“What are you doing with him?” Ulric barked, lunging forward like he might try to stop us. Sile stopped at the top of the stairs long enough to look back, casting my father a look that I’d seen Ulric give me many times; that look of superiority and disgust. “He’s no longer your concern, tackmaster. Remember your place.” Ulric’s eyes were burning like torches. His fists clenched in rage as Sile pushed me on ahead of him down the stairs. It was surreal, and I wasn’t even sure if it was really happening. Just like that, Ulric couldn’t put his hands on me anymore. Just like that, I was free.
