Page 73 of Blood Freed

“You should be resting,” I tell her, but she shakes her head.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She moves to my side, her warmth seeping through my sleeve. The contact steadies something in me that’s been off-kilter since the Trail.

“It’s extraordinary.” Lake examines me with barely concealed fascination. “The sun should have burned you to ash.”

“Darick says that the Blood Assembly’s archives mention no other vampire surviving the Sun Trail,” Kara adds, her usual suspicion tempered by curiosity.

I flex my hands, remembering the strange sensation when sunlight touched my skin. “It felt…warm. Nothing more.”

“Because of the blood bond.” Evelyn’s voice carries that mix of authority and ancient knowledge that makes it impossible to ignore her. “When Mia shared her blood with you, it changed something fundamental in your nature. The Blackwood bloodline has always carried unique properties.”

“Properties that affect vampires specifically?” Georgia asks.

“Yes. It was the same when Rowan hit Darick with the sun blast.”

“Wait. What?” Mia stares at her sister. “You blasted him?”

“I found pictures of you on his phone. Chained.” She pulls a face.

“So she killed me.” Darick winks at her.

“Apparently not.” Mia shakes her head.

“Turns out the photos were from Lucien.” Rowan’s expression darkens. “Anyhow, lucky for me, the bond had strengthened Darick too by that point, or he wouldn’t be standing here now.” She lifts onto her toes and presses her lips to his cheek.

“Holy shit,” Mia mutters. She’s perched on the edge of a couch, and I move to stand behind her, resting my hands on her shoulders. It feels surreal.

Evelyn moves to the window, gesturing at the morning light streaming in. “Our blood doesn’t just satisfy the hunger of those with the Bloodbane – it transforms them. Makes them stronger. Different.”

Mia’s fingers find mine, squeezing gently. “That’s why Lucien wants our blood so badly,” she says. “He must have known.”

“Or at least suspected.” I remember his expression in the Chamber of Dawn – that mixture of fear and covetous interest when the sun failed to destroy me. “This changes everything he thought he knew about controlling those with the Bloodbane.”

“It changes everything for all of us,” Evelyn says, her eyes sharp as she watches Mia and me. “The bond between you has awakened something that’s been dormant for centuries.”

Lake clears his throat. “This is all very important, but there’s something else. We need to discuss what happened in the Chamber.” His eyes fix on Mia. “The vampires you killed.”

I feel her tension through our bond, the dark magic still simmering beneath her skin. My hands tighten on her shoulders.

“Victor Valmont attacked me first,” she says, her voice steady despite the turmoil I sense within her.

“You destroyed him.” Lake’s words carry no judgment, just concern. “And there were others. The Assembly is in chaos.”

“Good.” The word escapes before I can stop it. All eyes turn to me. “Victor was Lucien’s closest ally. I have no doubt he was in on it.

“That may be true,” Georgia says, “but the level of power our daughter displayed…” She trails off, glancing at Evelyn.

“I couldn’t let them kill Soren.” Mia’s voice cracks slightly. “I wouldn’t.”

“No one’s blaming you, darling.” Evelyn’s tone softens. “But we need to understand what happened, what it means.”

“The Assembly will demand answers,” I add. “Victor’s death alone would require explanation. But this…” I remember the fear in the other vampires’ eyes as they fled the chamber. “This changes the power dynamics significantly.”

“They’re afraid of me now,” Mia says quietly. The darkness in her voice raises the hairs on my arms.

“The Council will demand retribution,” I say, drawing closer to her chair. “Victor was well-connected.”

“They can try.” Lake’s jaw tightens. “My daughter was defending herself.”

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