Page 80 of Blood Freed

But what choice did I have? Without it, I would have lost him.

I roll onto my side and squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to see the shadows snaking up the walls and over me. Shadows connected to nothing apart from the darkness inside my own head.

I have to do something…

Everyone else is busy being responsible – Soren and Marcus are holed up in the study discussing vampire politics, while my family works diplomatic channels with the Conclave.

But I know better. I can feel Lucien’s presence in the city like an oil slick across my consciousness, a new ability the dark magic has gifted me. He’s out there, plotting, moving his pieces into position. I can hear him.

Mia…Mia…Mia…

It’s like he’s calling to me. But that’s not what has my attention.

The magic shows me visions – flashes of what he plans. I see Kara screaming as shadows consume her. Rowan, trapped in a cage of silver and blood. Gran’s lifeless body on the marble floor of the Conclave chamber. Mom and Dad…

I press my palms against my eyes, trying to block out the images, but they keep coming. The magic grows stronger, feeding off my fear and rage. The air in the room crackles with an otherworldly energy.

I need to do something, but there’s no sense in pursuing the useless avenues of bureaucracy that will lead to nowhere.

They don’t understand. All their careful planning and diplomatic solutions won’t stop Lucien. He’s too powerful, too entrenched in both vampire and witch hierarchies. By the time they realize this, it’ll be too late.

You know what to do, Mia…

Something stirs in my blood as ideas come to me, a recognition of what needs to be done. I know the others would try to stop me if they knew. Soren especially would never let me attempt it.

But I’ve made my decision. I won’t watch my family die. Not when I have the power to protect them.

I slide from the bed, my bare feet silent on the wooden floor as I head to my closet to pull on jeans, a dark T-shirt, and my favorite sneakers.

Soren’s voice drifts from the study, deep in discussion with Marcus about Council politics. The sound warms me from within, but I resist the urge to go to him. He’ll only try to stop me.

They won’t notice my absence – not right away. As long as he thinks I’m sleeping, he won’t be paying attention to the pull of our bond.

As I ghost down the hallway, each heartbeat sends a fresh wave of power coursing through me.

I step out into the night, and the city transforms before my eyes. Neon signs blur into arcane symbols. Street lamps cast pools of light that seem to shy away from my presence. Above, storm clouds gather, drawn to my magic like moths to flame.

You’re changing, a voice whispers in my mind. Not my conscience – something older, darker.

I let my blood guide me, feeling for Lucien’s presence. The trail of his corruption stands out like black ink spilled across my consciousness. Each step draws me closer, the magic growing stronger.

A man hurries past, then stops and stares. I catch my reflection in a store window – my eyes are completely black, veins of darkness spreading across my skin like cracked porcelain. I should be horrified, but the power feels too good. When he keeps staring, I bare my teeth and hiss.

“Freak!” he spits at me before scurrying away like his ass is on fire.

“Good. Run, little man,” I call after him, laughing.

Thunder rolls overhead as I track Lucien’s essence through downtown. Shadows writhe along building walls, reaching toward me. Cars swerve to avoid patches of darkness thatweren’t there moments before. The city itself seems to pulse with my magic.

More, the darkness urges.Take more.

I pause when the trail becomes vague and difficult to trace.

Which way, you bastard?

When the answer doesn’t come immediately, I glance down at my palm, watching as the flesh parts beneath my eyes, blood pulsing from the wound. I twist my wrist and let the drops fall. They hover in the air, spinning like a compass before pointing the way. Each use of blood magic sends electricity through my nerves, a high better than any drug.

The storm intensifies, my power calling to ancient forces. Lightning flashes, illuminating empty streets. Even the rats are hiding, sensing a predator in their midst.

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