Free Pursued by Evangeline Anderson Page B

how the bond was formed—it’s there . We both feel it.”
    “What we feel is a lie,” Elise said, more sharply than she’d intended. “I…I’m sorry.” Taking a deep breath, she looked at Sylvan. “What can we do about this? I mean, what’s the treatment?”
    “There is no treatment,” Merrick snarled. “A soul bond is forever.”
    “Not necessarily,” Sylvan said. “Not when it’s artificially created.”
    “What are you saying?” Merrick demanded. “You’re saying we should end it? Break it—just like that? You’re telling me to rip out the roots Elise has put down in me like I’m weeding a fucking garden?”
    Elise shivered at the idea. It sounded extremely painful—like pulling a tooth with no Novocain.
    “I’m afraid it isn’t going to be quite so simple as that, Merrick,” Sylvan said. “A soul bond, even an artificial one, is very difficult to break or remove. However, I’ve been doing some research and because your bond is artificial, it should be possible to dissolve the roots, hopefully painlessly, and separate the two of you.”
    “How do you do that?” Elise asked. “Is there some kind of soul-medicine you use or something?”
    “Nothing that I have on hand,” the Kindred doctor said. “But there is a substance that will work. The berries of the skrillix plant which grows only on Rageron can be used to make a compound which does the trick.”
    “What, you mean the pain vine?” Merrick sounded incredulous. “The one that grows only in the inner jungle? The plant that’s sacred to the Ancient Ones—that they guard with their fucking lives?”
    “I’m afraid so.” Sylvan shifted uncomfortably. “A branch of the vine must be plucked by your own hand—yours or Elise's anyway—and brought back to be placed in the same stasis chamber Elise was held in. Once we hold it in stasis for awhile, it can be taken out and the berries will make a compound which dissolves the artificial bond between the two of you.” He shook his head. “Only then will you be free of each other.”
    “What if I don’t want to be fucking free?” Merrick demanded belligerently. “What if I like things the way they are just fine?”
    Sylvan looked at Elise. “Will you excuse us for a minute?”
    “Certainly,” she said, feeling numb. She slid off the exam table and stumbled, nearly going to her knees. The only thing that saved her was Merrick—his strong hand under her arm held her up, keeping her from collapsing in a heap on the floor.
    Even that brief skin-to-skin touch on her bare arm seemed to strengthen her but Elise knew it was wrong. Though it hurt her heart to do so, she shook off his hand and stood on her own.
    “Elise…” Merrick’s face was stiff, immobile—but she could hear the hurt in his deep voice. Somehow she forced herself to ignore it.
    “Thanks, but I’m fine,” she said, nodding stiffly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to step outside for a minute.” Keeping her chin high and her back straight, she walked out of the exam room, shutting the door quietly behind her.
    The med station around her was a hive of activity with nurses and doctors buzzing quietly but briskly about their tasks. There were several other exam rooms arranged in a circle around the central area which was filled with counters and equipment but the doors were shut, indicating that they were occupied.
    Elise looked around desperately. She just needed to find a quiet spot to herself for a moment. A spot to break down and cry—to mourn the impending loss she felt to the bottom of her soul. And yes, now she believed she had one because it ached—ached so deeply she thought she might die of the pain.
    Finally she spied an empty room—a supply closet filled with fresh sheets, gowns, and cleaning supplies—and slipped into it as quietly and unobtrusively as she could. Then the strength she’d forced herself to feel suddenly gave out and she sank to the floor with her head in her