Page 56 of Blood Freed

“Of course it is,” I say sharply, then soften my tone. “I assure you, Grand Elder, this letter was held in safekeeping by my sister, who got it directly from our maker himself.”

“Look closer, Daire,” she says coldly.

I stare at the pages she’s just returned to me. Maxwell’s elegant script has been replaced by awkward, blockish text.

What the fuck?

This isn’t the letter I just handed to her moments ago.

Across the room, Lucien leans back in his seat, smirking. “An amateur forgery, I imagine,” he tuts. “How disappointing.”

Marcus steps forward from his position near the wall. “The Council should investigate these claims. If there’s any possibility—”

“Are you suggesting we waste resources investigating obvious lies?” Lucien’s gaze fixes on Marcus. “Perhaps you share some of Soren’s…questionable loyalties?”

I watch Marcus’s jaw clench, but he stays silent. The threat in Lucien’s words hangs heavy in the air.

I straighten my shoulders, pushing aside my confusion about the letter. “Regardless of this document’s authenticity, you cannot deny the spread of the Bloodbane among us. How many of your own clan members are afflicted, Lucien? How many have you forced into silence through blackmail?”

Murmurs ripple through the chamber. Several of the older Council members shift uncomfortably in their seats.

“Our entire power structure is compromised,” I continue, my voice carrying to every corner. “Lucien uses the shame of the Bloodbane to control those affected. I’ve seen the witch blood facilities firsthand – not as their orchestrator, but as someone coerced into carrying out his plans. The facility uncovered by the witch covens was not the only one. There are many.”

Alaric Stone shifts in his seat, raising a hand to draw attention. His face is creased with concern. “These accusations about Bloodbane…how widespread do you claim this affliction to be?”

“Ask your own clan members,” I say. “Those who suddenly ‘retired’ from public duties. Those who mysteriously disappeared. How many of them showed symptoms before vanishing?”

More whispers. I see recognition in several faces – they’ve witnessed exactly what I’m describing.

“This is absurd,” Lucien cuts in, rising again. “Need I remind the Council that Soren himself confessed to running these facilities? Now he attempts to pin his crimes on me? Which version should we believe?”

“Yes, I confessed.” I meet his gaze steadily. “Under duress, after you threatened both my maker and an innocent witch. Ichose to protect them by taking the blame. But Maxwell is dead now, and I won’t let his murder – or your manipulation of our people – go unanswered.”

Marcus steps forward again, his stance challenging as he faces Lucien. “I’ve been gathering evidence of suspicious activities within your clan for months. Missing witches, unexplained transfers of funds, mysterious disappearances of vampires who showed early signs of the Bloodbane.”

“As have I.” Selene Nightshade rises gracefully from her seat, her violet eyes as sharp as her brother’s. “The financial records show a pattern. Large sums moving through shell companies, properties purchased under false names – all traced back to your associates, Lucien. The same properties where witches later vanished.”

I watch Lucien’s face tighten almost imperceptibly. He wasn’t expecting this coordinated attack.

“Furthermore,” Elias Thorne’s calm voice cuts through the tension as he rises from his seat, “my research division has documented irregularities in blood consumption patterns within Clan Umbra. Their reported use of human blood has decreased significantly, yet they show no signs of weakness. The logical conclusion is an alternative blood source.”

“And you’re saying that it’s witch blood?” Arabella looks thoughtful.

“That is our assumption, yes, Grand Elder.” Elias nods his head.

I feel a shift in the chamber’s energy as several younger Council members pay attention, their expressions thoughtful rather than dismissive. One of them, barely a century old, actually nods in agreement.

“These claims warrant investigation,” another says, earning a death glare from Lucien.

A third stands, her voice clear despite her obvious nervousness. “We’ve all heard rumors about the Bloodbane spreading more quickly. If there’s any truth to this, we need to know.”

Victor Valmont, another of the Council’s senior elders, clears his throat. “We can’t make accusations against a respected elder based on assumptions and vague paper trails,” he calls out. “Let us remember that we are here today to determine the guilt…or innocence of Soren Daire,” he looks around coldly, “who has already confessed to being behind all of these crimes.”

“You have a point, Lord Valmont,” Arabella agrees.

I watch as Marcus steps forward again, his shoulders squared. “The evidence against Lucien is compelling. We cannot ignore—”

“Careful, Nightshade.” Lucien’s voice drops to a silky whisper. “Your sister’s position on this Council isn’t as secure as you might think. And I hear she’s been spending quite a bit of time with…questionable elements.”

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