CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Aurora woke the next day feeling completely exhausted. Since descending into the Guild, her dreams never made for a restful sleep. It had become the new normal for her.
She changed quickly and with a loudly rumbling stomach she made her way to the dining area. She was too early for breakfast but she rarely stayed to see what kind of food was served in the morning anyways, instead, she always grabbed a piece of fruit on her way to the training room.
Her lessons with Eli were always first and they always went by in a blur, the only thing that gave her comfort due to the familiarity.
She’d somewhat just about registered the warm ups, and was barely mentally present while practicing hand-to-hand combat against another student. Knowing he would notice how distracted she was, Aurora had to force herself to focus during the swordplay drills. Not that she would have been hurt, she knew more about swordsmanship than the majority of her fellow students put together.
Eli strode towards her once the lesson was over and the room had emptied. Passing her, he jerked his head towards the door. It was time. They had been told to report to the inner circle after first lessons. He seemed tense, but she didn’t blame him because she hated meeting with Violet and the others too.
Aurora had the pleasure of being brought before them more than most recruits before becoming an official part of the Guild. She tried to ignore the tightness of her chest and growing knot of nerves in the pit of her stomach as she followed Eli along the halls and down the stairways that would take her to them.
They walked in silence, both knowing that in the Guild even the walls had ears. Eli slammed his fist against the heavy wooden door three times once they reached it. His clenched fist struck the wood, the sound echoing down the hall.
The door opened, Atlas held it open from within the room, he dipped his head, acknowledging them both. Looking past him as she entered, Aurora let her gaze travel around the room noting who was there. Warm light from the lit orbs filled the room showing Violet sprawled on the couch in the middle of the room. Her gray eyes shifted to take in the arrival of Aurora and Eli, “Ah, I’m glad you two could make it.”
Aurora ignored the fake kindness in the female”s tone, she knew all too well it was only an act. She herself had used the same tone on other members to get things like extra food or clothing.
A smile threatened to tug on her lips as she savored the fact she hadn’t lost her gift for manipulating and flirting to get her what she wanted, that at least hadn’t been destroyed from who she used to be.
Eli stopped just in front of the lounging female and stared down at her, “Shall we get this ceremony of Aurora’s over with.” Not a question of permission. A demand.
Aurora watched Eli’s back, his muscles tight as they always were when talking to the inner circle.
Violet tilted her head, her eyes locking with his as she slowly, gracefully got to her feet. She had such feline movements, slick and limber that Aurora couldn’t deny being impressed.
“Oh it’s not just hers,” she stood almost toe to toe with Eli, “I know you had your mark removed when you went missing, so I think it’s time we fixed that. Every Guild member must bear one after all.” She said, tilting her head.
“Mark?” Aurora asked.
Violet sighed heavily and tsked with disappointment to a shadowed figure over her shoulder, “Did Silas fail to tell you?”
The male stepped forward, the shroud of shadow falling. He leaned against the couch she had been on moments before. The warm light cast into the room from the fire lit his warm skin.
He shrugged in answer, not looking back at Violet. A look of annoyance rested on his handsome features.
“These males are useless,” Violet mumbled.
Aurora bit on her bottom lip to suppress a smile but it was short-lived.
Violet’s attention fell on Aurora, “Every member of the Guild has a mark on their skin, it is personalized to each person. No mark is the same. Consider it a rite of passage and a contract.”
Slowly moving between each male in the room, she pointed to where on their body each had theirs. Some visible, others not. The one she did see were beautiful designs, just looking like any other permanent mark that some fae got on their bodies
“If you want the ability to actually leave here, the mark is a requirement. There are no exceptions, and you have to agree to the contract made. You, sweet Aurora, are to be a member of the Guild until you can pay off your debt.”
Eli tensed, “Aurora has no debt, forcing her to pay one is just wicked and cruel, you know that.”
Violet laughed softly, the sound brittle to Aurora’s ears.
“She is the reason you were gone for so long, so she shall pay for the amount of time she stole you from me.” Her eyes danced from Eli back to Aurora, “Your skills have improved immensely and Silas has said how impressed he has been with you, I simply can’t let you slip through our fingers again now can I?”
A low gruff growl fell from Eli as he watched the devious female.
“I can admit that I am a very selfish female, when I find something precious to me I don’t want to let it go. But never worry child, one hundred years will go by in a flash.”
