Read Bound for Free Online Page A

another long,
deep growl vibrated through the ground and into Kira’s chest. Its
piercing blue eyes locked on hers. Another step brought it within
arms’ reach. Gripping her branch with both hands, she held it
between her and the beast. The tiger reacted by jerking its head to
the side and letting out another roar. Her branch gave it no fear;
only increased its anger. She lowered the useless chunk of wood,
but she couldn’t make herself drop it and to admit defeat so
easily.
    One more step and Kira felt the warmth of the
tiger’s breath on her face. When the giant cat peeled back its
upper lip in a snarl, she leaned her head against the rock and
turned away. She knew it sensed her fear, but she couldn’t run. She
couldn’t move. All she could do was pray she’d pass out before its
powerful jaws ripped her in two.
    “Down, Toran!” Octavion commanded as he came
into view. Kira brought her weapon back up for protection—this time
from Octavion.
    Toran gave her a look she could only
translate as a warning before he casually rambled toward the sound
of Lydia’s pain-filled moans.
    Now safe from the tiger, Kira feared
Octavion’s wrath. She moved away from the rocks and took a swing at
him with her branch. “Get away from me,” she yelled, still trying
to steady her trembling hands.
    “You said you would stay by the fire. Toran
should have kept you there.”
    “Kept me there? That monster is your
pet?”
    “Toran is no monster and he is certainly not my pet.” He took one leap, grabbed her stick, and tossed
it against a rock—splintering it into kindling. Kira cowered to the
ground and pushed her back against the boulders, drawing her knees
under her chin. She was no match for his temper. She knew that all
too well.
    Octavion paced in front of her. The constant
slap of his boots on the dirt sent little puffs of dust into the
air until she felt the grit of it on her lips. She brushed it away
with the back of her hand. Her heart had just begun regaining its
normal rhythm when Octavion let out a thunderous roar—striking the
boulder at her side with so much force it sent bits of dirt and
gravel raining down.
    Kira screamed.
    Fearing she would be next, she threw her arms
over her head. When the blow didn’t come and the forest grew
silent, she opened her eyes to find Octavion crouched in front of
her.
    “Forgive me.” His deep blue eyes fixed on
hers. “My concern for my sister has tarnished my . . . behavior. I
would never hurt you, Kira. I am angry at myself, not you.”
    Kira had barely held her emotions together
until that moment, but his sudden kindness lowered her restraint
and she couldn’t hold them back anymore. Her eyes burned as tears
trickled down her cheeks.
    Octavion’s expression softened. He leaned
closer, softly brushing the moisture from her face with the back of
his hand.
    “I heard her . . . screaming.” Kira stifled a
sob.
    As if on cue, Lydia’s painful whimper gripped
Kira’s heart. She tried to stand, but Octavion pressed a hand to
her shoulder, guiding her back to the ground.
    “Not yet,” he said. “We need to talk
first.”
    “Talk? She needs a doctor. Why can’t you see
that? You have to help—“
    “There are things you do not understand.” He
cut her off.
    “You’re right, there is. Like, who were those
guys, and why didn’t you come to our rescue? Didn’t you hear Lydia
scream?”
    “No, I was too far away.”
    “That’s not true. You showed up not two
minutes after it happened.” Kira flipped her long auburn hair
behind her shoulder. “It’s your fault Lydia was injured and it will
be your fault when she dies if you don’t take her to the
hospital.”
    “Perhaps you are right about this being my
fault, but you must trust my decision to keep her here—to tend to
her wounds in my own way.”
    “Trust you? I don’t even know you and from
what I’ve seen, you’re an ani. . .”
    His sudden scowl stopped Kira’s words.
“Animal?” he asked, finishing