Page 47 of Blood Caged

I look up sharply. “What? No. Everything is fine.” I look down again. “We’re nearly done.”

The crimson cable snaking away from her arm seems to pulse with a life of its own. I move away and stand, pretending to busy myself on the other side of the room.

Fuck.

My fangs have extended. It takes me a couple of long minutes to compose myself. When I turn around, the bag is full. And she’s looking at me curiously.

As I remove the needle from Mia’s arm, I can’t help but notice the delicate network of veins beneath her skin. I can practically hear them pulsing. I press a small cotton swab to the puncture site, acutely aware of how close we are.

“Hold this here for a moment,” I instruct.

Mia nods, her fingers brushing against mine as she takes over. The brief contact sends a jolt through me, and I have to force myself to step back.

I busy myself with labeling the blood bag, trying to ignore the intoxicating scent that fills the air. When I turn back, Mia is looking pale, her eyes slightly unfocused.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

She nods, but as she stands, her legs wobble. Without thinking, I reach out, catching her before she can fall. My arms encircle her waist, steadying her against my chest.

Time seems to slow as we stand there, our bodies pressed together. I can feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt, hear the rapid beating of her heart. That maddening scent envelops me, clouding my senses.

Mia’s hands rest on my shoulders, her fingers gripping the fabric of my shirt. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and filledwith emotions I can’t quite decipher. Surprise, confusion, and something…something that makes my dead heart feel like it might start beating again.

We remain like this for a moment too long, both of us seemingly unable to pull away.

“All good?” I ask, hoping to break the spell.

That’s what it is. She’s bewitching you, Daire.

She nods, not speaking.

I escort her back to her cell, our pace slower than our earlier trip. The silence between us feels different now – less hostile, more contemplative. I can’t help but steal glances at her as we walk, noticing how she holds herself with quiet dignity despite her situation.

As we reach her door, I stop. There’s so much I want to say, explanations I want to give, but everything seems completely inappropriate. Mia pauses, too, her eyes meeting mine.

“You won’t be bothered tomorrow,” I say quietly, breaking the silence.

Surprise washes across her face. “What do you mean?”

I take a breath. “We’re changing the protocol. Blood will only be taken every other day from now on.”

Mia’s eyebrows furrow, confusion and suspicion warring in her expression. “Why?” she asks softly.

I hold her gaze, wanting her to see the sincerity in my eyes. “Because it’s the right thing to do.” Then, without another word, I turn and walk away, feeling her eyes on my back as I go.

17

Chapter 17

Mia

Most mornings, I eatbecause I need to stay strong to survive this place. But today’s breakfast is actually pretty good. So was yesterday’s. Eggs, bacon, sausages, toast…the works. All of my meals have been good since the changes began. Dinner last night was a steak as big as my plate. There’d been a time when I never would have finished it, but yesterday, I devoured it and mopped the blood from the plate with a hunk of fresh bread.

I pop a rasher of bacon into my mouth and stretch my arms overhead, feeling almost normal for the first time in weeks.

Normal.

Hah!

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