Page 69 of Blood Bound

“I don’t believe you,” I say, my voice shaking. “The Heath I know would never do this.”

As I speak, memories flood my mind. I see Heath in Gran’s garden, patiently showing me how to coax a wilted flower back to life. His encouraging smile as I finally managed to make a petal unfurl.

“You’ve been helping me, Heath,” I say, searching his face for any trace of that kind teacher. “You’ve been teaching me how to use my magic; you were in my dreams, for God’s sake! Was that all a lie?”

Heath’s expression shifts for a moment, and I catch a glimpse of the person I thought I knew. “Those weren’t lies, Rowan. But sometimes, to create something new, old things must be torn down.”

“What about all that talk about using power responsibly?” I demand. “You told me that we had a responsibility to use our gifts wisely.”

“And I meant every word,” Heath insists. “But sometimes we have to make a judgment call.”

“I trusted you,” I choke out. “We all did. How could you betray us like this?”

He waves a hand dismissively. “We’ve discussed this long enough. We’re wasting time.”

“Time for what?” I press, anxiety building as I wonder what they have planned for me.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He steps into the cell, moving closer.

I grit my teeth, focusing all my energy on summoning even a spark of magic, hoping to fend him off. Nothing. The emptiness where my power should be feels like a gaping wound.

Heath notices my struggle and smirks. “Don’t waste your energy, Rowan. Your magic won’t work here.”

To demonstrate his point, he raises his hand. A shimmering orb of light appears above his palm, illuminating the dank cell. My jaw drops. How can he use magic when mine is suppressed?

“How?” I whisper, unable to hide my dismay.

“There’s so much you don’t know about true power,” Heath says, his voice tinged with pity.

Anger bubbles up inside me. “What I know is that you’ve betrayed everything we stand for. Everything you taught me!”

Heath’s eyes flash. “And what exactly do we stand for, Rowan? A centuries-old feud based on lies and misunderstandings?”

“We stand for protecting our own,” I shoot back. “For using our gifts responsibly, not…whatever this is.”

He laughs, a hollow sound that echoes off the walls. “Protecting our own? Is that what you call hiding in the shadows, living in fear of vampires?”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off.

“Think about it, Rowan. We have these incredible powers, and what do we do with them? Perform party tricks and hide from an enemy that preys on us. Is that really what you want?”

His words hit a nerve. How many times have I felt frustrated by the limitations placed on us?

“That doesn’t justify kidnapping and…whatever else you’re planning,” I say, but my voice lacks conviction. “You’re working with them, Heath!” I wave an arm around, gesturing to the cell I’m locked in. “How does any of this connect to all your big talk about getting witches out of the shadows?”

Heath steps closer, his eyes intense. “What if I told you there was a way to end the conflict? To create a world where witches don’t have to hide?”

I shake my head. “None of this makes sense. You’ve lost your mind.”

His expression darkens, something ugly flickering in his eyes. “You’ll change your tune when all the chips fall into place,” he says, advancing on me.

I glare at Heath, my mind racing. “What do you mean, ‘when all the chips fall into place’? What else are you planning?”

He smirks, clearly enjoying his position of power. “Let’s just say you’re not the only one we’re interested in. Your sister, for instance…”

My heart leaps into my throat. “Mia? She’s here?”

Heath’s expression gives nothing away. “Perhaps. But she’s not the only piece in this game. Your connection to that vampire, Darick – now that’s something special.”

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