Free Unbound by Adriane Ceallaigh

believe the claims,” she said, though a twinge of memory disturbed her. “The hunters always find the strong. Why?”
    “I felt an awaking spell a few evenings ago right before a Guardian and a hurt woman burst into my solitude.”
    She shifted against his unblinking gaze. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. What’s a Guardian?”
    “A Guardian is a guide sent to protect some bound children.” He kept his gaze locked on her. Unnerved, she turned away, unsure if she should tell him about the pouch.
    “I don’t know anything about a Guardian, but I opened something I shouldn’t have a few days ago.”
    Watching his eyes narrow in concerned interest, she felt the words of confession pouring out of her. “It was something I was told not to open, but couldn’t stop myself no matter how I tried.”
    Her fingers touched his chest, then pulled away. “I don’t think it was an awaking spell at all. It was just a booby trapped pouch with a compulsion spell on it. Meant to weaken me enough so that MoonSkin could catch up with me, or signal him where I was,” she said, sure of herself. It was better than the alternative.
    He stared at her in disbelief. “How did you come by this pouch?”
    “Well, my boss… that’s the rotten liar who set me up,” she fumed. “He told me I had a run. He said to take the bag to some address in the Drifts before midnight, and he’d strike my debt clean.” Thinking back to the battle, she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, unable keep the realization from showing on her face. She’d used magic to kill the MoonSkin.
    They would know how he died. The Hunter’s were already looking for her...an outlaw. In her panic, she almost bolted, jumping when she felt a warm hand on her arm.
    “Kayla, look at me. It’s going to be all right. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
    She didn’t know which of them he tried to convince — her or himself — that he could keep her safe.
    “No, it isn’t ok! Magic users are sought-after slaves, collared to render them powerless. How is that going to be ok?” Stepping back, she searched the room as if there were hunters hiding in the couch cushions.
    “Maybe that had been his intention all along.”
    Without hearing him, she ran towards her room, desperate to get to her weapons.
    “Kayla! Stop!” Gannon spun her around to face him, shaking her, breaking through her panic.
    Letting his presence steady her, she wondered if she might be safe in the T’ween. “You’re a magic user, unbound from the look of it. How did you manage that?” she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. She leaned up, her mouth a breath from his.
    “Kayla, what are you doing?”
    “Nothing,” she said, nibbling on his lip. “This is what you want for our protection, isn’t it?”
    He unwrapped her arms from his neck. “No, not like this. I don’t take payment from a woman in favors. And I can’t believe that you think I would.” Pausing for a moment to send her a hurtful glance, he added, “Come see me when you want to learn the truth about yourself.” Stalking off, he slammed the door behind him.
    Kayla slumped against the doorway, sliding to the ground. She put her hand over her mouth, ashamed at what she’d done, what she’d been about to do if he hadn’t stopped her, something she’d vowed never to do, no matter how bad it got.
    This place clouded her judgment. The jasmine scented bath. The protection Gannon offered. It was…too much. All her years of fighting, of being feared, being left alone, and of being lonely broke through her defenses. The truth stared at her, cold and unblinking. It had nothing to do with this house. She wasn’t paying Gannon for his help. She wanted his arms around her, his voice low in her ear. She wanted… him . Vulnerability wasn’t allowed, not for her, but she couldn’t find the balance between that and this crushing loneliness.
    Tears slid down her cheeks. When Nyx brushed against