Page 78 of Blood Freed

I watch another shadow slither across Mia’s skin and lean down to press my lips against it. It vanishes as I rise. “How many of them have the Bloodbane, Marcus?”

Silence stretches between us. Finally: “More than we thought. Far more. And they’re watching you very carefully now.”

“Because I survived the Sun Trail.”

“Because you might represent hope.” He sighs. “But there’s more. The witch covens are fracturing, too. Some hail Mia as a hero for standing against vampire corruption. Others see her as dangerous, unpredictable.”

And they would be right. Though I’d never say it out loud.

“Morgan’s influence?”

“Partly. But there’s genuine fear about the level of power she displayed.” Paper rustles in the background. “Soren…what exactly happened in that chamber? I wasn’t there but I’ve heard what’s being said. The way she tore through those guards… People are saying she obliterated her victims. As in, literally blew them up.”

I close my eyes, remembering the terrible beauty of Mia’s rage. “Blood magic. She’d been using it to reach me when she got desperate.” I feel a pang of guilt as I say it. If I hadn’t been such a fucking asshole, this might never have happened.

“This sounds like more than that, Soren. I’ve seen that shit before. I know it’s dangerous. But the reports make it sound like fucking Armageddon.”

I pull in a breath. “It was more…yes. The dark magic, combined with our bond, it awakened something in her bloodline. Something old.”

“Fuck.” More rustling. “That explains the Conclave’s reaction. Traditional factions are calling for containment measures. They’re afraid she’ll lose control.”

They should be, I think, watching dark veins pulse beneath Mia’s skin. I trace one, watching as it vanishes beneath my fingertip. I’ve seen what power like this can do, how it consumes from within. Centuries ago, I watched a witch named Catherine surrender to similar darkness. By the end, there was nothing left of the woman she’d been.

“Marcus, if Lucien realizes the full extent of what’s happening to her…”

“He already suspects. Why do you think he’s so interested in the Blackwood bloodline?” A pause. “There’s something else. He’s called an emergency Assembly meeting.”

My hand tightens on the phone. “When?”

“Tomorrow night. Word is he plans to use Mia’s attack as justification for declaring war on the covens.”

My gut lurches. “What? No! He can’t—”

“He can if enough elders support him. And after Victor’s death…” Marcus trails off. “We need to move fast.”

“I agree. Have you discussed this with the other Blackwoods yet?” I ask.

“No. Just Darick. He said I should speak to you. See what your take is.”

“My take is that it’s bullshit. Which is business as usual for fucking Marlowe,” I mutter. “He’s been looking for an excuse to go after the witches for decades. Now he has one.” I rub my eyes. “I just wish I hadn’t been the one who gave it to him.”

Marcus laughs mirthlessly. “He was always going to find one, friend. If not this, there’d be something else. And soon. I sense he’s been getting impatient. And now that his operations have been shut down, he’s going to start fighting dirty.”

“Jesus. How much dirtier could it get?”

“Fucked if I know. And I’d rather not find out.” He snorts.

Mia thrashes suddenly, magic crackling around her. “No!” she cries out. “Stop!”

“Shit. I have to go.” I end the call as darkness explodes outward from her body. The window panes rattle, and shadows whip through the room like living things.

“Mia!” I grab her shoulders, shaking her gently. “Wake up. It’s just a dream.”

Her eyes snap open, solid black for a heartbeat before green bleeds back in. “Soren?” Her voice shakes. “What…what happened?”

“Your magic reacted to a nightmare.” I stroke her hair, trying to hide my concern. “You’re safe.”

She sits up, clutching the sheet to her chest as she takes in the destruction – broken glass, scattered papers, shadows still writhing at the edges of the room. “I did this? In my sleep?”

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