Every now and then, a bolt of pain will travel through the bond to me, and though it hurts me to know my mates are suffering, it’s overshadowed by the relief that they’re still here with me.

But it won’t be for long.

At the last thought, a burst of power explodes behind my eyes, coloring my sight in blinding silver light. I can’t see, but that doesn’t matter—all I know is I need to get free of these chains.

My wounds burst open as I rail against the restraints, coating my arms and neck in thick dark red. I know I’m losing vast amounts of blood, and if I keep going, I’ll die, but I can’t find it in me to care. All I want is to be free, to go to my mates and heal them of their wounds—the ones I’m directly responsible for.

The blame I hold is twice as painful as the metal cutting into my skin, so I keep fighting, and fighting, and fighting until the cuffs cut to the bone and I can’t feel anything other than the bond humming in my chest.

“You shouldn’t do that. I hate to see beautiful things ruined.”

The muffled voice slinks through the air, the words brushing my skin with wicked undertones and causing my spine to tingle. A piece of my sanity returns as warning bells blare in the back of my mind, snapping me back to reality and allowing me to focus on the green-eyed demon chained to the opposite wall.

Fenryr. Jealousy.

“You can talk?” I ask, irritation coursing through me as I recall our first interaction when he led me to believe he couldn’t. Just like Malice, he lies—meaning I can’t trust him. My lips purse as I shoot a glare in Fenryr’s direction. “Well?”

“I only speak when I feel like it.” He gestures to the metal piece covering the lower half of his face. “It’s more difficult to project than some might think. Painful.”

“Oh…” I lower my arms to my sides as a bolt of sympathy travels down the bond, replacing the spikes of agony I’ve become accustomed to. “I’m sorry.”

“No need. I’ve gotten used to it by now.”

“How long have you had it? The muzzle, I mean.”

He looks around the room, eyes glazing over in thought. “I’ve lost track. Several months, perhaps.”

“Did Malice put you in it?” I ask, his name exiting my mouth with disdain despite the painful tug of the bond. Fucking soulmates.

Fenryr nods, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile. “Yes. But I don’t blame him. Neither should you.”

I scoff. “Why the hell not?”

“Because it is his nature.”

I tilt my head, a wave of indignation coursing through my veins. “I don’t see how that’s a good reason.”