Page 75 of Blood Freed

“Since I failed you,” he says quietly.

“You saved me.”

“Eventually.” His jaw tightens. “After watching you suffer for months.”

I move closer, drawn to him like gravity. “You fought the Maker’s Bond. You nearly died helping me escape. I was there, remember?” I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to keep saying this until he believes it, but I’ll never give up.

He catches my hand, bringing it to his lips. The tender gesture makes my heart stutter. “And you risked everything to save me today. I was there, too.”

The memory of what I did in the Chamber of Dawn sends a shiver through me. The dark magic stirs beneath my skin, responding to the thought of blood and death.

“I killed them.” My voice cracks. “I tore them apart, and I…I enjoyed it.” Every time I’ve thought of it since we went over it all at Gran’s house, I’ve found myself torn between horror and a strange sense of satisfaction that makes me want…more.

“Mia—”

“No, listen.” I pull away, wrapping my arms around myself. “It felt good, Soren. The power, the violence – it was intoxicating. I’ve turned into a monster.”

God, if only I’d listened to Gran.

But then I look at the man I saved and realize that I’d probably do it all again.

He moves behind me, his hands gentle on my shoulders. “You’re not a monster. You’re a woman who’s been through hell and found the strength to fight back.”

“But the magic…” I close my eyes, feeling it pulse through my veins like liquid shadows. “It’s still there, still hungry. Ever since our dream, when I used blood magic to reach you—”

“I know.” His arms slide around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. “I remember every moment of that dream. It was here…in your bedroom.” He holds me closer, his breath warm on my ear. “I remember every detail.”

Heat floods my cheeks as fragments of memory flash through my mind – the desperate passion, the sharp pleasure of his fangs, the way magic and desire twisted together until I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

“The blood bond changed us both,” he murmurs against my hair. “Made me immune to sunlight, made you stronger.”

“Made me dangerous,” I whisper.

He turns me to face him; his impossibly blue eyes are so intense it almost hurts. “You’ve always been dangerous, little witch. But never evil.”

“How can you be sure?” My hands fist in his shirt. “You saw what I did to Victor, to those guards—”

“I saw you protect someone you love.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “The magic may have amplified your power, but your heart drove your actions.”

“My heart is what scares me.” I lean into his touch. “I would do anything to keep you safe. Anything, Soren. That kind of love…it’s terrifying.”

“I know.” He presses his forehead to mine. “When I felt you coming for me in the Chamber of Dawn, I was terrified too. Not of you, but for you. The darkness in your magic…” He hesitates. “I’ve seen what it can do to people.”

“Is that what’s happening to me?” My voice trembles. “Am I being consumed by it?”

Instead of answering, he kisses me. It’s gentle at first, a brush of lips that quickly deepens into something more desperate. I taste his fear for me, his pride, his love. The magic rises in response, making my skin tingle where he touches me.

“We’ll figure this out,” he whispers against my mouth.

I want to believe him. But the power sizzling through my veins whispers seductively of strength and vengeance. Of all the ways I could protect him, protect my family, if I just embrace the darkness completely.

His hands frame my face, and I realize he’s felt my thoughts through our bond. “Stay with me,” he says fiercely. “Don’t let it take you.”

“I’m trying.” Tears sting my eyes. “But it feels so right, Soren. Like it’s always been part of me, just waiting to wake up.”

“Then we’ll learn to control it.” He kisses my forehead, my cheeks, the corner of my mouth. “You’re stronger than any magic, dark or light.”

I laugh shakily. “Says the vampire who just walked in sunlight.”

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