Page 91 of Blood Caged

My stomach drops. This adds a new layer of complication. The guard disappears inside, and I’m left staring at the blank wall, my mind racing. How many other secret measures has Lucien implemented without my knowledge?

Fuck. This is going to be impossible.

I scrub a hand over my face, fighting off a sense of hopelessness. But then I think of Mia, of the strength she’s shown in the face of captivity. If she can endure months of this hell, I can find a way around one more obstacle.

With renewed determination, I make my way back to my quarters. It’s time to tell Mia everything. As I reach for the door handle, I pause, bracing myself for the conversation that will change both our lives forever.

31

Chapter 31

Mia

Soren returned at dawnwith news that has left my head spinning. We need to move fast, he said. Rowan’s in danger, and apparently, so am I.

“They’re going to kill you, Mia,” he’d finally acknowledged when I’d pressed him hard enough.

No surprise there. It’s basically “situation normal” since I got to this hellhole.

Except, now, it’s worse.

I try to piece together everything Soren told me. Security’s tightening. There’s talk of…executing me once they have Rowan. The thought makes me sick. And Soren… He looked pained just sharing these details with me, like each word physically hurt him.

But how can I trust him? He’s one of them. A vampire. The enemy.

Yet he’s risking everything to help me. To help Rowan.

He’s all we have.

I sit on the end of the bed as I try to think clearly. Not easy when it feels like my head is about to explode. The meal I just ate sits like lead in my belly. He’d insisted that I eat to keep up my strength. We don’t know what we’ll be facing once we escape.

Escape. Soren says he has a solid plan. But what if it all goes wrong? He mentioned something about security codes changing daily now. And the guards – their rotations are becoming more unpredictable.

I close my eyes, trying to focus. I have to trust him. Trust that he knows what he’s doing.

But even if we make it out, then what? Where do we go? How do we warn Rowan? They’ll be after us. A bullseye on my back. What if we get out, and I’m killed in cold blood before I can be of any use to my family?

The enormity of it all overwhelms me. Rowan’s life. My life. Soren’s life. It all hangs in the balance.

Without thinking, I stand and head to the bedroom door. I push it open and step into the compact living area beyond. Soren is seated in one of the chairs, head bent over a tablet, no doubt running through details. He looks up as I walk in, a curl of dark hair falling over his forehead.

“Is everything okay? I said you should sleep.” He starts to rise.

I shake my head. “I can’t,” I whisper.

“Then just rest,” he says as he walks over, stopping in front of me. “Close your eyes and let your body recharge. Sleep will come.”

I shake my head. “I don’t… I don’t want to be alone.” I lick my lips, gazing up at him. “Stay with me?”

He reaches out to stroke my cheek. “Mia…”

“Please, Soren.” I put a hand on his chest. “It’s not because I want to repay you or anything.” I take in a deep breath. “This may be my last day on earth. Tonight, one of us…maybe even both of us…could die. I want to spend these last hours with you.”

He’s silent for a moment, his indigo eyes searching my face. And then slowly, he leans in. His hand cups my cheek as his lips graze over mine. I draw in a shuddering breath.

“If you’re certain…” he murmurs.

“Please,” I whisper against his lips. I clutch the front of his shirt when his mouth closes over mine.

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