Tragic Bonds (The Bonds That Tie, #5)

by J. Bree

“Nox, come here. We’ll speak to these men in the parlor for a few minutes, and then they can leave.” For the very first time, Nox moves, but only his lips as he murmurs with a robotic monotone voice two simple words that fracture my world in half, a break that will never repair. “Yes, Bonded.”

😱😱😱 oh hell tf nah

Of course I'm not listening! My Bonded is dead!

Ah shut up b

Can we just have a few weeks of you not trying to die and kill us all with you? Because I had a full five minutes of knowing what life felt like without your heart beating, and I am never going to live in that world.”

before I take the time to pull my hair back away from my face, using a hair tie to secure it.

i forgot this dude had long hair, it's never ever mentioned

When we finally step out of the house, Nox directs me over to one of the ATV vehicles that only has two seats, smirking as he plans to leave the other two behind. Gabe shakes his head at him and starts stripping, ready to Shift into something with claws and fur that runs quickly. Atlas just rolls his eyes at him as he steps over to the garage, opening it up and revealing another ATV vehicle for the two of them to use, rolling his eyes some more when Gabe laughs, shoving his shirt back on in a haphazard way.

Kyrie has always been happily independent. I think she’d prefer to stay single for another decade or so before she's tied to someone.” I nod at that just a little too enthusiastically, and he gives me a look, his eyebrows creeping up his forehead. “The single life is not for you, Bonded. You are far too good at running into danger head first. I think you wouldn’t survive if you were left to your own devices. Better off with all of your Bonded covering your ass when you get some idea of running off.”

He gives me a side-eye because we both know that he is, but he's also incredibly fussy, bordering on codependent, with his need to know where I am, what I'm doing, and every last one of my innermost thoughts at all times.

I can’t right now, Bonded. Not with everyone here, because if I look at you right now, after what you did for my brother… after what he did for me… I will make an absolute fool of myself. I’m supposed to be the strong one for us all.

Jericho turns to look at me again, and Nox’s temper snaps, his hand snapping out to grab his hair and slam him face first into the table. Atlas jerks in his seat, and Gabe makes a grunting noise of shock, and maybe just a little bit of sympathy, as Jericho’s nose crunches and blood pools underneath it. “Stop. Looking. At. Her.”

My breath squeezes out of my lungs, and I have to hold in an embarrassingly squeaky sound, one that I wouldn't mind Oli hearing, but Atlas doesn't need any more ammo on me.

The way that she's relaxed around both of us in here together is exactly what Atlas had been aiming for last night, to break down the last of the barriers that she had, the last vestiges of shyness in her about this Bonded Group so that we no longer have to tiptoe around her.

His research parameters need to be widened a little more because… well, he’s looking for ‘born’ gods. What about ‘made’ gods?

I know he's just trying to flatter me to distract me from my anger, but I refuse to let it work. “I need more guns,”

what a brat lmao

“I’m pretty sure the two of you gave North stress ulcers, and half of the TacTeams still have nightmares about the training sessions Gryphon put them through as his own stress relief.”

Once we have our bags piled up from the chef—who promises me emphatically that he is doing his best to get me some seafood like the national treasure he is—we

I wake up to the feeling of Nox sliding into the bed next to me, cautiously bundling me up into his arms until we’re twisted around each other.

It would have been driving him insane to not know something about her, anything. He would happily take up camp in her mind the way that Gryphon did just to know every little inch of her, because he is a possessive, obsessive asshole

It feels as though we're all casually gossiping about her trauma. I'd already promised to take this to the grave, so not a single word will ever pass my lips about it.

“Don't run away from me again. You promised.”

I had the rest of my Bonded Group. Gryphon and the Draven brothers didn't just welcome me with open arms… they filled in any gaps in my life that my mother might have left behind for me. When I graduated high school, all three of them came. North signed all the paperwork for my college acceptance with me. Gryphon took me car shopping and did his best to talk me out of the motorcycle because he thought he was supposed to be steering me towards a safer option, even though he test drove it with me and bought one for himself as well. When I started struggling with my classes after Gryphon found you and brought you back, Nox stayed up with me and got me back to where I needed to be to stay on the football team.

Gabe walks with my hand in his, smiling and chatting to people happily, like the little social butterfly he's always been.

Now that she can block me out, a frustration I am too stubborn to bitch Nox out about, I find it harder to get a gauge on where she is or how she's feeling.

I already have too many regrets when it comes to her.

hm?

Watching her eat is a particular pleasure for North and I.

thought it was just north

Gabe bursts out laughing at the sight of me, and Gryphon rolls his eyes as though I'm being overly dramatic. I glance down at myself. “You guys all understand that it's Alaska, right?!”

I move to clap his shoulder, but he ignores it easily, moving forward to give me a hug.

I'm incredibly proud of them both, and I find myself walking with my head held high, mimicking Nox’s haughty attitude as I stare people down.

camp to clear out.

i thought alaska was a wasteland tho

I loathe her even more than before. It's a risk, but I call out to my bond to see if I can tear her soul out from this distance. It falls in line with North's plan just enough that it's worth giving it a go. It doesn't work, but it does wake her up.

bruh

it disappears between the rows of tents now that the element of surprise is gone.

bro she pisses me off

without question or remorse for the child she was murdering.

teenager* you're barely 5 years older rn 😭

The ground around us begins to tremble again as she calls on her Gift, and I panic just a little. I can't just let her take the first swing at us.

do something then damn wtf lmao

I don't enjoy the taste of human flesh, but I don't stop chewing until I'm sure she's dead.

yum

Each wave of Gifted they throw at us is stronger than the last as they attempt to chip away at us little by little,

thats dumb

Nox steps over Davies’ body. I’m expecting him to stand by me, maybe offer me a hand up. Instead, he drops down to wrap his arms around my shoulders and draws me into his chest. The breath he lets out is shaky, but the beat of his heart is steady and sure.