Page 62 of Blood Freed

“Of course, losing Mia would be…unfortunate.” Lucien straightens his jacket, utterly unmoved by my rage. “But there are other Blackwoods. Her sister Kara, for instance. Such raw power there. And Rowan…” His lips curl into a calculating smile. “Well, we’ve all seen what her blood can do. And Drake can’t protect her forever. He’s little more than human now.”

My fingers curl around the silver bars despite the burning pain. The casual way he talks about them like they’re merely resources to be used…

“Did you think Mia was special? That she was the only one who could provide what we need?” He chuckles, the sound grating against my nerves. “The entire bloodline carries the potential. Mia was merely…convenient. Already in captivity, thanks to your loyal service.”

The reminder of my role in her imprisonment feels like a fist tightening in my chest.

“The grandmother too – Evelyn. There’s power there, aged like fine wine.” Lucien paces the length of my cell, ticking off names like items on a shopping list. “And who knows how many other branches of the family tree we might discover? The Blackwood line is vast if one knows where to look.”

I force myself to release the bars, my palms blistered from the contact. “You won’t get near them.”

“No?” His eyebrows rise in mock surprise. “And who’s going to stop me? You’ll be ash by sunrise. The Blood Assembly is firmly under my control. And the witches?” He waves a dismissive hand. “They’re too busy fighting amongst themselves to see what’s coming.”

The worst part is that I can’t entirely disagree with his assessment. I’ve seen how deep his influence runs, how carefully he’s positioned his pieces over the centuries. While I wasted time trying to protect Mia by pushing her away, he was building an empire on our collective shame and fear.

“Your influence can’t reach that far,” I say, struggling to focus through the horror of what he’s revealed about Mia. “Someone will expose you eventually. The witches aren’t stupid – they’ll see through your manipulations.”

Lucien’s laughter echoes off the stone walls, sending a chill down my spine. “You still don’t understand, do you? It’s already done. The vampires?” He spreads his hands. “I have half of them in the palm of my hand. Fear is such a powerful motivator, but then again, so is power. Not all of my allies are afflicted. Some simply appreciate what I’m doing for us.”

“Us?” I sneer. “For you. All of this is for you.”

“I know what’s best for them,” he says, maddeningly smug. He moves closer to the bars, his eyes gleaming with triumph. “And the witches? They’re even easier. Offer them a taste of real power, and they’ll practically beg to help. Look how easily Heath fell into line. Such ambition in that one – all it took was a few promises, a demonstration of what vampire blood could do for his magic.”

My stomach turns as I realize the implications. “Heath can’t be the only one.”

“Finally, you’re catching up.” Lucien’s smile widens. “Morgan Shadowmaster isn’t nearly as incorruptible as his reputation suggests. And he’s not the only elder who’s seen the…benefits ofour arrangement. It’s remarkable how many of them are willing to sacrifice a few of their own for greater power.”

The pieces click into place – the suspicious questions during my interrogation, the careful manipulation of evidence. “That’s why Morgan was so eager to handle my questioning.”

“Among other things.” Lucien adjusts his cuffs with meticulous precision. “The Coven Conclave is quite thoroughly compromised, though they don’t realize it yet. By the time they do…” He shrugs elegantly. “Well, it won’t matter anymore.”

As he talks, my enhanced hearing picks up footsteps in the corridor, the steady march of the guard detail.

Lucien hasn’t moved, still watching me with that insufferable smirk. The cell door creaks open, and four guards enter, carrying ceremonial chains etched with the same runes as the bars. Looks like I’m going to get the full treatment. Pity I can’t appreciate it.

“Why are you still here?” I ask Lucien, unable to stop myself. “Don’t you have more important matters to attend to?”

He smooths an invisible wrinkle from his sleeve. “And miss the culmination of centuries of planning? I think not. I stayed for Maxwell’s final moments, too, you know. Such a noble end he chose – the Sun Trail, just like you. Though perhaps with a bit of…encouragement.”

Motherfucker! I knew he’d done it.

My hands clench as the first guard approaches with the chains. The metal burns where it touches my skin, but I refuse to show weakness in front of Lucien.

“Wrists forward,” the guard commands, though his voice wavers slightly. When I meet his eyes, I see a flicker of something – hesitation? Sympathy? He’s young for a vampire, probably turned within the last century.

The chains click into place with ceremonial precision. Each lock must be sealed with a specific incantation, spoken in theancient tongue. The words feel heavy in the air, laden with power and tradition.

“The accused will kneel,” another guard intones formally.

I remain standing until the burning from the chains forces me down. The young guard moves behind me, and I feel him adjust the chains – loosening them just slightly where they cut deepest. It’s a small mercy but notable.

“The condemned will now be escorted to the Chamber of Dawn,” the lead guard recites. “There to face judgment by the sun’s pure light.”

Lucien’s smile widens as they pull me to my feet. “Shall we begin?”

The guards march me forward, but my mind races faster than my feet can move.

Mia will die.

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