Page 24 of Blood Freed

“Are you feeling up to some dinner?” Mom asks. “I can bring a tray up.”

I smile. It’s easier this time. “How about I come down and join you at the table?” I suggest. “I’ve been locked up in little rooms for far too long.” I wrinkle my nose as I look around.

“Oh! Darling!” Mom’s hand flies to her mouth. “It never even occurred to me that—”

I touch her arm. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine. I’ll meet you down there in ten.”

“Perfect timing. Dad’s got a chicken in to roast. It’s nearly ready.” Mom stands, resting a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you down there.” She pinches her lips together, then adds, “I’m so glad to have you home safe, darling. We all are. The past year has been…” She stops. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

“Me too, Mom.” I put my hand over hers on my shoulder. “I’ll be right down.”

Ugh, I feel awful. All they want to do is welcome me home, and I keep ranting about saving the man they can only see as a monster. I’m not being fair to them.

I’ll have to handle this with more sensitivity. And focus my efforts on those who are more open to it. Gran, for sure. And Rowan. I’m going to need all the help I can get if I’m going to get him out of there.

. Because I don’t care how hard he tries to lock me out, to deny this thing between us…I’m going to reach him.

9

Chapter 9

Soren

Frustration burns through meas harshly as the silver that feels like liquid fire in my veins. I focus on the pain, using it to stay sharp as Morgan Shadowmaster paces before me. His dark eyes gleam with barely concealed satisfaction.

“Let’s begin again.” He stops, clasping his hands behind his back. “Describe your role in Mia Blackwood’s captivity.”

“I was assigned as her guard.”

“For an entire year.” Morgan’s lips curl. “That’s quite a commitment to keeping a witch prisoner.”

I meet his gaze steadily. “Yes.”

“And yet you claim to have helped her escape.” He glances at the Council representatives flanking him. “After breaking yourMaker’s Bond with Maxwell Kern – a serious offense under vampire law, as I understand it.”

The mention of Maxwell sends fresh pain through my chest, different from the silver’s burn. “The circumstances were complex.”

“Indeed.” Morgan’s tone drips with false sympathy. “The Blood Assembly will be particularly interested in how you managed to override such an ancient bond. Unless, of course, Maxwell ordered you to help her escape?”

I catch the trap in his words. If Maxwell ordered it, it would implicate him. If I broke the bond, I face execution by the Assembly. “I acted according to my conscience.”

“Your conscience.” Morgan snorts. “Pity it took an entire year for it to raise its head.”

I don’t answer that. He’s right.

“So,” he continues, “you acted of your own accord through all of it?”

“I had my instructions.” I don’t elaborate.

“Instructions you received from Lucien Marlowe?” Shadowmaster’s eyes narrow. “That’s the story you spun to Mia Blackwood, isn’t it?”

The question hangs in the air. My jaw tightens at Lucien’s name, remembering his earlier visit, his smooth lies. But I keep my expression neutral.

“My role was to guard Mia Blackwood.” I stick to the simple truth, watching Morgan’s frustration build at my short answers.

“And you expect us to believe you suddenly developed feelings for her? A witch?” He sneers the word. “After centuries of loyal service to your maker?”

I pull in a slow, deep breath. “What I feel is irrelevant. I helped her escape. That’s what matters.”

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