Page 81 of Before the Bond

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Caleb set down whatever was in his hands. His voice was quiet. "Yes."

"You knew…" I said. "Since the night it happened…"

"Yes."

"And you let me come here…”

With every word I spoke, I could feel my knees wobble. The pain wrapped around me, steady and complete.

"You let me care about Jake and this house… You looked me in the face every night for weeks and you didn't say it."

Caleb stepped closer.

"I was trying to protect you."

I moved back, trying not to fall as I did.

"From what?" That was the closest I could get to arguing.

Caleb's breath came faster. His own voice grew hoarse. “I should have told you…”

“But you didn’t.”

“I wanted to tell you from the start.”

“Youliedto me from the start,” I pointed out.

Caleb’s hands trembled. He reached out, then stopped himself.

“You broke your promise,” I whispered.

Caleb didn't try to defend himself. He turned away and back to the window. He leaned against it as he looked into the darkening sky.

"I know."

The pain surged up through my shoulders and my neck.

My face crumpled. I stopped myself before I could let out a cry.

“Caleb…” I said.

He didn’t answer. But I could tell he was listening.

“Is the bond just a leash?” I asked. "Am I just — am I just wired to stay here because of something biological? Is that what this is?"

I didn’t know how much time passed after that. I didn’t know if it was a few seconds, a few minutes, or even hours.

All I knew was that I was in hell. Waiting.

Finally, without looking back, Caleb answered.

"The bond is not a cage," he said. "You owe me nothing.”

And, without missing a beat, he added, “You’re free to go.”

My face scrunched up even more. I lowered my head as I tried to catch the stray tears escaping.

I turned around and exited.

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