Page 7 of Blood Freed

“You haven’t eaten properly in months,” she frets, easing me back onto my pillows and smoothing my blankets. “Just try a little—”

“For heaven’s sake, Georgia, give the girl some space,” Gran’s voice cuts through as she appears in the doorway, commanding attention as always.

Dad follows close behind. “We need to discuss what happened, Mia. That vampire—”

“His name is Soren,” I say firmly. “And he saved my life.”

“That’s the trauma talking.” Dad’s jaw tightens. “You can’t trust anything you’re feeling right now. These monsters, they get in your head—”

“Lake.” Gran’s tone carries a warning. “Perhaps we should—”

“No, Mother. My daughter was held captive for months by vampires. I won’t stand here and listen to her defend one of them!”

I take in a steadying breath. “You don’t understand—”

“We understand perfectly.” Dad’s voice cracks with emotion. “We understand that you’ve been through hell, and that creature is responsible—”

“Enough.” Gran’s power fills the room, subtle but unmistakable. “Lake, you’re upsetting the girl.”

“Mother—” Dad protests.

“You heard me, son.” Gran’s eyes flash. “I am still the matriarch of this family, and I say this conversation needs a different approach.”

My parents exchange looks, but they know better than to argue when Gran uses that tone.

The air shifts subtly as two more people enter – my sister Rowan and a tall blond man I don’t recognize. There’s something odd about him that makes my magical senses tingle.He feels…almost like a vampire, but not quite. The energy around him is different, like an echo of what should be there.

“Mia.” Rowan rushes to hug me, her glasses perched on top of her head. “I’m so sorry we didn’t find you sooner.”

I return her embrace, but my attention keeps drifting to the stranger. His presence is unsettling – not threatening, just unusual. He stands with the confident bearing of a vampire, but his skin has a healthy flush that no vampire could maintain.

“This is Darick,” Rowan explains, noticing my scrutiny. “He helped rescue me just before we found you.”

“Rescue you?” I swallow hard. “So youweretaken.”

She nods. “Not for long, though. Darick found me. We share a bond.” She leans into him, her expression softening. It’s pretty clear that he’s more than her rescuer. And there’s something else there, too. I observe him for a moment. Trying to put my finger on it.

“You were a vampire,” I say, understanding dawning. “But now you’re not.”

Darick nods. “I gave up my immortality to save your sister.”

I stare at him. “How?”

“Long story,” Rowan chimes in. “Meanwhile, it turns out that Heath was involved in the whole thing.”

My breath catches. “Yes! Heath Moonshadow! That…that…bastard! I hope he rots!”

“You knew?” Dad asks.

“He was there. When they had me. He was the one who helped them take me.”

Mom sucks in a breath, and Gran and Dad exchange glances.

“This runs deep,” says Gran.

“Perhaps not,” Dad responds. “He could have been acting on his own.”

“Hah!” I snort. “Not a chance.”

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