Read The Torn, Book One of the Holding Kate Series for Free Online

into hers and hugged her arm. Caitlyn dropped her eyes, then sent an apologetic expression to Pinky.
    The reality of the danger of the jumps pressed in on us and Mama Ty’s words to open up and share weighed heavy on my mind. Evidently, I was not alone in those thoughts. One by one, those who had not yet shared their stories began opening up and telling their heart wrenching tale. Each story spoken challenged my preconceived mindset about the story teller. I began to see them as individuals. Something wonderful started happening between us. A bond was forming, encircling us in a mutual string of need and a common thread of sorrow. My feelings for the people in the circle seemed to bloom as I watched the firelight dance in their eyes and tears spill down their cheeks.
    While everyone shared, the circle drew tighter around the fire pit. Hands reached out to comfort and souls knitted together until all the words were spoken and silence gathered us together to share in the kindled warmth of friendship.
    “So what now?” Trip softly spoke and sat up to rest his arms on his knees. I noticed how muscled his arms were and how prominent the veins stood out. I wanted to run my fingers over his arms. I laced my fingers together until my knuckles turned white. Get a grip, girl.
    “I think we need to get them to the Scriptorium sooner rather than later,” Mel said to Donnie.
    “Yeah, it doesn’t seem like we’re gonna have time to train them. Four more spheres fell in the camp since our group left.”
    “Four!” Mel started. “In the last three hours?”
    Donnie nodded.
    “Jeez!” She bolted up and slapped the dust off her pants and barked. “Okay, everyone, get your packs, stick together and follow me.”

Mel set out on a brisk pace and we scurried behind her trying to keep up. We marched past the tennis courts and behind the main village, skirted the pumpkin patch and descended into the valley toward the heart-shaped lake. We got to the edge of the lake, and Mel started dragging a boat to the edge of the water.
    “Come on, pile in the boats, everyone, we need to get to the center.”
    I peered into the dark water and saw a ghostly white image floating at the center of the lake.
    “The Gazebo?” I whispered. I remembered seeing it when we passed the lake on our way into the village.
    While the team struggled with the canoes and boats, Trip dragged me to the shelter of one of the weeping willow trees. When we were out of sight, he grabbed my arms and spun me around to face him.
    “Whatever happens, we stick together, right. Don’t walk even three feet away from me. Promise.”
    I nodded. This was the closest we had come to being alone and my heart stuttered. The thought seemed to cross his mind too and a tender intensity passed across his features as he gazed down into my eyes.
    He tightened his grasp around my arms ever so gently and leaned in until we were a breath apart. I folded my eyelids as the air between us thickened. When I couldn’t hold a second longer, I closed the distance between us and his soft lips touched mine. I melted into the tender kiss and felt something awaken inside of me. Trust was seeded in that moment and I knew this protective boy would never abandon me.
    He lifted his lips from mine and tilted back to look in my eyes. I was a mess, wrapped in the spell of his kiss and the protection he offered. Our breath mingled, ragged and brimming with the trust his kiss inspired.
    “Where did Kate and Trip go? This is the last boat!” Pinky called out.
    “Come on.” Trip grinned and we stepped into the moonlight and ran toward the boat Pinky struggled with.
    “There you are. I can’t really manage this by myself.” She fumbled with the paddle. “My hands won’t stop shaking since the jump,” she said before waving at Kail, Caitlyn, and Navarro who had started paddling back to get her. “It’s okay, you can go on.” She gave me a knowing look and bit her cheek, trying not to grin.
    “Get