Page 55 of Blood Freed

“What about Maxwell’s death?” Rowan asks. “Could that help prove Lucien’s involvement?”

“If we can find evidence it wasn’t suicide,” Marcus says. “I’ve already got people looking into it.”

“There has to be something more we can do from our side,” Rowan says.

“I have an idea. Something I discussed with Gran, that we think might work.” I look around at the others. “When I was imprisoned, Lucien ordered the execution of two witches who tried to escape with me. He told Soren to do it.”

“Oh, my God.” Mom sucks in a breath.

“He didn’t do it,” I say quickly. “He sent them someplace safe instead. If we can find them, they could testify that Soren tried to help. I doubt they’d speak to the Blood Assembly after what they’ve been through, but if we take them to the Coven Conclave, maybe the High Priestess will speak to the vampires about it.”

Mom squeezes my hand. “That could work, sweetheart.”

“I just have to figure out how to track them down.” I frown. “I’ll reach out to Soren again. I’m sure he’ll tell me now.”

“I can help too,” Kara offers, though her eyes keep drifting to Marcus. “I know some tracking spells that might work.”

“The timing has to be perfect,” Darick warns. “If Marcus can present everything during the trial – the evidence, the witness testimonies, Maxwell’s death. It needs to be overwhelming enough that even Council members loyal to Lucien can’t ignore it.”

“And what happens if Lucien figures out what we’re doing?” I voice the fear we’re all sharing. “He could get to the witnesses before we do.”

“That’s why we need to move fast,” Marcus says grimly. “And keep this between us. The more people who know, the higher the risk of information reaching Lucien.”

Gran nods solemnly. “We’ll need to be extremely careful about how we conduct our search for the witches. Any obvious magical tracking could alert Lucien’s people.”

“Then we’ll have to be subtle,” I say, determination filling me. “We don’t have a choice. This is our only shot at saving Soren.”

“Not only that,” Poppy, who has been strangely quiet through it all, suddenly joins in, “it’s your only shot at saving yourselves.”

We all turn and stare at her in silence for a moment because, although nobody wants to admit it, we all know that she’s probably right.

19

Chapter 19

Soren

The Blood Assembly chamberstretches above me, its high ceiling lost in shadows. Ancient banners hang between marble columns, each bearing the crests of vampire clans that have existed for millennia. The tiered seats rise like an amphitheater, filled with the most powerful vampires in existence.

I stand before them, Maxwell’s letter clutched in my hand. The parchment feels fragile, like my maker’s final words might crumble at any moment. My voice stays steady as I read his confession about our bloodline’s curse, about Lucien’s blackmail, about the blood facilities.

There’s silence as I finish reading.

“These are very serious allegations, Lord Daire,” Arabella Ravenscroft, our Grand Elder, addresses me, shooting a quick look at Marlowe.

“Yes,” I acknowledge. “But there’s a whole lot more where that came from.”

“This is clearly a fabrication,” Lucien’s voice cuts through the murmurs. He rises from his seat, shadows gathering around him. “A desperate attempt by a traitor to smear his maker’s memory.”

“It’s the truth.” I hold the letter higher. “Maxwell’s own words—”

“Let me see.” The Grand Elder extends a hand. I step forward, reaching up to hold it to where she’s seated on a raised podium.

Her brows pull together as she looks down at the pages. For an eternity, she says nothing. And then she looks at me. “Is this a joke?”

“What?” I frown, confused.

“I have had numerous dealings with Maxwell Kern,” she says, thrusting the pages back at me. “This is not his handwriting.”

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