her body screaming in protest. Her ribs throbbed with a dull, deep ache-someone had wrapped her torso

A high-quality beast pelt. And she was wea

g the shirt closed. Hudson was sitting a few feet away, watching

id, his voice

look away. She had saved his l

one knee. He placed a fist ov

id, his voice ringing with sincerit

Bond from a Tier-1 Warlord? It w

oing to be bough

e said, her voice cool and hard,

n eyebrow but r

d my hand," she said, pointing toward

Areli pulled on a coat and followed, moving slowly and favorin

on the ground, his back bare. Curt an

"You violated her agency. T

flinch. "Ye

e whip studded with ba

ac

flayed skin would have sent her into shock. She had to dig her nails into her palms to keep from looking away. But then she remembered the icy water closing over her head, and Doyle's ruthless hands forcing the dru

f his own blood. Hudson dropped the whip,

. The debt

dered. "We're going

. As they traveled, she focused on her breathing, consciously using the rhythmic motion to assess her injuries-two cracked ribs, maybe three, but the bindings held them steady. By the time the camp's border stones came into view, the sharp edge of the pain had dulled to a manageable throb.

gathered. And in the middle of the crowd, standing

f sorrow. Then she saw Areli. Her eyes w

a trembling finger. "The traitor i

looking heartbroken. "Areli,

on her. Curt and Brown reached for their weapon

as her

ked at the two liars. A plan for

s. She let her body sway, looki

n, she