Page 53 of Blood Freed

“What?” Dad barks.

“Oh, Mia! No! Why? Why would you do that?” Mom looks stricken.

“Because it was right.” I fold my arms over my chest. “And I needed to.”

“So you gave yourself a death sentence on a whim?” Dad is livid.

“It’s more complicated than that,” Gran speaks up from her seat by the window. “The Blackwood bloodline has always been connected to vampires. It’s part of an ancient curse – or prophecy, depending on how you look at it.”

“What do you mean?” Kara leans forward.

“It’s a long story.” Gran purses her lips, tossing her cream silk scarf over her shoulder. “But it’s time that I told it, so here’s the abbreviated version. Our ancestor was a powerful witch who fell in love with a vampire. When he betrayed her, she cursed his bloodline with the Bloodbane.” Gran’s eyes meet mine. “But she also bound our bloodlines together. Only witches who are related to her can truly satisfy a vampire of his line. And Blackwoods are direct descendants of her.”

“Holy shit,” Kara whispers, understanding dawning. “Is that why Mia and Rowan have both become blood matches to vampires?”

Gran nods. “The curse ensures that our bloodlines will always be drawn together, for better or worse. It’s why Lucien wants control over our family so desperately. We’re the key to controlling vampires afflicted with the Bloodbane.”

Kara turns to Dad, whose face has set into grim lines. “Did you know this, Dad?”

He grimaces. “Only the parts that your grandmother has seen fit to tell me.”

“Don’t get scrappy, son,” Gran says calmly. “I told you what was necessary for you to know, and you know why I had to do that.”

“To protect the family.” His expression is dark. “Sure. I get it. I just wish you’d trust me enough to share this burden with you.”

“The fewer who knew the details, the better. As it is, Lucien Marlowe has learned our secret and look where that has gotten us.”

“Oh God,” Mom sighs, sinking onto a seat beside the table. “Is this going to keep happening? Are all my girls going to be in danger forever?”

“Over my dead body,” Darick growls, pulling Rowan closer.

“We’re going to put an end to this,” I say firmly. “Not just to save Soren, but to save all of us. Lucien has to be stopped.”

“Damn right,” Dad mutters, taking a seat beside Mom and sliding an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s talk about what we need to do next.”

“I’ve already started the ball rolling,” says Darick. “I hope nobody will mind that I asked Marcus Nightshade to join us? He has been my second-in-command for centuries. Took over my seat on Clan Sanguis when I stepped down.” He looks around at us. “He’s a good man.”

“Sure,” I tell him. “We need all the help we can get.”

I’ve barely said the words when a sharp rap at the door makes us all jump. Darick moves to answer it, and I catch my first glimpse of Marcus Nightshade.

He’s tall and lean, with short black hair and striking violet eyes that sweep the room with military precision. His khaki combat pants and snug black T-shirt look almost tactical, at odds with our homey conservatory.

Kara straightens, her fingers curling into fists. “Another vampire? Really?”

Ignoring her, Darick nods at Marcus to join us. “Marcus, meet the Blackwoods, Rowan’s family.”

The towering vampire gives us a curt nod before addressing my parents. “Sir, Ma’am,” he says curtly. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home.”

“Thank you for agreeing to help,” I tell him. “We need every possible advantage right now.”

“It’s my pleasure, Miss Blackwood.” His nod is oddly formal.

“Mia,” I tell him.

“Of course.” He inclines his head before smiling at Gran. “Dame Blackwood,” he says warmly. “We’ve met at some of the meetings between our kinds.”

“I remember you well, Marcus.” Her smile is equally warm.

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