The bitch smirked, an open display of satisfaction.
Aurora stilled.
One hundred years in the Guild. Comparing the amount of time to the long lifespan of the fae, to most it wasn’t a big concern. But one hundred years of torturing, stealing and killing, what toll to her soul would that take? A price to pay to a place she knew he despised.
Eli scoffed, “This is ridiculous.”
Violet’s sharp gaze landed on him, “You think that’s bad? You shall pay for the students that you didn’t train because you abandoned not just me, but them too.” The tone of her voice took on an almost musical quality, “Get comfortable Eli because you will be with us for a very long time, indeed, you may possibly die before you are free of the Guild.”
Eli’s jaw clenched so tightly, his jaw flexing painfully under the light of the room.
“There’s no other way to pay this?” Aurora asked, she surprised herself with how calm she sounded.
“I know neither of you have the gold. Based on the cabin Atlas described to me, it was just proof Eli doesn”t have extra coin hidden somewhere.”
Aurora could see the female before her was used to getting what she wanted. She would find a way to keep Eli for good now. They had never been poor, not only thanks to Aurora’s manipulation of the townspeople that lived near them in any Quart they rested, but Eli was careful with their money. They only bought what they needed and he would take jobs wherever they lived. Aurora assumed they were “under the table” type jobs considering he wouldn’t work somewhere they gave him a predictable schedule.
Aurora looked at Eli, hoping he’d figure some way out of this, he had always been good at getting Aurora out of trouble. Eli continued to stare at Violet, his hands balling into fists. At his silence, Aurora recognized there was no escape.
“What about a compromise then?” Aurora asked.
Eli’s gaze snapped to Aurora.
“Aurora-” his tone warning her not to continue.
She raised her hand, silencing him, “There’s obviously no way around this.”
Her eyes stayed on Violet, unwilling to show even the slightest hint of doubt in what she was about to say.
Violet was smirking back at her.
Rolling her shoulders and mirroring the other female’s expression, Aurora tilted her head. She knew Eli would be pissed at her for what she was about to do, but she didn’t care. What limited choices she had she would choose him, she would choose to spare him any way she could. He had sacrificed so much for her, it was time to pay back the debt.
She would take what control she could.
Violet found humor in Aurora’s actions, a perfect brow raised, gesturing with a roll of her hand for Aurora to continue.
“I will earn my freedom, as will Eli and I will agree to this contract on one condition.” She paused long enough to draw in a quick breath. “Eli’s contract stays how it was. Whatever was left of his debt is what he has to work off...I will take on and pay the arrears you think has accrued.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Aurora fought to keep her mask of indifference in place. If Violet wanted an obedient servant she would become that, but on her terms.
Violet huffed a laugh.
“She thinks she’s in charge now.” She mumbled to Khyro who had been sitting at an armchair next to the couch.
His expression remained neutral, his arms resting limply on the armrests.
And for the first time it struck Aurora that maybe she wasn’t the only person in the room with a mask firmly in place. Any interactions she’d had with the male were always light-hearted, teasing almost. He would leave her a lump of bread and cheese outside her room door on the days after her assault. Once or twice she had caught him stealing glances at her, checking on her during training. He was kind.
“If you want me to work for you and if I am to be molded into what Silas wants me be...” Aurora shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes finding the male where he stood partially hidden in shadow. She studied him like he had done to her so many times.
A small smirk grew on his lips.
“I will only do so if you agree to my terms. If not then I guess I’ll find a way to escape the Guild one day. Maybe I’ll even get a group together to help me.”
Again silence, only the sound of the crackling fire invaded the room.
“Oh that is cute, imagine thinking you could do either.” Violet’s voice was mockingly sweet. “You already have a taste of how that would turn out. What Silas did before was only a little swat on the wrist compared to what he could do on my command. You really have no idea what could await you.”
Aurora shrugged, she ignored the tremors threatening to shake her body and fought against looking at Eli whose gaze was burning a hole in the side of the head.
“Silas can do what he wants, or what his master tells him to do, the obedient dog that he is. And if he ends up going too far you’ll lose a Guild member. All that time, effort, and training would be wasted. An asset destroyed. But hey...” She shrugged, “You know best right?”
