The man is far too astute. I tug my chin from his grasp, and he lets me go. “I should be free to leave. I haven’t done anything wrong. You do get that?”

“You’ve put eight Guardians in the infirmary. Four of whom may never fully recover. You are a half breed Anlu’kyr, vulnerable to the prince’s Blood Call and therefore a danger to other Channelers. The Guardians’ role is to police the supernatural and keep humans safe. I can assure you they are not safe from you. Not yet.” He takes a breath, his eyes softening. “I know you will not believe me, but I’m trying to protect you. I can only do that while you’re here at Blackriver under my jurisdiction.”

“You mean from Alexei?”

“And the High Council. They’ll not tolerate an untrained mixed-breed Wielder running rampant in the world, and believe me, their lockdown facilities will make ours seem like a holiday resort.”

Crap. If I ever do get out of this mess, I’m going to be on the run from all sides. I’m coming to dislike this High Council and their high-handed powers. I do need training to control the Flame—of course I do—but after that, I want my life back.

Flanagan lifts the key. “Turn around.”

I shift sideways to present my back, and he unlocks the chain from the collar. When it falls away, I stand up from the bed and shake off the ghost of its heaviness. “What about the manacles?”

“They stay on unless you’re training.” When I scowl again, he adds, “We need to suppress your Flame. But you won’t be going back in the cage. You’ll be staying here with me.”

“And what? I’ll be chained to your bed?”

He steps into my space, looking down at me with a challenge in his eyes. “Not unless you attempt to escape. But if you do, I will chain you to my bed and leave you there. Your choice.”

My fists clench, rage churning hot. My nakedness forgotten, I stare daggers at him. “The only reason those bastard soldiers are in the infirmary is that they tried to rape me.” I jab a finger into his chest. It feels like jabbing marble. “That’s on you. You’re the one who locked me in the cage.”

He’s not cowed by my fury, but his sternness seems to collapse. He raises a hand to cup my face but drops it when I shoot him a warning glare. “No apology is good enough for what you went through, Michael. I take full responsibility. Quinton has interrogated Sergeant Belanger, and I know the details of what happened. I will use every influence I have to ensure Belanger is punished for his crime. You are not the first. He thinks he’s untouchable.”