Page 81 of Crimson Born

“Me too,” I said. “I think we’ll be okay. I hope.”

“Do you want to wait outside?” Kelly asked me. “I could go to your room and pack all your stuff for you if you’re worried Imogen will try to keep you from going.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I have to find Reece. Now that we know there’s a real alternative—that thereisa place for us—I know he’ll come with me.”

As long as he hasn’t pledged himself to Imogen for eternity.

34

Vows

It was strangely quiet in the caverns as I made my way to the Bloodbound barracks.

The Bastion’s residents must have been tired from the combination of last night’s ball and tonight’s Inception Ceremony because there was almost no one out in the public areas.

As I neared the barracks, I prepared myself for an argument or at least a bunch of annoying questions from the guard on duty. But when I reached them, I was surprised to find Kannon himself standing watch at the entrance.

“Abigail. Where have you been? Everyone was worried about you.”

“Everyone?” I asked, darting my eyes around his broad form to peer down the hall where the warriors’ rooms were located.

He ignored my obvious reference to Reece. “Imogen was in a lather when you didn’t show up for the ceremony.”

I nodded in anI know I knowway and tried to move past him toward Reece’s door. “I’ll deal with her. First I need to speak to him.”

“Reece isn’t here.”

That stopped me cold. “What? Where is he?”

“He’s with Imogen.”

My heart liquified and drained out the soles of my boots. “Where?”

Please don’t say her chambers. Please don’t say her chambers.

“In the throne room. She’s elevated him to her personal guard. It’s a position of high honor.”

I sagged in relief. “As long as his position is nowhere near her royal bed.”

Kannon gave me a shocked look, and I said, “I know how it is. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Now he had the decency to blush. “Hey, it’s a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it.”

“Well, at least Reece won’t be doing it.”

“What do you mean?”

For a second, I debated whether I should answer his question. Then I decided to just tell him.

Sadie had assured me Imogen couldn’t tamper with my free will, and I would be leaving here tonight no matter what she had to say about it—and taking Reece with me.

“I’ve found a way out for us. I’m going to work for Sadie Aldritch at the Vampire-Human Coalition.”

Kannon’s jaw literally dropped open. “The VHC is the opposite of everything we believe in. You can’t go work there.”

“It’s the opposite of whatImogenbelieves in. I believe in what Sadie andherorganization are doing. It makes sense to me. A whole lot more sense than what I’ve been hearing and learning here for the past few months. You’re welcome to come with us if you like. You deserve more than to be Imogen’s servant and occasional boy-toy.”

“To break the Bloodbound vows is certain death,” he said. “Anyway, there’s nothing left for me out there.”

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