Page 3 of Bound in Blood

“Our connection with him was severed,” I manage to say, not willing to admit our worst fears quite yet. “We all felt it.”

Enora’s hand flies to her mouth. Her flushed cheeks pale instantly, and she lets out a soft cry. In the face of her sadness, I feel like I may crumple to the ground. I need her to tell me this will be okay. I need her to tell me there is a chance he’s still alive—that, while it is rare, bonds can be severed in other ways. I need it more than I need my next breath.

“That doesn’t mean he’s dead though, does it?” I plead with her. “It could simply be his connection was severed. Just like…” I clamp my lips together. Nobody else knows Lucian is still alive. But if he’s responsible for what happened to Alexandros, and if he’s still out there somewhere, then surely the time for keeping him a secret is long gone.

Not seeming to pick up on my unfinished sentence, she turns her attention to Axl, Malachi, and Xavier. “Did you all feel his… passing?” She whispers the last word as though it will somehow make it less powerful. Less devastating. It doesn’t work.

They glance at me, their expressions etched with guilt and agony, and nod.

“Then it must be true.” Enora draws a shaky breath. “A sired vampire experiences the death of?—”

“We don’t know that!” If we don’t say it aloud, then it need never be true. “Don’t you dare say that he is!”

Malachi and Xavier take my hands while Axl moves to stand behind me.

“I understand you want that to be true, Ophelia. Believe me, so do I. But if you all felt the bond sever, then it can mean only one thing.”

Anger swirls inside my chest, and I have to focus on my light to stop my rage from tearing through the room. Control comes surprisingly easy. “No. There have been instances of bonds being severed so effectively that the other vampire was believed to be dead when they weren’t.”

Enora’s eyes narrow, and she takes a few steps forward. “I am unaware of any such instances.”

I harden my gaze as though daring her to challenge me. Daring her to provoke me so I have an excuse to erupt and do something with this is swirling vortex of emotion inside me. “Well, I am.”

Are we going to tell her about Lucian?Malachi asks through our bond.

Doesn’t seem much point in keeping it a secret now. Alexandros went to find him, and now he’s…Like the rest of us, Axl refuses to voice our greatest fear.

Malachi squeezes my hand in his.I agree.

I take a deep breath and focus on my light once more, allowing it to send a wave of calming energy over me, and with another breath, I send the same wave over the boys too. Their anger is still palpable, their grief still heavy and thick in the air, but they are notably less agitated.

What did you do, Cupcake?Xavier asks.

I don’t reply because I don’t fully understand. I don’t recall ever being able to do that before, and I figure it was a rhetorical question anyhow. Besides, I need to tell Enora aboutLucian before I change my mind. There must have been a reason Alexandros didn’t want anyone to know about him, and disclosing his existence feels like a betrayal of trust, no matter how necessary it might be.

“Lucian is alive.” I’m surprised at how calm and steady my voice sounds given the gamut of emotions coursing through me.

Her eyes flicker with recognition, but still, she says, “Lucian?”

“Lucian Drakos.”

Her brow pinches, and she takes another step closer. “No. You are mistaken, Ophelia. He died a long time ago. Shortly after his mother and sisters. Despite what he did, Alexandros mourned his death.”

“I know that, but it’s true. Alexandros did indeed believe him dead until recently, but he’s alive, Enora. That’s where Alexandros is—where he went last night. To find Lucian.”

“That is impossible.” Her eyes dart between the four of us, wild and accusatory. “Lucian Drakos is dead.”

“I’m afraid you’re very much mistaken, Enora.”

For a wonderful millisecond, I think the deep voice belongs to Alexandros, but Enora’s eyes dart to the now-open door. “Giorgios! How did you…?”

Cadence rushes in, apologizing for not being able to stop him.

“You invited me into this house decades ago, and my invitation was obviously never rescinded.” He clears his throat. “I am aware I should have knocked and announced my arrival, but now is not the time for etiquette.” His eyes fix on me, and he holds out a hand. “We must leave.”

“Where is Alexandros?” I demand as Axl, Xavier, and Malachi draw closer to me like my own protective shield.

“Neither is it the time for explanation. You are in great danger, Ophelia. We must leave. Now,” he barks, but he lacks the commanding tone of his younger brother.

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