Page 48 of Blood Caged

I snort. As normal as I could possibly feel under these circumstances.

Nothing about this whole fucked-up mess is normal. Especially not the way I found myself reacting to that vampire.

His touch was so gentle, almost tender. The way his eyes locked with mine…

Cut it out, Mia!

I shake my head, trying to clear those dangerous thoughts.

“He’s the enemy,” I mutter to myself. “The one keeping you prisoner.”

But I can’t shake the disappointment I felt when he left. Why? He’s a vampire, for heaven’s sake. I should be relieved every time he walks away, not…whatever this is.

I force myself to focus on the positives of yesterday. The food has definitely improved – hearty, iron-rich foods. Smart, I grudgingly admit. They’re trying to keep me healthy so they can keep sucking me dry.

Then there was the garden. Oh, the garden. I close my eyes, remembering the warmth of sunlight on my skin, the scent of flowers and earth. It was intoxicating after so long in this godforsaken cell.

While outside, I’d discreetly tested my magic again. I still hadn’t been able to connect with it, but there was definitely something there. A glimmer of hope in this nightmare. The other witches gave me hope, too. I’d searched for the tall witch I’d seen my first time out but hadn’t caught sight of her again.

Then another captive, a woman with fair hair and wide hazel eyes, caught my gaze. It was only for a second, but in that fleeting connection, I felt it. Determination. Resilience. A silent promise that we wouldn’t give up.

I open my eyes, a small smile tugging at my lips despite everything.

There’s hope, Mia. Never let go of it.

That thought warms me more than the memory of sunlight. Whatever these bloodsuckers have planned, they haven’t brokenour spirit. Not by a long shot. There are other witches here, fighting just like me. And somehow, some way, we’ll find a way to communicate, to resist, to escape.

I may be trapped in this cell, but knowing I’m not the only one willing to fight gives me strength. Even if we can’t speak, we’ll find a way out of this hell.

I finish the last bite of my breakfast, savoring the rich flavor. It’s almost embarrassing how much I’m enjoying these meals now. As I set the empty plate aside, a restless energy starts to build inside me. What’s next on today’s agenda? Will they take me to the garden again? Or is it time for another…session?

My stomach clenches at the thought, and inexplicably, I can’t figure out if it’s apprehension or…anticipation.

Soren.

His face flashes in my mind – those piercing eyes, the gentle touch of his hands.

“What the hell, Mia?” I mutter, shaking my head furiously.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to shake off these unwanted thoughts. He’s the enemy, for crying out loud! It doesn’t matter how gentle he was or how his touch made me feel. He’s still one of them.

“He’s probably killed dozens of witches,” I remind myself harshly. “Maybe hundreds. You’re just a source of blood to him. Nothing more.”

But even as I say the words, a traitorous part of my mind whispers that there might be more to him than that. The way he looked at me, the care he took…

“No!” I slam my hand against the wall, welcoming the sharp sting. “Stop it.”

He’s a monster. They all are. I can’t let a few nice gestures fool me into thinking otherwise.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. I need to stay sharp, to keep looking for ways to escape. Not daydreamabout some vampire who’s probably centuries old and has seen countless prisoners come and go.

Prisoners like me.

The sound of approaching footsteps sends a jolt through me. My heart races, and I’m hit with a confusing mix of emotions. Part of me hopes it’s him, and I immediately chastise myself for the thought. It’s just because he was careful last time, I rationalize. The others hurt me. That’s all it is.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself as the footsteps grow louder. The door opens, and there he is. Soren. His expression is unreadable as he steps into my cell, those otherworldly blue eyes fixed on me.

I hate the way my pulse quickens at the sight of him.

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