Page 36 of Blood Freed

“Was he, though?” My father’s arms are folded.

“Dad!” I half-yell. “Do we have to go through this again?”

“I think we need to remember that there’s more at stake here than the vampire, Lake,” Gran says. “There’s the blood bond, too. If it’s real, Mia is still at risk. Whatever your personal feelings may be, you’re going to have to set them aside, son.”

Dad’s nostrils flare as he exhales. “Goddammit! This is a complete fuck-up!”

I blink at him. Dad’s been cursing more than ever lately. But right now, I feel that way too.

“I need some time alone,” I say, pressing my fingertips to my temples. “Please.” I look around at them.

“I’ll bring you some tea in a bit,” Mom says, hovering in the doorway.

“Thanks.” I manage a weak smile. “I just need some space.”

“We’re here if you need us,” Kara adds, squeezing my hand before following Mom out.

Dad lingers, his face etched with worry. “Mia—”

“Please, Dad. I can’t argue anymore right now.”

Gran shepherds him out with a gentle but firm hand on his arm. “Let her rest, Lake.” She gives me a gentle look over her shoulder.

Once I’m alone, I sink onto my bed and close my eyes as I focus on our connection. That golden thread still pulses between us, even if he’s trying to block it.

“Let me in,” I whisper, pressing against his mental wall. Nothing. Just that same cold, impenetrable barrier. “Please, Soren.”

I fight against the resistance until I’m shaking with the exertion. It’s not working.

“Damn you, Soren! Don’t do this,” I whisper to the empty room. There must be something I can do. Something…

An idea forms. A bad one. One that I know I’m going to regret. Turning to my bedside table, my fingers find the small ritual blade I keep hidden in the top drawer. Gran would be horrified, but desperation claws at my chest.

Mia…this is wrong.

Blood magic is forbidden for good reason, but right now, I don’t care about rules.

The blade bites into my palm. As blood wells up, I trace the ancient symbol for “truth” in the air, letting drops fall onto my sheets. Power surges through me, dark and intoxicating. The wall in my mind splinters then shatters.

Soren’s presence floods my consciousness, shock and anger radiating through our connection.

“Mia!”His voice surges into my mind.“I already told you—”

“Why are you lying?”I push the thought at him.

His response comes sharp and cold.“It’s not a lie. I was behind everything.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Believe what you want. It changes nothing.”

I grip my bleeding palm tighter, channeling more power. Through our connection, I feel Soren’s familiar presence – but it’s masked, deliberately cold and distant. Like those first days in the facility when he’d stalk past my cell, refusing to meet my eyes. But I know better now. I know the real Soren.

“You’re not fooling anyone,”I project the thought at him, even as my hand throbs from the cut.

“Go away, Mia. This doesn’t concern you anymore.”

His voice is glacial, but there’s something…a flicker beneath the surface. A flash of memory not his own – Lucien’s face, twisted with malice, speaking words I can’t quite hear. Maxwell standing rigid beside him. The sharp tang of fear – not for himself, but…

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