#Chapter 179 – Bound

Trigger warning – Assault (non-sexual) Ella “It’s all right, Ella.” The first priest says, approaching me as one might a skittish horse – with slow, measured movements and hands exposed to show he holds no weapon. “We only want to protect you.” “Protect me from what?” I question shakily, my back flush against the locked door. “You have a very powerful magic inside you, and if it’s allowed to come out you’ll be exposed. We can’t let that happen.” He explains, using a tone much too gentle to be trustworthy. It’s as though he’s trying to trick me, to convince me he’s kind when he truly intends malice. “I don’t have any magic.” I insist, wishing that I did. Maybe if I was magic I might be able to put a stop to the things happening here – to protect the others without bringing harm to myself. I was so preoccupied with this statement that I almost missed the second piece of information. “Exposed to what?” “You do, it just hasn’t shown itself yet.” The second priest sighs, keeping