Page 14 of Blood Bound

“No!” She recoils as if I slapped her, and I’m taken aback by the fury in Rowan’s eyes. “Don’t you dare!” she hisses, her voice trembling with rage. “You’ve been manipulating me this whole time, haven’t you? Using our…bond for your own gain!” The crackle of magic in the air makes the hairs on my arms stand up.

Her accusation stings more than I care to admit. “Rowan, that’s not—”

“Save it!” she cuts me off. “I bet you orchestrated this whole thing. The dreams, the blood exchange, all of it. What was your endgame, Darick? Information? Power over the witches?”

I clench my jaw, frustration building. How can she not see the truth of what’s between us? “You’re wrong,” I say firmly. “I didn’t orchestrate anything. This connection…it’s as much a surprise to me as it is to you.”

Rowan scoffs, but I press on. “Look, I know you have no reason to trust me. But I swear to you, I want to help. Let me help you find Mia.”

Her eyes widen at the mention of her sister, hope and suspicion flashing across her face.

“I had nothing to do with her disappearance,” I insist, holding her gaze. “But I have resources, connections. I can help you track her down.”

Rowan hesitates, clearly torn. “Why?” she finally asks. “Why would you help me?”

I take a deep breath, knowing my answer could make or break this fragile moment between us. “Because despite what you might think, I care about what happens to you, Rowan. And because I believe our bond means something. It has to.”

Even as I say the words, I can see that I’m not getting through to her. I brace myself as I see the fury ignite in Rowan’s eyes again.

“No!” she hisses. “You’re just trying to play me again; turn me into your personal blood bank. You were involved. You took Mia! There’s no other explanation.”

When bright light begins to flicker around her fingertips, I take a step back, holding up my hands. “Rowan, no. That’s not—”

“Shut up!” She hurls a bolt of energy at me, which I barely dodge. “I saw those photos on your phone. Why did you have them? Why?”

Her magic lashes out again, scorching the wall behind me. I can smell the ozone in the air, feel the heat of her power. It’s intoxicating and terrifying all at once.

“Tell me the truth, Darick,” she demands. “What did you do to my sister?”

I meet her gaze, trying to project calm, trying not to antagonize her; she’s clearly on the edge. “Rowan, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with Mia’s abduction. Those photos… It’s not what it looks like. But if you’ll let me explain—”

“Explain?” she spits. “So you can spin me yet another web of lies?”

I pull in a deep breath, fighting down a surge of frustration. “Think about it, Rowan. If I were involved, why would I let you see those photos? Why would I risk exposing myself?”

For a moment, I see doubt flicker in her eyes. But then her face hardens again. “Maybe you’re just playing some sick game. Maybe this is all part of your plan.”

Goddammit! This stubborn witch is impossible to reason with.

“For the last time, Rowan, I’m not your enemy here,” I growl, my patience wearing thin. “If you’d just listen for one damn minute—”

“Listen to what?” she snaps back. “More bullshit? I trusted you, Darick. I let you into my head, into my life. And all this time—”

A sudden movement catches my eye. Another redhead rounds the corner, her eyes widening as she takes in the scene before her. I recognize her from the meeting but also from the moments when I was sharing Rowan’s thoughts. Kara. Rowan’s sister.

Great. Just what I need. Another Blackwood witch to complicate things.

Kara rushes to Rowan’s side, placing a protective hand on her arm. But I don’t miss the way her eyes dart between us, curiosity evident in her gaze.

“Ro, are you okay?” Kara asks, her voice laced with concern. She turns to me, eyes narrowing. “What’s going on here?”

I can see Rowan struggling, torn between her anger and the need to explain the situation to her sister. She opens her mouth, then closes it again, clearly at a loss for words.

“Your sister and I were just having a…discussion,” I say smoothly, meeting Kara’s suspicious gaze.

Kara raises an eyebrow. “A discussion that had Rowan running out of the council meeting?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. These Blackwood women will be the death of me. Again.

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