Page 87 of Blood Match

As Seraphina speaks, I can’t help but be acutely aware of Darick’s presence across the table. I don’t look at him directly, but I can feel the weight of his gaze. It’s like a physical touch, a touch that I know all too well. I clasp my hands on the table in front of me, wishing it didn’t feel as if my nipples were tightening.

“Rowan…” It’s him again.

“Out!” I focus on that padlocked door, the one that’s barring him from my thoughts. Surprisingly, it’s still working.

“We’ve been tolerating this situation for too long,” Seraphina continues. “Defending ourselves by keeping ourselves hidden. It’s affected every aspect of our lives. It needs to stop.” She looks around the table at the others. “The vampires need to understand that we will no longer accept these abductions. We are prepared to take more…proactive measures if necessary.”

There’s no hiding the threat in her words. Further down the table, I notice a male and female vampire exchange glances, her brow furrowing. Does she think we’re being too outspoken? Too bad. I feel the same outrage that I can hear in our High Priestess’s voice.

Throughout this exchange, I notice Lucien’s dark eyes flicking between Darick and me, a curious expression on his face. It makes me uneasy, and I wonder if he can sense something between us. I straighten in my chair, trying to appear confident and unaffected.

It’s not easy because I can feel a constant tugging at my consciousness. Darick’s trying to draw my attention. And I won’t allow it. I almost smile at the irony. The magic that I’ve gained from our “arrangement” is the very thing that’s keeping him out.

I take a deep breath, reminding myself why I’m here. Gran brought me to observe, to pick up on any peculiarities that the others might miss. I force myself to focus, pushing thoughts of Darick to the back of my mind.

As I scan the room, I notice varying degrees of curiosity and animosity from the vampires. Some seem genuinely interested in what Seraphina has to say, while others barely conceal their disdain. But it’s Lucien who keeps drawing my attention.

I’m not a mind reader, at least not in the traditional sense. But ever since my connection with Darick began, I’ve become more attuned to the subtle ways people communicate. I use that skill now. Vampires are masters of masking their emotions and intentions, rarely being direct. Yet there’s something about Lucien that sets my nerves on edge.

His dark eyes flit between the speakers, but there’s a calculating gleam in them that makes me uneasy. When Seraphina mentions the abductions, I notice a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. It’s barely perceptible, but it’s there. And when the discussion turns to potential consequences, his posture shifts ever so slightly, as if he’s suppressing a reaction.

I can’t shake the feeling that Lucien’s up to something. The way he occasionally glances at Darick, then at me, makes me wonder if he suspects our connection. I make a mental note to mention this to Gran later. Whatever he’s planning, I have a feeling it’s not going to be good for any of us.

28

Chapter 28

Darick

Ican’t believe my eyes.

What the fuck is she doing here??

Rowan’s here…at the vampire-witch meeting. What the hell is she thinking? My blood boils as I watch her sitting next to her grandmother.

Goddammit!

This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Lucien’s sharp gaze sweeps the room, and I tense. If he notices any connection between us, it’s all over. I can’t have that. This new surge of strength I’ve felt since we’ve been together is addictive; I’m not prepared to give it up. I have to distance myself, fast.

The debate about the witch abductions continues, voices rising in heated discussion.

“We cannot ignore the pattern of disappearances,” Lysandra, one of the witch elders, says firmly. “Our young are vanishing without a trace.”

Thaddeus, another witch I’ve never seen before, nods gravely. “We demand answers and assurances of our people’s safety.”

I barely hear their words, my focus entirely on Rowan. She’s watching the proceedings with wide eyes, drinking it all in. It’s too much. I can’t let this continue.

“Excuse me,” I interrupt, my voice cutting through the chatter. All eyes turn to me. “I’d like to know why we have an outsider in this meeting.” I fix Rowan with a cold stare. “This girl is clearly not an elder. Why has she been allowed to attend?”

Rowan’s face flushes with anger and hurt. Good. Let her be upset. It’s safer that way. If she won’t let me into her head to tell her what a dangerous game she’s playing, I’ll have to find another way to manage things.

“I was invited,” she snaps back. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“It absolutely is my business,” I snarl. “This is a delicate negotiation, not a field trip for curious little girls.”

“How dare you—?” Rowan starts, but her grandmother places a restraining hand on her arm.