Soul Bond: Part 3

Episode three, for you consumption.  

Tell me, was it worth the wait?

Click the label in the side bar if you need to catch up.  

3

            Jared shouldn’t have been surprised by that announcement by somehow, he was.  He had to admit that it made sense.  And if he was on the other end of things, he would have probably come to the same conclusion eventually.  He just didn’t know how he felt about entering into a bond.

            “What is that?”  Jason asked.

            Jared blinked.  How could a practitioner not know about soul bonds?  It was one of the most ancient rituals.  Everybody knew about them.

            “It’s a spell that bonds two practitioners at a soul deep level,” Kelly said.  Jared saw the quirk of the man’s lips.

            “No?! Really?!” Jason’s sarcasm was not lost on anyone.  He shook his head.  “I meant, what does it do?”

            The man who must be Liam, Jared hadn’t been formally introduced when he’d arrived, became thoughtful before he answered.  “It allows for connection, much like the one we have with our familiars.  Because emotions and vague thoughts are conveyed, things that are hidden, like memory in Jared’s case, can be sussed out by the bonded partner.”

            “Of course, it also allows for the practitioner who initiates the bond to have a modicum of control over the one who accepts it,” Jesse added.

            Jared was well aware of both consequences of the bond and he could see how the latter affect would mean more to the man in the sheriff’s uniform.  God, was this what it had come to?  He would have to submit to a bond in order to be safe?

            Jason didn’t seem to like that and he bristled on Jared’s behalf.  Marvin decided he like Jason even more as the man defended him, “You’re going to force him into a bond to control him just because someone took his memory?! That’s cruel.”

            “Relax, sweetheart,” Kelly tried to soothe.  “First of all, the bond allows for some control, yes. But the person still has free will, they still retain their own personality and are still who they are.  That doesn’t change; really the control is minimal.  And second of all, I won’t force anyone into anything.”

            The coven leader turned to face Jared and made sure that Jared was looking him right in the eye.  Jared found it hard to hold the hazel gaze but with a surge of strength from Marvin, Jared managed to meet Kelly’s eyes.

            “Jared, I will not make you do this.  And you have my word that the bond will be broken once everything is resolved.  But I believe that, like Liam said, this is our best option.”

            Jared swallowed hard.  Hadn’t he already admitted to himself that he saw the logic?  But now that Kelly was actually giving him a choice, was Jared able to go through with it?  Or should he opt for a cell and try to wait the whole thing out?  They hadn’t specifically said that was Jared’s other alternative, but he wasn’t stupid.  He knew how things worked. 

            “Wait a minue,” Jason said slowly. He fixed Kelly with a hard stare.  “Are you going to bond with Jared?”

            That had been what Jared thought was going to happen.  He watched as Kelly shifted his eyes sideways and took a deep breath before saying, “Well, Jay, it takes a lot of power and—“

            “No.”

            “Jay, sweetheart—“

            “No,” Jason repeated, cutting Kelly off again.  His voice was firm.  He shot an apologetic smile toward Jared.  “I’m sorry Jared, it’s nothing against you but,” he paused and took a breath, turning his attention back to Kelly, “you’re mine.  And I couldn’t handle it if you had an emotional connection to someone else.  I just couldn’t.”

            Kelly didn’t say anything for a long time, studying his lovers face.  Finally, he nodded, “All right.  It won’t be me.”

            The tension in the room rose a notch and Jared felt bad that he was causing conflict.  He’d never intended that.  He just wanted to stop feeling scared.  Maybe he should just leave and take his chances on his own.

            “Well,” Mary drawled, breaking the quiet that had fallen over the room.  “It’d totally bond with you.  But I don’t have that kind of power.  To initiate the bond? Sure.  But to maintain it?  Probably not.”

            Daniel gave a soft and light chuckle.  “I’m the opposite.  Plenty of power, not enough dominance.”

            “I’ve got plenty of both,” Jesse chimed in with his own smile.  “But the time?  I couldn’t take the time to be with you and you’d go a little mad.  Not that I wouldn’t be up for it if my circumstances were different.”

            The leer Jesse gave him made Jared blush.  He didn’t think Jesse was being serious.  He had the suspicion that he, like Mary and Daniel, were being playful in attempt to break the tension in the room.  At any rate, it wasn’t working for Jared.  He lifted his eyes and opened his mouth to tell them he would just leave so he didn’t bring trouble on the coven.  This was obviously the inner circle and it wouldn’t be good to be the cause of dissention among them.  But the words stuck in his throat as he was caught in the trap of Liam’s green gaze.

            The big man studied him intently and Jared couldn’t help but fidget under the scrutiny.  He knew he was a spectacular shade of red.  Marvin gave an angry quack, trying to warn Liam to back off.  It set off the other familiars and for a few seconds there were hisses, barks, meows, quacks, hoots, and chatter enough to overwhelm the space.  But Liam’s attention never wavered.  In fact, he came around the stable and knelt down by Jared’s chair.

            “Hey, I’m Liam,” he said quietly in greeting.

            His stare was a little unnerving.  “J-jared.”

            “It’s nice to meet you.  Though I would have preferred it be under more pleasant circumstances.” The corner of Liam’s mouth quirked up and the effect of that small affectation was staggering.  Jared had noticed the man’s good looks but now he took Jared’s breath for a second.

            “I’d like to help you, if you’ll let me,” Liam continued.  “We both know it’s this or a cell and I’ll respect whichever choice you make.  This way is quicker and safer.  You know it is.”

            Jared nodded and found his voice.  “Can I have a minute?”

