Page 34 of Blood Freed

The lie burns, but I see Lucien’s satisfaction. He believes me – or at least believes I’m desperate enough to betray everyone to save myself. Either way, it gives me what I need: a chance to bring him down from the inside.

“Smart man,” he says, eyeing me. “A decision like this could mean the difference between life and death. For you…and for them.” The implication is clear. As long as I cooperate, they’ll be alright.

I’ve done the right thing.

I turn back to the window, fighting the urge to reach out to Mia one last time. Instead, I focus on what needs to be done. I’llconfess. I’ll let her believe the worst of me. And then I’ll find a way to destroy Lucien before he can touch her.

12

Chapter 12

Mia

I'm in my oldroom again, surrounded by the familiar lavender walls and faded posters of my childhood. My hands rest on my knees, palms up, as I try to center myself. The meditation crystals Gran left scatter soft rainbow prisms across the ceiling, but their gentle energy feels hollow, distant.

“Breathe, Mia,” Kara says from her perch by the window. “Your aura’s all over the place.”

I crack open one eye. “My aura’s fine.”

“It’s absolutely not fine,” Rowan chimes in. “It’s practically screaming in distress.”

Giving up on meditation, I grab my spell book from the nightstand. The pages fall open to a simple calming ritual – one I mastered at age twelve. But when I trace the sigil in the air, the magic fizzles and dies.

“Dammit!” I slam the book shut.

“Maybe you should rest,” Kara suggests. “You’re still recovering.”

But I can’t rest. Not while Soren… I close my eyes again, reaching for that golden thread of connection between us. For a moment, I feel the warmth of his presence, but then – nothing. That damn wall he’s built stands firm and cold.

“He’s blocking me.” My voice cracks. “Why is he blocking me?”

“He’s probably trying to protect you,” Rowan says softly.

“I don’t need protection!” The crystals rattle on my dresser. “I need him to let me help him.”

I try again, pressing against that mental barrier. It’s like hitting smooth, frozen glass – I can sense him on the other side, but he won’t let me in. The rejection stings worse than any physical pain.

Kara moves to sit beside me, her hand warm on my shoulder. “We’ll figure something out, Mia. I promise.”

But promises feel empty when I can’t even reach the one person who needs me most.

“I should have gone with,” I mutter, glancing at the time. It’s been hours since Mom and Dad went with Gran for a meeting with Seraphina. The High Priestess had been reluctant, but Gran had pulled some strings.

“You know why that would have been a bad idea,” Kara says gently.

“Because I’d lose my temper?” I scowl at her. “Because they think I’d be out of control?”

“Because you’re still not yourself, Mimi.” She touches my hand. “You won’t be much good to anyone if you collapse.”

“I’m not going to collapse, dammit. I’m fine!” To prove it, I leap to my feet, then regret it when I feel myself swaying. I guess a year of being locked up and having my blood drained every other day has taken its toll on me.

Ugh! I hate feeling like this!

I’ve spent my whole life being that girl who’s in control. Always capable. Always with a plan. In the past year, all of that has been stripped from me. I’ve never felt so out of control in my life.

“Are you alright?” Rowan looks concerned.

I pull in a breath. “Yeah. Just got up too fast. I guess you’re right. They’re better equipped to deal with this right now.”

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