Page 27 of Blood Freed

Maxwell goes very still. “The truth,” he says softly, “is not always what we think it is.”

“Maxwell—” I start.

“Goodbye, son.” His expression is filled with sorrow. “I am so sorry it had to be this way. Just know that your sacrifice means everything to so many.”

The door closes behind Maxwell with a final, heavy thud. I slump against the wall, letting my bonds drag me down. The physical pain is nothing compared to the betrayal burning in my chest. I squeeze my eyes shut as he walks away until it’s silent again.

“Soren…”

Through the haze of exhaustion, I feel her. Mia’s presence brushes against my mind like moonlight trying to pierce storm clouds. Her warmth, her concern, her determination to reach me floods through the cracks in my defenses.

Dammit, no!

I can’t let her back in. But maintaining the barrier while weakened takes everything I have. Each attempt she makes to connect sends shockwaves through my carefully constructed shields.

I try to focus on the pain instead of her gentle probing. But I can’t stop thinking about the danger she’s in. Lucien’s smooththreats echo in my mind. He’ll use her against me if he can, just like he’s using Maxwell.

My concentration slips for just a moment. In that brief weakness, Mia’s emotions crash through – worry, fear, fierce protectiveness.

“Soren,” her voice whispers in my mind again, “let me help you.”

“Goddammit!” I growl as I push to my feet. The temptation to respond, to let her in, nearly overwhelms me. But the memory of my previous lover’s fate rises like a specter. I can’t let that happen to Mia. Won’t let my selfishness put her in Lucien’s crosshairs.

Gritting my teeth against the pain – both physical and emotional – I strengthen my mental barriers. Build them higher, thicker, until her presence fades to a distant warmth. Each brick in the wall feels like another betrayal, but I keep going until I can barely sense her at all.

My dark thoughts are interrupted as I catch voices from outside. The guards are speaking, and I catch fragments of their conversation. Their voices drift through the door, their casual tone at odds with their grim discussion.

“…Blood Assembly’s pushing hard for jurisdiction.” The first voice is gruff, tired. “Want to make an example of him breaking the Maker’s Bond.”

“Coven’s got equal claim.” The second guard sounds younger. “He kept one of our own kind captive for a year.”

“Yeah, but did you see how she defended him? Maybe there’s something to his story—”

“Shut it, Glade. Don’t go soft now. Remember what Morgan said – classic manipulation. Besides, someone’s got to pay for all those missing witches.”

A dry chuckle. “True enough. Though from what I hear, both sides are so eager to execute him, they might have to draw straws.”

My lips twist in a bitter smile. At least this solves one problem – I won’t have to keep pushing Mia away for long. I’ll be gone soon. The thought brings a strange mix of relief and regret.

“Heard the Assembly’s calling for his head on a silver platter. Literally silver.” The younger guard sounds almost impressed. “Breaking a Maker’s Bond’s about the worst crime a vampire can commit.”

“Witches can do worse than silver,” the other guard counters. “High Priestess might want to make a statement of her own.”

I lean my head back against the cold wall. They’re right – someone has to pay. Might as well be me. Better than letting Lucien’s schemes continue unchecked. Better than risking Mia’s safety any longer.

The silver burns steadily against my skin, a constant reminder of how little time I have left. Twenty-four hours until the Assembly meets. Perhaps less if the Coven Conclave claims precedence.

I wonder which of them will win the right to kill me.

10

Chapter 10

Mia

By the time Iget downstairs, I’ve composed myself. I can’t keep losing my cool like this. It’ll only worry them more than they already are.

“You look nice, dear.” Gran smiles as I join her in the dining room. Kara is setting the table. She looks up, too.

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