Page 44 of Blood Caged

Istride down thecorridor, pushing forward with grim determination. I’ve lived through a lot during my unholy time on earth, yet this moment feels pivotal in a way I can’t quite explain.

As I approach the Blackwood woman’s cell, memories of my past flood into my mind. There was a time, long ago when I took blood from unwilling victims without a second thought. The shame of those dark days washes over me, a reminder of how far I’ve come. I’ve evolved, or so I’ve told myself. I’m beyond those base instincts now.

But am I really?

The cool metal of the door handle presses against my palm as I reach Mia’s cell. I pause, steeling myself for what’s to come. I’m a vampire, after all. Draining blood should be second natureto me. Yet something about this feels different, wrong in a way I can’t quite articulate.

With a final moment of hesitation, I reach for the handle.

I enter Mia’s cell, the door closing behind me with a soft click. She’s sitting on the bed, a book open in her lap. For a moment, I’m struck by the sight of her. Even after all she’s been through, there’s an undeniable fire in her eyes. Her beauty is haunting, made all the more poignant by the pallor of her skin and the fragility of her frame.

She’s too thin.

Her head snaps up, her eyes widening in alarm. “You!” she says. “What do you want?” Her voice is sharp.

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” I say without a hint of irony.

Her eyes narrow. “If you’re here expecting thanks for getting me help last night, don’t hold your breath. I wouldn’t have been in that predicament if it weren’t for you.”

“Point taken,” I reply. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Why, then?” Her pretty lips purse.

I force myself not to stare, schooling my features into a mask of indifference. “It’s time for your blood extraction,” I say, my voice carefully neutral.

Her jaw clenches, and I can see the disappointment etched across her face.

“I should have known,” she spits out, slamming the book shut. “This new arrangement was too good to last, wasn’t it?”

“The new arrangement was always going to include your blood…donations,” I say, trying not to wince as I say the word.

“Donations?” she scoffs. “Donations implies that I’m giving it willingly.”

I don’t reply. Because she’s right. Instead, I fold my arms over my chest and glance at the door pointedly. She rises slowly,huffing as she gets up. She brushes past me, leaving a wave of air scented with something that smells oddly like nectar.

It’s her blood.

I shake my head, following her out of the room.

Don’t get distracted. It’s how she’ll control you.

But try as I might, I can’t get any sense of evil about her.

As we walk down the hallway, the silence between us is broken only by the soft sound of her breathing. I can’t help but steal glances at her, noting the stubborn set of her jaw and the fire still burning in her eyes despite everything.

My mind is a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. On one side stands my duty, the centuries-old loyalty to Maxwell and the vampire cause. On the other, a growing unease about what we’re doing here, particularly to Mia.

I try to rationalize it, as I have countless times before. This is necessary. This is for the greater good of our kind. But the words ring hollow in my mind, especially when I look at Mia and see the toll our “donations” have taken on her.

Things will change now. I’ll see to it.

As we continue down the corridor, I notice a subtle change in Mia’s attitude. Her defiant posture begins to slump ever so slightly. The fire in her eyes dims, replaced by a look I recognize all too well – resignation. It’s a look I’ve seen in countless victims over the centuries, and seeing it on Mia’s face twists something inside me.

We reach the door to the medical bay. Mia hesitates for a split second, and I see a shudder run through her body. But then, as if realizing her moment of weakness, she lifts her chin, squaring her shoulders.

“Let’s get this over with, shall we?” She pushes the door open before I can, then pauses just beyond the threshold.

“Where’s the dickwad?” Mia turns to me.

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