Chapter 32 - A Punishment

Echo grabbed Damon's hand, and rushed out of the dungeons only to be met by the commander and Sebastian.

"So you found him. I thought you forgot to report back," the commander scoffed, glaring at Echo.

Sebastian looked at Echo, adding, "And she didn't seem to need our help either."

Echo froze when she remembered Hunter, "Stay here with him. I need to get Hunter." She turned around, and rushed back into the dungeon.

Kaia screamed at Echo, "You! I will kill you once I get out of here!" She kept repeating her threats.

Echo ignored Kaia, and gently scooped Hunter in her arms, leaving the dungeons once again. She found the three men waiting outside for her. Without a single word, the commander turned around, walking away.

"Let's go!" Sebastian ordered Damon.

Echo followed them in confusion, wondering if they had shared any words when she left to get Hunter. It wasn't hard for her to sense the tension between the three men. She was distracted from her thoughts, when Hunter moved slightly in her arms. Focusing her attention on the cub, she raised her fur up to check for any open wounds.

"Is she okay?" Damon asked, turning his gaze to Echo.

Echo glared at him, "Shouldn't you be the one telling me that."

Damon sighed, he tried to reach for Hunter, but Sebastian stepped in the middle of him and Echo.

"That's enough talking," Sebastian glared at Damon, who returned a cold, but calm gaze.

They finally arrived at the briefing room. The commander sat at his seat, while Sebastian and Echo stood beside Damon.

"You've broken my trust," the commander stared at Damon, and then switched his gaze to Echo, "Both of you."

Echo lowered her head, without saying a single word.

"It's my fault. She had nothing to do with it," Damon tried to defend Echo. The commander lifted his hand up, stopping Damon.

"The witches cancelled their visit, which means the only punishment you'll be facing is that," the commander nodded to Sebastian, who stepped forward, and handcuffed Damon's hand to Echo's.

Echo's eyes widened, but Damon had a smirk on his face. She sighed, berating herself, 'If I had kept an eye on him instead of falling asleep, none of this would have happened. This is obviously my fault… and here I am messing up another responsibility I was given.'

Damon was caught up in his own thoughts, 'Was this really a punishment? Maybe it's meant for Echo, I could just turn into smoke and get out this easily. Is this why the Protectors keep losing to the demons every time? They're just stupid.'

The commander had a cold gaze, noting every single movement of both Damon, and Echo. He leaned back on his seat, "Are you two just going to stand there, or explain what happened? And I want every single detail!"

Echo glanced at Damon, before explaining in detail, "It's like I told you earlier. He got up, and left. I was asleep, and Hunter woke me up," she glanced at the cub who was still in her arms, "I then found out that he was dressed for the masquerade, and decided to go find him there."

The cold stare that the commander was giving Echo, made her realise that he was doubting her explanation.

"Why did you try to escape?" the commander asked, turning to Damon.

Damon knew everything came down to him, whatever he said now would change everything. He had no clue what Echo might have told the commander before, but it was obvious that she had omitted the fight they had in the house. Would it really be that good to hide the fight from the commander? It could backfire on him, but if it meant keeping Echo safe, he did not mind.

"I can't control my power," Damon replied, glancing at Echo. Their eyes met, and he felt her little brown eyes asking him to stop. He turned his gaze back to the commander, "I attacked her, and almost killed her. She's not safe with me."

Sebastian gave a light chuckle. Damon glared at him, as the captain of the Elites spoke, "You think she's safe anywhere? She was revived by the witches, she's the chosen warrior. She's literally the last person who's safe."

The commander did not object to Sebastian's words, "If anyone could fight against you and survive. It's her. She's tougher than you think."

Damon turned his gaze to Echo, as he thought in his head, 'But I can't stand hurting her.'

"So off you two go, and drop the cub in the Healer's room, Jas said she'll be there in case someone needs her." The commander stood up, walking past them.

"Commander!" Echo called out. The commander stopped, and turned to Echo, with a raised eyebrow. She continued, "Do you have to handcuff me to him? What's even the use of it? He could just turn into smoke, and appear elsewhere."

The commander smiled, "He can't!"

Damon glared at the commander, taking it as a challenge. Smoke appeared around him, but he couldn't disappear into it.

"The cuffs are made for demons. It's enchanted," Sebastian added, with a slight smirk.

Damon clenched his fist, "This is not a good idea. I could kill her, and what are you going to do then?"

"Pfft! You can't kill me… but he has a point, this is a bad idea!" Echo replied, raising the hand that was cuffed to Damon.

The commander stared at the two, "You have two options, Echo… this… or I'll have him killed. Is that what you want?"

"NO!" Echo blurted without hesitation. Of course she didn't want him to be killed. The commander was starting to turn back to the cold jerk she thought he was when she first arrived.

Damon glanced at Echo, he did not expect her to defend him after their fight. He found this woman intriguing, and more attractive each time she surprised him.

The commander nodded, and turned around, swiftly leaving the briefing room. Sebastian glared at Damon, as he too left the room.

Damon turned to Echo, "He seems nicer than I expected."