Page 82 of Blood Freed

“That’s it,” he purrs. “Let it all out. You’re miraculous, Mia. Everything I hoped you’d become.”

I try to pull back the magic, but it’s too late. The darkness has me in its grip, and it won’t let go.

Through the haze of agony, a familiar presence touches my mind. Soren. He must have sensed my distress through our bond. His concern washes over me, followed quickly by alarm as he realizes where I am and what’s happening.

No!I try to push him back.Stay away. This is what Lucien wants.

But the connection between us is too strong to deny. I feel Soren’s determination, his absolute refusal to let me face this alone. The force of his emotion gives me strength, helping me push back against the darkness trying to consume me.

Lucien’s eyes narrow as he notices the change. “Ah, your blood match has sensed you. Good. I was hoping he’d join us.”

“Leave him out of this,” I snarl, fighting against the binding circle. The runes pulse brighter, sending fresh waves of pain through me.

“But he’s such an important part of this.” Lucien holds up the corrupted sphere. “Your connection to him makes your power even stronger. The darkness feeds on it.”

He’s right. Every time I reach for Soren through our bond, the magic surges, growing more volatile. More black veins spread further across my skin as the sphere pulls at my essence, trying to drain me completely.

Mia, hold on. I’m coming.Soren’s voice in my mind is desperate, determined. But all I can think about is Lucien’s obvious satisfaction. This is exactly what he wanted – both of us trapped in his web.

I grit my teeth against another wave of pain. “Whatever you’re planning, it won’t work.”

“It already has.” Lucien’s smile is triumphant. “You’ve given me everything I needed from you. And now that I know that it works, I can go to the source. The only question now is whether Soren will arrive in time to watch you burn.”

30

Chapter 30

Soren

“What’s wrong?” Marcus isstaring at me as if I’ve grown another head. Probably because I’ve just frozen, every muscle in my body rigid with tension.

“It’s Mia.” I’m up and moving before the words leave my mouth. The bond screams in my mind, a piercing agony that nearly brings me to my knees.

Mia! What are you doing?

Fuck, I should have known she’d pull a move like this. Not bothering with formalities, I stride from the room and vanish into the shadows, using the shifting darkness to shadow-travel through the city.

Where the hell are you?

I can feel her flickering and shifting just beyond my reach. It’s hard to pin her down because what I’m feeling is her…but not her.

Dammit! What the fuck are you doing?

I don’t need to hear her reply, though. I’m pretty sure I know exactly what she’s doing.

She’s given in to the darkness.

And if I know Lucien Marlowe, he’s the reason she’s done it.

I pause in my travels, hovering in the space between reality and someplace else as I struggle to locate her. And then I see it.

Spires. Stained glass. Tall oak doors.

The connection leads me to an abandoned church, dark and looming against a storm-blackened sky.

“Mia!” I call out. She doesn’t answer, but I can feel the pull more strongly now. And from within the church, something is happening. Something deadly. I feel her pain, her rage, the dark magic consuming her.

I have to get to her.

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