Page 75 of Bound By Roses

“My arms,” he sputters. “They’re burning.”

Abby shoots a glare up at Jade and he just shrugs. “It was an accident.”

Sure it was.

“We’ll get that taken care of,” she says, though that might not have been her promise to make. Judging by the hatred in the eyes of those gathered around us, this man is destined for little more than a slow death. Again—what the fuck was Jade thinking bringing him here?

His hazel eyes meet hers. “Princess?”

“Please never call me that again. It’s Abby. Not Abilene—Abby. And your name is…” She thinks for a moment. “Ty. Right?”

“How did you—” he starts to ask, but she cuts him off.

“I tried to learn the names of all the Guardians who didn’t enjoy the cruelty.” Abby stands then and jabs a finger into Jade’s chest. “Why did you bring him here?” If I wasn’t worried about him accidentally setting her ablaze, I might enjoy seeing her knock him down a peg.

Jade’s cocky grin grows. “I can think of two uses for him.” When his gaze meets mine, I know what at least one of those things is.

“We’re not doing that,” I say with what I hope will leave no room for argument. Generally, I don’t care what happens toGuardians, but Abby seems fond of this one, so I’m not going to push him into the veil.

My answer only has Jade’s grin growing. He knew I would refuse, which is why he purposely said he had two ideas. I just hope the second is better than the first. “He’s your way inside Lunae.”That’s his idea?“That is, if you want a shot at saving those you consider innocent.”

It takes only a split second for Ty to put the pieces together. “You can’t attack Lunae!”

Jade’s smile disappears, and he drives a solid kick into the Guardian’s back. He falls forward, once again earning himself a face full of sand.

“I said that’s enough,” I growl.

Abby is beside the man again, and when he looks at her this time, there is nothing but desperation in his eyes. “Whatever you’re after, it’s not worth it. The prince… He’s vicious. More so than his mother. You should leave this place. Get somewhere far away. They’ll kill you.”

“I’m not going to abandon the people of Lunae.” She looks up at Jade. “Tell me your idea.”

I already know I’m not going to like this, and the smirk he flashes me does nothing to ease my concerns. “We need to see if your bite can still get the job done.”

My blood runs colder than Rosewood in winter. I must have heard him wrong because there’s no way he just suggested that. I have to swallow to fight the sudden aridness of my throat. “No. No, absolutely not.”

Jade rolls his eyes and then gestures to Abby. “Don’t be stupid. If you can change him, she can control him.” So he has been around. At least enough to see her working with the wolves, but that doesn’t change anything. I can’t change him. I won’t.

I keep my voice low because this is no business of the sirens. “I’m not going to do this to anyone else. I don’t even know if I can. The curse is broken.”

Jade does not put the same effort into quieting his words. “Yet you and your people remain wolves. You want the influencers to share their abilities with you. It’s only fair you share yours with them.” He’s hardly been around, yet he seems to know so much.

“This is not an ability!” I hiss. “I will not ruin another innocent’s life.”

Jade spits. “Innocent? He’s a Guardian. He pledged his service to the corrupt crown.”

“So did you,” Abby reminds him. “You may not remember, but—”

“From what I understand, I had a good reason.” Judging by the tightness in his jaw, this is still a touchy subject.

“Not wanting to starve isn’t a good reason?”

Jade groans, and I know it’s because he knows she’s right. But Jade’s right, too, as much as I hate to admit it.

“You don’t get to pick and choose your enemies. This man is a Guardian and if you’re not going to use him, then we may as well kill him now,” Jade says, summoning a clawed hand.

The Guardian drops into the sand in an attempt to crawl away from him. It seems Jade did something to his leg, as well as the burns on his arms. “No, please! I’ll do whatever you want. Don’t let that thing kill me.”

There’s movement in the crowd behind me, and that can only mean one thing.

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