Page 52 of Bound By Blood
"Hello."
"No." Quinn's voice boomed out, sounding like a cluster of at least five voices.
Ryul's brows shot up. "Pardon?"
Erryn fell back a step. A branch cracked beneath her foot. That multi-layered voice spoke with such anger. Such hatred. It cut straight into her. The hairs on the back of her neck lifted up as her breaths shallowed.
"She is not welcome in this place," Quinn responded.
Ryul moved between her and the door, setting his arms akimbo as he glared at the doors. His stance broadened. "That is unacceptable. You will not speak to her that way. Besides, this isn't up to you." He rapped on the door, his brow creasing. "Open the door. She is my guest. I say she is welcome here, and so she is."
"Not up to us? My purpose is your welfare. That human is a threat. She does not deserve the shelter of this place. Not after what she has done to you."
She fell back another step. Each word gouged deep within her. Her heart raced faster. The voice was so loud and sounded like so many people speaking all at once. It was hard to breathe.
"That's all been taken care of. It's none of your—"
"She would bind you! She attacked you the first night you met. She beat you. She stole your magic and offered you slop. And she will not take the one step that will prove the bond between you both. She would use that prism to pass all consequence and pain to you. She actively weakens you! She will be the reason for your destruction."
Her head swam. A sour bitter taste filled her mouth. The panicked urge to run filled her. To create space. To escape. Get away. Go! Go now!
"No. I offered it, and she rejected it. And all the rest is settled! This isn't for you to be angry about." Ryul's voice sounded as if it was coming from far away.
She held Buttons closer, her heart racing faster. Each breath was a painful stab through her ribs and lungs.
Ryul crossed his arms. Confusion filled his voice. "This isn't for you to say. We had a misunderstanding—"
"She still does not trust you. She is holding back. We swore to protect you with my life and being. This human bile is not worthy of you. All she has done is wound you and delay you. You could have left by now if not for her! You were willing to bind yourself to endless suffering for her!"
Those words echoed in her mind. Her heart pounded faster. The sound intensified, booming and filling her, multiplying into even more shouts and bellows of accusation. Her stomach lurched. The heavy sounds sent her blood spiking with terror, each syllable cutting deeper and deeper.
Branches prodded her.
It was her fault.
All of it.
Her mother and sister were dead because of her. Ryul would die too. Of course he would. Why wouldn't he?
Quinn continued, "If she truly cared for you, she would speak the words and let you grant the wish, or she would leave and never come back. Her absence is the best she can offer."
Quinn was right.
There was only one thing to do.
She had to run.
Again.
Spinning around, she bolted.
Ryul called out after her, his anguished voice distant and muffled as she sprinted away. She didn't look back, didn't dare to. She had to get away. The castle, the magic, her past, the wish. It was all too much!
Branches slapped against her face, and her feet stumbled on rocks and bumps in the ground, but she pushed through the pain. Tears streamed down her face, and her breaths came in ragged gasps. But she didn't stop until she collapsed onto the ground, chest heaving.
She hugged Buttons to her chest, and he licked at her face, trying to comfort her. But it was no use. She had failed once again. Failed to protect her family, failed to be even close to good for Ryul, and failed to face her own fears.
She staggered to her feet, gasping for breath. The sun had fully risen now, and birds called out, but the world had never felt so empty. Dark gnarled leafless trees surrounded her on all sides.