She knew she was treading a very thin line. She was sure Silas would make her pay for what she said, but if it convinced Violet, it would all be worth it.
In her dealings with the inner circle’s leader, Aurora had noted her ego, her need to appear in control. Pushing her as she was Aurora was running the risk of having Violet snap but she also knew she had the potential to be beneficial and valuable to the Guild.
Violet locked eyes with her, and for a moment Aurora could see the cool calculating rage burning in them. But a second later it was gone. Violet’s own mask, like all others in the room, was secured in place.
After what felt like hours she finally spoke.
“You have potential,” she purred. “Attempting manipulation and bargaining takes guts for a little chit of a thing like you, not even a Guild member yet either.” Violet huffed a laugh.
Aurora wanted so badly to snap back at Violet, but she stayed quiet.
Looking her slowly up and down, assessing, gauging her worth, Violet circled Aurora. Stopping before her she reached out, she flicked a piece of lint off Aurora’s shoulder before turning away from her and sauntering over to the couch again.
“Fine. I agree to your terms. Five hundred years in the Guild.”
Aurora’s stomach sank.
Eli bristled beside Aurora. Continuing to stare at the side of her face, she could feel his anger.
She refused to look at him. Was she anxious that she had signed away the better part of her years to this hateful female? Yes, how could she not be? Did she also wonder what she had gotten herself into? Again, yes. But if this would give Eli the freedom he had worked so hard for then it was worth it. She would sacrifice what she could for him.
He had taken so much from her and the things he had done impacted her in ways that were unimaginable, but after her time within the Guild, she understood. Eli was as much a victim of it all as she was, as her parents had been.
Had he been like Silas; unremorseful, sadistic, and selfish she would have let him rot with them. But he had been trying to atone. He had tried to hide her, keep her from this fate. Eli had succeeded for more time than was expected she was sure, so doing this for him after the years he had raised and trained her was the least she could do.
“This must be killing you,” Violet purred, her gaze leisurely roaming over Eli. “Since you had your first mark removed, going through so much pain, and for what? For it all to be for nothing in the end...”
Eli’s eyes hardened, turning to ice as he stared back at Violet, “It wasn’t for nothing.” He said through gritted teeth.
Aurora’s eyes quickly shifted to Eli, her heart squeezing at the determination in his voice before she looked forward again. Her hard shell, back in place.
A soft knock on the door signaled someone else would be joining them. While the others were focused on the new arrival Aurora took that time to focus on Eli again out of the corner of her eye. He remained by her side, quietly seething.
“It was painful?” she asked. Her words an olive branch, her attempt to engage and diffuse his anger. It worked like she had hoped it would.
“Getting and removing the mark isn’t... the most comfortable.” He sighed.
The door closing drew Aurora’s attention back to the others, her mouth falling slightly open seeing a tall male dressed in dark robes. His hood was back, his face was breathtakingly handsome. Apparently a prerequisite for the Guild and its members, they were all beautiful.
Sharp features, golden streaks in his brown hair, and thin lips. His nose was slightly crooked, seeming almost off putting but still it didn’t take away from his beauty. His nose must have been broken at some stage. Why it hadn’t healed properly, Aurora was unsure. His clear blue eyes sparkled as they traveled around the room. Aurora knew he was a descendant of the Summer Quartaine immediately.
Violet huffed a laugh, “Our mage will explain.”
The males hair rested just above his collarbone, with small braids woven into parts of his hair. It was similar to how Silas wore his, and Aurora wondered if it was a style adopted from a particular Quartaine or maybe it was thanks to worship of a Quartaine’s god.
A mental shake of her head dismissed that idea because she couldn’t imagine a male such as Silas being spiritual in any way.
The mage”s blue eyes found both Eli and Aurora. He looked them both up and down, eyes narrowing slightly.
“I need chairs facing each other,” he said over his shoulder. His voice was deep and raspy.
Aurora recognized the voice; was he the male Eli had summoned to heal her back? Were healers and mages the same thing? Possibly, perhaps depending on the job they were called to completely dictated their choice of robes.
Atlas appeared from a shadowed corner and did as the mage asked. He pulled two of the chairs from the table side and swung them into place exactly as requested.
The mage tilted his head and nodded to one of the chairs, an unspoken request for her to take a seat. “Since you are new, I will explain as Violet has asked. Eli, you may take your place opposite her. Since you are more than acquainted with the process I shall direct my explanation to her.”
