Soulbound

27. Ashe

“Ashe.”

I ignore the barista as I hold Marco's gaze. Although I genuinely felt bad for keeping something like this from her, and even worse that she discovered the part I played in hiding the truth, we did not have time for her endless questions right now. I bite back the irony in the realization that time was never on my side. Not then, and certainly not now.

“Did you grab everything?”

Marco nods, though guilt still lingers in his eyes. It swirls off of him like incense and my insides twist as it invades my senses, leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. The arkoudan really was just a big softie.

I almost feel culpable for convincing him to stay quiet when we learned that Dani's friend was fraternizing with that vitaem from the club—his club, and he was not exactly proud of the fact that it was often used as a hunting ground for the supernatural—but he had reluctantly agreed with my reasoning behind it. With all of the suspicion that already surrounded us and the danger that loomed over all of our heads should Dani's knowledge of our world or my soul ring ever be discovered, we could not risk the barista trying to do something that would throw all of our caution to the wind.

Not everyone can be saved. The sooner she realizes that, the easier all of this would be. Keeping her safe from harm was my top priority until Nadia could remove the ring and unbind us. Once that was over, she would finally be free of the danger. Of the secrets. Of me. Is that not what she wants?

“Good. Take Dani back to your place—”

“Ashe.”

I wince as Dani tightens her grip on my arm, pinching the skin, but I continue to ignore her. I was not a hero. I told her as much when she summoned me that first night.

“I'll follow behind and make sure we aren't followed—”

“Ashe!”

I snap my gaze to the couch, biting back my vexation as my patience wears thin. “What?”

Piercing green eyes glare back at me as she utters two simple words: “Save. Her.”

The command cuts through the air like a knife, stilling my tongue as it seeps into my bones and swallows me whole. This was nothing like the last time, when she unknowingly ordered me not to lie to her. This was specific, each word enunciated with deliberate intent. It was said with purpose.

How did she know?

I feel my body move on its own as unseen magic compels me to obey. I knew better than to try and fight it; I fight anyway.

Fueled by the resolution of her words the invisible force clamps down, steely fingers clawing at my insides as the command burrows its way through my mind, devouring everything until it was the only conscious thought I had. I was a prisoner in my own head, confined to the shadows and forced to watch through glazed eyes as the magic bid my legs to move. If I struggled against it, if I tried to regain authority over my own limbs, the magic would wrap itself tighter around my subconscious and pull me further into the darkness.

I no longer had control over my own body. It belonged to her now.

Save her. Save her. Save her. Save her.

My hand reaches out and grabs my keys from the kitchen counter. “Where is she?” My voice sounds hollow, foreign, and as my eyes sweep across the apartment I can see the evident shock written on Dani's face.