Say something, Vivian!
“You’re not collared.”
Why am I like this?
My social skills have not improved in the last few days.
At my words, the warlord-wannabe narrows his eyes, giving me every indication that he is very offended by my remark.
“Obviously,” he responds dryly.
My cheeks heat, and I try to explain my reasoning, hoping Sin doesn’t get destructive when he’s annoyed. “It’s just – they said you’d blow up the universe if you were uncollared.”
I figured Magnus was lying when he said Morgana released Sin millennia ago. After all, everyone is convinced Sin will destroy realms if he’s free. Unless… did Sin just get released? Did he kidnap me so he could have an audience while he blows up realms? Oh god, was I too stubborn in not releasing Leon?
This is it. I knew I shouldn’t be entrusted with the fate of humanity. We’re all screwed because I have control issues.
Sin lets out a blistering sigh. It’s almost as if he can see the gears in my head spiraling. “Mortal, I have been uncollared for averylong time. If I was going to destroy the realms, I already would have. So, you can stop looking like you are responsible for the death of the universe.”
I like to think of myself as someone who is difficult to read. Mysterious, if you will.
Clearly, I am delusional.
Mulling over his words, I can’t help but remember that I’ve had those exact thoughts before they were wiped out by the brain fog.
Yet again, I recognize that something isn’t adding up. Why would the Council want to kill Sin now if he’s had the potential to blow up the universe for ages?
As the thoughts cross my mind, I wince, waiting for the searing pain and brain fog that is sure to follow my anti-Council thoughts. But nothing happens.
No pain. No fog.
My eyes widen, and a forbidden emotion starts to surface. Hope is dangerous, and a small seed of it lodges itself within the cloud of despair that still hovers around me.
Sin still watches me closely, like he’s working to decode my every expression.
“You mentioned the bond’s influence doesn’t work across realms?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
“The bonds are powerful, but not strong enough to pass through realms. Morgana’s realm is well protected. Leon won’t find you here,” he says cruelly, as if I’m being punished by being separated from Leon.
My knees go weak, and I sink to the floor. It’s probably a stupid thing to do in front of your kidnapper, but the relief that hits me is absolute.
The bond can’t reach me here.
Leon can’t reach me here.
I try to take calming breaths so I don’t start to sob. After three good inhales, I finally glance up. Sin looks utterly disgusted with me.
I don’t have the energy to care.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Have I traded one nightmare for another?
Probably. But at least no one is touching me on this side of my waking terror.
At my gratitude, Sin glances at my bandaged arm, and his disgust morphs into unadulterated rage. His tattoos flare once before he shutters the expression.
Maybe he suffers from mood swings. I can recommend some guided meditation videos for that.
