30. Chapter 30

30

Chapter 30

Soren

O kay. This is it. The point of no return. I brace myself.

The security room looms ahead, its door slightly ajar. I pause, listening for any sign of life within. Silence. Perfect. I slide inside, my eyes adjusting instantly to the dim glow of computer screens.

My fingers move across the keyboard, easily bypassing security protocols. There's no reason I shouldn't; I have clearance at the highest level of this facility, after all. Yet I still can't help feeling anxious. It's the bond. I'm getting dangerously close to the boundaries of it. Files flash before me, a dizzying array of data on witches and their abilities. I filter through them, searching for any mention of Rowan Blackwood. It doesn't take long.

There. A dossier appears, accompanied by a collection of photographs. My breath catches as I take in her features – the family resemblance to Mia is unmistakable. I scan the information quickly, committing key details to memory. Her magical potential, her known associates, her last recorded location.

A noise in the hallway startles me. I freeze, every muscle tense as footsteps approach. Quickly, I close the files and erase any sign that I'd been through them.

Grayson enters, his brows pulling together at the sight of me. "I didn't expect to see you here, sir. The team is out for roll call."

Which is exactly why I'm here. Each day, there's a fifteen-minute gap between 5 and 5.15 pm – it would be the perfect time for Mia to get out undetected.

"I had some details to check," I tell him, which is true.

"I trust you found everything in order, sir?"

"I did." I push my seat away from the desk where the console is glowing. "Are the others on their way back?"

"Yes, sir." His eyes flick to the screen, and everything in me goes tense.

Get a grip, Daire. You have every right to be here.

"Good," I say briskly. "I'd like a team briefing when they're all back at their desks."

"That won't be possible, sir." Grayson looks uncomfortable. "Lord Marlowe has called for a gathering as soon as they return."

Shit.

"He wasn't scheduled for a visit today."

"It was spur of the moment, sir."

"Then we'll have our briefing once his meeting is over," I say without missing a beat.

I stand rigid as the others file in, followed by Lucien and Heath. My jaw clenches involuntarily at the sight of them.

Stay calm.

I force my features into a mask of indifference.

Lucien's eyes sweep the room, landing on me with a hint of suspicion. Or maybe it's simply my guilty conscience.

"Good evening, team," he begins, his voice smooth as silk. "We have a new arrival coming in, and we need to make preparations."

"Certainly, Lord Marlowe," I reply. "When should we expect our new…guest?"

"Within forty-eight hours," he says. "If all goes according to plan."

"It will, Lord Marlowe," Heath says from beside him. The pair seem to be joined at the hip, and it sets my teeth on edge. "We may even have her sooner. She's been making a lot of rash decisions." He grins.

My heart plummets. So soon? I'd hoped for more time. I keep my face impassive, even as my mind races.

"Soren," Lucien's gaze fixes on me, "I want security measures pushed to the absolute maximum. Immediately. We can't afford another…incident like last time."

I nod curtly. "Of course, Lord Marlowe. I'll see to it personally."

As Lucien outlines his demands, a familiar pressure builds within me. The bond, tightening like a noose. It's a warning, a reminder of my oath. Every fiber of my being screams to obey, to fall in line. But Mia's face flashes in my mind, her desperation when she spoke about her sister being taken. I grit my teeth against the discomfort.

"Any questions?" Lucien's voice cuts through my thoughts.

"No, sir," I manage, my voice surprisingly steady.

As the meeting disperses, I'm left with a sinking realization. The window for Mia's escape is rapidly closing, and now I'll be the one sealing off every possible exit. The irony isn't lost on me.

Heath lingers, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Better get to work, Daire. Wouldn't want any…loose ends."

I meet his gaze coolly. "Indeed."

As I leave the room, my mind whirls with possibilities, each more desperate than the last. Time is running out, and I'm trapped between duty and desire, the bond a constant painful reminder of the price of betrayal.

