Page 31 of Blood Freed

“Who could blame them,” Dad mutters. “I feel the same way.”

“We need to speak with Seraphina,” Mom says. “She’s fair. Reasonable. She’ll hear us out.”

“Two days isn’t enough time to navigate official channels,” Gran says, her fingers drumming against the table.

I think back to how often I’d run into resistance when I suggested simple changes to the covens, and my heart sinks. “They’ll take too long to consider this,” I say softly.

“What if we went to the Blood Assembly?” Rowan looks at Darick. “Maybe Marcus could do something.”

He shakes his head. “Even if we could prove Lucien’s corruption, the Assembly won’t delay an execution without substantial evidence. Believe me – I’ve dealt with it myself. On this very topic.” His expression turns sour. “Not to mention that Daire isn’t just facing accusations around his Maker’s Bond. He’s also going to have to account for the abductions.”

“What do you mean?” I frown.

Darick focuses ice-blue eyes on me. The intensity makes me want to squirm a little. I can understand why my little sister is so taken with this man.

“They’re going to hang this thing on him. The facility. The abductions. There’s no proof that Lucien had anything to do with it.”

“But why would the Assembly have a problem with the facility?” Kara asks.

“Because contrary to what many might think, Kara,” Darick looks at her, “the vampires don’t support the abductions. This is Lucien’s doing. He’s been proposing ways to access more witch blood for those with the Bloodbane, but so far, the High Council has opposed all of his ideas. It hasn’t stopped him; I think he’s had operations running for longer than anyone realizes.”

“And now that they’ve been exposed, he’s hiding the fact that he’s behind it?” I ask.

Darick nods. “Believe it or not, there would be severe repercussions for disobeying the Assembly. He’d be stripped of his position on the High Council, his leadership role of his clan…maybe worse.”

“But the Conclave…” Kara is frowning. “Surely they can’t just hand a prisoner over to what amounts to a kangaroo court?”

Dad shakes his head. “The agreement between covens and vampires is clear – crimes against their laws are tried in their courts. We’d need proof of serious misconduct to intervene.”

“I’mproof!” I say sharply. “Me! I saw it myself. I saw Lucien give orders for witches to be executed.”

“Really?” Kara looks at me. “You watched someone do this?”

“I…” I gnaw on my lip. How do I tell them that Lucien gave Soren the order but that he didn’t follow through? They’ll never believe me. I never saw Jemma and Sabine after that. Just took his word that they were safe.

He wouldn’t hurt them. I know it.

There may have been a time when I suspected Soren of a thousand horrible things, but since that moment in the car when my magic had streamed through both of us… I know him as surely as I know myself.

“He’s a good man,” I say softly.

“A good man who’s going to die if we don’t do something,” Rowan says sharply, then looks at me. “Sorry, sis. I know this is hard for you.”

“It’s okay,” I lie. I’m just glad she’s on my side. But from the expressions on the faces of the rest of my family, the others are beginning to lean toward me, too. In spite of the fear of what Soren’s facing, it’s a relief to think I’m not fighting a losing battle.

Although, maybe we still are. The Blackwoods are powerful, but we’re going up against both the vampire and the witch leadership.

“I think there’s something we’re all forgetting here,” Rowan interjects, interrupting my thoughts. We all turn to face her. “You can’t break a bond.” She glances at Darrick. “Not without serious consequences.” She looks at Gran. “Remember what you told Darick, Gran?”

The tall male at her side nods. “Whoever is left behind will likely not survive.” He looks serious. “That’s why we needed the pendant.”

“Oh God.” Mom makes a sobbing sound, her hand at her throat. “You mean…”

“Yes, Georgia.” Gran’s voice is soft. “If Mia is bonded to him, and the vampire is executed…we could lose her too.”

I feel the blood drain from my face. “You mean…I might die?”

“If there is a bond, and you seal it, yes. Eventually.” Gran turns gentle eyes on me. “If this is what we think it might be – and there’s no guarantee that it is.” She looks like she’s trying to set my mind at ease. “But if it is, you’d weaken. Fade. And then, we’d lose you.”

---