24. Chapter 24

24

Chapter 24

Soren

" E xactly how long is this thing going to go on, Maxwell?" I voice the question that's been plaguing me with more and more frequency lately. I'm not used to being so blunt with my maker, but this latest development has pushed me over the edge.

"Until I say that it's over." Maxwell doesn't show a hint of remorse; simply swirls the contents of his wineglass and settles deeper into the armchair in his study. "But for now, assume that it is an indefinite assignment."

I huff out an exasperated breath. "You've got to be kidding me."

Maxwell raises an eyebrow. He doesn't need to say the words, but we both know that he's not the type to kid about anything.

"Well, if you're not going to tell me when it will end, at least tell me why I'm doing this, dammit. I've been stuck in that place for the better part of a year."

"We've gone over this before, Soren. I've told you all that I can tell you."

I clench my jaw, frustration building. "Maxwell, I've given up everything for this assignment. My home, my business interests, any semblance of a normal life. I've been loyal to you for centuries. Don't I deserve some explanation?"

Maxwell's silver eyes glitter before his expression hardens again. "Your loyalty has always been appreciated, Soren. But this situation is…complex."

"Complex?" I scoff. "I'm holding witches captive, draining their blood. We're violating every treaty we've established with their kind over the past century. And for what?"

"For the greater good of our people," Maxwell says, his voice low and intense. "There are forces at work here that you don't yet understand."

For fuck's sake! There's that line again.

I take in a slow, steadying breath. My patience is wearing thin, and I don't want it to peel out as an angry outburst. "Then help me understand. What could possibly justify this?" I'm amazed at how calm I sound.

Maxwell sighs, sagging back into his overstuffed chair. "There's a purpose to all of this, Soren. A purpose that goes beyond simple blood harvesting or power plays."

"What purpose?" I press.

"I can't reveal everything yet," Maxwell says, frustratingly vague. "But know that what we're doing…it could change the future of vampire-kind forever."

I shake my head, unconvinced. "That's not good enough, Maxwell. Not anymore. Besides, are you really expecting me to stay in that place for the rest of my days?"

"Of course not," he snaps. "Those witches will be long gone before you've even lived through a fraction of your lifespan. They're mortal, remember. Little more than brief interludes in the greater scheme of things." He's silent for a moment before going on, "Which is why it is never a good idea to get too…attached to one of them."

I narrow my eyes on him. "What's that supposed to mean?" As I say the words, I remember how Mia's lips tasted, the feeling of her body pressed against mine, and I'm certain it must be written all over my face.

"Take it however you wish." He crosses one leg over the other and observes me over steepled fingers. I shift in my seat. This is moving into dangerous territory. "I care for you, Soren," he says. "You were among my first children, and if I am to be honest, you have always been my favored son."

"Then why the hell are you doing this, dammit?" My previous facade of calm is beginning to evaporate. "You know that it goes against my moral code. You know my history with…" I trail off, not wanting to go down that particular rabbit hole.

"Yes, I do. And that's why I chose you. Because you, of all people, would know how to handle this the right way."

"And what would the ‘right way' be, Maxwell?" I scowl.

"Not Marlowe's way, that's for sure," he mutters.

"The fact that he's involved makes this whole thing even worse." I rub my eyes with one hand. "How the hell did you get in league with that snake, Maxwell? I always thought you were better than that."

I half-expect my maker to shut me down again, but he doesn't.

"Son, there are times when a man must do what is necessary for his family, even if it is…distasteful. Lucien provides a means to an end that will derail a prophecy and ultimately save countless lives."

"Prophecy? What prophecy?"

"One that will never impact you if things go the way they should. I just need you to trust that I'm doing the right thing."

"And if I can't accept that?" I'm not giving up so easily.

"Then the maker's bond will convince you to be compliant." Maxwell sets his jaw. "I'm sorry, Soren. It's the way it has to be."

"By treating these people like animals."

Maxwell shrugs. "Don't forget that they are inferior to us. In the natural order of things, they are our prey. Marlowe has simply turned it into a production line."

