Tragic Bonds (The Bonds That Tie #5)(25)

Gryphon had conveniently left all of that information out of his quick explanation this morning.

I swallow and glance over my shoulder at the empty doorway where Nox had stood, chewing my lip a little as I think.

“Gryphon wouldn't have told me all of that because he would have been worried about my bond,” I say slowly, and Nox steps back into the room, now fully dressed, Mephis and Procel at his feet.

“Exactly, but I think that meeting your bond is precisely what the General needs, Oleander. Would you like to join me?”

This feels incredibly mischievous, and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips, even as Gabe and Atlas both shoot me disapproving looks.

Like hell am I going to let someone disrespect my Bonded Group. After everything Gryphon does for us all, there’s no way I’m going to have someone questioning him or undermining his authority, especially someone who should know better.

Gabe curses as I stand, but my voice is nothing but sweetness as I reply, “Sure, why not? Just give me a second to change into something a little more appropriate for the training center.”





Gabe and Atlas both insist on coming with us, though Nox has no interest in waiting around for the two of them to throw some clothing on so that they’re not running through the town in their boxers. I don’t want my Bonded being on show like that though, so I take my time finding shoes and getting my hair tied back to give them both time to get covered up. Azrael sits at my feet with big eyes and his head cocked as he huffs at me in frustration.

He is not happy about the delay.

When we finally step out of the house, Nox directs me over to one of the ATV vehicles that only has two seats, smirking as he plans to leave the other two behind. Gabe shakes his head at him and starts stripping, ready to shift into something with claws and fur that runs quickly.

Atlas just rolls his eyes at him as he steps over to the garage, opening it up and revealing another ATV vehicle for the two of them to use, rolling his eyes some more when Gabe laughs, shoving his shirt back on in a haphazard way.

I can’t help but laugh with him, surprised at how light and joyful I feel now. There's a part of me that knows it isn't just having Nox that has lightened my spirit.

The fact that he knows what I did and is still choosing to be with me has lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders.

There's a part of me that believes that my other Bonded wouldn’t be so quick to forgive me for literal murder, the worst sort of crime because there was no one more innocent in that moment than my parents, and knowing that Nox wouldn't leave me even if the others might is incredibly freeing.

I have someone who has seen all of the ugliest, darkest, and worst parts of me, and instead of hating me— continuing to hate me, even— he’s chosen to love me instead.

For the first time since I was fourteen, I can breathe without the crushing weight of my guilt and the what-ifs.

Nox drives like a maniac through the quiet streets, only pausing to let children cross the road, because he sure seems happy enough to run down the workmen and early risers that we come across without a second thought. I duck my head so none of them see me grinning like a madwoman at his antics, North and Gryphon’s disapproving faces clear in my mind.

Neither of them would care if we took out a council member or two though.

Gabe calls out apologies to everyone, ever the peacekeeper. I work hard at not looking quite so joyful because, technically, I’m Nox's accomplice if he does ‘accidentally’ murder someone with the vehicle right now.

It wouldn't be classed as an accident, Nox says directly through our mind connection, and I shoot him a look.

Stop reading my mind, it's creepy even when you do it.

He takes a corner a little too quickly and my body jerks against the seatbelt, shoving me at him, but he braces at the right time, catching me and holding me in the seat perfectly as he straightens up. He answers me without missing a beat, Push me out, then. You know how to do it, so do it. You need all the practice you can get before we're facing that Gifted again.

I groan, but he's right.

I really do need all of the practice that I can get, and even though it makes my forehead break out in sweat, I do manage to shove him out of my head.

Fuck yes, I’m going to be unstoppable!

Well, more unstoppable than I already am with my crazed and monstrous bond, the ability to mess around with people’s souls, and, apparently, bring people back from the dead.

Just your regular Gifted shit.

I feel a little queasy as we pull up to the training center, and I'm not sure if it is motion sickness at his crazed driving or the efforts of getting him out of my head, but I take a second to breathe before I step out. He doesn't offer me his hand or try to help me out of the vehicle, but the way that he stands and watches me so closely is enough for me to know that if I asked for help, he would.

It's actually a small breath of fresh air to have one of my guys not falling over himself to fuss over me, though I guess Gryphon is the same way. Quietly reassuring while happy for me to do my own thing, and it occurs to me that they're all varying shades of protective in their own ways.

As we step out of the ATV together, Gabe and Atlas park behind us, jumping out in their haste to reach us. Both of them look pissed off at Nox's obnoxious driving, and Atlas mutters under his breath viciously as he gives me a once-over.

I’m not sure what wounds or bruises he could possibly expect to find, but I give him a reassuring grin nonetheless.