Page 61 of Tainted Souls
I sink onto the cushions, suddenly aware of how exhausted I am.
“Sire bond,” I say, my eyes closing involuntarily. “Turns out they’re real.”
“No way,” Evan breathes. “That’s just old vampire folklore.”
“Tell that to the hole in my stomach,” I mutter, accepting the glass of water Haden hands me.
I give them an abbreviated version of what happened.
“So, now you’re working with Redmoore again?” asks Haden, his tone carefully neutral. He knows how I feel about the organization that failed to protect my father.
“Temporarily,” I clarify. “Just until we figure out what Cain wants with me.”
Evan leans forward, brow furrowed. “What about Max? Will he be bound to her forever?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. “We have never documented a sire bond before. There’s no protocol for breaking one.”
The room falls silent as we each contemplate the implications. Sire bonds are real, and if what I witnessed today is anything to go by, it changes everything we thought we knew about vampire-human dynamics.
The potential for manipulation, enforcing obedience, and creating armies of controlled vampires is terrifying.
“Why are you two still here anyway?” I ask, changing the subject. “It’s nearly dawn.”
“We were at Hot Shot with the group earlier,” Haden says, reaching for the last plasma berry. “They finally released Kyla.”
“Turns out she’s innocent of the murder,” says Evan with a subtle undertone of condescension.
It’s evident from the way his eyes brighten that he’s all too eager to tell me he was right about them being able to control themselves.
I digress and let him have his moment.
“Though she’s still on probation for bloodsucking.” Haden shrugs. “Three months of community service and mandatory counseling.”
“That’s great news,” I say, genuinely happy for Kyla. It seems she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We wanted you to join us,” Haden continues, prodding me in that way he does when he wants me to hydrate, “so we came back here after, but you weren’t home.”
I drain my glass, promising them I’ll be there next time, the tension in my shoulders belying the calm in my voice.
Evan gives my back a light pat. “Go rest, busy bee.”
I don’t need to be told that a second time. My wound may be healing, but severe blood loss and exhaustion have taken their toll. They both get up from the couch to make space for me as I lie down. Without needing to ask, my body is gently covered with a blanket. The familiar comfort of it all is a relief after the chaos of the past few days. Within seconds, I’m drifting off.
Sleep claims me, but it’s fitful and filled with dreams of Max’s vacant eyes, Lexa’s knowing smile, and Revenant’s masked face watching from the shadows.
I wake to sunlight streaming through my curtains and the waft of bloda. My wound seems to have healed considerably overnight, leaving only a tender spot where the dagger entered.
I drag myself off the couch and follow the breakfast scent into the kitchen. Evan is asleep at the table, his head resting on his folded arms. Haden stands at the counter, pouring bloda into three cups with ice.
“Morning,” he says, sliding a cup toward me. “How’s the wound?”
“Better.” I take a grateful sip. “Thanks for staying.”
He nods, glancing at Evan. “He crashed out not long after you did.”
Evan stirs, blinking owlishly as he lifts his head. “You’re up.”
“You two should go home and get some real sleep,” I say, grabbing an energy bar from the cabinet.
