Page 95 of Blood Match

“Rowan.”

It’s him.

“I’m breaking your rule,” Darick’s voice drifts through the darkness.

I sit up, surprised by his sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep annoyance in my tone but failing miserably.

His voice is oddly gentle as he says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Before I can respond, he vanishes from my mind as if he’d never been there. Confusion swirls in me as I sink back onto the pillows, his words lingering in the air.

Why did he come to me? Why did he apologize?

A strange blend of emotions wells up inside me, making my heart ache in a way I can’t quite understand.

Don’t think about it. Go to sleep.

Exhaustion pulls at me like a heavy shroud, and moments later, I’m fast asleep.

30

Chapter 30

Darick

Istand in front of the vast fireplace in my study, staring into the flickering flames. The scent of aged leather and parchment usually calms me, but tonight, it does nothing to ease the tension coiling in my chest.

“Fuck it,” I mutter. The meeting replays in my mind on a loop. Lucien’s smug face, his thinly veiled threats. And Rowan… Her presence had thrown me completely off balance.

I leave the fire and turn to the window, staring out into the darkness. Why did I feel compelled to apologize to her? She’s just a witch, a means to an end. Yet the hurt in her eyes when I’d been deliberately cruel gnaws at me.

Marcus is lounging on the leather chesterfield, boots up on the coffee table in front of it. A picture of studied nonchalance. But I know differently. He’s as troubled as I am.

I turn to face him. “We need to move quickly. Lucien’s getting bolder by the day.”

Marcus nods, his dark eyes serious. “What’s our play?”

“We need allies. Trustworthy ones.” I head back toward the fireplace. I can’t seem to stand still. I guess it’s not surprising. There’d been a time when my nights were spent hunting. Not all this…political maneuvering.

“Elias and Selene?” Marcus suggests, raising an eyebrow.

“Precisely.” I nod. He thinks the way I do; they’re exactly who I had in mind. “Can you arrange a private meeting? Somewhere discreet, away from prying eyes.”

Marcus stands, straightening his leather jacket. “Consider it done. I’ll use our old channels. No one will catch wind of it.”

I nod, grateful for his efficiency. But there’s something else gnawing at me, a concern I can’t shake. “There’s another matter,” I begin, hesitating.

Marcus waits patiently, sensing my unease.

“Rowan,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral. “I’m concerned about her safety.”

He purses his lips. “You should be. She’s not going to stay off Marlowe’s radar for long.”

“I know. I’m worried about that.” I heave a breath. “She’s…valuable. As a blood source,” I add quickly. “If Lucien discovers her connection to me, he won’t hesitate to use her against me.”

“Absolutely,” Marcus says, his tone knowing. “And that’s the only reason you’re concerned.”

I scowl at him. “What other reason would there be?”

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