Page 85 of Blood Caged

I take in a long breath. “It’s a long story and one that I doubt you could understand.” I barely understand it myself.

“I’m a witch.” She gives a ghost of a smile. “Understanding strange things is wired into me.”

“Well, it’s not important right now. What’s important is your sister.”

Her eyes pool with tears again. “Rowan! Oh, God, Soren, we have to do something. You have to help me. Please!”

I stand up abruptly, pacing the room as my mind races. Mia’s desperate plea echoes in my ears, tugging at something deep within me. For my entire immortal life, I’ve followed orders without question, burying any moral qualms under layers of duty and loyalty. But now, faced with Mia’s anguish and the thought of her sister suffering the same fate, I can no longer ignore the wrongness of it all.

I can’t allow this. Not anymore.

The decision forms in my mind, crystallizing with a clarity that both exhilarates and terrifies me. I will help Mia escape. I will save her sister. The consequences be damned.

I pause by the window, staring out at the night sky without really seeing it. This isn’t just about breaking rules or defying orders. This is treason against my own kind, a betrayal of everything I’ve stood for. Resisting my maker’s bond would be unprecedented. If I’m caught, the punishment will be severe. I could lose my position, my freedom, maybe even my life.

That’s if I can even do it. Already, I can feel the power of the bond tightening like a fist around my heart.

But as I turn back to look at Mia, her eyes still shimmering with tears, I know it’s worth the risk. Something has changed in me since she came into my life, awakening feelings and doubtsI thought long buried. I can’t stand by and watch as more innocent lives are destroyed.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. I can’t tell her my plan, not yet. I need time to figure out the details. But the decision has been made, and I feel a subtle shift inside me.

“Mia,” I say, my voice softer than before, “I promise you, I will look into this.” It’s a dangerous promise to make, one that could put me at odds with my own kind. But as I look into her eyes, I know I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it.

“You will? Really?” As if the floodgates have been opened, Mia’s composure crumbles entirely. Her shoulders shake with silent sobs, and she buries her face in her hands. The sight of her so broken tears at something deep inside me.

Without thinking, I move closer and wrap my arms around her. She stiffens for a moment, then collapses against my chest, her tears soaking into my shirt. I stroke her hair gently, murmuring soothing words I haven’t used in centuries.

“Shh, it’s alright,” I whisper, even though we both know it’s a lie. “We’ll figure this out.”

Mia pulls back slightly, her tear-stained face inches from mine. Her eyes, usually so defiant, are filled with a desperate vulnerability that makes my chest ache.

“I’ll do anything,” she says. “Anything you want, if you’ll just help my sister.” As she speaks, her hand slides down my chest, tugging at the buttons of my shirt.

The implication in her words is clear, and for a moment, my body responds traitorously. I’ve wanted her since the moment I first saw her, a fact I’ve been trying to deny even to myself.

But not like this. Never like this.

“Mia,” I say gently, cupping her face in my hands. “I would never ask that of you. You have too much pride to offer yourself like this, and I respect you far too much to accept.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see the embarrassment flood her features. She tries to pull away, but I hold her gently in place.

“In different circumstances, maybe we…” I trail off, realizing I’ve already said too much. “But you’re not thinking clearly now.”

“I feel so helpless,” she chokes out.

I stroke the tears off her cheeks with the pads of my thumbs. “I won’t let any harm come to your sister if I can help it. I promise, Mia.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, still sniffling. I try for a smile, but I don’t really succeed. Because I know I just made a decision that could end me. And if Maxwell’s secret is as bad as he says it is, I may drag everyone down with me.

29

Chapter 29

Mia

Ican’t believe Ijust threw myself at the man, and he turned me down.

What were you thinking, Mia?

---