Hell's Algorithm

Bound

"It was just another birthday party until Adelaide brought out "The Love Doctor™."

I shouldn't have told her about Leif moving away, but the words spilled out when she asked why I looked so sad at my own party. Maybe turning eighteen made everything feel so real.

"Trust me, this actually works," Ada said, digging through her Gucci purse in her parents' basement. The small space made my chest tighten, but I focused on my friends' faces in the red candlelight.

"Define 'works,'" Ashleigh said dryly, lighting more candles.

Leah snorted, flipping her hair. "Better than crying over some guy who doesn't stick around."

My stomach clenched. "I mean... he said he had to go..."

Ada painted a red lipstick circle on the wood floor and pulled up a TikTok video. The grainy filter making everything look eerie.

"Everyone put your phones away! No interruptions."

The voice from her phone was deeper than expected. "Lonely ladies, don't fret. The perfect man awaits, just yet."

My heart raced as Ada approached with a safety pin. "Blood?" I stammered, immediately pulling back. "I mean... do we really need to-"

"It's just a tiny prick," Ada said gently, knowing about my thing with blood.

I squeezed my eyes shut. The sharp pain made me wince, but warmth radiated up my arm.

"Follow my words and pray tell," the voice continued, sounding all around us now. "He won't give ye too much hell."

The voice faded and my wrist burned like it'd been branded. I opened my eyes and froze.

A boy stood in the corner-tall, perfectly proportioned, wearing a black vest over a red collared shirt.

"Hello, Leila." His voice was rich. When he said my name, it sounded like a prayer.

"This isn't happening," I said weakly.

He smiled-devastating and perfect. "I'm afraid it is. The ritual worked perfectly."

"Hmm." He stroked his angular jaw thoughtfully. "Blood calls to blood, especially when the caller has particular ancestry. Your grandmother never told you about the women in your family?"

Grandma Leela, who'd grown impossible herbs, who'd known things before they'd happened.

"I am Kael, your eternal protector. The contract binds us. I'm here to give you everything you've ever wanted."

And for the first time in my life, someone had chosen me.