Yes, as if selling people weren’t gruesome enough. The buyer forced the captive into mating and then the bond between them was manipulated magically to transfer energy from the captive to the buyer.
Using and twisting soul bonds like this often hurt both parties, though the buyer’s own hubris or hunger for more power led them to determine the risks worth the rewards.
“Should we take a break?” I asked.
Instead of leaning back into the lavender scented pillow on his chair for support, he sat rigid on the edge of the seat as all his relaxation planning went out the window.
“No, we’re getting to the best part. The buyer can essentially leech off us forever, but you’re always gonna get the strongest results right at the source. So the collar is perfect forextra incentive. They can turn the pressure down and allow you to use your powers, but that only happens once they know you’re broken.” John sneered. “Trapped with them, the buyer has all the time in the world toconvinceyou to be a good little mate.”
John was absolutely right, the buyers used the bond and collars to coerce a mate’s cooperation. Some energy and emotions could be passed naturally through the bond. Which meant that soul bonds could be used to comfort or even help heal another. Usually, this happened in small doses. A bond created through force and used for power and control was against everything the union truly stood for.
I cleared my throat. "That’s enough for today."
"We haven’t gotten through it all."
"That’s alright,” I said. “Sometimes it’s best to stop and come back later with fresh eyes. Investigations involve several interviews and a witness’s comfort level is one of the most important factors.”
“But I do feel comfortable with you,” he assured. “You’re the only person I can tell.”
“Would you be telling me right now if there were another way to learn about where you came from?” I wondered.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. You’re strong enough to do this, of course, but being strong enough to survive isn’t the only thing that matters anymore. Your feelings matter. It’s okay to wait until you’re ready to talk.”
John considered my words for a moment, though I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Then he changed the subject. “Did you bring new books?”
He ushered me away, eager to check out the new novels in his growing collection. I perhaps got carried away and brought another book or two every time I stopped by, though he responded so well I couldn’t help it.
Of course, I didn’t forget about what happened here. He found someone he trusted enough to share with: me. He found a reason to share the details about his time with the Brokers: looking for clues about his past. But a crucial ingredient was lacking: his readiness and willingness to share.
John cared about finding answers, but we needed another approach. This one wasn’t going to work. For whatever reason, he chose me to help him. I was determined to live up to the precious trust he had in me.
10.Nice to Meet the New You
Lysander
John needed to share his experiences with the Brokers in his own time. But forcing himself to relive his captivity in order to find answers did more harm than good. He liked having a detective as a partner, he liked treating his past identity and his hidden gifts as a case. Giving him something to solve gave him a purpose and allowed him a goal instead of being lost.
So I decided to act as a detective. The best thing to do with nervous witnesses? Calm them down. And common interests were good for both building rapport and relaxing a witness.
I knocked on the door of John’s room. “May I come in?”
He blinked at me. “Aren’t we meeting somewhere else?”
I raised my arms to show the items in my hands. “Dropping off some new reading material.”
“Gimme,” he demanded immediately, a brief smile lighting up his face. His fingers traced the title on the front cover,The Secret Garden,before he flipped to the back cover, eyes barely skimming the words there and his flipping through the pages was even briefer.
The Secret Garden, The Little Prince, The Phantom Tollbooth.With him starting at the beginning, children’s and young adult classics were heavily represented in the choices I brought him. Though there were novels in other genres too and even some Shakespeare plays.
Too soon, he became somber again. “Shouldn’t we get going?”
He hated the idea of discussing his ugly past in his room and tainting the place where he lived now with those memories.
"You had the right idea with the relaxation room," I said.
John looked skeptical. “I asked the cleaning staff to burn my clothes, the smell wouldn’t come out.”
