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Exhaustion seeped into my bones, until even breathing was hard.

Don't think. Don't feel. Just obey.

A hand gripped my upper arm, dragging me forward, and I blindly stumbled along after them.

That distant part of me screamed to snap out of it and pay attention to what was happening and where we were going.

But I ignored it — every thought consumed by those lifeless blue eyes…

My legs carried me while I floated in darkness, following whoever was tugging me along without complaint.

Eventually, my toe caught on something and I stumbled, sharp gravel biting into my hands.

The pain jolted my thoughts.

Where are we?

I didn't even know how long we'd been walking.

What if Frexin…

I reached up to remove the blindfold, but a strong hand stopped me, lifting me to my feet instead.

The touch of those warm, calloused fingers sent a familiar maelstrom of someone else's pain, regret, and anger crashing through me.

Tye?!?

"I told you the road slopes up," he growled. "Do you ever listen, Witch?"

I jerked free from his grip and the intense emotion it carried.

Why the fuck washefeeling hurt and betrayed?

"Come on." He tugged me uphill.

Rage and indignation surged within me, growing and expanding, desperate to escape. It greedily consumed the tide of despair as he pulled harder.

"I could walk better if you took off this blindfold," I snapped, digging my feet in to slow us.

He ignored my words and pulled me along, rocks crunching underfoot.

What else did I expect from a traitor and liar?

Fury burned inside me. I was supposed to be quiet and just obey, but it was impossible with him so fucking close.

I needed to get away from the man and get back to the numbness.

I tried to yank free of his grip again.

If I could just get some space …

Tye pulled me closer. "Stop. Fighting."

I made to strike him with my free hand, but he caught my wrist.

His emotions flooded through our bond at the contact, and I was helpless to stop my own emotions from joining his — a raging inferno of guilt, pain, and despair.

"Let go of me!"