Eli sat heavily, the chair groaning and creaking at the burden. He turned to look up at the mage, his look, an unguarded warning the male ignored.
“The mark I will be putting on your skin is applied with magic. It is a contract. A contract that is woven into your soul, getting it removed is never recommended. Many have died with inexperienced mages.” His eyes slid to Eli, pure irritation shown through them.
Eli’s lip curled up into a wicked smile, and he shrugged as he stretched his legs in front of him.
With a roll of his eyes, the mage placed his hand just behind Aurora guiding her to the chair across from Eli, ignoring him. “If the contract is broken, it will cause irrevocable damage to your soul. Most times it is fatal, any fae it doesn’t kill are most often left broken. Their minds shattered leaving them a shell of their former selves. So the lesson here is don’t break your contract.” Jerking his head just slightly in Eli’s direction the male continued, “Eli is part of the lucky few.”
“That’s why I got mine removed. Collecting you wasn”t breaking the contract, because I had no orders relating to it, but if I had and I’d returned without you it would have caused me severe pain, or as he says, in the extreme...death. But...” His lips tugging back into that cheeky grin. “I found a very talented mage who was able to remove it, thank you.” His last comment obviously aimed at the blonde mage.
The mage locked eyes with Eli who in turn smirked, then adding to the obvious insult, winked at the male.
Aurora narrowed her gaze at the two males. She would definitely be asking Eli about their glaringly obvious history. Whether it was romantic or not she didn”t know, but there was definitely some kind of relationship between them.
The male dramatically cleared his throat, “You may pick where you want your mark placed. It is unique to every person so it’ll simply look like ink you wanted to put there. Every Guild member has one and you will have it until you complete your contract. The day it is fulfilled, it will fade. That is the safe way of getting it removed.”
One of the males brows pulled low as the other raised, his eyes darting to his left as if indicating Eli who was sat quietly behind him. Throwing a quick wink to Aurora he turned to him, kicking his legs at the ankle.
Eli shot upright in his seat, his legs tucked under and out of the mage’s way.
“Lucky you, you get to go first.”
Eli glared at the male. Their gazes locked on each other, he removed his shirt by gripping the neck at the back of his head and tugging it off his body, “Over my shoulder and down my arm will do just fine,” he snapped.
The tall male bit his lip as he watched Eli’s movements. Letting his eyes roam over Eli’s sculpted frame he murmured something under his breath. It was so quiet, so soft that Aurora couldn’t hear it.
Eli coughed, his face flushing.
A pack was placed on the small, round table in front of the couch. Not wasting any more time the mage turned from both Aurora and Eli and began to ruffle through it. He pulled out an instrument of some kind that Aurora had never seen before. It was thin, the size of a long quill but missing its feathers and it was made of metal.
The rod tapered out to a sharp point, styled in such a way it could easily be considered a weapon. Small symbols in a language she had never seen before were carved along the length of it.
Upon placing it on the table the mage then pulled out different liquids that were held in glass vials, a cork pressed into the top to ensure none of the liquid spilled. Aurora watched in interest as she leaned forward slightly.
With the things he needed in hand the mage returned to Eli. “You know the drill, even if it was so long ago. Try not to strain yourself” He brought straps around Eli, securing his body to the chair, totally restraining him
Aurora hadn’t noticed the mage remove them from his bag.
Ensuring they were tightly secured over Eli’s chest and arms, the male looked them over and after giving a testing tug on them he turned away from Eli looking pleased with himself.
Atlas had been by Violet’s side when the male had first arrived, but now, without sound he stood behind Aurora, and without speaking gently brought his hands to settle on her shoulders.
She flinched at the unexpected contact.
He either didn’t notice or ignored her reaction, his face remaining a deathly calm.
He guided her until she was in the seat and facing Eli. Atlas copied the mage’s movements after being handed extra straps securing her to the seat.
Panic rose in Aurora’s chest as she strained against the straps binding her. Fighting hard to keep her mask of boredom in place she forced a few calming breaths, her chest rising and falling quickly was the only indication of what she was feeling on the inside. Taking a few more deep breaths and slowly letting them to quietly pass her lips she began to relax, an emotionless calm washing over her.
