Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) Read Online Free

to bind the Keeper. I have to ask a Hunter to do the very same thing that was done to me, that was done to her father…” I trailed off, my eyes focused on nothing as I silently berated myself again.
    “Hey,” Elias said sharply, pulling me back to the present, “we all make choices. We make the best choices we can in the moments we’re forced to make them. Right now, that Hunter is the only hope you have of getting her back completely, that’s what you’re saying, right?”
    “It is,” I responded.
    “Then, it doesn’t sound like there’s a choice at all. You’ll do what needs to be done because that is your duty to us and to her.” Elias spoke with such authority, I instantly reacted, standing straighter and nodding as the words repeated in my mind.
    I reached my hand out and when Elias took it, pulled him in for a half-hug. “If you need anything, come to me. I will do whatever I can for both of you.”
    “I know you will, Aidan,” he said. “It’s what makes you a good King. You’ve maintained yourself well through all of this. Your father would be proud.”
    His words stopped me and froze the smile on my face. No one had ever told me they were proud of me, except my case worker when I told him I got into Brighton’s community college. I pictured the balding man in his sweater vest as he shook my hand and told me he knew I was headed in the right direction. If only he knew where that decision had led me.
    When I snapped back to reality, Elias was already slipping back into Nell’s room.

5
    I stepped out into the sunlight, squinting as my eyes re-adjusted. I hadn’t seen Baleon or been overrun by Charlie, so I assumed things were going well. I looked toward the house and had to force myself to walk in the other direction. I didn’t get more than a few feet before Bethany was at my side and then, in my face.
    “What in the ever-loving-hell are you doing letting him stay here? I know that lumbering oaf with him is a Hunter and you let them both waltz in here and make themselves at freaking home. He is—” I put one hand up and narrowed my eyes. It had the intended effect. Bethany stopped talking, slamming her mouth closed and returning a glare of her own. I hadn’t meant mine, but she surely meant hers.
    “It’s my fault because I haven’t had a chance to talk to you.” Her eyebrow raised but I ignored it and gestured to a picnic table in the yard. There were people everywhere, women in small clusters, Rynna and Derreck talking by the back door, and Dillon running around, burning off his endless supply of energy.
    “I know you want to hate him, B, but just hear me out. He saved Amelia. He saved me. If he hadn’t been there, none of us would have come out alive. He fought at our side and risked the wrath of one of the most demented people I have ever seen. His mother…he betrayed his own mother. Micah fights for us. And so does his Hunter.” I may have added that last bit in as much for me as for her, but I had to believe it.
    I stayed silent and watched her as the words sunk in. Her face gradually relaxed and the heartache I expected replaced her anger.
    “You’re sure?” she asked, leaning in and cocking her head.
    “Absolutely,” I answered. “I know this for a fact. He fought alongside us and stayed down in that death trap to get the women out. He stayed behind to make sure we could get away. I haven’t even had time to thank him yet, or to find out the details. I’ve been too wrapped up in getting to Amelia and figuring out how to bind the Keeper. But I got to her, Bethany. She’s coming back to us.” I needed her to focus there and the light in her eyes confirmed I hit the mark.
    “What did she say? How is she? How are you bringing her back?” The questions she rifled off were accompanied by excitement clear in her posture and the high pitch of her voice.
    I considered how much to share with Bethany. The words weren’t mine to give and Amelia deserved to tell her friend