Fractured by N.O Darling

Chapter 288

Mason’s POV**

Luke has just suggested a terrifying, very possible theory. How the fuck do we find someone underground? How do we even get in there without risking collapsing the cave below us?

I’d quite happily start removing the ground from below each of the places that have been searched, but I could bury my daughter alive by doing that.

“Wouldn’t the women and children we captured have told us if they’d been living underground?” Theo asks.

“Not if they didn’t know about it, or had been compelled. This group doesn’t seem to prioritise the safety of women and children; Otherwise, they wouldn’t have left them unguarded as they did. They could very well be hiding the strongest and most important of them underground,” Raff explains.

“Fuck!” I curse, my fingers twitch with the need to destroy something, but I can’t risk collapsing this place until we have found what we are looking for.

Luke comforts Josie as she reacts to the news, something I should be doing, but I’m too worked up, I’d only make her feel worse.

Robert finishes emptying the trunk, finding nothing that he seems interested in, before pushing it out of the way. Then he gets on his knees and begins digging in the dirt with his hands.

“What are you doing?” Axe asks

“He would keep his most precious items hidden, they will likely be close, but out of sight,” Robert says as he digs,

with determination.

“Move back,” I sigh. I can move the dirt much faster than him.

“Oh, that’s right, you have a molecular manipulation gift,” Robert says, and I shoot a worried glance at Deacon. How could he have forgotten that so quickly? Is the tumour affecting his memory?

I focus on the ground where he had been digging and slowly moving the earth, opening up a deep cavern in the ground.

“Try here,” Robert says, pointing to another spot on the ground.

in the hole I’d made and open up another where he indicated.

you sure it’s here?”

I’m just trying to remember where exactly,” Robert says, screwing his eyes shut and pressing his fingers to

he was as paranoid as he seemed, it’s likely he didn’t bury it in the same place every time. Let’s just search the whole

I say, ready to search every inch of this

return the earth to its place before turning and doing

died, or someone else knew its location and

+25 BONUS

Chapter 288

and i shrug before slowly

are in

long before I dissolve a barrier that was separating this space from

same size.

with all sorts of trinkets, books and Cornelius‘ personal belongings.

everyone surges forward to explore the new

holding up a thick ancient–looking book. The cover is made of what looks like delicate leather but there are no markings on the cover to indicate what it

book from him and opens it with care. The script is handwritten and as he flicks through the pages it is clear to see that many different people have written in

kit? Do you see it?” Luke asks, drawing everyone’s attention back to the task.

says, picking up a fancy–looking wooden box. He opens it to reveal an iron branding rod and four small glass vials containing what I assume are

and I’ll have

paperwork and books before we port back to

to work, looking for anything that might be able to narrow down a

a while, let’s get this branding done so Luke and Robert are ready to leave the moment we find something.” Raff suggests when it’s clear

Η

will hurt more than a tattoo?” Luke asks me whilst we watch the iron brand

him. It’s going to hurt like a bitch, but he

“Awesome,” he sighs.

you want me to hold your hand?” I ask sarcastically.

hold my arm still? I’m not sure that I won’t snatch it away,” he admits.

I can do that,” I nod, deciding not to mention he could easily