Page 7 of Bound to the Guard

“It’s true.” My fingers tighten around the bars. “He told me to come here. Please, you have to let me in.”

As I speak the words, I see their doubt, see the dismissive way their eyes scan over my disheveled body. To them, I’m just a crazy, homeless person, a pathetic creature begging for scraps at their door.

“He’s lying,” one of them says, his voice dripping with contempt. “He’s just another runaway wanting handouts.”

“Should we call the authorities?” The other guard casts an annoyed once over at me, like I’m so pathetic that I don’t even register as a threat.

“Please.” My vision blurs with tears. “He told me to come here. He said it would be safe.”

Silent communication passes between the two men, and I allow myself to hope, to imagine they might take pity on me, they might grant me the sanctuary Jade promised.

Then the first guard’s expression hardens. “Sorry, kid, but we can’t let just anyone claiming to be a friend of the family in. Move along, or we’ll be forced to call the police.”

Without another word, they turn away, leaving me alone once more.

My legs give out, and I slump against the gate as the last of my strength fades away. The world spins around me, the darkness closing in. I’ve reached the end of my endurance, taken the last step in me, and failed.

Acceptance sweeps over me as I slump onto my side. At least this is a better end than the one I expected.

Consciousness threatens to slip away, and a spark of defiance forces my lids up, blinking into the encroaching shadows. I try to lift my head, to call out one last time, but my body refuses to cooperate.

Vibrations in the ground shake through me, and I flop onto my back, head lolling as the gates slide open. Unhindered access to my destination, with nothing to stop me now except for my inability to rise.

Blinding light floods my vision, followed by the squeal of tires slamming to a stop.

“What the fuck?” The slam of a car door follows the angry shout.

A man peers down at me, the headlights from his car turning his hair into a flaming halo around his head.

“Are you a demon?” I raise blood-crusted fingers toward him. “Have you come to take me to Hell?”

He scowls and crouches down beside me. “Are you high, kid?”

Strength leaves me, and my arm falls back to my side. The address slips past my lips, the litany of numbers and roads becoming a prayer.

“What’s that you’re saying?” He leans in closer, his head cocked to the side.

The address spills down my tongue again. “Jade told me.”

He reaches down to grip my jaw, forcing my wobbly head to face him. “Say it again.”

Dark spots dance across my vision, but I force the address out again, hoping this demon will understand.

“Not that. Did you say Jade?” His tone drops into an Alpha’s Command. “Speak.”

I try to obey, my lips moving, but sound stops coming out.

At least I delivered the message.

“Hey!” He shakes me roughly. “Don’t you dare pass out.”

He twists toward the gate to shout, “Someone, call the doctor!”

Fear spikes through me. No, I don’t want to go back to those white-walled rooms.

“Stay awake.”

Not even an Alpha’s Command can stop the darkness that sweeps me under.

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