“May I ask why you have us both tied to these chairs? That normally comes after a couple dates.” she teased, looking over at the mage.
He turned to the table where all his supplies sat, “Like I said, the process is uncomfortable. You get restrained for your own safety.”
Eli was glaring at Aurora, apparently pissed at her joke and obviously not finding it funny, but explained, “It’s painful, that’s why. Don’t let any of them lie to you. Getting a soul bond is excruciating. Just focus on your breathing like I taught you.”
She followed his gaze to where his eyes had locked on the tool the mage held. The engraved wand glinted in the light of the fire, “This is an Akara, it has a beautiful name, but it’s a wicked tool.” The tone of reverence in the mage’s voice was evidence of his respect for the tool.
“What? No ‘Run, Aurora. Get away from here.’?” Aurora asked.
“Be as sarcastic as you want. You agreed to this, making an even longer bargain for yourself might I add. You know just as well as I do that agreeing verbally is just as much of a contract as this mark is going to be.” Eli threw her a withering look.
Aurora relaxed in her chair slightly and said nothing. She ignored the feeling of the leather rubbing against her skin, the same type of leather that was attached to Silas’ tools. She knew it was a way to prevent her from running, but really she had no plans to leave. She wouldn’t be selfish, she wouldn’t try and run and abandon Eli again.
Twirling the mysterious metal tool, the mage crouched down next to Eli. He focused on the area of skin Eli had requested the mark. Slowly he began to chant in a language that Aurora couldn’t place. It sounded ancient; older than time itself.
Everything about the mage began to subtly shift. An ethereal aura began to pulse around his hunched frame. Aurora watched mesmerized as he worked. The runes on the tool began to glow, a dull light at first. But as the mage chanted softly the light grew, deepening in color to a cool ice blue, he never stopped his chanting as he began to trace the tool over Eli’s skin.
She watched him with calculating eyes, noting the moment Eli tensed. A moment later the smell of burning flesh filtered through the room. Fists clenched, his teeth gritted he strained quietly against his restraints.
Aurora made a move to get up even with the restraints holding her in place, but Atlas was there immediately. A strong hand settled on her shoulder, half reassuring and half restraining. She didn’t know much about the male, but glancing over her shoulder, something in his eyes told her not to move.
A warning. But of what?
Eli grunted. His breaths came out in short pants as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
The mage carried on, unfazed by his reaction.
Aurora wondered just how many of those marks the male had applied over the course of his life. He appeared close to Eli’s three hundred and fifty years, and it was apparent he had been performing these bonds much longer than she herself had been alive.
Over the course of the bonding, she watched Eli clench his fists repeatedly, shifting his head from side to side, his leg bouncing in place as he strained occasionally against his bindings. He worked through the pain the best he could. The Guild’s best assassin until he had left, no doubt they had put him through worse. They trained their people in torture, all members knew how to not only inflict pain but to endure it too.
Unhurried, the mage worked, drawing the tool over the area. Aurora sat open-mouthed, watching as patterns appeared to grow and mark his skin. Almost like an artist working on his canvas, except this canvas was flesh.
Every now and then Eli would glance down at the mage, pure hatred in his eyes as he occasionally caught the males gaze. But he didn’t seem to care, he continued to work even as Eli flinched, doing his best to control the pain.
Aurora couldn’t help but wonder if the male was taking his time on purpose. The thought of that burned like fire in her blood, a soft growl almost passed her lips, but she bit it back. The only external sign of her annoyance was her foot tapping anxiously against the floor.
Was this another way for the Guild to punish her? Forcing her to watch the male who had raised her and who she cared for so deeply fight against the obvious pain? Another way of the Guild showing her who was in control. She stole sly glances at each of the people in the room, her gaze settling temporarily on Violet. The female was lounging on her back on the couch again, picking at her nails. She actually looked bored.
The rest of the inner circle remained calm, casually scattered around the room in random spots. Atlas, the only member who stood close by, was a constant presence behind Aurora. He had removed his hand from her shoulder, but he hadn’t moved from her.
Khyro leaned against the wall behind the couch, taking up the place where Silas had been. Her brows furrowed, where had he gone? There was no sign of Silas, and she hadn’t even heard him leave.
Finally, the male at Eli’s side pushed to his full height, his work completed.