I slip away from the ops room, my mind reeling. I need a moment to think, to process everything that's just happened.

I find myself in a secluded corner of the facility, leaning against the cold concrete wall. My eyes close as I run through my options. How can I protect Mia and her sister when I'm the one tasked with tightening security?

Suddenly, voices drift from around the corner. Lucien and Heath. I freeze, straining to hear their conversation.

"Once we have Rowan, we won't need the other one anymore," Lucien says, his tone casual, as if discussing the weather.

"Mia?" Heath asks. "What do you want done with her?"

"I want her dead," Lucien replies coldly. "She's been more trouble than she's worth. Her little escapade cost me two good blood bags. Her blood may be powerful, but there's more where that came from. As soon as the sister arrives, she's done. I can't risk more of her trouble."

My chest tightens, and for a moment, I feel my fangs extend.

He wants her dead?

The thought of her being harmed, of her light being extinguished from this world, is unbearable.

In that instant, I realize the true depth of my feelings for her. It's not just attraction or a growing fondness. Somewhere along the line, without me even noticing, she's become essential to me.

The bond screams in protest as my resolve solidifies. I don't care about the consequences anymore. I don't care about the pain or punishment that awaits me. I will not let them hurt Mia. I will find a way to save her, to get her out of here, no matter the cost to myself.

My fists clench at my sides as I listen to Lucien and Heath continue their callous discussion. Every word fuels my determination. I've made my choice. There's no turning back now.

As they move out of earshot, I stride purposefully toward Grayson's office, my jaw clenched tight. I need to know exactly what security measures are being implemented, and I need to know now.

I find Grayson hunched over his desk, poring over a stack of documents. He looks up as I enter, his expression guarded.

"Sir," he greets me, straightening up.

"Grayson," I say, closing the door behind me. "I need to discuss the new security protocols."

"Of course. What would you like to know?"

I lean against his desk, fixing him with a steady gaze. "Everything. I want a full rundown of all the new measures being put in place."

Grayson hesitates, his fingers drumming nervously on the desk. "Well, we're increasing patrols, adding more cameras in the blind spots, and upgrading the magical suppression fields."

"And?" I press, sensing there's more he's not telling me.

He swallows hard, avoiding my eyes. "And…there are new orders regarding the witch, Mia Blackwood."

My stomach tightens, but I keep my voice level. "What orders? I never gave any."

Grayson's shoulders slump, and when he finally meets my gaze, there's a mix of resignation and guilt in his eyes. "Once the new inmate arrives, Mia Blackwood is to be drained and then executed."

I struggle to maintain my composure, even as rage and fear war within me.

"On whose authority?" I demand, though I already know the answer.

"Lord Marlowe's," Grayson confirms. "The order came directly from him."

I nod slowly, processing this information. It confirms what I overheard. And I know I can't wait any longer.

I leave Grayson's office, my mind racing. "Good work on the security measures," I tell him as I exit, maintaining the facade of the dutiful commander. But inside, I'm seething. Lucien's plans for Mia have accelerated everything. I need to get her out, and fast.

As I stride down the corridor, I begin to formulate a plan. The window of opportunity is narrow, but it's there. I just need to be smart about this.

First, I need allies. I can't do this alone, not without raising suspicion. My thoughts turn to Dr. Chen. She's shown compassion for the witches before, and she has access to areas of the facility that others don't. Plus, her medical expertise could be crucial if things go sideways.

Resources are trickier. I can't requisition anything unusual without drawing attention. But I do have access to the facility's vehicles. A nondescript van, perhaps? Something that won't raise eyebrows if it's seen leaving in the middle of the night.

I also need to consider the magical suppression fields. They're the biggest obstacle to Mia's escape. But if I can get a chance to "recalibrate" them under the guise of strengthening security, we might be able to create a brief window where Mia's powers aren't completely nullified.

It's risky. Every step of this plan could backfire spectacularly. But as I think of Mia, of the threat hanging over her head, I know I have no choice. I have to try.

