Bound by Duty

Chapter Twenty-One

I let the back door slam after I shoved my way through it, convincing myself I could do this. I walked up the trail and at the tree marked with a slash, I deviated and started pushing through the brush. I didn't go far before I came to a clearing. Micah was in my head; I could feel him sitting in the back of mind, trying to be quiet, but his anxiety radiated into my subconscious.

As I pushed the last of the tiny tree branches out of my path, I saw him. Across the grass-covered oasis stood a man that had to be six-foot-five. Even from my distance, I could see the rigidity of his muscles as he stood facing me, his arms crossed. What I couldn't see was his face as the trees cast a shadow over him.

We both stood facing each other, silent. Finally, I opened my mouth to ask where Bethany was when he spoke first.

"Get him out," he said. His tone was dry and impatient.

"Who out?" I asked, wondering how he could possibly know.

"We all have our gifts, Amelia," he said with a smirk. "I found his trace as easily as I found yours, it was only as you approached that I realized he wasn't physically here. So, again, get him out. We had an agreement." Only his mouth moved as he spoke. He didn't fidget. I couldn't even tell if he was breathing.

I closed my eyes and whispered a quick apology to Micah. His anger exploded just as I kicked him out of my head and shut the door behind him.

"He's gone," I said, immediately feeling fear flood my system as I realized I was truly alone. But, it melted into determination just as quickly. Bethany was here. I had to get her back.

The man finally stepped out into the clearing, the full moon's light shining down on him. He took sure strides to the center, still a good fifteen feet from me. I was surprised to find he had bright red hair, thick and wavy.

"I am Elias. It's nice to meet you, Amelia. We've been waiting a long time to find you," he said, a genuine smile transforming his chiseled face from menacing to boyish charm.

I couldn't believe how easily he transitioned to being conversational. Like we were here to get to know each other instead of freeing my imprisoned best friend.

"You know, I don't really give a crap who you are. All I want to know is where Bethany is and what exactly you're expecting from me to get her back," I snapped, impatient and eager all at once.

"Fair question. She's here." With breaking eye contact he said, "Bring her out." He clearly wasn't talking to me.

Bethany stumbled out of the tree line behind Elias, flanked by a large wolf on each side. I saw the burnt red coat of the wolf on the right and knew it was Melinda. I had no idea about the one on the left, but it wasn't just two wolves who accompanied her — animals streamed out from the forest. Wolves, panthers, mountain lions, owls...there had to be at least ten of them. The animals surrounded Elias, making a semi-circle. He still hadn't broken eye contact or changed his stance.

"Let her go," I said. My hands were starting to shake as my power rose to meet the surge of magic around me. All of this power in one place was more than I could handle but I couldn't show my hand. He couldn't know what or who I was. It was the one promise I'd made my brother, I wouldn't give myself away. So, I pushed, shoved, and scolded myself internally, while trying to stand relaxed and poised in front of a mass of AniMages.

"We will let her go, but first, you and I need to have a discussion. There are things we need to get straight, Amelia. Information you need." I hated the cocky certainty in his tone. How he was controlling the situation. I was surprised that my fear hadn't returned, but for whatever reason, I was sure Elias didn't want to hurt me. I was at least glad to know my internal alarms were back in action.