Page 2 of The Chains You Defy

She hadn’t heeded Auntie’s advice, and now she was gone. As were my other siblings—I was the last one left.

My sharp gaze zeroed in on the rider. A male. Aura of authority, air of danger.

I went on high alert.

Nothing would happen to me should I help the female, even if I’d expose myself.

At least, I hoped so.

Tine shrank, but once she spotted the newcomer, relief settled over her delicate features. Jumping up, she waved at the dangerous male—they had to be acquainted with each other.

Lovers? Family? Friends? They could have been any of those. My lack of experience when it came to other people complicated discerning such nuances for me.

Her voice sounded sweet like honey when she spoke the first words I’d ever heard her say—not that I’d add many more to that collection in the times to come.

“Father, you’re back.”

My shoulders sagged as I relaxed. He was her sire, and as the male dismounted, he prowled to her with resolute strides.

Her smile froze as she noticed the same as I had minutes ago—her father’s face was marred by deep lines, his brows were pulled together, and the fury surrounding him like a living creature was directed only at her.

How was I able to tell?

Even if I resided outside of society, I spent enough time with animals and monsters, and what were people if not an amalgamation of both?

His features contorted further, matching the energy he exuded, and when he ended his approach, he stood in front of his daughter and snarled in her face.

Tine recoiled, but the male didn’t allow her to withdraw.

“I hope you are satisfied, daughter. No one can come to help us today, and I’m missing my chance. That’s your fault.”

“The wheel broke. I didn’t do anything.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

And then he drew his hand back.

Enough.

I’d intervene.

Visible only for a short time. Surely, nothing bad would happen.

And even if, no one would hurt Tine.

From this moment to the next, I was between them. No thought, only action.

When I caught the hand of the male she’d called Father, the fury on his face morphed into confusion and then into something else, something I couldn’t completely grasp, but if I had to name it, I’d call the emotion—greed.

My instincts screamed at me that this angry male wouldn’t be good for me and that I’d made a tremendous mistake.

Oh Auntie, something like this was what you’d warned me about, wasn’t it?

I had to get away and run far and fast if I didn’t want to end up like my five siblings. We’d all been given one chance, and they’d gambled theirs away a long time ago. And since I had no desire to unravel and be stored in the orb alongside them, I had to hurry.

Silently, I apologized to Tine in my head, released the male, and backed off.

He grabbed my wrist, and a brief pain shot through my arm, followed by some sort of aftershock tasting like magic, but I was able to free myself before he could finish whatever he’d initiated.