Page 29 of This Blood That Breaks Us
“Really?”
“Yeah, especially after Akira’s stunt. I don’t know how he does it.”
From what I could tell, it was sheer force of will. And Luke had the strongest will of anyone I’d ever met.
“How does it affect you?” he asked.
“I feel the same, mostly. Is it different for different people?”
“Yes. Her blood is a divine gift given to us so She knows our weaknesses and strengths, and it allows us to form a stronger bond. She helps us overcome.”
I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.
“The bond has got to be eating you a bit. It used to be like that for us.”
“With the queen?”
“No, your brother. The bond that only comes from sharing Her blood together.”
“Yeah, it hurts. Like all the fucking time.”
“Akira talked about it sometimes. He felt your connection.”
“So you’re part of that connection, then?”
“Not anymore. Ezra and I are connected to Her still in a different way than you and your brother. It’s all about the blood. The more of Her blood you drink, the closer you feel. There are all levels to it. But that’s not the only factor of The Guard. Your connection with Luke automatically makes your blood connection stronger with the bond.”
“You felt that too, then? Before you became a trio.”
Sirius grew quiet. “Yes. Eros was my brother. Back when all four of us were connected by Her. I can’t explain to you the . . . euphoria. The power. There was nothing we couldn’t do together. But when The Legion attacked, it was never the same. The connection between us was broken no matter how hard we tried. We couldn’t mend it. It tore us apart until Ezra and I were able to shut ourselves off from the bond completely. Akira was disappointed. He liked the bond. Craved it. Having you two to feel and agonize over your pain was a treat for him.”
“Bastard,” I said, feeling that familiar ache of watching him die.
Sirius showed me his phone with a message from Ezra. He was with Luke on the other end of the castle. He’d even sent a blurry photo of my brother and Connell. Probably giving that tour he’d offered us. I was happy I didn’t get sucked in.
I sighed, bringing myself back to my feet. “Alright. Hit me.”
I think I was in that room for a full twenty-four hours. It was blissful in a way. This place didn’t feel real but also felt like my true reality. The one I’d been waiting for to finally find me.
“Good work.” Sirius followed me as I opened the door. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
When I opened the door, Will was waiting in that stupid white outfit from where I’d left him when we entered. Teasing him about that would be fun.
“Holy shit. You’ve been out here the whole time?” I asked.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Will, and Will’s features soured.
He rolled his eyes and bowed. “Of course, oh Glorious Chosen One. I’ve been assigned to you which means where you go, I go.”
I couldn’t hide my shit-eating grin. “Fuck. This is entertaining.”
“Come. We don’t have all morning.”
Sirius led us down a corridor, and Will mouthed obscenities at me. He led us through the garden. The sun had passed the horizon and illuminated the sparkling snow that covered the rose bushes in the garden. We passed a large set of tall hedges that Sirius mentioned was a labyrinth. What they needed that for, I didn’t know or care to ask. The air was cold, and there were bits of snow left on the ground. In the distance, was a two-story building of what looked to be an old church.
Sirius stopped us at the door when we arrived and glared at Will. “Stay.”
“Oh fuck, please don’t leave me out here for the day again.”