I feel my lip curl in disgust. "You haven't seen what they do in there."

"I am certain that you are making sure that any suffering has been kept to a minimum, Soren. As I said before, that is one of the reasons I chose you for this."

"Well, I think we should put a time limit on it," I say firmly. "I've done as you asked. But things are getting out of hand. Yesterday, Lucien ordered me to execute two innocent women."

Maxwell's eyebrows shoot up. "And did you?"

"What do you think, Maxwell? You were the one who—"

Maxwell's phone rings, and he holds up a hand, stopping me mid-sentence. "Shit," he mutters, looking at the screen. "I have to take this."

I drum my fingers on the arm of my chair, frustrated that this conversation is going nowhere.

"Yes?" Maxwell says into the phone. His expression darkens as the person on the other end begins to speak. My heightened hearing allows me to pick up the occasional word. It's Lucien…and I don't like what I'm hearing.

"Of course," Maxwell says, nodding. "You can count on him." He glances at me. "I'll let him know."

"What now?" I ask as he ends the call.

Maxwell's lips turn down at the corners. "You are to prepare for another…VIP guest."

My eyes fly wide. "You mean they're abducting another witch?"

He dips his head in confirmation. "Lucien believes that in light of the Blackwood woman's recent escape attempt, he should hedge his bets and bring in another option."

"Jesus, Maxwell," I snap. "When does this fucking end? I already have a witch locked in my quarters because she gathered enough power to escape in spite of all the high-level tech we had in place. Does he think bringing in another one like her won't end in a magical tsunami?"

"He thinks you'll do your job and make sure it doesn't happen again." Maxwell's silvery eyes lock onto me. "That witch got away on your watch, Soren. You let your guard down."

"I had everything in place, for God's sake! What happened was completely unpredictable."

"It happened because you decided they needed time outdoors. Time in which they were able to connect. You were a fool not to expect that." Maxwell pauses. "Or maybe not such a fool. Maybe that's exactly what you were hoping for."

"That's bullshit, Maxwell. You know I would never defy you like that."

"Wouldn't you? Because the way I see it, you might be unable to fight the maker bond, but you sure as hell can work around it. By facilitating their escape plans, you effectively disobeyed your orders without actively opposing my command."

He has a point. Although it didn't happen that way.

When I don't respond, Maxwell goes on, "Get your house in order, son. Prepare for the new arrival and keep an eye on the Blackwood woman. Make sure it doesn't happen again."

I heave a heavy breath, knowing that there's no point in arguing. "Understood," I say simply.

Maxwell sets his empty glass down and rises from his seat. "I think we've said enough on this. I have other matters to attend to." He starts walking toward the door. "You'll see yourself out?" he says over his shoulder.

"Of course." I nod. But I linger a while after he leaves his study.

My loyalty presses down on me, warring with the growing unease in my gut. Maxwell's words echo in my head: "For the greater good of our people." But at what cost?

I've always prided myself on my moral code, on being better than the base instincts that drive so many of our kind. Now, I find myself involved in acts that sicken me. The faces of those terrified women flash through my mind.

And Mia… God, Mia. Her strength, her courage, her unexpected vulnerability – they've all wormed their way under my skin. I want to help.

But the maker's bond tugs at me, a constant reminder of my blood oath to Maxwell. For the first time in centuries, I find myself questioning whether that bond is enough to justify what we're doing.

If I defy Maxwell, the consequences would be severe. The pain of resisting a direct order is excruciating, and he could make my existence a living hell. Not to mention the political fallout – a vampire defying his maker…even if they knew of my reasons, I'd be cast out, labeled a traitor to my kind.

But if I don't act, if I continue to be a pawn in this game…

Fuck. How do I live with myself?

I stop my pacing, my decision crystallizing. I need answers, and I'm not going to get them by playing by the rules. It's time to do some digging of my own, to uncover what Maxwell and Lucien are really up to.

To protect Mia and get to the bottom of this, I'll have to be careful. I'll need to maintain the facade of the loyal soldier while secretly working against them. It's a dangerous game, but one I have to play.

And I'm ready to play it.