Page 52 of Blood Bound

As the others discuss logistics, I become acutely aware of the gnawing hunger in my gut. The witch’s blood from last night barely took the edge off, and regenerating after Rowan’s attack drained me more than I care to admit. I’m still weak, and I know I’ll need more blood soon if I’m to be of any use in this fight against Lucien.

The thought of feeding from another random witch at the lounge repulses me. It feels…wrong, somehow. Harvested witch blood might take the edge off, but getting my hands on it is going to raise eyebrows. It’s Rowan’s blood that calls to me, but I can’t bring myself to compel her, to take away her choice. The very idea goes against everything I believe in, everything I’ve fought for.

I’m caught between my needs and my principles, and I hate it. I need to be strong for my clan, for this fight against Lucien.

But at what cost? I won’t ever force her.

16

Chapter 16

Rowan

Ibite my lip, trying to concentrate on the glowing orb hovering between my palms. Heath’s voice drones on about energy manipulation, but my mind wanders. Again.

“Rowan? Are you with me?” Heath’s concerned tone snaps me back to reality.

“Sorry, I just…” I trail off, letting the orb dissipate. “Can we take a break?”

Heath nods, but he looks concerned, clearly impatient to keep going. As he steps away, memories of our training sessions flood back. The exhilaration of finally casting successful spells, the pride in Gran’s eyes. But always, always, the nagging worry about Mia.

I slump against the wall, closing my eyes. Darick’s face swims into view for the umpteenth time. I shove the thought away, focusing instead on Mia. It’s been so long since that cryptic text about her, and what have we actually done? Nothing.

Gran’s words echo in my head: “The coven leaders are working on it, dear. These things take time.”

Time. As if Mia has all the time in the world while she’s being held captive by vampires.

I clench my fists, frustration bubbling up. We should be out there, searching. Doing something. Anything. Instead, I’m here, learning to make pretty lights while my sister suffers.

And Darick… I can’t shake these thoughts of him. The memory of his kiss in my dream sends an unwelcome shiver over my skin.

“Dammit,” I mutter, pushing off the wall. “This isn’t enough.”

Heath turns back to me. “Rowan? What’s not enough?”

“Nothing,” I say with a tight smile. “I’m just tired, I guess. Could we take a break?”

“Sure.” He gives a wide, toe-curling smile. At least, that’s what I would have thought a couple of months back when I was still fighting off a giant crush on him. Now, he’s just…sweet. Too sweet, if I think about it.

Not like Darick at all.

Stop thinking about Darick!

With a smile, I head to the door to my cottage and hold it open. Heath gathers his spell books and slips out, hesitating on the patio beyond the threshold.

“Just keep practicing,” he says. “And remember, there comes a responsibility with the power you now wield. Be careful with it.”

“Absolutely.” I nod too much, a hand on the door.

“So…I’ll see you tomorrow?” He sounds eager.

“Sure,” I say, already thinking up ways to bow out of it. I start to close the door. “Goodnight, Heath.” I shut it just as he’s about to say something, then lean against it.

“What’s got you looking so bleak?” Poppy peers out from a fruit bowl where she’s been helping herself to a crisp apple.

I heave a sigh. “I’m just wishing everyone would take this more seriously,” I tell her. “I understand that I need to learn how to control my magic, but I feel like I’m back in school.”

I’m about to launch into another rant when my phone buzzes. Frowning, I fish it out of my pocket.

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