Bound in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 3)
Bound in Blood: Chapter 41

Anikêtos lands on the football field, one of the few places he can do so entirely undetected. While he remains cloaked from the view of others, his vast size makes it difficult for him to be anywhere where there are people.

Elpis circles overhead.

The campus is eerily quiet for a Friday evening.

“Where will you wait for us, old friend?” Alexandros asks.

Elpis and I will take shelter on the other side of the mountain, far from Giorgios’s army but where we can keep a close eye on them.

Alexandros thanks him, and Anikêtos spreads his huge wings and joins Elpis. The rush of wind almost blows me over, and Xavier wraps his arms around my waist. “Got you, Cupcake.”

“Be careful to mask your thoughts and emotions as much as possible at all times,” Alexandros warns. “Do not search for Malachi yet, for it may open you up to Giorgios’s detection. He will be anticipating our arrival, and I would prefer for him to remain unaware of our presence for as long as possible.”

Although it hurts not to search for Malachi and to close my mind off so he can’t replace us if he’s looking, I know he’s right. So I do as he asks, bringing down all the walls I’ve learned to build.

Axl looks around. It has not taken him long to resume his role as Ruby Dragon Commander. Strategic and alert. “Where are we headed? We can’t go to either Ruby Dragon house, so where’s our base?”

Xavier frowns. “But that’s where he’ll have Kai, right? Shouldn’t we go straight there and get him?”

“My brother took him for a reason, and whatever that reason is, it buys us a little time. We cannot go there immediately when we do not know what we are walking into.” Alexandros cups Xavier’s face in his hands and presses their foreheads together. “I want him back just as much as you do. I assure you.”

Xavier mumbles his understanding.

“We will head for Silver Vale as it is protected from unwelcome vampires. I will inform Enora of our imminent arrival and have Osiris join us there.”

My heart gives a tiny flutter of hope. I’ll get to see Cadence and hopefully Sienna. Enora too. All of us together will figure out how to get Malachi back.

He must still be alive. I would know if he weren’t. We would have all felt the same heart-wrenching agony as when our bond with Alexandros was severed. That is what I’m clinging to, along with Axl’s and Xavier’s hands, as we race toward Silver Vale.

Cadence is waiting for us on the steps of Silver Vale when we arrive. Hurriedly, she ushers us inside, and as soon as the door is closed, she throws her arms around me, wrapping me in the biggest, warmest hug she’s ever given me.

“I’m so sorry about Malachi. And Giorgios and everything.” She squeezes me tighter. “But I’m so glad you’re back.”

“Me too, girl.” Sienna hugs me from behind, sandwiching me between their warmth and comfort.

Being enveloped in their compassion has tears dripping down my face. “Thank you so much for being here for me.”

Cadence presses her cheek against mine. “We’ve always got your back, Ophelia.”

Sienna presses her cheek on my other side. “Ride or die, bitches.”

This right here is true magic. True friendship.

“It is good to see you all,” Enora says as she strides in our direction. “I only wish it were under much happier circumstances.” She gestures toward her study. “Osiris is here too. But I have sent all my other girls home for the weekend to be with their families. It felt like it was for the best.”

Alexandros scans the hallway, as though looking for a potential threat. After everything that’s happened, it’s no surprise he’s suspicious of everything and everyone.

“Don’t you want to go home to be with your families too?” I ask Cadence and Sienna.

Cadence shakes her head. “No way. I told you we got your back, and we do. Always.”

“My family is here anyway,” Sienna says, shrugging.

My heart is bursting with love and gratitude for both of them, but I can’t help feeling guilty. “It could be dangerous. I would hate for anything to happen to you because of me.”

“Ophelia Hart,” Alexandros’s growl sends a shiver down my spine. “How many times must I tell you that nothing that has happened and nothing that will happen is your fault?”

I can feel my lip lower lip tremble. Logically, I know it’s true, but still …

Enora offers me a kind smile. “He speaks the truth, Ophelia. And while your compassion is endearing, the guilt will hold you back. We are all capable of making our own choices, sweet child. Now, let us go. I have made tea.”

Xavier rolls his eyes. Oh yeah, because tea is exactly what we need, right? He winks at me before he follows Enora and Alexandros down the hallway.

