Page 50 of Blood Caged

“YouGoogledit?” I hate how my voice has risen several octaves since the start of this conversation.

“You don’t think vampires can use Google?” He looks up from where he’s been focused on taping the needle to my arm and meets my eyes. It sucks the air from my lungs.

“No, um…yes, um…I…” I shrug. “I have no idea what vampires can do,” I mutter, looking away.

“Aside from drinking blood?”

“Yeah, that. And abduct witches.”

“Touché,” he says. He smiles slightly. “There’s more to us than that, Mia.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” I mumble.

His jaw tightens. “I don’t blame you for feeling that way.”

“Whatever.” I’ve never been the sullen type, but right now, I think I’ve earned the right.

“Did you finish your book?” he asks, ignoring my jibe.

“I’d rather not make small talk,” I mutter. I don’t like the way things are getting so comfortable between us.

“Suit yourself.”

We sit in silence, the minutes ticking by. Minutes in which I can feel his nearness, inhale his scent. I shut my eyes so I don’t have to look at him, too.

“Right,” he says briskly, and my eyes snap open. “We’re all done.”

“Okay.” I frown a little. “That was…easy.”

“That’s how it should be.” He’s removing the needle and aiming a little wad of cotton wool at the tiny puncture wound. Before he does, a drop of blood trickles out. He inhales sharply, his lips pursing. I swear I can see a hint of fang protruding. And for some reason…itfascinatesme.

What the hell, Mia?

“Let’s get you back to your room.” His voice is hoarse. I see that the cotton wool is firmly in place. He stands, taking the bag and putting it in a refrigerator on the other side of the room.

“Right. Good.” I feel so awkward. I keep reaching for the rage that’s been fueling me through this, but for some reason, I can’t find any right now. Not with him.

“Can you stand? Do you need help?” He reaches for my arm, but I pull it away.

“No! I’m fine,” I say too sharply, pushing myself to my feet. I feel a wave of dizziness but mask it by tossing my hair over my shoulder before setting my hand on the back of the chair. He watches me curiously but doesn’t try to help again.

I follow Soren back to my room, the route now familiar. I’m struck by how…normal this feels. Almost like we’re just two people walking together, not captor and prisoner.

“How are you feeling?” Soren asks, his voice softer than usual.

I shrug, not trusting myself to speak. The truth is, I feel fine. Better than fine, actually. The dizziness from earlier has passed, and I don’t feel weak or drained like I did after previous blood draws.

We reach my door, and Soren opens it for me. As I step inside, he hesitates in the doorway.

“If you need anything, just let the guards know,” he says. Is that concern in his eyes? “They’ll make sure you get it.”

I nod. “Thanks,” I mutter, looking away.

Soren lingers for a moment longer, then gives me a small smile before closing the door.

I sit on my bed, my mind whirling. What just happened? That wasn’t the cold, detached vampire who I first met here. This Soren was almost…friendly.

A knot forms in my stomach as I realize things are changing. The improved food, the garden visits, Soren’s gentleness – it’s all shifting the ground beneath my feet. And I’m not sure how to feel about it.

---