Page 32 of The Freedom You Seek

“Says who?”

“Fig. And since he’s in charge, we’re stuck with each other for the time being.” Instead of finally following me, the infuriating female had to push back one more time.Of course.How I wished to put her in shadow ropes again and haul her where I wanted her to be. Sadly, I’d promised to use this rather effective method only in situations in which Jama would endanger herself. And no matter from which angle I considered the one at hand, there was no danger.

“Perhaps this Fig has authority over you, but I never accepted him as my superior.”

I smirked and stepped into her personal space. “As long as you travel with us, you’ll follow the rules. And he makes them.”

Her face contorted in anger, but before she could retort with what I knew she wanted to say, I continued. “No, Jama, you leaving isnotan option. You’ll only get yourself killed alone out there, be it by nature or by bounty hunters, because I’m pretty sure you’re a wanted criminal. Face it, you can’t leave the safety of my protection.”

“Watch me.”

My sigh was slightly exaggerated, but my smirk transformed into a grin as I observed her turn around and stomp toward the exit of the cave system. Oh, I was going to enjoy this. “Poor decision, Jama.”

Ignoring Ireas glowering at me in disapproval, I beckoned my power from where it rested deep within me to thesurface and wove a thick net of shadow over the exit of this cave before Jama could escape. Nonchalantly and with my hands in my pockets, I conjured smoky tendrils—and like a few hours earlier, they curled around her wrists, binding them behind her back and tugging her in my direction.

Nayana hissed furiously, and I purred, “You were about to do something stupid, Jama. Don’t tell me you forgot about our deal?”

“I—better find the others.”

Ireas hated any kind of confrontation, so I just ignored his reproachful expression and nodded at him as he fled out of the cave. Since I wasn’t unhappy about his escape at all, my magic and I let him pass easily.

“Hey, get this psycho off me,” Jama shouted after Ireas, but he pretended not to have heard her.

When she’d finally accepted she’d get no help from him, her head snapped back to me. “What’s your problem? Have you been born an asshole, or have you decided to become one at one point in your life?”

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me. Now, will you sit down like a good girl and listen, or do I have to shackle you to the ground to make you stay?” To emphasize my words, I tugged her closer with the help of my shadows adorning her wrists.

Her eyes spoke of murder, and she seethed with a mighty scowl on her face, but after some moments, she admitted defeat and lowered herself on a large rock.

“Good,” I simply said and reluctantly released her hands from their magical prison. “Don’t try to run away. It’sreallyunsafe.” I picked a medium-sized rock opposite her to sit down.

Jama must have heard the change in my tone, the gravity I’d added to my words, and her throat bobbed as she gave me the slightest nod.

“So, now that we got that out of the way, do you want to know what happened?”

I’d never met anyone who infuriated me as much as the man sitting in front of me. I glared at Dion, and his face turned smug at my attention. No dimples in the world could make up for his atrocious, controlling behavior. I was convinced I’d strangle him sooner than later. But he’d promised me answers, so I would bite my annoyance back.

“I’m listening.”

“Well, there isn’t too much to tell, but I’m sure you can fill in the gaps. We arrived in Credenta, and the next day, Antas and I did some sightseeing in your hometown. A few guards caught our attention, and since they behaved suspiciously, we decided to investigate.” Dion observed me like a hawk, and I was surprised by the clear caution in hisexpression. It was as if he weighed every word he said. Did he plan on keeping secrets?

“And then?”

“Are you sure you want to know every detail? Sometimes memories can be painful.”

I stared at him in surprise. Was his reluctance an attempt to be—considerate?That would have been pretty out of character, as far as I could tell. And, of course, he instantly redeemed himself.

“I don’t want to deal with a crying woman.”

“Ass. You won’t see me cry.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Try me.”

“As you wish. So, the guards headed to a stable where undertakers were retrieving a corpse. Antas and I learned that a young man had been stabbed to death by a young woman.By you.”

Taking a deep breath, I grounded myself. I wouldn’t give Dion the satisfaction that his words had touched me in any way, shape, or form. My face was an iron mask, and I held on tight to my self-control. “I might have stabbed Jelric, but I never intended to kill him.”