Seraphine led Renny down the center, a dry smile resting on her face. She carried a thin chain that clinked softly with each step. One end was fastened to a collar buried low beneath Renny's shirt; the other threaded through a ring set into the stone.
The binding wasn't meant to immobilize him; it gave him just enough room to move. Three, maybe four steps. Enough to stumble, to run, before it yanked him back with a harsh, rope-burning pull. Freedom, but only as far as someone else allowed.
Renny pleaded as she dragged him along, tripping and bumping into her more than once. Annoyed, Seraphine smacked the back of his head. "You should've thought twice before trying to act smart with me," she said, then hauled him upright and kept walking.
