Page 80 of Blood Caged

27

Chapter 27

Mia

Soren’s quarters are blessedlyquiet when I wake up. The place is silent as a morgue. Which is appropriate since it’s designed to house the undead.

Although he certainly didn’t feel undead last night. He felt very much alive.

“Stop it, Mia,” I groan, my voice muffled by my palms as I cover my face with my hands.

I drag myself out of bed, my muscles aching from the tension of the past few days. The plush carpet feels foreign under my bare feet as I pad to the bathroom.

Flicking on the light, I squint at my reflection in the mirror. My auburn hair is a tangled mess, and dark circles shadow my eyes. I look…defeated. I hate it.

“Pull yourself together,” I mutter, reaching for the toothbrush Soren provided. The mint taste is sharp on my tongue, the bristles of the toothbrush a small luxury I’d forgotten about during my captivity. As I brush, I can’t help but think of Sabine and Jemma. Are they really gone? Or is this another of Soren’s lies?

I spit and rinse, gripping the edge of the sink. No. I can’t let myself spiral into despair. I need to stay sharp, stay focused.

The shower beckons, and I strip off the oversized T-shirt I’ve been sleeping in. The hot water cascades over me, and for a moment, I let myself relax. It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper shower. The cold hose-downs that Patty used to inflict may have ended when she disappeared, but the showers in the washrooms weren’t equipped with hot water, so the warm flow feels like heaven.

As I lather up, my mind drifts to last night. Soren’s touch, his lips on mine… I shake my head violently, sending water droplets flying. No. That was a moment of weakness, nothing more.

I still despise him and everything he stands for.

I step out of the shower, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. Clean clothes are waiting for me – simple, but far better than what I’ve been wearing. As I dress, I can’t help but wonder about Soren’s motives. Why the sudden change? What game is he playing?

I run a comb through my damp hair, wincing as it catches on tangles. My reflection looks more like myself now, but there’s a hardness in my eyes that wasn’t there before. Good. I’ll need that strength to survive this place, to find a way out.

I head into the kitchen, my stomach growling insistently. The fridge is well-stocked, a luxury I’d almost forgotten existed. I grab eggs, cheese, and some fresh vegetables, relishing the simple act of choosing my own meal.

As I whisk the eggs, I can’t help but smile at the sizzle when they hit the pan. The aroma of cooking food fills the air, and for a moment, I can almost pretend I’m back home. Almost.

I plate my omelet and settle at the small table, savoring the first bite. It’s nothing fancy, but after months of eating whatever was put in front of me, it tastes like heaven. I’m surprised by how ravenous I feel, devouring the food with an eagerness that startles me.

Halfway through my meal, I hear footsteps approaching the door. My fork clatters to the plate as I freeze, my heart racing. Soren. It has to be him. What am I supposed to say after last night? How can I face him when I’m still so confused about everything?

Not confused. It was a mistake, pure and simple.

The footsteps stop outside the door, and I hear the sound of the keypad beside the door beeping. I stand up, my chair scraping against the floor. My palms are sweaty, and I wipe them on my pants, trying to compose myself.

The door swings open, and I brace myself for Soren’s entrance, dread churning in my stomach.

It’s Heath Moonshadow.

My mouth drops open.

“What are you doing here?” I snap when I manage to get my wits together.

“Mia, Mia, is that any way to greet an old friend?” He smirks.

“No. And if I see an old friend, I’ll be sure to greet them warmly. What the fuck do you want, Heath?”

Heath saunters into the room like he owns the place, his violet eyes scanning every corner. My skin crawls as his gaze lingers on me.

“Well, well,” he drawls, running a finger along the edge of a bookshelf. “Soren’s certainly living it up, isn’t he? I’d havethought he’d turn the place into some kind of over-the-top bat cave.”

I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm. “I asked you a question, Heath. What are you doing here?”

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