered in her artwork. I was trekking through town the other day, as I walked under a bridge I saw her signature style. In the madness of the beauty I was positive I saw Britain’s image.

    There was a bond between her and him. I want to call in ancient, but I don’t think its the same kind of ancient Draven and me have. I really don’t know how to explain it.

    Madison had just fallen asleep.

    It was almost five AM. I toyed with the idea of texting Britain. When I did speak to him it was at odd hours. Never for long, and always a game of wits was how we rolled. At times, it felt like he had already read my story. It was interesting for me to watch me find my way through the plot.

    I wanted to know if he was in Madison’s dream. If the favor we had from him came from his obsession with the vim of best friend.

    I whispered Madison’s name. When she didn’t move I glanced down at my phone and ran my fingertips across the screen. I climbed out of my bed and slowly crept to the staircase that led to the studio. The sound of my father’s guitar, the sound that always played in my home, grew louder, scolding me.

    I walked over to the black leather couch that centered the room and curled up against the arm. My fingers trembled as I dialed Britain’s number in my phone. I deleted every text he sent and made sure his name wasn’t in my contacts. I doubted that Draven would ever look through my phone, but I covered my tracks anyway. I knew he wouldn’t understand how I was playing this. Draven’s jealous streak was as strong as, if not stronger than, mine.

    Just as I went to press the last digit, the guitar sound grew louder. I glanced around the room again, only to find it empty.

    I need answers. Something’s wrong with Madison. If he’s doing this, I have to stop it, I whispered behind the music.

    The sound grew less violent, as if to say it understood my quest but still didn’t approve.

    Can you tell me? Will you tell me? Show me how to fix this? I said a little louder.

    The music dwindled down to a whisper. My eyes moved across the room, waiting for my father to appear. When he didn’t, I knew he wanted to help me, but he couldn’t. The quiet music playing was there to remind me that he was there, but he couldn’t help, at least not with this.

    I pushed in the last digit, then texted are you awake to Britain.

    This would be easier if you’d just say go or stay, I said to the room. My father and I had these one-way conversations daily. I would argue my point, and sometimes he’d appear and look into my eyes. Seeing him always calmed me down, but it never resolved my raging emotions.

    My phone remained silent. I settled deeper into the couch and let my aching eyes close. I’m afraid...I’m scared if I go...you won’t follow me there, I mumbled as I felt myself drift off to sleep.

    A warm sensation washed over me, and I opened my eyes sluggishly. My father was next to me on the couch. I sat up slowly and reached for his hand. As he took mine, a calm that could not be mine came over me.

    I will always be with you, he whispered in an angelic tone.

    I knew then that I was dreaming. I’ve never heard him speak when I was conscious, which made me doubt that what he said in my dreams was real, that it wasn’t something my mind fabricated to give me peace.

    What’s happening to us? What’s happening to Madison? How can they find her in her dreams?

    My father reached his arm out, beckoning me to come closer. I moved my legs and crawled to his side and let my head lie against his shoulder. In my dreams, he felt so real, so alive. I felt his arm come around me, and the illusion of safety grew stronger.

    Madison’s fate is calling her...just as yours is, he said softly.

    Right, but I’m good with mine. She’s not. I have to help her.

    Charlie, you have to understand that everyone has a purpose that only they can see, our fates come together at times, but when the whole story is told, you will see that our path is one we must walk. Sometimes alone.

    I looked up into his dark eyes, which carried the peace I craved. I don’t want to be alone.

    You’re not alone, you never have been. You have been at Draven’s side from day one. Madison has to over come the path of discovery you have already faced. She has to discover who she shares her soul with.

    I wondered if he was trying to tell me that somehow Britain and Madison had a fate that intertwined. That didn’t make any sense. Even if it did, who was the other guy?

    Draven’s mad at me.

    The room seemed to grow colder, and the sense of protection began to fade. I looked up at my father with questioning eyes, fearing that this dream was about to turn into a nightmare. He’s not mad at you. He’s mad at what’s happening to him, he’s scared and angry. A painful seriousness wrapped in the ugly reality of foreboding came across his peaceful expression. You can’t let him push you away. He needs you now more than he ever has.

    I sat up quickly. What? What do you mean? What’s happening to him?