Eli sighed, relieved. Slumped in his chair, he took calming breaths, an external sign of his internal fight to regain authority over his body.
The mage admired his work, quickly he turned and poured dark liquid from one of the vials onto a cloth and pressed it against the mark.
Eli grunted in pain, his attempt at biting back a curse failing, “You piece of shi–” his words cut off as the male pressed the cloth harder against the bond.
Aurora struggled in her restraints, “What is that? What did you do?”
The mage”s blue eyes shifted to Aurora, “Just a solution to quickly heal the wound I caused. The ink is magic. It isn’t the usual sort used on tattoos. The solution I just pressed into it causes the skin to knit together quickly. As you can see, it’s not the most enjoyable experience.” Smirking at Eli, eyes snagging on his, the mage continued, “The contract is a living thing on its own, it is tied to you, and if you don’t close the wound, it’s easier for people to get other mages to tamper with it.”
Aurora was confused at that, “If it’s so easy to tamper with, then why is it dangerous to get removed?”
“When it is first created, it is easier to manipulate. The magic is very new and unfamiliar with its host. Closing the skin forces the mark to do just that, learn who you are and become a part of you. Even if Eli were able to go to a mage to get this one removed, it would still be difficult because the mark already recognizing who he is. It just wouldn”t be as hard to remove as if you had it for a lot longer.”
Aurora shuddered, “So, it’s like a bug or a parasite? I didn’t realize you were going to be putting something like that into me.”
“Apologies if my usage of words isn’t making you feel better.” The mage snapped, “All magic is its own living organism. Once you learn it and recognize it for what it is, that’s when it becomes your own.” He removed the cloth from Eli’s skin.
A beautiful mark was left behind; his skin looked untouched other than the swirls and intricate patterns that were now permanently marking him. Its placement was mainly on his shoulder. Individual swirls traveled down his arm, and some slithered up and twisted over his collarbone. It looked perfect. Aurora would have been more excited to have her own if it wasn’t for the fact she had just witnessed how much pain Eli had been put through. It was also a little daunting now that she knew the magic actually intertwined with her soul.
The mage released Eli from the restraints.
Eli slumped forward, strands of brown hair fell over his eyes as it had worked loose from the leather strap that kept it out of his face. She was surprised that he still hadn’t cut his hair short. It was almost as if he didn’t want to let go of who he was away from the Guild.
His hand went to the arm where the mark now sat. Aurora watched as he glared at the mark; sadness and anger swirled in those sage green eyes, his features tense for an instant before his mask covered up his feelings. There once more was that look Aurora had become accustomed to during her time with them.
It was unsettling to watch as the normally happy male let the smile slip from his lips, the light extinguished from his eyes, and the teasing jibes swallowed back never to be spoken. His ability to shut it all down, showing zero emotion was frightening.
The mage, happy with his work on Eli rose and crossed over to Aurora. Mirroring the position he had taken at Eli’s side the male crouched down at her side, “And where would you like your mark, dear?”
Aurora narrowed her eyes at the endearment, “Why don’t you pick?”
He assessed her, his eyes traveling up and down her body, “Nothing too obvious. Can’t have one of Silas’s spies getting recognized because of a mark I put on them...” He rubbed his chin, his gaze drifting over her frame as if he was lost in thought, his eyes lit up as an idea came to him, “Hmm, how about your spine?”
Aurora tensed. If she was correct in recognizing his voice, then he knew of the scars on her back. Even after months of healing, she hated her back being touched let alone seen by anyone other than herself. She was self-conscious about it.
“I’m already sitting down. Why don’t you pick somewhere else.” Aurora said. She’d have the damn mark anywhere but on her back.
The mage’s mouth quirked up into a smile, “You said I could choose, and I’ve chosen your spine.”
The bindings holding her slackened before being removed.
Aurora’s eyes darted to Eli, to find his eyes were on her. Silent support for her, even as his jaw clenched, and his hands fisted by his sides. There was nothing he could do to stop this. This was entirely her doing, she had struck the bargain.
“Get up.” The mage’s voice, although quiet, was demanding.
Khyro stepped forward as Aurora pushed to her feet, removing the chair from behind her. She glared at the mage. Both Atlas and Khyro stood at either side. Without warning, or mention they took hold of her arms holding her firmly, their hands immediately taking the place of the restraints that had bound her moments before.