Page 35 of Blood Caged

“This is madness, Lucien,” I say, struggling to keep my voice level. “You can’t just treat witches like disposable blood bags. It’s not only morally reprehensible, it’s unsustainable.”

Lucien’s lips curl into a smirk. “Unsustainable? Oh, Soren. Always the bleeding heart.” He stands, moving to pour himself a drink from a crystal decanter. “We’re vampires. Apex predators. Sustainability isn’t our concern.”

I take a deep breath, trying to appeal to his pragmatic side. “Think about it logically. If we keep depleting their numbers at this rate, we’ll run out of witches to feed from. Then what?”

“We won’t run out,” he scoffs. “They breed like rabbits.” He turns back to me, swirling the crimson liquid in his glass. “You underestimate me, as always. I have plans in motion to ensure a steady supply. In fact, very soon, we’ll have all the witches we could ever need.”

A chill runs through me at his words. “What are you talking about?”

“Let’s just say that this is only the beginning.” Lucien’s eyes gleam with a predatory light. “Why settle for a trickle when we can have a flood?”

I press Lucien further, my frustration mounting. “What plans? What do you mean by ‘a flood’?”

Lucien’s smirk widens as he takes a slow sip of his drink. “I think we’re done here, Soren. This meeting is over.”

My anger flares at his dismissal. “No, we’re not done. I refuse to allow any more abuse of the witches. I want some changes.”

Lucien snorts. “You? Want changes?”

“Yes. From now on, they need to be permitted outside for an hour each day. And the blood draining? It happens every second day, not daily.”

“Every second day?” He snorts.

“If you were working according to human protocols, you’d be waiting six weeks. The only reason they’re surviving right now is because their magic has strengthened them. And they can’t access that now. You’re killing them.”

Lucien throws his head back and laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. “Oh, Soren. You’ve gone soft. What happened to the ruthless vampire I once knew?”

I clench my fists, fighting to maintain control. “This isn’t about being soft. It’s about being smart. Healthier witches will yield more blood in the long run. We’ll get better results if we don’t push them to the brink of death.”

Lucien’s amusement fades, replaced by a calculating look. He swirls the liquid in his glass, considering my words. After a long moment, he sighs dramatically.

“Fine. I’ll humor you. But only because of your connection to Maxwell. The witches can have their little outdoor time, and we’ll scale back the draining schedule.” His eyes narrow. “But not for the Blackwood woman.”

I scowl. “Why not?”

Lucien cocks his head. “Tut tut, Lord Daire. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Why not?” I repeat.

“Because her blood is too valuable to me, Soren.” He takes a sip from his glass and smacks his lips. “It is…remarkable.” He takes another drink, then dips his nose into the glass and inhales deeply, heaving a sigh.

It suddenly occurs to me that what’s in his glass came from the Blackwood witch. He’s drinking her blood right in front of me. As a vampire, this shouldn’t sicken me. But it does.

“She will die if you continue this way,” I snap. “You can’t be so stupid that you can’t see that.”

A dark eyebrow lifts. “Oh, Soren. All this concern for a mere witch.” His eyes widen. “Oh… Wait a minute. Taken a shine to her, have we?” He chuckles. “You’re welcome to her, you know. As long as I get her blood, you can toy with her all you like.”

“That’s not what I want.” I clench my jaw to stop my fangs from extending. I can’t remember when last I wanted to hurt someone this badly.

“Then what do you want, my friend?” His tone is mocking.

I’m not your friend.

I want to snarl the words. I don’t.

“I want her to be treated with some humanity. All of them. We’re not animals, Marlowe. I won’t behave like one.”

Pale gray eyes survey me silently for too long. And then the bastard chuckles. “Very well, Daire. Your little witch gets a day off. On one condition.”

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