Page 16 of Blood Freed

Morgan’s dark eyes follow me as I make my way toward the chamber doors with Gran. There’s something calculating in his gaze that makes my skin crawl. What game is he playing? And why is he so invested in keeping me from Soren?

Another wave of pain hits me through our connection. It’s getting worse. The silver chains must be tight, cutting into him. My steps falter.

“Mia?” Gran’s voice is soft with concern.

“I’m fine.” I force myself to keep walking, though every cell in my body screams to run to wherever they’re holding him. “Just tired.”

But I’m not fine. They’re hurting him – the vampire who defied everything for me. Who fought against his maker’s commands until blood ran from his eyes. Who whispered “run” even as the Bond wracked him.

Please hold on, Soren. Just a little longer. Please be okay.

The connection flutters, weakening, and panic claws at my chest.

What are they doing to him down there?

6

Chapter 6

Mia

The guards lead meinto a heavily warded chamber, magic tingling against my skin like static electricity. My steps falter when I see Soren through the clear barrier – I can sense the magical wall, though I can’t see it. He looks pale, drained. Restraints circle his wrists, and my heart clenches at the sight.

“Soren.” His name escapes my lips before I can stop it.

His head snaps up, eyes locking with mine. Even through the barrier, I feel the intensity of his gaze. The connection between us flares to life, confirming what I’ve been sensing. Whatever this thing is between us, it’s not my imagination.

“Mia.” His voice is rough, strained. “Are you alright?”

Morgan shifts beside me, his presence a dark reminder of our audience. Two other guards flank Soren, their expressionshard and unforgiving. Lysandra brushes my arm softly, a gentle reminder that she’s wiith us.

“I’m fine.” I press my hand against the barrier. “But you’re not. What have they done to you?”

“Standard containment procedures,” Morgan cuts in. “For everyone’s safety.”

I whirl on him. “He’s not a threat. He saved me!”

“Mia.” Soren’s voice draws me back. “It’s okay.”

But it’s not okay. The silver is burning him – I can see it in the way he holds himself, in the tension around his eyes. He’s in pain, and they’re doing this to him because of me.

“Tell them,” I plead. “Tell them everything about Lucien, about what he’s doing—”

“No discussion of the investigation,” Morgan interrupts sharply.

“Morgan Shadowmaster,” Lysandra’s voice is firm. “Let the girl be.”

Soren leans forward despite the guards tensing. “What matters is that you’re safe.”

The barrier between us feels like miles of ice. I want to touch him, to heal the burns, to make everyone understand. But all I can do is stand here, watching him suffer – because of me.

“I’m going to fix this,” I say earnestly. “I won’t let them do this to you, Soren. You don’t deserve this. Any of it.”

“Mia,” his smile is gentle, “what happens will happen. I knew the risks going in.”

And yet he still saved me. I fight down a lump in my throat.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, taking a step closer to the barrier, drawn by an invisible pull. My heart pounds against my ribs as Soren mirrors my movement, chains clinking as he rises. The guards tense, but he ignores them, focused entirely on me.

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