Page 113 of Bound in Blood

Our eyes lock, and I take his slow blink as acquiescence and loosen my grip.So it was Giorgios who staged the attacks at the university. He tried to make me believe it was you.

He closes his eyes and does not answer, and grief and guilt bond into a single blade that cuts me to the quick.How did he become so powerful, Lucian? How did he gain such mastery over dark magic?

He did not master it. He has never possessed dark magic; he merely borrowed it.

My scholarly big brother, with the kind blue eyes and sharp wit, the man who taught me how to curse in six languages before I was ten… He borrowed dark magic? A mere four weeks ago, I could never have imagined the depth of his betrayal.From whom?

Lucian’s eyes flutter open. They are hazel, just like his mother’s, and I am filled with so much regret for what has passed between us that I struggle to catch my breath.A warlock named Salem. When Giorgios was little more than a boy, Salem made him a deal. He promised to grant him the power of transportation and teach him the dark arts if Giorgios agreed to serve him.

I have never heard of such a warlock.

He died almost two millennia ago. Giorgios somehow maintained the channel to his dark magic. It was how he formed the Skotádi.

Giorgios formed the Skotádi?

Lucian nods, then winces.

“Why is that still hurting you? Why are you not healing?”

I told you, it’s the Skotos. It’s still eating through my skin.

Despair fills me.So you are not healing?

I guess not.His rattling laugh is cut short by a coughing fit that has blood spraying from his lips. Droplets hit my cheeks, and I can only stare down at him.

He has been lying to me, allowing himself to bleed out in my arms. For what? Punishment? Mine or his?What if you take some of my blood?

No. You can’t. I can’t.He thrashes against my hold, giving me another glimpse of the rabid beast that seems to live within him.I won’t!

Why, Lucian? Why will you not let me try to save you?Perhaps he is trying to punish us both by dying in my arms.

His eyes are wild, glowing with delirium yet filled with an agony it guts me to witness.Because I killed them! I did what you think I did, and for that, I don’t deserve to live.Tears and snot and blood drip from his face.

Of all the things I now despise my brother for, allowing my son to suffer in this way for centuries is chief among them.But that was Giorgios, son. That was not you.

I will never forget their faces. Their terror when they realized what I was about to do. I knew what he was, and still I joined him. I followed him blindly…

I glare at the remains of my brother and wish I could raise him from the dead only to kill him again.You were a child, and he took advantage of you. I am sorry I was not a better father. Please let me be one now.

Lucian coughs, and a bubble of blood forms on his lips.

I will bite my wrist so you can feed.

Taking your blood would cause us to share a bond once more. I cannot bear it. Not after all the pain I caused. That is not something I can withstand. Please, just let me go.He grabs at my sleeve, his fingers struggling to find their grip as he tries to cling to me even whilst begging me to let him go. His next word breaks me.Dad!

I rest my forehead against his.I am here. I will not leave you, son. I promise.

Chapter

Fifty-Eight

OPHELIA

7 MINUTES UNTIL THE LIGHT GOES OUT

Iwipe my sweaty palms on my pants, streaking more blood and dirt over the black leather. My knees tremble with the effort of standing while the wound in my side continues to ooze blood. And the wraith’s last words, about how I have lived and will die as a nobody, seem to echo on the wind.

“I beg to differ.” The sound of his voice makes my already shaky knees tremble, and I have to stop myself from bursting into tears. “You move an inch closer to her and I will end you, Salem.”

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