Page 28 of Blood Freed

“Are those my old jeans?” she asks.

I glance down, then nod. “I hope you don’t mind. None of mine would fit anymore. Probably because the only clothing I still have here is the stuff I left from college. I was carrying a little extra weight then, so nothing fits.”

“Doesn’t look like mine fit any better.” She raises her brows. “Those are hanging off you.”

I make a wry face. Nothing fits right now. I’ve wasted away in the past months. My normally well-covered limbs are lean… Make that, bony.

I sink into my usual chair at the dining table, the familiar worn cushion feeling strange after so long. My hands shake slightly as I smooth the napkin across my lap. Everything feels off-kilter – the weight of the silverware, the clink of dishes, the mundane conversation about the weather.

Mom bustles in with a platter of carved roast chicken, and I catch Dad watching me with worried eyes. I try to smile, to act normal, but my heart’s not in it.

“Knock knock!” The front door opens, and Rowan appears with Darick close behind. There’s something in their expressions that makes my stomach clench. Darick’s jaw is tight, his shoulders rigid with barely contained tension.

“Are you two joining us for dinner?” Dad asks. The question hangs in the air as Rowan and Darick exchange a loaded glance. Poppy isn’t with Rowan, so I doubt this is a social call. Although Rowan shares a turbulent relationship with her familiar; perhaps the squirrel has gone off on one of her jaunts.

My muscles tighten as I watch the silent communication between them. Whatever brought them here, it’s not good news. My appetite vanishes completely as I wait for their response.

“We have news.” Rowan glances at Darick, who nods. The breath catches in my throat as Rowan speaks. “The Conclave met after you left. They’ve…they’ve decided to hand Soren over to the Blood Assembly.”

My fingers go numb around the knife I was about to butter my bread with. It clatters against my plate.

“When?” I whisper. “How do you know this?”

Darick steps forward, his expression grim. “Marcus contacted me. The Assembly has already convened an emergency session. They’re calling it a trial, but—” He breaks off, jaw clenching.

“But what?” My voice rises sharply. Mom reaches for my hand, but I pull away.

“It’s just a formality,” Darick continues. “They’ve already decided. Breaking a Maker’s Bond is considered treason. The penalty is execution. They’re planning to carry it out at dawn two days from now. The Sun Trail.”

Sun Trail.

I don’t know what that is, but I have a sinking suspicion.

The room spins. “Two days? That’s not… They can’t—” My voice cracks. “There has to be something! What about a protection spell? Or—”

“The Sun Trail is ancient magic,” Darick interrupts gently. “It can’t be blocked or redirected.”

“Then we break him out,” I say desperately.

“Absolutely not,” Dad’s voice is sharp. “We just got you back.”

“What about diplomatic channels?” Mom suggests quietly. “Someone must have influence with the Assembly.”

“In two days?” Rowan shakes her head. “Even if we found someone willing to help, bureaucracy would kill us – literally, in Soren’s case.”

I close my eyes, fighting back tears of frustration. Every suggestion meets a wall, every possibility a dead end. Time is slipping away like sand through my fingers, and with it, Soren’s life.

Rowan hovers near my chair, one hand coming to rest protectively on my shoulder.

“The Assembly is using this to set an example,” Darick says. “Marcus says Lucien has been particularly vocal about maintaining vampire law and order. He’s positioned himself as the voice of tradition.”

“Of course he has,” I spit out. “He’s covering his tracks. Making sure Soren can’t expose what he’s been doing.”

“Marcus is trying to rally support,” Darick adds. “But Lucien has too much influence. Most of the Assembly is already convinced of Soren’s guilt.”

Rowan’s hand tightens on my shoulder. “We’re not giving up, Mia. There has to be a way—”

“Two days,” I repeat numbly. The timeline pounds in my head like a death knell. Two days to save him. Two days before they kill him for helping me escape.

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