But if it’s not a transport cage, then why are they here?
Three sets of footsteps.
A growl builds in my chest. They’re getting closer.
Three people is weird.
I don’t like weird.
The voice from the ceiling crackles to life.
“I’m ordering you to get over to your chains and lock yourself in, Rage, you know how this works.”
My gaze is wild as I stare up at the ceiling, a snarl ripped from my chest.
No. No chains.
I’m not going to lock myself up.
Not when I have to protect her. I can’t protect her if I’m chained up.
Sometimes I listen. Sometimes I don’t. The times I don’t, they shock me until I pass out and then chain me up themselves.
“Fuck, he’s not listening,” the voice mutters.
I know what’s coming.
But she doesn’t. I jerk away from her outstretched hands. I don’t want her to get hurt too.
My neck lights up with a ring of fire. A roar echoes off the walls. My roar.
The pain makes my vision go red. I’m angry again. So fucking angry.
“No! Stop hurting him!” She says, stumbling to her feet and towards the door.
I throw myself in her path, kneeling in a crouch. My muscles are getting hard to control.
No! Don’t go there! I’m trying to keep you safe!
But all that comes out is another snarl.
“Please stop!” She says again, stopping in her tracks.
They listen to her. I slump down over my knee, gasping for breath.
She’s magic. She got them to stop.
“Get the chains on him,” the voice from the ceiling says to her.
No.No chains!
“Rage, please listen to me. I don’t want them to hurt you,which means you have to let me put these cuffs on you, okay? Or you need to put them on yourself. Please?—“
I curl my lips back in a snarl, standing to my full height.
No.
No, no, no, no, no!