Osiris is indeed pouring tea when we reach Enora’s study, and he offers us all a cup. All of my mates refuse, but I accept. I replace holding the hot mug in my hands oddly comforting. Once the pleasantries are dispensed with, Osiris brings us all up to date. Alexandros, Axl, and Xavier stand near the entrance of the room, arms folded and bodies rigid as they listen to Osiris explain all they have learned since Giorgios’s arrival.

He apparently remains the self-imposed head of the Ruby Dragon society; however, many of the vampires have already left at his invitation. “From what I can tell, they refused to denounce you and swear allegiance to him.”

Alexandros merely nods. “Go on.”

“Jerome is still useless. He has not challenged Giorgios in any way thus far.”

I listen intently, with Cadence and Sienna standing either side of me. Giorgios seems to have spent his entire time on campus waging a smear campaign against Alexandros, trying to draw as many as possible to his cause. It’s a testament to how respected he is here that so few flocked to his brother’s side. But where is Giorgios keeping Malachi, and what the hell does he want with him? A shiver runs down my spine when I recall the wraith’s presence and how he filled our heads with darkness and despair.

“And the heads of all the other houses?” Alexandros’s voice snaps me from my depressing thoughts, reminding me we need to act, not dwell on what’s already been done. That is how we get Kai back.

“The heads of the Crescent houses have been advised that you are not a traitor. They are on your side, even if they do not understand the coming war.”

The sip of tea I just took goes down wrong, and I cough violently. When I can speak again, I rasp, “War?”

Alexandros narrows his eyes at Osiris, who winces and clears his throat before continuing. “Merely a figure of speech. But you can count on the Crescent societies, although at my instruction, most of our packs have been sent home. Only a few critical seniors remain. Those I believe would do well in battle should the need arrive.”

Alexandros turns to Enora. “And the Vales?”

“They are aware something is afoot, but they do not wish to be a part of Giorgios’s coup. However, they have no desire to challenge him either, so they have left. And all members have been advised to return home until told it is safe to return.”

As much as I try not to let it, guilt returns to consume me. Safe to return? When will that even be? How long will Giorgios continue his ridiculous scheme? What the hell does he want with Montridge? With Malachi?

With me?

Axl comes to stand behind me and puts his arms around my waist. I lean back against him. “And what about the Dragon houses?” he asks.

“Nicholas Ashe was keen to side with Giorgios from the moment he arrived. All of his vampires have stayed behind.”

Alexandros clenches his jaw. “That figures. I should have taken his head five hundred years ago after what he took from me.”

My innate curiosity demands I ask for more information about what he took, but now isn’t the time to learn about the past. Not unless it helps the present situation, and if it did, I’m sure Alexandros would elaborate.

Xavier’s lip curls up, baring his fangs. “Onyx has always hated us.”

Axl rests his chin on top of my head, his warm breath ruffling my hair. “But what about Opal and Lapis?”

“They have always sworn allegiance to House Drakos,” Osiris answers, looking at Alexandros. “And without word from you or your father, they have refused to accept Giorgios as the new Ruby head. However, they are not fully aware of the situation. I did not wish to involve myself in vampire affairs as I am unsure who we can trust, but I believe they will be our allies.”

“I understand your reluctance, and I concur. But they must be appraised of the situation as soon as possible.” Alexandros directs his attention to Axl. “When we are done here, you must make contact and tell them Giorgios has betrayed his house by bringing dark magic and the Skotádi onto campus. Let them send their members home if they must.”

Xavier scowls. “But we need some of them to stay behind and fucking fight, Professor. Giorgios has a whole goddamn army.”

“They must make that choice for themselves, Xavier. An unwilling soldier is little use to us. They can leave or they can fight for the future of their kind. It is up to them.”

Axl voices his compliance while Alexandros refocuses on Osiris. “And Jerome Ollenshaw must advise all other students to return home.” He glances at his watch. “It is not too late for them to leave, and as it is a weekend, it is likely to cause less chaos. Have him tell them the school is infested with cockroaches or some other such nonsense that will scare the humans.”

Before Osiris can reply, someone hammers on the front door. My heart leaps into my throat, and Alexandros snarls.

“You think that’s Giorgios?” Cadence asks, her eyes wide.

Alexandros cracks his neck. “No. It is my father.”