Page 14 of Blood Freed

The memories flood back – cold stone walls, the constant hum of dampening spells, the isolation. I shudder, then brush them away.

“Heath Moonshadow was there. He was among those who abducted me.” I keep my tone level. Heath is Seraphina’s nephew. I’m pretty certain this news must have rocked her.

She doesn’t show it. “We have learned of his involvement,” she says. “Rowan updated us after her rescue. He has been takeninto custody, and he…will be dealt with.” Sorrow flickers in her eyes for a fraction of a moment.

I press my lips together, not wanting to make it worse for her. “I understand,” I say. Beside me, Gran adjusts her posture. Astra Moonshadow, who is conspicuous in her absence from this meeting, has been Gran’s friend for decades. She’s also Heath’s mother.

This is so freaking complicated.

I continue my story, “The cell I woke up in was in a facility for keeping captured witches.”

“The one we’ve been investigating since your rescue,” the High Priestess says. “This was, indeed, a most troubling revelation. To learn the extent of this activity. So many of you.”

I pause before nodding. “At that point, I had no idea of the numbers, just that there were many of us.”

“That’s unacceptable. Completely unacceptable,” Thaddeus Runeweaver growls. “The abductions have been an issue, yes. But to know that it’s this organized?” He shakes his head, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger as if the whole thing is giving him a migraine.

“And this vampire, Soren – he was your jailer?” Seraphina prompts.

“Yes, but he treated me with respect. He brought me books, made sure I was comfortable.” A sudden wave of dizziness hits me, and my voice trails off.

“Are you alright, my dear?” Seraphina is clearly concerned. “Would you like a break?”

I give a tight smile. There’s something tugging at the edges of my awareness that I can’t quite put my finger on. “I’m fine,” I reassure her, pulling my attention back to the discussion. “As I was saying, the vampires were drawing blood from me – from all of us – daily. I couldn’t sustain it. I’m sure the others couldn’t either. Thanks to Soren, this was changed to every second day.”

Someone gives a snort. “Not much of a difference. They were draining you.”

“It was a big help,” I say firmly. “And I know he had to fight to make it happen.” There’s another odd sensation that tugs at me. A feeling of warmth. Familiarity. Like… like…

Like I’m with Soren.

What on earth…?

I can feel him. Like before, when they saved me. I felt him as they took me away. Felt him in my mind. I can sense him somewhere nearby. A connection, though faint, that pulses with shared pain.

“We can’t punish him for this, High Priestess. He risked everything to help me escape,” I say firmly. “The Maker’s Bond nearly killed him. Release him. Please.”

Seraphina taps her bottom lip. “I wish it was that easy, Mia. But this isn’t just about you. There were others held there. Others abducted. He needs to be held to account.”

This is so unfair!

“He had no choice!” My voice has risen dangerously high. “We can’t punish him for something he had no control over!”

Morgan cuts in sharply. “This should be handled by the Blood Assembly. They have jurisdiction—”

“The girl is one of ours,” Lysandra interrupts. “What happened to her – and the others… We must consider all aspects carefully.”

I feel myself sway as another surge of connection hits me. Through Soren’s eyes, I catch glimpses of silver chains, feel the burn of restraints.

Soren! Oh, my God, is it you?

There’s no response, but the sensation doesn’t weaken. He’s near. My voice grows stronger with urgency. “Lucien is the real threat, not Soren. He’s been abducting witches, experimenting with their blood.”

“And you have proof of this?” Morgan asks.

“He was there,” I tell him.

“Perhaps you were mistaken,” he says. “With so much pressure, the trauma—”

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