Page 29 of Blood Freed

My hands start shaking so hard I have to clench them into fists. “I won’t let this happen.” The words come out hoarse, barely audible.

“Mia, honey…” Mom reaches for me again, but I jerk away, standing so abruptly that my chair scrapes against the floor. If she touches me, holds me, I know I’m going to cry.

“No! This is wrong! He risked everything to help me escape, and now they’re going to kill him for it!” My voice cracks on the last word.

Dad moves forward, his face tight with concern; at least he has the good sense not to browbeat me again. “Sweetheart, let’s think about this clearly—”

“I’m thinking perfectly clearly!” The lights flicker as my magic surges with my emotions. “For the first time in months, I’m seeing everything with absolute clarity. Lucien is behind this. He’s manipulating everyone, and Soren is going to die because of it!”

“Mia.” Gran’s voice cuts through my rising hysteria. She hasn’t moved from her chair, but her green eyes are sharp, assessing. “There’s more to this story.”

I draw in a shuddering breath. Kara moves to stand beside me, her hand finding mine and squeezing gently. The simple gesture of support nearly breaks me.

“I can’t just sit here,” I whisper. “I can’t eat dinner and pretend everything’s fine while they’re planning his execution.”

“Then don’t.” Rowan’s voice is soft but determined. “Let’s figure out how to help.”

I look around at their faces – Mom’s worry, Dad’s protective anger, Gran’s calculating focus, Kara’s cautious support, Rowan’s fierce determination. For the first time since hearing the news, I feel a flicker of hope.

“You believe me?” I ask, my voice small.

“We believe you’re not crazy,” Kara says firmly. “And we believe Lucien Marlowe is dangerous. That’s enough for now.”

Dad rubs his eyes. “I wish it could be different, but this is what you want.” He sighs. “I just wish I could understand.”

“It’s not about what I want, Dad.” I plead with him with my eyes. “It’s about doing what’s right.”

“I’m trying to come to terms with how you could feel this strongly simply because he got you out of there, Mia. It doesn’t change what he is,” he says.

“It’s more than him just helping me escape,” I say, sinking back into my chair. My fingers trace the familiar patterns carved into the wooden table. “There’s something between us – a connection.”

“Like…chemistry?” Kara frowns at me.

I feel heat creep up my neck. “I guess it started that way.” I’m not going to tell them about how we spent our last night together. “But then, it changed, grew more…profound…” I trail off, struggling to find the right words.

Gran leans forward, her eyes intent. “In what way, dear? Can you describe it?”

“It’s like…” I close my eyes, trying to capture the sensation. “Like a warm thread connecting us. I can feel his presence, his emotions sometimes. When we’re close, it’s stronger. During the meeting today, when we touched…” I feel my cheeks flush at the memory.

“The wards flickered,” Gran says suddenly. “I saw it. The barriers actually weakened when you touched.”

I nod. “It’s not just physical, either. We can communicate sometimes, mentally. Not always words, but feelings, impressions. Even now, I can sense him, though he’s trying to block me out.”

“That sounds familiar,” Rowan glances at Darick. “It’s similar to what we experienced, isn’t it?”

“A blood match,” Darick confirms quietly.

Mom sucks in a breath. Dad sets a hand on her shoulder but he’s not fighting me now.

I notice Kara lean forward slightly, her expression shifting from skepticism to curiosity. “But how is that possible? You haven’t…” She pauses, reconsidering. “Have you?”

“No,” I shake my head. “He never drank from me. He was always careful about that, even when…” I stop, not ready to discuss the other moments yet. “I just can’t think about anything bad happening to him. It hurts.” I touch my chest. “In here.”

“Interesting,” Gran murmurs. Her fingers tap thoughtfully against her glass. “A bond forming without blood exchange. That’s unusual but not unheard of. There are old stories…”

“What stories?” I ask eagerly.

“You know of the Bloodbane?” She looks at me.

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