            Liam nodded and moved back so Jared had room to stand.  He asked for and was pointed to the bathroom.  He shut the door behind him and leaned against the smooth wood for a moment.

            Everything was happing to fast!  Jared forced himself to take deep, calming breaths.  He reminded himself why he was here, that he was in danger, or was a danger, and that even though he didn’t know these people, Morgan did.  And she trusted them.  And he knew, without a doubt, that he could trust her.  Marvin ruffled his feathers and let Jared know that he was pretty confident that everyone in the kitchen was on the up and up.  Well, Marvin wasn’t so fond of the twitchy ferret and was glad he stayed wrapped around Jesse, but he liked the people.  Marvin was a fairly good judge of character, despite his penchant for being overly fond of those that liked his looks, and his assessment helped to settle Jared some.

            Calmer now, Jared made himself examine the situation.  If he bonded with Liam, then he wouldn’t have to spend his time under lock and key.  That was a positive.  He’d never been a part of a bond himself, but he had heard stories.  He wasn’t quite sure how it would effect him, how it would make him feel, but he knew what was supposed to happen.  And they would eventually be able to figure out what had been removed from Jared’s memory.  He hoped.  The bond wasn’t a guarantee of that, but it was often a side effect when two practitioners bonded because of the emotional transference.  Jared wasn’t quite sure why that happened but he figured that if he felt safe, then anything hidden would eventually come out.

            Safe.  God, Jared wanted to feel safe again.  It had only been two weeks but the constant turmoil, the unrelenting fear, was horrible.  He couldn’t eat, he could barely sleep.  He just wanted to feel secure again. 

            And Liam would have enough control over him to keep him from harming anyone.  That was probably the biggest benefit in Jared’s mind.  His stomach turned at the thought of causing anyone else physical or emotional pain.  It wasn’t in his nature to do so and he would do whatever he had to in order to keep others safe.

            Marvin was doing his best to send Jared soothing and comforting thoughts.  He even allowed Jared to rub his hand up and down his back.  Usually, Marvin wasn’t fond of that caress, because it made his feather go wonky which he found uncomfortable.  But he didn’t protest because he knew Jared needed the comfort.  Jared couldn’t help the small smile that graced his lips.  Marvin might get impatient and temperamental at times, but his sole purpose in life was to keep Jared happy.  Jared rewarded him with a kiss on the head.

            Still, Jared stayed in the bathroom for a few more minutes.  Morgan had sent him here for a reason and he believed that she knew what she was doing.  And to not be scared every second of every day would be such a relief.  He knew what he should do but he didn’t know if he could do it.  Was this really the answer?

            Jared shored up his backbone, opened the door, and walked back into the kitchen.  Six heads swiveled in his direction.

            “I have your oath that the bond will be broken once this is resolved?” Jared’s voice was soft but firm.

            Kelly nodded once.  “You do.”

            “And if goes badly for me or for Liam, you will break the bond?”

            “I will.”

            Jared could hear the conviction in Kelly’s voice.  He took a deep breath.  Then he turned his attention to Liam.  “You know it’s going to fall on you to keep me safe.  To take care of me.”

            Liam gave him a soft and genuine smile. “I’m aware.  It’s a responsibility I take seriously.”

            Jared nodded.  He knew this wouldn’t be easy, it wasn’t a quick fix, but he knew it was the best option.  He knew he should do it here and now, with these people, simply because Morgan trusted them enough to send Jared here.  He knew he’d been over this before but he couldn’t help running it through it his mind one more time.

            “I’ll accept the bond,” he whispered.  Marvin pushed his body a little closer to Jared’s chest and Jared felt the duck’s comfort and pride.  For the moment, it was enough to soothe Jared’s nerves.

            Liam walked close until he was right in Jared’s space.  He had to crane his neck way back in order to look into the taller man’s eyes.  Liam gave him a smile and reached out slowly to take one of Jared’s hands in his.  Jared could feel calluses on the palm but his skin was warm and his grip gentle.  The snake around his shoulders stretched her head forward and flicked her tongue out, tasting the air.  She gave a soft hiss and closed her eyes.

            “Are you sure?” Liam asked quietly.

            That he would ask, that he would make sure, made most of the rest of Jared’s doubts fall away.  If Liam had bad intentions, he wouldn't have checked.  He would have just done it.  Jared tried for a smile, even though he knew it was a bit wobbly. 

            “I’m sure.”

            “I promise you, Jared.  We’ll figure this out.  It’s going to be all right.”

            Jared didn’t see how that was a promise Liam could make but he wanted to believe him.  He just nodded, not trusting himself to answer that.  He took a deep breath.

            “How do we do this?  I’ve never…I mean, I haven’t ever been a part of a bond so I don’t know how it works.”

            Liam expression turned a little predatory.  Jared gulped.

            “I know the theory,” Liam said.  Was it just Jared or did the man’s voice sound a little rougher?  “I have the power.  We’ll be fine.”

            Jared felt it then, a little tendril of Liam’s magic reaching out to him.  He looked, he couldn’t help himself, to see the dark blue wisps of magic skating over his body.

            “Liam,” Kelly’s voice interrupted.  The sensation ceased immediately and Jared felt a bit of frustration.  They both turned to the coven leader to see the smirk on his face.  “Take it outside.”

            Liam’s face broke into a grin.  Jared felt his own brow pucker in confusion.  “Outside?”  It was freezing out there!

            “Yeah,” Liam said, that grin never wavering.  “Come and see the alder, Jared.”

 

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