Page 87 of Blood Caged

We spend the next hour going over what we know, what we need to find out. With each passing minute, the enormity of what we’re attempting weighs heavier on me. It’s not just about getting out anymore; it’s about outsmarting an entire system designed to keep us trapped.

You did it before, Mia.

And now, I have Soren on my side.

Unless he betrays me.

I shut up that nagging little voice and focus on staying positive. It’s all I have right now.

As we talk, Soren moves closer, his voice dropping lower. The proximity sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with fear. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, everything else fades away. The tension between us crackles, electric and undeniable.

“Mia,” he says softly, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “You need to know that what we’re about to do is dangerous. But I’m going to do everything I can to get you through this.”

The intensity in his gaze, the sincerity in his voice, it’s almost too much. I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. Without thinking, I lean into his touch, my heart thundering.

“I want to believe you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I need to believe you.”

“And you can. Trust me, Mia.”

I lock eyes with him, and suddenly, it’s like looking into the depths of the ocean. I half wonder if this is some kind of vampire mind trick. If it is, it’s working because I find myself saying, “I do. I trust you, Soren.”

Suddenly, my lips are on his, and the world falls away. The kiss is tender, sweet, and filled with an emotion I can’t quite name. It’s not the desperate, passionate kiss from before. Thisis something else entirely. Something that leaves me trembling and breathless when we finally part.

I look up at Soren, my heart racing. His eyes are wide, as if he’s just as shocked by what happened as I am. For a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with unspoken feelings.

“Mia,” Soren says softly, his voice rough with emotion. “You don’t…you don’t need to do this. I told you I’ll help you no matter what. You don’t have to give yourself to me.”

I shake my head, feeling a surge of…something. Anger? Frustration? Or maybe just a desperate need for him to understand.

“That’s not why I kissed you,” I tell him, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. And as I say it, I realize it’s true. So achingly, painfully true. “I wanted to. I… I want…”

I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Because what I want, what I’m starting to realize I desperately want, is something I can never have. Soren and I, we come from two different worlds. Worlds that have been at odds for centuries. Worlds that are actively trying to destroy each other.

The reality of our situation crashes over me like a cold wave, dousing the warmth of the moment. I pull back, wrapping my arms around myself as if I could physically hold myself together.

“This can’t happen,” I whisper, more to myself than to Soren. “We can’t…”

“I know.” He cups my cheek with his palm. “I understand because—”

His words are cut off by the buzzing of his phone. He reaches for it and scowls at the screen. “They need me in the ops room.”

I nod, although my throat feels tight. This is dangerous. For him as much as for me. Maybe him more so because my blood is valuable to them. Heath may have taunted me about being disposable, but I know Lucien would hesitate before killing me.

I don’t think he’d go easy on Soren.

I watch as he stands, smooths a wave of thick dark hair from his forehead, and looks at me.

“We’re going to fix this,” he says before he turns and heads to the door without a backward glance. I hear him lock it behind him. Somehow, this apartment doesn’t feel like a prison any longer. It feels like the only safe harbor in this godforsaken place – and it’s largely because of him. The vampire who’s about to risk his life for me.

I only hope it doesn’t come to that.

30

Chapter 30

Soren

Okay. This is it.The point of no return. I brace myself.

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