Unbreakable by Kami García

brother. “The four of us can’t do this alone.”
    The words hung in the air for a moment as the truth sank in. Jared didn’t feel responsible for me. I was a means to an end.
    I pushed past him, ignoring the pain racing up my back.
    “Guys!” Priest yelled this time.
    Jared spun around. “What?”
    The broken piece of the doll was still in Priest’s palm. “This is my granddad’s handwriting.”

16. A BREAK IN THE LINE
    I waited for sleep to find me. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the last few days and what Jared said outside of Lilburn. I knew Lukas and Jared had saved my life that first night because they were convinced I was one of them—the missing fifth member they needed.
    I also knew that when I climbed into the van with them, I didn’t believe it.
    But I still got in. Because unlike Jared, Lukas, Alara, and Priest, I was alone. They had each other now, protected by the barrier belonging provides.
    I wanted desperately to belong to something—to face the real and emotional demons of the world with someone beside me. But that was impossible. The only person I belonged to now was myself.
    Climbing out of bed quietly, I wandered to the window and propped my elbows on the sill. The full moon glowed above the rooftops. It reminded me of my mom. She used to say that a moon like this was full of wishes and that if one of those wishes belonged to you it might come true when the moon broke open and the cycle began all over again. Maybe I hadn’t made enough wishes.
    I took one last look at the alleyway and dragged my arms off the windowsill. Carrying my boots, I tiptoed toward the break in the sheets.
    I was almost at the door when I heard a voice. “Going somewhere?”
    Jared was hunched over Priest’s worktable under the dim glow of an emergency lantern.
    Of course he’s awake. He probably never sleeps.
    I slipped on my boots and walked over. Priest’s journal lay open to the diagram of the Shift. Jared waited for a response, his features almost ethereal in the lantern light.
    “I’m leaving.”
    “I guessed that much. Mind if I ask why?”
    “I’m not one of you.” My chest tightened. “I proved that today.”
    “Because you couldn’t take down a vengeance spirit the first time out?”
    “Because I almost got myself killed. And Lukas and Alara could’ve been hurt.”
    Jared’s bloodshot eyes met mine, and this time hedidn’t look away. “You think you’re the only one who’s been attacked by a vengeance spirit?” His voice sounded deeper—more his own and less like Lukas’.
    “I’m not?”
    “No. And you won’t be the last.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “We’re being hunted by a demon. The five of us need to stick together.”
    Five of us.
    I felt the sting of the words again. “Yeah, you made that pretty clear today.”
    He seemed confused. “What are you talking about?”
    “The only reason you care about what happens to me is because you think I’m the missing member of the Legion.” I fought to keep my voice steady, but the anger burning through me seeped out with every syllable.
    “Kennedy, I’m sorry if I—”
    “Don’t.” I held up my hand. I didn’t want his pity. I wanted my old life back—my mom or Elle—someone who cared about me. “Stop wasting your time and go back to looking for the right person.”
    He walked around the table until he was standing in front of me. “I don’t think I’m wasting my time.”
    Everything I’d been trying so hard to hold inside came spilling out. “I’m not like the rest of you. My mom never said a word about any of this, and no one in my family ever chose me for anything.”
    Unless my dad choosing to leave me counts.
    Jared took a step closer, staring down at me with an intensity that sent a shiver through me. “That doesn’t mean you aren’t the one.”
    How could I tell him that my own father had walked away from me without even saying good-bye?
    Jared’s blue eyes remained locked on mine, and it