[i]“Don’t!”[/i]

Her protest came too late. In his panicked state, Jace had already given the chain a rough yank, as if to tear himself free of her. Although is hand had gone through her arm like smoke, the chain held fast around her slender wrist. The force of his tug sent her sprawling forward and she landed in a heap at his feet. 

[i]“I-I’m real. Please don’t hurt me.”[/i]

The sight of her now, whimpering on the floor, tangled up in the chains seemed to tame him. Jace stared down at her vulnerable figure, still clenching the opposite end of the chain in one of his fists. His expression began to relax. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He knelt beside her and began untangling the heavy iron links from around her ghostly body, his eyes flickering to her face as she spoke again.

[i]“What do you want from me.”[/i] Her voice had become softer. 

“Nothing! I should be asking [i]you[/i] that!” he exclaimed, sounding frustrated. He blinked and tried again in a gentler voice. “I mean, are you haunting me or something? I didn’t mean to disturb your…your resting place. I promise I’ll leave if you just get this chain off of me.” He tugged at the cuff around his wrist again, but it still wouldn’t come off. It panicked him a little, but he kept his composure this time. He would figure out something.

“Listen, the sun is going to come up soon and I have to get home before my parents wake up and wonder where the hell I am.” By this point he had unwrapped the chain from around her. “Whatever I have to do to get this off, just tell me, I’ll do it. Otherwise, you’re just going to have to come with me.”