Page 2 of Blood Freed

Dad’s fingers dig into my arm as he practically drags me toward our car. His jaw is set in that stubborn way I remember from childhood – the expression that means his mind is made up, and nothing will change it.

“That bloodsucker had you for a year.” His voice trembles with barely contained rage. “A year of not knowing if you were alive or dead. Of wondering what those monsters were doing to you.”

“Dad, please—”

“They’re all the same – soulless parasites who see us as nothing but food,” he continues as if I hadn’t spoken.

“Soren isn’t like that!” I try to pull away, but he holds fast. “He protected me, kept me alive—”

“Mia, sweetheart! Those creatures are incapable of compassion or mercy. Whatever lies this Soren creature told you, whatever act he put on – it was all manipulation. They’re predators, Mia. Nothing more.”

Tears burn in my eyes as I realize there’s no reaching him. Not now, when fear and hatred have hardened his heart against any possibility that he might be wrong.

“He kept me alive,” I insist, my voice cracking. “When the others wanted to drain me dry, he protected me. Everything you think you know about him is wrong!”

Mom rubs my back, her touch gentle but restraining. “We’ll get you home, get you help. Everything will be alright now.”

Why does she keep saying that?

A wave of desperate magic pulses through me. Dad stumbles back, his grip loosening.

“Listen to me!” The words tear from my throat. “Soren is in trouble because he chose to save me! We have to do something!”

But they’re already leading me away, murmuring soothing words, trading worried glances.

“Out of control,” someone says nearby. Others are watching, concerned.

“It’s alright, baby,” Dad is crooning. “We’ll take care of you. I know you’re confused. But there’s nothing to be afraid of anymore.”

“No! I’m not confused! Please! Listen to me!”

They think I’m traumatized, delusional. They don’t understand that with every step they force me to take, we’re leaving behind the one person who risked everything to bring me back to them.

My heart pounds faster with each passing second as they guide me toward the cars. The joy of seeing my family again – a moment I’ve dreamed of for a year – crumbles beneath their dismissive concern. They’re not hearing me. They’re not even trying.

“You don’t understand,” I plead, my voice growing hoarse. “He defied his maker for me. The Maker’s Bond could kill him!”

Mom squeezes my hand. “Shhh, sweetheart. You’re safe now.”

“I know I’m safe! That’s not—” I break off as another wave of magic surges through me, making the car windows rattle. The nearby witches step back, startled. After having no hold over it for so long, my power is rolling back in waves that echo the turmoil within me.

“She’s unstable,” someone mutters. “The trauma—”

“Stop saying that!” The words rip from me. “I’m not traumatized. I’m trying to tell you the truth!”

A gentle ripple of water-touched magic washes over the gathering. Marina Tidecaller parts the crowd, her sea-green hair flowing in the night breeze. Her deep blue eyes fix on me with calm assessment.

“Let me see her,” Marina says softly. The others step back, relief evident on their faces as the respected healer approaches.

“Marina, please.” I grasp her hands as she reaches for me. “You have to listen me. Soren saved my life. He’s dying out there because he chose to help me escape.”

She cups my face, her magic cool and soothing as it flows over me. “Your aura is chaotic, dear one. Such trauma can confuse—”

“No!” I jerk away from her touch. “Not you, too! I’m not confused! Why won’t any of you listen?”

“Mia,” Marina’s voice remains gentle, “let me help calm your mind. You’ve been through so much—”

“My mind doesn’t need calming!” Magic crackles around me as frustration builds. “Soren needs help! And you’re all just standing here, refusing to listen!” A car alarm goes off as the windows of a nearby vehicle shatter.

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