    At that moment, the room began to vibrate and my father vanished. I reached for where he was just as I was awakened from my dream and found my phone vibrating against my chest.

    I rubbed my sore eyes as I pushed myself up. It was almost six, and Britain had texted me.

    What is sleep?

    Cute. I guess you don’t know what dreaming is either.

    Heard of them.

    I’ll chase you there if I have slightest insight you’re hurting Madison.

    The world will fall asunder before I allowed pain to come to her.

    I should find relief with this. I’d seen the power he had, the command he had. He’d never once given me reason to believe he lied to me. A chill danced down my spine because I knew his version of pain and ours were different.

    I stopped the conversation there. For all I knew Britain wasn’t in her dreams and my questions would push him to arrive there and take away the good there. Too many possibilities.

    It was almost seven now.

    I scrolled through my texts to see if Draven had ever texted me to tell me when he got in last night, but I couldn’t find one from him at all. A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I was losing him.

    I was tired of this silent game we were playing, from hiding from my problems.

    Chapter Two

    ––––––––

    Madison was still sleeping soundly. So, I quietly pulled on my favorite jeans, grabbed my white hoodie, and covered my dark purple tank top, then wrote a note telling her where I was going.

    I held my breath as I stepped out the back door, fighting the anxiety that usually stopped me at this point. I knew the comforting sound of my father’s guitar was about to vanish and the whispers would begin. I found a sound in my mind, one that was tainted with screaming guitars, and held on to it as I stepped forward.

    It was dreary and cool out. I guess fall was really here now. If I had my days right, my eighteenth birthday was this weekend, on the 20th of October. The garage was almost completely dark. Instantly, I could hear my name echoing in the shadows that lingered along the driveway just outside the garage. I focused on the music that was echoing in my thoughts and felt the imaginary glass wall of protection rise. We only helped when we were together now. The chance of them swarming was too great.

    My last car was totaled, but with the insurance money my mother bought me another bug. It looked just like my old one: dark blue and brand new. It barely had two hundred miles on it. When I unlocked my car door, I found a rose and a CD in the seat with a note that read: ‘It’s nearly four and your lights are dim. I didn’t want to wake you. This is to show you that you’re always on my mind.’

    I read Draven’s words again then raised the note so I could smell the addicting aroma of his cologne. I missed him so much. I couldn’t believe I’d let this silent fight last this long. I slid into my seat and turned the key so I could slide in his track. As the music began to play, I heard a slow, haunting guitar. The chords were commanding and echoed a deep love that could only be understood by the ones that bathed in that emotion. There were no words, just music. That’s how we wrote: music first, then we’d let the lyrics come to life. Tears swelled in my eyes as the music surrounded me. We were a doomed couple...lost in a twisted battle to find our purpose and still hold on to one another.

    I put my car in reverse and backed out of the dark garage. As I crept down the driveway, I reached for the radio and hit repeat on the song, then turned it up as loud as it would go. The shadows had not threatened me since the night I wrecked my car, but I could hear the whispers behind them growing impatient for me to make good on my promise to redeem them all. I was on edge—always expecting an eruption of anger at any moment.

    The bridge in my driveway had been replaced. My mother had spared no expense. Instead of a wood floor, concrete had been poured and the roof was removed completely. It still made me uneasy to pass over it.

    I turned right out of my driveway. I knew there was a coffee shop a few miles down the road. Apparently, neither of us had slept much last night. We would need coffee if we were going to talk this out.

    I had to circle the block, like, three times before I found a spot to park. The coffee shop was part of a little strip that held a few art galleries, a diner, and a few other random stores. The town’s post office and courthouse were on the opposite side of the street, so it was a popular area around here, to say the least. I ended up parking in front of the diner. I thought about just getting breakfast and taking it to Draven, but I doubted either of us had much of an appetite this early in the day.

    Joggers and dog walkers crowded the sidewalk. I did my best to stay out of their way, but I managed to bump into more than one. As an old man being led by a Great Dane passed me, I dodged out of the way and found myself against the diner’s front windows. I was a little taken aback at seeing such a massive dog with a timid man. As I watched them pass out of the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar face inside the diner window, Britain’s face.

    There was no way I was coming face to face with him. The texts took enough out of me. He never glanced up but I was sure one of the guys at the table with him had. Or maybe that was my paranoid personality?