But another obstacle is beginning to become more pressing. As I run over the details of Mia's escape plan, the pain begins. It starts as a dull ache in my chest, but it intensifies, spreading through my body like liquid fire. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.

But the bond won't be ignored. It claws at my insides, demanding obedience. I close my eyes, memories flooding back unbidden.

It was 1743. I had defied Maxwell's direct order to eliminate a rival vampire clan. My refusal had seemed noble at the time – I saw no honor in slaughtering potential allies. But the consequences…

I shudder, recalling the agony that followed. For days, I writhed in torment, my body rebelling against me. Maxwell's disappointment cut deeper than any physical pain. "You must learn, Soren," he had said, his voice cold. "Disobedience has a price."

Now, centuries later, I'm willingly stepping into that fire again. For Mia.

The thought of her steadies me, even as another wave of pain washes over me. What am I doing? Everything I've believed, everything I've been for centuries, I'm throwing away. For a witch. For an enemy.

But is she really the enemy? The line I once thought so clear has blurred beyond recognition. Mia's strength, her compassion, her unwavering spirit in the face of captivity – they've awakened something in me.

I press my palms against my eyes, conflicted. Am I betraying my kind? Or am I finally, after all these years, doing what's right?

With each detail that I cement in place in my mind, the bond screams in protest. But beneath the pain, there's a certainty I can't ignore. Mia has changed me…permanently. And I'm willing to suffer for her.

As the evening progresses, I go about my regular duties, as well as the new ones. The influx of new security personnel is impossible to miss – Lucien's personal team, their movements crisp and coordinated. And then there are the witches, Heath's collaborators. Their presence sets my teeth on edge.

As I double-check the reinforced locks on the containment cells, I strain my enhanced hearing to catch snippets of conversation. Every piece of information could be crucial.

"…new arrival expected within 48 hours," one of Lucien's men mutters.

"Heath says she's powerful," another replies. "More than the one we've got now."

I clench my jaw, knowing they're talking about Rowan. About Mia's sister.

I make my way to the control room, nodding curtly to the new faces. As I review the security footage, my mind races, weighing the risks of what I'm planning against the consequences of doing nothing.

If I help Mia escape, I'll be defying not just Lucien but Maxwell himself. The pain of breaking the blood bond will be excruciating, potentially incapacitating. And that's assuming I survive the wrath of my fellow vampires.

But if I do nothing… I see Mia's face in my mind, her green eyes dulling as Lucien carries out his cold sentence. I imagine Rowan brought in, subjected to the same cruel treatment.

No. Not going to happen.

I realize, with a jolt of clarity, that I've already made my decision. The risks don't matter. I can't let Mia die. I can't let her sister suffer the same fate. I have to act.

I stand in the shadows of the facility's parking garage, my enhanced vision piercing the darkness. The pain in my chest is a constant, burning reminder of my betrayal, but I push it aside.

I approach a nondescript van, running my hand along its cool metal surface. This will be our escape vehicle. I've already disabled the GPS tracker and ensured that it has a full tank of gas. It's not much, but it's a start.

As I turn to head back inside, a flash of movement catches my eye. One of Lucien's new guards, patrolling an area that should be empty at this hour. I freeze, watching as he taps a code into a hidden panel on the wall. A section of concrete slides away, revealing a state-of-the-art security hub I had no knowledge of.

My stomach drops. This adds a new layer of complication. The guard disappears inside, and I'm left staring at the blank wall, my mind racing. How many other secret measures has Lucien implemented without my knowledge?

Fuck. This is going to be impossible.

I scrub a hand over my face, fighting off a sense of hopelessness. But then I think of Mia, of the strength she's shown in the face of captivity. If she can endure months of this hell, I can find a way around one more obstacle.

With renewed determination, I make my way back to my quarters. It's time to tell Mia everything. As I reach for the door handle, I pause, bracing myself for the conversation that will change both our lives forever.