29. Chapter 29

29

Chapter 29

Mia

I can't believe I just threw myself at the man, and he turned me down.

What were you thinking, Mia?

I was desperate. That's all it was.

But if I'm honest with myself, it was more than that. I think back to yesterday when I was plastered against him, burning with need. I've never responded to a man the way I wanted him. Even though it's all wrong. I should despise him. I did despise him…until just minutes ago.

He didn't kill them.

I still can't believe that Sabine and Jemma are alive. I'd been so certain he'd done as Lucien instructed.

Maybe he did. Maybe he's lying.

Maybe this is all an elaborate trap.

But to what end? Why play games like that with me?

Then again, if he's working with Heath, cruel games might be right up his alley. Somehow, I doubt it, though. It's clear he hates the guy. So do I now. We grew up together; I'm pretty sure Rowan had a crush on him…so did most of the other girls we grew up with.

It occurs to me that I've been sitting here, staring at him for too long.

I clear my throat, breaking the awkward silence that's fallen between us. "Why?" I ask. "Why are you willing to help now, when you've done everything they've asked for so long?"

Soren's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something before his expression smooths over. He takes a deep breath as if steeling himself for what he's about to say.

"It's…complicated," he begins. "I'm bound by my maker's bond. I have to do what I'm told."

I frown, not fully understanding. "What does that mean?"

He hesitates, and I can see him choosing his words carefully. "When a vampire turns someone, it creates a bond. The maker can compel their progeny to obey. Disobedience…it has consequences."

The way he says "consequences" lifts the tiny hairs on my skin. There's clearly more to it than he's letting on, but I don't press. The haunted look in his eyes tells me enough.

"So, you've been forced to do all this?" I ask, trying to wrap my head around it.

Soren nods slowly. "In a way, yes. But it's more complex than that. There are…politics involved. Alliances. Things I can't fully explain…largely because I don't know much myself."

I get the distinct impression that he's only scratching the surface of a much deeper, more intricate situation. Part of me wants to demand more answers, but another part recognizes the danger in knowing too much.

"And now?" I press. "What's changed?"

"It's just too much, Mia." His eyes lock with mine. "What they're asking of me… The kidnappings, the deaths. It's getting out of hand."

"So…so you can just ignore the bond when it suits you?"

He gives a laugh. There's no mirth in it. "Hardly," he says. "But that's not important now."

Somehow, I sense that it is. I get the feeling that it's all-important, this thing that has forced a man to go against his principles to obey his maker. But I don't ask for more of an explanation. I know he's not likely to say more. And there are other things to worry about now.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my turbulent thoughts. "How are you going to help?" I ask. "What can we possibly do?"

Soren's eyes meet mine, a determined glint in them. "I'll start by trying to find out when they're planning to bring Rowan in. It will give us an idea of how much time we have."

I nod, a small spark of hope igniting in my chest. "Okay. That's…that's a start. But how? Won't they be suspicious if you start asking questions?"

"It's the kind of information I'd need to do my job, so requesting more details would be expected. And I can access certain areas without raising too many eyebrows."

As he speaks, I can't help but notice the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes dart to the door every few seconds. It's a constant reminder of the danger we're in, of how precarious this whole situation is.

"What about the security systems?" I ask, remembering the countless cameras and guards I've seen during my time here. "And the other vampires? Lucien? Heath?" Each name sends a chill over my skin.

Soren's jaw tightens. "Those will be…challenges. We'll need to be careful, plan every move. One wrong step and…" He doesn't finish the sentence, but he doesn't need to. We both know what's at stake.

We spend the next hour going over what we know, what we need to find out. With each passing minute, the enormity of what we're attempting weighs heavier on me. It's not just about getting out anymore; it's about outsmarting an entire system designed to keep us trapped.

You did it before, Mia.

And now, I have Soren on my side.

Unless he betrays me.

I shut up that nagging little voice and focus on staying positive. It's all I have right now.

As we talk, Soren moves closer, his voice dropping lower. The proximity sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with fear. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, everything else fades away. The tension between us crackles, electric and undeniable.

"Mia," he says softly, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "You need to know that what we're about to do is dangerous. But I'm going to do everything I can to get you through this."

The intensity in his gaze, the sincerity in his voice, it's almost too much. I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. Without thinking, I lean into his touch, my heart thundering.

"I want to believe you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I need to believe you."

"And you can. Trust me, Mia."

I lock eyes with him, and suddenly, it's like looking into the depths of the ocean. I half wonder if this is some kind of vampire mind trick. If it is, it's working because I find myself saying, "I do. I trust you, Soren."

Suddenly, my lips are on his, and the world falls away. The kiss is tender, sweet, and filled with an emotion I can't quite name. It's not the desperate, passionate kiss from before. This is something else entirely. Something that leaves me trembling and breathless when we finally part.

I look up at Soren, my heart racing. His eyes are wide, as if he's just as shocked by what happened as I am. For a moment, we just stare at each other, the air between us charged with unspoken feelings.

"Mia," Soren says softly, his voice rough with emotion. "You don't…you don't need to do this. I told you I'll help you no matter what. You don't have to give yourself to me."

I shake my head, feeling a surge of…something. Anger? Frustration? Or maybe just a desperate need for him to understand.

"That's not why I kissed you," I tell him, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. And as I say it, I realize it's true. So achingly, painfully true. "I wanted to. I… I want…"

I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Because what I want, what I'm starting to realize I desperately want, is something I can never have. Soren and I, we come from two different worlds. Worlds that have been at odds for centuries. Worlds that are actively trying to destroy each other.

The reality of our situation crashes over me like a cold wave, dousing the warmth of the moment. I pull back, wrapping my arms around myself as if I could physically hold myself together.

"This can't happen," I whisper, more to myself than to Soren. "We can't…"

"I know." He cups my cheek with his palm. "I understand because—"

His words are cut off by the buzzing of his phone. He reaches for it and scowls at the screen. "They need me in the ops room."

I nod, although my throat feels tight. This is dangerous. For him as much as for me. Maybe him more so because my blood is valuable to them. Heath may have taunted me about being disposable, but I know Lucien would hesitate before killing me.

I don't think he'd go easy on Soren.

I watch as he stands, smooths a wave of thick dark hair from his forehead, and looks at me.

"We're going to fix this," he says before he turns and heads to the door without a backward glance. I hear him lock it behind him. Somehow, this apartment doesn't feel like a prison any longer. It feels like the only safe harbor in this godforsaken place – and it's largely because of him. The vampire who's about to risk his life for me.

I only hope it doesn't come to that.