Page 26 of Runt's Haunted Ride
"NO!" My mother and sister shrieked.
Pain exploded through my body as I felt something wrapping around me like chains. I felt it sink into my flesh, my bones, my very essence. Every cell in my body was being pricked with a needle. I screamed in anguish.
"Perfect," Mortis purred, his enormous hand reaching down to stroke my hair with a gentleness that made my skin crawl. "You are mine now, little phoenix. Bound to me in blood magic. You cannot leave. Cannot fly away. Cannot even die. Only my death will free you."
"No," I sobbed, trying to pull away, but my body wouldn't obey. "Please. Leave us alone."
"Come." Mortis held his hand over me, and I levitated off the ground, hovering next to him as we approached the entrance ofthe cave. My mother and sister yelled my name. He stopped and turned us to face the inside of the cave.
The air around us grew dark as Mortis began chanting. His hands swirled as he chanted louder and louder. His voice began echoing off the cave walls.
I locked eyes with my father. His phoenix eyes filled with love and determination.
"I'm sorry," I mouthed. He shook his head no.
"I'll find you," was the last thing I heard him say before Mortis threw his hands up. Instantly, the ceiling and walls erupted, bringing the mountain down, crushing my family.
"NO!" I screamed. "NO!!"
"Hush now." Mortis touched my forehead, and I lost consciousness.
I jerked awake with a gasp, my heart racing, tears streaming down my face. It was always the same nightmare memory. It clings to me the same as the binding spell.
Three years. Three years since that day, and it still felt like yesterday. I'd stopped saying I was sorry. I'd since learned Mortis was going to take my niece until I sacrificed myself. That he had no intention of letting anyone live from the start. I'd lost track of the number of times that sick bastard told me, "If I couldn't have all of you, then no one would." I wished I would have died in the cave with them.
That was until yesterday.
I was curled on the simple bed, the thin red blanket barely keeping the chill at bay. My breath came out in visible puffs, and I was shivering despite having slept in the grey sweats. The fabric was stiff with dirt and who knew what else. I was looking forward to getting my weekly change of clothes.
The first rays of dawn light filtered through the red canvas walls, painting everything in shades of blood. Another day. Another endless day.
But today felt different.
Because yesterday, I met my mate.
Jack.
Just saying his name in my head sent warmth flooding through my chest, temporarily pushing back the cold. His face filled my mind—strong and kind despite the hardness life had carved into it. I recalled his voice, rough but gentle. My mind scanned his body, massive and powerful. Oh, that body. Such strength, yet he'd held me so carefully on that beam, like I was something precious. Something worth fighting for. Heat spread down my body, resting between my legs. The way he'd looked at me with those dark eyes and incredible eyelashes. If only I could look into those eyes for the rest of my life, I'd be such a happy lady.
Jack's gaze on me was like nothing I'd ever had or expected to have. He looked at me like I was beautiful, even covered in grime with tangled hair and wearing filthy clothes. He made me feel like I mattered. Like I was worth being someone's mate. I quietly chuckled to myself. Some days, I would daydream about my mate. I always thought it would have been another bird shifter. A phoenix from another family, a wise owl, or even a majestic eagle. I never expected an enormous silver gorilla. Not in a million years would I have guessed. But I wasn't complaining.
I touched my lips, remembering our kiss. It had been my first kiss—three years of captivity hadn't exactly provided opportunities for romance. The mate bond had surged between us. I knew I felt it. And from the straining bulge in his pants, he felt it too. Hot and right and yet absolutely terrifying because I knew what Mortis would do if he found out. Instantly, the heat left my body, leaving me cold again.
I knew he'd kill Jack. Or worse, bind him too, use him to control me even more thoroughly than he already did.
I should have rejected Jack. Set him free, saved him from the heartbreak that was in his future. But I was selfish. Weak. Because part of me—a distant, tiny part—was hoping against hope that he'd come up with a way to end this. As silly as it was, I couldn't help myself.
I sat up slowly, my body aching from sleeping on the thin mattress in the freezing tent. My muscles were stiff, my joints protesting. Being constantly cold was taking its toll. Phoenixes were creatures of fire and heat—we drew strength from warmth, from the sun. This unnatural cold that Mortis maintained in the tent was designed to keep me weak, compliant, easier to control. Sure, he'd allow me hours in the sun on the day for me to rejuvenate. But only because the warmer I was, the brighter and more impressive my fire burned. But unfortunately, today wasn't that day.
I wrapped my arms around myself and moved to perch on the wooden beam where I'd spent most of yesterday. Up here, near the peak of the tent, the air was marginally warmer. Heat rises—even magical cold can't completely suppress that natural law.
From this vantage point, I could see the entire tent—all of Mortis' voodoo artifacts, his throne-like chair, the altar with its carved skull and melting candles. The birdcage that sat on the arm of his chair mocked me daily. And yet I was grateful to have it as the place Mortis put me when I was in my chick stage. At least that cage made me feel safe. Unlike every other aspect of this living hell.
My enhanced hearing picked up sounds from outside the tent. The carnival was waking up. Voices called to each other as performers began their morning routines. Someone was cooking—bacon and coffee—and my stomach growled painfully. The scent of food cooking in the other tents and campers was one of my daily tortures. I didn't get to cook. My food was delivered to me. Mortis wouldn't allow me anywhere near a fire.
I heard footsteps approaching my tent.
My heart leaped.Is it my Jack?
