Broken Bonds (The Bonds that Tie #1) - J. Bree Page 0,1

here, just to be sure I'd keep my ass in this seat like a good little girl. The thing is, I will keep my ass here because being paralyzed isn't on my to-do list today. Nope, not at all. An icy drop of dread works its way down my spine at the very thought of it.

I seethe about the attitude of the men again for a second before the door finally opens and a man steps through. He's tall and imposing, a wall of man, really, and hell, I hope he isn't one of my Bonds.

He'd probably strap me down and torture me just for his own sick pleasure.

"Ah, Miss Fallows. I don't think we've met yet. My name is Brian Noakes, and I'm here to go over a few key details before your Bonds arrive."

I swear I feel beads of sweat start to form on my forehead despite the chill in the room. "Sure, it's not like you've given me much choice."

He takes the seat opposite of me and slides a file across the table. "I don't think you fully grasp the situation you are in, Miss Fallows. It's highly unconventional for a Bond to run away."

I try to keep my face calm and blank. "I haven't broken any laws, you can't keep me here against my will."

As his eyes pick me over, the man smiles, but it's not a nice thing, more a baring of teeth, like he’s a predator preparing to go in for the kill. "The Council has voted. While there may not be any laws against leaving your Bonds behind, there has to be special consideration taken in this case. North Draven is on the Council, he's a pillar in our society, and with his social standing, this entire... ‘adventure’ of yours has been quite embarrassing for him."

My teeth clench, my jaw locking up so there's no way I could answer him even if I wanted to, but let’s be real, there’s not much running through my head except exactly how badly I wish I could choke him out with nothing but my mind.

That would be an amazing gift to have.

He nods at me like I've spoken and continues with his condescending drivel. "So you see, we had to make a decision. You can't go running off again, not with your Bonds being who they are, and your deceptions over the years mean that we cannot trust you."

It takes more will than I thought I had but I force my jaw to relax to spit out, "So you're going to lock me up here then? You're putting bars on the windows and I'm going to be kept as a fucking pet? It doesn't matter who my Bonds are, forcing me to complete the bond is rape and I won't just bend over for them like a good little slave."

All pretense of civility drops away from him as his garish smile turns into a grimace. He mumbles something about my terrible manners and the door opens again, this time the hulking guard walks in and I shrink back in my chair. I hadn’t realized just how outmatched I really am now without being able to use my gift.

Despite it being the worst thing to do right now, I start to panic.

The thought of being paralyzed in this room with those two men... there’s no stopping the dread from taking hold of me. The sweating gets worse and my hands begin to shake as I grab my knees under the table so they don't see it, but it’s no use. The guard smirks at me, spotting my terror and probably getting off on it. Fucking sicko.

"Ah, Jennings, thank you for coming. I'm hoping Miss Fallows agrees to this without having to use extreme measures."

Agrees to freakin’ what?!

He pulls out a small leather pouch and unzips it. All I see is the scalpel before I freak the hell out. "What the fuck do you think you're going to do to me?"

Jennings smirks and then I feel the scalding touch of his power wash over me, my muscles lock up, and I'm fucking trapped in my own body.

I can't even move my eyeballs to glare at him or to see what's coming. I just have to sit there and take it.

I will never forget this man. Someday, I'm going to make him pay for this. If it didn't jeopardize everything I've been running from all this time, I'd unleash my own power onto him, see how he fucking likes