Page 12 of Twisted Bonds

There’s something that I can slip through as a cat. It’s a hole in the wall that would lead straight to the alleyway. I’m not sure how fast he is, but I’m willing to bet I’m faster. I hope I am, anyway.

He chuckles and my attention snaps back. “No, you aren’t bright? Well, I suppose I should trust your judgment about your own capabilities.”

I gulp. I have a terrible feeling about this guy. The stranger steps forward. His lips pull back in a fully wicked grin that makes me feel like he’s mocking me and planning my demise all at once.

“I’m Tairyn,” he says through those too-straight teeth. “I’m the Second. Although I really hate this numbering system. Don’t you?”

Fear hits me like a battering ram. The way he talks, so casual and full of mirth. Like he’s laughing at a world he hates. Like when Mira would hate-watch Gilmore Girls. The difference, I think, is that she liked it as much as she hated it. I don’t get the impression he likes much of anything.

I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but he isn’t our Second. Inside my mind, I reach for my well of Chroma and transform back into my tabby cat form. I don’t hesitate. I don’t try to hurt him.

I just run.

Whoever he is, he can’t be the Second Shard. Even though Sunder and I had some rough days, we’ve always sort of gotten along. I could always sense that he was safe, and that eventually, he’d come around and be kind to Mira.

I get no sense of that from this Tairyn guy.

He smells wrong.

Maybe he’s doing his own research projects. Maybe he’s been corrupted by some of Yurghen’s magic. Whatever happened to him, it fucked him up.

Sprinting for the hole behind me, deep laughter makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I wiggle through into the alley. I don’t stop running until I reach the inn.

Mira and Sunder need to move.

We need to leave immediately.

My mind races.

I can’t let this guy find them.

I can’t explain it. It’s just an innate instinct. But that’s one perk of being a cat–I may not know the specific threat, but I can always sense when danger is near. Right now, every one of my senses is screaming that I need to keep Tairyn away from the people I love.

If he finds them…

I think that would be very, very bad.

five

Mira

“Wake up!”

I slowly open my eyes and squint at the weak sunlight that is streaming into the room. My body aches as I try to move; it’s partly because I’m so comfortable, but also because Sunder is tightly wrapped around me like a blanket. I can only peek out from between his biceps.

“What’s going on?” My voice is hoarse with sleep.

“Mira.” Bobble’s insistent voice is pleading with urgency, but I know him well enough by now. There’s probably a double rainbow he wants to show me.

“That’s sweet, babe, but it’s too early,” I mumble, trying to close my eyes again.

“You don’t understand. You have to get up.”

With a heavy sigh, I finally stir, wiggling my way from under Sunder’s heavy arms. He grumbles in his sleep, trying to pull me back in. My cat, now in his man form, stands naked by the bed. His eyes are wide with fear as he gazes at me. I subtly gesture with both hands, shaking my head as if to say, Okay, I’m up. What is it?

“We have a problem.”

Sunder’s voice rumbles from behind me as he buries his face deeper into the pillow to hide his eyes from the threat of sunlight. “Third, what are you on about this early?”

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