Chapter 6

Kieran’s POV

I could feel her determination through the link, but that wasn’t the only thing.

I felt her pains, too. Every time Astrid struck her, I felt it. The blows weren’t even that strong, so why did they hurt her so much? And more importantly, why wasn’t she leaving?

Then she fell and I could feel her weakening, the bond pulsing violently against my wrist. She was in danger.

“That’s enough,” I told Astrid, my voice sharp, commanding. Final. “It’s her first day.”

Astrid lowered her hands immediately, stepping back.

I turned to Elara, starting to speak. “There’s no –” when she fell again. My breath caught.

“Elara!”

I shouted as I caught her before she hit the ground, my arms locking around her too-thin frame. I couldn’t feel her anymore. The bond, which had been thrumming with pain and exhaustion, went silent.

The moment the bond went silent, my heart slammed against my ribs, panic twisting through me like a blade. I d