Brynn tore her eyes from William, bound and gagged in the center of the gathering crowd, to look back at Cedric. She swallowed heavily as her body trembled in anticipation of the horror to come.

Cedric nodded solemnly at her.

“Reject the bond. Say the words out loud. Mean them.” His lips barely moved as his low, gravelly voice reached Brynn. These words were meant only for her. “You’ll feel it when it happens. Then, tell them all what you’ve done. Clearly. Tell them ...