    I pushed my way in the door of the coffee shop, then went to the window and peered out at the sidewalk. They were too close, too close to me, too close to my house.

    I glanced behind myself at the crowded coffee shop, then out to where my car was parked. I was trapped. I stood on my tiptoes and searched for Britain’s car. It didn’t take long to find it. His Aston Martin stuck out like a sore thumb in this town. It was parked three cars down from the entrance of the coffee shop.

    I thought about asking if there was a back exit so I could walk around to my car. I was almost positive there was, but I was too shy, and the risk of being seen was too big. Instead, I pulled my hood further down around my face and took my place in line. I pulled out my phone, toying with the idea of calling someone to meet me here. My finger hesitated over Madison’s name I knew she needed to sleep, and I wasn’t fond of the idea of her being so close to Britain. I didn’t get what was going on, or trying to go on, between them. Draven—no way—he wasn’t coming this close to Bianca, even if it killed me. I scrolled to the A’s, looking for Aden’s number. Just when I opened the text box, one of the workers came to my side.

    Excuse me, he said over the rumble of conversation in the shop.

    I jumped, and my phone fell to the floor. The guy leaned down to grab it before I could decide if I was in danger or not.

    Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you, the young guy said as he tried not to laugh. I stared at him nervously, trying to understand why he was talking to me. His smile fell, and he cleared his throat. Um, that man over there said to tell you that he’s already ordered for you.

    I furrowed my brow as my face flushed with fear. What man? I asked, ducking slightly behind the boy.

    In the corner. I think he might be your dad, maybe? the boy said, moving to point out the table. I looked past him to see Evan, Draven’s dad, sitting in the last booth. My shoulders fell, and my heart started to beat slower.

    Thanks, I mumbled as I stared in Evan’s direction.

    I didn’t know he was back, but I couldn’t be happier to see him right now. He was sitting at a booth by the window with an open paper in front of him. As I navigated through the crowded tables to his side, a nervous anticipation came over me again. I hadn’t been face-to-face with him since my memory had been taken. That boy wasn’t crazy to assume that Evan could be my father. Evan reminded me a lot of my dad. He had the same tall build, a powerful energy that commanded people to listen to what he said, yet a calm soul that made you feel safe. Draven had his eyes, that haunting green that was laced in black. He smiled slightly and nodded as I walked closer.

    Hey, I said tensely as I reached the table.

    He nodded for me to take a seat. I looked out the window, to the parked Aston Martin that was now just a few feet away, then slid into the booth with Evan.

    I didn’t know you were back. Does Draven know? I asked as I slouched a little in the seat, hoping that I wouldn’t be recognized through the slightly tinted windows.

    Evan glanced out the window, then back at me. He reached for his steaming cup of coffee. I’ve been home for a few weeks, he said just as he took a sip of coffee.

    What? I said, sitting up. I was confused. Why would Draven not tell me?

    Evan tilted his head and smiled faintly. I didn’t think you knew. I haven’t seen you around. Kara said you haven’t left the house in a while.

    I’ve been locked in my studio, you know how it is, I said, letting my eyes fall to the table. I guess it had been a while since I left the house.

    I do, Evan said as he folded his paper and leaned forward. Any breakthroughs?

    Nah, not what I’m looking for, anyway. Why didn’t Draven tell me that you were back? I asked, looking up at him.

    A waitress came to the table at that moment and set a cup of coffee and a bagel in front of me. I nodded to tell her thank you.

    I think that’s the way you like it, with all those added flavors and such, Evan said, nodding to the coffee.

    Yeah, thanks. I was, I was gonna take some coffee to your house, to Draven.

    A relieved smile came to the corners of Evan’s lips. I’m sure he would like that.

    I wasn’t sure if he’d want coffee this early after getting in so late. I figured it was worth the try.

    I wasn’t talking about the coffee, Evan said, pushing the bagel closer to me. I meant he would like seeing you. That he needs to see you.

    As Evan spoke, my dream with my father came rushing back to me. A sick feeling came over me, and eating was the last thing I wanted to do. I pushed the bagel into center of the table and leaned forward. I glanced out the window to the Aston Martin, then back at Evan.

    "You sound like my

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