Page 4 of Bonded Chaos

“Good. You’re always leaving their chores for me. It wouldn’t kill you to help out more,” I grumbled.

“Ah, but you are the responsible one,” he said, raising a finger. “Not to mention a healer. Isn’t it part of your role to be caring and compassionate?”

“I have a business to run, Callum,” I replied incredulously. “Yet still I make time to ensure our parents have everything they need.”

“Exactly! You own the apothecary and, therefore, can work when it suits you. Meanwhile, I must labor under the tyranny of old man Reynolds and his construction projects.”

“You are an Earth Fae, Callum. All you have to do is wave your hands, and the forest bends to your will.”

“It’s very hard work,” Callum deadpanned.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Callum grinned and nudged my shoulder with his. “You coming out tonight?”

I pursed my lips. Callum was the outgoing, sociable one of our family, while I preferred late nights brewing elixirs and perfecting my craft.

“Come on,” he teased. “You’ll never find a mate if you don’t venture beyond your apartment occasionally.”

“One,” I said as I rounded on him. “I neither want nor need a mate. And two, I have orders to fill. I know it may be a foreign concept to you, but people rely on me.”

“Ah! You wound me, Little Sister,” Callum said as he placed a hand over his heart. “At least think about it.”

“No promises,” I mumbled. Standing on my toes, I kissed my brother on the cheek. “I have to go. Try to stay out of trouble.”

“No promises,” he repeated with a smirk.

I shook my head and turned away from my brother, my basket clutched in my hands, as I headed back toward my store.

I’d barely rounded the corner when the feeling of being watched returned, stronger than ever. A tingling sensation crawled up my nape, and cold sweat beaded on my forehead. I glanced around, but couldn’t see anything amiss.

I quickened my pace as I hurried along the cobblestone street. Movement in my periphery caught my attention, and I turned abruptly, tightening my grip on the handle of my basket, ready to confront my pursuer.

But there was no one there.

“Get a hold of yourself, Cadence,” I admonished as I released a shaky breath.

I forced my feet to keep moving, and I almost sagged in relief when I saw the apothecary up ahead. The moment I crossed the threshold into my store, the tension drained from my body, and I let out a small chuckle at how unnerved I had been.

I placed my supplies on the counter and headed toward the staircase at the back of my shop, which led to my apartment upstairs. Exhaustion tugged at my limbs. The endless late nights spent filling orders were catching up to me.

I climbed the stairs absentmindedly, my fingers gliding over the smooth railing.

My thoughts drifted to the elixirs I still had to make before morning, and despite my exhaustion, a grin turned up the corners of my mouth. I wouldn’t be able to join Callum at the tavern after all.

I loved my brother, and I enjoyed spending time with him, but I preferred to do so in the quiet of my apartment, away from prying eyes and interested glances.

I was halfway up the staircase when a shadow moved at the base of the stairs, just at the edge of my vision. My heart thumped against my chest as I glanced down, but there was no one there.

Great. Now my exhaustion was making me see things.

I hurried up the remaining steps, wanting to be inside my apartment.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I leaned forward and gripped the door handle that would lead me into the safety of my home. The air shifted behind me, and a cold sensation raised the hair on the back of my neck.

Before I could scream, a rough hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries. My heart lurched as someone dragged me backward. I stumbled down a few steps before my attacker’s arm locked around my waist, pulling me flush against a hard chest. Iclawed at the arm covering my mouth, my nails scraping across exposed flesh, but their grip was ironclad.

Something was pressed against my mouth and nose, and my vision blurred. My arms and legs flailed as I struggled to fight off my attacker, but a foul, potent smell overpowered me, and my limbs grew heavy.

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